Universal as in global - taken on a global scale,
temperatures are rising. Fast.

But, as Chuck said, that doesn't mean that
everywhere is warmer all the time - there
can be local variations, and the second-order
effects of global warming (such as polar ice melt)
can result in strange weather patterns, not all
of which are warm ones.

Also, keep in mind that weather and climate are
not the same - weather is a local, short-term
phenomenon, and climate is longer-term.

We've had a pretty cold winter here in the
SF bay area too. Even given that, I've still
had a few things bloom - Crimson King on
Valentine's Day, and a few days ago good old
reliable Turkish Topaz.

Jean

Michael Sutton wrote:
> ï
>
> isn't global warming by definition universal?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* irischapman@aim.com <mailto:irischapman@aim.com>
> *To:* iris-photos@yahoogroups.com <mailto:iris-photos@yahoogroups.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 11, 2010 7:43 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [iris-photos] OT: weather or not
>
>
>
> Here in Southern Ontario we have had a mild dry winter. Only had to
> shovel twice (tractor needs a doctor) and not too much even then,
>
> So warmer then usual and very little snow cover. Ground temperatures
> (5-6" below ground) has been much colder then usual because of no
> snow cover. Even so, we still have snow cover even after several
> days of temp in 1-14C (48-60F).
>
> Will not know how plants haave surrived winter for some time yet.
>
> Global warming results in strange weather patterns, not universal
> warming in all climate areas. So we can all more strange wether
> patterns.
>
> Chuck Chapman
>
>