WEEKLY CLIMATE NEWS

30 May -3 June 2016

DataStreme Earth Climate System will return for Fall 2016 with new Investigations files starting during Preview Week, Monday, 22 August 2016. All the current online website products will continue to be available throughout the summer break period.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2016 Campaign is underway -- The sixth in the series of GLOBE at Night citizen-science campaigns for 2016 will continue through Tuesday, 7 June. GLOBE at Night is a worldwide, hands-on science and education program designed to encourage citizen-scientists worldwide to record the brightness of their night sky by matching the appearance of a constellation (Bootes in the Northern Hemisphere and Crux in the Southern Hemisphere) with the seven magnitude/star charts of progressively fainter stars. Activity guides are also available. The GLOBE at night program is intended to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution. The next series in the 2016 campaign is scheduled for 27 June-6 July 2016. [GLOBE at Night]
Change in season -- Meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the three-month span from June through August, commences this coming Wednesday (1 June 2016). In three weeks, the summer solstice will occur on Monday, 20 June, which marks the beginning of astronomical summer.
Atlantic Hurricane Season begins -- The hurricane season in the North Atlantic basin, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico will begin this Wednesday, 1 June. In the Eastern North Pacific basin, the hurricane season began two weeks ago on 15 May. The season will run until 30 November 2016 in both basins.
High-quality maps of June temperature and precipitation normals across US available -- The PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University's website has prepared high-resolution maps depicting the normal maximum, minimum and precipitation totals for June and other months across the 48 coterminous United States for the current 1981-2010 climate normals interval. These maps, with a 800-meter resolution, were produced using the PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) climate mapping system.
June weather calendar for a city near you -- The Midwestern Regional Climate Center maintains an interactive website that permits the public to produce a ready to print weather calendar for any given month of the year, such as April, at any of approximately 270 weather stations around the nation. (These stations are NOAA's ThreadEx stations.) The entries for each day of the month includes: Normal maximum temperature, normal minimum temperature, normal daily heating and cooling degree days, normal daily precipitation, record maximum temperature, record minimum temperature, and record daily precipitation; the current normals for 1981-2010.
Early Sunrise -- Within the next week, many locations in the continental United States will experienced the date of earliest sunrise. While the longest daylight at each locale in the Northern Hemisphere will occur in over two weeks on the summer solstice (on Sunday, 21 June 2015), the occurrence of earliest local sunrise occurs before this date because the apparent sun now "leads" the clock time. This time discrepancy, which now amounts to approximately 2 minutes, occurs because of a combination of factors that result from the earth moving more slowly in its elliptical orbit because the earth presently is near its farthest point from the sun (aphelion on the afternoon of 6 July 2015) and the effect of the tilt of the earth's spin axis (near the summer solstice). For reference, the latest sunsets of the year will occur later in June as the apparent sun slows and by the first week of July "lags" clock time by about 4 minutes.
World Environment Day -- This Sunday, 5 June 2016, is World Environment Day (WED), a day that has been created by the United Nations in an effort to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to enhance political attention and action. This observance was established initially by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Various activities are being planned. This year's theme for World Environment Day is "Go Wild for Life," which is aimed at zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade. [World Environment Day]
Three Atlantic and Pacific hurricane names retired after 2015 season -- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently announced three names were retired from the lists of hurricane/tropical storm names because these tropical cyclones were notably strong and deadly. These three names were for the category 5 (on the Saffir-Simpson Scale) Hurricane Patricia in the eastern North Pacific basin, which was the strongest tropical cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere; Erika a tropical storm in the North Atlantic basin, which produced torrential rains on the Caribbean island nation of Dominica that were responsible for 31 fatalities; and Joaquin a category 4 hurricane in the North Atlantic, which was the basin's strongest hurricane in 2015 and was responsible for the loss of the cargo ship El Faro and 33 crew members. [Mental_floss]

