Moisture is needed to form clouds and precipitation. Moisture in the air is called water vapor. Air blowing across a body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean, is an excellent source of water vapor. As wind moves air over the water, some water evaporates from the surface, putting vapor into the air. However, cold air is not able to hold much water vapor. In fact, very cold air does not make very much snow.
Moist air needs to rise, over very cold air, making clouds and snow. There are two ways that moist air might rise over cold air. Winds pull cold air toward the equator from the poles and bring warmer, moist air toward the poles from the equator. An increase in the vigor of winter storms in a warmer atmosphere may result in more frequent severe blizzards. On the other hand, there is evidence for the occurrence of stronger blizzards along Russia's Pacific coast.
It may be reasonable to assume that in a warmer world there would be fewer blizzards. However, the occurrence of a blizzard is dependent on a specific combination of physical and meteorological factors. A systematic variation in one or more of these, as influenced by future climate change for example, storm intensity, shifting storm paths, wind velocity , ambient temperature, the amount of snowfall, and the amount and condition of snow on the ground , may affect the number, intensity, and geographical distribution of blizzards.
An increase in the vigor of winter storms in a substantially warmer and energetic atmosphere may result in severe blizzard conditions becoming more frequent. A warmer climate may also be conducive to greater weather extremes. Regional differences in temperature variations in response to climate change such as between ocean and continents, or between polar and mid-latitudes may reduce or enhance temperature contrasts and thereby affect the frequency and severity of storms.
There is evidence from some regions that winter storms have increased in intensity; however, some modeling and empirical studies suggest a decrease in the frequency of winter storms. There may be considerable regional variation in the response to climate change for example, potentially fewer blizzards in North America and more frequent and more severe storms in Western Europe.
Storm tracks may also shift. Forecasts are speculative, as there is still a need to verify the conclusions derived from empirical studies of past blizzard patterns and projections from climate models. Continue reading here: Bolin Bert A Christian Science Perspective. Monitor Movie Guide. Monitor Daily. Photo Galleries. About Us.
Get stories that empower and uplift daily. See our other FREE newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Select free newsletters: The Weekender.
Today's Highlights. Christian Science Perspective. People throw snow during an organized snowball fight at Dupont Circle Sunday, Jan.
Millions of Americans were preparing to dig themselves out Sunday after a mammoth blizzard with hurricane-force winds and record-setting snowfall brought much of the East Coast to an icy standstill. You've read of free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Mark Sappenfield. Our work isn't possible without your support. Digital subscription includes: Unlimited access to CSMonitor. The Monitor Daily email. No advertising. Cancel anytime. Related stories Monster winter storm: five ways to stay safe and prepared Exactly how big was the East Coast blizzard? Snowy East Coast digs out after mammoth blizzard. Copy link Link copied. Mark Sappenfield Editor.
0コメント