Articles tagged with Extreme Weather Events
Researchers identify three distinct teleconnection patterns that precede intense Siberian High events, impacting surface air temperatures in East Asia. The Scandinavian, West Pacific, and Polar-Eurasian patterns trigger varying cold anomalies with distinct timing and persistence.
A new University of Missouri study examines the impact of farming practices on crop resilience to climate change, focusing on water and carbon fluxes in three contrasting ecosystems. The research found that native prairie ecosystems are most resilient to extreme weather, while tilled cropping systems are more sensitive.
The European Eastern Alps have seen a doubling of lightning strikes over the past four decades, with the highest changes occurring in high-altitude areas. Climate change is driving this trend, as rising temperatures fuel more thunderstorms and lightning.
Researchers at RIKEN have demonstrated a method to prevent severe weather events by inducing small perturbations in the Lorenz 96 model. This approach utilizes the inherent chaos in weather systems to limit extreme events, which become more common due to climate change.
The UK is investing £11 million to improve forecast accuracy for extreme weather events like storms, floods and droughts. Scientists are focusing on atmospheric turbulence to create more detailed models.
Researchers investigated the tradeoff between reducing CO2 emissions and increasing renewable energy supply in office buildings. They found that access to the power grid can mitigate the impact of weather variability, but extreme weather events increase battery storage costs.
A new study published by scientists at the University of Miami found that Miami residents may experience temperatures 6 degrees Fahrenheit higher on average than NOAA's official reported values, which can feel 11°F higher with humidity. The research team analyzed temperature and humidity data from low-cost sensors set up in outdoor loc...
Unseasonably warm and cold days prolong moth and butterfly activity by nearly a month, according to the study. Insect lifespans may also be affected, potentially leading to increased pathogen transmission.
A new study from Tufts University predicts a significant increase in extreme temperatures affecting wheat yields in the US and China. The research warns of potentially disastrous consequences for global food supplies if crops are impacted by heat stress, which can occur at temperatures above 27.8°C.
A Eurac Research-led team tested drones' effectiveness in locating and providing first aid to injured people in difficult-to-access terrain. The study found that drone-assisted rescue operations reduced treatment time by 30% and saved critical minutes in cases of traumatic injuries and cardiac arrest.
A WVU researcher is developing a data-driven approach to enhance roadway maintenance operations, incorporating AI analysis of real-time data from sensors on consumer cars and roadside observation stations. The goal is to minimize time and resources spent on less affected roadways, reducing winter maintenance costs and time.
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
Researchers create an AI-based approach to predict precipitation intensity and variability, addressing the missing piece of cloud organization in traditional climate models. The new algorithm improves precipitation predictions, including extreme events, and enables better projections of future changes in the water cycle.
A new study suggests that modular production techniques can minimize construction delays caused by weather, resulting in cost savings for builders. The research estimates that using modular construction can reduce costs by approximately AUD$40,000 on a $6.4 million project.
Physicians are urging primary care teams to use data-driven approaches to prevent and mitigate climate-related health issues, dubbed "precision ecologic medicine". This approach combines patient-specific data with climate-related information to predict and support vulnerable patients.
Heat stress indices, such as humidex and apparent temperature, can provide a more accurate representation of health risks than expected temperatures alone. The study found that areas with critical conditions often differed from regions with the highest temperatures, emphasizing the need for improved communication of heat wave dangers.
Researchers are studying the impact of climate change on basement pathogens, moisture, and air quality in urban environments, focusing on Black Americans in Pittsburgh. The study aims to document conditions and understand the link between weather events and cumulative health impacts for residents across the adult lifespan.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
A recent study found that temperature and extreme drought drive movement among herds of Plains bison, posing challenges for managing the iconic species. The team analyzed GPS-backed evidence from 33 Plains bison across two sites in Oklahoma, revealing a strong link between air temperature and bison movement.
