Tropical Belt Expands

By: Meteorologist Ray Hawthorne Email

Updated: Mon 4:46 PM, Dec 10, 2007

Aside from this week's abnormally warm weather, a new research study says the earth's tropical belt is expanding, which might have an impact on climate.

The study published in Nature Geoscience says jet streams and precipitation patterns typically observed in the tropics will gradually move toward the poles if computer model simulations are correct. Warming water temperatures and El Nino are possible causes of the expansion, but NOAA scientists say further study will be needed to determine their exact roles.

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