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Posted by Carlos Sanchez on 14:19:50 12/01/14
In Reply to: Of weather and birds, more posted by Toe
I agree with the notion that overall global temperatures are rising but...
Not so fast. Computer models show a major Arctic air mass pushing cold weather down the Florida peninsula by mid-December (along with the rest of the eastern half of the country). Really cold weather down here does not depend solely on the presence of a cold front but on various other factors that are beyond the scope of this board.
The record breaking cold across the Great Lakes this month caused many lakes to freeze over early, perhaps sending waterfowl further south than usual. We have already seen above average numbers in southern Florida of Canvasback and Redhead in November.
And many northerly species do not irrupt southward based on the severity of the cold further north. The Razorbill irruption occurred during a relatively mild winter. The Purple Finch irruption occurring in the southeast is not directly linked to cold weather either.
December 2010 was the coldest December on record for Miami-Dade, and we did not have an influx of northerly species as a result. There must be more variables at play.
To bring things full circle, meteorologist Larry Cosgrove stated that the cold air outbreak in mid-December will send "the brutal reality of winter cold as far south as Mexico and Cuba."
Let's see how things play out.
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