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Earth Changes
© National Park Service
Trail Ridge Road covered in snow, as seen in this photo taken on Monday.
Trail Ridge Road covered in snow, as seen in this photo taken on Monday.
The road had been clear of snow this time last week, but the snowstorm that hit the Front Range late last week dumped more snow over the road.
High winds have led to snow drifts, but crews began trying to clear the road today. It is not clear when the road might be re-opened, officials said.
© Ed Hoskins
Each of the notable high points in the Holocene temperature record, (Holocene Climate Optimum - Minoan - Roman - Medieval - Modern), have been progressively colder than the previous high point.
For its first 7-8000 years the early Holocene, including its high point known as the "climate optimum", temperatures have been virtually flat, with an average drop of only ~0.007 °C per millennium.
But the more recent Holocene since a "tipping point" at around 1000BC, 3000 years ago has seen temperature fall at about 20 times that earlier rate at about 0.14 °C per millennium .
The Holocene interglacial is already 10 - 11,000 years old and judging from the length of previous interglacial periods, the Holocene epoch should be drawing to its close: in this century, the next century or this millennium.
'Weak or non-existent' El Nino is a factor
Forecasters at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center say the Atlantic could see another above-normal hurricane season this year.
For the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, forecasters predict a 45 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 20 percent chance of a below-normal season.
"As a Florida resident, I am particularly proud of the important work NOAA does in weather forecasting and hurricane prediction," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "These forecasts are important for both public safety and business planning, and are a crucial function of the federal government."
Initially, they were rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Daringibadi after the lightning strike where doctors declared Tapaswini Behera (10) and Kiran Digal (7) dead and shifted four out of the six injured to MKCG Medical College & Hospital at Berhampur as their condition worsened.
According to reports, Tapaswini Behera, Kiran Digal, Sapna Nayak, Suneli Nayak, Blessy Baliarsingh, Manisha Baliarsingh, Asish Baliarsingh and Laxmikant Baliarsingh had gone to a nearby orchard to collect mangoes when lightning struck them.
The man disappeared into the dirt and debris of the cesspool according to reports
Crews were still filling in the massive sinkhole — wider than two cars — on Wednesday night after a frantic, hours-long rescue effort involving dozens of firefighters, police officers and workers failed to save the man.
"It's horrible, my heart goes out to the men," Regina Sineno said.
Police say a crew was installing the cesspool at a Beech Place home when it collapsed shortly before 1 p.m., leaving a gaping hole that consumed the entire front yard and ate the top half of the driveway.
Additional photos
Hailstorm destroy crops, fruits
Local witnessed said that the hailstorm on second consecutive day leaving behind a trail of destruction in Brenpather , Panner Jagir, Bhatnoor and Karmulla areas of Tral by destroying standing crops, vegetables and fruits there.
"Our crops and fruits completely destroyed by devastating hailstorm. We have lost everything in our fields and orchards now" said a resident of Brenpather while talking to Kashmir Observer.
The victims have requested authorities to immediately assess the quantum of loss caused to the crops and fruits in the area and demanded relief from the government.
© Ben Boreham
Minke Whale washed up in Gower
Minke Whale washed up in Gower
They were alerted after the huge mammal was found at Oxwich Bay on Sunday night.
Members of Oxwich Coastguard were called out at 6.55pm to confirm the species.
A coastguard spokesman said: "Oxwich coastguard were down there.
"They went to see what it was and we got in touch with other authorities and it got taken out of our hands.
"It just confirmed it was a Minke whale."
"The Modern Warming phase began around 1690 or so," says reader. "This means, if going by past long warm cycles, it is almost over."
"The warmth seems to last around 350 years or so. Not only that, we are near the time for a big dip in the temperature in the Northern Latitudes as well, since they happen around a 1,000 years apart and it has been about a 1,000 years now since the last big dip.
"Notice how they happen right after a long warming phase ends?"
