Give a general taxonomy of air masses and elaborate on the process of air mass development.
Climate Tipping Point - According to International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - "Climate tipping points refers to the thresholds beyond which small changes in climate forcing forcing can trigger large, abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in climate system". Critical concerns of Climate TRead more
Climate Tipping Point –
According to International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – “Climate tipping points refers to the thresholds beyond which small changes in climate forcing forcing can trigger large, abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in climate system”.
Critical concerns of Climate Tipping Point –
- It’s impact on agriculture and global food system led to food insecurity.
- Extreme weather patterns led to increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts and storms
- Threat to the coastal communities due to increase in sea level by thawing ice sheets and glaciers.
- Chances of ecosystem collapse because of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Water scarcity due to change in water precipitation patterns and melting glaciers.
- Changes are irreversible in nature.
- Tipping points initiate the chain reaction and affect multiple systems.
- It causes risk to human health and well being with addition to Economic instability and losses .
Climate tipping point is a critical concern to us and to mitigate this we have to follow few processes like reducing immediate emissions to limit warming, transition to renewable energy sources, climate resilient infrastructure and their adoption with the help of international cooperation and governance.
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Jet streams play a significant role in altering the global and regional climate.
(i) The Mediterranean climatic regions are found in the western parts of the continents within the latitudinal zone of 30°-45° in both hemispheres. The Sub-Tropical High-Pressure Belts extending between 30°-35° latitudes are characterized by dry trade winds during the summer season and anti-cyclonic conditions. This belt extends up to 40° latitudes in the Northern hemisphere at the time of summer solstice and in the Southern hemisphere at the time of winter solstice. Thus, the western parts of the continents within the zone of 30°-40° latitudes do not receive rainfall during the summer season. On the other hand, the Sub-Tropical Belt shifts towards the Equator at the time of winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere and at the time of summer solstice in the Southern hemisphere. Consequently, the zone is characterized by the Westerlies, which lead to precipitation during the winter season. The Mediterranean type of climate is thus characterized by dry summers and wet winters. (ii) The regions lying between 60°-70° latitudes are characterized by two types of winds in a year. With the northward migration of the sun at the time of summer solstice, the Polar Easterlies are weakened because the Westerlies extend over these areas due to the northward shifting of Sub-Polar Low-Pressure Belts. The situation is reversed at the time of winter solstice when there is southward migration of the sun. The Polar Easterlies are re-established between 60°-70°N because of the shifting of the belt of the Westerlies southward. Consequently, it creates a climate characterized by wet summers through the Westerlies and associated cyclones and dry winters due to Polar Easterlies. (iii) Monsoon climate is also the result of the shifting of pressure and wind belts. Due to the northward migration of the sun in the Northern hemisphere at the time of summer solstice, the North Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (NITCZ) is extended up to 30°N latitude over the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Thus, the Equatorial Westerlies are also extended over the aforesaid regions, which become the southwest or summer monsoons. These southwest monsoon winds bring much rain because they come from over the ocean and are associated with tropical cyclones. The NITCZ is withdrawn from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia because of the southward shifting of pressure and wind belts due to the southward migration of the sun at the time of winter solstice. Thus, north-east trades are re-established which leads to the north-east or winter monsoons. Since they come from over the lands, they are dry.
An air mass is a large volume of air defined by its temperature and water vapour content. The geographical region and the specific conditions of the region where an air mass forms influence its characteristics significantly. Understanding the formation and classification of air masses is pivotal inRead more
An air mass is a large volume of air defined by its temperature and water vapour content. The geographical region and the specific conditions of the region where an air mass forms influence its characteristics significantly. Understanding the formation and classification of air masses is pivotal in meteorology, offering insights into weather patterns and climatic conditions.
Process of Air Mass Formation
General Classification of Air Masses
Understanding these classifications helps in predicting weather phenomena, aiding meteorologists in forecasting weather patterns accurately and understanding climate dynamics at various geographical locations. It forms the crux of weather prediction science, offering insights into how different regions experience diverse weather patterns.
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