John Olszewski
30 October 2009
analysis
Windhoek — Away from our skies, weather patterns around the hemisphere continue to emphasize the clash between a normal or regular framework and the intervention of systems responding to the increasing influence of global warming.
Being on the sidelines does not mean that our skies had no part in these stormy events.
Such vortex patterns draw in air from places well distant from the scene of action: places as far away as the polar regions to the relatively adjacent Congo air mass.
Just about all the descriptions of weather were formulated within the Temperate climate zone of the northern hemisphere. Not surprisingly, the active weather patterns created by the clash between polar and sub-tropical air present many features requiring better definitions.
Clouds are one of these. A few of these cloud developments are identified as being found within air of, at least, sub-tropical if not actual tropical origin. The two cloud types which indicate a move from these warmer regions into cooler surroundings are Altocumulus Castellanus (one level) and Altocumulus of a chaotic sky (2 or more levels).
Tropical air is moist and warm. The combination brings about instability meaning that the lapse rate, the degrees cooled as one ascends is of greater value than the normal 3oC per 1000 feet. This instability encourages the upward movement of a warmer current pushing into and through this unstable layer. The ensuing cloud development can be rapid and the probability of thunderstorm development shortly afterwards is to be expected.
Both these altocumulus cloud formations are associated with such developments. They are often given the "thundery sky" description.
These past few days, with dry air beneath, the full panorama of the sky was unveiled. Both these cloud types were present in some profusion. The visible turbulence was there for any observer to see and the almost explosive (by weather standards) genre could well be marvelled at. It gave the observer some understanding of how such an air mass (several thousand feet deep) can enable violent storms to erupt and cascade rain (hail too) to the surface.
Apart from a few heavier showers from the Summerdown and adjacent areas, the rainfall results were limited by the dry surface air and by the limited, narrow band of moist air.
What's coming
Overall, the pattern remains little changed. The upper anticyclone has reformed further east and the weak trough line lies across Namibia.
Activity will be restricted to a rather narrow band lying across the eastern parts. Middle layer moisture is there, but surface input is limited by this upper air presence: a rather typical October/November stance.
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A very interesting and thoughtful article. The best way for Africa to help itself with GHG is to stop exporting oil and gas to the outside world. Gas that is valuable enough to ship abroad and sell should be sold at a price that is competitive enough to keep it home. Catch all of that gas, and use it for yourselves. You will then have electricity and cooking fuel both. It is maddening to see forests felled for charcoal cooking fuel while cleaner-to-use gas is being wasted. Each of your nations should try to be the last to run out of fuel. Move to solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels from wastes for your energy sources.
Other activities to fight climate change troubles include the restoration of your waterways to full functionality by clearing the weeds that clog them and the silt that they have left behind.
Just a factual correction. Nigerian LNG is not sold to Benin, Togo and Ghana. There is a gas pipeline from Nigeria to these three countries. But it does not carry LNG. It carries natural gas under pressure. Unfortunately, becuse there is insufficient gas being gathered and shipped from Nigeria, the pipeline has been empty for over a year.
In today's climate talk that's going and will be converse more in December must not be damaging to Africa. Together, Africa MUST STAND FIRMLY and get what she deserves - BETTER and LASTING AGREEMENT. That's, what is beneficial for Africa. Any negativities effects concerning our people standard of living MUST NOT be accepted by any Africa Government. The days of a/an African Live seeing as less than an insect or any other most be OVER and SHOULD NOT be negotiated in any Climate talks. Our "Africans" lives and living standard is/are as important as any other lives. Therefore, as Africans head to the climate talk in December, please open your ears, listen carefully, don't be trick, and don't accept anything lesser to solve your prombles for the betterness of your people in the whole of Africa - period !!!!! The days of damaging Africans' lives, enviroment, living conditions; the physical and metal abuses should and most all come to an end. Therefore, we "Africans" should not be conveince with their sweet tooth to accept something lesser where'in our people keep continue to suffer and die for their pleasures and the lack of consideration for Africans lives and living standards. God Bless Africa
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