Expert: Philip Stahl - 8/23/2008

Question
I live in Buffalo, Ny and we get a great range of weather conditions while other places like Califoria get dry heat, and very little variation in temperature. Is there a conceivable scerio of the earth's distance from the sun, various gases in the atmosphere, and other changes that would make the weather pretty much the same as California from say the top of Canada to the bottom of Australia?

Answer
Hello,

I will offer an answer from a more or less astronomical perspective, but you may also wish to consult an expert in meteorology. (Especially re: the gases in the atmosphere)

Basically, the only scenario I can think of - which even then would not render the weather homogeneous all over - is global warming.

For example, the first "year of no seasons" worldwide is predicted for 2040-45. This means everywhere in the world will basically cease to have four distinct seasons. No more winter, snow and ice. Henceforth just rainy season and dry hot season. (Other places may see much more of one type than another)

In this sense, temperatures etc. will be somewhat equalized though projection maps of warming effects - such as have been published in the American Geophysical Union's journal 'EOS' so show some regions much warmer than others. E.g. the American west warming more than the east which will have wetter conditions. Southern India, Africa more than Siberia.

I cannot think of any orbital change that will produce such results so long as global warming (and high CO2 concentration) remains the major factor it is.