There is an off-setting effect from increasing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. On the one hand, as both Arnold and Alberto noted in their respective messages, increased moisture in the atmosphere *could* augment the amount of solar radiant energy trapped by the atmosphere. This is one possible effect. However, the increased moisture in the atmosphere will result in increased cloud-cover as well. This increase in the cloud cover over dry land and oceans *could* also reflect solar energy back into space and prevent it from reaching the earth's surface. This would have the effect of cooling the earth rather than heating it. Currently, climatologists are not sure what the end result of increasing atmospheric moisture will mean to our climate and whether it will result in a net loss or gain of thermal energy. Perhaps these tendencies fully offset...who knows? But I tend to agree with others that "something" is going on and that it merits thoughtful consideration. Some corrective action would perhaps be warranted, but we know so little about the earth's climate on a macroscopic scale that it would be foolhardy to advocate any course of action without fully knowing what its long-term impact would be. -Dennis If there is "global-warming" trend, then that might explain the 80 degree temperatures in Dallas, Texas in the middle of January. Regardless of the explanation as to "why?", I'm enjoying the weather. So can this contribute to "greenhouse effect" by increasing the water > vapor in the atmosphere. > > Arnold I had assumed that global warming automatically meant increased rainfall but > it does not seem to be so. > > Alberto > >