2011: A Year of Extremes
September 9, 2011
For example, 60 years ago in the continental United States, the number of new record high temperatures recorded around the country each year was roughly equal to the number of new record lows. Now, the number of new record highs recorded each year is twice the number of new record lows, a signature of a warming climate, and a clear example of its impact on extreme weather.
The increase in record highs extends outside the U.S. as well. A similar two to one ratio of record highs to record lows recently has been observed in Australia. Over the past decade, 75 counties set all-time record highs but only 15 countries set all-time record lows. In 2010, 19 countries set new all-time record high temperatures, but not a single country set a new all-time record low (among those countries keeping these statistics).
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
September 10, 2011 at 6:26 am
I picked up the “Our Choice” book not too long ago. There are some very compelling graphs of atmospheric related damage coming out of the insurance industry (I guess sourced from Munich Re or Swiss Re).
2010 was an extreme year too, worldwide. Hopefully we get a bit of a break in 2012.
September 10, 2011 at 11:14 am
we’re heading back into a la nina – double dipping, so to speak. I think it’s la nina that is considered responsible for a lot of the extremes – so things could get worse before they get better.
September 10, 2011 at 9:43 am
Here in Connecticut it has been one weather extreme and oddity after another.
In the winter- ordinary snow storms suddenly became energized and dumped huge amounts of snow over a short period of time-
roofs collapsing, water entering homes- then Hurricane Irene- 775,000 people with no power, severe coastal damage, massive flooding- all from barely a CAT 1 storm.
Destructive tornadoes in the spring just over the state line into Massachusetts.