Dr. Jeff Masters WU Blog

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April 2012: Earth's 5th warmest on record
April 2012 was the globe's 5th warmest April on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). NASA rated April 2012 as the 4th warmest April on record. April 2012 global land temperatures were the 2nd warmest on record, and the Northern Hemisphere land surface temperature was 1.74Â°C (3.13Â°F) above the 20th century average, marking the warmest April since records began in 1880. Global ocean temperat... <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2095">Read More</a>
The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: a book review
No climate scientist has been subject to more attacks on their science and character than Penn State's Michael Mann, originator of the famed "hockey stick" graph of Earth's temperature history. Dr. Mann has an excellent new book called "The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines" that takes the reader on a fascinating journey to the front lines the high-stakes battles between climate scientists and their detractors. It's a must-read for e... <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2094">Read More</a>
Aletta's formation in Eastern Pacific ends Earth's 41-day tropical cyclone drought
The first Eastern Pacific tropical storm of the 2012 hurricane season is Tropical Storm Aletta, located about 650 mi south-southwest of Manzanillo Mexico. Aletta was named at 03 UTC May 15, right at the official May 15 beginning of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season. The storm is headed west-northwest away from Mexico, and will not trouble any land areas. It is unusual to get a tropical storm forming this early in the year in the Eastern Pacific; since record kee... <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2093">Read More</a>
Azores storm 92L unlikely to develop; East Pacific hurricane season begins
The hybrid low pressure system with both tropical and extratropical characteristics that formed Saturday over the far Eastern Atlantic, about 450 miles southwest of the southern Azores Islands (Invest 92L), has weakened considerably, and is unlikely to become Subtropical Storm Alberto. Wind shear has increased to a very high 25 - 40 knots over 92L today, causing a marked deterioration of the heavy thunderstorm activity. Also not helping is the fact 92L is over cold ... <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2092">Read More</a>
Azores storm could become Subtropical Storm Alberto
An interesting and surprising hybrid low pressure system with both tropical and extratropical characteristics has formed over the far Eastern Atlantic, about 400 miles southwest of the southern Azores Islands. This low, designated Invest 92L by NHC today, has developed an impressive amount of heavy thunderstorm activity near its center, despite the fact that it is over cold ocean waters with temperatures of 66Â°F (19Â°C.) This is well below the 26Â°C usually needed ... <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2091">Read More</a>