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Extreme weather strikes around the globe - update
As
the weather gets more extreme, disaster strikes around the globe
15
February, 2014
As
the weather gets more extreme, disaster strikes around the globe.
The Guardian reports three
people killed as storms continue to batter southern UK.
The Vancouver Sun reports that a U.S.
Northeast snowstorm kills 25.
And the Sacramento Bee reports Six
dead and 1,000 injured in fresh Japan snow storm.
What is the story behind these extreme weather events? The image below tells the story. The Arctic has been much warmer than it used to be, due to numerous feedbacks that accelerate warming in the Arctic. This reduces the temperature differential between the Arctic and lower latitudes, which changes the Jet Stream and Polar Vortex, in turn making the weather at many places ever more extreme.
What is the story behind these extreme weather events? The image below tells the story. The Arctic has been much warmer than it used to be, due to numerous feedbacks that accelerate warming in the Arctic. This reduces the temperature differential between the Arctic and lower latitudes, which changes the Jet Stream and Polar Vortex, in turn making the weather at many places ever more extreme.
 |
|
earlier
forecasts by cci-reanalyzer.org
|
Above
image illustrates the situation, showing an Arctic Ocean that is
warmer than the higher latitudes of the Asian and North American
continents.
Arctic sea ice has meanwhile reached record lows, as illustrated the image below.
Arctic sea ice has meanwhile reached record lows, as illustrated the image below.
The situation can be expected to get even worse. The image below shows sea ice extent, as measured by the NSIDC, which is one day ahead compared to above image.
As said, the situation calls for comprehensive and effective action, as discussed at the Climate Plan blog.
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