 |
|
Cyclones spurt water into the stratosphere, feeding global warming
April 21, 2009New research suggests intertwining of tropical cyclones, climate change
Scientists at Harvard University have found that tropical cyclones readily inject ice far into the stratosphere, possibly feeding global warming.
The finding, published in Geophysical Research Letters, provides more evidence of the intertwining of severe weather and global warming by demonstrating a mechanism by which storms could drive climate change. Many scientists now believe that global warming, in turn, is likely to increase the severity of tropical cyclones.
"Since water vapor is an important greenhouse gas, an increase of water vapor in the stratosphere would warm the Earth's surface," says David M. Romps, a research associate in Harvard's Department of Earth and Planetary Science. "Our finding that tropical cyclones are responsible for many of the clouds in the stratosphere opens up the possibility that these storms could affect global climate, in addition to the oft-mentioned possibility of climate change affecting the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones."
Romps and co-author Zhiming Kuang, assistant professor of climate science in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, were intrigued by earlier data suggesting that the amount of water vapor in the stratosphere has grown by roughly 50 percent over the past 50 years. Scientists are currently unsure why this increase has occurred; the Harvard researchers sought to examine the possibility that tropical cyclones might have contributed by sending a large fraction of their clouds into the stratosphere.
Using infrared satellite data gathered from 1983 to 2006, Romps and Kuang analyzed towering cloud tops associated with thousands of tropical cyclones, many of them near the Philippines, Mexico, and Central America. Their analysis demonstrated that in a cyclone, narrow plumes of miles-tall storm clouds can rise so explosively through the atmosphere that they often push into the stratosphere.
Romps and Kuang found that tropical cyclones are twice as likely as other storms to punch into the normally cloud-free stratosphere, and four times as likely to inject ice deep into the stratosphere.
"It is ... widely believed that global warming will lead to changes in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones," Romps and Kuang write in Geophysical Research Letters. "Therefore, the results presented here establish the possibility for a feedback between tropical cyclones and global climate."
Typically, very little water is allowed passage through the stratosphere's lower boundary, known as the tropopause. Located some 6 to 11 miles above the Earth's surface, the tropopause is the coldest part of the Earth's atmosphere, making it a barrier to the lifting of water vapor into the stratosphere: As air passes slowly through the tropopause, it gets so cold that most of its water vapor freezes out and falls away.
But if very deep clouds, such as those in a tropical cyclone that can rise through the atmosphere at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, can punch through the tropopause too quickly for this to happen, they can deposit their ice in the warmer overlying stratosphere, where it then evaporates.
"This suggests that tropical cyclones could play an important role in setting the humidity of the stratosphere," Romps and Kuang write.
Harvard University
"Since water vapor is an important greenhouse gas, an increase of water vapor in the stratosphere would warm the Earth's surface," says David M. Romps, a research associate in Harvard's Department of Earth and Planetary Science. "Our finding that tropical cyclones are responsible for many of the clouds in the stratosphere opens up the possibility that these storms could affect global climate, in addition to the oft-mentioned possibility of climate change affecting the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones."
Romps and co-author Zhiming Kuang, assistant professor of climate science in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, were intrigued by earlier data suggesting that the amount of water vapor in the stratosphere has grown by roughly 50 percent over the past 50 years. Scientists are currently unsure why this increase has occurred; the Harvard researchers sought to examine the possibility that tropical cyclones might have contributed by sending a large fraction of their clouds into the stratosphere.
Using infrared satellite data gathered from 1983 to 2006, Romps and Kuang analyzed towering cloud tops associated with thousands of tropical cyclones, many of them near the Philippines, Mexico, and Central America. Their analysis demonstrated that in a cyclone, narrow plumes of miles-tall storm clouds can rise so explosively through the atmosphere that they often push into the stratosphere.
Romps and Kuang found that tropical cyclones are twice as likely as other storms to punch into the normally cloud-free stratosphere, and four times as likely to inject ice deep into the stratosphere.
"It is ... widely believed that global warming will lead to changes in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones," Romps and Kuang write in Geophysical Research Letters. "Therefore, the results presented here establish the possibility for a feedback between tropical cyclones and global climate."
Typically, very little water is allowed passage through the stratosphere's lower boundary, known as the tropopause. Located some 6 to 11 miles above the Earth's surface, the tropopause is the coldest part of the Earth's atmosphere, making it a barrier to the lifting of water vapor into the stratosphere: As air passes slowly through the tropopause, it gets so cold that most of its water vapor freezes out and falls away.
But if very deep clouds, such as those in a tropical cyclone that can rise through the atmosphere at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, can punch through the tropopause too quickly for this to happen, they can deposit their ice in the warmer overlying stratosphere, where it then evaporates.
"This suggests that tropical cyclones could play an important role in setting the humidity of the stratosphere," Romps and Kuang write.
Harvard University
Cyclones Current Events and Cyclones News RSSMicrowave satellite imagery shows an eye developing in Mirinae
Microwave satellite imagery has revealed that Tropical Storm Mirinae is strengthening enough to develop an eye, and that's what it's doing. Mirinae was formerly Tropical Depression 23W, but became a tropical storm and received its name.
Baja California Residents Should Prepare for Hurricane Rick
Based on computer forecast models, the residents of southern and central Baja California should prepare over the weekend for now Tropical Storm Rick. Rick formed late yesterday, October 15, and is expected to become a major hurricane over the weekend.
NASA Satellite Tracking Typhoon Lupit on a March Toward the Northern Philippines
Three instruments on NASA's Aqua satellite captured views of Typhoon Lupit on its western track toward the Philippines and are helping forecasters get an idea of its strength and behavior. Lupit strengthened quickly in 24 hours from a tropical depression to a typhoon, between October 15 and 16.
