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Keeping Europe from Freezing

Keeping Europe from Freezing. Alyson Hoegg Meteo 482 http://geology.com/world/europe-physical-map.shtml. Average Winter Highs in Madrid and Chicago. Madrid, Spain December - 48°F January - 50°F February - 54°F Chicago, Illinois December - 35 °F January - 31 °F February - 36 °F

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Keeping Europe from Freezing

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  1. Keeping Europe from Freezing Alyson Hoegg Meteo 482 http://geology.com/world/europe-physical-map.shtml

  2. Average Winter Highs in Madrid and Chicago • Madrid, Spain • December - 48°F • January - 50°F • February - 54°F • Chicago, Illinois • December - 35°F • January - 31°F • February - 36°F http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0225 http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/en/weather/weather-madrid.html

  3. Why is this the case? • AixueHufocuses on the globe-spanning, endlessly looping current known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. • Brings warm water from the South Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans northward along the eastern coast of the Americas. Screenshot from NASA's High-Def animation of surface currents. Credit: NASA.

  4. Why is this the case? • At about Massachusetts, the warm water turns toward Europe. • Due to how the warm water effects the weather, surface temperatures are warmer in western Europe. • The water then cools, becomes denser, and sinks to create a sub-surface current that runs south. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream

  5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermohaline_circulation

  6. Fresh Water Problems • Adding fresh water from melting ice caps in the North Atlantic causes the ocean water in the current to become more dilute. • Makes it harder for surface water to sink when it is cold. • If enough ice is melted, the conveyor belt could stop completely. http://futurepredictions.com/2012/03/future-melting-ice-cap-details-beyond-belief-as-coastal-regions-get-ready-to-move-to-higher-ground/

  7. Solution to the problem!! • The Bering Strait • When open, water flows into the Arctic Ocean and into the North Atlantic. • Pacific Ocean water is less salty than the Atlantic. • The current is in a constant state of mild dilution. • More freshwater dumped into the Atlantic, only adds to the dilution and slows the conveyor belt gradually. http://psc.apl.washington.edu/switchyard/overview_pages/circulation.html

  8. Solution to the problem!! • The Bering Strait • When it is closed, the conveyor belt is undiluted. • A lot of freshwater put into the conveyor, it can cause a shock to the system and cause the conveyor to completely stop. • Western Europe will lose a source of heat!! http://www.eoearth.org/article/Climate_Solutions:_Chapter_4

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