Keeping Europe from Freezing

Alyson Hoegg

Meteo 482http://geology.com/world/europe-physical-map.shtml

Average Winter Highs in Madrid and Chicago

• Madrid, Spain– December - 48°F– January - 50°F– February - 54°F

• Chicago, Illinois– December - 35°F– January - 31°F– February - 36°F

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0225

http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/en/weather/weather-madrid.html

Why is this the case?• Aixue Hu focuses on the

globe-spanning, endlessly looping current known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

• Brings warm water from the South Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans northward along the eastern coast of the Americas.

Screenshot from NASA's High-Def animation of surface currents. Credit: NASA.

Why is this the case?• At about Massachusetts,

the warm water turns toward Europe.

• Due to how the warm water effects the weather, surface temperatures are warmer in western Europe.

• The water then cools, becomes denser, and sinks to create a sub-surface current that runs south. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermohaline_circulation

Fresh Water Problems

• Adding fresh water from melting ice caps in the North Atlantic causes the ocean water in the current to become more dilute. – Makes it harder for

surface water to sink when it is cold.

– If enough ice is melted, the conveyor belt could stop completely.

http://futurepredictions.com/2012/03/future-melting-ice-cap-details-beyond-belief-as-coastal-regions-get-ready-to-move-to-higher-ground/

Solution to the problem!!• The Bering Strait

– When open, water flows into the Arctic Ocean and into the North Atlantic.

– Pacific Ocean water is less salty than the Atlantic.

– The current is in a constant state of mild dilution.

– More freshwater dumped into the Atlantic, only adds to the dilution and slows the conveyor belt gradually.

http://psc.apl.washington.edu/switchyard/overview_pages/circulation.html

Solution to the problem!!

• The Bering Strait– When it is closed, the

conveyor belt is undiluted.– A lot of freshwater put

into the conveyor, it can cause a shock to the system and cause the conveyor to completely stop.

– Western Europe will lose a source of heat!! http://www.eoearth.org/article/Climate_Solutions:_Chapter_4