2007: One of the Warmest Years on Record

The year is drawing to an end and it surely has been a memorable one in the weather department. We had the biggest snow storm in La Crosse history last February and the August flood continues to make headlines. While the weather has been active in the Coulee region, the nation as a whole has been dominated by warm temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, the global surface temperature for 2007 is expected to be the fifth warmest on record. With around three weeks left in the year, the global surface temperature is estimated to be around 54 degrees. The only months with below average temperatures were February and April while March and August were the warmest on record. The rising temperatures has caused a rise in energy usage as well. NOAA scientists have determined that the U.S. energy demand was about 8 percent higher this summer than a summer with average temperatures.  One statistic that may stand out the most is the amount of records broken in the month of August. A large heat wave broke out across the central and southeastern portions of the nation during the month of August and was to blame for 2,500 new daily high records. A report will be released in 2008 to update the official global surface temperature and it will likely be a hot topic in the debate of global warming.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team

Comments

[Ted Grable]

Residents who plan on shoveling large amounts of snow should remember that every year thousands of people suffer heart attacks or back injuries each year while shoveling.

The act of shoveling places a huge strain on the heart and back. Especially those not used to such strenuous activity.

A better alternative is to use a wheelshovel or snowblower to prevent injury.

[Ted Grable]

Residents who plan on shoveling large amounts of snow should remember that every year thousands of people suffer heart attacks or back injuries each year while shoveling.

The act of shoveling places a huge strain on the heart and back. Especially those not used to such strenuous activity.

A better alternative is to use a wheelshovel or snowblower to prevent injury.