What Causes Extreme Temperature Swings in My City?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the causes of extreme temperature swings experienced in various cities, with participants sharing personal anecdotes and observations related to temperature variations over time. The scope includes both personal experiences and broader climatic phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a temperature spread of 82.6C (148.7F) in their city over the last 18 months, highlighting extreme highs and lows.
  • Another participant shares their own temperature extremes, mentioning a low of -33°F (-36°C) and a high of 108°F (42.2°C), questioning the accuracy of their thermometer against official records.
  • A recollection of a June storm where temperatures were high before suddenly dropping to ice and snow is shared, suggesting rapid temperature changes can occur within hours.
  • One participant describes an experience of a significant temperature drop of 15-20 degrees Celsius in less than an hour in Alberta, indicating the potential for abrupt climatic shifts.
  • Another participant recounts a personal experience of transitioning from a hot to a cool air mass while driving, emphasizing the stark contrast in temperatures over a short distance.
  • Discussion includes tips shared for coping with extreme heat, particularly in desert climates, highlighting the practical concerns of managing temperature extremes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of personal experiences with temperature swings, but there is no consensus on the underlying causes or mechanisms of these phenomena. Multiple competing views and anecdotal evidence remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific temperature records and personal anecdotes without providing a unified explanation for the observed phenomena. The discussion includes varying geographical contexts, which may influence temperature behavior.

George Jones
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Yesterday's high temperature here was 38.4C (101.1F). The early morning low on 15 Jan 2020 was -44.2C (-47.6F). In the last 18 months, my city has had a spread of actual temperatures of 82.6C (148.7F).
 
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George Jones said:
Yesterday's high temperature here was 38.4C (101.1F). The early morning low on 15 Jan 2020 was -44.2C (-47.6F). In the last 18 months, my city has had a spread of actual temperatures of 82.6C (148.7F).
I think nature is trying its hand at annealing humans.

Being serious, hope you and those around you are managing to stay cool.
 
In our area in the NE US, we've had a low of -33°F (-36°C) back around 1993 and a high of something like 108°F (42.2°C) in our backyard according to our thermometer, which we consider pretty accurate.

Officially, lowest recorded temperature is -30°F (-34.4°C) January 21, 1961 and an official high of 104°F (40°C) August 1, 1933. Our thermometer indicated 104°F (in the shade) two days ago, while the official temperature was 97°F.
 
I remember when I was a boy we had a storm in June when it was 90F before the storm and we had ice and snow fall during it. 18 months? More like a few hours.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I remember when I was a boy we had a storm in June when it was 90F before the storm and we had ice and snow fall during it. 18 months? More like a few hours.
Did you also have to walk 10 miles uphill in the storm to school?
 
Haborix said:
Did you also have to walk 10 miles uphill in the storm to school?
Uphill both ways.
 
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Haborix said:
Did you also have to walk 10 miles uphill in the storm to school?
When it was -44.2C (-47.6F), I did make my usual 20-minute walk to a local coffee shop, from where, after sitting dwon with tea and cheese croissant, I catch a bus to work. I didn't do this yesterday, not because of the heat, but because I am still under work-from-home directions from my employer.
 
Temperature dropped 15-20 degrees Celsius in less than an hour in some places in Alberta in 2018. I am sure I can find the news articles.
 
George Jones said:
When it was -44.2C (-47.6F), I did make my usual 20-minute walk to a local coffee shop, from where, after sitting dwon with tea and cheese croissant, I catch a bus to work. I didn't do this yesterday, not because of the heat, but because I am still under work-from-home directions from my employer.
Oof! The problem I have with walking in the cold is the annoying amount of clothing that has to be constantly put on and taken off.
 
  • #10
I've driven along a freeway and gone from 80°F (26.7°C) air mass into a 40°F (4.4°C) air mass in about 50 m. The forecast did mention a shift in temperature, but I had never experience such a boundary between warm and cool.

Today, in our back yard, in a period of three hours, we went from 104°F (40°C, hot and dusty) to about 70°F (21.1°C, with thundershowers, heavy rain, a flood advisory, and a warning of 1 cm hail in the area). We getting mostly rain.
 
  • #11
While waiting in Oakland CA airport this Monday to return home to Las Vegas NV, I shared a table with travelers returning home to Portland OR. They dreaded anticipated high temperatures in excess of 110 F., asking for tips to cope with desert temperatures without home air conditioning. I suggested wearing loose cotton clothing, staying hydrated, operating electric fans and closing window blinds.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas was a breezy 99 F.
 
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  • #12
Mondayman said:
Temperature dropped 15-20 degrees Celsius in less than an hour in some places in Alberta in 2018.

fd9f7915-def3-42e4-ad90-dc3056645503.png

60km East from here. We can have Arctic air East of the Rockies and warm Pacific air to the West.

One time our windows suddenly all fogged up on the outside. Some warm air had flowed in while the glass was still cold.
 

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