Environment & Energy

Dead_Parrot

(14,478 posts) Wed Apr 4, 2012, 04:37 PM Apr 2012

Arctic Warming is Altering Weather Patterns, Study Shows

By showing that Arctic climate change is no longer just a problem for the polar bear, a new study may finally dispel the view that what happens in the Arctic, stays in the Arctic.

The study, by Jennifer Francis of Rutgers University and Stephen Vavrus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ties rapid Arctic climate change to high-impact, extreme weather events in the U.S. and Europe.

The study shows that by changing the temperature balance between the Arctic and mid-latitudes, rapid Arctic warming is altering the course of the jet stream, which steers weather systems from west to east around the hemisphere. The Arctic has been warming about twice as fast as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, due to a combination of human emissions of greenhouse gases and unique feedbacks built into the Arctic climate system.

The jet stream, the study says, is becoming “wavier,” with steeper troughs and higher ridges. Weather systems are progressing more slowly, raising the chances for long-duration extreme events, like droughts, floods, and heat waves.

More: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/arctic-warming-is-altering-weather-patterns-study-shows/
Paper (sub): http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2012GL051000.shtml

4 replies

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Arctic Warming is Altering Weather Patterns, Study Shows (Original Post) Dead_Parrot Apr 2012 OP

Aha! A possible causal connection longship Apr 2012 #1

K&R highplainsdem Apr 2012 #2

Yes! That's what I've been saying all along! joshcryer Apr 2012 #3

Finally, someone has addressed it. watrwefitinfor Apr 2012 #4

longship

(40,416 posts)

1. Aha! A possible causal connection

Reply to Dead_Parrot (Original post)

Wed Apr 4, 2012, 04:58 PM

Apr 2012

A possible link between Arctic warming and low latitude weather patterns. If this pans out, it is some pretty important science.

As a former resident of Wichita, KS, I was educated by the local meteorologists the importance of kinks in the jet stream. And let's make sure everybody here understands that Kansans take these things very seriously, even gravely so.

But to connect global climate models, which normally change over many years to local weather is an extremely important step which is kind of unprecedented. This is new science in the making.

Up to now, climate tells you what you should get. Weather is what you do get. A link between them is important.

Thanks much for this post.