Science Magazine - Atmosphere Growing Wetter, Matches Warming Models

[hatrack]

MIAMI — Scientists analyzing 20 years of satellite data have confirmed an atmospheric spike in a prime fuel behind global warming, according to a study in the current issue of the journal Science.

The finding is important because it used real-world readings to verify what computer simulations have predicted is happening in a key zone of Earth's atmosphere, said Brian Soden, a University of Miami scientist and lead author of the study. It's getting wetter up there, which means it's getting hotter down here.

"This is one of the first studies to show it is increasing at the same rate as the models suggest," said Soden, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

EDIT

Water vapor occurs naturally, driving the rain cycle and keeping the planet from being too cold, he said. But as global temperatures rise — from carbon-dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuel, other industrial emissions and deforestation — moisture in the atmosphere builds up with it, forming a blanket that further raises temperatures, Soden said. "The CO2 is the trigger," he said, "and water vapor acts as an amplifier." Models suggest the impact is profound. Current projections predict average global temperatures rising five degrees Fahrenheit by century's end, Soden said. Without the water-vapor increase, he said, models predict a 2-degree rise.

EDIT

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002545205_warm07.html

[philb]

1. But not all such leads to sea level rise; only in most areas- in Antarctic

the increased water vapor in the air is leading to increased snow in some areas and thus the thickness of ice in some areas of Antarctica is growing, counteracting the rapid melting of glaciers elsewhere in the world to a small degree- slowing the rise of sea level.

[hatrack]

2. True - a few glaciers in NZ, Antarctica & small areas of Greenland thicker

But the overwhelming majority of glaciers worldwide (as in 90%) are at best static, and in most cases retreating.

There's also thermal expansion of oceans, which accounts for part of the rise as well.

[hankthecrank]

3. What about the deep ocean currents

What's this going to do to these world currents. They are what keeps temps more even.

[Nihil]

4. "When desperate, revert to humour"

There's something strangely amusing that a report about the atmosphere
getting wetter was written by a chap named Sod(d)en ...

Yet another cheerful Hatrack note on which to end the day?
(Still thanks for posting it though! :hi:)