Latest news with #NorthAtlanticOscillation
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
U'khand emerging as hotspot for extreme climate events: Study
Dehradun: A new scientific study published in the 'Journal of the Geological Society of India' has confirmed what many in Uttarakhand have long feared -- the state is fast becoming a hotspot for extreme weather events. The study flagged alarming trends in rainfall variability, surface runoff and rising temperatures, alongside a sharp spike in cloudbursts and flash floods, especially since 2010. Conducted by geoscientists from Doon University, Wadia Institute and Delhi University, the study -- published in the July issue -- analysed nearly four decades (1982-2020) of climate data using satellite-based models. The findings suggested that Uttarakhand is increasingly vulnerable to both monsoon and non-monsoon extreme weather, driven by a complex interplay of regional climatic shifts and global phenomena such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole. Researchers observed a distinct increase in extreme rainfall and surface runoff events post-2010. From 1998 to 2009, the state saw rising temperatures and unusually low rainfall -- a trend that coincided with weakened global climate oscillations. But after 2010, the pattern reversed, particularly in central and western Uttarakhand, accompanied by a surge in cloudbursts. "Analysing cloudburst and extreme rainfall events in Uttarakhand between 1970 and 2021 reveals a clear increase in frequency after 2010," said YP Sundriyal, professor at Doon University and lead author of the study. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo The study examined 140 extreme hydro-meteorological events, most clustered between 30°-31°N latitude and 79°–80.5°E longitude -- a zone aligned with the Main Central Thrust (MCT), a major geological fault line. Rudraprayag and Bageshwar districts emerged as key hotspots, owing to the region's geological fragility and the influence of orographic lifting. While seasonal temperature variations were less erratic than rainfall, consistent warming was observed in the northern glaciated zones, especially in upper Rudraprayag and Bageshwar. These areas also showed increasing surface radiative temperature, which the researchers said may correlate with glacial retreat and heightened flood risk. Notably, the study challenged the prevailing assumption that extreme rainfall events in the region are primarily driven by positive ENSO or Indian Ocean Dipole phases. "The relationship is more nuanced than previously thought," the authors noted, suggesting that local moisture transport patterns and Himalayan topography may exert stronger influence on regional climate dynamics. The authors called for urgent district-level climate adaptation planning, better early warning systems and enhanced monitoring in high-risk zones, especially as Uttarakhand continues to face cascading climate challenges.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany's Power Market Bailed Out by Gas Plants as Wind Plunges
(Bloomberg) -- Germany added more onshore wind turbines in the past decade than any other European country, but a severe slump in output this month shows how the nation's energy system is still at the mercy of the weather and its old fossil-fuel plants. Gold-Rush Fever Returns to Historic New Zealand Mining Town Why Did the Government Declare War on My Adorable Tiny Truck? How SUVs Are Making Traffic Worse Trump Slashed International Aid. Geneva Is Feeling the Impact. These US Bridges Face High Risk of Catastrophic Ship Strikes Wind speeds slumped about 12% in March from a year earlier, because of a North Atlantic ocean pattern that put Germany in an unusually long-lasting high-pressure bullseye. That sent average daily power generation from the nation's thousands of turbines to its lowest level since 2016 and kept power prices elevated. The slump highlights how once again Europe's biggest power market has to be bailed out by its legacy coal and gas plants and how difficult it will be for Germany to substantially reduce emissions from its power sector. Not only are those stations more expensive to operate, they lead to more pollution. 'Low wind levels, despite higher installed capacity, means fossil-fuels have remained a leading component of the generation mix,' said Florence Schmit, an energy strategist at Rabobank. 'German and by default neighboring European power markets are struggling' to see substantial declines, she said. As a result, average day-ahead prices are 48% higher this month than a year ago, and almost at the same levels as the tail end of Europe's energy crisis in 2023. The low wind speeds have been driven by the path of air pressure linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation, a see-saw pattern located over the ocean between the Azores and Iceland, according to data from Atmospheric G2. That path split in March, sending one low-pressure track south into Spain and another across Scandinavia, said Matt Dobson, a meteorologist with MetDesk. The split created a persistent area of high pressure over the UK and Germany, which smothered wind speeds. But it did create unseasonably warm, sunny conditions that led solar power output to surge in the region. 'March 2025 has certainly been remarkable for renewable generation over northwest and Central Europe,' Dobson said. In the winter, similar high-pressure patterns also lead to low wind speeds and they become a magnet for low-lying clouds, he said. That's a combination that can create 'Dunkelflaute' conditions with low power generation from wind turbines and solar panels. The shift to more renewables shows no sign of slowing down. Germany is set to add record amounts of wind capacity every year until 2030, according to BloombergNEF. But as nations continue to add renewable capacity, balancing the intermittent generation will be more of a challenge with storage not yet at scale to handle the swings in wind generation. According to BNEF, wind levels held below the the 10-year average for 38 consecutive days, only rising above it on March 21. Based upon the atmospheric pressure trends, BNEF sees Germany's wind deficit persisting into next month. The deficit of wind boosted the reliance on gas-fired generation, which was up 51% in February year-on-year, said Jess Hicks, an analyst at BloombergNEF. The source has remained high in March too, even as solar power is rising in prominence, she said. Read: Europe's Dark, Windless Days Show Risk of Renewables Rollout Business Schools Are Back Israel Aims to Be the World's Arms Dealer Google Is Searching for an Answer to ChatGPT A New 'China Shock' Is Destroying Jobs Around the World Trump's IRS Cuts Are Tempting Taxpayers to Cheat ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Higher Emissions Mean More Winter Storms for Europe
