Hobart

Seminar Abstract

Friday 31 July 2009, 11.30am (Tas time)
CSIRO Auditorium, Hobart

Ian Smith
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Aspendale

The Hadley, Walker and Ferrel cells - a simple model for linking changes in all three

Recent observations and studies have focussed the attention of climate scientists on the role of large scale changes in winds and pressure systems which have occurred over recent decades. At the same time, some significant trends in rainfall patterns have also emerged, not only in Australia but also over other regions of the globe. Linking these phenomena is very difficult, particularly as there is no simple framework for for explaining the gross features, let alone any links, between the major atmospheric circulation systems. This talk will describe a relatively simple model of the zonally averaged atmospheric circulation which goes some way towards addressing this problem. It will be argued that most of the observed changes can be linked back to the fact that the rainfall in the tropics has been observed to have increased in both intensity and extent. While not, at least at this point in time, attributing these changes to enhanced greenhouse gases, a strengthening of the tropics is not inconsistent with climate change projections.

Seminar recording

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Location:
CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
To schedule a seminar, contact:
Clothilde Langlais, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5399
Natalie Kelly, (Biology/Modelling seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research 0438 452 483
Jillian Enraght-Moony, (seminar administrator) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5320
Communications Manager, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 2265
Margaret Hazelwood, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2971

Last updated 4/08/09