The content of this website is no longer being updated. For information on current assessment activities, please visit http://www.globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment
Lake Superior Summer Water Temperatures Are Increasing More Rapidly Than Regional Air Temperatures: A Positive Ice-albedo Feedback
| Title | Lake Superior Summer Water Temperatures Are Increasing More Rapidly Than Regional Air Temperatures: A Positive Ice-albedo Feedback |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2007 |
| Authors | Austin, J. A., and S. M. Colman |
| Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
| Volume | 34 |
| Date Published | Mar |
| Type of Article | Article |
| ISBN Number | 0094-8276 |
| Keywords | africa, climate-change, cover, laurentian great-lakes, michigan, sea, tanganyika, trends |
| Abstract | Lake Superior summer ( July - September) surface water temperatures have increased approximately 2.5 degrees C over the interval 1979 - 2006, equivalent to a rate of ( 11 +/- 6) x 10(-2) degrees C yr(-1), significantly in excess of regional atmospheric warming. This discrepancy is caused by declining winter ice cover, which is causing the onset of the positively stratified season to occur earlier at a rate of roughly a half day per year. An earlier start of the stratified season significantly increases the period over which the lake warms during the summer months, leading to a stronger trend in mean summer temperatures than would be expected from changes in summer air temperature alone. |
| Notes | Geophys. Res. Lett.ISI Document Delivery No.: 149ZSTimes Cited: 32Cited Reference Count: 30Austin, Jay A. Colman, Steven M.Amer geophysical unionWashington |
| URL | <Go to ISI>://000245186000005 |
| DOI | 10.1029/2006gl029021 |
| Reference number | 166 |
| Short Title | Lake Superior Summer Water Temperatures Are Increasing More Rapidly Than Regional Air Temperatures: A Positive Ice-albedo Feedback |
| Citation Key | 166 |