Written by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Rapporteur of Weather and Climate Extremes, this book addresses the reality of extreme weather—how it occurs, how we measure it, and what it means for our future. Weather affects everybody, and with the increasing impact of climate change and the prevalence of storms, droughts and floods, it is clear that we are affecting all aspects of weather. Consequently, people love to talk about weather, complain about it, argue about it—and be intrigued by it. Twenty-four/seven coverage of the weather, however, has helped foster a tendency for marked overstatement—the creation of misconceptions, exaggerations and, frankly, even outright lies. Leading expert in weather and climate, Randy Cerveny, draws on his extensive experience with the WMO and personal research to give the reader a behind-the-scenes look at how weather and climate extremes are recorded and defined. He unpacks the science behind these extremes through a number of specific WMO investigations that span a diverse range of countries and weather events, including lightning, rain, hurricanes and tornadoes. Cerveny balances these factual accounts with playful interludes that detail bizarre and intriguing weather-related stories and anecdotes. This compelling book is a must read for all those interested in the science behind extreme weather.

"Written by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Rapporteur of Weather and Climate Extremes, this book addresses the reality of extreme weather-how does it occur; how do we measure it; and what does it mean for our future. Weather affects everybody, and with the increasing impact of climate change and the prevalence of storms, droughts and floods, it is clear that we are affecting all aspects of weather. Consequently, people love to talk about weather, complain about it, argue about it ... and be intrigued by it. 24/7 coverage of the weather, however, has helped foster a tendency for marked overstatement-the creation of misconceptions, exaggerations, and, frankly, even outright lies. Leading expert in weather and climate, Randy Cerveny, draws on his extensive experience with the WMO and personal research to give the reader a behind-the-scenes look at how weather and climate extremes are recorded and defined. He unpacks the science behind these extremes through a number of specific WMO investigations that span a diverse range of countries and weather events, including lightning, rain, hurricanes and tornadoes. Cerveny balances these factual accounts with playful interludes that detail bizarre and intriguing weather-related stories and anecdotes. This compelling book is a must-read for all those interested in the science behind extreme weather"--

Written by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Rapporteur of Weather and Climate Extremes, this book addresses the reality of extreme weather—how it occurs, how we measure it, and what it means for our future. Weather affects everybody, and with the increasing impact of climate change and the prevalence of storms, droughts and floods, it is clear that we are affecting all aspects of weather. Consequently, people love to talk about weather, complain about it, argue about it—and be intrigued by it. Twenty-four/seven coverage of the weather, however, has helped foster a tendency for marked overstatement—the creation of misconceptions, exaggerations and, frankly, even outright lies. Leading expert in weather and climate, Randy Cerveny, draws on his extensive experience with the WMO and personal research to give the reader a behind-the-scenes look at how weather and climate extremes are recorded and defined. He unpacks the science behind these extremes through a number of specific WMO investigations that span a diverse range of countries and weather events, including lightning, rain, hurricanes and tornadoes. Cerveny balances these factual accounts with playful interludes that detail bizarre and intriguing weather-related stories and anecdotes. This compelling book is a must read for all those interested in the science behind extreme weather. Knowledge Exchange Quick Takes featuring Professor Randall Cerveny to discuss Weather Extremes. (youtube.com)

As climate has warmed over recent years, a new pattern of more frequent and more intense weather events has unfolded across the globe. Climate models simulate such changes in extreme events, and some of the reasons for the changes are well understood. Warming increases the likelihood of extremely hot days and nights, favors increased atmospheric moisture that may result in more frequent heavy rainfall and snowfall, and leads to evaporation that can exacerbate droughts. Even with evidence of these broad trends, scientists cautioned in the past that individual weather events couldn't be attributed to climate change. Now, with advances in understanding the climate science behind extreme events and the science of extreme event attribution, such blanket statements may not be accurate. The relatively young science of extreme event attribution seeks to tease out the influence of human-cause climate change from other factors, such as natural sources of variability like El Niño, as contributors to individual extreme events. Event attribution can answer questions about how much climate change influenced the probability or intensity of a specific type of weather event. As event attribution capabilities improve, they could help inform choices about assessing and managing risk, and in guiding climate adaptation strategies. This report examines the current state of science of extreme weather attribution, and identifies ways to move the science forward to improve attribution capabilities.

Scientists have linked climate change to a worldwide increase in extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and blizzards. Readers will learn about the various causes of these natural disasters and their costs to society, the economy, and the environment. This book explores preventive measures used throughout history, and looks at technological solutions being developed by meteorologists, engineers, and city planners to lessen future damage. Readers will also take a peek at the future predicted by climate scientists if their warnings are ignored and recommended measures are not taken.

Author Tom Streissguth provides an enthralling look into extreme weather. He examines issues from a variety of expert perspectives, highlighting key future challenges, and addressing the pros and cons of potential solutions. Readers will explore the relationship between global climate change and extreme weather, including air and water chemistry, solar radiation, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones, and heat waves. They will learn about other potential future warming and drought. They will examine the experience and impact from the Dust Bowl of the 1930s to the current water crisis in California.

Explores some of the United States most severe or unusual weather systems, including electrified dust storms, pink snowstorms, luminous tornadoes, ball lightning, and falls of fish and toads.