Meteorology

Weather and Climate Impact on North Carolina

Weather affects ecology in many ways. It can affect animals’ living conditions based on rainfall. For example, high winds can carry seeds into different environments, which will expand the population of that type of seed. It determines how researchers are able to collect data. The weather ultimately controls every other aspect of ecology from animal and plant life to the ability to even research in the study sites. For example in North Carolina, Researchers have studied the extreme weather conditions and noticed an increase in extreme weather events, (Ballard, 2019). This can affect the ecology of the location of the event by creating potential invasive species, change in water quality, and irreparable damage from high winds to name a few. For example in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, after 3 major hurricanes hit, researchers noticed a change in the carbon and nitrogen concentration in the water affecting the aquatic ecology, (Paerl, 2001). Finally, something as small as a 1 degree temperature change can affect the ecology of a location. In North Carolina, NOAA found that the mean average temperature has changed by 1 degree in the state, (Frankson, 2017). At this point in time, there is no clear research to show how this has affected the ecology of North Carolina. In conclusion, weather has the ability to control every part of ecology; without proper weather conditions, animal life, plant life, researcher’s abilities, and geology are all changed.

Frankson, R., K. Kunkel, L. Stevens, D. Easterling, W. Sweet, A. Wootten, and R. Boyles, 2017: North Carolina State Climate Summary. NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 149-NC, May 2019 Revision, 4 pp.

Paerl, Hans W., et al. “Ecosystem Impacts of Three Sequential Hurricanes (Dennis, Floyd, and Irene) on the United States' Largest Lagoonal Estuary, Pamlico Sound, NC.” PNAS, National Academy of Sciences, 8 May 2001, www.pnas.org/content/98/10/5655.

Ballard, Allison. “Environment Still Recovering from Hurricane Florence.” Wilmington Star News, Wilmington Star News, 12 Sept. 2019, www.starnewsonline.com/news/20190912/ environment-still-recovering-from-hurricane-florence.

US Department of Commerce, and Noaa. “Historical Hurricane Florence, September 12-15, 2018.” National Weather Service, NOAA's National Weather Service, 10 Jan. 2019, www. weather.gov/mhx/Florence2018.

Leslie, John. “The Environmental Consequences of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina.” Socialist Action, Philahistory, 5 Oct. 2018, socialistaction.org/2018/10/02/theenvironmental-consequences-of-hurricane-florence-in-north-carolina/.

Meteorological Methods

When first I was assigned the job of Meteorology, I researched how to use the equipment. For instance, when I didn’t know how to find the radio channel I needed, I decided to investigate the NOVA website. Also I was provided with a weather handbook, so I read it to become more familiar with the science.

At the study sites, I tested for wind speed, air temperature, wind chill, relative humidity, heat stress, dew point, air pressure, and dominant cloud type. Wind speed is how fast the wind is traveling. Air temperature is the measurement of degrees (Fahrenheit) in the environment. Wind chill is the combination of the wind and the air temperature. It tells us what it feels like for humans. Relative humidity is the amount of moisture inside the air. Heat stress is the measurement of how the heat impacts your body. Dew point is the atmospheric pressure at which water begins to condense. Air pressure is how the air feels on your body at a given altitude. We measure for all of these things because it gives us a better understanding of how weather can cause change on a location’s ecology. When I collected my data at the study sites I used a Kestrel 3,000 to test for the wind speed, air temperature, will chill, relative humidity, heat stress, dewpoint. I tested for these things three times in three different locations. I used the iPad to check the air pressure. Additionally, I used a chart to study the dominant cloud type. In my spare time, I used the weather radio to prepare the class for more unpleasant weather. It also was handy in situations where we needed to find out whether or not we could go out on the water during the Field Ecology trip.

Meteorological Data

The first study site we went to was Black Balsam Knob in North Carolina. The barometric pressure changed dramatically because we were up high upon a mountain. Since there was no shade, the temperature was relatively the same in the area. As a result There were no trees in the area because of the previous logging that had occurred in this location. There was a variety of clouds. This was one of the warmest North Carolina study sites. The temperature was 80.1 degrees.

Next we went to Graveyard Fields the same day. We were closer to a water source which changed the weather conditions, especially humidity. The humidity was 79.7% compared to 72% at Black Balsam Knob. We also were in a valley instead of being on a mountain which changed the air pressure. The air pressure at this study site was 856.33 hPa. It was easier to breathe at this location because the pressure was higher.

Our next study site was Fontana Lake which had a dramatic increase in the air pressure because we were going lower in sea level, closer to the ocean. At this location I observed that there was no direct sunlight because the cloud type blanketed the sky. The cloud type was altostratus meaning the sunlight was not able to penetrate through the clouds. This location was one of the chilliest because of cloud coverage and location because it was on water.

Our fourth study site was Goose Creek, North Carolina. This was the warmest study site because most of my data was collected near the river making the temperature warmer. The highest temperature got to 82.6 degrees which was the hottest it was on the trip. There was a decrease in humidity even though we were closer to the water. I found that an odd pattern in the data. Even though it was sunny while I was collecting my data, the cirrocummulus clouds were moving in and there was rain coming.

Fort Macon was the most unique site I studied at during Field Ecology. It was raining while I was doing my observations and it was the windiest study site I observed. The wind speed at Fort Macon was 10 mph. Compared to the other study sites, Fort Macon was more dynamic because the data was higher in range than other sites and there were safety risks involved. Fort Macon was 72.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity at Fort Macon was 96.9 %; this was due to the storm that the cirrocummulus clouds brought from the previous study site. The temperature, wind, and humidity differences are substantial from the other study sites in North Carolina because Fort Macon is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. This created an increase in wind speed, humidity, and decrease in temperature.

Meteorological Conclusions

The difference in data between Missouri and North Carolina made me question the difference in climate. The variations in climate I observed between Missouri and North Carolina are humidity, temperature, wind speed, and wind chill. Collecting this data will help future researchers to study climate change further. This makes me wonder whether or not others will see the same differences or if they will find varying data.

I observed differences in weather patterns based on the geographical location of the study site. The study sites Fort Macon, Fontana Lake, and Goose Creek are all locations near the ocean. I found that these study sites had higher humidity and decreases in temperature. This would change the ecology of these study sites because only certain species can survive in this environment. I also noticed the wind speed at these three study sites increased. It was interesting to me that we didn’t see as many birds at these locations. I think that this could be because of the increased wind speed.

Meteorology is such a wide topic that it affects most, if not all, of the other fields of study. For example, the climate will affect what kind of species of plants and animals will be in the study site. Extreme weather can change a location’s plant and animal life due to high winds, flooding, and soil composition. The wind carries seeds; therefore if the wind is faster than normal it can carry them farther than normally expected.

Advice for Future Meteorologists

Collecting the data can turn into a jumble of numbers, so it is important to use charts, keep them inside a journal, and have organized supplies. I recommend learning about the supplies you have to use ahead of time. Always have extra batteries for the weather radio. It is important to check in on the weather radio once a day to be sure you can prepare your class for any potential weather events. It is also important to make sure you know if the water is safe in your study sites, specifically at Fort Macon because it is on the Atlantic Ocean.