Skip to main content

The 100th Meridian has shifted 140 miles east

In the 1870s, scientist and explorer John Wesley Powell observed a dramatic change between the arid Western plains of North America and the wetter eastern region. He noted a remarkable transformation: lush grasslands giving way to bare ground with occasional cacti. This transition line, stretching from Mexico to Manitoba, cuts through the continent's breadbasket, where farmers grow rain-loving corn to the east and drought-resistant wheat to the west.

Known as the 100th Meridian, this climatic boundary is named after the longitudinal line it approximately follows. However, recent studies by climate scientist Richard Seager of Columbia University's Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory and his colleagues reveal that this transition is shifting.

Various factors contribute to the existence of this line. The Rocky Mountains force Pacific moisture to rain out before reaching the plains, while Atlantic storms and Gulf of Mexico winds bring moisture to the east. Changes are occurring: although rainfall has not significantly altered in the northern plains, rising temperatures are increasing soil evaporation and drying the region. Additionally, shifts in wind patterns are reducing rainfall further south. Seager's research indicates that the line has moved approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles) eastward since 1980. While current shifts may be due to natural variability, they align with expected trends driven by climate change, suggesting that the line will continue to shift eastward as the planet warms.


The animated map below illustrates how U.S. climatic zones will change through 2100.

http://www.ecoclimax.com/2016/11/us-map-after-global-warming.html


Af - Tropical rainforest climate, Am - Tropical monsoon climate,Aw - Tropical savanna climate, BSh - Hot semi-arid climates, BSk - Cold semi-arid climates, BWh - Hot desert climates, BWk - Cold desert climates, Cfa - Humid subtropical climate, Cfb - Oceanic climate, Cfc - Subpolar oceanic climate, Csa - Hot-summer Mediterranean climate, Csb - Warm-summer Mediterranean climate, Cwa - Humid subtropical climate, Cwb - Subtropical highland oceanic climate, Dfa - Hot humid continental climate, Dfb - Warm humid continental climate, Dfc - Subarctic climate, Dfd - Subarctic climate, Dsa - Hot humid continental climate, Dsb - Warm humid continental climate, Dsc - Subarctic climate, Dwa - Humid continental climate, Dwb - Warm humid continental climate, Dwc - Subarctic climate, ET - Tundra climate.


In general terms, the climate in the United States is expected to change in several ways in the future. This includes an overall increase in temperatures, and changes in precipitation patterns leading to more intense and frequent extreme weather events such as storms, droughts, and heatwaves. Sea levels are also projected to rise, impacting coastal areas.

Are you interested in climate change? We advise you to pay attention to these books.
Labels:

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


Popular posts from this blog

Find cities with similar climate

This map has been created using The Global environmental stratification. The Global environmental stratification (GEnS), based on statistical clustering of bioclimate data (WorldClim). GEnS, consists of 125 strata, which have been aggregated into 18 global environmental zones (labeled A to R) based on the dendrogram. Interactive map >> Via www.vividmaps.com Related posts: -  Find cities with similar climate 2050 -  How global warming will impact 6000+ cities around the world?
Read more

How Cold Can It Get? The Lowest Temperatures Ever Recorded, Mapped

We often talk about record heat , especially in the context of climate change. But on the flip side, our planet also experiences cold so extreme it defies belief—temperatures that can flash-freeze exposed skin and halt life as we know it. These are not just numbers on thermometers; they’re snapshots of how Earth's atmosphere behaves under specific conditions—altitude, wind patterns, and location far from the moderating effects of oceans. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth? That title goes to Vostok Station in Antarctica, where scientists measured a bone-cracking −89.2°C (−128.6°F) on July 21, 1983. Located on the East Antarctic Plateau, Vostok is more than 1,000 kilometers from the South Pole and sits atop about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) of ice. It’s isolated, dry, and high—three ingredients that make for perfect deep freeze conditions. The world map below created by VividMaps shows the lowest temperature ever recorded by country. The Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mapping the Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded on Earth

 When summer arrives, it brings not only vacation season but also some of the most extreme heat waves across the globe. While many people associate summer with warm, sunny days, some regions endure scorching temperatures that push the limits of human endurance. To put these extremes into perspective, we’ve mapped the highest temperatures ever recorded in countries around the world. The maps below, created by Vivid Maps , illustrate these record-breaking temperatures and the patterns of extreme heat across the globe. The Hottest Temperature on Record According to historical weather data, the highest reliably recorded temperature on Earth is 56.7°C (134°F) , measured in Death Valley, California , on July 10, 1913 . However, an even higher temperature of 58°C (136.4°F) was reportedly recorded in El Azizia, Libya , on September 13, 1922 . While this Libyan record stood for decades, some meteorologists have questioned its accuracy due to inconsistencies in measurement methods at the ti...
1 comment
Read more