Final Blog

Predicted Weather Change

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Charleston is predicted to experience a 2.5º to 3.0º C increase in surface temperatures.  It is also expected that Charleston will see more frequent and intense precipitation than in years past.  In general, Charleston’s climate is expected to become warmer and wetter as time passes by.  

Source: IPPC's Climate Change 2007

In addition to these climate changes, Charleston will see an uptick in extreme weather.  This extreme weather will come in three forms.  The first form is that not only will there be increases in average temperatures but there will be more frequent and longer heat spells.  In the case of precipitation as not only will Charleston see more precipitation but there will be more cases of heavy rain which will cause more flooding.  Charleston, if the predictions hold true, can expect to see a higher frequency in Hurricanes.  Again, the intensity of these storms will coincide with the higher frequency, in the form of higher wind speeds and storm surges.  In addition to these local conditions, Charleston could be affected by higher sea levels at the global level.  

This could become a common occurrence on the commute home
Source:http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110423/PC1602/304239969

Consequences

Environment – At an environmental level the biggest consequences of climate change is the flooding of the wetlands of Charleston.  Wetlands are an extremely important part of the ecosystem and provide a large array of benefits.  Wetlands are areas where groundwater or standing waters create an extremely saturated environment in which plants suited for wet conditions thrive and a wide variety of wildlife reside.  Swamps, marshes, and bogs are all considered to be wetlands.  The EPA states that wetlands provide benefits such as a natural fresh water filter, storing floodwaters, and control erosion.  The loss of these lands means Charleston could become even more susceptible to floods and the proverbial ecosystem dominos would begin to fall in the whole area.

The Wetlands of Charleston, SC
Source: science.howstuffworks.com

Public Health – The impact of climate change will be felt in the arena of public health.  With longer and hotter heat waves, the risk of heat stroke will increase greatly.  The elderly, young, and poor are especially at risk.  There has been a rising increase in heat stroke related deaths in the south and that will only increase.  An increase in flooding will also have a negative impact on public health.  With an increase in flooding, there will be a corresponding increase in standing water for periods of time.  Standing water carries dangerous pathogens that can leave people critically ill.  Once again the elderly, young, and poor will be at a higher risk.  Finally, as mentioned before the destructive forces of Hurricanes will always have a negative impact on the communities public health. 

Economics - Two economic drivers of Charleston will be greatly impacted by the predicted weather and climate changes that are predicted.  They two economic sectors are tourism and shipping.  Charleston has become a tourist destination as a result of its famous hotels, coastline, and golf courses.  If the climate becomes wetter, many of these outdoor activities that draw people to Charleston will lose their luster.  The money will not be brought into the local economy.  If the weather does become more extreme at a higher rate, shipping companies will have to analyze their risk in using Charleston port as a major logistical center.  Once again this will mean fewer dollars for the local economy.  Another concern for the shipping industry is the possibility of rising sea levels.  This could affect the depth and geography of the harbor.  If there was significant change, the harbor could become unsuitable for the large container vessels and all together wipe out the shipping industry.  At the very least, billions of dollars could be needed to deepen the harbor or fill the new coast line to restore it to its original condition.      

Perfect Weather for a Beach Vacation

Source: travelandleisure.com

Charleston Port, will it remain viable?
Source: siteselection.com

Mitigative Measures

Protect and Restore the Wetlands – While the increase in flooding and higher sea levels attributed to climate change may destroy existing wetlands no matter what, the destruction by mankind should be prevented.  The city should adopt a land use ordinance that restricts new development from taking place in the wetland areas.  Policymakers in Charleston should also look beyond just preserving the wetlands.  They should be aiming to restoring previously filled and developed wetlands.  Thankfully when wetlands are filled and developed over they are not lost.   The EPA has guidelines and best practices in wetland restoration that the government of Charleston can and should take advantage of.  By putting these policies into place, Charleston will have a more natural and effective flood control system and the ecosystem may move to a more natural state improving the overall environment of the region. 

Invest in Flood Prevention Infrastructure – The current system of levee’s, seawalls, pumps, and drainage systems should be examined.  Unfortunately, as the world saw in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, these systems are probably insufficient in providing protection from high category hurricanes.  Money should be secured and projects prioritized to increase the capacity of these systems.  While these systems cannot completely shield the city from severe weather, they can reduce the risk of a catastrophic event.  

