Mr. Freedman wrote, "Warmer than normal conditions were more widespread in June than they were in July, ..."

Can you define "normal"? And what would the "normal" temperature be if the artificial cooling, which Dr. Hansen's code introduces, were removed?

If we took out the artificial cooling, would today's temperatures be warmer or cooler than "normal"?

http://www.climateaudit.org/?p=3428

Mr. Q.

And what would the computer models predict if the artificial cooling of past years temperatures were corrected to their actual/true temperature? Would they predict a warming at all?

Perhaps the artificial cooling of past years (created by Dr. Hansen's code), helps to explain why Dr. Hansen's predictions on "global warming" have so wildly missed the mark. His prediction wasn't even close!

http://icecap.us/images/uploads/HANSEN.JPG

The yellow line on the graph, labeled "Hansen C", represents Dr. Hansen's temperature predictions if we had immediately reduced global CO2 production, which we have not. As you can see, the actual temperature is BELOW the yellow "Hansen C" line.

There is no polite way of saying it; Dr. Hansen's predictions have been totally abysmal. They weren't even close!

More detail can be found here -
http://www.climate-skeptic.com/2008/08/backcasting-wit.html

Mr. Q.

OH MY GOD! Scientists are predicting a hot summer? What's next, a cold winter? Or even worse: no sunlight at night! Great googly moogly!

HAHAH...I'm just pulling your leg. I'm a strong believer of global warming. (Bad pun alert!) I'm just not cool with the "warming" part, as I'm a cold weather guy. BUT - I'll be 99 years old in 2090, so I don't think I'll have much of a chance to see that 111° day. Unless it happens sooner, that is. It's kinda scary to think that all this climate change stuff is going to happen in my lifetime.

How are your temperatures out there in the Pacific Northwest?

"Today’s high temperature could equal Vancouver’s all-time high of 105 degrees."
Heat could be historic (8-15-08)

Mr Q: Jim Hansen has NOTHING to do with the NOAA Data Andrew presented. Jim Hansen works at NASA and manages the NASA GISS temperature dataset which is independent of NOAA's USHCN dataset. Normal = long term mean temperature.

CapitalClimate said, "How are your temperatures out there in the Pacific Northwest?"

Today, we peaked at 70 degrees Fahrenheit here in my tiny town (which is not Vancouver, WA).

Your article represented the finest in sensationalistic reporting. On August 15th, the date in question, the temperature peaked at 101 degrees in Vancouver, WA. It did not break any records at all. It did not break the record for that day, and it didn't come close to breaking the all-time high record. Sensationalistic reporting seems to be the journalistic meme these days.

http://www.accuweather.com/forecast-climo.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipChg=1&zipcode=98660

You didn't need me to look that up for you, and it doesn't further your argument to be corrected so easily, so why post that? Didn't feel like commenting on Dr. Hansen's past temperature corrections, or Dr. Hansen's horrible accuracy at predicting future temperature?

Maybe you would prefer to discuss Dr. Mann's work? Perhaps this might interest you -
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2008/8/11/caspar-and-the-jesus-paper.html

Unfortunately I can not post any more in this thread; but the article is a long one, and it should take you a while to digest it and do your own research. I look forward to a short, friendly and civil debate at Mr. Freedman's next column.

Until then,
Mr. Q.

Subject material must be limited this week !!

RECORD REPORT...UPDATED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
145 AM PDT TUE AUG 19 2008

...24-HOUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN
WASHINGTON AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 18 2008...

LOCATION TEMPERATURE PREVIOUS RECORD PERIOD
OF (DEGREES F) (DEGREES F) RECORD
GRAND COULEE
DAM , WA 104 103 IN 1977 74 YRS SINCE 1934
PRIEST RIVER, ID 97(TIED) 97 IN 1967 110 YRS SINCE 1898
MULLAN PASS, ID 86 82 IN 1953 70 YRS SINCE 1938

...RECORD WARM LOW TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN WASHINGTON
AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 18 2008...

