Yeah, this winter was a more extreme version of past winters for the West. I'm not gonna be prisoner of the moment though and assume it represents some kind of new normal. I also don't think Alaska and the Yukon are going to have record cold and snowy winters going forward. Yes, obviously the Southwest heat is not mainly due to UHI. But it's still very real and enhances the records in places like Phoenix, Vegas, etc.

Yes. Desert golf courses are busy in the winter because a lot of people head south to search out warm sunshine. And Okanagan golf courses are busy in the summer because they are closed all winter.

Makes me want to go to my secret spot at Daroga State Park, can't wait for summer. Currently 70 degrees over here right now though, so that helps.

Again... there's a reason desert golf courses are very busy in the winter and dead in the summer. It's much more enjoyable when it's not very hot.

You've experienced the record breaking warmth yourself this Winter. PHX UHI may be 2-3F, but records are being broken now far exceeding that marginal stuff. Makes me think the UHI estimate is even overdone, and that it's more about something happening in the SW, US, for a while now.