Comment Re: HOTTEST EVER !? What does that mean? (Score 1) 132
Ok. I have to step in here.
1) remote sensing is how most temperature data is measured now, point sensors are used to calibrate the dataset and not really used as a general area reading.
2) CO2 is a very specific Infrared absorber in wavelengths that are transparent in our atmosphere to outgoing long wave radiation. So we have a net energy increase at the surface. More energy, higher temperatures.
3) as far as fewer extremes go, particularly with the assertion that we will see fewer high temperature events doesn't really hold water.
Arctic warming because of reduce albedo is going to weaken the temperature gradient between the polar and mid latitudes during the winter, this actually creates more variance in temperatures over the mid attitudes as the polar circulation weakens, letting both cold air escape south and warm air infiltrate north.
During the equinoxes the increase in energy will generate more energy in the equatorial regions, which has to be transported poleward, more energy transfer will yield more storms.
As far as NH summer, the energy has to go somewhere.So again, you'll see extremely warm air masses pushed poleward. Which will result in more extreme weather events.
And with the temperature differentials decreasing, there will be less overall lateral movement of systems, making it easier for high pressure blocking and high pressure domes to set up and park over regions (creating large area of subsidence and extreme conditions that stick around for weeks at a time)