Thursday, August 06, 2009

The Great Lakes Hurricane of 1996

I have lived in the Great Lakes region of the United States my entire life. I am a frequent visitor to three of the lakes and have seen all five. Bad weather is a fact of life sometimes on the Lakes and hurricane strength winds happen.

However, I would have never believed an actual hurricane had ever formed over the Great Lakes. But apparently, it happened. In 1996, the "Hurroncane" appeared in September.

Here is what the National Weather Service said about it:


So I guess hurricanes are possible in the Great lakes and one may form again. I am sure if another one appears it will be pointed to as proof of global warming even though this has happened before. I hope my home is insured for hurricanes. I am not sure if our Great Lakes insurance policies include a clause for hurricanes.


Ed Darrell said...

It's not "proof" of global warming, but isn't it evidence of increased instability in the atmosphere, which is a predicted result of global warming?

1996 wasn't exactly the ice age. It's two years off of 1998, one of the warmest years ever, and a recent peak heat year.

In any case, it's a fascinating story. Thanks for posting it.

Anonymous said...

Both global warming and global cooling would lead to increased atmospheric instability. I wish NOAA would quit moving those dang thermometers!