Research finds that flash droughts are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change, posing a major challenge for climate adaptation. The transition to flash droughts is predicted to accelerate in a warmer future, with irreversible impacts on ecosystems.
Research finds extreme precipitation days will become more frequent, with up to 20-30% increase in moisture release. The LOCA2 climate projections cover the lower 48 US states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico, providing granular-level information for local planners.
A new study by Lund University highlights the need for cities to develop more resilient electricity networks to cope with extreme weather events. The research models show that urban heat islands can increase cooling demand by up to 68% in some cities, leading to power shortages and blackouts if not accounted for.
Storm geysers can cause significant flooding, damage, and injury due to poor city planning and inadequate drainage systems. A new computational model suggests increasing pipeline diameter and improving system design as effective preventive measures.
Residual carbon emissions are a major obstacle to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. According to University at Buffalo researcher Holly Jean Buck, the world must reach net-zero this century to limit temperature increase, but residual emissions pose significant challenges.
A study by GIST researchers found that Arctic warming is correlated with severe winters in East Asia and North America. The 'Warm Arctic-Cold Continent' phenomenon will persist but become more difficult to predict under warmer climates.
A new study suggests that using underground water for thermal energy storage (ATES) can reduce heating and cooling energy demand in the US by 40%, making urban energy infrastructure more resilient. ATES stores energy as temperature underground, leveraging natural geological features to heat or cool buildings during extreme weather events.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new method of digitally simulating hurricanes using AI techniques, accurately representing the trajectory and wind speeds of real storms. The simulations can help develop improved guidelines for building design in hurricane-prone regions.
A machine learning model developed by Colorado State University researchers has been tested with forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center to improve medium-range severe weather forecasts. The tool provides a probabilistic measure of hazardous weather events, such as tornadoes and hail, four to eight days in advance.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
A new framework developed by a multidisciplinary team provides guidance to local and regional planners to anticipate and prepare for the impacts of climate change on critical civic resources. The C-FEWS framework evaluates options and makes decisions related to specific local conditions, focusing on the nexus of food, energy, and water.
A recent study found that the Amazon Rainforest in southwestern Brazil has experienced a significant increase in deforestation and burning, with 4,141 km² of forest destroyed between 2003 and 2019. The region's agricultural activities and infrastructure have contributed to this trend, posing a threat to conservation units and Indigenou...
Wheat yields decline by 4% due to extreme heat and drought, with regions like Russia and China experiencing greater losses. Maize yields also drop by 3%, with North America and Eastern Europe seeing more severe reductions.
Researchers found zero skua nests and almost zero Antarctic petrel and snow petrel nests in regions with significantly higher snowfall than previous years. Extreme snowstorms interfere with the birds' ability to breed, causing tens of thousands of chicks and eggs to die.
A new study introduces a scale to measure atmospheric river intensity, enabling the identification of hotspots for the most intense events worldwide. The scale helps communities prepare for both beneficial and destructive effects of these storms, with AR-5 events occurring only once every two to three years.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
Researchers found that seabird species have unique wind tolerance strategies, with some flying fast to counteract wind drift. Albatrosses can fly in most storm conditions, while tropical species use special avoidance tactics.
Research found that abnormally weak meridional potential vorticity gradients in the Northern Hemisphere atmosphere facilitated the development of stationary blocking weather patterns, leading to extreme cold weather and snowstorm events in East Asia and North America. The team predicts improved forecasting with more accurate PV modeling.
Researchers found a signal of extreme climate change from 50 million years ago in turbidite deposits, which are evidence of ancient rapid submarine water currents. This suggests that extreme weather events and exacerbated global climatic conditions can amplify delivery of sand into the deep ocean.
A new study from the University of North Carolina found that over ten new residences have been built in NC's 100-year floodplains for every residence removed through government buyouts. This trend contributes to increasing risk, despite community and government efforts to reduce flood damage.
