Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Looking At Extreme Temperatures

If you have recently noticed, I've put up an EXTREME list on the right hand side of the blog. I really enjoy the dramatic high/low temperature spreads.

However, in my research, I discovered an unusual temperature anomaly. I still can't figure out if it's legitimate, as I cannot find out any other information other than the NWS office. I guess that will be my next step.

DuBois PA recorded a low of 1 degree yesterday morning.

58
32
26
PA
ALLENTOWN-BETHLEHEM
54
31
23
PA
ALTOONA/BLAIR_CO.
57
32
25
PA
BEAVER_FALLS_ARPT
50
28
22
PA
BRADFORD_REGIONAL
55
30
25
PA
BUTLER_CO._(AWOS)
54
27
27
PA
CLEARFIELD
56
33
23
PA
DOYLESTOWN
51
1
50
PA
DUBOIS/JEFFERSON CO
57
40
17
PA
ERIE/INTL
54
34
20
PA
FRANKLIN(AWOS)
57
33
24
PA
HARRISBURG/CAPITAL
50
31
19
PA
JOHNSTOWN/CAMBRIA
57
35
22
PA
LANCASTER
55
32
23
PA
LATROBE/WESTMORLAND
54
36
18
PA
MEADVILLEWPORT_ARPT
57
34
23
PA
MIDDLETOWN
57
32
25
PA
MUIR_AAF/INDIANTOWN
58
38
20
PA
NORTH PHILADELPHIA
59
41
18
PA
PHILADELPHIA/INTL
57
34
23
PA
PITTSBURGH, COUNTY
57
30
27
PA
PITTSBURGH/GREATER
51
29
22
PA
POCONO_MNTS_MUNIL_ARPT
57
34
23
PA
POTTSTOWN LIMERICK AIR
57
36
21
PA
READING/SPAATZ FLD
58
29
29
PA
SELINSGROVE/PENN_VALLE
54
32
22
PA
STATE_COLLEGE
54
28
26
PA
STEWART_FIELD
57
28
29
PA
WASHINGTON_(AWOS)
55
34
21
PA
WILKES-BARRE-SCRANTON
56
30
26
PA
WILLIAMSPORT/LYCOMING
56
30
26
PA
YORK_ARPT


The following table is from an EXCEL spreadsheet that shows, from left to right, high temp, low temp, spread, state, and reporting location.

Also, I have this graphic to show as well...


Enlarge the map above and look in the lower left graphic, looking in the Northeast U.S. at Pennsylvania. Kinda stands out, doesn't it???

True, several locations had quite a bit of snow over the weekend and this can easily provide the dramatic drop in overnight low temperatures. However, other reporting stations don't really come close to the 1 degree reading at DuBois.

Elevation is not much of an issue, either.

The greatest argument I can provide against using this reading as legitimate is the following observations I copied into my EXCEL spreadsheet from the reporting station.

1
11:56
S 3
A Few Clouds
43
37
30.3
1027
1
10:56
S 5
Overcast
41
37
30.3
1027
1
9:56
SE 3
Overcast
38
34
30.3
1027
1
8:56
Calm
Overcast
34
32
30.3
1027
1
7:56
E 5
Fair
NA
NA
30.3
NA
1
6:56
Calm
Fair
1
NA
30.2
1027
1
5:56
Calm
Fair
1
NA
30.2
1026
1
4:56
Calm
A Few Clouds
NA
NA
30.2
NA
1
3:56
Calm
Mostly Cloudy
NA
NA
30.2
NA
1
2:56
SE 3
Partly Cloudy
NA
NA
30.2
NA
1
1:56
SE 6
Mostly Cloudy
1
NA
40
1
30.2
1026
1
0:56
Calm
Overcast
1
NA
30.2
1026
31
23:56
SE 3
Overcast
39
34
30.2
1025
31
22:56
SE 5
Overcast
39
34
30.2
1025
31
21:56
SE 7
Overcast
39
34
30.2
1025
31
20:56
SE 7
Overcast
39
34
30.2
1024
31
18:56
SE 8
Overcast
41
33
30.2
1024


Notice, specifically, the blue font for the hourly temperature readings. Some type of malfunction must have occurred. As you notice, later in the morning, the reporting station started recording the hourly readings again...at a much higher reading than 1 degree.

Sometimes, these things happen, but can cause confusion for climatologists as they seek to gather correct data for their records.

MS

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