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who's got the answer ?

who's got the answer ?

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Started by Micktheloo in Ski Chatter - 31 Replies

Re:who's got the answer ?

Ellistine
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

Jan I Stenmark wrote:4. The salinity induced circulation of the warm waters from the Gulf to Northern Europe slows or stops

There was a thing on TV about this last night. It has happened before where the oceans currents stopped. Unfortunately the oceans became stagnent though lack of oxygen and all the see creatures died. Toxic gas coming from the oceans then killed 90% of all land animals.

They didn't mention the skiing conditions at the time though )

Ise
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

Jan I Stenmark wrote:Can anyone else recall a prediction that I heard about this issue. I’m no meteorologist and may not get this quite right but hopefully someone will fill in the gaps.

The prediction went as follows:
1. Temperature rises
2. Arctic polar ice melts
3. Northern North Atlantic becomes less salty
4. The salinity induced circulation of the warm waters from the Gulf to Northern Europe slows or stops.
5. Northern Europe becomes substantially colder than at present. More like BC, Ontario or Quebec.
6. Winter sport enters an era of unprecedented demand due to an 8 month season and perfect snow on a daily basis (Ok, I made that bit up)

So can any one corroborate this memory? If so it could well be that warm for the globe would mean cooler for Northern Europe. Not sure what the impact would be on The States & Canada?

Happy pondering

Jan


There's a bunch of scenarios presented and I recognise some elements of that. Some ocean currents, Gulf stream and the North Atlantic Drift have warming effects on nearby landmasses. Without those currents those landmasses would cool, probably by a couple of degrees. The salt content, IIRC, is effected by evaporation as these flows move, so the present effect is to increase salinity, consequently without the flow salinity would decrease.

But, IIRC, a more immediate issue is actually increasing salinity in tidal estuaries etc.

I'd not assume just because it's colder on average it's going to benefit winter sports, you'd need a low variance as well and precipitation of course.

Ellistine
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

ise wrote:The salt content, IIRC, is effected by evaporation as these flows move, so the present effect is to increase salinity, consequently without the flow salinity would decrease


I think there is also a concern that the amounts of fresh water currently locked in the ice caps could have a large effect on the salinty of the oceans should they melt. The 'ligher' fresh water pouring in from the melting ice caps is less likely to sink as fast as the cold salt water causing a slowing effect of the ocean currents.

Edited: Just re-read Jans thread - I think he was refering to this.

Edited 2 times. Last update at 17-Dec-2007

Freezywater
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

ellistine wrote:
ise wrote:The salt content, IIRC, is effected by evaporation as these flows move, so the present effect is to increase salinity, consequently without the flow salinity would decrease


I think there is also a concern that the amounts of fresh water currently locked in the ice caps could have a large effect on the salinty of the oceans should they melt. The 'ligher' fresh water pouring in from the melting ice caps is less likely to sink as fast as the cold salt water causing a slowing effect of the ocean currents.

Edited: Just re-read Jans thread - I think he was refering to this.


For the Hollywood version of this watch " The Day after Tomorrow"

America saves the world - again :P
I would have got away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids!

Freezywater
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

bandit wrote:
freezywater wrote:what I still can't work out is if a 4x4 is less environmentally friendly than say a Toyota Prius, does the extra money we'll have to stump up for road tax stop global warming or increase the size of the treasury :?:


Our household had a Toyota Prius on extended test this year. The much heralded, environmentally friendly electric motor was over ridden by the petrol engine if we had the aircon switched on when starting up. The petrol engine also started up if doing more than walking pace. The batteries contained with in the car are very environmentally unfriendly, road handling was plain awful...I could go on, you get the idea :shock:

My 4x4 does more mpg than say either a Chrysler Voyager or Renault Espace...go figure :wink:


I was being somewhat tongue in cheek as I believe the Prius is simply a car you buy to say you own one rather than a practical alternative to diesel or petrol.
I would have got away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids!

Freezywater
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

ise wrote:
As it happens I have been on a mountain for the last few days in temperatures of minus 20 analysing snow pack stability and doing some snow study.


Lucky sod :lol:
I would have got away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids!

Bandit
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

freezywater wrote:
ise wrote:
As it happens I have been on a mountain for the last few days in temperatures of minus 20 analysing snow pack stability and doing some snow study.


Lucky sod :lol:


I think the poor lad probably froze his wotsits off. It was a bit parky to be standing around checking snow in avalanche pits!

Ise
reply to 'who's got the answer ?'
posted Dec-2007

bandit wrote:
I think the poor lad probably froze his wotsits off. It was a bit parky to be standing around checking snow in avalanche pits!


yup, this cold :

Topic last updated on 17-December-2007 at 21:00