Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Can't disprove this one entirely...
Another article attributing forest problems to "global warming".
Precipitation doesn't show any trend. They're correct in calling both 2002 and 2012 dry years, but not the worst dry years in the century:
The temperature trend seems to be concentrated on the western face of the Rockies. Wyoming is equally bad, but the effect fades in Montana and the southern part of New Mexico.
Going east into Kansas, the temp trend is already gone: (This is a mix of the three westernmost divisions of Kansas.)
So the "study" is dealing factually with a regional trend. Something is causing the jet stream to focus heat on Colorado in the summer. (It's not Denver UHI, because the effect is equal in all parts of Colo.) 
A team of scientists ... has determined that the recent widespread die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees is a direct result of decreased precipitation exacerbated by high summer temperatures. The die-off, triggered by the drought from 2000-2003, is estimated to have affected up to 17% of Colorado aspen forests. In 2002, the drought subjected the trees to the most extreme growing season water stress of the past century.Went to NCDC for my usual 30-second disproof, but this time the effect is unquestionable, for Colorado. Summers (June/July/August) are definitely getting warmer in Colorado.
Precipitation doesn't show any trend. They're correct in calling both 2002 and 2012 dry years, but not the worst dry years in the century:
The temperature trend seems to be concentrated on the western face of the Rockies. Wyoming is equally bad, but the effect fades in Montana and the southern part of New Mexico.
Going east into Kansas, the temp trend is already gone: (This is a mix of the three westernmost divisions of Kansas.)
So the "study" is dealing factually with a regional trend. Something is causing the jet stream to focus heat on Colorado in the summer. (It's not Denver UHI, because the effect is equal in all parts of Colo.) Labels: Carbon Cult
¶ 4:30 AM
