Top 6 Weird Weather Trends for 2012

The first half of 2012 saw some of the strangest weather in recent years for much of America. A dry winter turned into a warm spring which turned into a wet summer. Tornadoes and stronger-than-usual storms have caused widespread damage, forcing more people than normal to hire a property damage lawyer. If the first half of 2012 is a precursor to the second half, we all better hold on to our hats. We’ve found the six weirdest weather trends, by city, for 2012:

1.Anchorage, Alaska

While those of us who don’t live in Alaska picture the state to be covered in snow 365 days a year, Anchorage actually only receives about six feet of snow during the winter season. Anchorage broke its own record this year, receiving a whopping 11 feet of the white stuff. The snow was so heavy that it cracked houses and collapsed buildings.

2. Buffalo, New York

We’d be remiss to leave out Buffalo in any snow discussion, but this year was strange, even for New York. The city known for its harsh winters and heavy snowfall saw only three feet of snow over the entire season. In fact, three days in March saw temperatures reach well above 80 degrees.

3.Fargo, North Dakota

For the first time in four years, the residents of Fargo didn’t have to prepare themselves for major flooding. Thanks to a record-setting dry winter and abnormally warm weather in March, 2012 brought an unusually dry spring to the city. While the lack of flooding was a welcome relief, residents of the city now have to worry about a summer that is too dry.

4.Traverse City, Michigan

It’s true that people in the Midwest wear shorts unusually early when compared with the rest of the nation, but this year there was good reason. March saw record high temperatures well into the 80s, with one record high of 87 degrees. Unfortunately for those that packed up their winter clothes, the very next month saw record 20 degree lows.

5.Hartford, Connecticut

Buffalo may be the only other city in the United States more prepared for winter weather than Hartford. Unfortunately for residents of this snowy city, any preparations for 2012 were in vain. Hartford saw only 14.4 inches of snow after October. This may not seem like a big deal to those outside of the city, but consider that Hartford saw over 50 inches of snow in January 2011 alone.

6.Cheyenne, Wyoming

March in Cheyenne was unseasonably warm, and the entire season was unusually dry. The city saw a high temperature of 80 degrees in April, and two weeks later the temperature plummeted to the mid-20s. After a record warm-up, the scant snowfall on May 7 must have been quite a disappointment to the residents of this fair city.

If you’re a property damage attorney, get ready; forecasters are predicting a wild and rough second half of the year. Tornadoes are expected to hit with record numbers, fierce storms have already occurred across the nation and cities around the country are experiencing flooding and power outages like never before. Whether it’s due to global warming or a vengeful Mother Nature, one thing is certain: 2012 is shaping up to be one for the record books.

 Molly Henshaw is a freelance writer living in the DC metro area. She is also a contributing author for the law firm of Doyle Raizner at propertyinsuranceattorneys.com. It always a good idea to prepare ahead for unexpected weather this hurricane season!

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