This story deals on what I believe is the real signature of climate change, that being a radical change in the flow of the jet stream. Normally the jet stream flows from west to east in the northern hemisphere but in recent years we have seen an increased amplitude in the flow of the jet stream resulting in more of a north-to-south flow pattern and less west-to-east flows. This has resulted in slow moving weather patterns which have led to increased stalling of normal weather patterns and decreased the speed of east-to-west flowing weather patterns. As a consequence, just here in the U.S. we have seen extended and repeated patterns of heavy snow in places like Buffalo and Boston over the winter and increased heavy rain storms across Texas and Oklahoma just this year. We also have seen extended cold and hot weather patterns across the country depending on the region one might be looking at. The western states have seen increased heat and drought while the eastern half of the country saw prolonged cold weather patterns. This is because of a more north-to-south jet stream pattern instead of a more normal east-to-west flow.
Francis, Meehl and some other meteorologists say the jet stream is in a rut, not moving nasty weather along. The high-speed, constantly shifting river of air 30,000 feet above Earth normally guides storms around the globe, but sometimes splits and comes back together somewhere else.
A stuck jet stream, with a bit of a split, explains the extremes in Texas, India, Alaska and the U.S. East, but not the typhoons, Francis says.
Other possible factors contributing to May's wild weather: the periodic warming of the central Pacific known as El Nino, climate change and natural variability, scientists say.
Texas this month has received a record statewide average of 8 inches of rain and counting. Some parts of the Lone Star State and Oklahoma have gotten more than a foot and a half since May 1. The two states have gone from exceptional drought to flooding in just four weeks.
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/05/...of-extreme-weather-around-the-world/21188953/
Francis, Meehl and some other meteorologists say the jet stream is in a rut, not moving nasty weather along. The high-speed, constantly shifting river of air 30,000 feet above Earth normally guides storms around the globe, but sometimes splits and comes back together somewhere else.
A stuck jet stream, with a bit of a split, explains the extremes in Texas, India, Alaska and the U.S. East, but not the typhoons, Francis says.
Other possible factors contributing to May's wild weather: the periodic warming of the central Pacific known as El Nino, climate change and natural variability, scientists say.
Texas this month has received a record statewide average of 8 inches of rain and counting. Some parts of the Lone Star State and Oklahoma have gotten more than a foot and a half since May 1. The two states have gone from exceptional drought to flooding in just four weeks.
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/05/...of-extreme-weather-around-the-world/21188953/
