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posted by mrpg on Thursday November 22 2018, @09:55PM   Printer-friendly
from the thank-humans-for-that dept.

For some Northeast cities, high temperatures on Thanksgiving could be close to the coldest on record no matter what day of the month the holiday was celebrated (e.g. Nov. 22, Nov. 24, Nov. 26, etc.).

New York City has only had three Thanksgivings dating to 1870 when the high temperature failed to rise out of the 20s, according to National Weather Service statistics. The coldest was a high of 26 degrees on Nov. 28, 1901.

While this year may not touch that record in the Big Apple, it could still be just the fourth time when the high on Thanksgiving is only in the 20s.

In southern New England, Boston could come within a couple of degrees of its coldest Thanksgiving high of 24 degrees, also set Nov. 28, 1901.

https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/2018-11-18-thanksgiving-day-record-cold-northeast

Possibly related:

Solar Minimum is Coming

Noone has seen a sunspot since October 21: http://www.sidc.be/silso/datafiles#total


Original Submission

Solar Minimum is Coming

Every 11 years or so, sunspots fade away, bringing a period of relative calm.

“This is called solar minimum,” says Dean Pesnell of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. “And it’s a regular part of the sunspot cycle.”

The sun is heading toward solar minimum now. Sunspot counts were relatively high in 2014, and now they are sliding toward a low point expected in 2019-2020.

While intense activity such as sunspots and solar flares subside during solar minimum, that doesn’t mean the sun becomes dull. Solar activity simply changes form.

[...]

Normally Earth’s upper atmosphere is heated and puffed up by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Satellites in low Earth orbit experience friction as they skim through the outskirts of our atmosphere. This friction creates drag, causing satellites to lose speed over time and eventually fall back to Earth. Drag is a good thing, for space junk; natural and man-made particles floating in orbit around Earth. Drag helps keep low Earth orbit clear of debris.

But during solar minimum, this natural heating mechanism subsides. Earth’s upper atmosphere cools and, to some degree, can collapse. Without a normal amount of drag, space junk tends to hang around.

There are unique space weather effects that get stronger during solar minimum. For example, the number of galactic cosmic rays that reach Earth’s upper atmosphere increases during solar minimum. Galactic cosmic rays are high energy particles accelerated toward the solar system by distant supernova explosions and other violent events in the galaxy.

 
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:07PM (7 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:07PM (#765334)

    I can throw a snowball on thanksgiving, climate change is fake news!

    • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:11PM (3 children)

      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:11PM (#765335) Journal

      It's the Russians. They're stealing our energy, converting it to natural gas, and selling it to Germany and the rest of Europe.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:18PM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:18PM (#765338)

        Finally Runaway makes sense! I know what my Thanks will be after Giving this guy a clue!

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:46PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:46PM (#765561)

          It's because Runaway has run out of hot air.

      • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:49PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:49PM (#765350)

        But, but, I've been hearing that since Trump became president, processes on a geological time scale had suddenly become acute due to his "denial". NPR tries to insert that into every report they do.

    • (Score: 1, Interesting) by realDonaldTrump on Friday November 23 2018, @12:37AM (1 child)

      by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Friday November 23 2018, @12:37AM (#765373) Homepage Journal

      Whatever happened to Global Warming? There is a cooling, and there's a heating. I mean look, it used to not be climate change, it used to be Global Warming. That wasn't working too well because it was getting too cold all over the place. The ice caps were going to melt, they were going to be gone by now, but now they're setting records. They're at a record level.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 24 2018, @02:56AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Saturday November 24 2018, @02:56AM (#765787)

        I think your bone spurs are all in your head.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @08:08PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @08:08PM (#765637)

      Global Warming is about long term climate trends, not about short term local weather on any given day or week.

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:21PM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:21PM (#765340)

    The sun spot cycle affects temperatures, but much less than El Niño / La Niña and much less than human caused climate change.

    https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2018-11-20-october-2018-global-temperatures-nasa-noaa-jma/ [weather.com]

    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:56PM (3 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:56PM (#765352)

      $10 this will fuel the anti climate changers because they won't take 2 seconds to think about it.

      • (Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:12PM (2 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:12PM (#765356)

        haha hit a nerve already!

        gogo gadget moron maker!

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:07AM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:07AM (#765366)

          Gogo gadget first amendment hammer!

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @08:11AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @08:11AM (#765478)

            Shouldn't joke, Trump be tryin'.

