A recent study conducted by World Weather Attribution found that planet-heating pollution doubled the chances of extreme rainfall in central Europe in September. The heavy rains that caused deadly floods in multiple countries were made 7% stronger due to climate change. Researchers warned that continuing to fill the atmosphere with fossil fuel emissions could lead to more severe weather events.
The floods caused by Storm Boris in mid-September wreaked havoc in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. While the death toll was lower compared to similar floods in the past, the destruction was significant. The study called for better flood defences, warning systems, and disaster-response plans to mitigate the impact of future floods.
The researchers highlighted that every degree of warming allows the air to hold 7% more moisture, which can lead to heavier rainfall events. The study projected that as the world heats 2C above preindustrial levels, the intensity and likelihood of extreme rainfall events could increase by 5% and 50%, respectively.
Additional factors like the waviness of the jet stream and trapped weather systems contribute to the severity of extreme weather events. Experts emphasized the need for adaptation measures to address these slow-moving storms driven by increased moisture and energy from warming oceans.
The study’s findings have raised concerns about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the resulting damages. The researchers stressed the importance of taking proactive steps to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced weather events.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
