meteorology Wk 7

1. Assume that you have 100 years of continuous temperature records from your local weather service office. Discuss some of the difficulties you might have trying to determine whether average temperatures have increased during this period.
According to our book, it is difficult to measure an average temperature change over a specified period because it is possible that the weather station has moved, techniques for measuring temperature can change, and with an influx of people in urban areas, the temperature will increase given more activity. (Ahrens, 2014)
2. What are meant by the terms positive and negative feedback mechanisms? Give an example of a process that would be considered a positive feedback mechanism during a period of warming on the earth. Can you think of a negative feedback mechanism?
Positive Feedback is when there is an action that causes some phenomenon to occur; when the phenomenon occurs it only continues to increase the initial action. Our book provides a great example, if the temperature naturally rises, water will evaporate from the oceans. The water vapor in the air will absorb the sun’s solar energy only making the temperature even more warm, which causes more water to evaporate which causes higher temperatures. Negative feedback will weaken the action instead of making it stronger. If our temperatures were on the rise because of the sun’s solar energy but our Earth was releasing more infrared radiation, then the temperature would be balanced. (Ahrens, 2014)
3. Discuss the significance of a predicted increase in global temperatures of 3 C, as opposed to a predicted increase of 1 C.
If the temperature were to increase by 3°C there could be dramatic effects. According to the Economist, more areas would experience drought, 30% of species would be at higher risk for extinction, an increase in severe tropical cyclones, and the obvious, higher sea levels. (A Sensitive Matter)
4. The hottest places on earth are not found near the equator in tropical wet climates but rather in arid climate regions. Why is this true?
The clear skies with low humidity allow for warmer air being heated by the sun to sink down to the surface warming it up. There is little of anything else to absorb the sun’s energy so the sun’s energy heats the Earth’s surface drastically.
5. What meteorological information is the primary basis for climate classification using the Köppen system? Give Examples.
Annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation are used to classify climates using the Koppen system.
A couple of examples are Tropical Moist Climates which have average temperatures above 18°C, Dry Climates that have very little to no precipitation all year, and Polar Climates that have extremely cold winters and summers with an average temperature during the warmest month being below 10°C. (Ahrens, 2014)
Works Cited
Ahrens, C. (2014). Essentials of meteorology: An invitation to the atmosphere (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
A sensitive matter. (2013, March 30). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21574461-climate-may-be-heating-up-less-response-greenhouse-gas-emissions

Cited: Ahrens, C. (2014). Essentials of meteorology: An invitation to the atmosphere (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. A sensitive matter. (2013, March 30). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21574461-climate-may-be-heating-up-less-response-greenhouse-gas-emissions