North Central Research Station

Atmospheric Disturbance Climatology

One of the most important factors impacting terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems is the atmospheric environment.  Climatic events play a significant role in governing the natural processes that occur in these ecosystems.  The current characteristics of the vast number of ecosystems that cover the North-central and Northeastern US are, in large part, determined by the following climatic patterns that exist in this region:

• Temperatures
• Precipitation
• Spring Freezes
• Fire Weather Patterns
• Haines Index
• Ozone Concentration Episodes
• Pine-shoot Beetle Outbreaks
• Extreme Cold Events
• Thaw/Freeze Events

For more information:

• Warren E Heilman  Project Leader, Research Meteorologist