The National Climate Assessment's section on the American Southeast reads like a climate apocalypse.  In this section is likely the most bizarre prediction I've seen yet in reviewing the NCA. There are some oxymoronic statements in the Southeast's section, such as this gem: Although the number of major tornadoes has increased over the last 50 years, there is no statistically significant trend. By definition, if there is "no statistically significant trend," then you cannot say that "the number of major tornadoes has increased over the last 50 years."  A lack of statistical significance means that the null hypothesis (i.e., no change in tornado frequency) cannot be rejected.  Thus, the scientifically correct way this sentence in the NCA should have been written is as follows: there has been no statistically significant trend in the number of major tornadoes over the last 50 years.  Full stop.  Nothing more, nothing...(Read Full Post)