Atmosphere Comparison

[Jim]

The endless chatter of weather.

[Jim]

I'm hoping we don't have a repeat of the 2017-2018 winter, which I think we may based on predictions. It was just about 80 every day that winter, and we only 1 storm that dropped roughly 1/2 an inch of rain all winter long, as I recall.

I wish we would get a bunch of winters like we had in 2015-2016, when it was fairly cool to cold, and there were enough storms to feel like we had a decent rainfall. Though not completely necessary this winter, I have my fingers crossed for 2021/22 and moving forward. Primarily for chill hours.

[hikeaz]

Too bad that southern Alabama cannot send us some of their surplus; I am sure THEY would be on-board.

[joebartels]

cold

Hopefully, the Sonoran Eskimos don't get the numbing cold they desire.
Will the record highs flip to record lows with all the burned vegetation loss?

[chumley]

I have my fingers crossed for 2021/22

Uh huh. Controversial thought!

[big_load]

If I recall, the last I checked the scientific discussion indicated they expect 2020 all around to be a record dry year including fall/winter.

It certainly has been hot enough over the whole country.

I hope they're wrong too, but 2020 shows no signs at all of offering up any redeeming qualities.

Amen!

[trekkin_gecko]

how about warm winter temps and plenty of rain?

[LosDosSloFolks]

@trekkin_gecko
Hope springs eternal. :-)

[Jim]

@trekkin_gecko
Define what you mean? Perametres? An inch a month down low would be great, but I want a few "cold weeks", for us. I'd love lots of nights with lows 35 to 45 degrees, a few nights near freezing, and a few rainy days when we don't get over 50,preferably in a row and in later December and early January. Preferably every winter, but....

[chumley]

Well since the desert burned this year, I hope for a good snow year to keep moisture in the pines, or they'll burn next year and then there'll be nothing left except Piestewa, and the new $4 Billion parking lot won't be able to handle the influx of cars. (Thanks for taking the bus Joe. Every little bit helps.)

[mazatzal]

NOAA:
For the months ahead, scientists say there is a 75% chance that La Nina will be in place from December 2020 through February 2021.

During the winter, La Nina typically brings above-average precipitation and colder-than-average temperatures along the northern tier of the U.S., along with below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures across the South. A region of concern this winter will be the Southwest, where a weak summer monsoon resulted in extreme drought

[big_load]

During the winter, La Nina typically brings above-average precipitation and colder-than-average temperatures along the northern tier of the U.S.

If we get more snow, at least it will be when I'm already expected to be working from home. No more hour and a half of shoveling before an hour and a half of driving.

[Jim]

With all the smoke haze and low level haze of mixed smoke and other pollution, are people modifying their hiking?

Since I returned from the Canyon last week, the air has been filthy and the sky white to brown. I see no point in driving out of town to a hike. I'd sort of like to do so, but....

[AugustWest]

@Jim_H
The Pinal's didn't seem too bad yesterday and there wasn't a soul to be seen at any of the trailheads up FR 112. Only saw 2 or 3 trucks going in or out.

[big_load]

Haze from the smoke reached NJ this week. I can't imagine how much worse it is closer to the source.

Fall arrived as well. I haven't worn long pants at home since mid-May, but we had frost warnings last night and tonight and we've gone three days in a row without running the AC. I think the long pants are back on until May.

[chumley]

pants

It's Covid/2020. I don't even know what that word means!

[big_load]

pants

It's Covid/2020. I don't even know what that word means!

I went into the office on Thursday wearing a suit with leather-soled shoes (not to mention socks and an undershirt). It was a linen suit, so not too big of a step at once.

[Jim]

@AugustWest
So, no, you're not really changing plans. I'm not in a mood to make a long drive to to hike in haze verging on smoke fog. Fine if others do, but I don't want to do so. I can't imagine that the air was any different from the Valley in the Pinals on Friday. I didn't have weekend hike plans, but I didn't really want to go anywhere with the haze.

[garyc57]

Whoo Hoo! Only two more months to Popping Christmas Lights! Ah, that's the life, sitting with an eggnog in one hand and popping Christmas lights with the other! It doesn't get much better than that!

[chumley]

This graph is a couple of days old, but PHX is now up to 133 days over 100 degrees. The forecast for the next 7 days points toward hitting 140 by next Wednesday.

I fail to see a scenario where we do not eclipse the 1989 record of 143 days, and quite honestly, wouldn't totally rule out hitting 150.

[big_load]

Autumn has finally come to NJ. I don't like seeing the leaves come down, but I treasure the cool, dry air.