Roundup Newswires

Editor Brian Harrod Provides Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, with aggregated news from sources all over the world from the Roundup Newswires Network

A third of Himalayan ice cap doomed, finds report

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Admin

Even radical climate change action won’t save glaciers, endangering 2 billion people

At least a third of the huge ice fields in Asia’s towering mountain chain are doomed to melt due to climate change, according to a landmark report, with serious consequences for almost 2 billion people.

Even if carbon emissions are dramatically and rapidly cut and succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5C, 36% of the glaciers along in the Hindu Kush and Himalaya range will have gone by 2100. If emissions are not cut, the loss soars to two-thirds, the report found.

Weatherwatch: how mountain winds bring warm winter weather

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Admin

A prolonged Föhn effect can result in abnormally high temperatures

The Föhn effect is characterised by dry and warm winds on the downwind side of high ground. The main warming mechanism originates from the fact that the cooling rate of moisture-laden air as it is forced to ascend over a mountain is lower than the warming rate of drier air as it descends the downslope side. Once the moisture is condensed out of the air into clouds over the mountain itself, it warms up descending the lee side – often becoming notably higher than its original temperature.

Another factor involved in the air warming is that descending air tends to be mostly clear of clouds, allowing the sun to warm the surface and the air that travels over it.