Much of the discussion within the science community revolved around the aspect of how warming plays a part in extreme cold events. Within this, we examine the interplay of how global warming combines with winter.
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| Source - PBS |
Understanding Global Warming
Global warming is one of the steady rises in Earth's average temperature caused primarily by human activities. The said activities are burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which means a huge amount of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, trapping the heat inside.
The gases are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Climate fluctuations are regional, so some effects may seem paradoxical, like extreme weather during a winter season.
The Paradox - A Warming Planet, Colder Winters
By instinct, a warming planet means warmer winters. However, climate scientists have discovered ways that make this paradox real-
Arctic Amplification and the Polar Vortex Disruption
This phenomenon is called Arctic amplification. The Arctic is warming at nearly four times the global average. Fast warming lowers the temperature difference between the Arctic and the mid-latitudes, which proves quite upsetting for the jet stream—an air current that travels high in the atmosphere and affects weather patterns.
The destabilized jet stream now allows Arctic frigid air to push down further south than usual and has made for extreme winter storms in places like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It also weakens the polar vortex-the massive circulation of cold air that sits above the North Pole.
The Paradox - A Warming Planet, Colder Winters
By instinct, a warming planet means warmer winters. However, climate scientists have discovered ways that make this paradox real-
Arctic Amplification and the Polar Vortex Disruption
This phenomenon is called Arctic amplification. The Arctic is warming at nearly four times the global average. Fast warming lowers the temperature difference between the Arctic and the mid-latitudes, which proves quite upsetting for the jet stream—an air current that travels high in the atmosphere and affects weather patterns.
The destabilized jet stream now allows Arctic frigid air to push down further south than usual and has made for extreme winter storms in places like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It also weakens the polar vortex-the massive circulation of cold air that sits above the North Pole.
When unstable, it causes a very long-lasting cold snap in areas that are thought to be colder during their respective winters.
Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns Are Affected
Oceanic currents play quite a crucial role in the Earth's climatic system. The conveyor belts of warmth and cold carry waters across this earth. Ocean currents are therefore influenced by several elements in climatic change. For example-
The freshwater that melts from the polar ice flows into the North Atlantic Ocean and reduces the AMOC.
It affects the global weather system. Hence, extreme winter conditions in North America and Europe are likely to increase.
In other analyses, an AMOC collapse has been correlated with increased snowfall and colder winters in many places, so this study also supports the hypothesis that warm oceans can contribute to variations in winter intensity.
Increased Atmospheric Moisture and Snowfall
Warming temperatures usher along more water, which the air can support. Additionally, once cold systems make contact with warm moist air then heavy falls result. It's for this reason that it becomes possible for people to realize even record-breaking falls in specific zones of North America and Asia although the global planet is warming up.
Strengthening Storms as Well as Severe Conditions
It is changing the track of storms and making winters more extreme and cyclical with higher more violent blizzards and cyclones due to warmer oceans feeding energy for such storms.
Weather events have become more popularly known as "bomb cyclones," when the pressure drops rapidly, increasing and winter can no longer be a season of moderate temperatures but it has become a time of stormy and very extreme weather.
Regional Difference
Winter climatic variation impacts different regions by a different mechanism.
Texas deep freeze 2021 and extreme winter storms in the US and Canada associated with disruptions of polar vortex.
Winters in the UK and Germany are unpredictable, changing from extreme cold to abnormally warm seasons.
Last winter, China and Japan saw record snowfall which once again showed that global warming causes extreme cold weather.
Cold waves can not be avoided occasionally at the polar regions, but this is not the same, because long-term ice melting and sea level increase alter the basis of the climate system.
Global Warming and Cold Events - A Debunking Myths
One of the most common proofs skeptics use against global warming is extreme cold spells. On the other hand, climate models suggest that even though there is a rise in overall global temperatures, there will still be localized cold snaps because of the disturbances in the atmosphere. Cold events of a short period do not contradict the long-term trend but are perfect examples of how changes are dynamic.
Policy and Preparedness Implications
Policy-makers, urban planners, and disaster management teams need to realize that global warming means extreme winters. Infrastructures need to be designed and geared up for cold snaps and extreme snowfalls. For that matter, even the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases is a top priority, as they cause more damage to climate systems.
Final Thoughts
Extreme winters are no contradiction to global warming but are an expression of the larger climate crisis. Some of the factors that are making this occurrence possible include the warming of the Arctic, disruptions of ocean currents, high levels of moisture in the atmosphere, and powerful storm systems; all these factors combine to make the winter weather pretty much tougher in some regions. This, therefore, helps society adjust to the changes brought about by such a climate shift while raising even more awareness concerning urgent measures to control global warming through more environmentally friendly policies and practices.
Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns Are Affected
Oceanic currents play quite a crucial role in the Earth's climatic system. The conveyor belts of warmth and cold carry waters across this earth. Ocean currents are therefore influenced by several elements in climatic change. For example-
The freshwater that melts from the polar ice flows into the North Atlantic Ocean and reduces the AMOC.
It affects the global weather system. Hence, extreme winter conditions in North America and Europe are likely to increase.
In other analyses, an AMOC collapse has been correlated with increased snowfall and colder winters in many places, so this study also supports the hypothesis that warm oceans can contribute to variations in winter intensity.
Increased Atmospheric Moisture and Snowfall
Warming temperatures usher along more water, which the air can support. Additionally, once cold systems make contact with warm moist air then heavy falls result. It's for this reason that it becomes possible for people to realize even record-breaking falls in specific zones of North America and Asia although the global planet is warming up.
Strengthening Storms as Well as Severe Conditions
It is changing the track of storms and making winters more extreme and cyclical with higher more violent blizzards and cyclones due to warmer oceans feeding energy for such storms.
Weather events have become more popularly known as "bomb cyclones," when the pressure drops rapidly, increasing and winter can no longer be a season of moderate temperatures but it has become a time of stormy and very extreme weather.
Regional Difference
Winter climatic variation impacts different regions by a different mechanism.
Texas deep freeze 2021 and extreme winter storms in the US and Canada associated with disruptions of polar vortex.
Winters in the UK and Germany are unpredictable, changing from extreme cold to abnormally warm seasons.
Last winter, China and Japan saw record snowfall which once again showed that global warming causes extreme cold weather.
Cold waves can not be avoided occasionally at the polar regions, but this is not the same, because long-term ice melting and sea level increase alter the basis of the climate system.
Global Warming and Cold Events - A Debunking Myths
One of the most common proofs skeptics use against global warming is extreme cold spells. On the other hand, climate models suggest that even though there is a rise in overall global temperatures, there will still be localized cold snaps because of the disturbances in the atmosphere. Cold events of a short period do not contradict the long-term trend but are perfect examples of how changes are dynamic.
Policy and Preparedness Implications
Policy-makers, urban planners, and disaster management teams need to realize that global warming means extreme winters. Infrastructures need to be designed and geared up for cold snaps and extreme snowfalls. For that matter, even the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases is a top priority, as they cause more damage to climate systems.
Final Thoughts
Extreme winters are no contradiction to global warming but are an expression of the larger climate crisis. Some of the factors that are making this occurrence possible include the warming of the Arctic, disruptions of ocean currents, high levels of moisture in the atmosphere, and powerful storm systems; all these factors combine to make the winter weather pretty much tougher in some regions. This, therefore, helps society adjust to the changes brought about by such a climate shift while raising even more awareness concerning urgent measures to control global warming through more environmentally friendly policies and practices.
Written By Khyathi Dara
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - khyathidara@gmail.com
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - khyathidara@gmail.com
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