MOSES LAKE AP, WA 65 62 IN 2004 61 YRS SINCE 1947
CHIEF JOSEPH
DAM, WA 69(TIED) 69 IN 1997 59 YRS SINCE 1949
GRAND COULEE
DAM, WA 69 67 IN 1991 74 YRS SINCE 1934
LIND, WA 65(TIED) 65 IN 1933 77 YRS SINCE 1931
PLAIN,WA 62 56 IN 2004 71 YRS SINCE 1937
WINTHROP, WA 66 64 IN 2001 102 YRS SINCE 1906
WINCHESTER, ID 58 54 IN 1992 69 YRS SINCE 1939

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
220 PM PST MON AUG 18 2008

...A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATED THE INLAND NORTHWEST
SUNDAY AUGUST 17 2008 RESULTING IN EXTREME HOT TEMPERATURES...

ONE PARTICULAR NEW DAILY RECORD WAS AT SPOKANE INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT WHERE IT WAS 103. THIS NOT ONLY SET A DAILY RECORD, BUT
OF EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANCE IS THE FACT THAT THIS WAS THE WARMEST
TEMPERATURE EVER SO LATE IN THE SEASON. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS
103 SET ON AUGUST 10 1898.

RECORD REPORT...UPDATED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
915 AM PDT MON AUG 18 2008

...24-HOUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN
WASHINGTON AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 17 2008...

LOCATION TEMPERATURE PREVIOUS RECORD PERIOD OF
(DEGREES F) (DEGREES F) RECORD
CHIEF JOSEPH
DAM, WA 106 104 IN 1992 59 YRS SINCE 1949
GRAND COULEE
DAM , WA 103(TIED) 103 IN 1967 74 YRS SINCE 1934
LACROSSE, WA 109 106 IN 1933 77 YRS SINCE 1931
LIND, WA 106 104 IN 1977 77 YRS SINCE 1931
ROSALIA, WA 106 101 IN 2001 115 YRS SINCE 1893
SPOKANE ARPT, WA 103 100 IN 1967 127 YRS SINCE 1881
WENATCHEE ARPT, WA 104 103 IN 1967 49 YRS SINCE 1959
PULLMAN-MOS AP, WA 102 99 IN 1967 68 YRS SINCE 1940
EPHRATA MUN AP, WA 106 103 IN 1967 60 YRS SINCE 1948
OMAK, WA 106 102 IN 1933 78 YRS SINCE 1931
BONNERS FERRY, ID 101 99 IN 1967 101 YRS SINCE 1907
LEWISTON ARPT, ID 108 107 IN 1897 127 YRS SINCE 1881
PRIEST RIVER, ID 100 97 IN 1967 110 YRS SINCE 1898
MULLAN PASS, ID 84 81 IN 1942 70 YRS SINCE 1938
PLUMMER, ID 100 91 IN 1992 60 YRS SINCE 1948
BOUNDARY DAM, WA 101 99 IN 1967 43 YRS SINCE 1965

...RECORD WARM LOW TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN WASHINGTON
AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 17 2008...

SPOKANE ARPT, WA 68 (TIED) 68 IN 1932 127 YRS SINCE 1881
EPHRATA MUN AP, WA 70 68 IN 2004 60 YRS SINCE 1948
MULLAN PASS, ID 69 62 IN 1942 70 YRS SINCE 1938
PLUMMER, ID 60 58 IN 1992 60 YRS SINCE 1948

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OREGON
1120 AM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008

...RECORD HI/LO TEMPS OVERNIGHT...

HIGH
LOCATION MINIMUM PREVIOUS RECORD
===================================================================
PORTLAND AIRPORT....... 71 66 SET IN 1977
VANCOUVER.............. 72 62 SET IN 1921
TROUTDALE.............. 72 61 SET IN 1977
HILLSBORO.............. 69 59 SET IN 1991
EUGENE................. 64 62 SET IN 1933
SALEM.................. 67 64 SET IN 1908

HOOD RIVER TIED 68 PREVIOUSLY SET IN 1917

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE, WA
1116 AM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008

...THREE CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OF RECORD BREAKING HIGH LOW TEMPERATURES...

