February was second-snowiest on record in Ann Arbor
Six-year-old Jaylee Oeschger, 6, plays on a tire swing in her Ann Arbor yard on Feb. 27, 2013. Jaylee was enjoying a snow day from school with her older sister Ileana.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
- Related story: Forecasters: Winter storm now expected to miss Ann Arbor
If you think last month was a particularly snowy one, you’re right. In fact, it was the second-snowiest February on record in Ann Arbor.
Total snowfall in Ann Arbor was 29.9 inches in February, reports University of Michigan weather observer Dennis Kahlbaum, which he says is 17 inches more than normal. That made last month the second snowiest since 1880, the beginning of modern weather record keeping.
The record was set in 2010, when 33.1 inches fell in Ann Arbor.
So far this winter, Ann Arbor has had 59.3 inches of snow — 12 inches more than normal for this point in the season, Kahlbaum said. Last year, Ann Arbor only had 34.7 inches of snow during the December through February period.
Although weather record-keepers consider the end of February the end of meteorological winter, it’s often not the end of winter-like weather. Ann Arbor usually receives about 8.5 inches of snow in March, Kahlbaum said.
For updated forecasts and weather conditions anytime, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Comments
jns131
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.
Making up for lost time. Gotta get the snow in because last year there was none. I would love one more snow day. Bring it on.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 12:12 a.m.
"The record was set in 2010, when 33.1 inches fell in Ann Arbor." That's wrong. The most was in 1923 at 58.5 inches. http://tinyurl.com/ay3d4mz
Kai Petainen
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
Here's the history for Ann Arbor's weather in February from 1900 til 2012. http://tinyurl.com/ay3d4mz
Ann English
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 11:05 p.m.
The winter of 2010-2011 had February as its snowiest month. If you mean that the 2009-2010 winter had the snowiest February ever, then snowplow service was much better on my area roads that February of 2010 than it was a year later. February 2011 was a month not to be forgotten, what with getting stuck in rural intersections due to uncleared snow, and spinning tires. Not like February 2010 at all. Dennis Kahlbaum always used to tell us in his monthly articles about each months temperature range, precipitation expectation, and amount of daylight. He always said that January is the snowiest month of the year. I don't know if January 2010 was snowier than the following month, but January 2011 definitely was less snowy than the following month.
Ross
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:28 p.m.
The ignorance on display in the anti-science posts above are really, really sad. Equating one month of precipitation totals (not temperature, mind you) with proof that there isn't global warming is ridiculous. If you don't want to actually look at real climate data, why do you feel entitled to even speak on the matter? - Concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere - Known, factual emissions of carbon by human activity - Global average temperature (not just one local region, ok?) - Severity of storms (including above average precipitation rates) These things all correlate. If you deny that, then you aren't trying to know the truth. Your decisions affect all of us. Please get educated.
Ross
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.
SEC, I actually agree with you. Humans are contributing. We don't know if it's 10% or 90%, but we're definitely contributing. As for your other proof of no correlation, no, try again. Glaciers? Ice caps? Hello. Your global average temperature data is just flat out wrong. Simply google "nasa global average temperature" and read the preponderance of data that lies before you. They do use 51-80 as the base period. Guess what? We're over 0.5C hotter now. Stop cherry picking the facts and repeating what you hear on faux news. Please.
SEC Fan
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 8:30 p.m.
