1 MET 112 Global Climate Change MET 112 Global Climate Change - Lecture 3 Clouds and global climate Dr. Eugene Cordero San Jose State University Outline  Water in the earth system  Clouds and the radiation budget  Seasons and energy balance  Atmospheric circulation  Climate Game

2 MET 112 Global Climate Change Questions  What role do clouds play on the Earth’s climate?  What would happen to our climate if clouds were to increase/decrease?

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5 Water in the atmosphere  Definitions: –Evaporation: –Condensation: –Precipitation:

6 MET 112 Global Climate Change Water in the atmosphere  Definitions: –Evaporation: –Condensation: –Precipitation: Process where a liquid changes into a gas Any liquid or solid water that falls from the atmosphere to the ground. (i.e. RAIN!) Process where a gas changes into a liquid

7 MET 112 Global Climate Change Water freely evaporating and condensing

8 MET 112 Global Climate Change Water freely evaporating and condensing Since more water molecules are evaporating than condensing, then net evaporation is occurring.

9 MET 112 Global Climate Change Lid on: The humidity is now 100%

10 MET 112 Global Climate Change Lid on: Now, evaporation and condensation are equal. The air above water is now called ‘saturated’. The humidity is now 100%

11 MET 112 Global Climate Change Condensation  The process by which water vapor changes to a cloud droplet  Water vapor molecules may ‘stick’ to condensation nuclei and grow (billions) to eventually form cloud droplet.  Examples of condensation nuclei include: a. a. b. b. c. c.  Condensation occurs primarily as temperature cools

12 MET 112 Global Climate Change Condensation  The process by which water vapor changes to a cloud droplet  Water vapor molecules may ‘stick’ to condensation nuclei and grow (billions) to eventually form cloud droplet.  Examples of condensation nuclei include: a. Dust b. Salt c. Smoke  Condensation occurs primarily as temperature cools: -colder the molecules more likely they are to ‘stick’ to other molecules

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15 MET 112 Global Climate Change Clouds and radiation Cloud - Climate Interactions Albedo effect - COOLING   The cloud droplet size and total water content determine the overall reflectivity. Greenhouse effect - WARMING 

16 MET 112 Global Climate Change Clouds and radiation Cloud - Climate Interactions Albedo effect - COOLING  Clouds reflect incoming solar radiation.  The cloud droplet size and total water content determine the overall reflectivity. Greenhouse effect - WARMING  Clouds are good absorbers (and emitters) of long wave (infrared) radiation.

17 MET 112 Global Climate Change Clouds and day to day temperatures Imagine that you are going camping in the Sierras with your friends. On the first day (and evening) it is cloudy, while on the second day (and evening) it is clear. Based on this information alone: Which day would be warmer? Which evening would be warmer? Explain your answers.

18 MET 112 Global Climate Change Which day would be warmer? 1.First day (clear) 2.Second day (cloudy) 3.Both the same 0 of 70

19 MET 112 Global Climate Change Which evening would be warmer? 1.First day (clear) 2.Second day (cloudy) 3.Both the same 0 of 70

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21 MET 112 Global Climate Change Low and High clouds Consider two types of clouds: 1.Low levels clouds 2.High levels clouds Q: How is the Earth’s surface energy budget different for low clouds compared to high clouds?

22 MET 112 Global Climate Change Clouds and Climate Cloud A: Low level, (dark, thick) Cloud B: High level, light (sub visible or thin) (sub visible or thin)

23 MET 112 Global Climate Change Clouds and climate Cloud A: Low level, (dark, thick) Cloud B: High level, light (sub visible or thin) (sub visible or thin) Excellent reflector of incoming radiation; good absorber/emitter of infrared radiation Fair/poor reflector of incoming radiation; good/excellent absorber/emitter of infrared radiation  So, clouds both warm and cool the earth.  Overall, though, clouds act to cool the earth

24 MET 112 Global Climate Change Changes in clouds  Increases in low level clouds will: –  Increases in high level clouds will:

25 MET 112 Global Climate Change Changes in clouds  Increases in low level clouds will: –cool the surface (cooling outweighs warming)  Increases in high level clouds will: –warm the surface (warming outweighs cooling)

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Explain how the earth’s climate would change as a result of aircarft contrails.

