Ocean Currents and Weather *
*Note: This is an abbreviated Project Idea, without notes to start your background research, a specific list of materials, or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated Project Ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.
Abstract
Ocean currents have a huge impact on our weather. If not for the ocean currents, the global climate would be similar to an ice age. Do you live near the coast? Find out which currents are near your coastline. How do they affect your climate? Where do they come from? Do they bring colder or warmer water to your area? Are they seasonal? What do you think your area would be like without them? Every three to seven years there is a weather phenomenon called El Niño, which is caused by a shift in ocean currents. Are there weather patterns that can be attributed to El Niño? Do weather histories reflect an increase in blizzard/hurricane/flooding frequencies during El Niño years? What about before or after El Niño Years? (FI, 2006; GLOBE, 2006; NCAR, 2006; NOAA, 2006; Unisys, 2006; Weather Underground, 2006; WMO, 2006)Share your story with Science Buddies!
Last edit date: 2013-01-10
Bibliography
- FI, 2006. "Franklin's Forecast," The Franklin Institute. [accessed: 3/1/2006] http://www.fi.edu/weather/.
- GLOBE, 2006. "The GLOBE Program: Measurements: Protocols," GLOBE, managed jointly by UCAR and CSU. [accessed: 3/1/2006] http://globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?measpage〈=en&nav=1
- NCAR, 2006. "NCAR Science and Education Outreach Page," National Center for Atmospheric Research. [accessed: 3/1/2006]
http://eo.ucar.edu/. - NOAA, 2006. "NOAA Homepage," National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. [accessed: 3/1/2006] http://www.noaa.gov/.
- Unisys Corp, 2006. "Unisys Weather," Blue Bell, PA. [accessed: 3/9/2006] http://weather.unisys.com/.
- The Weather Underground, Inc, 2005. "The Weather Underground," Ann Arbor, MI. [accessed: 12/13/05] http://www.wunderground.com/.
- WMO, 2006. "World Meteorological Organization," WMO, United Nations. [accessed: 3/1/2006] http://www.wmo.ch/index-en.html.
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