Final Conclusion

This will be my last blog. I had a fun time researching and finding out different I didn't know already.

From the information I found, I do believe that we will see the next ice age in the future. All the elements are there. Right now, we are experincing the first signs that the next ice age is coming. For emample, the sea levels are rising at a rate that scientists believe is uncalled for. The icebergs, in and around Antarctica are melting at a very dangerous rate. Storms that we go though in our everyday lives are getting more intense each year. Tornado outbreaks are becoming more and more threating every year. People are getting worried about these storm because they are starting to become more difficult to predict. I just found out that the volcanoes all around the world, even in the United States are becoming more active as well.

The next ice age

If enough cold, fresh water coming from the melting polar ice caps and the melting glaciers of Greenland flows into the northern Atlantic, it will shut down the Gulf Stream, which keeps Europe and northeastern North America warm (http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0130-11.htm). The worst-case scenario would be a full-blown return of the last ice age in a period as short as 2 to 3 years from its onset and the mid-case scenario would be a period like the "little ice age" of a few centuries ago that disrupted worldwide weather patterns leading to extremely harsh winters, droughts, worldwide desertification, crop failures, and wars around the world (http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0130-11.htm). The next ice age is more than 15,000 years away, according to evidence from an Antarctic ice core, the deepest and oldest ever extracted (http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1128898.htm).

Is it possible for a future ice age?

In quick summary, if enough cold, fresh water coming from the melting polar ice caps and the melting glaciers of Greenland flows into the northern Atlantic, it will shut down the Gulf Stream, which keeps Europe and northeastern North America warm (http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/feb04_IceAge.html). The worst-case scenario would be a full-blown return of the last ice age--in a period as short as two to three years from its onset; and the mid-case scenario would be a period like the "little ice age" of a few centuries ago that disrupted worldwide weather patterns leading to extremely harsh winters, droughts, worldwide desertification, crop failures, and wars around the world ( http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/feb04_IceAge.html). Showing graphs that proved the natural periodic comings and goings of ice ages and interglacial warm times like the one we now live in, they pointed to dramatic climatic spikes that occurred when world temperatures rose to a certain level (http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3ab8599422eb.htm). These spikes caused the world climate to bounce between very cold and very warm, then disappeared as the planet went into another long ice age ( http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3ab8599422eb.htm).

Effects of Global Warming

Though it is difficult to connect specific weather events to global warming, an increase in global temperatures may in turn cause other changes, including glacial retreat and worldwide sea level rise ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). Changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation may result in flooding and drought (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). There may also be changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). Other effects may include changes in agricultural yields, reduced summer streamflows, species extinctions, and increases in the range of disease vectors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming).

The Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is the process in which the emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere warms a planet's surface (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect). The name comes from an incorrect analogy with the warming of air inside a greenhouse compared to the air outside the greenhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect). The Earth's average surface temperature of 15 °C is about 33 °C warmer than it would be without the greenhouse effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect). The greenhouse effect was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824 and first investigated quantitatively by Svante Arrhenius in 1896 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect). Global warming, a recent warming of the Earth, is believed to be the result of increased concentrations of greenhous gases in the atmosphere (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect). In addition to the Earth, Mars and Venus have greenhouse effects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect).

What causes Global Warming

Global Warming has alot to do with the change in our climate. The Earth's climate changes in response to external forcing, including variations in its orbit around the sun, volcanic eruptions, and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). The detailed causes of the recent warming remain an active field of research, but the scientific consensus identifies elevated levels of greenhouse gases due to human activity as the main influence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). This attribution is clearest for the most recent 50 years, for which the most detailed data are available (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). In contrast to the scientific consensus that recent warming is mainly attributable to elevated levels of greenhouse gases, other hypotheses have been suggested to explain the observed increase in mean global temperature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). One such hypothesis proposes that warming may be the result of variations in solar activity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming).

Hurricane cont..

A hurricane contain an eye that is at the center of the storm. The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_(cyclone)). The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_(cyclone)). It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the most severe weather of a cyclone occurs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_(cyclone)). The cyclone's lowest barometric pressure occurs in the eye, and can be as much as 15% lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the storm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_(cyclone)). In strong tropical cyclones, the eye is characterized by light winds and clear skies, surrounded on all sides by a towering, symmetric eyewall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_(cyclone)).

