Impressive snow and ice pack over northern Hem

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/SNOW/DATA/cursnow.gif

wow, I'm impressed with the amount of snow and ice. I checked last year on this date, and found that there was a lot less over the US. With less ice over the Artic. This year is turning out to be a good year...Whats your thinking on this?

[Yarrah]

It seems the US is the only place in the world which has more snow compared to last year.

Anyway, if this is only about the amount of snow in the US, shouldn't you discuss this in the US-weather part of this forum?

[x-y-no]

Last year:



This year:




I don't see a particularly impressive difference. A little more in North America, but less in Asia and Europe. More ice in the Kamchatka sea, but less in the Bering sea. A little bit more southerly extent of ice in the Atlantic, but not dramatic in my opinion.

[Yarrah]

One can even conclude that there's less snow this year. It would be logical, since some reports point out this january has been the wamest ever recorded.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I'm sorry for any trouble iv'e caused...I know there is a warming period and its maybe partly "caused" by us. But also I think it was caused by a increase in solar input. A chart I was looking at, in a book I was reading shown that the sun spots durning the little ice age were almost none for over 70 years. Also the Co2 levels have risen high during most innerglacieral cycles. So yes we are on a warming planet(1.3 degrees less century, 1.3 degrees sine 1950s for my area). In yes I should not be sticking to every cold spell we have for proof a "global cooling". A ice study in the 70s called climet or something like that shown a scale every 100 thousand years of this very warming and then a sharp cooling.

So that is why I've got a little different option.

But your right, but look at 60,65 north/140 west just off shore Russia, there is a good amount more. Also look between Alaska and Russia, there is less. Also I've searched through my old weather pages through the last 3 or 4 winters, and found that it gets this cold. January of 2005,Feb 2006; if I remember right.

Also what area's are having record warmth?

[Yarrah]

But also I think it was caused by a increase in solar input.

You're kinda right about solar activity. It has increased a little bit in the last centuries. But the warming just can't be pointed out to the warming alone, because since 1950 the solar activity hasn't changed, while temperatures have risen quite fast.

Also what area's are having record warmth?

Western Europe. It's being disrupted by a small cold spell now though, but overall, it has been way too warm. Daffodils and other spring flowers are just shooting out of the ground and I can already see some fresh leaves on a few plants in my garden.

[Aslkahuna]

Snowcover doesn't necessarily reflect snow depth which could be subnormal in many areas.

Steve