Local Weather Changes Research Articles

Come rain or shine? Public expectation on local weather change and differential effects on climate change attitude

Tailored messages are instrumental to climate change communication. Information about the global threat can be 'localised' by demonstrating its linkage with local events. This research ascertains the relationship between climate change attitude and perception of local weather, based on a survey involving 800 Hong Kong citizens. Results indicate that concerns about climate change increase with expectations about the likelihood and impacts of local weather change. Climate change believers attend to all three types of adverse weather events, namely, temperature rises, tropical cyclones and prolonged rains. Climate scepticism, however, is not associated with expectation about prolonged rains. Differential spatial orientations are a possible reason. Global climate change is an unprecedented and distant threat, whereas local rain is a more familiar and localised weather event. Global climate change should be articulated in terms that respect local concerns. Localised framing may be particularly effective for engaging individuals holding positive views about climate change science.

다양한 GIS 플랫폼을 위한 고해상도 기상레이더 정보 시각화 기법

기상레이더의 발전과 더불어 국내외적으로 정밀한 기상레이더를 이용한 토네이도, 돌발홍수 등의 돌발적인 기상현상에 대한 기상데이터 분석 및 기상현상 예측 기술 등의 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 그에 반해 레이더 자료에 대한 시각화 및 표출 방법에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있지만, 현재까지의 기상과 관련한 각 국가 기관 등에서는 단순히 표출된 레이더영상을 GIS 데이터에 사상하여 해석하는 데 급급한 실정이다. 본 논문은 저고도에서 일어나는 국지성, 기습성 기상변화를 관측하고 효과적으로 대응하기 위해, 시 공간적고해상도를 갖는 기상레이더로부터 관측된 데이터 자료를 효과적으로 표현하기 위해 다양한 GIS 플랫폼에서 서비스할 수 있는 고해상도 기상관측 데이터의 표현 기법을 제안한다. 제안 기법에서는 기상레이더로부터 획득된 데이터를 이용하여 래스터 및 벡터 형태의 고해상도 자료구조로 변환하여 GIS 플랫폼 상에서 정확한 좌표위치와 고도에 직관적으로 인지할 수 있도록 하기 위한 방법을 제시하였다. 실험결과 GIS 플랫폼과 융합된 고해상도 기상데이터를 이용함으로써 돌발성 기후변화, 국지성 폭우, 토네이도 등의 정확한 위치와 고도 등의 정보를 포함하여 기상상황을 직관적으로 인지하고, 상세히 분석할 수 있는 것을 확인하였다. According to development of weather radar, researches about observation, analysis or forecast of weather phenomena such as tornado, flash-flood etc. were encouraged by reducing frequency interferences, transmission noises, attenuations of radar signal. In contrast, there is a growing interest in the visualization and expression methods for weather radar data but weather radar manufacturers or the organs of government for weather are just busy interpreting expressed weather images projected on GIS. We propose an effective high definition weather radar information visualization method able to apply various GIS platforms to observe and take actions against rapid local weather changes effectively. In this paper, first we change information acquired from weather radar to raster or vector type high definition data structures using specific algorithms. And then, we quadrate our processed raster/vector type weather data with various GIS platforms accurately to make observers can recognize and check weather situations over exact geographical positions and elevations intuitively. Experimental results verify that our method make observers can recognize and analyze weather changes, tornados, local downpours or flash floods accurately by analyzing high definition weather radar data combined with GIS platform including detailed target locations and elevations.

Metaphysics of the Tea Ceremony: A Randomized Trial Investigating the Roles of Intention and Belief on Mood While Drinking Tea

