Jet stream shift could prompt harsher winters: scientists

[Jesus Malverde]

A warmer Arctic could permanently affect the pattern of the high-altitude polar jet stream, resulting in longer and colder winters over North America and northern Europe, US scientists say.

The jet stream, a ribbon of high altitude, high-speed wind in northern latitudes that blows from west to east, is formed when the cold Arctic air clashes with warmer air from further south.

The greater the difference in temperature, the faster the jet stream moves.

According to Jennifer Francis, a climate expert at Rutgers University, the Arctic air has warmed in recent years as a result of melting polar ice caps, meaning there is now less of a difference in temperatures when it hits air from lower latitudes.

"The jet stream is a very fast moving river of air over our head," she said Saturday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"But over the past two decades the jet stream has weakened. This is something we can measure," she said.

Read More: http://news.yahoo.com/jet-stream-shift-could-prompt-harsher-winters-scientists-132931128.html

[Adrahil]

1. About 3 years ago...

I read a website that posited this as a distinct possibility as a result of Global Warming. He also said it was possible the Gulf Stream could shift making Britain very cold.

[Jesus Malverde]

2. I would hate to be a farmer in these uncertain times.

The central valley farms of California will struggle with out water.

[on point]

4. Or perhaps a food eater

[Jesus Malverde]

5. We are in for a bumpy ride...

[Distant Quasar]

3. This is doubly bad news

Because harsher winters will only strengthen the deniers and help them sow confusion among the very many people who have trouble understanding the complexity of the interaction between global warming and local weather.