Geog 5900: Climatology

Atmospheric Sciences at a Glance (1)

Life cycle of the Sun and the Earth

The earth will be inhabitable for another 0.5 billion years, if we protect it well enough.

After another 1 billion years, all oceans and rivers will have completely disappeared. The mean global temperature will reach 160 F.

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

Sheng Mao (~1300AD): Sitting and watching clouds passing by(盛懋 : 坐看云起图 )

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

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

annual mean loss $777 million

Weather-related Disasters: Hail Storms Annual mean fatalities 1,

annual mean loss $938 million

Weather-related Disasters: Floods

Weather-related Disasters: Floods U.S. Annual mean fatalities 8,

annual mean loss $5300 million

Weather-related Disasters: Lightning Annual mean fatalities 69,

annual mean loss $38 million

Weather-related Disasters: Extreme Heat Annual mean fatalities

282, annual mean loss $85 million

Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms

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

57, annual mean loss $329 million

Weather-related Disasters: Extreme Cold Annual mean fatalities

292, annual mean loss $368 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

Weather and Air Transportation

From National Weather Service

From CASA, Australia

Weather/Climate and Public Health- New diseases appear on Tibet and other regions due to global warming

Weather/Climate and economy- Green economy

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

Weather/Climate and Basic Science/ Philosophy: Teleconnection and

Interaction

Weather/Climate 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 public health, transportation, agriculture, business, international relationships, history, science, philosophy, education, …