Even if you can’t smell smoke, that doesn’t mean it’s not impacting you. “Your nose is not a good tool,” said atmospheric scientist and CSU associate professor Emily Fischer. (Colorado Public Radio)
“This report brings a bit more emphasis on the effect climate change has on weather events that occur that we all experience.” Russ Schumacher, the state’s climatologist. (Fox21 Denver)
The team predicts 18 named storms in 2021, including the five named storms that have already formed.
“That’s quite heavy rainfall for the area, but it wasn’t even the heaviest rain in western Colorado that night – it just happened to be in exactly the wrong location." (Gizmodo)
Researchers said soils aren’t soaking up as much of the snow melt, which leads to more water in the rivers.
"We have two pollutants of concern here that you can check data daily: ozone and fine particulate matter. I make decisions for my family living on the Front Range, especially my kids, their outdoor activities, based on that data.” (KUNC/NPR)
Scientists have warned for over 50 years about increases in extreme events arising from subtle changes in average climate, but many people have been shocked by the ferocity of recent weather disasters.
In an accompanying article in Nature, professor Scott Denning wrote that the paper’s “atmospheric profiles show that the uncertain future is happening now.” (New York Times)
Ellie Casas, a doctoral candidate in the Atmospheric Science department, is working this summer as one of the instructors of the ENcourage Engineering Math Program.
CSU’s Tropical Meteorology Project increased its forecast to 20 named storms and nine hurricanes. In April, it had predicted the 2021 season would net 17 named storms and eight hurricanes. (Smithsonian Magazine)