An article written posted on Science Daily on November 17, 2010, discusses how the overall warming of Earth’s northern half could potentially make colder winters. This is due to the fact that, as sea-ice shrinks in the eastern Arctic, it could cause some regional heating in lower levels of air. According to a study recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, this could create huge abnormalities as far as atmospheric airstreams are concerned, which could, in turn, lead to an overall cooling of northern continents. According to Vladimir Petoukhov, the lead author of the study and climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, these changes could triple the probability of colder winters in Europe and Northern Asia (Science Daily).
This concept seems to make sense, however, I think it will take a significant amount of time to really determine this. Currently, researchers are using a computer model called ECHAM5, which focuses on the Barents-Kara Sea, where a reduction of ice was observed in the winter of 2005-2006. Using this, they were able to figure out that the air temperatures in that area ranged from warming to cooling, then back to warming, as the sea ice decreased (Science Daily). This helps support the viewpoint, however, it shows that temperatures are still fluctuating to the point where there is no concrete evidence yet. Temperatures in Siberia were 10 degrees below the normal level in the winter of 2005-2006, yet in the Eastern Arctic; temperatures were up to 14 degrees above normal temperature at the same time. Until temperatures become consistent in either rising or falling, claims cannot be made as to how sea ice melting will affect the planet (Science Daily).
This relates to our course, because the main topics we discussed, that earth science touches on, has to do with climate and weather. Earth science is also the study of earth, its functions and what affects it. This article’s topic, and this phenomena in general, is the function of earth- how temperature can entirely change the severity of certain seasons. This does not focus on the day-to-day weather; however, it does focus on the longtime probability of climate change and how this will later affect it.
Works Cited:
"Global Warming Could Cool down Northern Temperatures in Winter." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
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