This study explored whether drinking tea "treated" with good intentions would enhance mood more than drinking ordinary tea, under double-blind, randomized conditions. Each evening, for seven days in a row, volunteers recorded their mood using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. On days three, four, and five of the test, each participant drank 600 mL of oolong tea in the morning and again in the afternoon. One randomly assigned group blindly received tea that had been intentionally treated by three Buddhist monks; the other group blindly received untreated tea from the same source. On the last day of the test, each person indicated what type of tea he/she believed he/she had been drinking. Stratified, random sampling was used to assign 189 adults into two groups matched by age, gender, the psychological trait of neuroticism, and the amount of tea consumed on average per day. All participants were Taiwanese and lived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and the test was conducted over the course of one week to reduce mood fluctuations due to changes in local weather and other common influences. Those who drank treated tea showed a greater increase in mood than those who drank untreated tea (Cohen's d = 0.65, P = .02, two-tailed). Change in mood in those who believed that they were drinking treated tea was much better than those who did not believe (Cohen's d = 1.45, P = .00002, two-tailed). Tea treated with good intentions improved mood more than ordinary tea derived from the same source. Belief that one was drinking treated tea produced a large improvement in mood, but only if one was actually drinking the treated tea, indicating that belief and intentional enhancement interact. This also suggests that the esthetic and intentional qualities associated with the traditional tea ceremony may have subtle influences that extend beyond the ritual itself.

The Transformation of the American Food System, and Its Effects on Wellness

This study explored whether drinking tea “treated” with good intentions would enhance mood more than drinking ordinary tea, under double-blind, randomized conditions.Each evening, for seven days in a row, volunteers recorded their mood using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. On days three, four, and five of the test, each participant drank 600 mL of oolong tea in the morning and again in the afternoon. One randomly assigned group blindly received tea that had been intentionally treated by three Buddhist monks; the other group blindly received untreated tea from the same source. On the last day of the test, each person indicated what type of tea he/she believed he/she had been drinking.Stratified, random sampling was used to assign 189 adults into two groups matched by age, gender, the psychological trait of neuroticism, and the amount of tea consumed on average per day. All participants were Taiwanese and lived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and the test was conducted over the course of one week to reduce mood fluctuations due to changes in local weather and other common influences.Those who drank treated tea showed a greater increase in mood than those who drank untreated tea (Cohen's d = 0.65, P = .02, two-tailed). Change in mood in those who believed that they were drinking treated tea was much better than those who did not believe (Cohen's d = 1.45, P = .00002, two-tailed).Tea treated with good intentions improved mood more than ordinary tea derived from the same source. Belief that one was drinking treated tea produced a large improvement in mood, but only if one was actually drinking the treated tea, indicating that belief and intentional enhancement interact. This also suggests that the esthetic and intentional qualities associated with the traditional tea ceremony may have subtle influences that extend beyond the ritual itself.

Molecular simulations of green leaf volatiles and atmospheric oxidants on air/water interfaces

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are oxygenated hydrocarbons that are emitted by plants, especially under stress conditions such as mechanical damage and local weather changes. GLVs can react with photochemically-generated oxidants (e.g., OH radicals) in atmospheric water drops, and contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Here we investigated the adsorption of a gas phase GLV, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) and OH radicals on atmospheric air/water interfaces using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and potential of mean force (PMF) calculations. Our models can reproduce experimental values of the free energy of hydration of MBO and ˙OH, as well as 1-octanol/water partition coefficients of MBO determined experimentally in this study. Both MBO and ˙OH have a strong thermodynamic incentive to remain at the air/water interface, with their density profiles overlapping significantly at the interface. These results suggest that chemical reactions between MBO and ˙OH are more likely to take place at the interface, rather than inside the bulk of water droplets or in the vapor phase. We found a significant number of contacts between MBO and ˙OH in our simulations, which could lead to reactions between these two species.

Weather, Climate, and Worldviews: The Sources and Consequences of Public Perceptions of Changes in Local Weather Patterns*

Abstract This paper analyzes the changes Americans perceive to be taking place in their local weather and tests a series of hypotheses about why they hold these perceptions. Using data from annual nationwide surveys of the American public taken from 2008 to 2011, coupled with geographically specific measures of temperature and precipitation changes over that same period, the authors evaluate the relationship between perceptions of weather changes and actual changes in local weather. In addition, the survey data include measures of individual-level characteristics (age, education level, gender, and income) as well as cultural worldview and political ideology. Rival hypotheses about the origins of Americans’ perceptions of weather change are tested, and it is found that actual weather changes are less predictive of perceived changes in local temperatures, but better predictors of perceived flooding and droughts. Cultural biases and political ideology also shape perceptions of changes in local weather. Overall, the analysis herein indicates that beliefs about changes in local temperatures have been more heavily politicized than is true for beliefs about local precipitation patterns. Therefore, risk communications linking changes in local patterns of precipitation to broader changes in the climate are more likely to penetrate identity-protective cognitions about climate.

