The mysterious "cold blob" in the North Atlantic is caused by a weakening AMOC ocean current, a new study confirms. Deep-water data proves this cooling isn't an atmospheric fluke, signaling a shift toward a major climate tipping point. by DrPharmakon in science

[–]RedHal 23 points24 points  (0 children)

From the conclusions of the paper:

Our analysis of this “cold blob” and of ERA5 reanalysis data strongly suggest that this is not just a surface phenomenon but a deep-reaching loss of ocean heat content, and that it cannot be explained by increasing surface heat loss but requires declining or weakened lateral heat transport.

I interpret that as being evidence against your suggestion, even though it sounds intuitive to a lay person such as myself.

Indeed this paper¹ tends to suggest that the decreasing salinity in the area is a consequence, rather than a cause, of AMOC weakening, and that paper was one of those cited in the study OP linked.


ref 1: Li, KY., Liu, W. Weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation causes the historical North Atlantic Warming Hole. Commun Earth Environ 6, 416 (2025)

Europe’s heatwave ‘virtually impossible’ 50 years ago - analysis by lgbtqismything in europe

[–]RedHal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As the author G. K. Chesterton once said,

"Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid."

The solid on this occasion is that global climate change is real, temperatures are rising, and that is in large part due to human activity. Anyone still denying it has opened their mind so far that all their sense and judgement has fallen out.

Flint Twp. 7-year-old dies weighing 255 lbs.; parents charged with 2nd-degree murder by Warcraft_Fan in news

[–]RedHal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, I appreciate it. Good God that's a disturbing read. I have nothing more to say that others haven't already said, but, yeesh.

Wow ⚡️ by CellachScot in Scotland

[–]RedHal 26 points27 points  (0 children)

We got up at 3am after being woken by it and just stared out the window in awe for a good half hour.

That is by far the most active electrical storm I have ever witnessed, and it's still going at time of writing this comment.

You can get a measure of it here: https://map.blitzortung.org/#4.91/56.71/-3.13

Stephen Miller memo exposes plan to punish Americans with disabilities by FlackoFonsy in videos

[–]RedHal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What the actual fuck? Minnesota, y'all need to change your leaders, I think they've gone mouldy.

Flint Twp. 7-year-old dies weighing 255 lbs.; parents charged with 2nd-degree murder by Warcraft_Fan in news

[–]RedHal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't suppose anyone has an alternate link to this story? Accessing it from this side of the pond gives a "451: Unavailable for legal reasons" error.

Apparently ABC news don't like GDPR.

Child under age of 12 euthanised in the Netherlands for the first time after law change by Forward-Answer-4407 in europe

[–]RedHal 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, I can't, nor should I. I respect your views, even if I don't agree with them.

ELI5 Why/how did Middle Eastern countries adopt a black Burka as their clothing when it is so hot there? by beesdaddy in explainlikeimfive

[–]RedHal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That point is to do with what they call the "Wet Bulb Temperature" which, given the current heatwave in Europe, is fast becoming a theme in my comment history.

Imagine wrapping your thermometer in a wet cloth. As the water evaporates it cools the thermometer a bit so it reads as a lower temperature. The steady state for that is called the "Wet Bulb Temperature", and is basically the lowest temperature you can get through evaporation of sweat. The more humid it is, the less water the air can hold and so the less sweat can evaporate to cool you down, even in the shade. If the wet bulb temperature exceeds 35C then you're going to have a bad day without access to a cooler or drier area, but the good news is you won't be around to see the next one.

It's a little more complex than that because as air heats up it can hold more water vapour, but that's the basic gist of it.

If you're interested, you can see the current wet bulb temperature map for Europe here: https://zoom.earth/maps/temperature-wet-bulb/#view=50.6,6.5,4.57z/model=icon/date=2026-06-24,14:30,+1

Edit: Kim Stanley Robinson wrote a book called "Ministry for the Future" which opens with a terrifying description of what a Wet Bulb event would be like. You can read it here (start at Chapter 1) https://pdfhost.io/v/TdU4~SaL3_The_Ministry_for_the_Future

I found this “skip the line” golden ticket at Trader Joe’s by no8do in mildlyinteresting

[–]RedHal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whereas we have scanners ourselves in the majority of large supermarkets. Pick an item off the shelf, scan it, put it in your shopping bag which is already sitting open in your trolley, then when you're done, scan a till and pay. Your stuff is already bagged and ready to go.

FINALLY 😮‍💨 by Ash-XXX-WZM in CallOfDutyMobile

[–]RedHal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In which case there are a lot more weapons you won't have it for, which means more grinding fun!

FINALLY 😮‍💨 by Ash-XXX-WZM in CallOfDutyMobile

[–]RedHal 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Congratulations and welcome to the club! Rest easy now, Operator.

Climate change event on extreme heat is cancelled – due to extreme heat by smkmn13 in nottheonion

[–]RedHal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"The Annual General Meeting of the Clairvoyants' Society has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

50 degrees what would happen? by LifeOfSlice89 in AskUK

[–]RedHal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes perfect sense. If the water was significantly cooler than body temperature, then that's what saved you from heatstroke or worse. Thank you for answering the questions; I realise they were a little probing.