A year with barely any summer?

Obviously relates to the northern hemisphere.   I don't think things are quite so bad this year [compared to 1816, when it snowed in summer], but if something doesn't change pretty soon 2009 may go down in history, in some parts of the U.S. at least, as another year with barely any summer. Here in Minnesota and across the Midwest, temperatures are abnormally cold. I don't know whether the phenomenon is world-wide--data that will answer this question have probably not been assembled, and may not be honestly reported--but the current low level of solar activity suggests that the cooling trend could indeed be universal.   Here in Minneapolis, the temperature never reached 70 degrees today--rather astonishing for the middle of July, our hottest month. Most days recently, it hasn't been comfortable to be outdoors in the evening without a fire and a sweatshirt. It feels more like October than July. Thankfully, and unlike 1816, it hasn't snowed; the worst consequence we fear is not getting any ripe tomatoes.   Powerline

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