Arlington Heights snowfall measured at 4.5 inches at 12 noon Tuesday.

The U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) reported that many cities and towns in the United States reported record cold temperatures in January and early February 2008.  The average temperature in January “was -0.3 F cooler than the 20th century average (1901-2000).

China’s 2007-8 winter is the worst in a century with cities in going for weeks without electricity because it was too cold and icy to repair broken power lines.

Toronto has recorded the most snow in February since 1950. The year 2008 brought 70 cm of snow in the first two weeks while the record in 1950 of 66 cm was for the whole month.

Chicago has had it 34th snowy day this season — the most snowy days since the 1978-1979 season. The 2007-2008 is currently the fifth highest seasonal snowfall in inches with about 56 inches. The snowiest season on record is 1978-79 at 87.5 inches. The season encompassing the year of the ‘Big Snow’ in 1967 measured 59.2 inches (23 inches of that season’s snow fell during that one storm from January 26-27). The 2007-2008 season has a shot at beating the season that had the big snow, which currently ranks third at 59.2 inches.

Regarding global warming, some climate experts suspect that manmade activity, such as carbon emissions, are a minor influence compared to cyclic solar activity and cyclic ocean currents that can bring warm water toward the polar regions from the equator. Some believe we are just as likely to enter another period of cold “mini-ice age” as a period of global warming.

MON FEB 25 2008 — Three staffers and another person were killed at a Plan International facility in Mansehra in North West Frontier Province in Pakistan Monday afternoon.

Many people were trapped inside the building as heavy fire followed the explosions and hindered rescue operations.

Plan International works in developing countries to support children’s rights — focusing on food security,  opposing violence against children,  HIV/AIDS support, giving children a voice for participation, and working with children who are victims of disasters.

The facility was protected by unarmed guards.

More information …

Plan International — plan-international.org

SAT FEB 23 2008 — A roadside bomb killed seven guards assigned to protect a road construction company Kunar province, Afghanistan when it detonated and struck transport vehicle in Asadabad, Afghanistan.

SUN FEB 17 2008 — A suicide bomb killed a major police commander, Abdul Hakim Jan, and at least 100 others at a dogfight in the western edge of the city of Kandahar.

Death count uncertain because many civilians took victims from the scene for immediate burial or private medical treatment.

SUN FEB 23 2008 — A mine or roadside bomb detonated as Governor Khalid was heading to Kandahar to meet tribal elders to discuss an opium poppy eradication campaign.

Three policemen were killed and two others wounded in the blast.  

Khalid’s own vehicle was not damaged by the blast in Garmabak district, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Kandahar city.

Two suspects were also arrested.

Southern Afghanistan is the world’s largest opium poppy-producing region with an increase in insurgency in recent years.