A recent report shows how climate change fueled the intense flooding. This catastrophic disaster occurred in the central Mississippi River valley this past April. Climate scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that analysis to be the case. Their research confirmed that climate change increased the likelihood of extreme weather events by at least 40%. On top of that, the flooding was realized to be exacerbated by about 9%. The findings underscore a troubling trend: under current warming levels, extreme rainfall events similar to those experienced in April are projected to double in frequency.
The report answers two big questions about this flooding event: How much did climate change make the occurrence more likely and how much did it increase severity? Climate change, as established by IPCC and other research, has increased the chances of flooding two to five times. It worsens flooding intensity by 13% to 26%. This shocking statistic is a stark reminder of how increasing global temperatures are intensifying extreme weather, making disasters more deadly and destructive.
The Gulf of Mexico was key to this phenomenon. The report stressed that increasing sea surface temperatures, caused by global warming, increase evaporation rates in the Gulf. This worrying trend bodes poorly for the region’s climate goals. As temperatures increased, so did the amount of total moisture available to fall as precipitation when storms did impact the contiguous U.S. Flooding—Attributing the cause In many instances, this increased moisture played a pivotal role in the intense flooding seen across southeastern Michigan.
Patrick Pester, one of the researchers involved in the report, emphasized the connection between climate change and extreme weather patterns. He even noted, in retrospect of the event, that the Gulf of Mexico was pumping in additional moisture. This growth is directly due to changing climate patterns. Pester explained that record-high sea surface temperatures are evaporating more water. This has further destabilized our atmosphere, making it more favorable to produce heavy precipitation events.
The report sounds the alarm on how our planet is on track to warm as much as 4.7°F (2.6°C) by this century’s end. This is the shocking upward trend we’ll see if we don’t change course. Earth has already passed that important line of 2.7°F. Alarmingly, April was the 21st month out of the past 22 that we exceeded this ceiling. This continuing warming leads to trepidation regarding the increased occurrence and severity of severe weather events around the world.
Climate change is radically shifting weather patterns. These investments may help mitigate flooding, experts caution that communities should still get ready for more intense flooding incidents to come. These findings extend beyond the Mississippi River valley and hold profound implications. They serve as a guidepost for areas across the globe mentally and physically incumbered by the adverse effects of climate change.
