Extreme Climatic Events in a Warming World

Abstract:

Anthropogenic activities influence the occurrence of climatic extremes (e.g., extreme precipitation, temperature) around the globe. A warming world often contributes to changes in the frequency of extremes as well as changes in many of their spatiotemporal characteristics (e.g., magnitude, intensity, distribution, patterns). As a community, we must better understand how extreme events vary in both space and time to develop climate resilience strategies and mitigate their impacts. In this study, we investigate extreme events using hydrometeorological variables, including precipitation and temperature from CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6) simulations, to characterize shifts in the distribution of univariate and multivariate extremes over a variety of different climatic regions. We identify regions that experience the largest shifts in their distributions and quantify variability among regions and models. Findings from this work are important for community leaders and resource managers as they prepare for extreme events that impact society, agriculture, water resources, and the environment. Furthermore, this study provides insight into the extent that human activities influence extreme events both in historical simulations and projections.