Hadley Cell - Hadley Cell Expansion

Hadley Cell Expansion

There is some evidence that the expansion of the Hadley cells is related to climate change. The majority of earth's driest and arid regions are located in the areas underneath the descending branches of the Hadley circulation around 30 degrees latitude. Both idealised and more realistic climate model experiments show that the Hadley cell expands with increased global mean temperature (perhaps by 2 degrees latitude over the 21st century ); this can lead to large changes in precipitation in the latitudes at the edge of the cells. Scientists fear that the ongoing presence of global warming might bring drastic changes to the ecosystems in the deep tropics and that the deserts will become drier and expand. As the areas around 30 degrees latitude become drier, those inhabiting in that region will see less rainfall than traditionally expected, which could cause major problems with food supplies and habitability.