50% of the US has snow on the ground and temps are well below normal (Indianapolis 25 degrees below norms). Its the earliest that the halfway mark has been passed since the current method for measuring began 2008, an event that usually doesnt happen until December. Predictions from Accuweather are for more cold. Todd Crawford, a meteorologist at Weather Services International in Andover, Massachusetts, says snow cover reflects a lot of sunlight back into space. So instead of the solar radiation being used to heat the ground and lower atmosphere, the energy is basically wasted, resulting in a cooler atmosphere from a global perspective. Why do we care, other than freezing our butts off? Because if the cold weather persists with these temps and more snow, it wont be long before we hear the cacophony about weaker consumer spending at stores and how much more consumers are buying on the internet. The markets are always talking about the impact of weather on the economy. Recall Q1 when GDP dropped 4.6%, it was completely blamed on weather. And while I am at it, what has become of Black Friday?
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 02:56:01 +0000
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