Is the weather getting more wacky?

Looking back on the weather of 2011, one would have to admit that things were rather strange (to say the least) as the United States experienced everything from extreme drought, heat waves and floods to unprecedented tornado outbreaks, hurricanes, wildfires and winter storms. All told the damage bill came to over twelve billion dollars spread over twelve separate events. This was an all time record, by far. According to a short video featuring Jack Hayes, Director of the National Weather Service, we can expect more of the same in 2012 as the world climate changes. “ The world must be prepared for more frequent weather extremes in the future”, Mr. Hayes was quoted as stating in the video.

That bring us to the winter of 2011-12. And yes, it has already been a little extreme in one regard. Only in this case, the extreme has been the warmth! It's been so warm that the average for the first week of January was a full eight degrees above the historical average for my location here in southwest Missouri. One has to wonder, however, just when the pendulum will swing over to the opposite side? Will the warmth of early January turn into a deep freeze by month's end? I don't know and neither does anyone else. What the experts are now warning everyone, is that increasingly the 'weather dice' are becoming more and more loaded in the direction of chaotic events.

So, keep an eye to the sky and make sure you are as prepared as you can be for whatever Mother Nature might decide to throw your way.