Understanding the Link between Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Flooding

What is a flood?

accumulation of water over normally dry land

What causes a flood?

- overflow of coastal or inland waters (rivers and streams)

- unusual accumulation of water from heavy or prolonged rains, storm surges or sudden snowmelt

- waterwaterway and alterations we made to land (via dams, levees and reservoirs)

- increased urbanization (impermeable surfaces) -> like roads and parking lots

- climate change

Types of floods

Climate change and flooding

Hurricanes

- River floodings

- Coastal flooding

- Flash floods

- Urban flooding

- detectable influence

- rainfall and snowmelt

- heavier precipitation

- more frequent hurricanes

- higher seas

Definition: Hurricanes are large, powerful tropical storms characterized by a low-pressure center, high winds, and heavy rainfall, typically forming over warm ocean waters

How does climate change contribute?

- Warmer Ocean Temperatures

- Increased Evaporation

- Rising Sea Levels

- Altered Atmospheric Circulation

- More Intense Rainfall

- Shifts in Storm Patterns

Consequenses of Flooding

- homes

- public infrastructure

- contamination and diseases

- destroyed harvests

Flood preperation and prevention

- flood proofing your home

- taking personal safety precautions

- advocating the federal government to revamp its approaches

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Heatwaves and droughts

Heatwave: a prolonged period of excessively hot weather

Drought: an extended period of abnormally low precipitation (rainfall)

How does climate change contribute?

Tsunamis

- Warming Atmosphere

- Amplification of Temperature Extremes

- Jet Stream Alterations

- Stalled High-Pressure Systems

- Changes in Rainfall

- Feedback Loops

- a series of large ocean waves caused by massive disturbances large bodies of water

triggered by ->

- Earthquakes that occur near of beneath the ocean

- Volcanic activity or eruptions

- Various landslides which is when significant debris

falls into a body of water

Introduction

Eunice & Cate

severe or unusual weather conditions that deviate significantly from the average or expected weather patterns in a given region

Examples include heatwaves, cold waves, floods, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires

• What is Extreme Weather?

• What is the difference between climate and weather?

Climate and weather refer to different aspects of atmospheric conditions, and the key distinction lies in their timescales and scope.

Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions,

Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns

• Correlation between Extreme Weather and Climate change

- Climate change can contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events

- Attributing specific weather events directly to climate change is challenging

What can be done?

• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• International Cooperation
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Infrastructure Resilience
• Water Management
• Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration
• Early Warning Systems
• Community Engagement and Education
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture
• Insurance and Risk Management
• Research and Innovation