WEEKLY CLIMATE NEWS

26-30 May 2014

DataStreme Earth Climate System will return for Fall 2014 with new Investigations files starting during Preview Week, Monday, 25 August 2014. All the current online website products will continue to be available throughout the summer break period.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Zenithal Sun -- The noontime sun should be at the zenith or directly over the heads of those on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu (Honolulu metropolitan area) during this week (25-27 May). [US Naval Observatory, Data Services]
Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2014 Campaign is underway -- The fifth of a series of GLOBE at Night citizen-science campaigns for 2014 will run through 28 May. 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 (Orion or Leo in the northern hemisphere, and Orion and Crux in the southern hemisphere) with seven star charts of progressively fainter stars. [GLOBE at Night]
National Hurricane Awareness Week -- NOAA has declared the week of 25 -31 May 2014 to be Hurricane Awareness Week across the nation.
Atlantic Hurricane Season begins -- The hurricane season in the North Atlantic basin, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico will begin this coming Sunday, 1 June. In the Eastern North Pacific basin, the hurricane season began on 15 May. The season will run until 30 November 2014 in both basins. NOAA has declared the week of 26 May-1 June 2013 to be Hurricane Awareness Week across the nation.
Change in season -- Meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the three-month span from March through May, concludes on Saturday (31 May 2014), while meteorological summer (June, July and August) will commence on the following day.
The "Global Selfie" is assembled from thousands of photos -- During the last week, NASA released the finished "Global Selfie," a mosaic image created from 36,422 individual images posted to social media sites on Earth Day 2014 (22 April) that was made to resemble what Earth would look like from space on that day. The photos were obtained from 113 counties on all continents. Each picture was used as a pixel (or picture element). [NASA's Earth Science News Team]

CURRENT CLIMATE STATUS

Global temperatures for April 2014 reviewed -- Using preliminary data collected from the global network of surface weather stations, scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center report that the combined global land and ocean surface temperature for April 2014 tied April 2010 as the highest for any April since global climate records began in 1880, or approximately 1.4 Fahrenheit degrees above the 20th century (1901-2000) average. The scientists also reported that when considered separately, the average land temperature was the third highest for any April since 1880, while the temperature over the oceans also was the third highest April temperature. Although sea-surface temperatures for the month were generally above average, neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Many locations across northern Africa, Europe, northern Asia and Alaska experienced above average April temperatures.
Data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center indicated that the average Arctic sea ice extent was the fifth smallest monthly April extent since satellite surveillance began in 1979. Conversely, the Antarctic sea ice extent was the largest April Antarctic sea ice extent on record for the satellite era. [NOAA/NCDC State of the Climate]
A global map of Selected Significant Climate Anomalies and Events for April 2014 is available from NCDC.
A NOAA ENSO Blog is launched -- With the anticipated start of an El Niño event, NOAA has announced that the NOAA ENSO Blog has been launched by a team of three scientists who are experts in ENSO (El Niño - Southern Oscillation). This blog is meant to provide the public with updates on the development of the El Niño event. [NOAA News]

CURRENT CLIMATE MONITORING

Introducing "CarbonTracker" -- Scientists at NOAA's Earth Systems Research Laboratory created "CarbonTracker," a data assimilation system and modeling system that tracks the sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide around the globe. [NOAA Climate.gov News]
GPS technology helps new tide gauges measure sea level change -- Scientists at Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new method of using the satellite navigation system signals received at existing coastal GPS (Global Positioning System) stations to measure sea level changes. The researchers claim that this new way of measuring sea level can be used to see how global sea level changes are affected by climate change. [Chalmers University of Technology News]
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]

CLIMATE FORECASTS

Hurricane outlooks issued -- In anticipation of the start of Hurricane Awareness Week, scientists with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center released their outlooks for the upcoming hurricane seasons in the Atlantic, the eastern Pacific and central Pacific Basins:

For the North Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the outlook indicates a 50-percent chance of a below-normal hurricane season in 2014 and a 40-percent chance of a near-normal season. Specifically, the outlook calls for a 70-percent chance that the basin could experience 8 to 13 named tropical cyclones (hurricanes and tropical storms with sustained surface winds of at least 39 mph). The forecasters also foresee that three to six tropical cyclones could become hurricanes (maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher). One to two of these hurricanes could become major hurricanes (Category 3 hurricanes or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale). These anticipated numbers would be slightly below the long-term average of 12 named tropical cyclones per year in the North Atlantic, and the six hurricanes that normally form during each year. Three of these hurricanes typically become major hurricanes. The forecasters claim that two of three factors appear to be capable of reducing hurricane activity across the Atlantic basin: possible development of an El Niño event and lower than average sea surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. On the other hand, the 20-year long pattern of highly active Atlantic hurricane seasons was expected to continue. 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 the Eastern North Pacific basin (east of 140 degrees West longitude), the outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center suggests a near-normal or above normal hurricane season. This outlook would call for a 70 percent chance of the formation of between 14 and 20 named tropical cyclones, with seven to eleven hurricanes. Three to six major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) were also envisioned. These anticipated numbers compare with the 45-year average of 15 named tropical cyclones per year that include eight hurricanes and as many as four major hurricanes. The forecasters indicate that while a pattern favoring low hurricane activity across the eastern Pacific continues, the anticipated development of an

