page 12 2014 TECHNOLOGY TODAY LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com September 30, 2014
on and data through. These twin IBM computers
are capable of analyzing 213 trillion pieces of
information per second (an average Macintosh or
Windows computer processes about 2.5 billion
pieces of information a second). The data acquisition
is automated and the weather data is fed to the
computers in a constant stream, from which these
amazing computers create a highly accurate three-
dimensional picture of weather across the country, not
only for weather on the ground but also weather aloft
for aviation.
These computers cost the U.S. weather bureau $20
million per year and are worth every penny.
It is often said that the only thing that could make the
reporting of weather conditions even more accurate
would be if the weather people would step outside
every once in a while.
CLIMATE
Climate is the observation of long term weather
patterns in a given location. Weather is the most
changeable thing on our planet, altered by the beating
of every butterfly’s wings, the cutting down of every
tree, the changes brought about on every parcel of
land, and every movement and activity of the 7+
billion people on the earth.
However, the biggest contributor to the weather on the
earth is the sun, and its output. The small changes in
the sun’s output alter weather greatly.
Since the weather is always changing because of the
many and varied influences, the climate patterns are
always changing. Studies have shown that climate
patterns appear to be cyclical, repeating weather
cycles from the past. If winters were bitter cold and
snowy in your childhood, you are likely to see winters
like that again in your lifetime. If summers were hot
and humid when you were a child, you are likely to
see those climactic patterns again in your life.
Should we worry about climate? The worrying won’t
help but we should be aware that what we do and the
choices we make can influence the weather and the
conditions on this planet. Being careful stewards will
not only pay off for this generation, but for the coming
generations as well.
[Jim Youngquist]
