Freezing temperatures devastate grape crops

[kenl01]

Late April frosts devastate buds on grape vines in several states as
temperatures drop to 24 degrees.

Losses were estimated at 90 percent in Michigan and 75 percent in Ohio. The National Grape Cooperative, which owns Welch's, estimated that its New York growers lost 30-33 percent of their grapes.

Michigan ’s Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm yesterday requested federal disaster assistance for the state's fruit and vegetable farmers, while New York ’s Gov. George Pataki and members of New York 's congressional delegation pursue federal disaster assistance to keep growers on their feet.

"This freeze is likely to force some affected vineyard operations out of business," said a letter from New York 's congressional delegation to U.S. Department of Agriculture. New York is the nation's third largest grape grower behind California and Washington.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Best on getting all the warmest years with in the last 10 years. In that weird weather like this was forecasted...I'm starting to have a hard time believeing in this ice age thing. I was looking at charts yesterday day with CO2. Between the last ice age in getting out of it it went from 200 to 280 in the Atmosphere. But in the last 100 years it went to nearly 370 now. WOW I side to my self.

[kenl01]

I must differ on that one.

In a way I'm more convinced than ever about the ice age cycles. The last time we entered previous an ice ages, for example, the CO2 levels and underwater volcanic activity increased dramatically. With all the record roof crushing snows and record cold in so many areas (in both hemispheres) in the last several years, including the blizzards in Algeria (snows in the Sahara desert) for two consecutive winters, the snowfall doubling in Siberia since 1940, the big freezes in late April and more frequent occurrences of May snows in the lower 48 states these days plus the thickening ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica should make that quite clear. It's something the America media establishment and scientific community does a HORRIBLE job reporting.

I, for one, am quite convinced.

[x-y-no]

I must differ on that one.

In a way I'm more convinced than ever about the ice age cycles. The last time we entered previous an ice ages, for example, the CO2 levels and underwater volcanic activity increased dramatically.

CO2 levels were higher during the interglacials, of course, but I'm not aware of any evidence that levels increased dramatically shortly before the onset of an ice age. Neither am I aware of any evidence that underwater volcanic activity increased dramatically before the onset of an ice age.

What is your basis for this claim, if you have any?

With all the record roof crushing snows and record cold in so many areas (in both hemispheres) in the last several years, including the blizzards in Algeria (snows in the Sahara desert) for two consecutive winters, the snowfall doubling in Siberia since 1940, the big freezes in late April and more frequent occurrences of May snows in the lower 48 states these days ...

There have been some pretty extreme weather events, yes. But that's not unusual at all. And averaged globally, it continues to get steadily warmer.

... plus the thickening ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica should make that quite clear.

Yes, the interior ice of Greenland and the East Antarctic are thickening somewhat. As I've explained to you before, that's an expected result of more moisture in a warmer atmosphere, resulting in more precipitation in those regions. But at the same time, the perimiters of those ice sheets are thinning, and the best measurements to date indicate that there's a net mass loss in Greenland and West antarctica, whilst there's little or no change in East Antarctica.

It's something the America media establishment and scientific community does a HORRIBLE job reporting.

I'm not about to sing the praises of the "America media establishment", but I disagree regarding the scientific community. The problem is the scientific community is putting forth the facts as best we know them, and you apparently don't like the facts.

[kenl01]

Snowing right now as of May 27th out west ! Pretty impressive for this late !

[kenl01]

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
308 AM MDT SAT MAY 27 2006

...LATE SPRING SNOWSTORM TO IMPACT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND
THE ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY...

.A POTENT LATE SPRING STORM WILL MOVE INTO NORTHWEST WYOMING THIS
MORNING WITH SNOW DEVELOPING ACROSS YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND
THE ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS BY THIS AFTERNOON...CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT.

WYZ001-002-271800-
/O.NEW.KRIW.SN.Y.0039.060527T1800Z-060528T1200Z/
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK-ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LAKE...MAMMOTH...OLD FAITHFUL
308 AM MDT SAT MAY 27 2006

...SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM MDT SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RIVERTON HAS ISSUED A SNOW
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM MDT SUNDAY.

WIDESPREAD RAIN SHOWERS WILL DEVELOP OVER YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL
PARK AND THE ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS THIS MORNING WITH SOME SNOW ABOVE
8000 TO 9000 FEET. AS A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH LATER THIS
MORNING...THE SNOW LEVEL WILL LOWER TO THE VALLEY FLOOR WITH SNOW
CONTINUING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS
OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING WITH UP TO 9
INCHES ACROSS THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS FROM THE GALLATIN RANGE OVER TO
BEARTOOTH PASS.

TRAVELLERS HEADED TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND THE ABSAROKA
MOUNTAINS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING
CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY OVER THE PASSES LIKE SYLVAN AND BEARTOOTH.
TRAVELLERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SOME ROAD CLOSURES...ESPECIALLY
BEARTOOTH PASS. OTHER AREAS THAT MAY BE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT
INCLUDE THE GRAND LOOP ROAD FROM MADISON JUNCTION TO NORRIS
JUNCTION AND MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS AND THE NORRIS CANYON ROAD FROM
NORRIS JUNCTION TO CANYON JUNCTION. THE GRAND LOOP ROAD FROM OLD
FAITHFUL TO WEST THUMB IS ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING
CONDITIONS.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

SKRBAC/HAHN

[bob rulz]

Snow advisory for the Wasatch Range, right above where I live as well, with 6-12 inches forecast. Yes, this is a fairly impressive and very cold storm for this time of year. They say we could even have an inch or so of snow on the benches tomorrow morning and that most areas in the valley (Salt Lake Valley) could see snowflakes, at the very least. Temperatues falling into the upper 30's. Quite impressive! (and cold). Barely got out of the 40's during the day today with on-and-off rain, and some possible snow overnight. Quite a shock after record heat about a week ago (upper 80's and low 90's) and a May that's seen precipitation only about 25% of average so far.

... Snow Advisory remains in effect until 11 am MDT Sunday...

A Snow Advisory for the Wasatch Range of Utah remains in effect
until 11 am MDT Sunday.

Snow accumulations tonight through Sunday of 6 to 12 inches are
expected above 7500 feet with 1 to 5 inches above 6000 feet.

Bands of snow will continue this evening and snow levels will
lower to near 7000 feet... and below 6000 feet after midnight and
through Sunday morning. The snow will be heavy at times.
Precipitation will become showery late this evening and overnight.
Additional snow showers will occur on Sunday.

Those planning outdoor activities in the mountains this Holiday
weekend should be prepared for winter-like conditions.

In addition to the Wasatch Range... total snow accumulations of 1
to 5 inches are expected across the western Uinta Mountains and
the central mountains of Utah.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Wow... some of that looks close to Kalispell... I have kinfolk living up there.


A2K

[kenl01]

Should also be impressive next week in Europe with unusually cold temps for this time of year. Stuttgart, Germany is expecting something like 39/35 Tuesday.

[bob rulz]

Wow... some of that looks close to Kalispell... I have kinfolk living up there.


A2K

Really? That's cool...I use to live there.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Wow... some of that looks close to Kalispell... I have kinfolk living up there.


A2K

Really? That's cool...I use to live there.

Yup... if you knew any of the Vance's or Coverdells up there, that was my kinfolk. I was invited up there for a big family reunion once; but it was too far and too expensive for my means...

A2K