Volume 21 Number 2

Virginia Climate Advisory

Volume 21/Number 2/Summer 1997

[Photo from NCAR.]

Thunderstorms represent one of the basic sources of precipitation across the Commonwealth, and account for the bulk of our summertime rainfall. Despite the potential for damage from winds, lightening and flooding, we usually rely upon these storms, either singly or in organized squall lines or in tropical systems, to make or break a growing season.

|Contents | Volume 21 | VCA Homepage | Virginia State Climatology Office Homepage |

In your Advisory . . .
Raining Wisdom: Is it really drier in the Shenandoah Valley? What determines how much rainfall the Eastern Shore receives? What's the wettest (or driest) month around here? In our lead article, we apply some new twists to the precipitation data in order to wring out a few interesting tidbits of information. Hopefully, we've been able to sort through the complexities of Virginia's precipitation climatology to help you to a better understanding of the big picture.

Looking for a good overview of the current state of understanding of the global climate change issue? Find out what the U.S. Senate learned recently in Capitol Ideas.

Current Wisdom:Current Wisdom will hit you with four new blockbuster articles from the scientific literature that could change the way a lot of people perceive the whole idea of "global warming." And -- once you thought you've heard it all, the Advisory comes through for you again. In our last item find out how some propose that global warming will cause an Ice Age.

Also:

Virginia's Frequent Flooder Program
Weatherwatch
Capitol Ideas
NWS Long-Range Forecasts
Forecast Verifications

Advisory Staff

Dr. Patrick J. Michaels, State Climatologist

Philip J. Stenger, Research Coordinator and Advisory Editor

Paul C. Knappenberger, Senior Analyst

Peter D. Schwartzman, Dustin Hux, and Stephen Gawtry, Research Assistants

Beth Leverich and Tracey Lewis, Undergraduate Assistants

The Virginia Climate Advisory is a service publication of the Virginia State Climatology Office, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia. The Advisory's purpose is to present information about our climate, its impact and related research findings. We reserve the right to do this in a humorous fashion. The Advisory is mailed to approximately 4,000 subscribers worldwide. We welcome your comments. Subscriptions are available by writing or calling this office (804-924-0548).