Author: postMigrator

Scientists: Tropical Downpours Intensifying

  By

Tropical downpours worsening, say scientists
Thu Aug 7, 2008 2:02pm EDT   By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent

OSLO (Reuters) – Tropical downpours are becoming more frequent and the
trend seems worse than expected, bringing greater risks of flash floods,
scientists said on Thursday.

“As the tropics warm are seeing an increased frequency in the heaviest
rainfall,” said Richard Allan of the University of Reading in England, who
co-authored a study of tropical rains with Brian Soden of the University
of Miami.

Continue reading

Forecasters Increase Atlantic Basin Hurricane Outlook

  By

Forecasters increase Atlantic hurricane outlook
Could be up to 18 named storms

JENNIFER KAY Published: 08.08.2008

MIAMI – Federal forecasters on Thursday upgraded their outlook for this Atlantic hurricane season to include two more named storms than previously predicted.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects an 85 percent probability of an above-normal season — up from 65 percent in May.

In its August update, NOAA said there was a better than average chance of 14 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six hurricanes of at least Category 3 strength, which would be top sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Continue reading

Grasslands to Replace Most U.S. Forests?

  By Uncategorized

National Geographic News: NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/NEWS
August 6, 2008

Will Grasslands Overtake U.S. Forests Due to Warming?
William Cocke for National Geographic News

Climate change may cause grasslands to spread to
parts of the United States that are currently
covered in forest, a new study says.

If local climates become more extreme due to
global warming, then entire ecotones – boundaries
between ecosystems – could shift, the study says,
highlighting the central United States, where
prairie gives way to forests of the east.

Continue reading

Controversy Over Climate and Pacific Northwest Snowpack

  By Uncategorized

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008094636_climate06m.html

The Seattle Times
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 – Page updated at 12:00 AM

UW study examines decline of snowpack
By Warren Cornwall

Seattle Times environment reporter

Maybe the snow in the Cascade Mountains isn’t in
such immediate peril from global warming after
all.

Despite previous studies suggesting a warmer
climate is already taking a bite out of
Washington’s snowpack, there’s no clear evidence
that human-induced climate change has caused a
drop in 20th century snow levels, according to a
new study by University of Washington scientists.

Continue reading