Global Warming Slows Winds Over Pacific

"Climate scientists have documented a pronounced slowdown in the Pacific Ocean atmospheric system that drives the trade winds, a prediction of global warming theory that appears to be coming true.

A study released today in the journal Nature suggests that the movement of moisture and heat across the tropical Pacific has tapered off by 3.5 percent since the mid-1800s, when such records begin, and appears likely to ease by another 10 percent this century.

That could have wide repercussions for weather and sea life throughout the Pacific region, although it's hard for anyone to be certain at this early stage what effect the slowing of the winds would have.

Possibilities include more El Nino-like conditions, stronger hurricanes and less upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water from the deep Pacific. Weather generally may become more variable -- and harder to predict."

"Jan Null, consulting meteorologist at Golden Gate Weather Services, said any change in the Pacific's air-flow pattern may be compensated by a change in some other part of the system yet to be pinpointed."