A New Week and New Hope for Average Temperatures

Tree roots removed from under cart path

It is snowing again today, June 6th, prohibiting golf or much outdoor work.  The forecast for Friday is for temperatures to reach 70 degrees, so I am going to hold out hope for another week.

Last week I outlined my optimistic planning for the projects we have been trying to accomplish.  Well; everything got done except for the painting of Shaffer Mill Road, and the painting of the 3 new sewer lift stations.  Having the asphalt done is a big relief.

Part of the hope that I hold is to be able to go out and enjoy what is typical weather for Tahoe. Typical and average are definitions that come about from years of data collection, and it should not be considered un-ordinary to be outside of those typical ranges over days, and often times weeks.  Months, and years are a different range.  The last month for weather across the world has been very unusual, making me believe something on a larger scale is going on.  I believe it is related to sea surface temperatures, and an increase in input to the energy systems on the planet. It is really a simple concept; energy in = energy out.  The complex part is quantifying the numerous inputs and outputs. Two of the easily recognized outlets of this increased energy are being seen in a strong late season jet stream, and strong frontal boundaries that are resulting in the large number of very strong tornadoes.  Temperature is only one component of the energy system, but it seems to be the one we have been fixated on for the last few years.  It does not completely explain snow in the Sierras, and does complete the picture for the severe storms across the rest of the nation.

There is not enough room here to explain what is going on, and I am now 23 years removed from my formal meteorological education, so I will leave you with the simple concept of global energy in = energy out. I will also let you know that it is boasting when someone says that they know what is going on, especially if they are talking about what is going to happen with global warming. Hundreds of thousands of temperature readings tell us the planet is warming, which is undeniable empirical data.  What that means we are only beginning to learn.  I invite you to come to your own conclusions by visiting a few links that I will provide here.  They are not religion based, or politically based; I have too much respect for what science stands for to promote those self serving institutions.

Wikipedia attributes to climate change
Energy balance and global warming





Kevin