18-22 July 2011

DataStreme Earth Climate Systems will return for Fall 2011 with new Investigations files starting during Preview Week, Monday, 29 August 2011. All the current online website products will continue to be available throughout the summer break period.

• Zenithal Sun -- Residents of Hawaii's Big Island will experience a noontime sun that would be directly overhead during this week (22-23 Jul). This occurrence of a zenithal sun is one of the two times during the year when the noontime sun is directly overhead to residents of Hilo and elsewhere on the Big Island. The other time when the Big Island experienced a zenithal sun was in mid May. [US Naval Observatory, Data Services]
• Our national parks and climate change -- The nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association recently released a comprehensive report of the system based on a decade-long study that has found many of the national parks are in peril. In addition to a lack of funding for infrastructure maintenance and conservation efforts, the natural and cultural aspects of some of the parks are threatened by changing climate. The report is intended to serve as a call to action for support and lobbying groups as the centennial of the establishment of the National Park Service approaches in 2016. [Twin Cities.com]
  The Spring 2011 issue of Park Science Magazine, a periodical published by the US National Parks Service, is dedicated to "Climate Change Adaptation & Communication" and considers climate change and its implications for the future of the national parks. The concepts of adaptation, communication and public engagement are studied in eleven articles. [Park Science Magazine] Editor's note: Apparently the response to this issue has been so strong that the next issue of Park Science Magazine will also focus on Climate Change. EJH
  A campaign called "Discover the Forest" has been launched by the Ad Council for the U.S. Forest Service that is designed to inspire elementary and middle school students and their parents to visit local forests and experience nature first-hand. An interactive Web site http://www.discovertheforest.org/ highlights activities (hiking, swimming, biking, etc.) and sites (national forests and parks, state forests and parks, etc.) based on zip code.

• June drought report -- The National Climate Data Center has posted its June 2011 drought report online. Using the Palmer Drought Severity Index, approximately 25 percent of the coterminous United States experienced severe to extreme drought conditions at the end of June, while 33 percent of the area had severely to extremely wet conditions.
• Review of global climate for June 2011 --Relying upon preliminary data, scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center have noted that the combined global land and ocean temperature for June 2011 was 0.68 Celsius degrees (1.1 Fahrenheit degrees) above the 20th century (1901-2000) average, which makes this past June the seventh warmest since reliable global climate records began in 1880. The global land surface temperature was the fourth warmest June on record, while the global ocean surface temperature was the tenth warmest June in 131 years. Furthermore, the combined global land and ocean temperature for the first six months of the year (January through July 2011) was the eleventh highest on record.
  The extent of the Arctic sea ice in June was the second smallest since satellite surveillance began in 1979, while Antarctic sea ice extent in June was the twelfth smallest. [NOAA News]

• Pollution from fires in central Africa detected from space -- An image generated from data collected by the Ozone Measuring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite during the second week of July shows a "butterfly" shaped area of high levels of nitrogen dioxide over the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola due to numerous agricultural fires. [NASA GSFC]
• An All-Hazards Monitor -- This Web portal provides the user information from NOAA on current environmental events that may pose as hazards such as tropical weather, fire weather, marine weather, severe weather, drought and floods. [NOAAWatch]
• Global and US Hazards/Climate Extremes -- A review and analysis of the global impacts of various weather-related events, including drought, floods and storms during the current month. [NCDC]

• Ocean's carbon dioxide uptake reduced by changing climate -- A scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her colleagues report that their analysis of a 30-year time series of data collected from the North Atlantic indicates that oceans are sequestering less atmospheric carbon dioxide as temperatures increase around the globe. [University of Wisconsin-Madison News]
• Terrain below glaciers can affect sea level -- Scientists from the United Kingdom's University of Edinburgh report that the terrain found under glaciers can influence the amount that glacier melt would contribute to sea level fluctuations. The scientists claim that their research into past ice sheet movements in Antarctica will help them predict the impact of changing climates on global sea levels. [University of Edinburgh]

