Introducing Rossby Waves : What are they and why are they important?

Summary

The video script discusses the impact of Rossby waves, a meteorological phenomenon named after Karl Gustav Arvid Rossby, on extreme weather events like the 2010 Russian wildfires and the 2022 Pakistan floods. Rossby waves, which occur in both the ocean and atmosphere, influence global climate through their interaction with phenomena like El Niño. Anomalies in these waves can cause persistent high or low-pressure areas, leading to disasters. The script also touches on the ongoing research into the influence of human-induced climate change on such natural atmospheric events.

Takeaways

• 🔥 In 2010, Russia faced severe wildfires and heat waves, while Pakistan experienced super floods, both events being connected by Rossby waves.
• 🌪 Rossby waves, named after Karl Gustav Arvid Rossby, are meteorological phenomena that can have significant impacts on weather patterns.
• 🌊 Oceanic Rossby waves are found along the thermocline and can influence global climate, including high tides and coastal flooding.
• 💨 Atmospheric Rossby waves are high-altitude winds in the mid-latitudes, affecting the movement of heat and cold air across the planet.
• ⏫⏬ Anomalies in Rossby waves can cause disasters in different parts of the Earth, such as persistent high and low pressure areas.
• 🔁 Rossby waves typically move eastward, but a slowdown or halt can lead to prolonged weather conditions in specific regions.
• 🔗 Rossby waves consist of two types: synoptic waves, which are quick-moving and atmospheric, and forced waves, influenced by geographical features.
• 🌀 The interaction between synoptic and forced waves within a wave guide can lead to wave resonance, amplifying their weather influence.
• 📊 While historical data on Rossby waves is limited, several extreme weather events have been linked to them, such as European heatwaves and North American floods.
• 🌡 The definitive influence of human-induced climate change on Rossby waves and their impact on weather extremes is still under research.
• 🌳🏙️ Rossby waves demonstrate how subtle changes in atmospheric phenomena can lead to large-scale, catastrophic events affecting both the environment and society.

Q & A

What were the severe weather events that occurred in Russia and Pakistan in 2010?

In 2010, Russia experienced one of its most severe wildfires and heat waves, while Pakistan witnessed its super floods, which are a reminder of the 2022 flash floods.

What is the connection between the 2010 events in Russia and Pakistan?

The events were connected to a single meteorological event known as Rossby waves, which influenced the weather patterns in both regions.

Who is Rossby waves named after, and what did he identify?

Rossby waves are named after Karl Gustav Arvid Rossby, who first identified these atmospheric waves.

What are the two categories of Rossby waves?

Rossby waves can be classified into two categories: Oceanic and Atmospheric.

How do Oceanic Rossby waves differ from surface tidal waves?

Unlike surface tidal waves that break upon touching land, Oceanic Rossby waves are found along the thermocline and move in slow undulating waves for hundreds of kilometers in the westward direction.

What is the typical duration for Oceanic Rossby waves to cover the surface area of the ocean?

It can take Oceanic Rossby waves a decade or more to cover the surface area of the ocean.

How do Atmospheric Rossby waves affect the weather?

Atmospheric Rossby waves are high-altitude winds in the mid-latitudes. When the Arctic jet stream becomes more wavy and flows into lower latitudes, this meandering is referred to as Rossby waves, which transfer heat from the tropics to the poles and vice versa.

What happens when the eastward movement of Rossby waves slows down or freezes?

If the eastward movement of Rossby waves slows down or freezes, high and low-pressure areas persist over specific regions, leading to extreme weather events such as the 2010 wildfires in Russia.

What are the two types of Rossby waves and how are they linked?

The two types of Rossby waves are synoptic and forced waves. Synoptic waves are formed by the atmosphere and move quickly, while forced waves are formed by interruptions like mountains and temperature differences. They interact within an atmospheric channel called a wave guide, increasing their strength and influencing the weather.

What is wave resonance in the context of Rossby waves?

Wave resonance is the interaction between synoptic and forced Rossby waves within a wave guide, which allows their strength to increase and significantly influence the weather.

How do Rossby waves relate to recent extreme weather events?

Events like the 2003-2006 and 2015 European Heatwaves, Balkan floods of 2014, U.S. heat wave of 2011, and North American heat wave of 2018 have been attributed to anomalies in Rossby waves.

What is the current state of research on the influence of anthropogenic climate change on Rossby waves?

Research is still being conducted to understand the definitive influence of anthropogenic climate change on natural atmospheric phenomena like Rossby waves and their impact on catastrophic events.