1. Geog 5900: Climatology

2. Atmospheric Sciences at a Glance (1)

3. Life cycle of the Sun and the Earth The earth will be inhabitable for another 0.5 billion years, if we protect it well enough. After another 1 billion years, all oceans and rivers will have completely disappeared. The mean global temperature will reach 160 F.

4. Our planet earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5FwFSOJf8

5. The earth’s climate system Atmosphere Land Ocean Sea ice

6. Some basic concepts Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules, microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability)

7. The mission of the atmospheric sciences is to understand and predict weather, climate, and related disasters

8. Fair weather

9. Monet: Waterlillies (the clouds) 1903

10. Sheng Mao (~1300AD): Sitting and watching clouds passing by ( 盛懋 : 坐看云起图 )

11. Weather-related Disasters: Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones)

12. Global distribution of the paths of major tropical cyclones during the last 150 years. On average, ~ 80 per year around the world. U.S. Fatalities: normal year 21, Katrina 1836 U.S. Property loss: normal year $5400 million, Katrina $84000 million

13. Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes

14. Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes U.S. Annual mean fatalities 56, annual mean loss $777 million

15. Weather-related Disasters: Hail Storms Annual mean fatalities 1, annual mean loss $938 million

16. Weather-related Disasters: Floods

17. Weather-related Disasters: Floods U.S. Annual mean fatalities 8, annual mean loss $5300 million

18. Weather-related Disasters: Lightning Annual mean fatalities 69, annual mean loss $38 million

19. Weather-related Disasters: Extreme Heat Annual mean fatalities 282, annual mean loss $85 million

20. Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms

21. Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms U.S. Annual mean fatalities 57, annual mean loss $329 million

22. Weather-related Disasters: Extreme Cold Annual mean fatalities 292, annual mean loss $368 million

23. Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US Hurricanes Blizzards Extreme cold Flooding Lightning Fire Tornadoes Hails

24. Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US

25. Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 1: El Nino

26. Disastrous effects of 1982-1983 El Nino: 1.Australia-Drought and devastating brush fires 2.Indonesia, Philippines-Crops fail, starvation follows 3.India, Sri Lanka-Drought,fresh water shortages 4.Tahiti-6 tropical cyclones 5.South America-Fish industry devastated5.South America-Fish industry devastated - decrease in nutrients off Peru- fewer fish (anchovy) 6.Across the Pacific-Coral reefs die 7.Colorado River basin-Flooding, mud slides 8.Gulf states-Downpours cause death, property damage 9.Peru, Ecuador-Floods, landslides 10.Southern Africa-Drought, disease, malnutritiondisease

27. Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 2: Global Warming

28. Global warming is a critical issue we are facing right now

29. Effects on society

30. Weather and Air Transportation From National Weather Service From CASA, Australia

31. Weather/Climate and Public Health - New diseases appear on Tibet and other regions due to global warming

32. Weather/Climate and economy - Green economy Renewable energy Green buildings Clean transportation Water management Waste management Land management

33. Weather/Climate and Basic Science/ Philosophy: Teleconnection and Interaction

34. Weather/Climate and Education Passing the message to the kids

35. Summary Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules, microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability) Weather- and climate-related disasters: tropical cyclones, tornados, floods, droughts, winter storms, extreme heat, extreme cold, lightning, El Nino, global warming Impacts of weather/climate on public health, transportation, agriculture, business, international relationships, history, science, philosophy, education, …