"Olympic fans came to Cortina with heavy winter coats and gloves. Those coats were unzipped Sunday and gloves pocketed as snow melted from rooftops signs of a warming world. I definitely thought we'd be wearing all the layers, said Jay Tucker, who came from Virginia to cheer on Team USA and bought hand warmers and heated socks in preparation. I don't even have gloves on."
"The timing of winter, the amount of snowfall and temperatures are all less reliable and less predictable because Earth is warming at a record rate, said Shel Winkley, a Climate Central meteorologist. This poses a growing and significant challenge for organizers of winter sports; The International Olympic Committee said last week it could move up the start date for future Winter Games to January from February because of rising temperatures."
Olympic fans arrived expecting heavy winter clothing but experienced melting snow and unzipped coats as temperatures rose. Shel Winkley, a Climate Central meteorologist, said timing, snowfall amounts and temperatures are less reliable and predictable because Earth is warming at a record rate. Organizers of winter sports face growing challenges; the International Olympic Committee may move future Winter Games from February to January due to rising temperatures. February warmth in Cortina is now at least three times more likely because of climate change, and February temperatures there have risen 6.4°F (3.6°C) over 70 years. The Milan-Cortina Games span diverse venues with varying climates.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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