Some recent trends in precipitation in Western Canada and their possible link to rising carbon dioxide: Research note |
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| Authors: | Maurice B Danard TS Murty |
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| Institution: | 1. Atmospheric Dynamics Corporation , 3052 Woodridge Place, RR 7, Victoria, B.C., V8X 3X3;2. University of Victoria;3. Department of Fisheries and Oceans , Institute of Ocean Sciences , P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, B.C., V8L4B2 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Observations of the changes in mean annual and seasonal precipitation with time in British Columbia and western Alberta between the periods 1931–60 and 1951–80 indicate that more stations show an increase than a decrease. Changes tend to be positive on the coast, negative in south‐central British Columbia, positive on the west slopes of the Rockies, and negative to the east. This suggests an orographic influence and increased flow from the southwest at mountain‐top. The possibility that these changes in precipitation are associated with CO2 warming is considered. Both the surface air temperature and sea surface temperature were raised by 2°C for cyclogenesis events over the northeastern Pacific and the consequences were investigated with the aid of a limited‐area, 8‐level primitive equations model. The lows are deepened by as much as 6 mb and precipitation amounts are increased up to 8 mm owing to the increased mixing ratio and the feedback of latent heat energy. |
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