LOW TEMPERATURES AGAIN DID NOT GO PAST THE 60 DEGREE MARK IN MOST
AREAS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON LAST NIGHT. HERE ARE THE LOCATIONS THAT
BROKE THEIR HIGH LOW TEMPERATURES FOR AUGUST 17TH.

LOCATION LOW THIS MORNING RECORD / YEAR

SEATAC AIRPORT 67 64 2003
OLYMPIA AIRPORT 62 60 1975
WFO SEATTLE/SANDPOINT 66 63 2003

RECORD REPORT...UPDATED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
930 AM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008

...24-HOUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN WASHINGTON
AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 16 2008...

LOCATION TEMPERATURE PREVIOUS RECORD PERIOD OF
RECORD

CHIEF JOSEPH
DAM , WA 106 DEG. 103 DEG. IN 2004 59 YRS SINCE 1949
COLVILLE, WA 103 DEG. 102 DEG. IN 2004 119 YRS SINCE 1899
LACROSSE, WA 106 DEG. 105 DEG. IN 1967 77 YRS SINCE 1931
WINTHROP, WA 101 DEG.(TIED) 101 DEG. IN 1967 102 YRS SINCE 1906
OMAK, WA 105 DEG. 102 DEG. IN 2004 77 YRS SINCE 1931
MOSES LAKE, WA 102 DEG. 101 DEG. IN 2001 61 YRS SINCE 1947
PRIEST RIVER, ID 98 DEG.(TIED) 98 DEG. IN 1967 110 YRS SINCE 1898
HOLDEN VILLAGE, WA 96 DEG.(TIED) 96 DEG. IN 1967 78 YRS SINCE 1930

RECORD REPORT...CORRECTION...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
145 AM PDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...24-HOUR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET/TIED ACROSS EASTERN WASHINGTON
AND NORTHERN IDAHO FOR AUGUST 15 2008...

LOCATION TEMPERATURE PREVIOUS RECORD PERIOD OF
RECORD

MOSES LAKE, WA. 103 DEG. 102 DEG. IN 2001 61 YRS SINCE 1947
EPHRATA, WA. 102 DEG. (TIED) 102 DEG. IN 2001 60 YRS SINCE 1948

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OREGON
1230 PM PDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...RECORD WARMTH FOR NORTHWEST OREGON OVERNIGHT...

HIGH
LOCATION MINIMUM PREVIOUS RECORD
===================================================================
PORTLAND AIRPORT....... 68 63 SET IN 1979
VANCOUVER.............. 67 62 SET IN 1950
TROUTDALE.............. 65 61 SET IN 2004
HILLSBORO.............. 63 60 SET IN 1932
EUGENE................. 62 60 SET IN 1967

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE, WA
1118 AM PDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...ANOTHER WARM NIGHT ACROSS MOST OF WESTERN WASHINGTON...

NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES DID NOT FALL PAST 60 DEGREES AGAIN IN MOST
PLACES. THESE AREAS BROKE THEIR HIGHEST LOW TEMPERATURE RECORDS FOR
AUGUST 16TH.

LOCATION LOW THIS MORNING RECORD / YEAR

SEATAC AIRPORT 63 60 1990
OLYMPIA AIRPORT 60 59 1999
STAMPEDE PASS 73 66 1967
WFO SEATTLE/SANDPOINT 64 63 1990

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
511 PM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008

...NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR AUGUST 17TH...

NOTE: STATIONS MARKED WITH * INDICATE THAT THE STATION REPORTS ONCE
PER DAY. FOR CONSISTENCY...THESE VALUES ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE
OCCURRED ON THE DAY THE OBSERVATION WAS TAKEN BUT MAY HAVE ACTUALLY
OCCURRED (ESPECIALLY FOR MAX TEMPERATURE) ON THE PREVIOUS DAY.

