Town of belchertown hazard mitigation plan update
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- Anticipated Climatic Variations for Massachusetts Due to Climate Change
- Category Current (1961-1990 avg.)
At current rates of greenhouse gas accumulation and temperature increases, the climate of Massachusetts will become similar to those of present-day New Jersey or Virginia by 2040-2069, depending on future GHG emissions. Source: NECIA 2006 Anticipated Climatic Variation In Western Massachusetts, annual precipitation is expected to increase by 14% by the end of the 21st century. However, most of this precipitation increase will come during the winter months – as much as 30% more than today – while summertime precipitation will actually decrease slightly. Also, most of the added winter precipitation is expected to be in the form of rain, rather than snow. This will mean a continuation of the current regional trend of a decreasing snowfall totals, as well as the number of days with snow cover on the ground, but more precipitation overall. The increased amount of strong precipitation events and overall increase in rainfall, combined with the aging stormwater infrastructure in the region, will likely result in more flooding in the region. Anticipated Climatic Variations for Massachusetts Due to Climate Change
Sources: Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Report 2011, NECIA Increased temperatures will likely have the following projected impacts to people, property, and the local economy: There will be greater stress on special populations, such as senior citizens and economically disadvantaged people, without access to air conditioning during heat waves. Increased temperatures and changes in growing seasons for various crops will put stress on current food production and require farming operations to adjust by planting new varieties of crops. There are several farms in Belchertown that will likely be affected. Livestock will be at greater risk from extreme and extended heat. There is one dairy farm that will likely need to adapt to increased heat, as well as horse farms and an alpaca farm. Maple sugaring businesses are at risk due to changes in spring temperature patterns needed for successful sap collection. There are maple sugaring operations in Belchertown that will likely be affected, including one large commercial operation and several smaller operations. Increased energy usage in order to cool buildings in the summer and long-term electrical needs will increase. Brownouts occasionally occur on the Ware side of the Route 9 corridor due to the infrastructure in place there. As per the Massachusetts Hazard Mitigation Plan, extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can result in health emergencies for susceptible people, such as those without shelter or who are stranded or who live in homes that are poorly insulated or without heat. There is no universal definition for extreme temperatures, with the term relative to local weather conditions. For Massachusetts, extreme temperatures can be defined as those that are far outside the normal ranges. The average temperatures for Massachusetts are: Winter (Dec-Feb) Average = 27.51ºF Summer (Jun-Aug) Average = 68.15ºF Criteria for issuing alerts for Massachusetts are provided on National Weather Service web pages: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/warningcriteria.shtml. Location Any instances of extreme temperatures that have occurred in the past occurred throughout Belchertown. Extreme cold or heat does not usually require the opening of comfort stations, though plans are in place if they are needed. Extent As per the Massachusetts Hazard Mitigation Plan, the extent (severity or magnitude) of extreme cold temperatures are generally measured through the Wind Chill Temperature Index. Wind Chill Temperature is the temperature that people and animals feel when outside and it is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin by the effects of wind and cold. The chart shows three shaded areas of frostbite danger. Each shaded area shows how long a person can be exposed before frostbite develops. In Massachusetts, a wind chill warning is issued by the NWS Taunton Forecast Office when the Wind Chill Temperature Index, based on sustained wind, is –25ºF or lower for at least three hours. Extreme temperatures would affect the whole community. Wind Chills
For extremely hot temperatures, the heat index scale is used, which combines relative humidity with actual air temperature to determine the risk to humans. The NWS issues a Heat Advisory when the Heat Index is forecast to reach 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 or more hours. The NWS issues an Excessive Heat Warning if the Heat Index is forecast to reach 105+ degrees Fahrenheit for 2 or more hours. The following chart indicates the relationship between heat index and relative humidity: Directory: sites -> default -> files files -> Answer True False 2 points Question 2 files -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations files -> Nstructions for Acquiring Excess Equipment online, through the 1033 Program files -> Occupational health and safety files -> The Black Panther Party’s Ten Point Program files -> International programs roel profile files -> Fermi Questions a guide for Teachers, Students, and Event Supervisors Lloyd Abrams, Ph. D. DuPont Company, cr&D/ccas experimental Station Wilmington, de 19880 files -> Personal Information Name: Maha Al-Ammari Nationality: Saudi Relationship Status Download 3.54 Mb. Share with your friends:
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