Extreme Weather Research Articles

Protocol for a systematic review of economic evaluations considering costs and health outcomes of weather and climate-related extreme events in humans

BackgroundExtreme weather and climate-related events are increasing in frequency and intensity, which pose substantial human casualties and economic losses. The healthcare and health-determining sectors require information about how extreme weather...

The impact of environmental changes on infectious diseases among children in North America.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present and accelerating force reshaping the epidemiology of infectious diseases in North America and elsewhere. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are impacting the geographic distribution of pathogens and their vectors. Understanding these environmental influences on infectious diseases in children is essential for equipping healthcare providers to deliver competent care in the era of climate change. The northward spread of vector-borne diseases, warming waters and soils, and disease outbreaks following extreme weather events highlight the complex and multifactorial ways through which the environment influences the spread of infectious diseases. Continuing medical education and training on the evolving epidemiology of climate-sensitive diseases is critical for clinicians to address emerging health threats effectively. We advocate for more equitable funding and resource allocation to support innovative pediatric research on climate change and infectious diseases in the United States and other countries in North America.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Climate Change and Climate Variability, and Their Impact on Extreme Events (1st Edition)

In recent decades, the effects of climate change and climate variability have attracted significant global attention due to their growing impact on extreme weather and climate events [...]

Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Pastoral Areas

The warming climate and increasing extreme weather events are transforming ecological backgrounds, which is bringing new challenges to herders’ livelihood in grassland areas. To understand the practical ecological risks and the current resilience situations of herders’ behaviors and government correspondence measures, we built a conceptual framework of community resilience in pastoral areas, selected different kinds of steppes along the ecological gradient (desert steppe, typical steppe and meadow steppe) and took household surveys to recognize the difference in ecological risks and enhancing strategies in different grassland types. The results show that: (1) Herders in desert steppe, with the lowest precipitation and the worst grassland condition, turn out to have more experience in perceiving droughts and mitigating loss from disaster, but received the most attention from government assistance (28.0%) to getting through drought; (2) Typical steppe, with traditionally better pastural husbandry environment, suffered most broadly through droughts (85.7%) and have worst household livestock loss (26.7%) through snow storms; (3) Meadow steppe has the highest catastrophic snow storm ratio (65.0%) and affected ratio (95.0%), but the least assistance from the government (22.22%). The results revealed that originally high ecological vulnerability gradually encouraged herder’s livelihood adaptive capability. However, the government assistance and attention are more inclined to the local original ecological vulnerability. In addition, the increasing extreme climate events are bringing new challenges to adaptive knowledge systems of indigenous herders under good ecological condition. There is a clear need to combine the efforts of local pastoralists, policymakers and scientific community together to construct a more resilient socio-ecological pastoral systems under the global climate change. This research provides an in-depth understanding of community resilience in pastoral areas along the ecological gradient while facing the slow-onset climate change impacts. Practical recommendations on climate risk management and adaptation in pastoral areas are discussed.

Local tick populations and human disease risk along popular hiking trails in northern California after multiple weather extremes

Local tick populations and human disease risk along popular hiking trails in northern California after multiple weather extremes

Sustainable Active Travel in Environmentally Challenging Cities: A Systematic Review of Barriers and Strategies

Active travel modes, such as walking and cycling, are essential for fostering sustainable urban transportation. However, their adoption in environmentally challenging areas—characterised by steep slopes, extreme weather, and rugged terrain—presents significant obstacles. This study addresses these challenges by conducting a systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2024 to identify strategies that promote active travel in such contexts. Using a structured five-step methodology, 62 relevant articles were selected and analysed to explore common challenges and propose tailored solutions. The findings highlight critical barriers, including topographical difficulties, harsh climatic conditions, and adverse weather, all of which hinder walking and cycling. To address these barriers, this study identifies a range of solutions, including infrastructure enhancements such as bike lifts, e-bike systems, shaded walkways, and heated pavements, as well as policy measures like financial incentives and disincentive regulations. Importantly, this study makes a deliberate effort to avoid overgeneralised solutions by emphasising the need for interventions that are context-sensitive and tailored to specific environmental challenges, urban scales, and local conditions. By providing options for actionable strategies, this research offers a comprehensive foundation for developing inclusive and sustainable policies that encourage active travel in diverse and environmentally constrained urban settings.

