astronomical spring
Astronomical spring starts on Sunday at 11:33 AM that is when the sun is over the equator and thus the spring equinox. Now one would think that is the start of the spring season and in many locations that is true but here where we live just south of the halfway point between the equator and the north pole that is not the cases and that is backed up by the Accumulated Winter Severity Season Index. On a side note, much of southern Michigan had a very warm two days this past week and while no new record highs were set highs on both the 17th and 18th where in the top 10 for both days and the high of 72 at Lansing on the 18th is the new 2nd warmest for that date.
Now that winter is mostly behind us I will post some information on Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index. Mookie brought this index to my attention and I have booked marked it and plan on using it during the winter seasons in the future.
The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) is a way that can be used to compare one winter season to another winter season. According to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center website the goals of the AWSSI are to. Objectively index winter conditions. Use commonly available data—max/min temperature, snowfall, and snow depth or precipitation. Create a historical database of AWSSI for any location with daily temperature, snow, and precipitation data. Allow comparisons of season-to-season severity at one location in the context of the climatology of that location or between locations.
The way that the AWSSI accumulates is not limited to just meteorological winter. Instead winter season starts when any of the following starts when the first snow fall of 0.1” or more. The first maximum temperature of 32 or less or December 1st Thus at Grand Rapids for the current winter season the season started on November 12th when Grand Rapids had a snow fall of 1.2” In the very mild winter of 2006/07 the winter season started on October 12, 2006 when Grand Rapids recorded 2” of snow fall. During the winter season points are awarded daily for each day that the high/low is below 32. Points are also awarded for each day that there is a snow fall of 0.1” or more and for each day that there is at least 1” of snow on the ground. The points are accumulated until one of the following. The last day of snow fall of 0.1” or more. 1” of snow on the ground. A maximum or 32 or less or February 28/29. Thus at this time we do not know when the winter season of 2021/22 will be yet. In the winter of 2006/07 that started on October 12 that winter season ended on April 13th when the last day of 1” of snow was on the ground. That winter was mostly a mild to moderate winter until spring when with some cold and snow the season ended up “average” The period that is used to determine how severe or mild a winter season is starts in the winter season of 1950/51 and here at Grand Rapids the most severe wither season is the winter of 2013/14. And the most mild season is the winter of 1982/83. The current AWSSI points reading for Grand Rapids as of March 13th is 714 that is on the border line of average/moderate. (the latest now has GR in a moderate winter season) GR has not had a event that would add any for the past 5 days. That said the case could be made that there is a chance that the winter season may be over at GR the one that still could come it play is the snow fall amount. Here is the web site for anyone who wants to keep it for next winter and beyond.
Slim
So winter in our area was considered “moderate.” I agree with that. It never got cold and snowfall was pretty much average.
I know some may not enjoy days like today, but days with low clouds and a light fog are nice and relaxing if you ask me. It’s a “lamps on all day” kind of day. Going to throw a Dutch Apple Pie in the oven.
Thanks Slim! I think you forgot to post the link to the site.
I did and I was waiting to see if someone did read the post and as you did here is the link.
https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp#info
Slim
👍
I read your post, however I did not want the link, because I do not agree with their assessments or data points!
Some nice rain to green up the grass and unthaw things. Sunny and 55 tomorrow looks perfect!
Never before seen warmth in the Antarctic last week. Previous monthly heat records have been smashed by 25-30 degrees! Just another sign global warming is real and we still don’t know all the ramifications it will bring.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/it-e2-80-99s-70-degrees-warmer-than-normal-in-eastern-antarctica-scientists-are-flabbergasted/ar-AAVfk4m?ocid=uxbndlbing
Of course global warming is real! In fact it is the biggest threat that we face! How anyone could not believe global warming is only explained total utter ignorance!
Those are unbelievably warm temps for that part of the earth.
39 degrees at my house currently with a very thick fog. Visibility less than 1/2 mile
The official high at Grand Rapids yesterday was 51 the overnight low was 37 here at my house the overnight low was 39. I recorded 0.32″ of rain fall yesterday and overnight. At this time it is cloudy and 39 here at my house.
Slim
Another great weather day? Cloudy, cold, and wet! Horrendous! Give me snow over this any day! We could use one or two more snowstorms this season! Bring it!