Putting a Cap on Heat Hysteria

PA Pundits International

Joe Bastardi  ~   

It’s summer, it’s hot, and the climate-change agenda is turning up the heat on the weaponization of weather. So I thought some perspective may be in order.

No question the last three Julys have been warmer than average for a large area of the nation.

But for perspective, the three Julys before that were quite cool in the U.S.

The 2015-16 Super El Niño, with its input of massive amounts of water vapor, changed all that. How can we tell it’s water vapor and not CO2? Because nighttime lows (mins) are beating out daytime highs (maxes) in relation to averages. The moisture in the air when the air is stable at night effectively keeps temperatures up (as do Urban Heat Islands). However, because there is not enough corresponding warming aloft, more clouds form during the day from convective processes as it heats up…

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Saved By Pseudo-Renewable Energy?

*To put it simply, so that even Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Al Gore and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can understand this energy reality: The wind and sun may be free, green, renewable and sustainable. But the energy, land and materials required to harness and utilize that energy certainly are not.*

PA Pundits International

By Paul Driessen ~

The IPCC says it’s still possible to limit planetary warming to an additional 0.5 degrees C (0.9 F) “above pre-industrial levels” – but only if global CO2 emissions are halved by 2030 and zeroed out by 2050.

So climate alarmists intend to carbon-tax, legislate and regulate our energy, factories, livelihoods, living standards, liberties and lives to the max. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal would eliminate and replace US fossil fuels by 2030. It’s an unprecedented economic and political power grab.

We went to war with King George over far less serious abuses and usurpations. And yet today we seem to have few Patrick Henrys or other stalwart, principled leaders willing to defy this insanity.

Those accusing someone of a crime must prove his guilt; the accused need not prove his innocence. But not only are alarmists bringing what amount to criminal charges against fossil fuels; wiping…

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Uncovered: decades-old government report showing climate data was bad, unfit for purpose

*Here is some really useful information on the Climate Change situation.*

Watts Up With That?

IPCC Knew from Start Climate Data Inadequate

Climate Monitoring Weather Station at the University of Arizona, Tucson, measuring temperature in the University parking lot if front of the Atmospheric Science Building. The station has since been closed. 2007 Photo by Warren Meyer

Guest opinion: Dr. Tim Ball

In 1999, the National Academy of Sciences, the research arm of the National Research Council, released a study expressing concern about the accuracy of the data used in the debate over climate change. They said there are,

“Deficiencies in the accuracy, quality and continuity of the records,” that “place serious limitations on the confidence that can be placed in the research results.”

The people who reached these conclusions and their affiliations at the time follows.

———————-

• THOMAS R. KARL (Chair), National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, North Carolina
• ROBERT E. DICKINSON,University of Arizona, Tucson
• MAURICE BLACKMON,National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
• BERT BOLIN,University of Stockholm…

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Frigid February Morning

This is what sub-zero looks like. It was just below zero Fahrenheit this morning when I shot these.

The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon at this point

Up over the horizon, but blocked by clouds…

Over the horizon, but not quite visible…

Peeking through the clouds …

Brightening, but still chill …

Here the sun has risen and illuminates the ‘steam’ coming up from the surface waters which is really ice crystals.

Lovely reflection off Lake Michigan’s surface …

This is just a clearer shot of the lake’s surface.

Last, but not least more surface detail.

One of the things worth mentioning is that these were shot looking almost exactly due east, so you can see how much the sun has returned from its wintry trip down south. It is almost dead even on the horizon as it moves back north through spring and summer.

These photos were shot today, February first. Since the first of the year, we have added 13 minutes of daylight in the morning and 35 minutes in the afternoon, so we have a total of 48 more minutes of sunlight now than we did when the year started. Things are looking up.

Tony

Another January Morning

Here is another January morning sunrise. I wondered if the weather had anything to do with it.

Chicago has been suffering from the arrival of winter. “Chicago’s coldest blast of air in 2 years is easing—but slowly. By midnight Tuesday, the area moved into a 55th consecutive hour of sub-20-degree thermometer readings and 46 hours with wind chills below zero. Tuesday’s 11-degree high and 1-below morning low put the day into the record books as the city’s coldest of the past two years,” according to the blog of Tom Skilling, the awesome local meteorologist.

In this frigid weather, what looks like steam coming up off the surface of the lake is actually ice crystals.

Tony

Ice Mosaic

The normal high temperature in Chicago in January is around 32 F. Last week we had several days where temps ranged up into the 50’s. As a result the usually frozen solid surface of Lake Michigan yielded.

I think the resulting ice mosaic is kind of cool.

The sun  had risen an hour or so earlier, but was hiding in the clouds. I saw this on my morning bike ride.

A Splendorous Friday December 14 in Chicago

Triskaidekaphobics fear Friday the 13th, but we almost need to invent a new word on the other end of the spectrum for the Friday the 14th that Chicago experienced.