Agricultural Adaptation to a Changing Climate: Economic and Environmental Implications Vary by U.S. Region

Global climate models predict increases over time in average temperature worldwide, with significant impacts on local patterns of temperature and precipitation. The extent to which such changes present a risk to food supplies, farmer livelihoods, and rural communities depends in part on the direction, magnitude, and rate of such changes, but equally importantly on the ability of the agricultural sector to adapt to changing patterns of yield and productivity, production cost, and resource availability. Study findings suggest that, while impacts are highly sensitive to uncertain climate projections, farmers have considerable fl exibility to adapt to changes in local weather, resource conditions, and price signals by adjusting crops, rotations, and production practices. Such adaptation, using existing crop production technologies, can partially mitigate the impacts of climate change on national agricultural markets. Adaptive redistribution of production, however, may have signifi cant implications for both regional land use and environmental quality.

On-site growth response of a desert ephemeral plant, Plantago minuta, to indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a central Asia desert

Desert ephemeral plants play a key role in desert ecosystem stability and environmental conservation. To determine the effect of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth and P uptake of the desert ephemeral Plantago minuta, we conducted two on-site experiments in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The co-development of a pre-isolated indigenous AM fungus, Glomus etunicatum, with the ephemeral was also investigated. The results showed that both the single fungus and the indigenous AM fungal community enhanced the growth and P uptake of P. minuta. The phenological phases of P. minuta were highly consistent with the phases of the indigenous AM fungus, G. etunicatum, indicating that both symbiotic partners seem to be able to sense the changes in local weather, which might be an important trait for the survival of both plant and fungus in desert environments. The development of host plant and indigenous AM fungi were interdependent in the desert.

국지기상 모니터링을 위한 WSN 기반 필드서버 제작

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of disaster victims locally due to climate change and a variety of frequently occurring natural disasters. The damage caused by abrupt weather change in local area by typical weather forecasting techniques is very limited and difficult. Recently local area weather monitoring system using wireless sensor network technology has been very actively studied. Thus an IEEE 802.15.4-based weather field server to measure and monitor the local weather changes was designed and developed in this study. The proposed weather field server utilizes a wireless sensor node and weather sensors to collect weather information such as temperature, humidity, illumination, dew point, barometric pressure, and water level. The integrated weather sensor board was designed to respond quickly to weather changes, and provide feedback to the server PC. Each weather information is analyzed in the server PC to establish a program to monitor and analyze the local area or the area of abrupt climate change in order to provide warning signals in case of disaster events in local.

Patterns of covariation among weather conditions, winter North Atlantic Oscillation index and reproductive traits in Mediterranean kestrels

Changes in local weather conditions may affect reproduction in birds. In this study, we evaluated how changes in both local weather and winter North Atlantic Oscillation (the NAO, an index of non-local climatic conditions) could explain variation in selected reproductive traits (laying date, clutch size, hatching and fledging success) in Mediterranean kestrels Falco tinnunculus over 10 years. Kestrels (1) delayed the laying date in rainier springs; (2) laid smaller clutches after warmer and rainier winters, independently from the laying date; (3) had higher hatching success after warmer and dry winters and in warmer and rainier springs; (4) had higher fledging success in warmer and rainier springs. Thus, changes in the weather and the winter NAO index affected reproductive decisions and reproductive success. Predicting the long-term effects of global warming on the viability of Mediterranean populations of kestrels and other birds of prey is difficult. Whether the reproduction of birds of prey will be positively or negatively affected by global warming will depend on the relative importance of changes in temperature and rainfall.