NOAA News

For the Central North Pacific basin (between 180 degrees and 140 degrees West longitude), forecasters at NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center in collaboration with their colleagues at the Climate Prediction Center expect that the upcoming hurricane season would have a 40 percent chance of above average normal activity and a 40 percent change of a near normal season. They called for four to seven tropical cyclones to affect the central North Pacific in 2014, either forming with in the basin or entering it from the Eastern Pacific. On average, four to five tropical cyclones (including tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes) travel across the basin that stretches from 140 degrees west longitude to the International Dateline. The forecasters claim that the anticipated development El Niño conditions should increase more and stronger tropical cyclones, although a continuation was expected of low activity in the Central Pacific Basin that began more than 15 years ago. [NOAA News]
For comparison, Phil Klotzbach and Bill Gray at Colorado State University released a forecast of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season in early April that called for a relatively quiet season. They envision nine named tropical cyclones, with three potentially becoming hurricanes. One of these hurricanes could become severe. [The Tropical Meteorology Project]
In addition, forecasters at the United Kingdom's Meteorological Office have also produced a forecast of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season that estimates between seven and thirteen named tropical cyclones could form, with a most likely value of 10. The forecasters feel that between three and nine hurricanes could form, with six being the most likely value, which is close to 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.

CLIMATE FORCING

Hidden canyons under Greenland's ice could result in greater sea level rise -- Using radar data from several recent scientific missions, scientists at NASA and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have produced new topographic maps of Greenland's bedrock under its ice cap, finding that canyons under Greenland's ocean-feeding glaciers are deeper and longer than previously thought. The increase in the estimated size of these canyons would result in a corresponding increase in the amount of ice and the estimated contribution that Greenland would provide to future sea level rise. [NASA Global Climate Change ]

CLIMATE MODELING

Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns foreseen in with a future climate -- Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and colleagues from other research institutions have been evaluating 15 of the world's leading global climate models, running numerical simulations with increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide in order to assess the links among atmospheric processes, modeled clouds and probable forecast accuracy. These scientists have found that how the models handle the planetary scale atmospheric circulation regime in a warmer climate is directly linked to how clouds would change. The models' simulations of clouds and relative humidity over the last decade were compared with observations from four NASA spaceborne instruments: the CloudSat satellite, Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua spacecraft and the Microwave Limb Sounder instrument on NASA's Aura spacecraft. Five of the tested climate models closely reproduced the clouds and relative humidity observed by the satellites. In addition, these five models all produced results that indicated greater changes in atmospheric circulation than the other models. At the same time, the circulation changes decreased the cooling effect of clouds. [NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory]

CLIMATE AND SOCIETY

Agreement is made to help Caribbean and Latin American nations prepare and respond to severe weather -- Early last week officials with NOAA and the Inter-American Development Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding that is intended to explore cooperation in promoting programs and projects that use NOAA satellite imagery in an effort to quickly mobilize resources across those areas in Latin America and the Caribbean affected by life-threatening storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and other disasters. With 48 member nations, the Inter-American Development Bank is the largest source of development financing across Latin America and the Caribbean. Line offices within NOAA that will be participating are: the National Environmental Satellite and Information Service, National Weather Service, National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. [NOAA NESDIS News]
Earthweek -- Diary of the Planet [earthweek.com] Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Historical Events:

26 May 1967...A slow moving nor'easter battered New England with high winds, heavy rain, and record late season snow on this day and into the 26th. Over 7 inches of rain fell at Nantucket, MA with 6.57 inches falling in 24 hours to set a new 24-hour rainfall record. The 24.9 inches of snow that fell at Mount Washington, NH set a new May snowfall record. Other locations in New Hampshire received 10 inches of snow near Keene and 6 inches at Dublin. (Intellicast)
26 May 2001...The 2000-2001 snowfall season finally ended in St John's, Newfoundland, during which time a grand total of 255.3 inches of snow fell. The total snow, which broke a century-old mark, was estimated to have weighed 500 million tons! (The Weather Doctor)
27 May 1948...The 1.5 inches of rainfall at Victoria, British Columbia set the record for the wettest May day observed in the provincial capital city. (The Weather Doctor)
28 May 1887...The temperature reached 97 degrees at San Francisco, CA, establishing a record high temperature for the month of May for the city. (Intellicast)
28 May 1942...The latest snowstorm of record for the state of Iowa left ten inches at LeMars, eight inches at Cherokee, and 7.5 inches at Waukon. Afternoon highs were in the lower 30s in parts of northwestern Iowa. (The Weather Channel)
28 May 1984...Sacramento, CA had its highest temperature ever recorded in the month of May, when the temperature reached 110 degrees, breaking the old record of 100 degrees set in 1932. (Intellicast)
28 May 2003...A new Nevada maximum temperature record for May was set when the high temperature at Battle Mountain, NV rose to 102 degrees. (The Weather Doctor)
29 May 2000...A new national maximum temperature record for May is set when the high temperature in Death Valley, CA soared to 122 degrees. (The Weather Doctor)
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)

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