Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T08:46:38.936Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Lessons from the unusual impacts of an abnormal winter in the USA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2005

Stanley A. Changnon
Affiliation:
Changnon Climatologist, Mahomet, Illinois, USA Email: [email protected]
David Changnon
Affiliation:
Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Illinois, USA
Get access

Abstract

Economic impacts from the near record warm and snow-free winter of 2001–2 in the United States were assessed to ascertain their dimensions and relevance to issues like climate prediction and climate change. Unusual impacts resulted and embraced numerous sectors (heating/energy use, construction, tourism, insurance, government, and retail sales). Many outcomes were gains/benefits totalling $19.6 billion, with losses of $8.2 billion. Some economists identified the sizable positive impacts as a factor in the nation's recovery from an on-going recession stemming from the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Understanding the impacts of such a winter reveals how climate predictions of such conditions could have great utility in minimising the losses and maximising the gains. The results also have relevance to the global warming issue since most climate models project future average winter temperature and snowfall conditions in the United States to be similar to those experienced in 2001–2.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2005 Royal Meteorological Society

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)