global climate change-major content - ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3...

45
6/6/2017 1 www.ranjan.net.np Natural Climate Change (Including Paleoclimate- Changes in Climate) The Hydrologic Cycle Associate Professor, Geodisaster Research Center, Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal Visiting Professor Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, JAPAN Visiting Associate Professor Center for Disaster Management Informatics Research, Ehime University, JAPAN Fellow Academician Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Ranjan Kumar Dahal, PhD, PostDoc, M.ASCE www.ranjan.net.np Global Climate Change- major content 10 hours Introduction to the Climate System Global Energy Balance, Radiate - (Light & Heat) Transfer and Climate Energy Balance at the Surface Natural Climate Change (Including Paleoclimate- Changes in Climate) The Hydrologic Cycle Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms Anthropogenic Climate Change International Climate Change Bilateral and Multilateral Negotiations

Upload: others

Post on 02-Oct-2020

3 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

1

www.ranjan.net.np

Natural Climate Change (Including Paleoclimate- Changes in Climate)The Hydrologic Cycle

Associate Professor, Geodisaster Research Center, Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Visiting ProfessorFaculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, JAPAN

Visiting Associate ProfessorCenter for Disaster Management Informatics Research, Ehime University, JAPAN

Fellow AcademicianNepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)

Ranjan Kumar Dahal, PhD, PostDoc, M.ASCE

www.ranjan.net.np

Global Climate Change- major content10 hours

Introduction to the Climate System

Global Energy Balance, Radiate - (Light & Heat) Transfer and Climate

Energy Balance at the Surface

Natural Climate Change (Including Paleoclimate-Changes in Climate)

The Hydrologic Cycle

Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms

Anthropogenic Climate Change

International Climate Change Bilateral and Multilateral Negotiations

Page 2: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

2

www.ranjan.net.np

Before we begin: – review of last class1. “Sky is blue” justify this statement.

2. We have four seasons. Why?

3. Differentiate “Leaky Green House effect” and “Normal Green House effect”

4. Write surface energy balance equation.

www.ranjan.net.np

Basic Concepts: energy budget of the earth-atmosphere system

Page 3: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

3

www.ranjan.net.np

Overview – Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change

Causes of Global Climate Change

Effects of Climate ChangeMelting Ice and Rising Sea

Level Changes in Precipitation

Patterns Effects on Organisms Effects on Human Health Effects on Agriculture

Dealing with Global Climate Change

www.ranjan.net.np

What is Climate Change? Climate is the average weather at a given point and

time of year, over a long period (typically 30 years).

We expect the weather to change a lot from day to day, but we expect the climate to remain relatively constant.

If the climate doesn’t remain constant, we call it climate change.

The key question is what is a significant change –and this depends upon the underlying level of climate variability

Crucial to understand difference between climate change and climate variability…

Page 4: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

4

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate Change Evidence for Climate Change

11 of the 12 years between 1995 and 2006 were among the twelve warmest years since the mid-1800s

Phenological spring in N. hemisphere now comes 6 days earlier

Warming is not due to natural causes

Human produced greenhouse gases are most plausible explanation

www.ranjan.net.np

Key Sources of Information

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (www.ipcc.ch)

Authoritative reports supported by >95% of climate scientists

Fourth assessment report (AR4) published 2007

Page 5: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

5

www.ranjan.net.np

Causes Greenhouse gas concentrations increasing

www.ranjan.net.np

Earth’s carbon cycle

Page 6: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

6

www.ranjan.net.np

Methane and other greenhouse gases

Generally present at lower concentrations than CO2.

More complicated molecules with more polar bonds have more and stronger IR absorption bands –global warming potential (GWP).

Relative importance is given by the product of concentration and GWP.

Atmospheric lifetime is important – of the long-lived greenhouse gases (LLGHGs), methane has the shortest lifetime, being susceptible to reaction with OH.

www.ranjan.net.np

Methane 40% from natural sources

Decaying vegetation, marsh gas.

Agriculture, especially rice paddies with anaerobic bacteria.

Ruminants (cattle and sheep)

Page 7: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

7

www.ranjan.net.np

Nitrous oxide (NO2) “laughing gas”

Bacterial conversion of nitrate (NO-3) from

soils

Catalytic converters

Ammonia fertilizers

Biomass burning

Nylon and nitric acid manufacture

www.ranjan.net.np

The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming

• Greenhouse effect: greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O, N2O, O3, CH4, CFCs) absorb energy of longwave radiation and re-radiate some energy back to the earth’s surface to keep it warm

• Without greenhouse gases, the earth’s surface air temperature would be much colder

• If the amount of greenhouse gases increase, the surface air temperature will increase (global warming)

Page 8: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

8

www.ranjan.net.np

www.ranjan.net.np

CH4: natural gas production, landfills, agriculture, global warmingN2O: NO3

- (bacteria), automobiles, industrial processes

Page 9: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

9

www.ranjan.net.np

Increased concentration of CO2

(right)

Burning fossil fuels in cars, industry and homes

Deforestation

Burning of forests

Causes

www.ranjan.net.np

Greenhouse Effect

Page 10: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

10

www.ranjan.net.np

Other Pollutants Cool the Atmosphere

Atmospheric Aerosols tend to cool the atmosphere

Both human and natural sources

Tiny particles that remain in troposphere for weeks or months

Contain many chemicals, but often contain sulfur

Complicates models of climate change

www.ranjan.net.np

Page 11: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

11

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate Change-Mean Annual Global Temperature 1960-2005

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate Change Terminology Greenhouse Gas

Gas that absorbs infrared radiation Ex: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,

chlorofluorocarbons and tropospheric ozone Positive Feedback

Change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changed condition

Infrared Radiation Radiation that has a wavelength that is longer than

that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves

Greenhouse Effect Increase of heat in a system where energy enters

(often as light), is absorbed as heat, and released sometime later

Page 12: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

12

www.ranjan.net.np

100 0.0740.018

50 0.1280.026

Warmest 12 years:1998,2005,2003,2002,2004,2006, 2001,1997,1995,1999,1990,2000

Period Rate

Years /decade

Global mean temperatures are rising faster with time

www.ranjan.net.np

Global surface temperature 1855-2010

How is this curve calculated?

Page 13: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

13

www.ranjan.net.np

Observed surface temperature trend

Trends significant at the 5% level indicated with a ‘+’. Grey: insufficient data

www.ranjan.net.np

Other evidence of Climate Change

Glacier retreat

Page 14: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

14

www.ranjan.net.np

www.ranjan.net.np

Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

1957

1998

Page 15: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

15

www.ranjan.net.np

Glaciers and frozen ground are receding

Area of seasonally frozen ground in NH has decreasedby 7% from 1901 to 2002Increased Glacier retreat since the

early 1990s

www.ranjan.net.np

Snow cover and Arctic sea ice are decreasing

Spring snow covershows 5% stepwise drop during 1980s

Arctic sea ice area decreased by 2.7% per decade(Summer: -7.4%/decade)

Page 16: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

16

www.ranjan.net.np

Other evidence of Climate Change Ocean heat content has increased

Temperatures in the Atlantic:

www.ranjan.net.np

Change in heat content over last 50 years

Page 17: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

17

www.ranjan.net.np

Rise in global ocean heat content 1955-2005

Some ups and downs, but clear overall increase

Levitus et al., 2005, GRL

www.ranjan.net.np

34

Page 18: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

18

www.ranjan.net.np

Sea-level from satellites: 4 cm rise

in last 10 years

www.ranjan.net.np

Page 19: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

19

www.ranjan.net.np

Evidence from Phenology (timings of natural events)

www.phenology.org.uk

www.ranjan.net.np

Some aspects of climate have not been observed to change:

Tornadoes

Dust-storms

Hail

Lightning

Antarctic sea ice

Direct Observations of Recent Climate Change

Page 20: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

20

www.ranjan.net.np

Warming in last 100 years appears exceptional. But is the uncertainty range (the spread of different reconstructions) large enough?

Northern Hemisphere Temperature AD 700-2000 –several different reconstructions from proxy data

www.ranjan.net.np

Ice cores – store past samples of the atmosphere

Bubbles of airtrapped whenice formed

Analyse oxygen isotopes => Temperature

Page 21: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

21

www.ranjan.net.np

www.ranjan.net.np

Page 22: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

22

www.ranjan.net.np

Effects of Global Climate Change Ocean as CO2 sink - excess CO2 is starting to harm

ocean life

www.ranjan.net.np

Effects of Global Climate Change-Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels Sea level rise caused in 2 ways

Thermal Expansion Water expands as it warms

Melting of land ice Retreat of glacier and thinning of ice at the

poles

Melting has positive feedback

Increased melting decreases ice, which decreases albedo leading to further warming

Page 23: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

23

www.ranjan.net.np

Case-In-Point Impacts in Fragile Areas

Eskimo Inuit live traditional life dictated by freezing climate

Climate change is altering their existence Wildlife are smaller or

displaced

Reduced snow cover and shorter river ice seasons

Thawing of permafrost (right)

www.ranjan.net.np

Some areas will get more water, some areas will have greater droughtsEx: Hurricanes will likely get stronger

Effects of Global Climate Change-Changing Precipitation Patterns

Page 24: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

24

www.ranjan.net.np

Zooplankton in parts of California Current have decreased by 80% since 1951

Effecting entire food chain

Decline in krill around Antarctica

Caused decrease in penguin populations

Species have shifted their geographic range

Migrating birds are returning to summer homes earlier

Food is not available at this time

Effects of Global Climate Change- Effects on Organisms

www.ranjan.net.np

Effects on Organisms - Coral Reefs

Coral reefs can be bleached (right) due to increase in water temperature

Affects coral symbiotes and makes them more susceptible to diseases to which they would otherwise be immune

Page 25: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

25

www.ranjan.net.np

Effect on Organisms - VegetationBeech Tree Range

www.ranjan.net.np

Effects on Human Health

Increased number of heat-related illnesses and deaths

Page 26: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

26

www.ranjan.net.np

Effects on Agriculture

Difficult to anticipate Productivity will increase in some areas and decrease

in others

Rise in sea level will inundate flood plains and river valleys (lush farmland)

Effect on pests is unknown

Warmer temperatures will decrease soil moisture- requiring more irrigation

Location (i.e. elevation and altitude) where certain crops can be grown may have to change

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate Models Climate affected by:

winds, clouds, ocean currents, and albedo

Used to explore past climate events

Advanced models can project future warming events

Models are only as good as the data and law used to program them They have limitations

Page 27: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

27

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate Models

www.ranjan.net.np

International Implicationsof Climate Change

Developed vs. Developing countries

Differing self-interests

Differing ability to meet the challenges of climate change

Page 28: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

28

www.ranjan.net.np

Dealing with Global Climate Change

To avoid the worst of climate change, CO2levels must be stabilized at 550ppm50% higher than current levels

Two ways to attempt to manage climate changeMitigation

Focuses on limiting greenhouse gas emissions to moderate global climate change

Adaptation Focuses on learning to live with to the

environmental changes and societal consequences brought about by global climate change

www.ranjan.net.np

Dealing with Global Climate Change- Relationship Between Mitigation and Adaptation

Page 29: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

29

www.ranjan.net.np

Dealing with Global Climate Change- Mitigation

Locate/invent alternative fuels to fossil fuels

Increase efficiency of cars and trucks

Sequestering carbon before it is emitted

Plant and Maintain trees to naturally sequester carbon

www.ranjan.net.np

Dealing with Global Climate Change-Adaptation Rising sea levels

and coastal populations

Move inland Construct

dikes and levees

Adapt to shifting agricultural zones

NYC sewer line

Page 30: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

30

www.ranjan.net.np

www.ranjan.net.np

60

Page 31: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

31

www.ranjan.net.np

Rate ofchangeofcombinedforcing

Grey bars:natural variabilitylast 650,000 yrs

IPCC(2007)

www.ranjan.net.np

Reduction of Carbon Emissions

Burn less fossil fuel: Turn down your thermostat

Plant Trees for shade and CO2 uptake

Insulate your house

Replace old appliances

Use compact fluorescence/led light bulbs

Use renewable energy

Page 32: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

32

www.ranjan.net.np

Climate change summary Global surface temperatures have risen by about

0.6°C since 1900 It is likely that this warming is larger than for any

century since 200AD, and that the 1990s were the warmest decade in the last millennium.

The warming differs in different parts of the world, but over the last 25 years, almost everywhere has warmed, and very few places have cooled.

Other changes have occurred, e.g.: Sea level has risen by about 20 cm, Ocean heat content has increased, Almost all mountain glaciers have retreated

Coincident with this global warming, levels of CO2(and other ‘greenhouse’ gases) have dramatically increased, to levels higher than those experienced for maybe millions of years.

Year Annual Monsoon

1963 1477.1

1964 1484.7 1423.9

1965 1131.6 1063.5

1966 1386.6 1312.2

1967 1068 962.6

1968 1131.8 1021.3

1969 2190.5 2045.2

1970 1601.7 1466.3

1971 2299.5 1855.1

1972 1701.7 1565.1

1973 1935.6 1329.9

1974 1220.8 1120.7

1975 2100.7 1933.5

1976 1182 1076.6

1977 1303.2 989.4

1978 2111.6 1886.7

1979 1106 703.2

1980 2122 1783.9

1981 2233.9 1790.4

1982 1696.8 1264.5

1983 1709.2 1083.2

1984 1418.5 1129.6

1985 2355.1 1879.2

1986 1585.4 1203.7

1987 1108.3 844.6

1988 1939.6 1549.8

1989 849.3 634.1

1990 2038.6 1683.6

1991 969.8 774.1

1992 715.7 572.4

1993 1039.8 929.5

1994 875.6 769.3

1995 676.4 509.4

1996 1088.4 819.5

1997 1242.5 802.7

1999

2000 1109.3 963

2001 1012.1 894.8

2002 899.5 662.1

2003 737.3 613.3

2004 520.5 471.5

2005 573.6 436.6

2006 940.9 773.8

2007 759 661.3

2008 87.2 43

2009 1067.1 759.6

2010 1256.7 1057.2

2011 1004.1 869.9

2012 1036.3 914.7

2013 1798.9 1451.5

The tables show Rainfall data from Surkhet station.Plot year vs rainfall graphs for annual and monsoon rainfalls and identify the trend line of both rainfall patterns

Class work

Time 30 min

Page 33: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

33

www.ranjan.net.np

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Year

Ave

rage

 Monsoon Rainfall (m

m)

Annual

Monsoon

Linear (Annual)

Linear (Monsoon)

An

nu

al a

nd

mo

nso

on

rai

nfa

ll

www.ranjan.net.np

Hydrological Cycle

• All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.

To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

Page 34: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

34

www.ranjan.net.np

Hydrologic CycleChange in Annual Precipitation

www.ranjan.net.np

Hydrologic CycleModeled Environmental Water Scarcity Index• Scarcity is where the amount of water removed from the system puts the • ecosystem at risk by tapping into the environmental water demand, i.e., the amount of water needed to sustain the integrity of the ecosystem• Areas above 0.4 are under ecosystem environmental stress• Areas higher than 0.8 (orange and red) are highly-stressed environmentally

Page 35: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

35

www.ranjan.net.np

The Water Cycle

425 Evaporation

71 Evapotranspiration

111 Precipitation

385 Precipitation

40 Vapor Transport

Surface Runoff

Groundwater Flow

Percolation40

Return Flow

1012 m3 per year

www.ranjan.net.np

Mean Global Precipitable Water (cm)• Annual Average

Page 36: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

36

www.ranjan.net.np

S.W. Seemann, J. Li, W.P. Menzel – Univ. Wisconsin, NOAA

Mean Global PrecipitableWater (cm)

• Seasonal variability

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationAtmospheric Saturation Processes

• Add moisture - Infrequent (Steam Fog)

• Cool to dew point temperature - Usual process

- Lifting

- Mixing

- Radiation

Page 37: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

37

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationCloud Formation

• Condensation process

- Condensation nuclei

> What are they?

‡ Sea salt‡ Combustion products - smoke‡ Dust - Clay from plowed fields

> What is their distribution?

• Decrease with height • More over cities than country• More over land than ocean - More giant nuclei over oceans

- Hygroscopic nuclei - Begin to attract water vapor at humidity as low as 70%

> What are they?

‡ Sea salt - Most common

www.ranjan.net.np

Types of Condensate

• Dew

- Caused by radiational cooling of a surface to the dewpoint temperature of the air

- Typical conditions

> Clear sky> Calm winds (little mixing)> Night time

- Dewpoint temperature above 0oC

Clouds and Precipitation

Page 38: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

38

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationTypes of Condensate

• Frost

- Caused by radiational cooling of a surface to the dewpoint temperature of

the air

- Typical conditions

> Clear Sky> Calm winds (little mixing)> Nighttime

- Dewpoint temperature below 0°C

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationTypes of Condensate• Fog

- Defined as a cloud on the ground

- Caused by

> Cooling of the air to its dewpoint temperature

‡ Most common cause‡ Types of “cooling fog”

◊ Radiation fog◊ Advection fog◊ Upslope fog

> Evaporation of enough water to saturate the atmosphere

‡ Least frequent cause‡ Types of “evaporation fog”

