More effects of climate change

_Elsa_

Changes in Precipitation Patterns - Average U.S. precipitation has increased since 1900, but some areas have had increases greater than the national average, and some areas have had decreases. More winter and spring precipitation is projected for the northern United States, and less for the Southwest, over this century. Projections of future climate over the U.S. suggest that the recent trend towards increased heavy precipitation events will continue. This trend is projected to occur even in regions where total precipitation is expected to decrease, such as the Southwest.

More Droughts and Heat Waves - Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting days to weeks) everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less intense everywhere. Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture, which exacerbates heat waves, is projected for much of the western and central U.S. in summer. By the end of this century, what have been once-in-20-year extreme heat days (one-day events) are projected to occur every two or three years over most of the nation.

Hurricanes Will Become Stronger and More Intense - The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early 1980s. The relative contributions of human and natural causes to these increases are still uncertain. Hurricane-associated storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to increase as the climate continues to warm.

Sea Level Will Rise 1-8 feet by 2100 - Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880. It is projected to rise another 1 to 8 feet by 2100. This is the result of added water from melting land ice and the expansion of seawater as it warms.

In the next several decades, storm surges and high tides could combine with sea level rise and land subsidence to further increase flooding in many regions. Sea level rise will continue past 2100 because the oceans take a very long time to respond to warmer conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ocean waters will therefore continue to warm and sea level will continue to rise for many centuries at rates equal to or higher than those of the current century. 

Arctic Likely to Become Ice-Free - The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-century.’ (Source) 

Elsa is in total shock after reading these articles. She never paid attention to climate change even though she heard of it before. Her phone rings and it’s Tiffi calling. 

“Hi Tiffi, what’s up?” asks Elsa. “I’ve been reading a lot about hurricanes and how climate change has caused these natural disasters such as hurricanes to begin earlier in the year.” 

Tiffi tells Elsa that she just came back after helping some of the players with their levels. She is going to start googling again.  She is going to see what facts she can find on hurricanes. She promises to get back to her if she finds anything interesting. 

Let’s continue - Hurricane Facts

Start at the beginning – Here comes Hurricane Elsa!