In recent months the US has had some really weird weather. Eastern North America has been held in the icy grip of the polar vortex, experiencing crazy amounts of snow during the winter. Meanwhile, the west has been warm and parched, with drought continuing to ravage California. Now scientists think they have pinpointed the cause of this odd weather: a giant blob of warm water in the Pacific ocean.
Scientists first spotted the blob in late 2013. Since then it has failed to disappear, and currently extends 1,600km along the west coast, from Mexico to Alaska, with water temperatures around two degrees higher than normal. Fish have been driven away by the excess warmth and hungry seals have been washing up on Californian beaches....
Since then it has elevated air temperatures and reduced snowfall, bringing drought to the west coast. Meanwhile, another study in the same journal shows this stagnant patch of warm air in the west affected atmospheric circulation, encouraging cold air to be sucked down over the eastern US.
Scientists don’t think the blob is connected to global warming. But it is very unusual, and climate models suggest it is likely to stick around for at least the remainder of this year, bringing continued weird weather.
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/apr/16/weatherwatch-case-giant-blob
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