Saturday, April 28, 2012

Norfolk VA: High Cost of Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise

"Need to Know" on PBS explores the high cost of adaptation to sea-level rise in Norfolk, Virginia:
When the presidential candidates talk about the long-term economic security of the US, they often talk about the national debt, the viability of Medicare and Social Security, and the rise of China.

But there’s another issue that could have major implications for the nation’s economy, and it’s barely mentioned at all: the soaring costs America might face in generations to come from climate change. More specifically, the very damaging and very costly effects of sea level rise. . .

Watch Rising tide on PBS. See more from Need To Know.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Spring Super-Soaker Update: More Rainfall Records Set Across New England, New York

Image (click to enlarge): 24-hour precipitation ending 8 am EDT, April 23, 2012, from National Weather Service

April 24, 1 PM Update: Added Burlington VT, Massena NY, and Rochester NY.

Original Post:
In addition to the many daily rainfall records set on Sunday, April 22, more records were set on April 23 (old record in parentheses):
Providence RI  1.60"  (1.44" 2006)  [second consecutive day] 
Boston MA 1.48" (1.14" 1998)
Burlington VT 1.08" (0.92" 1977)
Portland ME 3.13" (1.53" 1921)
Bangor ME 2.32" (1.39" 2000)
Houlton ME 1.32" (0.86" 1993)
Caribou ME 1.42" (1.31" 1958)
Massena NY 0.83" (0.74" 1993)
Rochester NY 1.58" (0.81" 1996)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Spring Super-Soaker Sets Rainfall Records;
Century-Old Mark Nearly Doubled at Norfolk

April 24 Update: See next post for more records set on April 23.

April 23, 10 AM Update:
Updated preliminary record daily precipitation reports from the National Weather Service:
Cape Hatteras NC  3.18"  (2.04" 2008) 
Elizabeth City NC 1.22" (1.10" 1959)
Norfolk VA 2.24" (1.18" 1912)
Salisbury MD 1.93" (1.32" 2006)
Georgetown DE 1.67" (1.32" 1993)
Philadelphia PA 1.87" (1.67" 2006)
Allentown PA 1.66" (1.24" 1937)
Avoca PA 1.27" (1.16" 2006)
Atlantic City NJ 1.71" (1.63" 2006)
Trenton NJ 2.06" (1.77" 2006)
Newark NJ 2.64" (1.21" 2006)
Islip NY 2.66" (0.77" 2003)
LaGuardia NY 1.90" (1.53" 1969)
Kennedy Airpt NY 2.14" (1.79" 1969)
Central Park NY 2.45" (1.80" 1969)
Bridgeport CT 1.72" (1.64" 1969)
Providence RI 1.59" (1.43" 2000)
Richmond missed by just 0.01".

In addition to the first-order (ASOS) stations listed, at least 28 cooperative stations from Florida to Maine reported record daily rainfall.

2 AM Update: The Providence record is confirmed at 1.59".

1 AM Update: The following unofficial rainfall totals will also be new records if confirmed:
Philadelphia PA  1.86" (1.67", 2006)
Trenton NJ 2.06" (1.77", 2006)
Newark NJ 2.61" (1.21", 2006)
Central Park NY 2.43" (1.80", 1969)
Bridgeport CT 1.69" (1.64", 1969)
Providence RI 1.53" (1.43", 2000)
9 PM Update: Salisbury has picked up slightly more than half an inch more of precipitation since 5 pm, bringing the total so far to 1.91". Rain has ended at Norfolk.

7:30 PM Update: With light rain continuing, Richmond has now had 0.27" more rainfall since 5 pm; 0.04" additional will tie the record.

Original Post:
The rapidly intensifying storm system moving up the East Coast has already set some daily precipitation records as of 5 pm EDT at several coastal and near-coastal locations (old record in parentheses):
Cape Hatteras NC   3.18" (2.04", 2008)
Norfolk VA 2.20" (1.18", 1912)
Salisbury MD 1.40" (1.32", 2006)
With 1.29" already recorded at Richmond, the 1.60" record set in 1984 is within reach.

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