Air Currents

The sailors have noticed unusual weather for the regions they are travelling through on their race across the Atlantic, which may be caused by the disruption of air currents.

Water and land soak up energy from the Sun at speeds that vary from each other, thus, the distribution of heat on Earth is uneven at first. Therefore, it is required for the thermal energy to be circulated in order to mediate the variations in temperature on our planet. The transfer of energy throughout Earth’s atmosphere occurs in a natural process named the convection current. This is when tropical waters of a warm temperature release moisture into the air overhead through evaporation. This air becomes less and less dense while it is being warmed until it is routed north or south (this depends on the hemisphere). As the air, now less dense, rises, it also becomes cooler. Then, at approximately 30 degrees North or South, the air, now cooler, travels downwards towards the surface and gradually moves towards the equator, its original location (Adam-Carr, 8.8).  These air currents originating from the equator are called the trade winds.

Presently, as greater concentrations of greenhouse gases radiate greater amounts of energy back to the surface of the earth in a process called global warming, the patterns of energy transfer within the air are changing (Adam-Carr, 8.8). This is resulting in regional climate alterations.

Trade winds that sweep around half the globe have already been shown to be waning as global warming interrupts the regular circulation of energy in the atmosphere. The deterioration of air currents is one of the steadiest predictions of climate change models. Scientists fear that, along with air currents weakening, the predictability of weather patterns will lessen. Extreme regional climate changes are currently coming into effect globally, like we have witnessed in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Works Cited

Adam-Carr, Christine. "8.8: Energy Transfer within the Climate System: Air and Ocean Circulation." Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.