How Did Climate Change Affect That Extreme Weather Event?

How Did Climate Change Affect That Extreme Weather Event?

Record-breaking heat and heavy downpours are just two types of extreme weather that are on the rise as Earth has warmed. While climate change is never the sole factor in any particular extreme weather event, teasing out its role can help government officials and businesses assess changing risks and better plan for the future. Watch this short animated video from the National Academies that explains how the science of extreme weather event attribution is like baking cookies!

Source: NASEM

Region: Global

Visit World Weather Attribution website here

World Weather Attribution uses weather observations and climate models to understand how climate change influences the intensity and likelihood of extreme weather events. The studies also assess the role of vulnerability and exposure in the extent of the impacts. 

Most studies are performed rapidly, in the aftermath of extreme weather events – or even while they’re still happening – to answer the increasingly common question: ‘what was the role of climate change in this event?’

Formed in 2015, WWA has performed more than 50 attribution studies on heatwaves, extreme rainfall, drought, floods, wildfires and cold spells around the world.