Article Type:
Research Article

The Influence of Anthropogenic Landscape Changes on Weather in South Florida

R. A. Pielke Sr. Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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R. L. Walko Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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L. T. Steyaert U.S. Geological Survey, EROS Data Center, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

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P. L. Vidale Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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G. E. Liston Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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W. A. Lyons Yucca Ridge Field Station, FMA Research, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado

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T. N. Chase Department of Atmospheric Science and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 1999
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<1663:TIOALC>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1663–1673
Restricted access

Abstract

Using identical observed meteorology for lateral boundary conditions, the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System was integrated for July–August 1973 for south Florida. Three experiments were performed—one using the observed 1973 landscape, another the 1993 landscape, and the third the 1900 landscape, when the region was close to its natural state. Over the 2-month period, there was a 9% decrease in rainfall averaged over south Florida with the 1973 landscape and an 11% decrease with the 1993 landscape, as compared with the model results when the 1900 landscape is used. The limited available observations of trends in summer rainfall over this region are consistent with these trends.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Roger A. Pielke Sr., Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371.

Email: dallas@hercules.atmos.colostate.edu

Abstract

Using identical observed meteorology for lateral boundary conditions, the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System was integrated for July–August 1973 for south Florida. Three experiments were performed—one using the observed 1973 landscape, another the 1993 landscape, and the third the 1900 landscape, when the region was close to its natural state. Over the 2-month period, there was a 9% decrease in rainfall averaged over south Florida with the 1973 landscape and an 11% decrease with the 1993 landscape, as compared with the model results when the 1900 landscape is used. The limited available observations of trends in summer rainfall over this region are consistent with these trends.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Roger A. Pielke Sr., Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371.

Email: dallas@hercules.atmos.colostate.edu

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