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Virgina's Early Weather History: "Postcasting" Conditions Prior to the Official Records
Dennis Blanton, Center for Archaeological Research, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
A burgeoning area of new research is "historical climatology." An ongoing project aimed at reconstructing the historical climate of the southeastern United States is extending available records to the beginning of the eighteenth century. Diaries, journals, newspapers, and other sources are mined to compile time series for a range of weather data. This presentation will summarize emerging, long-term trends for Virginia in drought frequency, snowfall, freeze-thaw events, and frost dates, among other features. Additionally, the frequency and effects of extreme events like floods, tropical storms, and volcanic eruptions will also be described. Embedded in the discussion will be examples drawn from notable historical figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
Session 1, American Weather History
Tuesday, 25 June 2002, 9:50 AM-1:30 PM
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