Effects of a Changing Climate on Extreme Weather Events in North America

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ^ | June 19, 2008 | NOAA staff scientists

[CedarDave]

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research today released a scientific assessment that provides the first comprehensive analysis of observed and projected changes in weather and climate extremes in North America and U.S. territories. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change previously evaluated extreme weather and climate events on a global basis in this same context. However, there has not been a specific assessment across North America prior to this report.

Among the major findings reported in this assessment are that droughts, heavy downpours, excessive heat, and intense hurricanes are likely to become more commonplace as humans continue to increase the atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

The report is based on scientific evidence that a warming world will be accompanied by changes in the intensity, duration, frequency, and geographic extent of weather and climate extremes.

"This report addresses one of the most frequently asked questions about global warming: what will happen to weather and climate extremes? This synthesis and assessment product examines this question across North America and concludes that we are now witnessing and will increasingly experience more extreme weather and climate events," said report co-chair Tom Karl, Ph.D., director of NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

"We will continue to see some of the biggest impacts of global warming coming from changes in weather and climate extremes,” said report co-chair Gerry Meehl, Ph.D., of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. "This report focuses for the first time on changes of extremes specifically over North America."

The full CCSP 3.3 report, Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate, and a summary FAQ brochure are available online.

Global warming of the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced increases in heat-trapping gases, according to the report. Many types of extreme weather and climate event changes have been observed during this time period and continued changes are projected for this century. Specific future projections include:

• Abnormally hot days and nights, along with heat waves, are very likely to become more common. Cold nights are very likely to become less common.
• Sea ice extent is expected to continue to decrease and may even disappear in the Arctic Ocean in summer in coming decades.
• Precipitation, on average, is likely to be less frequent but more intense.
• Droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe in some regions.
• Hurricanes will likely have increased precipitation and wind.
• The strongest cold-season storms in the Atlantic and Pacific are likely to produce stronger winds and higher extreme wave heights.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

NOAA plays a key role in the Climate Change Science Program, which is responsible for coordinating and integrating climate research, observations, decision support, and communications of 13 federal departments and agencies.

[CedarDave]

Full title (shortened to fit):
"Scientific Assessment Captures Effects of a Changing Climate on Extreme Weather Events in North America"

The money line, blatantly false*, but will be quoted as truth by Al Gore's minions:
Global warming of the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced increases in heat-trapping gases, according to the report. Many types of extreme weather and climate event changes have been observed during this time period and continued changes are projected for this century.

* Suggested reading for those who would disagree:
Global Warming and Nature's Thermostat
http://www.icecap.us

And check out FR's articles on global warming for more information.

[CedarDave]

Graphics at the NOAA link.

Global warming (hoax?) PING!

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

...Many types of extreme weather and climate event changes..

As if such extreme weather has only been observed during the last fifty years....

[Patrick1]

They are betting on an a big check next year from Congress with McCain or Osama in the White House.

[xcamel]

FReepmail me to get on or off

Click on POGW graphic for full GW rundown

New!!: Dr. John Ray's
GREENIE WATCH

The Great Global Warming Swindle Video - back on the net!! (click here)

Ping me if you find one I've missed.

---

Could...Should...Might...May....
(More weenie words than a hotdog factory)

[BenLurkin]

So no matter what happens it will be blamed on global warming.

Convenient.

[eyedigress]

You could show an 18 year old voter the calamity of the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, tell him it was caused by Global Warming and I’ll bet they agree.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam Me to Planet Gore !

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

The odd thing about this year's weather is that, with temperatures averaging about where they were between 1985-1990 timeframe (since temperatures have cooled so much from the 1998-2007 average), “global warming” CAN'T be to blame for this year's tornadoes, floods, and storms and fires.

But, of course, that's exactly what is happening.

I note also that the NOAA is VERY careful NOT to state what's temperatures would be required to produce these extreme conditions. Nor WHEN (how many centuries of continuous heating from now) they might occur.

[Entrepreneur]

Yes, the evidence keeps piling up...