Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book (Revised and Updated) [Paperback]

Christopher C. Burt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2007

The ultimate weather book for the weather enthusiast or anyone interested in the oddities and extremes of nature.

Is the climate really becoming more extreme as a result of climate change? We often hear on the news that the day was the hottest, coldest, wettest, or snowiest on record. Recent evidence suggests that aspects of the climate are indeed becoming more extreme. Will the extraordinary hurricane season of 2005 and the record heat waves of 2006 become more common? The facts are in this book, including a detailed analysis of extreme weather trends in the United States going back to the nineteenth century. Also included are historical examples of some of the more bizarre weather events observed: heat bursts, electrified dust storms, snow rollers, pink snowstorms, luminous tornadoes, falls of fish and toads, ball lighting, super bolts, and other strange meteorological events. 110 color photographs

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this book virtually blows a gale in your face when you open it." Christopher Hirst, The Independent "Reach for Extreme Weather by Christopher Burt and you become mesmerised by the scale of hurricanes. League tables of the greatest, largest, fastest, deadliest and costliest storms across the US and the world all point to one conclusion-Katrina was no one-off event." The Times"

About the Author

Christopher C. Burt was co-founder and publisher of the acclaimed Compass American Guides series. His articles have appeared in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among others. He lives in Oakland, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Revised and Updated edition (July 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039333015X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393330151
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chrstopher C. Burt is the author of "Extreme Weather; A Guide and Record Book" and the weather historian for wunderground.com. He blogs weekly for this web site: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/#met

Chris studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He currently resides in Oakland, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Better Than The 1st Edition!, July 9, 2007

By 

Jesse F. Ferrell "Meteorologist" (State College, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book (Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

This book (like the last edition) is a sight for sore eyes and should be a staple item for weather enthusiasts and meteorologists; Chris' painstaking research presents us all with an up-to-date book of extremes (including maps) which challenge the out-of-date governmental and Internet resources that have attempted, in the past, to document record weather worldwide. Chris has published additional charts, tables and maps that you just can't find anywhere else in this latest edition. I really am not a big paper book fan becuase there is a lot of inaccurate stuff out there by amateur authors but this one is on my shelf at both work and home, and I frequently refer to it when meteorological extremes are challenged worldwide.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting weather book, especially for those who like record breakers...., August 13, 2009

By 

K. L Sadler "Dr. Karen L. Sadler" (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book (Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought this book. I teach meteorology at a couple of universities, and I'm always wanting to update my knowledge in this area. This is basically a 'record' book...it takes the extremes of weathers around the world. The coldest spot, the windiest place, etc. The book has more lists of the 'ten most...' places. Though I found it interesting, it really wasn't the type of book that I can use in my classroom to explain 'why', which is usually what I want in weather books. I also like historical references and books on weather happenings historically, and this didn't fit the bill for me.

My favorite parts of the book were the pictures which were glorious and the historical records. I also like the older photos and the information that went with them. I would have liked to see more of those in the book.

For people who like books like The Guiness Records, and things like that, this book is right up your alley.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent choice not just for science libraries, August 8, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book (Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

Is the climate really changing radically? To answer this a record of past weather extremes and norms needs to be reviewed, and there's no better place to do this than with Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book. Here are U.S. weather trends going back to the 19th century in a revised, updated guide which includes historical examples of strange weather. Divided into chapters by type of weather - strange snowstorms, thunderstorms and hail, etc. - each chapter pairs color photos and illustrations with maps, lively overviews, and more. An excellent choice not just for science libraries, but for any general interest lending library.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch