Latest news with #extremeweather
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Connecticut braces for heat wave: Here's how to stay safe
Connecticut is preparing for a heat wave starting June 22. According to a community announcement, Gov. Ned Lamont has activated the state's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol. This protocol will be in effect from noon on June 22 through at least 8 p.m. on June 25. This marks the first time this year that the protocol has been activated. The weather forecast predicts temperatures will exceed 90 degrees, with a heat index ranging from 100 to 105 degrees. The protocol aims to protect vulnerable populations during these extreme conditions. State agencies, municipalities, and partners will coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to provide information on cooling centers available statewide. These centers will offer relief for those in need. Individuals can find their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or visiting where a list will be published online. The protocol includes several actions to ensure effective communication and assistance. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will utilize its WebEOC communications network. This internet-based system allows local, regional, and state emergency management officials to share real-time information about various situations. More: Norwich weather is about to change: Where there could be a heat wave Municipalities and partners will submit information about cooling center openings into the WebEOC, creating a real-time database of available locations. United Way 2-1-1 will act as a clearinghouse to help residents locate these centers. Regional coordinators will monitor WebEOC to respond to requests from municipalities for state assistance. Energy utility companies will provide regular updates on the impact of the weather on their services throughout the protocol's duration. Certain groups are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to high temperatures and depend on caregivers to provide adequate hydration and a safe environment. Older adults, especially those 65 and older, may struggle to manage heat stress and often do not sense temperature changes effectively. Individuals who are overweight may retain more body heat, increasing their risk of heat sickness. Those who overexert themselves during work or exercise may become dehydrated and more susceptible to heat-related issues. People with existing health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, or those taking specific medications, may also be affected by extreme heat. To stay safe during periods of extreme heat, residents are advised to keep their body temperature cool. Staying in air-conditioned buildings is recommended. If outdoor activity is necessary, it should be limited to the morning and evening hours. Resting in shady areas can help the body cool down. Finding an air-conditioned location is crucial. Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers. Relying solely on fans is not advisable. Avoiding direct sunlight and wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing can also help. Taking cool showers or baths is recommended, as is checking on at-risk individuals several times a day. Pets should have access to water and shade if they cannot be brought indoors. Leaving pets in parked vehicles is dangerous, as temperatures can rise to life-threatening levels quickly. Staying hydrated is essential during extreme heat. It is advised to drink more water than usual and not wait until feeling thirsty to hydrate. Drinking two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outdoors is recommended. Residents should also avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Reminding others to stay hydrated is important for community safety during this heat wave. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Connecticut activates heat emergency plan — here's what to expect
SBS Australia
a day ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
The problem that could cost Australia more than $8 billion every year
Australia is experiencing climate-related extreme weather events, such as fires and floods, more frequently. Source: Getty / Roni Bintang From droughts to fires, cyclones, and floods, Australia has been hit with a series of devastating extreme weather events, and the financial burden is becoming increasingly heavy. According to a new Climate Change Authority (CCA) report, back-to-back disasters have cost the Australian economy $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025 alone. The cost is projected to rise to $8.7 billion annually by 2050 without strong action, the report stated. The Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate report examines the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and calls for national leadership on climate action. The Insurance Council of Australia estimates bushfires, cyclones, and floods are costing Australian homeowners around $4 billion each year, from a combination of both insured and uninsured losses, mental health impacts, and loss of housing and employment. Costs are rising as the climate changes and hazards become more frequent and severe, with regions and homes that were previously unaffected now becoming at risk, according to the Climate Change Authority. Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean said: "Our homes are our sanctuaries — and the biggest financial investment most Australians will ever make." The report referenced recent research from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), the Treasury, and The McKell Institute into the costs of residential building damage resulting from extreme weather. The research found the cost to residential buildings is $2 billion a year for cyclones, $1.5 billion a year for floods and $486 million a year for bushfires. As these events become more frequent, the cost of insurance premiums has also increased. The CCA examined research from the Actuaries Institute and ICA, which found insurance claims for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the North Queensland floods exceeded $1.2 billion. As cost of living pressures also increase, 15 per cent of Australian households experienced home insurance affordability stress in 2024, according to the research. Climate-related disasters can also have a lasting impact on property prices in affected areas, and the report projects climate change could wipe over $500 billion off the Australian property market by 