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

~ (Author) "Judging by the explosive population growth of Phoenix and Las Vegas, the two hottest big cities in the United States, one might well conclude that..." (more)
Key Phrases: snowiest places, thunderstorm days, heat bursts, United States, New York, New England (more...)

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"

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; Revised and Updated edition (July 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039333015X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393330151
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.7 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 (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,581 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #32 in	Books > Science > Earth Sciences > Climatology > Climate Changes
  #57 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Rivers
  #65 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Environment > Weather

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 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 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.

1 of 1 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 (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you think this sort of book sounds interesting, definitely get this, August 31, 2007

By	Eric Furst - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For some reason not everyone finds facts and narratives on outlandish weather interesting. If you do, however, this book is the pinnacle. Burt could have made it 8 times longer and I would have never gotten bored. Full of fantastical information about places you'll never go and weather you'll never see - I eat that stuff up. If you are at all interested in anything weather related, you'll be hooked on this book.