Did you create this thread as a shop window for your entrenched and dubious climate change skepticism?

Not at all. I've always been fascinated with extreme, unusual and outstanding weather events over the planet - think of thunderstorms, snowstorms, hailstorms, very cold and very warm periods, very wet and very dry periods.
And you do know that I'm not a sceptic as you would describe it - my position is that there is and has been recent global warming and CO2 plays its part. I just rationalise that historical and climatological evidence confirms that there are other causes to climate change other than CO2. The question to answer for me is what proportion of global warming is the result of CO2.
All that of course can be and has to be discussed elsewhere. 
"The professional standards of science must impose a framework of discipline and at the same time encourage rebellion against it". – Michael Polyani (1962)
"If climate science is sound and accurate, then it should be able to respond effectively to all the points raised…." - Grandad
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts". - Bertrand Russell
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" – Richard Feynman
"A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.”- Abba Eban, Israeli diplomat
Dave,Derby