The Seattle Times published shocking news on its front page last Sunday: Mount Rainier's summit is shrinking due to global warming. [emphasis, links added]
According to the article, mountaintop ice caps are melting “as the atmosphere warms.” Sorry, This statement is false and can easily be proven to be untrue.
From the Seattle Times Climate Lab, a news enterprise funded by climate activists, this is another article riddled with errors.
Why is this statement obviously false?
The summit of Mount Rainier is so high Even though the Earth is warming, temperatures on mountaintops are always below freezing.
Additionally, the increased moisture associated with global warming tends to Increase Snowfall at this altitude (warm air holds more water vapor than cold air).
Let me prove that Mount Rainier is not melting due to global warming.
The summit of Mount Rainer is 14,410 feet above sea level. The closest upstream upper-altitude observation site is the NOAA/NWS radiosonde launch site at Kilaute on the northern coast of Washington.
Below is the climatology of the site's melt level, where melt level is the altitude at which temperatures drop to freezing. Above the melting level, the temperature is below freezing. The red line is the elevation of the summit of Mount Rainier.
This chart is based on more than 50 years of data and is quality control data provided by the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Some data were rejected by quality control algorithms.
Notice something in the picture? Freezing temperatures are almost always lower than Mount Rainier (tops of mountains are almost always below freezing).
Is it that cold on Mount Rainier? Yes, But not recently.
The chart below shows the daily climatology of air near freezing levels in western Washington (also based on radiosonde soundings at Kilayut). The horizontal red line represents the elevation of the summit of Mount Rainier.
The light red line shows maximum daily freezing levels. The black line is the average daily freezing height, which is about 2,000 feet in winter and 6,000-8,000 feet in summer.
During the snow season, which runs from November 1 to April 1, Mount Rainier has experienced freezing levels only twice. About 20 times over the summer.
Now the key points: All these above-freezing temperatures at the top of the mountain are a thing of the past and haven’t been seen recently.
Let me prove it to you.
Here are all the dates when Killayut's freezing point rose above Mount Rainier.
Twenty-six dates. The most recent time was in 2006, 18 years ago.
Let me repeat that. 18 years ago.
Most “warm” events occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Temperatures on Mount Rainier are not trending any further above freezing. In fact, the evidence suggests just the opposite.
… So warmer temperatures are not the reason for less snow on our favorite mountaintops.
Additionally, global warming tends to increase precipitation (snow) on Mount Rainier because warmer air “holds” more water vapor.
The claim in the Seattle Times front-page article is patently false. Global warming has not caused the loss of snow on Mount Rainier.
Now, let me clarify, it is getting warmer below Mount Rainier (like 6,000 feet) yes is happening, which could affect snow and glaciers Fortunately, at the foot of the mountain. But not the badge described in this article.
If snow/ice disappears from Mount Rainier, it must be due to other reasons, such as reduced precipitation, strong winds, or human influence.
The Seattle Times Climate Lab has repeatedly published incorrect climate-related articles. Articles that hype or mislead about climate change. The Seattle Times Climate Lab is supported by outside funding and groups with a climate advocacy agenda.
Our region deserves factual, rigorous journalism on this important subject. Climate Lab failed to provide it.
Popular photos by Peter Robbins Not splashed
Guest post by Cliff Mass Weather Blog
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