WaPo: Report on Climate Predicts Extremes; More Droughts Likely in North America

[marmar]

Report on Climate Predicts Extremes
More Droughts Likely in North America


By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 20, 2008; Page A02


As greenhouse-gas emissions rise, North America is likely to experience more droughts and excessive heat in some regions even as intense downpours and hurricanes pound others more often, according to a report issued yesterday by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.

The 162-page study, which was led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of how global warming has helped to transform the climate of the United States and Canada over the past 50 years -- and how it may do so in the future.

Coming at a time when record flooding is ravaging the Midwest, the new report paints a grim scenario in which severe weather will exact a heavy toll. The report warned that extreme weather events "are among the most serious challenges to society in coping with a changing climate."

While the Southwest is likely to face even more intense droughts, the scientists wrote, heavy downpours will become more frequent in some other parts of the country because of increased water vapor in the air.

"This report addresses one of the most frequently asked questions about global warming: What will happen to weather and climate extremes?" said one of the report's two co-chairs, Thomas R. Karl, who directs NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.. He added that the report, which synthesizes the findings of more than 100 academic papers, "concludes that we are now witnessing and will increasingly experience more extreme weather and climate events."

The authors found that the last decade has seen fewer cold snaps than any other 10-year period in the historical record dating back to 1895. Under a middle-range scenario of future greenhouse-gas emissions, climate models indicate that by mid-century, extremely hot days that now occur only once every 20 years will occur every three years. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061902171.html

[hatrack]

1. Wow! Who knew?!?

I'm amazed "the bureaucracy" was allowed to put out this report!

[ginnyinWI]

2. weather extremes in my own back yard.

Last spring/summer it was so dry that my vegetable garden was a puny, pathetic thing. I had to go out and water several times a week to keep things alive, and still they didn't do very well. This summer we're deluged. No flooding here personally, although roads around here have been closed, making our commute time longer. The garden is fine this year. Mushrooms growing in the grass and I noticed some green stuff growing on the side of the house this morning.

[Summer93]

3. Green stuff on side of house

Are you thinking mold?

I have noticed of the past three years that the treated deck on the back of my house has areas of green on it. This is a deck that has 100% sun all day seems funny that it could grow mold.

Also the vines of the poison ivy are more prolific each year and Bittersweet are growing out of control, six foot long tendrils into the dryer vent, windows, downspout, etc. It's only June - three more months of growing time.

[ginnyinWI]

4. This is on the north side of the house, so not as much sun.

It's not black like mold or mildew would be. It's green like moss. Maybe algae? When it appeared on the deck in the shady places last year I got it off with bleach.