Impact of Trap Design, Windbreaks, and Weather on Captures of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Pheromone-Baited Traps

Pheromone-baited traps are often used in ecological studies of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). However, differences in trap captures may be confounded by trap design, trap location relative to a windbreak, and changes in local weather. The objectives of this experiment were, first, to examine differences in 0. nubilalis adult (moth) captures among the Intercept wing trap, the Intercept bucket/funnel UNI trap, and the Hartstack wire-mesh, 75-cm-diameter cone trap (large metal cone trap) as well as among three cone trap designs. Second, we examined the influence of the location of the large metal cone trap relative to a windbreak on the number of moths captured. Third, we examined the relationship between nightly mean air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and the number of moths captured in large metal cone traps. The number of moths captured was significantly influenced by trap design, with large metal cone traps capturing the most moths. Wing and bucket traps were ineffective. Differences among trap captures were significant among trap locations relative to a windbreak. Under strong (>14 kph) or moderate (7 <14 kph) wind speeds, traps located leeward of the windbreak captured the most moths, but when wind speeds were light (<7 kph), traps not associated with windbreaks captured the most moths. The multiple regression model fitted to the relationship between number of moths captured per Julian date and nightly weather patterns was significant. Nightly mean air temperature was the most influential parameter in the model, and its relationship with moth capture was positive.

Influence of weather and nocturnal illumination on the activity and abundance of populations of Noctuids (Lepidoptera) in south coastal Queensland

AbstractA light-trap separating hourly catches was operated on a pasture research station in south coastal Queensland for 18 months in 1972 and 1973. A total of 339 000 Noctuid moths was captured. Half of the catch comprised pest species. Weather and nocturnal illumination were recorded on the trapping site. Multiple regression analyses were performed on the raw data, and, for comparison, some pest species were reared under semi-field conditions for a year. Night temperature, night wind and nocturnal illumination, in that order, were the most important factors influencing catch. Temperature and wind were each responsible for about one-fifth of the variance in catch, nocturnal illumination for about one-tenth. Twenty per cent of the variance in catch cannot be ascribed to changes in local weather or illumination. Wind had a significantly stronger influence on males than on females all year round, temperature a significantly stronger one on females than on males in summer. This was probably due to differences in the vertical distribution of flight in the two sexes, females flying lower than males. Nocturnal illumination had a significantly stronger influence on females than on males; on females its influence was almost as strong as that of wind, increasing with rising temperature to be twice as strong in summer as in winter. Females were most abundant in the first part of the night, males in the second. Temperature, wind and moonlight maintain this nocturnal distribution which is probably endogenously controlled. Female flight is probably linked to oviposition, male flight to response to pheromone release from calling females. Heavy out-of-season rainfall had a negative effect on Noctuid populations in the area and strongly increased both larval and adult mortality. Temperatures and rainfall during the larval and adult periods equal to the corresponding long-term averages and totals create optimal conditions for the development of Noctuid populations. Strong indications of migration were found in autumn and spring of 1973. Many moths of different species probably entered the area during nights with wind convergence caused by the passage of cold fronts. Separate analyses on the most abundant pest species confirmed the results of the analyses on the total catch of Noctuids.

The Use of Cloud Patterns to Outline Areas with Different Climates during Population Studies

Abstract&gt;In all but the flattest terrain, differences in relief produce recurrent and consistent patterns of cloudiness during turbulent or convective weather. The basic patterns consist of fixed patches or lines of low clouds that persist in an otherwise clear sky. But their outlines may even appear in the higher layers of cloud that cross the region during the passage of larger weather systems. Consequently, the areas beneath them experience predictably higher frequencies of cloudiness and rainfall than the terrain outside their borders. Thus their outlines can be used to draw boundaries that separate areas with different climates.The information above can be used to develop a system of direct observations of changes in local weather that can be applied in several ways during studies of natural populations. Visual methods of observing the weather are always simpler than methods that involve instruments. Where population phenomena are concerned, they also may be more meaningful; and they leave more time free for biological observations. Instruments are essential, however, in any investigation of the properties or requirements of individuals; e.g., in physiological or behavioral studies.