How Global Climate Change May Impact The Cycling Season

The snow drought this winter has been a real boon to cyclists. Almost 90% of the days this winter have been suitable for cycling (at least for some of the heartier members of the EBC). Given the natural variability of the weather, it is challenging to judge whether global climate change is responsible for this year's snow drought. However, according to a research paper on The New Climate Dice, the probability of unseasonably warm winters is up by about 66% compared to only about a 16% probability for unseasonably cool winters. The same goes for summer, with an increased probability of warm summers and a decreased probability of cool summers. The weather will still be variable, just with more seasons skewed to being unusually warm. As examples, the summers of 2004 and 2009 were unusually cool across the U.S.

Global warming causes the atmosphere to hold more water vapor, thus allowing for more extreme precipitation events when these occur. A factor affecting the perception of winter warming is the fact that global warming increases snowfall amounts, and there is a tendency to equate heavy snowfall with harsh winters, even if temperatures are not extremely low.

Given the increased likelihood of extremely hot days during summer, over time it may be appropriate to move some of the EBC's longer rides out of the summer and into the fall and spring. The midday temperatures during summer seem increasingly likely to be sweltering and unhealthy. On the plus side, the spring and fall seasons are likely to be extended.

While global climate change may increase the number of days with nice cycling weather during spring, fall, and winter, it obviously has a horrendous downside for humanity. The above post may make it seem like I have blinders on that limit my view of global climate change to the impact on EBC rides, however, I also touch on the impact of the extreme weather caused by global climate change on a financial blog I author at Will Extreme Weather Events Have A Measurable Impact On The Economy in 2012?