CURRENT CLIMATE MONITORING

New Australian research vessel used to study remote Southern Ocean -- During a 40-day span in March and April, scientists from NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology sailed to the south of Tasmania aboard Australia's new R/V Investigator to study a large ocean eddy, replace a climate flux reference buoy, and monitor clouds and air-sea fluxes using NOAA's Air-Sea Flux System. The scientists also measured surface waves and carbon dioxide fluxes during the cruise. [NOAA Climate Program Office News]
GOES-13 reaches 10-year milestone -- Ten years ago on 24 May 2006, NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) -13 spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral FL and placed in a geosynchronous orbit around the Earth, where onboard sensors collected environmental data from the Earth atmosphere system. This satellite is also known currently as GOES-East as its station over the Equator provides a continuous view of the eastern half of the North American continent and the Atlantic Ocean basin. [NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service News]
Level of Lake Mead drops to lowest on record -- As of last week, the water level of Lake Mead, the nation's largest reservoir impounded behind Hoover Dam on the Colorado River near Las Vegas, NV had fallen to its lowest level since it was filled in 1937. Changes in climate involving diminished precipitation totals and higher temperatures along with increased water demand by increased population appear to be causing the current lowering of lake level. [Desert Sun News]

CLIMATE FORCING

Huge coronal hole on Sun viewed from orbiting observatory -- During a recent three-day interval (17-19 May 2016), sensors onboard NASA's orbiting Solar Dynamics Observatory obtained images of the Sun that revealed a dark area identified as a coronal hole in the solar atmosphere. These coronal holes are the source of high-speed solar particles sent out into space and toward Earth as part of the solar wind. [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Feature]

CLIMATE FORECASTS

Hurricane outlooks issued -- In conjunction with this past week being National Hurricane Awareness Week, scientists with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center released their outlook for the upcoming hurricane seasons in the North Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Their outlook indicates a 70-percent chance of a near-normal hurricane season in 2016, as 10 to 16 named tropical cyclones (hurricanes and tropical storms with sustained surface winds of at least 39 mph) could develop, including four to eight tropical cyclones becoming hurricanes (maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher). As many as four of these hurricanes could become major hurricanes (Category 3 hurricanes or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale). The forecasters also felt that a 30-percent chance of an above average season could occur, while a 25-percent chance for a below average season was given. (Based upon long-term statistics, an average Atlantic season consists of 12 named tropical cyclones per year and the six hurricanes that normally form during each year. Three of these hurricanes typically become major hurricanes.) The forecasters claim that prediction of the frequency of named tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic basin this year has been made difficult by the forecast uncertainty in the climate signals, such as if the high activity era of Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995 has ended. In addition, a warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO) associated with above average sea surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea along with a stronger West African monsoon could affect hurricane activity. Finally the timing of when the El Niño event transitions into ENSO-neutral conditions and then to a possible La Niña event during the hurricane season could play a role. NOAA will issue an updated outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season in early August, just before the historical peak of the season. [NOAA News]
For comparison, Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University had released a forecast of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season in early April that called for a near average season. They envisioned twelve named tropical cyclones following Hurricane Alex, along with five additional hurricanes. Of these hurricanes, the forecasters foresee two major hurricanes. [The Tropical Meteorology Project]
In addition, forecasters at the United Kingdom's Meteorological Office have recently produced a forecast of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season with below normal activity. These forecasters predict that a 70 percent chance that 10 to 18 named tropical cyclones forming, with a most likely value of 14. The forecasters feel that between six and ten hurricanes could form, with eight being the most likely value, which is one two the long-term average number. They base their estimates on the Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, which measures the number of storms and their combined strength.
Spring snowpack in Western US may be vulnerable to a warming climate -- Scientists at the University of Utah recently reported that their model simulations of the April snow water equivalent of the snowpack across mountain ranges across the West, including Utah's Wasatch Mountains, through 2100 that incorporate projected precipitation and temperature information suggest an anticipated warmer climate would result in less snow and earlier snowmelt at higher elevations, making the Western snowpack more vulnerable. [University of Utah News]

