Record Snow Cover

[Sinatra]

The Northern Hemisphere - contradicting all of the previous warmer predictions, has experienced considerable increases in winter snow cover since 1989.

Northern Hemisphere Snow Extent Second Highest on Record Watts Up With That?

 

[Old Rocks]

And has experianced the warmest years on record during that period.

Warmer air carries more water.

 

[Oddball]

More clouds and more snow reflect more solar radiation.

 

[Old Rocks]

More clouds and more snow reflect more solar radiation.

Snow does, for the clouds, it is not that simple at all. Seems that there are other effects that are positive feedback for clouds. Could be the total affect for clouds are near neutral.

 

[Sinatra]

So when it is more snow - it's due to warming.

When it is less snow - it's due to warming.

Got it!!
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So the temps up and down the East Coast were in fact warmer than average during the snow storms this year and that is what caused the increases in snow?

Hmmm....

 

[Old Rocks]

Across North America, snow cover for January 2010 was above average, the sixth largest January snow cover extent since satellite records began in 1967. The average North American January snow cover extent is 17.5 million square kilometers for the 1967-2010 period of record. Significant winter storms brought heavy snow across parts of the United States. For more information on the U.S. January 2010 snow events, please visit the U.S. 2009-2010 Snow Season Summary page.

State of the Climate | Global Analysis | January 2010

Except for the Atlantic seaboard, a bit of the midwest, and the North Slope of Alaska, it was a very warm January in North America.

 

[Sinatra]

Across North America, snow cover for January 2010 was above average, the sixth largest January snow cover extent since satellite records began in 1967. The average North American January snow cover extent is 17.5 million square kilometers for the 1967-2010 period of record. Significant winter storms brought heavy snow across parts of the United States. For more information on the U.S. January 2010 snow events, please visit the U.S. 2009-2010 Snow Season Summary page.

State of the Climate | Global Analysis | January 2010

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Yup - a TON of snow this year.

 

[Old Rocks]

And record warm temperatures for the month that the snow occured in.