what if the government shutdown forced the closing of the water cycle? a thought experiment douglas...
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What if the government shutdown forced the closing of the water cycle?
A thought experimentDouglas Miller – UNC Asheville
http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/images/kgo/cms_exf_2007/news/local/san_francisco/9270008_600x338.jpg
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
What is a thought experiment?
Our thought experimentGovernment shutdown shutdown of water vapor-making processes
Stepped ArtFig. 2-3, p. 30
Our thought experiment
Government shutdown shutdown of water vapor-making processes
Not allowed…liquid vaporice vapor
evaporation (or transpiration)sublimationX
Our thought experiment
Government shutdown shutdown of water vapor-making processes
XX
Our thought experiment
Within one week, water vapor would reach a minimum valueno more cloud production no more precipitation
XX
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
Xreduced
increased
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
XX
reduced
increased
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on global circulation
Would the global circulation still happen?
Yes, likely weaker
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on synoptic scale weather
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on synoptic scale weather
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on synoptic scale weather
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on synoptic scale weather
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on synoptic scale weather
Would the synoptic scale weather still happen?
Yes, likely weaker
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
http://people.cas.sc.edu/carbone/modules/mods4car/tropcycl/pages/easterlywave.html
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on hurricanes
Ivan, Sept. 2004
Would hurricanes still happen?
No!!!
Outline• What is a thought experiment?• Impact of water vapor source
shutdown• Global circulation• Synoptic scale weather• Hurricanes• Tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on tornadoes
http://okcstormwatcher.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/tornado-emergency-in-tuscaloosa-alabama/
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on tornadoes
Impact of water vapor source shutdown on tornadoes
Would tornadoes still happen?
No!!!
The end of our thought experiment