Hurricane

A hurricane is also called a tropical cyclone. A tropical cyclone is a meteorological term for a storm system characterized by a low pressure system center and thunderstorms that produces strong wind and flooding rain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone). A tropical cyclone feeds on the heat released when moist air rises and the water vapor it contains condenses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone). While tropical cyclones can produce extremely powerful winds and torrential rain, they are also able to produce high waves and damaging storm surge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone). They develop over large bodies of warm water, and lose their strength if they move over land (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone).

Tornado Myth cont..

Most tornado damage is due to the low pressure in the tornado causing the house to explode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths). Opening your windows or doors while a tornado approaches will equalize atmospheric pressure and help prevent property damage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths). Basically don't waste time opening opening any windows in your house. You could be doing soemthing better to prepare you for the worst. Windows can break very easily from flying objects.

Tornado Myths Cont...

In a tornado, the storm might hit one house and then skip over other houses. It is true that a house that is in between two destroyed homes can be "untouched", but this is not the result of a tornado "skipping" as was previously thought (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths). After the Super Outbreak, Dr. Fujita studied many films of tornadoes from that day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths). Included in his review was damage and tornado film footage of F4 and F5 tornadoes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths). Fujita concluded that the multiple vortices of an F-4 or F-5, which are highly volatile but small vortices that dance around the main funnel, are responsible for making tornadoes appear to "skip houses" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths).

Myths about tornado 2

Overpasses are that safe as people think are when dealing with a torndo. In reality, when directly hit by tornadoes, the confined spaces beneath overpasses increase the speed of the winds due to the Venturi effect, and thus make them potentially less safe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths#Using_highway_overpasses_as_shelter). Andover tornado footage, it was discovered that the tornado did not pass directly over the bridge, but instead over the ground slightly south of the bridge and camera crew, exposing them to much weaker winds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths#Using_highway_overpasses_as_shelter). The overpass was also of a specific design which included a hollow crawlspace at the top of the embankment under the bridge surface (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_myths#Using_highway_overpasses_as_shelter).

Myths of tornadoes

One of the most persistent myths associated with tornadoes is that opening windows will lessen the damage caused by the tornado (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). While there is a large drop in atmospheric pressure inside a strong tornado, it is unlikely that the pressure drop would be enough to cause the house to explode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). Some research indicates that opening windows may actually increase the severity of the tornado's damage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). Regardless of the validity of the explosion claim, time would be better spent seeking shelter before a tornado than opening windows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). A violent tornado can destroy a house whether its windows are open or closed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado).

Global Warming

Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). An increase in global temperatures is expected to cause other changes, including sea level rise, increased intensity of extreme weather events, and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming). Other effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, glacier retreat, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming).

Landspout

A landspout is a type of a weak tornado. they form during the growth stage of convective clouds by the ingestion and tightening of boundary layer vorticity by the cumuliform tower's updraft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landspout). Landspouts most often occur in drier areas with high-based storms and considerable low-level instability (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landspout). They generally are smaller and weaker than supercellular tornadoes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landspout).

Waterspout

A waterspout is basically a tornado that touches a body of water. Fair weather waterspouts are less severe but far more common, and are similar in dynamics to dust devils and landspouts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado#True_tornadoes). They form at the bases of cumulus congestus cloud towers in tropical and semitropical waters ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado#True_tornadoes). They have relatively weak winds, smooth laminar walls, and typically travel very slowly, if at all (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado#True_tornadoes). They occur most commonly in the Florida Keys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado#True_tornadoes). Waterspouts don't have to come directly from a supercell thunderstorm, like a normal tornado does.

Types of Tornado

A multiple vortex tornado is a tornado that contains several vortices rotating around and inside of and part of the main vortex ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_vortex_tornado)These multiple vortices are somewhat similar to eyewall mesovortices found in intense tropical cyclones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_vortex_tornado). The only times multiple vortices may be visible are when the tornado is first forming or when condensation and debris is balanced enough so that subvortices are apparent without being obscured (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_vortex_tornado). They are responsible for most cases where narrow arcs of extreme destruction lie right next to weak damage within tornado paths (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_vortex_tornado)

Tornado

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air which is in contact with both a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, a cumulus cloud base and the surface of the earth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). Tornadoes come in many sizes but are typically in the form of a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado). A tornado can have wind speeds up to 110 mph.A tornado can be on the grouind for miles at a time. Tornado very common in the United States.