Sources:

http://www.charlestonlowcountry.com/about/everything.html

http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/index.cfm

Blog 3

Climate Controls

Source: http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=13090

At the macro scale, Charleston’s climate is controlled by its location in the Northern Hemisphere on the North American continent.  At the meso scale, Charleston’s climate is controlled by its location on the Atlantic Coast and the Bermuda High Air Mass. In addition, Charleston is located at the meeting of several rivers.  

Source: http://mappery.com/map-of/Charleston-South-Carolina-Tourist-Map-2

Historical Trends

Source: NOAA

Source: NOAA

For both the average maximum and minimum temperatures there was a slight decrease in the month of January.  For the maximum there was a slight increase until the 1950's before it began to decrease.

Source: NOAA

Source: NOAA

An increase can be seen in both the average maximum and minimum temperatures in the month of July.  The increase in the minimum is much more significant.  Also, while the average maximum temperature has risen since 1893, it reached a peak in the 1970's and has begun to decrease.

An explanation for the increase in the minimum temperature in July is the creation of an urban heat island.  As the city expanded and more asphalt became present the radiation from the sunny days in July is absorbed.  This energy is then released at night in the form of heat, keeping the temperature at night higher than in the past.

Koppen-Geiger climate classification system

Source: http://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/mpeel/koppen.html

Charleston, SC falls under the Cfa classification.  In order for a location to fall under this classification the coldest month must fall under 64.4 F and the warmest month is over 71.6 F.  There should be also be 4 months that are above 50 F.  The graph below confirms this.

Source:  www.weather.com

Reflection #1. Charleston vs Portland

The difference in location of Charleston and Portland affect their climate

I chose to compare Charleston, SC to Portland, OR due the contrast in locations within the United States.  When comparing the high temperatures, they follow a similar pattern with Portland 8-12 F cooler throughout the year.  The more northern location of Portland explains the difference while the similar climate pattern is a result of both being in the Northern Hemisphere and being affected by maritime air masses.  The difference between being located on the coast, Charleston, and 65 miles inland, Portland, is seen when comparing the average low temperatures.  The average low temperatures in Portland are lower especially in the winter.  This means the difference between the high and low on any given day is much greater in Portland.  This is a result of continentality.

The maritime air masses the influence the two cities produce similar weather

 patterns.  The  difference in temperature can be attributed to the more northern

 location of Portland.  

The air cools much more rapidly in Portland at night due to its location inland 

from the Pacific ocean.

Charleston and Portland receive very similar levels of precipitation but receive it at different times of the year.  This is a result of the stability of the air masses influencing the climate of the two cities.  In Portland, the majority of the precipitation is received during the winter months while the summer months are much drier.  This is because the more unstable Maritime polar air mass is the driver of the winter weather while the more stable Maritime tropical air mass is the driver in the summer.  In Charleston, the difference in precipitation is not as drastic as in Portland but there is a significant peak during the summer.  This corresponds to when the Bermuda High air mass is most unstable.

Sources:

http://geo3232.blogspot.com

http://weatherinportland.blogspot.com/

Blog #2

Source: sethmhmsms.edublogs.org

Charleston, South Carolina is affected by the maritime tropical air masses year round with continental polar air masses influencing the weather at times from the fall through the spring time.  The maritime tropical air mass that influences Charleston's weather significantly is the Bermuda high.

The cold front dipping down in the southeast is currently 

causing severe weather in the region.

Source: www.weather.com

Charleston experiences mid-latitude cyclones in the form of cold fronts.  These cold fronts are pushed down from the north.  When these fronts move in they meet the warm and humid air from the Bermuda high air mass which can cause severe thunder storms and possible tornadoes.  In winter, when these two air masses meet they have a potential to create what is commonly called a nor’easter which will run up the eastern sea board.  When Charleston does experience snow it is because of one of these storms.  

The ITCZ does have an effect on Charleston with its passage beginning as early as mid-May and lasting as late as November.  The ITCZ promotes heavier precipitation from June through August.  During this time, Charleston can be susceptible to hurricanes.  The most infamous being Hurricane Hugo that struck Charleston in 1989.

The Appalachian Mountains influence how certain air masses affect Charleston's climate.  The Appalachian's block or diminish the continental polar air masses that come from the northwest. Precipitation is sucked out of these polar air masses while going over the Appalachian's.  They need to meet up with the moist tropical air mass to give Charleston precipitation.

Sources:

http://www.hurricanezone.net/articles/tropicalcycloneformation.html

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ClimateData/cli_sc_climate.php

http://www.dreamcharleston.com/charleston-weather.html

Blog 1