Geog 1900: Extreme Weather and Climate

Overview I: Extreme weather and climate

Our planet earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5FwFSOJf8

The earth’s climate systemAtmosphere

Land

Ocean

Sea ice

Some basic concepts

• Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules, microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation

• Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather

• Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place

• Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability)

The mission of the atmospheric sciences is to understand and predict weather, climate, and

related disasters

Fair weather

Monet: Waterlillies (the clouds) 1903

Sitting and watching clouds passing

Weather-related Disasters: Tropical Cyclones(Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones)

Weather-related Disasters: Tropical Cyclones(Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones)

Global distribution of the paths of major tropical cyclones during the last 150 years. On average, ~ 80 per year around the world.

U.S. Fatalities: normal year 21, Katrina 1836 U.S. Property loss: normal year $5400 million, Katrina $84000 million

Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes

Global Occurrence of Tornadoes

Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes U.S. Annual mean fatalities 56,

annual mean loss $777 million

Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms

Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms U.S. Annual mean fatalities

57, annual mean loss $329 million

Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US

Hurricanes

Blizzards Extreme cold

Flooding Lightning Fire Tornadoes

Hails

Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US

Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 1: El Nino

Disastrous effects of 1982-1983 El Nino:1.Australia-Drought and devastating brush fires 2.Indonesia, Philippines-Crops fail, starvation follows3.India, Sri Lanka-Drought,fresh water shortages4.Tahiti-6 tropical cyclones5.South America-Fish industry devastated - decrease in nutrients off Peru- fewer fish (anchovy)6.Across the Pacific-Coral reefs die7.Colorado River basin-Flooding, mud slides8.Gulf states-Downpours cause death, property damage9.Peru, Ecuador-Floods, landslides10.Southern Africa-Drought, disease, malnutrition

Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 2: Global Warming

Global warming is a critical issue we are facing right now

Effects on society

Hurricane Sandy in 2012http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeaG1jRLIBw

Weather/Climate and Business- Insurance companies

History of Atlantic hurricane activity

The $15 billion insurance loss of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 led to the insolvency of 12 insurance companies and significant market disruption.

Climate Change & Economy/Engineering

- Green Economy

• Renewable energy• Green buildings• Clean transportation• Water management• Waste management• Land management

Weather/climate and International Relationships: Water conflict

From The African Water Page

Six nations share the watershed of the Mekong, which is affected by unconstrained development, natural droughts, and climate change

Climate and History/Politics- Collapse of Maya civilization

and Chinese ancient dynasties

Droughts

Weather/Climate and Basic Science/ Philosophy: Teleconnection and

Interaction

Climate change and public health- New diseases appear on Tibet and

other regions due to higher temperature

Weather/Climate and Psychology/Social Work

Climate change and EducationPassing the message to the kids

Summary• Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules,

microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation

• Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather

• Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place

• Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability)

• Weather- and climate-related disasters: tropical cyclones, tornados, floods, droughts, winter storms, extreme heat, extreme cold, lightning, El Nino, global warming

• Impacts of weather/climate on agriculture, business, international relationships, history, science, philosophy, public health, psychology, social work, education, …