• A strong El Niño event could cause problems on East Coast -- In a new NOAA study, coastal areas along the nation's East Coast could become more vulnerable to storm surges and sea level changes in the future especially when El Niño events are occurring. Prompted by an unusually large number of destructive storm surges along the East Coast during the 2009-2010 El Niño event, the NOAA scientists studied water levels and storm surge events that occurred during the "cool season" (October through April) between 1961 and 2010 at four represented ports along the Coast. As many as three times the average number of storm surge events occurred during strong El Niño winters. [NOAA News]
• Recent West Coast erosion peak could be repeated due to changing climate -- A coastal geologist from the US Geological Survey and colleagues report that the storms during the 2009-10 El Niño winter eroded beaches along the coasts of California and the Pacific Northwest to unprecedented levels because of higher-than-usual wave energy and water levels. They warn that since the climate pattern of this recent winter could be repeated in future years due to projected increased global temperatures, the severe damage to shorelines could occur more frequently. [USGS Newsroom]

• Greenland glacier found to respond rapidly to changing climate -- Researchers at the New York State's University at Buffalo have found that Jakobshavn Isbrae, a Greenland glacier, currently experiencing a rapid retreat during the last 160 years due to a warming climate had shown rapid growth during periods of global cooling, such as in the 18th and early 19th centuries during the Little Ice Age. [University at Buffalo]
• Discovery of the last dinosaur before extinction -- A team of scientists from Yale University have discovered the fossilized remnants of what they claim represent the youngest and last known dinosaur to have existed just before the catastrophic meteor impact 65 million years ago that was responsible for the mass extinction that gave way to the age of mammals. These researchers claim that their discovery of the fossils in Montana just below the geological layer associated with the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary indicates that dinosaurs had not become extinct before the meteor impact. [Yale University]

• California mussels could be affected by ocean acidification -- Researchers at the University of California Davis warn that California mussels living in beds along North America's West Coast are in danger due to ocean acidification associated with changing climate conditions due to increased carbon dioxide levels that are dissolved into seawater. [UC Davis]