A study using tree rings reveals a 400-year trend of increasing droughts and floods in the Kabul River Basin, with severe events becoming more frequent. The research suggests that climate change is intensifying hydrological cycles, leading to devastating consequences for natural resources management.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that US honey bee colony loss is primarily related to parasitic mites, extreme weather events, and nearby pesticides. The study integrated multiple large datasets at different spatial and temporal resolutions to assess various potential stressors associated with colony collapse across the US.
Researchers found that global wave models can vary in their estimates of extreme wave heights by up to 20 feet, which can lead to underprotected areas during extreme events. The study emphasizes the need for considering multiple models and modern observational data to better assess offshore and coastal risks.
A new study finds that climate risk insurance can effectively mitigate economic losses from US hurricanes under global warming, accelerating economic recovery. However, national insurance mechanisms in developing countries are insufficient to cope with extreme weather events, highlighting the need for international climate finance and ...
A new research project led by Associate Professor Marta Victoria aims to describe periods of extreme weather and design strategies for reliable renewable energy systems. The project, funded with DKK 6.2 million, will run for four years and focus on predicting and adapting to multiple adverse events.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
Researchers found that the Southern Hemisphere is stormier than the Northern, with a 24% difference attributed to ocean circulation and mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere. The study also shows that storminess has increased since the 1980s, consistent with climate change forecasts.
A study by Hokkaido University reveals that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has caused more frequent heavy rainfall in the Mekong Delta, resulting in increased flooding risk. The findings suggest that better weather predictions and preparation can help mitigate the negative effects of floods and droughts in the region.
The Southern Hemisphere is stormier than the Northern due to ocean circulation and mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere. Since the 1980s, storminess has increased in the Southern Hemisphere, while the Northern Hemisphere has seen negligible changes.
A new study confirms the link between climate change and the extreme 2021 heat wave, which set records in Canada and sparked devastating wildfires. The research reveals that human-induced warming has made such events increasingly feasible, with potential for repeats every 10 years by 2050.
A University of South Australia physicist has solved the long-standing mystery of lightning's zig-zag pattern and dark electric column. The breakthrough explains how singlet-delta metastable oxygen molecules create these steps.
UCF researchers are developing a wearable, wireless health monitor to track physiological response to heat stress in firefighters. The device aims to identify correlations between heat stress and skin thermal activity for the first time, providing insight into the link between heat stress and serious medical issues.
A new study by the University of Illinois found that temperature in the place of origin has a significant negative impact on export of agricultural goods, while temperature in the destination has little effect. The researchers also identified precipitation as a more nuanced factor in trade.
New research by University of Pittsburgh scientists finds that concrete pavements are sensitive to sharp air temperature variations during the day, even in mild climates. This can lead to devastating consequences for infrastructure, such as potholes and cracks, with thicker pavements being more vulnerable.
A team of UCF faculty will develop REACH hubs that provide critical services like cooling and broadband internet after disasters. The hubs will also serve as hazard-preparedness and STEM education centers.
New research suggests that the world will probably warm beyond the 1.5-degree limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, but peak warming can be minimized by adopting more ambitious climate pledges and decarbonizing faster. The study models scenarios to explore what degree of warming would likely follow different courses of action, highlig...
Researchers used ancient leaf waxes and climate modeling to predict that warmer conditions will lead to stronger and more widespread summer rainfall across the southwest US. This is in contrast to drier subtropical regions experiencing aridity due to global warming.
A new study by the University of Arizona found that tropical cyclones often follow extreme heat, which can be a major hazard after a storm. The research team analyzed 53 tropical cyclones and found that cities' heat index values were always warmer than average after the storm.
A team of 70 scientists warns that climate change will drastically reduce the ability to build a sustainable future based on healthy ecosystems. Insects face extinction and ecosystem disruption due to global warming and extreme weather events.
A new Concordia University study reveals that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, have failed to drive government climate action. Despite the devastating economic and human costs of these disasters, governments have remained slow to enact meaningful reforms.