Everest, Tibet Largely Snow-Free Since December

[hatrack]

TIBET, the once snow-blanketed roof of the world, doesn't get much white stuff anymore, as temperatures and dry winds rise, and humidity falls. The likely culprit is global warming. Even the world's highest peak, Mt Qomolangma, or Mt Everest, is thirsting for snow. It hasn't snowed in most of Tibet for over two months. Experts link the situation to global warming, as Tibet is very sensitive to climate change.

"The absence of snow is a result of abnormal air circulation," said Daindzin, senior engineer with the regional meteorological bureau. "There's not enough cold current from the north or sufficient humid air from the Indian Ocean in the south — both essential for snow." Most areas have had no snow since early December, except for the Sengge Zangbo River and Burang County in Ngari Prefecture, Xainza County in Nagqu Prefecture and Nyalam County in Xigaze, said the meteorological bureau of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

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Lack of snowfall has led to higher temperatures and lower humidity across Tibet, said Daindzin. The average temperature in most parts of Tibet last November and December was higher by 2 degrees Celsius than usual; in Nagqu Prefecture, the temperature rose 3 degrees Celsius.

Since the beginning of this year, most parts of Tibet reported temperature rises between 2 to 4 degrees, and the increase reached 6 to 7 degrees Celsius in Nagqu and Ngari prefectures. The daytime high in Lhasa has been hovering above 10 degrees Celsius for weeks, though half of China is frozen in one of the coldest seasons.

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http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/02/08/240858/Snowfall_slights_Tibet__Everest.htm

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1. They're going to start seeing MASSIVE droughts in Asia/India

Especially in China, where they're already losing the battle against desertification.

[phantom power]

2. Looks like the American southwest will be hot on their heels.

And for similar reasons.