  • (Score: 1, Troll) by bradley13 on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:23PM (23 children)

    by bradley13 (3053) on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:23PM (#765343) Homepage Journal

    When there are unusually warm temperatures, it's proof of global warming. Unusually cold Temps, of course, are only "weather".

    It's going to take another decade or so for reality to finish debunk AGW. Which is a shame, because the most cynical scumbags will be retired by then...

    --
    Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:38PM (2 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:38PM (#765347)

      Awww, we found another Flat Earther folks!

      Sure he will probably protest, but we all know where this is headed.

      • (Score: 5, Funny) by PartTimeZombie on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:35PM

        by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:35PM (#765359)

        Hang on now!

        Alex Jones told me that Climate Change is only believed by nasty Liberals that hate freedom.

        Why do you hate freedom A/C?

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:49PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:49PM (#765563)

        I thought he was a Flat Header.

    • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:43PM (8 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:43PM (#765348)

      To add to my previous AC reply, do you have any idea why the term shifted from "global warming" to "climate change"?

      It's ok, I can wait for you to go through highschool physics again.

      • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:59PM (5 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @10:59PM (#765353)

        It never shifted. Both terms have been used precisely and correctly by climate scientists for decades.

        For example see this paper which uses both terms in the title:
        Wallace Broecker, "Climatic Change: Are We on the Brink of a Pronounced Global Warming?" Science, vol. 189 (8 August 1975), 460-463.

        • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Captival on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:01PM (2 children)

          by Captival (6866) on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:01PM (#765354)

          Then see the answer: "no, we're not."

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:14PM (1 child)

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:14PM (#765357)

            See? Your post of reason did NOTHING!

            These fools love digging in sand.

            • (Score: -1, Troll) by khallow on Friday November 23 2018, @03:35AM

              by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 23 2018, @03:35AM (#765421) Journal
              If you're going to use a 43 year old paper to make a claim about the present, then it's not a post of reason. Concluding that the speculation of the paper still holds is just as valid as concluding that it's scientific terminology reflects the practices of today.
        • (Score: 1) by khallow on Friday November 23 2018, @02:53AM (1 child)

          by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 23 2018, @02:53AM (#765401) Journal

          8 August 1975

          A 43 year old paper is not proof that no one has changed their usage of "climate change" to the present day.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:19AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @03:19AM (#765412)

            It is proof of climate change change though. As previously noted by someone on this site, that is the phenomenon of "climate jerks".

      • (Score: 5, Interesting) by DeathMonkey on Friday November 23 2018, @05:23AM

        by DeathMonkey (1380) on Friday November 23 2018, @05:23AM (#765457) Journal

        do you have any idea why the term shifted from "global warming" to "climate change"?

        Because Republicans and the GW Bush admin thought it sounded less scary than global warming. [forbes.com]

        Scientists didn't change anything and continue to use the two distinct terms appropriately. Global warming to refer to the actual average temperature increase and climate change to refer to the effects that may have on the climate.

      • (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @04:02PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @04:02PM (#765567)

        Because global warming is changing the circulation patterns of both the atmosphere and the oceans leading to changes in local climate. Am I close?

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by pe1rxq on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:40PM (2 children)

      by pe1rxq (844) on Thursday November 22 2018, @11:40PM (#765363) Homepage

      I am afraid it is going to take reality more than another decade to get through your thick skull.
      Reality has been in the AGW camp for quete some time already.

      • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @05:55AM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @05:55AM (#765463)

        How long will it take to get it through your papwr thin skull that a problem for which the powers tgat be propise a tax as a solution is not a real priblem. If you really are always racked with guilt, just give 99% of your income away and quit giving away my rights you filthy fucking lemming.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:23PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:23PM (#765620)

          papwr thin skull that a problem for which the powers tgat be propise a tax as a solution is not a real priblem

          Does anybody here speak moron? I need a translation.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:28AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:28AM (#765370)

      When there are unusually warm temperatures, it's proof of global warming. Unusually cold Temps, of course, are only "weather".

      Sure, people can spew bullshit no matter what opinion they happen to hold on a particular issue. It is good to call out someone's bullshit even if you agree with their opinion. If someone is extrapolating from one specific cold or warm day in one specific place and using it as evidence of global trends, one way or the other (it's right there in the name: global warming), they are probably spewing bullshit.

    • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:36AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @12:36AM (#765372)

      The psychology of AGW proponents is very like that of apocalyptic religious fundamentalists. It doesn't matter that Jesus didn't turn up on schedule, "He's coming real soon and you'll all be sorry you didn't have faith when The Rapture Comes.".
      And then when he again doesn't turn up, "There were reasons, they misinterpreted the scriptures, they need to adjust the dates and temperatures, but he's coming real soon now. Why don't you have faith, you heathen? The Great Profit Al Gore said it, so it must be true.".

    • (Score: 3, Informative) by dry on Friday November 23 2018, @01:10AM

      by dry (223) on Friday November 23 2018, @01:10AM (#765383) Journal

      Yet, we just had the second warmest October, which of course is when Thanksgiving happens, ever recorded. The weather was much colder then normal over the prairies, east coast and central China.

    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by bzipitidoo on Friday November 23 2018, @04:06AM (4 children)

      by bzipitidoo (4388) on Friday November 23 2018, @04:06AM (#765433) Journal

      Where is your scientific objectivity and inquisitiveness? Consider the question of AGW from this angle: Why try to warn people about AGW if it's not true?

      What could the motivation be for spreading a fake notion of AGW existing and being a big problem? You really think fake AGW serves to scare politicians and the public into funding more climate research? Perhaps fake AGW is a plot by alternative energy suppliers? Or, who else could benefit? Is any group taking a large position in the stock market against Big Oil? Maybe Israel would like to weaken the power of its neighbors by torpedoing the value of oil? Construction companies are looking to gin up more business building sea walls and relocating coastal cities further inland? Perhaps horse breeders would like to see horseback riding make a big comeback?? I'm not seeing a credible money trail to follow here.

      Or do you think the entire scientific community has gotten it wrong and honestly believes there is AGW, when there is not? That's even less credible than the idea that corruption could be deep and pervasive enough to allow a group to pull off fakery over the state of the climate.

      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday November 23 2018, @04:27AM (1 child)

        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Friday November 23 2018, @04:27AM (#765439) Journal

        You're not talking to someone who's actually interested in the evidence, from the sound of things...

        --
        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
        • (Score: 2) by bzipitidoo on Friday November 23 2018, @04:44AM

          by bzipitidoo (4388) on Friday November 23 2018, @04:44AM (#765448) Journal

          Probably not. I don't expect Bradley to seriously reconsider. But I thought a "proof by contradiction" approach was worth a mention, for whoever may be reading these comments and might be genuinely unsure.

      • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:36AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:36AM (#765467)

        What could the motivation be for spreading a fake notion of AGW existing and being a big problem?

        The hilarious thing is that Trump is reducing CO2 literally on accident when the people with mysterious motivations according to you said that would require giving them 1 trillion dollars every year.

      • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @09:43AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @09:43AM (#765491)

        Religious hysteria. It is comforting to some people to be in a conforming group. Doesn't matter what the ideology is, if they can point at a heretic and scream, it makes them feel better by being part of the 'safe' group.

        The real giveaway is the irrationality of their claims.
        - consensus determines reality
        - Your opinions are irrelevant because you are not a 'climate scientist'. Their opinions on AGW are inviolable, despite them not being 'climate scientists' either.
        - "the science is settled." No scientist would ever say that.
        - They don't want to hear solutions. If, as a hypothetical, if you accept their claims and propose solutions, you will be shouted down or even assaulted.

  • (Score: 2) by legont on Friday November 23 2018, @12:21AM

    by legont (4179) on Friday November 23 2018, @12:21AM (#765368)
    --
    "Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
  • (Score: 3, Troll) by Entropy on Friday November 23 2018, @03:27AM

    by Entropy (4228) on Friday November 23 2018, @03:27AM (#765416)

    Above average temperature? Global warming.
    Below average temperature? Global warming.

    Hopefully no one notices it's always either above, or below average and this proves nothing. Numbers don't support what we want them to? Lets "adjust" them. Here's what a Nobel Laureate in Physics says about global warming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXxHfb66ZgM [youtube.com]

  • (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @09:42AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @09:42AM (#765490)

    I know one man who smokes and doesn't have cancer at all!

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:41PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @06:41PM (#765621)

    Teehee! Back to the drawing board, fake news fucks.

    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @11:21PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 23 2018, @11:21PM (#765727)

      I can only conclude that SN is getting an influx of new readers probably linked from Gab a la jmorris.

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