I posted a number of times on Fall Foliage and the experience of the changing seasons here in Chicago. Typical Fall goings on. The leaves turn colors and drop from the branches.

But, here it is a week before the official start of winter and it feels like someone has turned back the clock. To be sure, most trees are barren of leaves. But, we had spring-like conditions Friday.

Here is Monroe Harbor bereft of boats, but glistening in sunshine. That’s Navy Pier in the background

The normal high for December 14 is 35 degrees Fahrenheit with a low of 23. We experienced a high of 49 F and a low of 31. Notice that the low is only four degrees under the normal high. In addition, we basked in a luxurious sunny day with very little wind. Most un-Decemberlike. The weather bureau reports that we have just set a record of 285 days without measurable snow. The last such snowfall was March 4. The latest “first measurable snow of season” – December 16, 1965.

Good for a double take – a sightseeing boat in mid-December on Lake Michigan

The day started in the 30s, but worked its way up fast. I felt like it was an imposter 30s because there was no bite to the air. On my first bike ride, I didn’t take the dog, because she doesn’t ride in less than 45F weather. I enjoy having her with me, but I don’t want to be practicing animal abuse in the bargain. By the time I got home from the ride, however, the temp had risen above 40F and I knew I would have company if/when I rode in the afternoon.

I hope these photos demonstrate just what a gorgeous day we had here. Keep in mind that mid-December in Chicago could have blizzard-like conditions.

Gabi taking a rest on a bench wearing only a hoodie in mid-December

I ride my bike every day that I can, so the variance in temperature meant that I wore a different outfit. Also, I don’t take my dog with when we have less than 45 F.

Because I carry my iPhone with me on rides, I was able to record some of the day’s splendor.

This past Friday was indeed one to remember and for which to be thankful for to a generous providence.

Tony

Fallen Cloud

I was riding late yesterday afternoon going north on a familiar patch of path just above the Museum Campus when I saw this. It was just starting to hail and I was hurrying back home because I wasn’t sure how bad it would be getting. But, when I saw this I had to stop and take a picture to show you.

I have passed this sculpture hundreds of times and never thought much about it. Yesterday, though, with the clouds behind it from that particular angle, it just hit me that it looked like one of the clouds had fallen.

 

Here is the nameplate. The actual title is Expanding Universe.

This is the nameplate for the sculpture.

It certainly left me with a cushiony impression that mimicked the clouds behind it.

Tony

November Light

As November draws to a close and the requisite chill makes itself known there remain some beautiful mornings.

This was just moments before sunrise. I especially like the light on the trees and ship in the foreground.

In the second shot a while later, the sun had risen but snuck behind a cloud bank to reflect on chill Lake Michigan.

A lovely way to start Cyber Monday …

Tony

Lakeshore East Park in Chicago

Created by the Magellan Development Corp LLC. This lush 6 acre park was dedicated to the city in 2005 and is part of the Chicago Park District. It features more than 500 trees of which there are 20 varieties. There are more than 100 varieties of plants and flowers. I think it is also one of the Downtown area’s best kept secrets.

Some final fall foliage

The Magellan website says, “The gated children’s park includes interactive water features and play structures on colorful surfaces, some made out of recycled tires. The area is bordered by shade arbors and seating for parents to observe children in close proximity. The centerpiece is a spray fountain that children can run through and enjoy….

Northeast corner of the park

“The long list of awards to the park that took four years to create includes Best Open Space and Best New Park in Chicago.”

All of that is true and as you can see from these photos the park is especially beautiful in Fall. I lived in London for a year when I worked for Reuters. I think they have some of the most beautiful parks in the world. Lakeshore East compares favorably with a London park.

Looking west you can see the bottom stories of the famed Aqua building

This is the park where I walk my dog three times every day. So, I am here regularly. As a result, I can attest to something the Magellan website neglects to mention, namely, that the park transforms high rise living in the area to neighborhood living.

Because I am there every day of the year, I encounter the amazing array of my neighbors. Many of them own dogs, but there are also the parents of the toddlers in the children’s park. There are the fellow retirees who come to sit and enjoy this tranquil urban beauty. Folks in the area come to stroll, picnic with family, play frisbee or soccer or just hang out.

I have lived in a high rise building since 1980, but this is the first time I was able to enjoy the experience of being in a neighborhood. It is like going back in time to my childhood when you would walk out your door and know everyone that you would encounter because they were your neighbors.

In addition, because the park serves as a gateway for folks on their way to Navy Pier and the lakefront, I also encounter numerous tourists, both local and international. You can read some of their reactions to the park here.

Looking west and down from Harbor Drive

I shot these photos to give you a look at the park in fall, but it is equally beautiful in the rest of the year, too.

As Michelin would say, “Worth a detour.”

Tony