Climate Change

Wein's Law

Wavelength of energy radiated with the greatest intensity. Hotter objects wavelength of peak emission is shorter (e.g., sun peaks quicker than earth).

Net Radiation Equation

Describes balance of incoming and outgoing radiation.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Tells us intensity of radiation. Energy emitted increases exponentially with temperature. Emissivity.

Teleconnection

A linkage between atmospheric changes occurring in widely separated regions of the globe. Often related to the relative strength/position of the semi-permanent pressure cells since their influence of circulation patterns propagates throughout the atmosphere. Ex. NAO, PNA, ENSO.

Negative phases of teleconnections means...

Cold and dry in the Eastern US, and positive is the opposite. Weakened Icelandic low and Azores high.

PNA negative mode is...

cold. Pressure anomalies at Aleutian low, southeast US, Hawaii High, and over central Canada

We are in La Niña and that's why it is so...

dry. Easterly trade winds strengthen.

ENSO involves

alterations of "neutral" walker circulation. In El Niño easterly trade winds weaken.

Conduction

Heat moving through a substance without the molecules moving

Convection

Transfer of heat by the mixing of fluids

Radiation

Waves of electrical-magnetic oscillations that can travel through vacuums

Sensible Heat

When energy is added a temperature increase occurs. Heating of the near-surface air, which is mixed via convection.

Latent Heat

Energy added to change the phase of water.

Köppen Climate Classification

A: Tropical
B: Dry
C: Midlatitude mild (mesothermal)
D: Mildlatitude cold (microthermal)
E: Polar
Highland added later

a: warmest month > 72 degrees
b: warmest month < 72 degrees
c: fewer than 4 months above 50 degrees
d: same as c but coldest month is less than neg 36
f: rainfall year round
m: monsoon rain, short dry season. rainforest
s: summer dry season
w: winter dry season

Thornthwaite Classification

Moisture instead of plant proxies. Helpful for ag and hydrological application.

MI = [100 (Surplus - Deficiency)] / Potential Evapotranspiration

Thermal Efficiency Index
TEI = Temp/Observed evapotranspiration

Bergeron System

Based on dominant air masses.

Temperature Class

T: Tropical
P: Polar
A: Arctic

Humidity Class

M: Maritime
C: Continental

Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC)

Six diff weather types based on revised Bergeron, or as being in transitional state between two types.

DP: Dry polar
DM: Dry moderate
DT: Dry tropical
MP: Moist polar
MM: Moist moderate
MT: Moist tropical
TR: Transitional

Primary Controls of Climate

Latitude, sun angles (higher latitudes experience lower sun angles, so less isolation and thus less warming), beam attenuation, earth-sun geometry (revolution [perihelion, closest to sun in Jan, aphelion in July], rotation [circle of illumination where half the earth is always lit], axial tilt [seasons])

Secondary Controls

Proximity to water (maritime effect/continentality), topography (orographic lifting), persistent circular patterns (driven by energy imbalance between poles and tropics and wind), pressure gradient (stronger pressure means faster winds. Coriolis means deflected to right for us, and friction), and localized factors (catch-all for stuff like pollution, ag, and urban land use).

Carbon Reservoirs (Greatest to leas)

Sedimentary Rock: can store carbon for billions of years

Oceans: absorb carbon from the atmosphere

Biosphere (including soil): absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and
transports it to other reservoirs

Atmosphere: the smallest reservoir

Beam Spreading

Like a flashlight

Attenuation

depletion of energy due to interactions with the atmosphere

Visible Light

wavelengths between 0.4-0.7 micrometers

Shortwave (solar)

wavelengths less than 4 micrometers

Longwave (terrestrial)

wavelengths greater than 4 micrometers

Radiation is emitted by...

all objects with a temp above absolute zero

Shortwave transmission

solar radiation that actually makes it through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth’s surface where it can be reflected or absorbed. Highest on clear, dry days. Proportion reflected is defined by object’s albedo