First, let me be clear, I totally believe that human activity is CONTRIBUTING to the warming of the Earth, which is, by the way, a naturally occurring phenomenon. Your "referenced" climate data: - Concentration of CO2. Yes, we have seen an Global Annual Mean increase in CO2 of 53.76 ppm over the past 32 years. - Factual Emissions of CO2 by human activity. yes, our output has increased dramatically and adds about 6 billion tons "extra" per year. Now the effects (Per NASA and NOAA): - Global Avg. Temps: NASA used a 30 year average (mean) to determine the baseline (1951-1980). The average (mean) temperature for that period is 57.2 Fahrenheit. People like you now say that we are hotter by taking the average (mean) temperature for each following year and comparing that individual year with the 30 year average (mean). Get the issue? No? well, let me put it into perspective. NASA's data says the 9 hottest years have occurred since 1998. Perhaps so. BUT, the average (mean) temperature for 1998 through 2012 is....wait for it...57.18 Fahrenheit. - Severity of Storms: Many people, like you, claim that man's influence on Global Warming is causing more severe weather, particularly hurricanes (I've found no claims about cyclones). GFDL (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory - part of NOAA) analyzed all the Atlantic storms going back to 1878 and found: "In summary, neither our model projections for the 21st century nor our analyses of trends in Atlantic hurricane and tropical storm counts over the past 120+ yr support the notion that greenhouse gas-induced warming leads to large increases in either tropical storm or overall hurricane numbers in the Atlantic." (NOTE: this source was updated January 30, 2013). and your "correlation" is what?
djacks24
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
The ignorance of someone claiming we deny scientific proof, yet spends (excuse me, wastes) so much time posting multiple comments on a public news forum thinking they will change anyone's opinion global warming is actually more sad. Yet you accuse folks posting here of not being educated when you are literally wasting your time arguing with people for not buying into your beliefs when common sense dictates in the end they will believe what they want to believe. Hopefully your not on company time with your little soap box crusade...
NoPC
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!!!
leaguebus
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.
All the warming skeptics talk as if we have an unlimited supply of fossil fuel. Needless to say we don't. So why is it so hard to get behind an energy policy that will supersede fossil fuels?
LXIX
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 6:06 p.m.
The skeptics are usually carbon profiteers or economists. Fossil fuels as an energy source should never run out mathematically. The amount of fossil energy required to extract and process fossil energy normally obsoletes the process before very long because it takes more energy every year to get the same. Unless... Unless you are an economist or profiteer where paper dollars are used to "float" the negative cash flow of resource costs. Who cares if I waste two barrels to pull one barrel? If the wasted fuel costs me less than losing control over future carbon profits then it's drill baby drill. Control those who print your money and how worried are you about the business bottom line? Not much. But risk a control change? Now how worried are you about profiting from that evaporating resource that costs more to dig than it is worth?
Ross
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
Because that might require one iota of personal sacrifice, effort, and a little less fun romping around burning fuel. The last ten years of debate and inactivity on this issue has only proven to me how selfish and lazy the basic human instinct is. We will go off the cliff... just pray that the fossil fuels run out before the climate is totally ruined.
mpwest
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
Where do they measure this snow fall- I'm sure you'd have to stack up the flakes very carefully to come up with 5 feet of snow this winter. It seems their observations are about as accurate as the forecasts.
Ross
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
I know, Cindy. Measuring the depth of each new snowfall event and adding them together is how you get the cumulative total, though.
Cindy Heflin
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.
Ross: The snowfall amounts in this article reference the amount of snow that fell in February. None of the figures are for snowfall depth.
Ross
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.
I'm pretty sure he also measures snowfall depths throughout each storm event's duration, and NOT the next day after it has settled into half as much depth. This is kinda of bogus, but a lot of people do it (including all ski resorts).
Cindy Heflin
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 3:46 p.m.
mpwest: Dennis Kahlbaum takes his measurements on the University of Michigan's North Campus. Snowfall totals do vary from place to place, obviously. There can even be a difference from the north to the south side of the city. So, the snowfall total could be somewhat different where you are.
Barzoom
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
So much for "global warming". Oh, I forgot to be politically correct, "global climate change". Looks like a plain, ordinary cold and snowy winter to me.
LXIX
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
Yep. Same ol same ol. Now for the rest of you building arks and survival shelters, make sure there is plenty of food, water, and keep the powder dry.
Ross
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:33 p.m.