• Adapting rice to changing climate -- Researchers from the US Geological Survey and their colleagues have been exploring ways to increase the adaptability of rice, a major food staple for the world's population, to changing climate and several other catastrophic events by colonizing its seeds or plants with the spores of tiny naturally occurring fungi. [USGS Newsroom]
• Pesticide pathways into the atmosphere are studied -- Scientists with the US Department of Agriculture conducting a long-term field study have found that when soil moisture levels increases, volatilization of pesticides increases resulting in their loss from the soil and into the atmosphere. The researchers considered two commonly used herbicides used in corn production that are also known for contamination of surface and groundwater. [USDA Agricultural Research Service]
• Website for human dimensions of climate change -- An interagency effort within the US federal government that included NOAA, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service, has resulted in a website called HD.gov (for HumanDimensions.gov) that provides users, such as natural resource managers, with information on the human dimensions on a variety of topics of interest such as climate change. [HD.gov]
• Earthweek -- Diary of the Planet [earthweek.com] Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• 18 July 1889...A cloudburst in West Virginia along the small creeks in Wirt County, Jackson County and Wood County claimed twenty lives. Rockport, WV reported 19.00 inches of rain in two hours and ten minutes that Thursday evening, setting a 24-hour precipitation record for the Mountain State. Tygart Creek rose 22 feet in one hour, and villages were swept away on Tygart, Slate, Tucker, and Sandy Creeks. (The Weather Channel) (NCDC)
• 18 July 1942...A record deluge occurred at Smethport in northern Pennsylvania, with 30.70 inches in just six hours. The 24-hour rainfall total for the day was 34.50 inches, which set a maximum 24-hour precipitation for the Keystone State. The downpours and resultant flooding in Pennsylvania were devastating. (David Ludlum) (Intellicast) (NCDC)
• 18 July 1955...In Martinstown, England, eleven inches of rain fell in a 15-hour period on this day believed to be the 24-hour greatest rainfall for the United Kingdom. (The Weather Doctor)
• 18-19 July 1979...A 30-foot high tsunami wave leveled four Indonesian villages on the Sunda Islands during the night. The wave swept 1500 feet inland, causing 589 deaths among the sleeping villagers. A landslide from Mount Werung (Lomblen Island) caused the tsunami. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 18-21 July 1996...Between six and twelve inches of rain fell on an already saturated Saguenay River Valley of Quebec, producing Canada's first billion-dollar disaster ($1.5 billion). Flooding destroyed or damaged 1718 houses and 900 cottages. Ten people were killed and 16,000 were evacuated. Roads and bridges disappeared. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar) (The Weather Doctor) (Wikipedia)
• 18 July 1996...Aurora, IL received 16.91 inches of rain, which established a new 24-hour precipitation record for the Prairie State. (NCDC)
• 18-22 July 1997...Hurricane Danny, the only hurricane that made landfall in the continental US in 1997, moved inland into coastal Alabama at a snails pace. Radar storm total estimates of 43 inches over Mobile Bay. A torrential 32.52 inches of rain fell on 19-20 July at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, establishing a 24-hour maximum precipitation record for Alabama. (NCDC) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 19 July 1886...A hurricane from the Gulf of Mexico crossed Florida causing great damage from Cedar Keys to Jacksonville. This was the third hurricane in one month to cross the Florida peninsula. (David Ludlum) (Intellicast)
• 19 July 1955...The Yarkon Water Project was opened to supply water to Negev desert in Israel. The Yarkon "flows" through the most densely populated areas of the country to the Mediterranean. The river has deteriorated rapidly since the 1950's due to excessive draining for irrigation by the National Water Carrier, with marked decline in water quality, animal habitats, flora and fauna. The National Water Carrier (1964), which crosses Israel from north to south, is the 81-mile main artery connecting all regional water projects in the State. (Today in Science History)
• 19 July 1974...A severe thunderstorm with winds to 80 mph and up to two inches of rain washed out four to five foot deep sections of roadway in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Three persons in a station wagon died as it was carried 3000 feet down a wash by a ten foot wall of water. (The Weather Channel)
• 19 July 1977...Thunderstorms produced torrential rains over parts of southwestern Pennsylvania. Some places in the Johnstown area received more than twelve inches in a seven-hour period. The heavy rains cause flash flooding along streams resulting in widespread severe damage, representing the "second Johnstown flood", second to the more disastrous flood in May 1889. The cloudburst flooded Johnstown with up to ten feet of water resulting in 76 deaths, countless injuries, and 424 million dollars damage. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
• 19 July 1994...Hurricane Emilia was the first of three Category-5 hurricanes to develop in the Central Pacific in 1994 as unusually warm sea temperatures prevailed south of Hawaii. Sustained winds reached 160 mph. (Intellicast)
• 19 July 2006...Charlwood, England melted under the highest temperature ever recorded in Britain in July at 97.3 degrees. (The Weather Doctor)
• 20 July 1965...The 24-hour maximum precipitation record for the Show-Me State was set at Edgarton, MO as 18.18 inches of rain fell. (NCDC)
