A recent study has found that global heating doubled the chances of extreme levels of rain that caused deadly floods in central Europe in September. Climate change made the heavy rains at least 7% stronger, resulting in devastating floods across several countries in the region. The researchers called for better flood defences and disaster-response plans to mitigate the impacts of such events.
The study attributed the severe rainfall to human influence and warned that continued emissions of fossil fuels would worsen the situation. Scientists emphasized the need to adapt to increasingly severe weather events fueled by climate change. According to the study, a 2°C increase in global temperatures would result in a further increase in rainfall intensity.
Physicists explained that warmer seas enhance the rainy part of the hydrological cycle, leading to extreme weather events like the floods in central Europe. The study also highlighted the role of the jet stream in trapping weather systems, causing heavy rainfall to linger over one area.
The aftermath of Storm Boris was described as “hyperactive” by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) organization, with 12 disasters meeting their criteria for analysis. The study underscored the need for urgent action to address the impacts of climate change and prevent further destructive weather events in the future.
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