Climate scientists are hesitant to link extreme weather events with global warming or greenhouse gas emissions overall. However, as extreme weather events become more commonplace, many believe that climate change may be playing a role. However, the extent of the role is unknown as the global weather system is considered too intricate to pinpoint singular reasons for major storms.
However, many studies have begun coming out suggesting that climate change may in fact be playing a significant role in extreme weather, although hesitantly so. Hurricanes have been the focus of some studies showing that warming may be increasing frequency and strength. Rainfall in some locales have also been linked to climate change by some studies. However, overall climate scientists are concerned about pointing a finger at one given cause.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a special report detailing how extreme weather has the potential to increase with warming. But again, the link is downplayed due to too many factors being involved in weather systems. The report summary also stated another reason for being cautious: “Extreme weather events are rare, which means there are few data available to make assessments regarding changes in their frequency or intensity.”
The report found that downpours have increased in some locations globally. Also detailed in the report was the finding that hurricane wind speeds are expected to increase but not evenly across oceans. But, hurricanes overall are not expected to increase based on recent data.
The special report was detailed at the IPCC’s 34th Session recently, which was held in Uganda. Such reports and events are leading up to the major UN climate summit at the end of this month.