CLIMATE AND THE BIOSPHERE

Assessing the fate of the Great Barrier Reef -- During the last year, portions of Australia's Great Barrier Reef have experienced major damage in terms of health, diversity, and productivity due heat stress associated with prolonged episodes of much above average water temperatures. Attention is being focused upon whether continued ocean warming will decimate the reef or was some recovery of the reefs possible. The impact of the recent major El Niño event upon coral bleaching was considered. [NOAA Climate.gov News]
Urban heat island effect accentuated as spring starts earlier -- Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently reported that although plant buds appear to burst earlier in dense urban areas as compared with those in nearby suburban and rural areas, the effects provided by this urban heat island in a modest size urban area such as Madison, WI are not uniform because some areas in parks with trees and grass near the downtown may not have an earlier growing season as compared to the earlier budding in the densest urban areas with impervious surfaces. [University of Wisconsin-Madison News]
Critical factors have been identified that determine drought vulnerability of wheat and maize -- Researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis claim they have identified certain critical information about environmental variables and agronomic factors that determine the vulnerability of C4 (maize) and C3 (wheat) plants and their productivity to drought. C4 plants tend to be very efficient in hot, dry climates. [Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Newsroom]

CLIMATE AND HUMAN HEALTH

Online toolkit developed to help understand extreme heat events -- The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) is an online integrated system being developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NOAA along with domestic and international partners that allows users to examine current heat advisories and warnings around the country and keep up on heat related health issues. NIHHIS builds understanding of extreme heat, defines demand for climate services, develops science-based products and services from a sustained climate science research program, and improves capacity, communication, and societal understanding to reduce morbidity and mortality due to extreme heat. [NOAA Climate.gov Toolkit] and [NOAA Climate Program Office]

CLIMATE AND SOCIETY

Updated Extreme Weather Information Sheets for 2016 hurricane season available for coastal residents -- NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information recently updated its NOAA Extreme Weather Information Sheets (NEWIS) for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season. Sheets have been prepared for coastal regions of the five states bordering the Gulf Coast, three states along the Atlantic Coast and the US Caribbean Territories that are vulnerable to tropical cyclones. In addition, a sheet is available for the state of Hawaii as the Central Pacific hurricane season is also beginning. These sheets, which can be downloaded as a pdf document or as a free App compatible on Apple devices, serve as a "one-stop" ready reference that provides critical information to coastal residents such as phone numbers and Web site information for contacting government officials and monitoring information resources. [NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information]

COMPARATIVE PLANETOLOGY

Martian ice age record determined from radar on NASA orbiter -- Scientists have been developing a record of the most recent ice age on planet Mars from radar data collected of the Martian polar cap region by the Shallow Subsurface Radar instrument on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. Layers of ice and dust near the planet's polar caps are affected by climate change on the Red Planet, which are driven by changes in the spin axis tilt and shape of the orbit analogous to the Milankovitch cycles on planet Earth. A glacial period appears to have ended about 400,000 years ago. [NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory News]
Earthweek -- Diary of the Planet [earthweek.com]

Historical Events:

