Bastardi: Shift to Colder Climate Predicted Next 20-30 Years...
"Corn prices to go higher, Natural Gas most secure source of future heating energy for USA next 5-10 years."
"Three or four out of the next five winters could be just as cold, if not colder."
He says the first winter during a La Niņa tends to be warm. The next winter that follows is usually less warm, and the winter after that is usually cold.
He is worried that next winter, for example, will be colder than this one.
Bastardi adds that with the U.S. in the middle of one of its worst recessions in its history and the price of oil in question, he is extremely concerned about the prospect for more persistent cold weather in the coming years putting increased financial hardship on Americans.
"Cold is a lot worse than warm," Bastardi said, "and that's why your energy bill goes up during the winter time: because of the fact that it takes a lot to heat a house."
While there are many different factors that are playing into Bastardi's forecast, one of the primary drivers is La Niņa and the trends that have been observed in winters that follow the onset of a La Niņa.
Extreme cold in Texas taxing power grid, forces rolling blackouts...
Tulsa's 14-inch snowfall record for one day
Flight cancellations top 5,000 for 2nd day...
In many years, some of the worst winter storms have occurred in February. This is an exceedingly stormy month because mid and northern latitudes are very cold, while warmer weather is starting to blossom through the Deep South. The ensuing large temperature gradients provide all the energy necessary for atmospheric monsters capable of dumping excessive amounts of snow.
Edited by Rogerdodger, 02 February 2011 - 02:09 PM.
