Changes in large-scale static stability and implications for global warming
- NASA Goddard Inst., New York, NY (United States)
The study finds an increase in convection above the lifted condensation level (LCL) accompanied by a decrease in convection below the LCL in association with a 0.5 C increase in mid-latitude, continental, middle tropospheric temperatures. Overall, the warming resulted in a 10% mean increase in the probability of precipitation from air mass thunderstorms as determined by the K-indices. The importance of the study lies not in detecting anthropogenic causes to climatic change, but rather, in showing how large-scale static stability varies with atmospheric warming. A discussion of the implications of these divergent trends for severe storms, precipitation, and drought is followed by an analysis of the strengths and limitations of the methodology and a synopsis of research still needed. 56 refs., 8 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 445363
- Journal Information:
- World Resource Review, Vol. 8, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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