◊ Steam fog◊ Warm-rain fog

Page 39: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

39

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and Precipitation

Types of Condensate

• Haze

Caused by particles (“large”) that scatter all wavelengths of light equally

Increases as humidity becomes greater than 70% because of hygroscopic nuclei

• Cloud dropletsCooling of the air aloft to its dewpoint temperature

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationAtmospheric Particles

Name Diameter (cm) # per cm3

Large Ions 10-6 to 10-5 103 to 104

Smoke and Dust 10-5 to 10-4 variable

Large Condensation Nuclei 10-5 to 10-4 102

Giant Condensation Nuclei 10-4 to 10-2 1

Cloud Droplets 10-4 to 10-2

Rain Drops 10-2 to 1

Page 40: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

40

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and Precipitation

Particle Terminal Velocities

Particle Type Diameter (cm) m/s mphCondensation Nuclei 2 X 10-5 1 X 10-7 2 X 10-7

Small Cloud Droplets 1 X 10-5 3 X 10-3

Typical Cloud Droplets 2 X 10-3 1 X 10-2 2 X 10-2

Large Cloud Droplets 10-2 0.27 0.18

Small Rain Drops 0.1 4.0 8.9

Typical Rain Drops 0.2 6.5 14.6

Large Rain Drops 0.5 9.0 20.1

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationRaindrop Growth Process

• Raindrop 100 times larger diameter than cloud drop; 1,000,000 time larger volume

• How does this tremendous growth occur?

- Coalescence process - “Warm” clouds

> Terminal velocity

‡ Gravitational force‡ Pressure gradient force‡ Drag force

> Large drops fall faster than smaller drops> Large drops collect smaller drops

Page 41: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

41

www.ranjan.net.np

Cumulonimbus

AltostratusNimbostratus

Cumulus

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationPrecipitation Classification

• Drizzle- Small, numerous drops falling out of fog or low layer stratus clouds- Indicative of stable stratification with little vertical motion

• Intermittent or Continuous Precipitation- Rain or snow- Falling more or less evenly from altostratus or nimbostratus clouds- Caused by widespread and slow upward movement of large masses

of air

• Showers (Squalls, Flurries)- Precipitation with short duration with fair intervals- Caused by cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds, i.e, convection- Indicative of unstable stratification with fairly strong upward vertical

motion in localized regions

Page 42: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

42

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and Precipitation

Types of Precipitation

• Virgae- Rain that evaporates below cloud base, but before reaching the ground

• Rain- Lower atmosphere above freezing- Drops large enough to fall relative to

air motions

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationTypes of Precipitation

• Freezing Rain

- Ground at 0°C or colder- Very shallow layer of air near the ground

at near 0°C or colder- Layer of air above this shallow layer at

temperatures above 0°C

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/win121300.htm

Page 43: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

43

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and Precipitation

Types of Precipitation

• Sleet, Grauple, Ice Pellets

- Clear ice “drops”- Precipitation is in the form of liquid drops at

sometime as it falls- Deeper layer of air above the ground

at 0°C or colder- Layer of air above this deeper layer at

temperatures above 0°C

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationTypes of Precipitation

• Snow- Opaque ice crystals or flakes- Crystals form at temperatures below 0°C

by the process of deposition- No liquid phase- Ground at or near 0°C or colder- Layer of air above the ground at

temperatures below 0°C

http://www.ucar.edu/imagelibrary/1100-1133.html

Page 44: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

44

www.ranjan.net.np

Clouds and PrecipitationTypes of Precipitation

• Hail- Large balls or lumps of ice- Often formed of concentric

rings of clear and opaque ice

- Formed in clouds with strong updrafts, i.e., convective clouds

www.ranjan.net.np

THE WATER CYCLE

EVAPORATION

CONDENSATION

PRECIPITATION

SURFACE RUNOFF

INFILTRATION

TRANSPIRATION

A. Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail

B. Water vapor turning to liquid

C. Water flowing on the surface of the land

D. Plants are needed

E. Water absorbing into the soil

E. Liquid changing states to a gas

Draw lines to connect the parts of the water cycle to a description of the part

Page 45: Global Climate Change-major content - Ranjanranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf · 6/6/2017 3 Overview –Climate Change Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate

6/6/2017

45

www.ranjan.net.npwww.ranjan.net.np

7th Lecture

Next class

Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms

Anthropogenic Climate Change

Home work:1. Enter the data of annual rainfall and annual

monsoon rainfall in excel sheet and plot graphs with trend lines as prepared in the class work

2. The data is from Surkhet station western Nepal, what is your opinion on climate change scenario in the Surkhet region of western Nepal.

Submission Date: 2017/06/13, till 10 am.Lecture note:

http://www.ranjan.net.np/lectures/crisis/lect3.pdf