Tropical Storm Nepartak becoming extra-tropical at sea
Tropical Storm Nepartak is now speeding in a northeasterly direction in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, where it is becoming extra-tropical and developing frontal qualities.
NASA's TRMM satellite captures Typhoon Melor as it reaches Japan
Melor began as a tropical depression back on the 29th of September 2009 about 1000 miles (~1600 km) east-southeast of Guam in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Marianas on Alert: Melor Joins the Typhoon Group
Being a typhoon seems to be the "in thing" lately for tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific, and Melor is now one of the "in crowd." NASA's QuikScat and Aqua satellites helped the U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center confirm that Melor now has sustained winds near 115 knots. The Marianas Islands have posted watches and warnings anticipating Melor's arrival.
Storm Killers: LSU's Earth Scan Lab Tracks Cold Water Upwellings in Gulf
Complex interactions between the ocean and overlying atmosphere cause hurricanes to form, and also have a tremendous amount of influence on the path, intensity and duration of a hurricane or tropical weather event.
Tornado threat increases as Gulf hurricanes get larger
Tornadoes that occur from hurricanes moving inland from the Gulf Coast are increasing in frequency, according to researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
NASA Eyes Category 4 Hurricane Felicia and a Stubborn Enrique
Felicia is the storm that rules the Eastern Pacific Ocean this week, but Enrique refuses to give up. Felicia is a major hurricane with sustained winds near 140 mph, and Enrique is still hanging onto tropical storm status with 50 mph sustained winds.
Still a Low Chance of Development for Two Lows
The two areas of thunderstorms in the Caribbean from yesterday, July 21, are on the move. One area is now moving into out of the Caribbean and into the eastern Atlantic Ocean while the other is now moving over the southeastern Bahamas and Hispaniola on a northwest track.
More Cyclones Current Events and Cyclones News Articles
 |
Park Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Cleaner by Park Tool The CM-5 Cyclone Chain Scrubber uses an extra large solvent reservoir and a series of rotating brushes to get chains really clean. A magnet at the bottom of the Cyclone’s solvent reservoir draws particles scrubbed from the chain, effectively keeping them from being redistributed on the chain during cleaning. Durable sponge material draws solvent from the chain as it exits the Cyclone, reducing drips and mess. To make it easy to control and use, we’ve even added a handle. Works with all multi-speed bikes and some single-speed models. |
 |
Antec Cyclone Blower Case Fan for Any Expansion Slot by Antec Antec, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computer products, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Fremont, California. Antec has taken the lead in the computer case, multimedia peripheral, and power supply markets.This low noise Cyclone Blower fits into any expansion slot. It produces 40% more cooling effect than conventional 80mm case fans, being at the same time rather quiet. |
 |
Woodstock W2049 Mini 2-Stage Cyclone Separator by WOODSTOCK Turn your Shop-Vac into a Dust Collection System! This new mini- 2 stage separator collects all the wood chips, sand and debris for easy disposal. Fits over a standard 5 gallon bucket (not included). An Incredible Invention! |
 |
Middle Cyclone Neko Case (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Middle Cyclone by Neko Case The fifteen-track Middle Cyclone is Neko Case's first release since 2006's Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, the best-reviewed and best-selling album of her career. Middle Cyclone was produced by Case with Darryl Neudorf and recorded in Tucson, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Vermont. It features Case backed by her core band - guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, backing vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse, and drummer Barry Mirochnick - along with numerous guests including M. Ward, Garth Hudson, Sarah Harmer, and members of The New Pornographers, Los Lobos, Calexico, The Sadies, Visqueen, The Lilys, and Giant Sand, among others. In addition to twelve new songs written by Case, Middle Cyclone includes covers of 'Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth' by Sparks, and "Don't... |
 |
Remanufactured Dyson DC17 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner by Dyson Having already revolutionized the vacuum with the world-renowned patented Root Cyclone technology, Dyson takes it another step further with the new Dyson Absolute with Level 3 Root Cyclone technology. Dyson Absolute has constant suction, better pick-up across all floor surfaces, is easier to use, and out clean all other vacuums, room after room. Designed for pet owners, this Animal version boasts a mini turbine head to clean fur from stairs, sofas - even cars - and it comes with a low reach floor tool, perfect for cleaning under beds and other furniture. Factory Reconditioned |
 |
Easton SK37 Cyclone slow pitch Softball Bat (34 Inch/28 oz) by Easton 12" barrel length |
 |
Antec SUPER CYCLONE FAN Dual 3-SPEED Exhuast Fan Mnts In 2 Expansion Slots by Antec Antec improves case cooling with the Super Cyclone Blower. This fan is perfect for keeping all your components cool. It pulls hot air from your expansion cards and exhausts it from the case completely! High, medium and low speed selectable according to your needs.PRODUCT FEATURES: 3-speed switch lets you balance quiet performance with maximum cooling; Fits in 2 expansion slots; Exhausts hot air out of your system protecting your valuable investment and extending its life.le investment and extending its life. |
 |
Air Hogs R/C Havoc Cyclone Airplane - Styles May Vary by Spin Master The Havoc Cyclone is the first airplane that performs incredible stunts indoors! Verticle rolls, loops and stall are just some of the great tricks that you can perform all in an average sized living room. But not only is the Havoc Cyclone a great stunt plane it is also a smooth and easy indoor flyer, which can be flown in a small space. Charge from charger/controller for 5-6 minutes. |
 |
Cyclone Starring: Martine Beswicke, Jeffrey Combs, Jr. Tim Conway, Jack Davidson, Troy Donahue Also With: Paul Elliot (Cinematographer), David A. Jackson (Composer) Studio: Platinum Disc Llc Release Date: 07/09/2002 Run time: 89 minutes |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |