WunderBlog Archive » Dr. Ricky Rood's Climate Change Blog

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2014 January

Are the changes in the Arctic messing with our weather? Analysis

This and the next blog analyze: Are the changes in the Arctic sea-level pressure a direct consequence of local changes in the Arctic or are they more closely related to changes in global circulation patterns? Are changes in the Arctic sea-level pressure causing changes in weather in the middle latitudes? Are the changes we have seen in the past 15 years indicative of a climate-change related change in weather patterns? Is what we have traditionally called the Arctic Oscillation changing?

RickyRood, • 9:20 PM GMT on January 26, 2014

Are the changes in the Arctic messing with our weather? Background

I take some pleasure in noting that back in December I wrote, “The whole Arctic air mass is starting to move east, which means it will get a lot more press.” I did not imagine that it would lead to all of the anxiety about the rogue polar vortex. I will leave the machinations of polar-vortex mania to my more able colleagues. I want to analyze why this work about the Arctic Oscillation, the polar vortex, and wild fluctuations between warm and cold weather is important enough to be on my list of big-ticket items.

RickyRood, • 4:02 AM GMT on January 14, 2014

We like to burn things

From The Travels of Marco Polo “Concerning the Black Stone Dug in Cathay Used for Fuel.” “Throughout this province there is found a sort of black stone, which they dig out of the mountains, where it runs in veins. When lighted it burns like charcoal and retains the fire much better than wood …”

RickyRood, • 5:59 AM GMT on January 06, 2014