Winter Storm Decima to Bring a Cross-Country Mess of Snow and Ice to the West, Midwest and Northeast Into the Weekend

Winter Storm Decima - prounced DEH-si-mah - is poised to deliver another cross-country mess of snow, strong winds and some ice impacting a large swath of the nation into the upcoming weekend. Decima follows on the heels of Winter Storm Caly, which blanketed the U.S. with wintry weather from coast-to-coast last Thursday into this Monday, including the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast. Decima will get its start as a southward plunge of the jet stream, originating from the Gulf of Alaska, begins to plow into the western United States.

Energy in that jet-stream dip will eventually spawn an area of surface low pressure in the Plains, which will track northeastward with time through the central and eastern states. Moisture from that system will overlap with cold air to its north and from high pressure in the eastern states to make conditions ripe for the potential of snow, sleet and freezing rain in a large area.

Source: https://www.wunderground.com/news/winter-storm-decima-forecast-northwest-rockies-midwest-east 

Polar Vortex hype has return with an Arctic Blast

The term "polar vortex" wasn't born during the winter of 2014, but that's certainly when it became an internet star.

For the last three winters, virtually every forecast that brought cold weather into the United States was met with one question: "Is this the polar vortex?" Now, as the North prepares for multiple rounds of frigid weather, the polar vortex is back in the news.

It's true that the upcoming round of cold weather is associated with the polar vortex, but it's important to note what this phenomenon is, as well as what it isn't.

 Our weather takes place in the atmospheric layer known as the troposphere, stretching anywhere from 4 to 12 miles above the ground. One layer above that is the stratosphere, which is where the polar vortex mostly resides.

There are actually two polar vortices – one each at, or around, the North and South Poles. In the respective hemisphere's colder months, increased temperature differences between the mid-latitudes and the poles create a stronger vortex.

But if you're a cold-weather lover, a strong polar vortex actually keeps colder air locked in closer to the pole. In order for the arctic air to surge southward and into the U.S. or Europe, the stratosphere must warm, weakening and elongating the polar vortex.

Just because your area is getting hit by a potent winter storm does not mean that the storm itself is the "polar vortex." This phenomenon is a permanent feature of our atmosphere; it doesn't quite behave like a storm system.

In other words, the polar vortex might play some role in helping to push extremely cold air southward in the coming days, but it won't be responsible for spawning a nasty winter storm. Remember, the polar vortex isn't found in the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs, so while the different layers interact, storm systems aren't formed in the stratosphere.

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, the polar vortex isn't a newcomer to meteorology. This is a phenomenon that scientists have known about since before the Civil War, according to Stu Ostro, senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

"Global warming did not create polar vortexes, though the changing climate might be changing the nature of them," Ostro wrote in early 2014. "Nor did humans create the term this week ... it's been an accepted scientific one for at least 75 years."

Storm Angus bringing severe gales to UK as amber alert issued by Met Office

The first named storm of the season – Angus – will bring rainstorms and very strong winds to southern and southeastern regions of England during Saturday night and Sunday morning (19-20 November). The fiercest gales will reach speeds of up to 80mph in Kent and Sussex and will also hit coastal areas from the Isle of Wight eastwards.

"A vigorous area of low pressure, now named Storm Angus, will move northeast across southern and southeast England on Sunday," The Met Office Chief Forecaster stated in an ITV report.

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"This will be accompanied by a period of heavy rain, starting in the west of the area during Saturday evening, and very strong winds. 20-30mm and locally 40 mm of rain is expected within a six to nine hour period."

Next week, ice warnings are expected across Britain, with over two inches of snow expected to fall in some parts. Motorists are cautioned to take care in hazardous driving conditions as they face surface water flooding and debris from fallen trees.

There could also be the first signs of thundersnow for this year. This is an unusual weather thunderstorm phenomenon where heavy downpours of snow fall instead of rain during chilly winter temperatures.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/storm-angus-bringing-severe-gales-uk-amber-alert-issued-by-met-office-1592426

Hot weather: southeastern Australia swelters as Sydney braces for warmest night in 44 years

Much of NSW, Victoria and South Australia will sweat it out today as temperatures soar into the mid-to-high 30s, prompting total fire bans.

The weather bureau says Sydney is expecting 36C in the city and 39C in the west on Tuesday, while Melbourne is forecast to hit 34C and Adelaide 36C. Fire bans are in place across many districts in the three states.

By 11.30am, the temperature in the Sydney CBD had already reached the forecast maximum of 36 — 11 degrees above the December average — suggesting today’s maximum may be even higher.

Sydneysiders face their hottest back-to-back days in 10 years with the mercury set to climb to 39C in the city and 38C in the west on Wednesday. If these temperatures are met, the city will record its hottest consecutive days since October 2006, when temperatures reached 36.7C and 36.2C, according to Bureau of Meteorology.

A new record could also be set tonight for the warmest December night since 1972, with temperatures not expected to fall below 25C.

“We are going to have generally hot and dry north westerly winds associated with these warm temperatures,” weather bureau forecaster Sarah Chadwick said. The winds will also increase the risk of bushfire fires so the NSW Rural Fire Service has declare total fire bans across much of the state. A severe fire warning is also in place for the lower central west plains and the entire Riverina district.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/hot-weather-southeastern-australia-swelters-as-sydney-braces-for-warmest-night-in-44-years/news-story/a8d1be6141fdabdcd55b84a553eda70a

'Thunderstorm asthma:' Deadly illness caused by freak weather

(CNN)An unusual combination of weather conditions leading to a freak illness known as thunderstorm asthma has left four people dead in Australia.

Thousands of people were rushed to hospital Monday with breathing problems in the southern Australian state of Victoria as emergency services struggled to cope.
Three were still in a critical condition Thursday, a Victorian Department of Health spokesman told CNN.
During a four hour period Monday, Ambulance Victoria received more than 1,900 calls, or one call every four to five seconds. An extra 60 ambulances were deployed, as well as police and firefighters.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/health/thunderstorm-asthma-australia/

Humans & Climate Change

Human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in Earth’s atmosphere in the amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols (small particles), and cloudiness. The largest known contribution comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases and aerosols affect climate by altering incoming solar radiation and out-going infrared (thermal) radiation that are part of Earth’s energy balance. Changing the atmospheric abundance or properties of these gases and particles can lead to a warming or cooling of the climate system.

Since the start of the industrial era (about 1750), the overall effect of human activities on climate has been a warming influence. The human impact on climate during this era greatly exceeds that due to known changes in natural processes, such as solar changes and volcanic eruptions.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/faq/how-do-human-activities-contribute-to-climate-change-and-how-do-they-compare-with-natural-influences

Climate Change Affect on Polar Bears

How are polar bears affected by climate change?

Polar bears have evolved for a life on the sea ice, which they rely on for reaching their seal prey. But the arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing due to a warming earth, affecting the entire arctic ecosystem, from copepods to seals to walruses. For polar bears, sea ice losses mean:

• Reduced access to food
• Drop in body condition
• Lower cub survival rates
• Increase in drowning
• Increase in cannibalism
• Loss of access to denning areas

Scientists predict that as the Arctic continues to warm, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear within this century.

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/climate-change#Affect