Scientists have long projected that areas north and south of the
tropics will grow drier in a warming world –- from the Middle
East through the European Riviera to the American Southwest,
from sub-Saharan Africa to parts of Australia. These regions are
too far from the equator to benefit from the moist columns of
heated air that result in steamy afternoon downpours. And the
additional precipitation foreseen as more water evaporates from
the seas is mostly expected to fall at higher latitudes.
Essentially, a lot of climate scientists say, these regions may
start to feel more like deserts under the influence of global
warming. Now scientists have measured a rapid recent expansion
of desert-like barrenness in the subtropical oceans –- in places
where surface waters have also been steadily warming. There
could be a link to human-driven climate change, but it’s too
soon to tell, the scientists said. [UPDATED below, 3/6, 1 p..m]
Read more…