2019 fall farm

Page 16 2019 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine Lincoln Daily News Nov. 1, 2019 data meteorologists can form the framework for future weather forecasts and predictions. Shimon said that the expectation of future weather is predicted by the weather trends we have had in the past. A look over the climate data from the last thirty years shows that we have had much the same weather as we have currently. The average rainfall over that period has been 33.5 inches per year. There have been some years when we have had less and some years, like this one, when we have had significantly more. The cycle of dry late summer months has been with us for the last thirty years, with some years approaching or experiencing drought conditions. Average temperature during the growing season has also been similar month for month. Wind speeds and directions have also been similar. Along with the normal data is also extreme weather data, like the winter storm of 1978 in which we got unseasonal (and unbelievable) snowfall and cold, and the cold this last January when the temperature in Congerville, IL reached a near record -36 degrees. Meteorologist Ed Shimon said that periodic extreme weather episodes are expected. When asked if the extreme apocalyptic future climate predictions had any validity, Shimon remarked that “the earth is pretty resilient and can take a lot of abuse.” What we have had in weather is likely to be what we will have in weather, with some seasonal variances. And when asked, Shimon said the data didn’t predict any real climatic change, seasonal shifts, or apocalyptic climate emergencies currently, or on the horizon for Logan County. What we have had in the past is likely to be what we will have in the future. And that’s real climate science!