The impact of global warming is becoming evident, potentially affecting our traditional white Christmas. With scorching heatwaves dominating the world in recent months, concerns have been raised about an unusually warm winter ahead. Researchers now caution that this winter could witness record-breaking temperatures across the globe. It’s a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its consequences on our seasons.
Global Warming and Record Temperatures: From June to October 2023, global temperatures exceeded the average from 1991-2020 by significant margins. August and September broke records set in 2016, with temperature anomalies of 0.62 and 0.69 degrees Celsius, respectively. These rising temperatures are attributed to global warming and the reappearance of the El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño’s Return: The El Niño phenomenon, which had been absent for seven years, is making a comeback. Researchers warn of an imminent Eastern Pacific El Niño, categorized as moderate to strong, which is expected to bring unusual weather patterns to East Asia and North America.
Winter Outlook: Researchers predict that the 2023/24 winter will likely break historical temperature records globally, with regions in mid-low latitudes of Eurasia and most parts of the Americas expecting an exceptionally warm season. In China, winter temperatures may even double the usual averages, potentially marking the highest winter temperatures since 1991.
External Factors: The article highlights the influence of external factors on climate predictions. For instance, the 2019 Australian wildfires contributed to multi-year La Niñas by creating low clouds over the Southern Ocean, reducing sea surface temperatures, and affecting the climatic system. Additionally, historical data on volcanic eruptions in the Southern Hemisphere suggests a correlation between eruptions and subsequent La Niña events over three years, highlighting the cooling effect of volcanic aerosols on the Southern Ocean.
Complex Climate Interactions: The findings underscore the complex interplay of various factors shaping our climate, including both natural events like volcanic eruptions and human-induced climate change. This complexity emphasizes the need for continued research to better understand and anticipate climate patterns.
In summary, the article raises concerns about the potential for an unusually warm winter in 2023/24 due to the combined effects of global warming and the return of El Niño. It also emphasizes the importance of considering various external factors in climate predictions and the ongoing need for research to better comprehend these intricate climate interactions.
