Thanks Melanie. We're feeling the effects of El Niño here in the PNW, with a drier, and, until this week, warmer winter so far.
A more local wind driven current event happens annually off the coast of the PNW. High pressure over the interior causes easterly winds to push warm water away from the coast. The resulting upwelling of deeper water keeps our waters cold and productive. If that fails, at it did a few years ago, when "The Blob" of warm water persisted off the coast, it's disastrous for wildlife.
Such a fascinating exploration and reminder of the truly vast complexity of the world we live in. We experience the weather at any given moment (it's finally snowing on me right now ❄️) - imagine all this network of factors across time that have converged to deliver it! :)
I kinda like your explanation about El Nino. So long ago when I was at University I loved thermodynamics. It is a wonderful and simple way to explain the world in all of its complexity. Even the smallest of temperature differences drives all sorts of amazing change – all with a little bit of entry (disorder) as a result. Your description was much more colorful than my professors may have managed.
Thanks Melanie. We're feeling the effects of El Niño here in the PNW, with a drier, and, until this week, warmer winter so far.
A more local wind driven current event happens annually off the coast of the PNW. High pressure over the interior causes easterly winds to push warm water away from the coast. The resulting upwelling of deeper water keeps our waters cold and productive. If that fails, at it did a few years ago, when "The Blob" of warm water persisted off the coast, it's disastrous for wildlife.
Thank you for these insights!
Such a fascinating exploration and reminder of the truly vast complexity of the world we live in. We experience the weather at any given moment (it's finally snowing on me right now ❄️) - imagine all this network of factors across time that have converged to deliver it! :)
I kinda like your explanation about El Nino. So long ago when I was at University I loved thermodynamics. It is a wonderful and simple way to explain the world in all of its complexity. Even the smallest of temperature differences drives all sorts of amazing change – all with a little bit of entry (disorder) as a result. Your description was much more colorful than my professors may have managed.