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36 MET 112 Global Climate Change 1.What percentage of the sun’s radiation is a)absorbed by the Earth’s surface? b)absorbed by the atmosphere c)reflected out to space? 2.What percentage of the energy received by the earth’s surface comes directly from greenhouse gas emissions? 3.If the sun’s radiation was to increase by 10%, how would the following energy units change (increase, decrease or stay the same) a)Energy gained by the Earth’s surface. b)Energy lost by the Earth’s surface. c)Energy emitted by greenhouse gases. d)Energy lost to space. Questions

37 MET 112 Global Climate Change What percentage of the Sun’s radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s surface? 1.19% 2.51% 3.70% 4.117% 0 of 70

38 MET 112 Global Climate Change What percentage of the Sun’s radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere? 1.19% 2.51% 3.70% 4.117% 0 of 70

39 MET 112 Global Climate Change What percentage of the sun’s radiation is reflected out to space? 1.19% 2.30% 3.64% 4.70% 5.111% 0 of 70

40 MET 112 Global Climate Change What percentage of the energy gained by the earth’s surface comes directly from greenhouse gas emissions? 0 of % 2.43% 3.51% 4.65% 5.70%

41 MET 112 Global Climate Change If the Sun’s radiation was to increase by 10%, how would the energy gained by the earth’s surface change? 1.Increase 2.Decrease 3.Stay the same 0 of 70

42 MET 112 Global Climate Change If the Sun’s radiation was to increase by 10%, how would the energy emitted by greenhouse gases change? 1.Increase 2.Decrease 3.Stay the same 0 of 70

43 MET 112 Global Climate Change If the Sun’s radiation was to increase by 10% the energy 0 of 70 1.Entering the top of the atmosphere would exceed the energy leaving 2.Entering the top of the atmosphere would be less than leaving 3.Entering and leaving would be the same

44 MET 112 Global Climate Change Example: Concept Map

Draw a concept map using the following terms. You may add additional terms if you wish.  Water vapor  Ice  Liquid water  Condensation  Evaporation  Gas  High Cloud  Low Cloud  Precipitation  Condensation nuclei  Temperature  Warming  Cooling  Air Activity 3: Water Concept Map

Controls on Climate

47 MET 112 Global Climate Change Definitions  Insolation –  Solstice –  Equinox –

48 MET 112 Global Climate Change Definitions  Insolation –  Solstice –  Equinox – Incoming solar radiation day of the year when the sun shines directly over 23.5°S or 23.5°N days of the year when the sun shines directly over the equator

50 MET 112 Global Climate Change Sun angle

51 MET 112 Global Climate Change Sun angle (2)

53 MET 112 Global Climate Change What influences incoming solar energy?  The Sun’s angle of incidence: –Lower sun angle, –Higher sun angle,  Length of time the Sun shines each day: –Summer season, –Winter season,

54 MET 112 Global Climate Change What influences incoming solar energy?  The Sun’s angle of incidence: –Lower sun angle, –Higher sun angle,  Length of time the Sun shines each day: –Summer season, –Winter season, more incoming energy less incoming energy less sun hours more sun hours

55 MET 112 Global Climate Change Why do we have seasons?

56 MET 112 Global Climate Change What month do you think this graph represents? a) December b) March c) June d) September

57 MET 112 Global Climate Change What month do you think this graph represents? 1.December 2.March 3.June 4.September 0 of 70

58 MET 112 Global Climate Change What month do you think this graph represents? a) December b) March c) June d) September Answer: December

59 MET 112 Global Climate Change Review questions  On June 21 st, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon?  On September 22 nd, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon?  How many hours of daylight are present at the South Pole on February 20 th ?  Where would you expect to have longer days; 45 ° N on June 21 st or 50°S on Dec 21 st ?

60 MET 112 Global Climate Change On June 21 st, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon? 1.Equator (0) °N °S 4.90°N (north pole) 5.90°S (south pole) 0 of 70

61 MET 112 Global Climate Change How many hours of daylight are present at the South Pole on February 20 th ? 1.0 hours 2.6 hours 3.12 hours 4.18 hours 5.24 hours 0 of 70

62 MET 112 Global Climate Change On September 22 nd, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon? 0 of 70 1.Equator (0) °N °S 4.90°N (north pole) 5.90°S (south pole)

63 MET 112 Global Climate Change Where would you expect to have longer days; 45 ° N on June 21 st or 50°S on Dec 21 st ? 1.45°N 2.50°S 3.They are the same 4.Impossible to tell 0 of 70

64 MET 112 Global Climate Change Review questions  On June 21 st, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon?  On September 22 nd, at what latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon?  How many hours of daylight are present at the South Pole on February 20 th ?  Where would you expect to have longer days; 45 ° N on June 21 st or 50°S on Dec 21 st ? 23.5 ° North (tropic of cancer) 0° (equator) °S