STATION PREVIOUS NEW RECORDS
RECORD/YEAR RECORD BEGAN

MEACHAM, OR 97 / 1967 99 1948 :SINCE MID
PENDLETON(ARPT), OR 105 / 1967 108 1934 :SINCE MID
YAKIMA, WA 101 / 1977 103 1909 :SINCE MID

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD, OR
0139 AM PDT SUN AUG 17 2008

$$

$$

...RECORD HIGHEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE SET AT MEDFORD...

A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 70 DEGREES WAS SET AT
MEDFORD YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 66 SET IN 1933.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
600 PM PDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...RECORD HEAT STARTING TO EASE...

A STRONG AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE REMAINED ANCHORED OVER THE REGION
TODAY AND RESULTED IN ANOTHER HOT AFTERNOON. DESPITE THE HEAT...MANY
LOCATIONS DID NOT REACH THE RECORD LEVELS THAT WERE FELT DURING THE
PAST SEVERAL DAYS. A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 106 IN MEDFORD TODAY FELL
JUST SHORT OF THE RECORD OF 107 FROM 1977. THE EXCEPTIONS WERE IN MT
SHASTA CITY AND MONTAGUE...WHICH EACH SET A NEW RECORD HIGH
TEMPERATURE TODAY. MT SHASTA CITY ROSE TO 98 AND BROKE THE PREVIOUS
RECORD OF 97 FROM 1977. MONTAGUE SOARED TO 103 AND BROKE ITS
PREVIOUS RECORD OF 101 FROM 1967. WHILE ANOTHER HOT AFTERNOON IS
EXPECTED SUNDAY...HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE A FEW DEGREES LOWER THAN
TODAY.

TO RECAP THE RECORD HEAT...HERE ARE THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM
THURSDAY AUGUST 14TH AND FRIDAY AUGUST 15TH...INCLUDING NEW RECORDS:

LOCATION HIGH (OLD RECORD) AUGUST 15TH
****************************************************

ROSEBURG 97
MEDFORD 108* (107 IN 1967)
MONTAGUE 105* (103 IN 2002)
MOUNT SHASTA 100* (97 IN 1966)
KLAMATH FALLS 97* (95 IN 1970)
LAKEVIEW 97
ALTURAS 101 (TIED...101 IN 1967)

****************************************************
* NEW RECORD

LOCATION HIGH (OLD RECORD) AUGUST 14TH
****************************************************

ROSEBURG 102
MEDFORD 108 (TIED...108 IN 1933)
MONTAGUE 105* (104 IN 1992)
MOUNT SHASTA 100* (95 IN 2002)
KLAMATH FALLS 97* (96 IN 1992)
LAKEVIEW 95
ALTURAS 100 (TIED...100 IN 1992)

****************************************************
*NEW RECORD

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
520 PM PDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...NEW DAILY RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR AUGUST 16TH...

NOTE: STATIONS MARKED WITH * INDICATE THAT THE STATION REPORTS ONCE
PER DAY. FOR CONSISTENCY...THESE VALUES ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE
OCCURRED ON THE DAY THE OBSERVATION WAS TAKEN BUT MAY HAVE ACTUALLY
OCCURRED (ESPECIALLY FOR MAX TEMPERATURE) ON THE PREVIOUS DAY.

STATION PREVIOUS NEW RECORDS
RECORD/YEAR RECORD BEGAN

MEACHAM, OR 94 / 2001 96 1948 :SINCE MID
REDMOND, OR 103 / 1967 106 1949 :SINCE MID
THE DALLES, OR 107 / 1977 109 1948 :SINCE MID
WALLA WALLA, WA 106 / 1977 106 (TIED) 1949 :SINCE MID

Is that enough cooling for you?

That's it? :)

I always like to be fair and balanced with a presentation of statistics whether or not they have any relevance.

