The rate of Greenland's ice cap melt has turned out to be 20% greater than previous estimates for recent decades, and that spells global trouble. Several new studies confirm this ice mass loss, increasing the rate of sea level rises and the more common coastal flooding both with storms and monthly high tides. In addition, all this freshwater is diluting the salinity of the N Atlantic, raising the risk of a shutdown of the Gulf Stream, as has occurred several times in the Earth's history, with drastic consequences.

An exceptionally strong El Nino is a key player in what will be a brief heavy snowstorm in NYC Tuesday AM (snow has become a rarity in the Big Apple), and will bring more potent Pacific storms into CA by next weekend. It also is fueling one of the mildest winters ever observed not only in WNY, but in the upper midwest and the northeast...the snow drought continues in most places east of the Rockies. Please Share, Follow.

A long-advertised return to wintry weather arrives during the weekend, but it looks lots less impressive than some on social media would have had you believe. Yes, it will turn notably colder, but nothing truly harsh is yet headed our way...and snow potential is equally unimpressive for most of our region. Share, Follow.

We're catching quite a break this week with more sunny afternoons than we've seen in a long while, and warming temperatures peaking Thursday and Friday. That transition to a wintry pattern is still coming, and appears sped up a bit next week, but it may not be a "bottom falls out" cold spell, and may not last as long as some folks have been projecting. Please Share, Follow.

We can have fun with Groundhog Day. After all, Phil the Rodent didn't see his shadow (except for tv lights) this morning, and we WILL be getting nearly springlike temps by mid and late week, next week. But...this is a hiatus, NOT an early spring, as I explain in this episode. Please Share, Follow.

Maybe a few bits o' sun Wednesday, more abundant sun likely this weekend, but no major precip in sight thru late next week, temps running a bit above average this week, and more above average next week. Quick look at a probable pattern change mid-month.

The setup and the details on what has been and remains a unique, deadly ground blizzard event, not a lake effect storm, impacting all of WNY....Could there ever be another storm like it? Please Share, Follow.

After some flooding rain and snowmelt Friday in Erie & Niagara Cos, widespread mixed precip and snow is headed for all WNY for Sunday. Marginal temps should keep amounts modest, with some melting, but should those readings be colder than currently modeled, accumulations may be more significant...so it "bears watching." Following that, better news for those with wet basements.

A departure from science, as I venture into my pre-tv past as an NYC radio flunky, leading to my encounters with the Mafia in Manhattan. It may sound embellished, but it isn't...and should deliver some laughs or, at least, smiles (none of them from the late Joe Columbo). It's not a boring story, folks. :D

A shorter episode on the big weather story...the THAW. With its onset will come some snow on Tuesday in Western New York, but no lake effect or blowing snow, and a modest amount at that. The snow is followed by plain, liquid rain Wednesday and Thursday with temps moving well above average...lots of melting will be going on, but a flood threat seems low. This moderate pattern will have staying power, too...not just in WNY but across the country.