The Supercell Thunderstorm

Supercell thunderstorms are large, severe storms which feature wind speed and direction that vary with height ("wind shear"), separate downdrafts and updrafts (i.e., precipitation is not falling through the updraft) and a strong, rotating updraft(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Supercell). These storms normally have such powerful updrafts that the top of the cloud can reach miles into the air and can be 15 miles wide( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Supercell). These storms produce destructive tornadoes, sometimes F3 or higher, extremely large hailstones, straight-line winds in excess of 80 mph and flash floods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Supercell). In fact, most tornadoes occur from this kind of thunderstorm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Supercell).

Multicell cluster

Multi cell storms form as clusters of storms but may then evolve into an organized line or lines of storms ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Multicell_cluster). They often arise from convective updrafts in or near mountain ranges and linear weather boundaries, usually strong cold fronts or troughs of low pressure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Multicell_cluster). This tyoe of storm can be very dangerous because they form one after another.

Multicell line

Multicell thunderstorms are also know squall lines. These storm form in clusters. All the elements from thunderstorms are present in these storms. Bow echos are also present in these stoems as well. These bow echos bring very strong winds. Occasionally, squall lines also form near the outer rain band of tropical cyclones ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Multicell_cluster). The squall line is propelled by its own outflow, which reinforces continuous development of updrafts along the leading edge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm#Multicell_cluster).

Types of thunderstorms: Single Cell

There are four types of thunderstorms. I am going to talk about one of those today. This one is a single cell thunderstorm. A single cell thunderstorm is basically what normal thunderstorm is. There is only one updraft that goes along with the storm. These types of thunderstorm mostly develop over the summer. These thunderstorm also develop along a cold front as well. I will explain what a cold front is later. At times, these storms either move or don't move. They can be very slow moving storms.

Severe Thunderstorm

When the elements are there, the weather can get quite dangerous. A severe thunderstorm can be very dangerous. It can bring all sorts of things with it. It can bring very strong winds, heavy rain, hail and possibly a tornado. You using have these types of storms during summer and fall. The lightning in these storm are dangerous for somebody to be outside.

Freezing Rain and Snow

Freezing Rain is a type of precipitation that begins as snow at higher altitude, falling from a cloud towards earth, melts completely on its way down while passing through a layer of air above freezing temperature, and then encounters a layer below freezing at lower level to become supercooled (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freezing_rain). Freezing Rain can make things very dangerous to driving conditions. It can make the roads very slick. It can cause you to be without power for several hours.

Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow).

Fog, Hail

Fog form when a cloud touches the ground. Fog is usually formed when you have alot of humidity in the air. Alot of times, you have a hard time seeing in the front you. Fog can form and it can dissolve just as quickly. The same cloud that is not fog on lower ground may be fog where it contacts higher ground such as hilltops or mountain ridges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog). The foggiest place in the world is the Grand Banks off the island of Newfoundland, Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog).



Hail is basically ice. Hail is usually small, but can be big when coming from a severe thunderstorm. There needs to be a strong updraft in a thunderstorm for it to produce hail. Hail can do alot of damage to your house, car. Hailstones on Earth usually consist mostly of water ice and measure between 5 and 50 millimetres in diameter, with the larger stones coming from severe thunderstorms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail).

Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is the type of weather that bring thunder and lightning with it. The lightning of these storms can be very dangerous at times. You shouldn't go by tress or grab anything metal during a thnderstorm because if you do, the result will be very shocking. Some of these thunderstorm can also bring other factors to it. Such as hail, strong winds, heavy rain, and quite possibly if the situation is right, a tornado. A thunderstorm can also produce snow instead of rain. This is very rare to happen, but it's possible.

What is weather?

Everyone knows what weather is. The weather is very unpredictable at times. The weather can be sunny on one day then be rainy the next day. The weather also has an affect on people as well. Our climate is always changing. There are different types of elements that go along with weather. There is clouds, rain, snow, ice, fog etc. The weather is alway challenging us in our everyday lives. The weather can be quite dangerous as well. Some people think that just becasue you have a shelter of some kind to protect you from these powerful storm, it doesn't mean that you will always be protect. The weather can change at a moments notice. Sometimes you don't know how too react that quickly. Most people take the weather for granted. In the next, I will explain some of the dangerous element to the weather phenomenon.

Intro

Everybody can tell that they know everything about the weather. I am going tell you something that you might not know. First I am going to just tell you what are different types of weather see every year. From rain to thunderstorms to tornados. You name it, I write about. Throughout this sememster, you might be surprised to find out something that you didn't know. So hopefully by reading my blogs, you might learn soemthing that you might not know about .