scientists predict the weather for the next 10, 15, 20, even 50 years? So how can they predict that the earth's temperature will rise to the point that all the ice caps will melt and much of the land will be flooded?
2007-07-03 06:17:27 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
The predictions are done with models. Usually a model will give the desired results if you manipulate it properly. The person running the model can then use clever words to make it sound like what they wanted the results to be. Then the numbers can be manipulated to make it appear much worse or better, depending on who is funding the money and what results they want to see.
The weather, including temperature, can not be predicted to enough accuracy that people can determine what the temperature will be in 10 days, let alone, 50 years.
2007-07-03 07:06:01 · answer #1 · answered by davinm23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weather forecasts for short term weather track wind patterns and get inaccurate after 5 days or less depending on the instability.
Long term weather deals with long term averages so when a temperature rise is predicted it is an average one. It is expected that temperatures will be higher by a few degrees than normal.
2007-07-03 13:24:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are comparing two different things ,
Predicting next 10 days weather is actually difficult , as it has to be precise....... weather is diff everyday and everywhere.
Predicting weather of next 50 years (you might be talking about global warming) is different as its the weather of whole world which is gonna be affected. and this is predicted seeing the past. They found out the temp 50 yrs ago and now its heated up , within next 50 yrs it will be hotter than today...
2007-07-03 13:28:59 · answer #3 · answered by urtraced 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These days predicting is done with models. Recent mathematical discoveries have shown that models are even less accurate than previously thought. I know that you realize that these predictions are politically motivated. They rely on you to not know enough calculus to prove them wrong.
On the other hand, the best prediction must be attempted. You hope they are honest evaluations.
2007-07-03 13:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by Richard F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Predicting future temperatures is easier than predicting precipitation.
They many not know if it will rain Friday or not, but see if they get the high and low temperatures right.
2007-07-03 13:22:04 · answer #5 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