Welcome to Weather Watch, our weekly newsletter on how the planet's ever wilder weather patterns are impacting the global economy. Got feedback and forecasts? Write us at weatherteam@ And sign up here if you're not on the list already. Global carbon emissions are amplifying the North Atlantic Oscillation, a major wind pattern that drives northern Europe's biggest winter storms.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office says 'unprecedented changes' to weather could have severe impact on UK
A groundbreaking new study reveals that changes to North Atlantic winds could have major impacts on UK weather by the end of the century. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) could reach unprecedented magnitudes by the end of the century. Today the weather agency has outlined what impacts the changes could have on the UK and beyond. Including key findings from the study. A study led by a team of Met Office climate scientists, identifies climatological water vapour as a significant factor governing differences in long-term fluctuations in the NAO across climate model simulations. This is a key force behind UK weather patterns. READ MORE: Drink driver killed two pedestrians on way home from buying cocaine READ MORE: Couple found dead in van 'hours after being followed by police' The research shows that limitations in the way that current climate models represent water vapour in the atmosphere lead to uncertainty in predictions of the NAO's future behaviour. In the next few decades, experts believe the NAO could hit record-breaking extremes, bringing frequent and intense storms, flooding, and severe damage. The findings indicate that under a scenario with very high concentrations of greenhouse gases by the end of the century, the NAO will increase to levels never before seen, posing severe risks of impacts from extreme weather such as flooding and storm damage. Lead author of the study, Dr Doug Smith, shared the urgency of the findings: "These findings have major implications for understanding and preparing for extreme weather events. "Our study suggests that taking model projections at face value could leave society unprepared for impending extremes. Mitigation efforts are crucial to prevent the severe impacts associated with an unprecedented increase in the NAO." According to the Met Office, The North Atlantic Oscillation is a "large-scale atmospheric pressure see-saw" in the North Atlantic region. Changes in local weather patterns such as temperature, rainfall and wind strength/direction are strongly influenced by changing local pressure patterns. Low pressure over the UK is accompanied by unsettled conditions with a tendency to form cloud, while high pressure is associated with more settled conditions and clearer skies. The new research reveals that changes in water vapour, volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases could drive the NAO to disastrous levels by 2100. The research reveals the NAO's significant response to external forcing's such as volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases. Also shown by the breakthrough is the importance of mitigation efforts to avoid severe impacts from an unprecedented increase in the NAO. The weather agency says: "these impacts could be mitigated through efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." By identifying major sources of predictability, the Met Office has demonstrated that the winter NAO and key aspects of European and North American winter climate are in fact predictable months ahead. This represents a key breakthrough in climate prediction capability. The Met Office forecasts can allow more time to prepare for increased or decreased likelihood of associated weather events, such as damaging winter storms, high near surface wind-speeds and extreme temperatures.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists sound alarm over troubling phenomena forcing them to 'rethink' everything: 'Predictability has become more challenging'
At a recent meeting in Washington, scientists raised concerns about a troubling shift in climate patterns: the growing unpredictability of extreme weather events, per Bloomberg. This unpredictability makes forecasting more difficult and leaves communities less prepared for extreme conditions. As key climate systems behave in unexpected ways, researchers are struggling to adjust their models accordingly. Bloomberg reports they need to "rethink" everything, as "predictability has become more challenging." One key topic was the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), a climate pattern that influences how mild or cold the winters are in North America and Europe. However, Princeton researcher Ivan Mitevski explained that rising carbon dioxide levels are pushing the NAO into a phase that leads to mild temperatures rather than cold ones. Flood modeling is another area facing challenges. In fact, Fathom chief scientist Oliver Wing criticized and questioned the validity of some widely used models, suggesting that in some cases, "a chimpanzee could do a better job." This unpredictability complicates worldwide efforts to prepare for extreme weather. For example, six major storms hit the Philippines in just three weeks — a situation nearly twice as likely due to warming global temperatures, according to one study cited by Bloomberg. Similarly, extreme weather has disrupted agriculture. For example, hurricane damage to Florida's orange crops is affecting local economies and food security. If these trends continue, the gap between climate models and reality could widen, making it harder to protect vulnerable communities and infrastructure. In response, researchers are exploring solutions like geoengineering, which would cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight away from the surface. However, this developing area isn't without risk and uncertainty about unintended effects. Jean-Francois Lamarque, a climate scientist with the nonprofit SilverLining, suggests that studying natural systems may provide safer, more reliable alternatives. On the policy side, there's some concern over funding cuts to climate research. For instance, the Project 2025 roadmap proposes slashing funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at a time when countries like China are ramping up climate research efforts. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Both personal and collective action are necessary for a resilient future. Individuals can help by supporting organizations focused on environmental issues and raising awareness about the benefits of eco-friendly policies — and supporting policymakers who are ready to take legislative action. Finally, simple steps, such as swapping out conventional light bulbs for the more energy-efficient LED variety, can help reduce planet-warming pollution that's causing the planet to overheat and supercharging extreme weather events. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
