Extreme Weather Events

Extreme Weather Events
No single extreme weather event can be attributed to climate change. However global warming amplifies the risk factors for extreme weather events. Research points to an emerging pattern of more frequent and more intense extreme weather conditions, and scientists predict that this will continue as a result of rising concentrations or greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Scientists have observed increases in global land and ocean temperatures, ocean heat content, rising sea levels and the retreat of glaciers and ice sheets, all of which indicate a global warming.

Extreme weather events occur as part of the natural variability of regional and global climates. Scientists understand, through satellite observations of tropical rainfall events, that there is a clear link between temperature and rainfall extremes. Heavy rainfall events increase during warm periods and decrease during cold periods.

Extreme weather events linked to global warming and climate change are likely to have the greatest potential impact on natural systems, including humans.

According to recent research, rising greenhouse-gas levels may have doubled the likelihood of extreme rainfall.

Bushfires

The dangers of bushfires are high in drier seasons. They are usually caused by lightning or humans, and can burn quickly and be very devastating if not detected and extinguished. When dry periods follow …

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Cyclones

Cyclones affect Queensland, mainly along the northern coastline, each summer from November 1 to April 30. The Bureau of Meteorology allocates each cyclone a unique numeric identifier and name. The gale …

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Floods

Few parts of the country are immune from flooding, whether it be localised flash flooding from intense thunderstorms, or more widespread and longer-lived inundations resulting from heavy rain over …

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Severe storms

Severe thunderstorms are localised events, usually affecting smaller areas than tropical cyclones and floods. Their devastating impact is often underestimated. These storms, which are more common than …

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Storm Surge

Storm surge refers to a rise in offshore water related to a low pressure system such as a tropical cyclone. Storm surges are primarily caused by strong winds that push on the ocean's surface, particularly …

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