Will There Be Increased Global Precipitation?
Very probable. Along with an increase in air temperature might be an increase in evaporation, which could lead to greater global precipitation. The increase in precipitation would not be evenly distributed. Circulation models indicate the warmer northern polar zone could also have more moist air and a marked increase in precipitation. Mid latitude areas, however, would have less rainfall than now, especially in continental interiors during the summer months. With these changes in mind you may see the following:
- A shift in the grain belt to the north (on the same latitudes as Canada and even northern Canada).
- Some possible crop changes (failures) due to the hot, dry summers in the continental interiors of the mid latitudes (latitude of the northern United States).