2030. Property damage is not the only economic impact of climate change and extreme weather events. Alongside housing costs, Australians are also facing costly impacts to their physical health, mental health, displacement, and impacts on their ability to work and study, the report said. The CCA has called on the government to take steps to reduce the risks and costs associated with climate-related extreme weather events. The report's recommendations include making appropriate investments in infrastructure and services, ensuring standards, laws and regulations are fit-for-purpose for a changing climate, and equipping Australians with the information and resources to improve their decision-making. Research by the CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, found every dollar invested in climate adaptation or disaster risk reduction saves $2 to $11 in recovery costs. "Authorities will need to review and tighten building codes. Parts of coastal Queensland and WA not now covered by cyclone construction standards may need to be, and soon," Kean said. "These are the kinds of practical steps we can take to make Australia more resilient in a changing climate." A spokesperson from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said work is underway across all levels of government and the private sector to improve the resilience of infrastructure, services, and the built environment. "The government released the National Climate Risk Assessment first pass in March 2024, and is now progressing to the full release of Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment as a matter of priority, in addition to a corresponding National Adaptation Plan," the spokesperson said. "The National Adaptation Plan will represent a step change in the Australian government's response to climate change. It establishes, for the first time, a framework for adapting to the physical climate risks that are nationally significant." The National Climate Risk Assessment identified 56 nationally significant climate risks facing Australia, along with a subset of 11 priority risks that require further analysis. It is being used by the government to examine the impacts and risks to Australia from climate change. Current planning and investments in infrastructure and services include the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy and Plan, the Disaster Ready Fund, and the Queensland Betterment Funds program.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
UK risks more extreme, prolonged heatwaves in future: study
The UK could experience more frequent extreme and prolonged heat due to climate change, its meteorological office said Wednesday, as the country braced for its first heatwave of the year. Met Office scientists said the island nation will see the "increased likelihood of extreme temperatures" over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The new study also "highlights how UK heatwaves could become longer and hotter due to escalating climate trends", the Met Office added. According to the research, in the current climate, heatwaves in the UK could persist for "a month or more". The UK, which is known for its frequent showers and mild summers, recorded its first temperature above 40 degrees in 2022. "The chance of exceeding 40 degrees C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s," said Gillian Kay, senior scientist at the Met Office. "Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising," said Kay, adding there was a 50-percent chance of seeing a 40-degree day in the next 12 years. Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions. On Monday, the Met office said a heatwave was "likely" in much of the UK this week, with the highest temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees. "These findings highlight the need to prepare and plan for the impacts of rising temperatures now," said co-author Nick Dunstone. The UK this year experienced its warmest spring on record. It also had the driest spring in over 50 years, with farmers facing damaged crop growth and the government warning about "exceptionally low" water reservoir levels. In May, the Environment Agency's deputy water director Richard Thompson warned that "changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades". aks/jkb/jhb
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
UK temperatures of 45C may be possible in current climate, Met Office says
The UK has a 50/50 chance of seeing temperatures soar to 40C again in the next 12 years as the risk of extreme heat rises with the climate emergency, the Met Office has said. The meteorological experts also warned that far higher temperatures of 45C (113F) or more 'may be possible' in today's climate, while heatwaves could go on for a month or more. Temperatures hit 40C in the UK for the first time on record amid the heatwave and drought summer of 2022, peaking at 40.3C in Coningsby in Lincolnshire on 19 July, outstripping the previous top temperature of 38.7C recorded in Cambridge three years earlier. Fire brigades in London, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire declared major incidents as dozens of fires broke out and ripped through houses, schools, churches and farmland, while there was widespread disruption to transport and power systems. More than 1,000 excess deaths among older people were recorded around the four-day peak of the heatwave, with more than 3,000 heat-related deaths in England over the summer of that year. Analysis by the Met Office, using global models to create a large number of climate outcomes in current conditions, shows the risk of 40C temperatures in the UK has been rapidly increasing. A study published in the journal Weather shows that the chance of temperatures hitting 40C is more than 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s, and has almost trebled since the year 2000. With the climate crisis pushing up temperatures, the chances of exceeding 40C were continuing to increase, with a 50/50 chance of a day hitting that threshold again in the next 12 years, the Met Office said. Temperatures several degrees higher than the July 2022 record – up to a maximum of 46.6C – were also 'plausible'. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Dr Gillian Kay, a senior scientist at the Met Office and lead author of the study, said: 'The chance of exceeding 40C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s. Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising. We estimate a 50/50 chance of seeing a 40C day again in the next 12 years. We also found that temperatures several degrees higher than we saw in July 2022 are possible in today's climate.' The study also looked at heatwaves, and found that 'much more severe' extremes could occur in the current climate. The climate model shows up to two-thirds of summer days could be above the heatwave threshold of 28C in south-east England, with more than a month in continuous heatwave. Twelve consecutive days above 35C is also possible, the study says. Met Office experts said the findings showed the need to prepare and plan for the impact of rising temperatures and extreme heat. Dr Nick Dunstone, a Met Office science fellow and co-author of the study, said: 'The well-known hot summer of 1976 had more than a fortnight above 28C, which is a key heatwave threshold in south-east England. 'Our study finds that in today's climate such conditions could persist for a month or more. These findings highlight the need to prepare and plan for the impacts of rising temperatures now, so we can better protect public health, infrastructure and the environment from the growing threat of extreme heat.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Nasa data reveals dramatic rise in intensity of weather events
New data from Nasa has revealed a dramatic rise in the intensity of weather events such as droughts and floods over the past five years. The study shows that such extreme events are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more severe, with last year's figures reaching twice that of the 2003-2020 average. The steepness of the rise was not foreseen. The researchers say they are amazed and alarmed by the latest figures from the watchful eye of Nasa's Grace satellite, which tracks environmental changes in the planet. They say climate change is the most likely cause of the apparent trend, even though the intensity of extremes appears to have soared even faster than global temperatures. A Met Office expert said increases in extremes have long been predicted but are now being seen in reality. He warned that people were unprepared for such weather events, which would be outside previous experience. The data is not yet peer-reviewed, and researchers said they would need another 10 or more years to confirm to conclusively call it a trend. The data has been co-produced by Dr Bailing Li, from the Hydrological Sciences Laboratory of Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center – affiliated with the University of Maryland's Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, who told the Guardian: 'We can't prove causation yet – we would need a much longer dataset. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what's happening here, but other events suggest that (global) warming is the driving factor. We are seeing more and more extreme events round the world, so this is certainly alarming.' Her colleague Dr Matthew Rodell, chief of hydrologic sciences at Goddard, also counselled caution over the latest data, but admitted that he too was worried about the apparent acceleration of a trend in destructive events. 'It's certainly scary,' he said. The earlier part of the Nasa time series was published in Nature Water in 2023. The researchers used a mathematical formula to calculate the total effect of a weather event in terms of severity measured by the total area affected, the duration of the event and how wet or dry it was. The paper warned that disturbance to the water system would be one of the most significant consequences of the climate crisis. The paper noted that the intensity of extremes was strongly correlated with global mean temperature, more so than with El Niño, the influential ocean current, or other climate indicators, suggesting that continued warming of the planet will cause more frequent, more severe, and longer and/or larger droughts and floods. The Nasa researchers produced the updated statistics at the request of the Oxford-based research organisation Global Water Intelligence, whose head, Christopher Gasson, said water companies were in the firing line of climate change – facing too much water or too little water – or both. He said most water companies were completely unprepared to cope with the changes under way. 'This is extremely scary,' he said. 'The industry needs to attract investment on a massive scale.' Prof Richard Betts, head of climate change impacts at the Met Office and Exeter University, said of the Nasa report: 'This is a stark reminder that a hotter planet means more severe floods and droughts. This has long been predicted, but is now being seen in reality. 'The world isn't prepared for the changes in intense rainfall and drought that are now occurring. All around the world people have built their ways of living around the weather that they and their forebears were used to, which leaves them vulnerable to more frequent and severe extremes that are outside past experience. As well as urgently ramping up efforts to reduce emissions to halt global warming, we need to catch up on adaptation to live better with the changes that are already happening.' A recent report by the charity WaterAid said extreme fluctuations between floods and droughts were devastating millions of lives, with many major cities experiencing 'whiplash' events from drought to flood or heat to cold – or vice versa. The Royal Meteorological Society warned that such sudden transitions from one extreme to the other caused more harm than the individual events alone, affecting agriculture, infrastructure, biodiversity and human health. Their report said: 'Rising temperatures are disrupting key drivers such as the jet stream and the polar vortex, changing our weather patterns.' Asher Minns, from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, said that their own unpublished UK-based studies also showed more intensification of both droughts and floods as well as abrupt shifts between extreme wet and dry conditions – called hydroclimatic whiplash events. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organization's latest report calculates an 80% chance that at least one of the next five years will top 2024 as the warmest year on record. It says global temperatures are set to continue to increase over the next five years, increasing climate risks and impacts on societies, economies, and sustainable development. The unpredictability of extreme events revealed in the new data is likely to alarm the insurance industry, which bases current premiums on previous trend data. This could have widespread effects across entire economies.
