Are Snowstorms related to Climate Change?

Yes, but in many ways you may not know!

Friends tell me some folks on Facebook think snowstorms are evidence climate change is a hoax.

Scientists are irritated with this false correlation because climate scientists never predicted snowstorms would go away. They have predicted that snow cover over the winter season will, ON AVERAGE, diminish. Statistics prove this to be true.

For the remainder of the article I will lay out some weather information gathered as a helicopter pilot and as a student of climate change.

Helicopter pilots are very sensitive to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (32F) because this temperature with water vapor means airframe icing is possible. I have too many stories of flying at night while the helicopter is shuddering as the blades asymmetrically shed ice. Helicopter pilots deal with this danger over half our year up here.

My first point is 32F is not very cold and when we are at or below this temperature, we can get snow. We dip below this target temperature from October through April so snow should not be surprising with or without global warming.

The likelihood of more snow during a shorter winter season is possible. Here is why. Both the oceans and Lake Superior are warming. With this warming comes more evaporation pumping more moisture into the atmosphere. More water in the air means we are loading the skies with more potential rain or snow. In fact, the meteorologists on Minnesota Public Radio have noted many places in Minnesota experienced the wettest year on record (already) and just today I heard Minnesota officials are gearing up for an expected flood season.

Just how much more moisture is there in the air today? The air surrounding the earth is about 1.8 degrees warmer. This enables the air to hold 7% more moisture which is unevenly distributed, AND UNEVENLY DUMPED, on places like Houston, the Bahamas, and even Duluth.

Here are some definitions to remember. Weather is what you know as you step out the door. If your meteorologist is good, you have the right clothes on. Meteorologist work in very short time spans called weather.

Climate studies are a multiyear analysis of accumulated data normally over a period no less than 30 years. Climate scientists track changes in the sun, atmospheric gas concentrations, volcanoes, ocean currents, ocean temperatures, El Nino trends, and jet streams to make predictions hopefully enabling us to make lifestyle changes protecting future generations.

What are my predictions for snow? Will we get more or less?  With something so complicated is it wise for a lay student to make a prediction? Take for instance the Big Lake’s effect on us. It seems easy to say we will get more lake effect snow because, on average, a warming Superior is staying open longer. That means more water vapor to feed the lake effect machine, right?  But what if we do not get those Northwest winds or a strong El Nino keeps us above 32F, or the jet stream locks us in a cold streak freezing over the lake? These would mean little lake effect snow.

Nearly all aspects of global weather systems are changing making it a challenge for meteorologist and climatologist alike. Even the terms are changing. Scientists no longer use the terms global warming and climate change. That the earth is warming is fact. That the climate is changing is fact. Now they use the terms like climate disruption.

I like eminent climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe’s term. As she observes the dynamic atmospheric system contorting, she calls what she sees, “Global Weird-ing”.

So, here is my short-term prediction as I look at my white sidewalk and driveway with my shovel and trusty Yooper scooper dutifully waiting for me:  My arms and back will be pretty darn sore before dinner.

Salient advice: Do not sell your snowblower anytime soon. With or without global weirding you will want to keep ‘em handy. Snowstorms are not going away anytime soon even as the earth heats.

Comments

  1. Limitless Snow Removal13 January 2022 at 22:31

    You've written a very useful article about snow management vancouver. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Thank you for providing this information. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete

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