Bob CollinsIf science says Minnesota’s climate stinks, and we all trust science in matters of climate, why is this latest assessment of our fair state so utterly wrong?
This week, Scientific Reports published research assessing the impact of global warming on the number of heating degree days and cooling degree days in sections of the country. Basically each refers to the difference between a day’s temperature and 65 degrees.
It found that San Diego is the nation’s most comfortable city because it has the fewest number of days in which air conditioning is required to cool things off and heat is needed to warm things up, the Washington Post reported.
The most uncomfortable city? It’s us.
At 7 this morning in Phoenix, it’s 91 degrees. They’ll hit a high today of 103. But, as I’ve noted in the past, it’s a dry hell.
Where would you rather be today?
Next January may be another story, and that’s really the story. Minnesota is “uncomfortable” in the study mostly because for few weeks each winter, it’s pretty unbearable around here.
But summer, short as it is, more than makes up for it.
We’ve only seen two 90-degree days this summer, according to local meteorological legend Paul Douglas.
Remember, Minnesota has some of the most extreme swings in temperature and moisture in North America with an average of 30 “life-threatening” days every year – severe lightning, flooding, tornadoes, cold, snow & blizzards. You get the picture.
But let’s give credit where credit is due: this summer has been extraordinary. No treadmill of washed-out weekends, no extended streaks of gasp-worthy heat. The MSP metro has experienced only 2 days of 90-degree plus heat. During an average summer: 13 days of 90s.
The drought is over, another bumper harvest is imminent. It truly has been a summer to remember.
And the reality is: It usually is.
Where would you rather be?