30 May 1948...The Columbia River reached its highest stage since 1894. A railroad bed acting as a dam gave way during a flood along the Columbia River destroying the town of Vanport, OR. The nearly 18,700 residents escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs. Damage was estimated at 101 million dollars and 75 lost their lives. (David Ludlum) (Intellicast) Twenty carloads of glass were needed in Denver, CO to replace that destroyed by a severe hailstorm. (The Weather Channel)
30 May 1985...The temperature in Oklahoma City, OK reached a sizzling 104 degrees, making it the highest ever for so early in the season. This also marked the very first time the temperature had reached the 100-degree plateau in the month of May at Oklahoma City. (Intellicast)
30 May 1986...Hanford, WA hit a scorching 104 degrees, breaking the all-time record high temperature for May for Eastern Washington. Yakima, WA hit 102 degrees, a record high for the month of May for Yakima. Records also fell at Boise, ID and Reno, NV. (Intellicast)
31 May 1889...The Johnstown, PA disaster occurred, the worst flood tragedy in U.S. history. Heavy rains totaling 4 to 10 inches over the previous 36 hours collapsed the South Fork Dam sending a thirty-foot wall of water rushing down the already flooded Conemaugh Valley. The wall of water, traveling as fast as twenty-two feet per second, swept away all structures, objects, and people, practically wiping out Johnstown. About 2100 persons perished in the flood. (David Ludlum)
31 May-1 June 1941...Thunderstorms deluged Burlington, KS with 12.59 inches of rain to establish a 24-hour rainfall record for the Jayhawk State. (The Weather Channel)
31 May 1973...Canada's sunniest month ends as Eureka, Northwest Territories recorded 621 hours of bright sunshine. (The Weather Doctor)
31 May 1983...Albany, NY experienced its wettest spring (March-May) in 109 years of records as 19.54 inches of precipitation was recorded. (Intellicast)
31 May 1986...The Weather Service Office in Washington, DC reported its driest spring on record with only 3.47 inches of precipitation from 1 March to 31 May. (Intellicast)
31 May 1988...Hot and humid weather prevailed in the eastern U.S. Thirteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date. Cape Hatteras, NC reported their first ninety-degree day in May in 115 years of records. (The National Weather Summary)
31 May 1991...Norfolk, VA hit 100 degrees, setting a new all-time record high for the month of May. (Intellicast)
31 May 1992...This May was the driest on record for Chicago, IL and Rockford, IL. Only 0.30 inches of rain fell at Chicago and Rockford had a paltry 0.48 inches. The total rainfall at El Paso, TX of this past month was 4.22 inches, making this the wettest May ever for the city. The normal rainfall for May is only 0.24 inches, which means that this month rainfall total was 1758 percent of normal! (Intellicast)
1 June 1907...Sarmiento, Argentina reported a temperature of 29 degrees below zero, the lowest temperature ever recorded in South America. (The Weather Doctor)
1 June 1941...Burlington, KS received 12.59 inches of rain, which set a 24-hour precipitation record for the Jayhawk State. (NCDC)
1-17 June 2001...The deadliest and costliest tropical storm in US history, Tropical Storm Allison, wandered westward across the tropical Atlantic and crossed over into the Pacific before reversing and moving back into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. On 1 June the tropical wave, which eventually evolved into TS Allison, moved into the Gulf of Tehuantepec on the Pacific coast of Mexico after moving westward across the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean from the west coast of Africa on 21 May. On the 2^nd, a cyclonic (counterclockwise) circulation developed to the south-southeast of Salma Cruz, Mexico, but the low-level circulation became ill defined as the system moved inland on the 3^rd over southeastern Mexico and western Guatemala. This system intensified again and eventually moved northward to the Texas Gulf Coast and then eastward to the Atlantic before turning into an extratropical storm in mid-June. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
1 June 2005...The UV (ultraviolet) Index in Toronto, Ontario reached 11 or Extreme on the 5-category UV scale, marking the first time the new extreme category has ever been attained in Canada. (The Weather Doctor)
2 June 1917...The temperature at Tribune, KS dipped to 30 degrees to establish a state record for the month of June. (The Weather Channel)
3 June 1905...Seattle, WA received its heaviest ever 24-hour June rainstorm with 1.42 inches falling. (Intellicast)
4 June 1871...The United States' 15-minute rainfall record was set in Galveston, TX at 3.95 inches as the season's first tropical storm came onshore. Galveston would be struck by another tropical storm just five days later. (National Weather Service files)
4-5 June 1908...Helena, MT was deluged with 3.67 inches of rain to establish their all-time 24-hour rainfall record. (The Weather Channel)
5 June 1993...A strong, late season spring storm moved into California. The 0.76 inches of rain at Los Angeles set a new daily rainfall record for June. Lake Gregory was deluged with 3.24 inches of rain in 24 hours and a foot of snow fell at the Mammoth Mountain ski area. (Intellicast)

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