JAN 18, 2017

Ocean Currents Could Bring Colder Weather

WRITTEN BY: Brenda Kelley Kim

Much of the talk concerning climate change is about how temperatures are increasing. They definitely are, in many parts of the world. However, a north Atlantic Ocean current might be impacted by climate change and this could bring storms and colder temperatures to some areas. Ocean currents from all over the world affect the weather. Specifically, a current from the southern hemisphere flows northward, bringing warmer water to the north Atlantic. This is called the North Atlantic Circulation. It mixes with warmer water and then flows south again beginning a route around the planet, keeping weather relatively stable. However recent research shows this current could be gone in as little as 300 years.

It takes about 1,000 years for this whole cycle of currents to happen, but that is based on climate stability. Due to more carbon emissions, many areas have become unstable in terms of wind, currents and higher temperatures. With instability factored in new models show these currents could be significantly disrupted. If that happens, North America and much of Europe will get much colder and experience heavier snow fall and more severe storms.