Understanding Climate Change
Climate Variability, Predictability, and Change in the Midwestern United States
Published on 23. July 2009
Book
Hardback
312 pages
978-0-253-35344-3 (ISBN)
Description
There is now unequivocal evidence for an anthropogenic forcing of climate change. Today our climate system is evolving principally, though not exclusively, as a result of human activities. Changes in the climate system on the global scale will inevitably have consequences that are regionally specific and provide opportunities for research into the impact of these changes. Understanding Climate Change focuses on the Midwestern United States-a region that contains approximately one-fifth of the nation's population, plays a critical role in national agricultural productivity, and experiences a high frequency of extreme events. Employing observational data and model simulations, the research presented here provides detailed assessments of climate change, variability, and predictability over the past 100 years with predictions for the coming century.
Reviews / Votes
Applying global or even regional climate models to small areas is still very problematic. This work, which contains papers derived from a 2007 workshop, highlights specific climate-related issues. Individual authors, primarily academic scientists, concentrate on thermal and hydrologic regimes, North American atmospheric circulation effects, and natural hazards in eight north-central states. Papers in each major thematic area are preceded by an overview chapter introducing recent research, issues, and the data sources and models that inform current thinking. The 23 chapters focus on local, statewide, or regional aspects of climate variability and change and on prediction of near-future trends in these states. Research results embody the still imperfect fit between the suite of climate models in use today and observational data. Presentations are technical and require readers to be familiar with atmosphere-ocean general circulation models and advanced statistical methods. Pryor (geography, Indiana Univ.) has woven the complex threads of these research areas into a state-of-the art volume. The book is illustrated with detailed, though small, colored graphics. Summing Up: Recommended. Climatology, meteorology, and physical geography collections serving graduate students through professionals. -- ChoiceL. S. Zipp, formerly, State University of New York College at Geneseo, Choice , March 2010 "I enjoyed reading this book. The quality of the papers is uniformly good and the topics are wide ranging." -Jim Angel, State Climatologist of Illinois "The 23 chapters focus on local, statewide, or regional aspects of climate variability and change and on prediction of near-future trends in these states... Pryor has woven the complex threads of these research areas into a state-of-the-art volume. The book is illustrated with detailed, though small, colored graphics...Recommended. -L.S. Zipp, formerly, State University of New York College at Geneseo." -, March 2010 "[This book] is an important group of studies... that focus on the likelihood of anthropogenic change in the mean climate of the Midwest over the next 100 years and how it can be mitigated." -Assn College & Research Libraries, April 2010More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
38 b&w photos, 118 color photos
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 178 mm
Weight
1220 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-35344-3 (9780253353443)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
S. C. Pryor is Professor of Atmospheric Science and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Geography at Indiana University Bloomington.
Content
Preface Acknowledgments 1. Climate Variability, Predictability, and Change: An Introduction 2. Overview: Thermal Regimes 3. Global Climate Change Impact on the Midwestern USA--A Summer Cooling Trend 4. Historical and Projected Changes in the Length of the Frost-Free Season 5. Long-Term Midwestern USA Summer Equivalent Temperature Variability 6. Estimating Changes in Temperature Variability in a Future Climate 7. Wisconsin's Changing Climate: Temperature 8. Overview: Hydrologic Regimes 9. Did Precipitation Regimes Change during the Twentieth Century? 10. Climate Change and Streamflow in the Upper Mississippi River Basin 11. The Influence of Land Cover Type on Surface Hydrology in Michigan 12. Wisconsin's Changing Climate: Hydrologic Cycle 13. Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Extreme Rainfall in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area 14. Overview: North American Atmospheric Circulation Effects on Midwestern USA Climate 15. Historical Trends in Near-Surface Wind Speeds 16. Variability of Wind Speed Regimes in Minnesota 17. Teleconnections and Circulation Patterns in the Midwestern USA 18. Regional Synoptic Classification: A Midwestern USA Example 19. Overview: Climate Hazards 20. Severe Storms in the Midwestern USA 21. Climate Sensitivity of Great LakesGenerated Weather Systems 22. Severe Weather Hazards in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area 23. Where Is Climate Science in the Midwestern USA Going? Further Reading List of Contributors Index