Ivor, I'm loving it, please continue. The fact that half of your original posters wont even understand your irony is sad though.
Ivor Ivorsen
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
I know, right? And I'm not buying this heliocentric nonsense either--I can plainly see the sun moving over me. Scientists!
dean
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
I can picture it now: 10,000 years ago Ugg (the first environmentalist), standing on a rock, demanding the rest of the Cro-Magnons put out the fire because they were melting the glaciers.
LXIX
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
Oh sure. Pictures. So how did you recharge your camera phone back then ? Besides, nobody is that old.
Top Cat
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
Yup, warm causes cold. Never fails. Can't believe you people can't see the absolute proof in this. It is decided and done. Warm causes cold. Why can't you get it.
Superior Twp voter
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.
Junk science is easy! And all about control.
Ivor Ivorsen
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
Science is hard!
LXIX
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.
We all know Ann Arbor has gotta be different. One of the Detroit News channels was saying just before the last snowstorm how 4-5 inches would bring that area back up to normal precipitation for the year. The WeatherUnderground shows the closest official NWS station at Metro Airport as having 35.6 inches of snow since July. Normal precipitation.
Major
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
I know the recorded numbers don't lie, but I don't see how this could be accurate. The winters here in AA when I was young ( 1960's 70's), went from mid November to May, snowing the whole time. I remember two foot plus snowstorms, Burns Park Ice rink open for months at a time, "condition red" driving restrictions, parked car tow warnings for "snow routes", spring breaks where all you did was sled at the Arboretum, or Vet's park. I also had to walk up hill, in both directions (Tappan alumni know what I mean) to get to school on roads so icy (snow too deep to walk on the sidewalk) at times I skated! No, this in my opinion, is yet another wimpy winter!
Kai Petainen
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
January 1978 had the 2nd highest recorded amount of snow for a January @ 34.3 inches.
WalkingJoe
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
LXIX, in 1978 I was 25 so that is hardly a half pint perspective. I have also talked to others and they seem to remember the same thing. But then I guess it's like everything else, just lump it all into mass illusions.
LXIX
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:53 p.m.
C'mon guys. Kids always interpret things from a half-pint perspective. A couple inches of snow might look like a whole foot! Or maybe even two whole feet! Golly Jeepers!!! Life in A2 was bigger, more stable, and full of blue-sky opportunities back then, too. Not that the world has changed any since then. Right?
WalkingJoe
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 3:23 p.m.
Major, I was thinking the same thing. I remember a snowstorm in February of 1978 that in itself was somewhere around 20" alone and it had snowed a lot that whole February. I too remember huge snowstorms as a kid and oh by the way, they didn't close schools for 2-3 inch snow "storms". Those kinds of snow falls just meant snowball fights at the bus stop or at lunch. Yes, back in the 60's we went outside at lunch time in the snow and guess what, we had fun.
dexterreader
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.
Ugh! And thank goodness it's over!! The only good thing about all that snow is we needed the precipitation. Can't wait for that big mass of high pressure that's blocking the jet stream from moving to "get on outta here"!!
Mike
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
If this isn't proof we need a carbon tax I don't know what is.....................oh, and a sales tax increase, gas tax increase, license plate fees doubled, and drivers license fees doubled too. Don't forget the service tax being proposed in Lansing along with the other formentioned tax increases being tossed about. Have a nice day, work hard, and pay your taxes.................
sellers
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
Global warming causes temperature swings and in North America can cause deep cold swings especially on the east as the ocean currents are changed due to melting fresh water. In fact, predictions are that the eastern coast will eventually get colder and possibly go into a ice age along with the major change in temperatures for western Europe. DonBee, you should read up on what happens when the ice in the poles melt, and how our weather is created by oceanic currents and movements.
GoNavy
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
@Ivor: Halleluja; I've seen the light! That's all I needed. Brain is off, faith is on, and I'm on board with you.
