Why Extreme Cold Weather Becoming Increasingly Severe in Some Regions Against Global Warming? | CBCGDF Climate Change Working Group Research

In the context of climate change, it may seem contradictory that certain regions are experiencing more intense cold extreme weather events, such as cold waves. However, this phenomenon can be explained by the complex interactions within Earth's climate system.

Global warming refers to the long-term trend of increasing average temperatures on Earth due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As greenhouse gases accumulate, they trap heat close to the Earth's surface, leading to a rise in overall temperatures. This warming effect affects various aspects of the climate system, including atmospheric circulation patterns.

One factor contributing to the intensification of cold extremes in some regions is the disruption of atmospheric circulation patterns caused by global warming. The polar jet stream, a high-altitude wind current, plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns. As the temperature difference between the poles and the equator decreases due to rising global temperatures, the jet stream weakens and becomes more erratic. This results in a slower eastward movement of weather systems, leading to prolonged periods of cold air outbreaks in specific areas.

Another aspect is the melting of Arctic sea ice, which is directly linked to global warming. As the Arctic warms faster than other regions, the reduction in sea ice extent alters the temperature and pressure gradients between the Arctic and mid-latitudes. This disruption can weaken the polar vortex - a large circulation of winds around the North Pole - and cause frigid Arctic air to escape southward, affecting regions that are typically not as exposed to extreme cold.

Additionally, global warming impacts oceanic circulation patterns, which influence weather systems. Changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), for instance, can affect the transport of heat from the tropics to the higher latitudes. Disruptions in this circulation pattern can result in abnormal distribution of heat across the Atlantic Ocean, influencing weather patterns and potentially leading to colder conditions in certain areas.

It is important to note that while these cold extreme events may occur, their frequency and intensity do not negate the overall trend of global warming and increasing average temperatures. The variability of regional weather patterns should not be mistaken for a reversal of the long-term climate change trend.

Translator: Richard

Checked by: Sara

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