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66 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate  Seasonal temperature and precipitation patters are generally attributable to:  Latitude  Mountains and highlands  Land and water location  Prevailing winds  Pressure and wind systems  Ocean currents

67 MET 112 Global Climate Change Earth’s energy: latitudinal perspective  A majority of the sun’s energy enters the Earth system in the tropics.  The tropics thus becomes quite warm, while the poles relatively cool.  The atmosphere attempts to bring the tropics and high latitude into equilibrium –

68 MET 112 Global Climate Change Earth’s energy: latitudinal perspective  A majority of the sun’s energy enters the Earth system in the tropics.  The tropics thus becomes quite warm, while the poles relatively cool.  The atmosphere attempts to bring the tropics and high latitude into equilibrium –Weather systems ultimately act to bring warm air to higher latitudes and cold air to lower latitudes.

Annual Surface Temperature

70 MET 112 Global Climate Change Questions  Indicate the warmest and coldest areas of the Earth.  Consider the temperature at 60N latitude. Indicate on the map the coldest and warmest places at 60N.  What is the temperature difference between these locations  What factors might explain this temperature difference?  Why is there not a similar difference seen at 60S?

71 MET 112 Global Climate Change Annual Surface Temperature

72 MET 112 Global Climate Change Climate controls: Latitude/Mountains  Latitude – Higher latitude climates are generally (cooler/warmer) – Lower latitudes climates are generally (cooler/warmer)  Mountains – Higher altitudes climate are generally (cooler/warmer): cooler temperatures – Windward side of mountains are generally (cooler/warmer) and (wetter/drier), than leeward side

73 MET 112 Global Climate Change Climate controls: Latitude/Mountains  Latitude – Higher latitude climates are generally (cooler/warmer) – Lower latitudes climates are generally (cooler/warmer)  Mountains – Higher altitudes climate are generally (cooler/warmer): cooler temperatures – Windward side of mountains are generally (cooler/warmer) and (wetter/drier), than leeward side

74 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate  Seasonal temperature and precipitation patters are generally attributable to:  Latitude  Mountains and highlands  Land and water location  Prevailing winds  Pressure and wind systems  Ocean currents

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76 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate: Oceans  Ocean Temperatures –Coasts of continents are affected by ocean temperatures: Generally less temperature extremes compared to interior of continents –Cold oceans: –Warm oceans:

77 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate: Oceans  Ocean Temperatures –Coasts of continents are affected by ocean temperatures: Generally less temperature extremes compared to interior of continents –Cold oceans: –Warm oceans: generally produce cooler/drier conditions generally produce more warm/humid conditions

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79 MET 112 Global Climate Change Cold ocean Warm ocean

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81 MET 112 Global Climate Change Dry Humid

82 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate: Pressure systems  Rising and sinking motion associated with low and high pressure affects climate  Areas where pressure seasonally low,  Areas where pressure seasonally high,

83 MET 112 Global Climate Change Controls on Climate: Pressure systems  Rising and sinking motion associated with low and high pressure affects climate  Areas where pressure seasonally low, –  Areas where pressure seasonally high, – Tropics: rainy Subtropical high (30N/3OS): warm and dry

84 MET 112 Global Climate Change January Average sea-level Pressure and surface wind pattern

85 MET 112 Global Climate Change July Average sea-level Pressure and surface wind pattern

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87 MET 112 Global Climate Change A_B_D_ - let’s check out clicker id’s out 1.E Q U 2.I E B 3.E L O 4.O U W 0 of 70

Climate Game Names ___________________________  Match the city with the corresponding climatology by indicating the appropriate letter °  Sacramento, California (38°N) _____________  Phoenix, Arizona (33°N)_____________  Denver, Colorado (40°N)_____________  Iquitos, Peru (4°S)_____________ °  Mobile, Alabama (30°N)_____________ °  Winnipeg, Canada (50°N)_____________ °  Fairbanks, Alaska (65°N)_____________

89 MET 112 Global Climate Change City A 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska

90 MET 112 Global Climate Change City B 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska

91 MET 112 Global Climate Change City C 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska

92 MET 112 Global Climate Change City D 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska

93 MET 112 Global Climate Change City E 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska

94 MET 112 Global Climate Change City F 1.Sacramento, California 2.Phoenix, Arizona 3.Denver, Colorado 4.Iquitos, Peru 5.Mobile, Alabama 6.Winnipeg, Canada 7.Fairbanks, Alaska