Ivor Ivorsen
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
From the Quadrennial Defense Review (Department of Defense, 2010) "Climate change will contribute to food and water scarcity, will increase the spread of disease, and may spur or exacerbate mass migration. While climate change alone does not cause conflict, it may act as an accelerant of instability or conflict, placing a burden to respond on civilian institutions and militaries around the world." Does this help GoNavy?
Superior Twp voter
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
Not this tripe again. Hey sellers, crawl back in your bunker! There might be changing weather outside.
GoNavy
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.
@ReverendBubbaX- I "assumed" nothing. I questioned, however, the cost of "preventing" global warming given that the Earth has been warming itself naturally. I also questioned the results of warming - will it be armageddon ("Day after Tomorrow," "2012"), or will some places flood while other places become much nicer?
Reverend Bubba X
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 4:24 p.m.
GoNavy, The comic-book version of geological history is just that, comic. No, it's tragi-comic. You omit significant facts, such as there has not been a constant warming trend since the end of the Pleistocene Epoch. And that the burning of fossil fuels that took millenia to create is unprecedented in geological hoistory. Coal is not being created at anything near the rate it was in the Carboniferous Era yet it is being burned at unprecendented rates. You assume, against the scientific data, that this has no effect on the atmosphere.
Ivor Ivorsen
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 3 p.m.
"its kinda like telling them the world is round and not flat." and who said irony was dead?
walker101
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:54 p.m.
GONavy: Don't even try to explain you'll get nowhere with these lefties, its kinda like telling them the world is round and not flat.
Ivor Ivorsen
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 2:06 p.m.
Sean Hannity told me you are wrong.
Ross
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
wow, you cynics just don't want to look at real data, do you? It's all anecdotal pseudo-evidence and bravado with the anti-global warming crowd. JUST LOOK AT THE DATA! Yes, the earth has warmed on it's own in the past. But study the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, and look at the change in the last 150 years. Our carbon emissions have definitely altered the atmosphere, this is undeniable science. Unless you like being selfish and wasting energy, then it's imaginary. Unfortunately it seems that basic human nature is selfish enough to take us all over the cliff.
Mike
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
Heard this story in the 70's........how old are you?
mdavid9453
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 1:16 p.m.
I remember back in the 1970's they were saying there was another ice age coming. Then it became global warming. Now it's climate change. I guess they didn't get either one right so they come up with a name that makes them right either way it goes.
WalkingJoe
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
@sellers, did you pick your screen name because your trying sell us on climate change? I happen to agree with GoNavy.
GoNavy
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
I'm going to tell you a crazy story. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the state of Michigan (and much of Canada) was covered in an ice sheet over a mile thick. This lasted for over ten thousand years. Then, something amazing happened. With no input from mankind - no carbon, no CFCs, - the climate warmed and the ice receded. Instead of crappy, Icy Ann Arbor, we ended up with a beautiful, tree-lined Ann Arbor. We got 5 Great Lakes which provide bounties for us all. I could go on and on, but pretty much everything that happened since the climate warmed (it's still warming) ended up benefiting us, not hurting us. Who are you to say that a warmer climate wouldn't be better? Who are you to say it's even worth the money slowing global warming, since it's a naturally occurring phenomenon? I don't care if the polar ice melts and Malibu loses its view. Somebody else will have a brand new coastline after that, and we'll spend money rebuilding.
walker101
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
Climate control.
DonBee
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 12:17 p.m.
My chuckle of the week: A radio DJ saying: "We got 30 inches of global warning last month". It is almost as good as the one another DJ used: "We got 2 inches of no accumulation last night" Welcome to Southern Michigan
DonBee
Tue, Mar 5, 2013 : 9:31 p.m.
So much for trying to bring a smile to people in the morning. This was intended as a light hearted repeat of some of the better weather comments I have heard recently. It was NOT intended as a position on Climate Change or anything else. So much for humor