• 20 July 1989...Showers and thunderstorms in the Middle Atlantic Coast Region soaked Wilmington, DE with 2.28 inches of rain, pushing their total for the period May through July past the previous record of 22.43 inches. Heavy rain over that three-month period virtually wiped out a 16.82-inch deficit that had been building since drought conditions began in 1985. Thunderstorms in central Indiana deluged Lebanon with 6.50 inches of rain in twelve hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
• 20 July 1997...A torrential 32.52 inches of rain fell at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, establishing a 24-hour maximum precipitation record for Alabama. (NCDC)
• 20 July 1930...The temperature at Washington, DC soared to an all-time record of 106 degrees. The next day Millsboro reached 110 degrees to set a record for the state of Delaware. July 1930 was one of the hottest and driest summers in the U.S., particularly in the Missouri Valley where severe drought conditions developed. Toward the end of the month, state records were set for Kentucky with 114 degrees and Mississippi with 115 degrees. (David Ludlum)
• 20 July 1934...The temperature at Keokuk, IA soared to 118 degrees to establish an all-time record high temperature for the Hawkeye State. (The Weather Channel)
• 20 July 1965...The 24-hour maximum precipitation record for the Show-Me State was set at Edgarton, MO as 18.18 inches of rain fell. (NCDC)
• 20 July 1997...A torrential 32.52 inches of rain fell at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, establishing a 24-hour maximum precipitation record for Alabama. (NCDC)
• 20 July 1986...The temperature at Charleston, SC hit 104 degrees for the second day in a row to tie their all-time record high. (The Weather Channel)
• 20 July 1988...The temperature at Redding, CA soared to an all-time record high of 118 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
• 20 July 1994...Seattle-Tacoma, WA sizzled at 100 degrees, the highest ever temperature recorded there. (Intellicast)
• 20 July 1997...A torrential 32.52 inches of rain fell at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, establishing a 24-hour maximum precipitation record for Alabama. (NCDC)
• 21 July 1911...The temperature at Painter, WY dipped to 10 degrees to equal the record low for July for the continental U.S. (The Weather Channel)
• 21 July 1930...The record high temperature for Delaware was set with 110 degrees at Millsboro. (Intellicast)
• 21 July 1934...The temperature reached 109 degrees at Cincinnati, OH to cap their hottest summer of record. The state record for Ohio was established that day with a reading of 113 degrees near the town of Gallipolis. (David Ludlum)
• 21 July 1983...The temperature at Vostok, Antarctic (elevation 11,220 ft) fell to 129 degrees below zero, establishing the all time lowest temperature ever recorded at a surface station on earth, as well as for the Antarctic continent. (NCDC)
• 21 July 1991...Windsor Locks, CT hit 101 degrees, the third day in a row with temperatures over 100 degrees. Providence RI reached 102 degrees, their second day of 100-degree readings, very rare for this location. (Intellicast)
• 22 July 1926...The temperature at Troy, NY reached 108 degrees to set a high temperature record for the Empire State. The record high temperature for Connecticut was set at Waterbury with 105 degrees; this record for the Nutmeg State was broken by one degree in July 1995 at the same city. (Intellicast)
• 22 July 1972...Fort Ripley, MN received 10.84 inches of rain, to establish a new 24-hour maximum precipitation record for the Gopher State. (NCDC)
• 22 July 1987...Barrow, AK received 1.38 inches in 24 hours on the 21^st and 22^nd, an all-time record for that location. The previous record was the 1.00 inch water equivalent in a 15 inch all-time record snowfall of 26 October 1926. The average annual precipitation for Barrow is just 4.75 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (The Weather Channel) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 23 July 1923...Sheridan, WY was drenched with 4.41 inches of rain, an all-time 24-hour record for that location. (22^nd-23^rd) (The Weather Channel)
• 23 July 1987...Thunderstorms produced a record ten inches of rain in six and a half-hours at Minneapolis, MN, including 5.26 inches in two hours. Flash flooding claimed two lives and caused 21.3 million dollars damage. Streets in Minneapolis became rushing rivers, parking lots became lakes, and storm sewers spouted like geysers. A tornado hit Maple Grove, MN causing five million dollars damage. Baseball size hail was reported at Olivia, MN. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
• 24 July 1928...Wahluke, WA hit a high temperature of 118 degrees, which tied a record high for the state. In August 1961, this all time state record high was tied at Ice Harbor Dam. (Intellicast)
• 24 July 1936...Record high temperature for Kansas was tied at 121 degrees near Alton. The record high for Nebraska was also tied at Minden with 118 degrees.
• 24 July 1942...The temperature at Las Vegas, NV hit 117 degrees to set an all- time record for that location. (The Weather Channel)
• 24 July 1952...The temperature at Louisville, GA soared to 112 degrees to establish a state record. This record for the Peach State was tied in August 1983. (The Weather Channel) (NCDC)
• 24-25 July 1979...Claudette, a weak tropical storm, deluged southeastern Texas with torrential rains. The Houston suburb of Alvin received 43.00 inches, a 24-hour precipitation record for not only the Lone Star State, but for the U.S. Freeport reported a total of 30 inches. Total damage from flooding was over $400 million. (Intellicast) (David Ludlum) (NCDC) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)

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Prepared by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D., email hopkins@meteor.wisc.edu
© Copyright, 2011, The American Meteorological Society.