Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Temperature Anomaly

Mains level: Not Much

temperature

Central idea: Global warming does not mean that each month or each year will be warmer than the previous month or the previous year.

What is Temperature Anomaly?

This is a measure of how much the actual temperature deviates from the long-term average temperature for a particular location and time period.
Anomalies are calculated by taking the difference between the actual temperature and the long-term average temperature, and then averaging this difference over a specified period.
The anomalies are due to land-ocean-atmosphere processes that dynamically determine the weather and climate.
It is a useful tool for understanding changes in climate over time, as they allow scientists to compare temperatures from different time periods and locations.
For example, a temperature anomaly of +2°C in a particular region in a given year means that the temperature in that region was 2°C higher than the long-term average for that region and time period.

Why study this?

Long-term trend: By analyzing temperature anomalies over time, scientists can identify long-term trends in climate change and predict future changes.
Track extreme weather event: These are also used to monitor extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, which can have significant impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems.

The fact that March 2023 was the second warmest March on record suggests that the planet is experiencing long-term warming.
It is a clear indication of the impact of human activities on the planet.
The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have led to an increase in greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
This warming trend is expected to continue and worsen in the coming years, leading to more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other negative impacts on the planet.

The second warmest March on record can have significant impacts on local weather patterns.
As mentioned earlier, the warming over the northwest to the west of India caused cooler than normal weather over Mumbai and excess pre-monsoon rains over the northwest.
On the other hand, Kerala and Odisha experienced scorching heatwaves.
These weather anomalies can have serious implications for agriculture, water resources, and public health.

Crop yields decline: This can be affected by extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns can lead to water shortages or flooding.
Heatwaves: This can cause heat stress and other health problems, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children.