Scientists Stumped by Erratic Weather: Is it Global Warming?
Unpredictable weather patterns have been observed across the world without any clear explanation.
What’s Going On?
March Madness isn't just about basketball anymore. Crazy
weather patterns are emerging and some have nicknamed this phenomenon “weather
weirding.”
Just last week a surreal heat wave hit the nation. People
flocked to pools and beaches, some farmers planted their crops six weeks early,
and trees began to bloom.
Just when people got excited by this warm weather, a cold
front has taken over the Northern States and brought with it some of the lowest
temperatures yet this season.
Scientists can’t fully explain these events, but here is
what they do know:
The Facts:
- Last year, the U.S. set about three new temperature highs for every low.
- This year, the U.S. has set 17 new daily highs for every daily low.
- The sea ice cap has shrunk about 40 percent since the 1980s.
- The area of the Arctic Ocean affected is the size of Europe.
Explanations?
There could be many factors that are working together to create
these odd patterns.
Scientists have speculated that the main culprit is the melting
Arctic Ice because of greenhouse gases. The ocean is absorbing extra heat and
releasing it to the atmosphere in the fall and early winter.
The United Nations released a report linking global warming
to the extreme weather. The report said,
“A changing climate leads to
changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of
extreme weather and climate events, and can result in unprecedented extreme
weather and climate events.”
Are humans to blame?
Humans are a main factor in the contribution of greenhouse
gases into the environment. These gases are dangerous and can cause a lot of
problems, such as:
- Increase in heat waves
- Rise in episodes of heavy rainfall and other precipitation
- More frequent coastal flooding
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