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The primary mission of this research program is to gain a better understanding of the synoptic and planetary-scale atmospheric processes contribute to the formation and maintenance of such atmospheric phenomenon known as blocking anticyclones and how interannual variations and/or global climate change may impact on their characteristics and occurrence. Blocking anticyclones are planetary-scale phenomenon, which have an impact, not only on the regions they occur in, but also within regions upstream and downstream of the main event. In examining the issues of interannual variability of blocking and changes in their climatological characteristics, and variability of the primary variables of the atmosphere’s global circulation, local climate change issues can also be addressed. For example, this program endeavors to examine the climatic and dynamic characteristics of heavy snowfalls, general precipitation, and tornadoes in the Midwest. We have shown that there is significant interannual variability in these local phenomenon which can be related to El Nino and longer-term climatic variability. This group has also examined the changes in the climatic character of Atlantic Basin hurricane intensities. Additionally, we will address the length of the growing season in Missouri. These issues will be explored in cooperation with the Missouri Climate Center and the National Weather Service Forecast Offices in Pleasant Hill, MO, and Springfield, MO. Our international partners in study include scientists at the Russian Academy of Science, as well as Belgorod State University in Belgorod Russia. In examining and identifying the interannual variability and/or long term trends (climate change) for these events, the interests of the local agricultural and public sectors will be served. |
The National Drought Information System (NIDIS) – (drought.gov) held a Long Range (Weather) Forecasting Rodeo (sponsored by the United States Bureau of Reclamation) for one year to make Temperature and Precipitation forecasts for the 3-4 Week and 5-6 week timeframe. The forecasts were made for the Western half of the USA. The Rodeo lasted from May 2017 – to May 2018 and the prizes were $100,000.00 for 1st place. The Rodeo drew over 200 research groups from around the world into the competition including a group within the Global Climate Change Group in the School of Natural Resources and collaborators. Our group used techniques developed in our research.
Enclosed is an archive of Northern and Southern Hemisphere blocking events including complete information regarding when and where they occurred, and their intensity as defined by Weidenmann et al. (2002). In this day and age, this blocking log could be called the Climate Change Group "Blocking Log" or "Blog" for short. Here is a review paper on blocking (Lupo 2021) and a conference paper (Lupo-Jensen-Mokhov-Timazhev) that discusses global blocking up to mid-2018
*****New for 2021. The Latitude of the block onset has been added as a new column 9. this has been added for 1975 to 2020 and will be included going forward and supplemented going backward.
Northern Hemisphere Events 1968 - 2023 are now here!
Northern Hemisphere Events 1968 - 2024 (up to 25 September 2024) in PDF formatSouthern Hemisphere Events 1970 - 2024 are now here!
Southern Hemisphere Events 1969 - 2024 (up to 25 September 2024) in PDF formatI have always had a keen interest in the American Civil War, and this year commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the start of this conflict. The early battles in Missouri are often overlooked as historians and Civil War buffs tend to focus on the imporance of Civil War Battles in the East. However, Missouri was an important battle ground and whether or not Missouri would ulimately secede may have been decided on the battlefield. The weather played a role in the outcome of some early battles. In cooperation with students James Michael Madden and John Moon III, we reconstruct the possible role played by weather in each of these skirmishes. Thanks go out to Dr. D.J. Burnette at the University of Arkansas whose temperature records from the era were helpful in reconstructing the weather. The Battle of Wilson's Creek was presented at the Missouri Academy of Science in 2009. The Battle of Carthage was presented a year later, and Legington in the same year.
The Battle of Carthage, MO, July 5th 1861Copyright © 2012 Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia |