Extreme Weather Risk to Military Operations in a Changing Climate

Abstract

History demonstrates harsh weather conditions introduce uncertainty and risk into warfare. James L Regens examines the implications of extreme weather risk in a changing climate for military operations within and across the six domains of warfare and, therefore, for strategy. Because it is imperative that operations and campaigns are feasible meteorologically, reliably forecasting the frequency and intensity of extreme weather is one of the most important challenges posed by climate change for the US and allied militaries. That knowledge, combined with understanding extreme weather’s impacts on human performance, equipment and installations, is essential for conducting operations and informing strategy.◼