Increasing heat and rainfall extremes now far outside the historical climate
Alexander Robinson, Jascha Lehmann, David Barriopedro, Stefan Rahmstorf, Dim Coumou
Abstract
Abstract Over the last decade, the world warmed by 0.25 °C, in-line with the roughly linear trend since the 1970s. Here we present updated analyses showing that this seemingly small shift has led to the emergence of heat extremes that would be virtually impossible without anthropogenic global warming. Also, record rainfall extremes have continued to increase worldwide and, on average, 1 in 4 rainfall records in the last decade can be attributed to climate change. Tropical regions, comprised of vulnerable countries that typically contributed least to anthropogenic climate change, continue to see the strongest increase in extremes.
Topics & Concepts
Climate extremesClimatologyClimate changeEnvironmental scienceGlobal warmingHeat waveAbrupt climate changeExtreme heatGeographyPrecipitationEffects of global warmingMeteorologyGeologyOceanographyClimate variability and modelsPlant Water Relations and Carbon DynamicsClimate change impacts on agriculture