053 - Hot Weather Fuel Part 1

This podcast episode discusses the impact of hot weather on fuel storage. The host, Eric Bjornstad, examines recent heat waves and record-breaking temperatures across the United States, citing specific examples from 2020 to 2023.

He explains how scientists measure and document extended heat periods, looking at factors like consecutive days above threshold temperatures and nighttime lows. The episode also delves into how researchers determine historical temperature data using methods like ice core samples, tree rings, and coral reef analysis.

This information sets the stage for a future discussion on how extreme heat affects stored fuel and best practices for mitigating these issues.

What You'll Learn:

• The significance of recent heat waves and record-breaking temperatures
• Examples of extreme heat events from 2020-2023 across the U.S
• How scientists measure and document extended periods of heat
• The concept of "long period high temperatures" and its importance
• Methods used to estimate historical temperatures
• The scientific basis for claims about record-breaking global temperatures
• Introduction to how heat affects stored fuel (to be discussed in Part 2)
• The importance of considering sustained heat, not just daily highs
• The impact of nighttime temperatures on overall heat assessment
• How climate change discussions relate to fuel industry concerns

Ideas Worth Sharing:

Here are three notable quotes from the podcast episode:

• "More than 200 places in the United States didn't just set their high temperature records, they set their records for it being hotter for longer than at any point in their particular histories."
• "The point is, temperatures everywhere and in every part of the United States, the evidence seems to show that those temperatures are getting hotter."
• "If you think about it, the nighttime temperatures and the high minimum temperatures, those aren't just important from an academic exercise standpoint. They're important for practical public health purposes because cooler nighttime temperatures typically provide relief from the daytime heat."

Resources:

• https://community.wmo.int/en/climate-data-and-monitoring
• Erik Bjornstad: LinkedIn

Show Notes:

[00:00:00] Introduction to the Fuel Pulse Show podcast and the episode topic

[00:01:00] Discussion on the impact of hot weather on stored fuel

[00:02:00] Addressing the debate around global warming and climate change
- Mention of 2023 as the hottest year on record
- Countering narratives on social media

[00:03:00] Explanation of the difference between isolated heat waves and global temperature trends
- Discussion of the Dust Bowl phenomenon in the 1930s

[00:04:00] Recent heat records and trends
- Last eight years being the warmest on record
- Pacific Northwest heat dome of 2021

[00:06:00] Examples of extreme heat events in various U.S. locations
- Phoenix's 53 consecutive days over 110°F in 2020
- California's heat waves in 2020 and 2021
- Death Valley's record temperatures

[00:08:00] Explanation of "long period high temperatures"
- Over 200 U.S. locations setting records in August 2023

[00:10:00] Scientific methods for documenting extended heat
- Maximum temperature records
- Consecutive days above threshold temperatures
- Nighttime and high minimum temperatures

[00:13:00] Addressing claims about historical temperature records
- July 2-3, 2023, claimed as hottest days in 100,000 years

[00:16:00] Introduction to paleoclimatology and methods for estimating historical temperatures
- Ice core samples
- Tree ring analysis
- Coral reef examination

[00:20:00] Additional methods for studying past climate conditions
- Sediment core samples
- Isotope analysis

[00:23:00] Wrap-up and preview of Part 2
- Upcoming discussion on how heat affects stored fuel
- Best practices for addressing heat-related fuel problems

[00:24:00] Closing remarks and call for subscriptions and ratings