While parts of the northwest U.S. and southwest B.C. have been quite warm compared to normal recently, other parts of the U.S., west of the Mississippi have been quite cold compared to normal. Two days ago, Denver Colorado set a new record by having the coldest high temp. for that date on record. Snow fell in parts of the central Rockies.

Nearly the entire continent of Australia is shivering in colder than normal temperatures.

http://wxmaps.org/pix/temp7.html

A few months ago, the mainstream media reported that "EXPERTS" were predicting that the Arctic Icecap may disappear this summer, and the northwest passage would be wide open. NONE of this has happened, in fact the Arctic Icepack is substantially more expansive now, than on this date in mid- August a year ago.

http://wxmaps.org/pix/temp7.html

New ice is already forming and expanding

http://awberrimilla.blogspot.com/2008/08/yesterdays-new-ice.html

What does all of this mean????? Very little, my friends, as it may relate to or portend possible weather patterns 50 or 100 years into the future.

We have had many hot summers in the past, whether you wish to look at some like 1954, or the 1930's. We will have many hot summers in the future. The mistake that some may make is to give any credence whatsoever to another "study" about what the summer temperatures may be nearly a hundred years from now.

This "study" will, like hundreds and thousands of others, find itself near the bottom of the "Ash Heap" of history, long before that time.

Let's not forget Montana:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
830 AM MDT MON AUG 19 2008

A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BROUGHT HOT TEMPERATURES TO THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES OVER THE WEEKEND AND MONDAY. SEVERAL DAILY HIGH
TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE BROKEN ON MONDAY AUGUST 18.

LISTED BELOW ARE PRELIMINARY METAR AND COOPERATIVE OBSERVER STATIONS
THAT BROKE OR TIED RECORDS FOR AUGUST 18.

.....METAR STATIONS - WESTERN MONTANA.....

NEW PREVIOUS
RECORD RECORD (YEAR SET)

MISSOULA 100 99 (1967)
KALISPELL 99 96 (1967)

.....COOPERATIVE OBSERVER STATIONS - WESTERN MONTANA.....

NEW PREVIOUS
RECORD RECORD (YEAR SET)

DRUMMOND 98 96 (1967)
LIBBY 32 SSE 93 90 (2001)
HAMILTON 99 96 (1934)
POLSON 98 96 (1919)
SULA 3 NE 93 (TIE) 93 (1999)
SUPERIOR 101 (TIE) 101 (2001)
THOMPSON FALLS 104 103 (1967)
WEST GLACIER 96 95 (1967)

.....COOPERATIVE OBSERVER STATIONS - NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO.....

ELK CITY 96 95 (2001)
PIERCE 100 98 (1940)

AJ,
You're usually so careful with your weather observations, it's surprising to see you so sloppy with your climate analysis. In fact the Arctic ice melt has been accelerating:

August Arctic Attrition Accelerating

And let's not forget Alberta, either, hub of Canada's fossil-fueled denialism industry: Southern Alberta experiences record-breaking heat.

CapitalClimate:

Thanks for your comments. Your praise of my observatory skills is well received.

Re: "sloppy", that adjective may find a surprising home within this discussion.

I always love to receive support or confirmation of my premise from a critic.

The "August Arctic Attrition Accelerating" info. that you obviously are leaning on to somehow discredit my earlier assertion actually, in all reality, establishes confirmation for it's validity.

This August 12 posting by our friend Steve Scolnik reports that "the rate of melting has accelerated in the first 10 days of August". Wow, what a surprise! What would be expected during late July and early August??????

As a result, "Amundsens historic Northwest Passage is opening up" Another surprise??
Hardly! With melting ice in any given waterway, it is actually "opening up" from day one.

The "icing on the cake" is the confirmation by your info. that "the extent of melting so far is less than last years". This gives concrete support and confirmation to the main thrust of my statement on this issue.

Thank you very much for your support!!

Yeah, it's all just a conspiracy by Big Ice.

CapitalClimate