The impacts of climate and the extreme drought in 2018 on population growth in Swedish moth species

Abstract Insects are pivotal to ecosystem diversity and functionality, yet they face increasing threats from anthropogenic climate change impacts. A growing body of studies reports the effects of changing temperature and precipitation patterns, but relatively few studies focus on the consequences for insect populations because of extreme weather events. Here, we examine population growth responses to temperature, precipitation and the extreme summer drought in Sweden in 2018. For this purpose, we used longitudinal data for 54 moth species collected between 2005 and 2023 using light traps at three sites in southeastern Sweden. We found a positive relationship between temperature and population growth rates across all study sites, while precipitation showed a positive relationship at two sites and no effect at the third. The results indicated a negative time‐lag effect on population growth, at two of the sites, of precipitation the previous year, while there were no significant effects of temperature the previous year. Despite the extreme drought in 2018, moth populations remained resilient, with no dramatic decline in population growth between 2018 and 2019. Our results contrast earlier studies reporting severe declines in population growth in response to extreme drought events. The discrepancy may reflect a combination of region‐specific effects of extreme weather events and that selected species in this study predominantly consist of range‐expanding and migratory species, better able to withstand adverse conditions due to a higher climatic tolerance and being habitat and food plant generalists. Our findings underscore the importance of an increased knowledge of site‐specific responses and effects of extreme weather events such as droughts when outlining conservation efforts.

How flood-resilient port infrastructure can reduce economic impacts of climate change: a case study of the US inland waterways

ABSTRACT The US inland waterways are critical to the domestic economy but prone to disruptions from extreme weather events, notably floods, which have cascading impacts on supply chains. Although floods are expected to increase in intensity and frequency as a result of climate change, no research has been done to analyse economic impacts of disruptions from floods along inland waterways under future climate scenarios or to analyse how flood-resilient port infrastructure can help mitigate losses. This study combines climate, agent-based, and economic input-output modelling to estimate impacts of future flood disruptions along the Upper Mississippi River and to evaluate a case study where the development of a climate-resilient port can help mitigate economic impacts of such events. Results show that disruptions tend to become more severe with higher degrees of warming. Additionally, Illinois and Louisiana are the states in the region expected to suffer the greatest production losses, and agriculture and chemical manufacturing are the most adversely impacted industries. The study finds that the development of a flood-resilient port near the mouth of Upper Mississippi River can help cost-effectively reroute shipments and mitigate losses during many future disruption scenarios.

Impact of Climate Change on Informal Street Vendors: A Systematic Review to Help South Africa and Other Nations (2015–2024)

Climate change poses significant challenges to informal street vendors, particularly in urban settings where they operate in vulnerable environments. These challenges include economic instability, health risks, and sociopolitical exclusion, which are further exacerbated by extreme weather events and inadequate policy support. This review focuses on understanding these impacts by synthesizing lessons and exploring potential solutions from South Africa and other regions that could be implemented by governments and street vendors. A systematic review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, to synthesize findings from 48 studies published between 2015 and 2024. This review employed qualitative and quantitative analysis using thematic coding in ATLAS.ti and Microsoft Excel version 2024. Comparative analyses across regions and time periods were conducted to identify differences in impacts and adaptation strategies. Among the 48 studies, 52% were conducted in Africa and 50% in Asia, making these the most frequently represented regions in research on climate change and informal street vendors. Most of the publications were between 2021 and 2024 (52%). This review further highlights that climate change has led to significant economic losses, reduced working hours, and increased operational costs for informal vendors. Health impacts, such as respiratory illnesses and heat stress, are prevalent, particularly among vendors exposed to air pollution and extreme temperatures. Gender-specific vulnerabilities were noted, with women facing compounded challenges due to caregiving responsibilities and inadequate access to sanitation facilities. While Asian vendors have adopted technological solutions like mobile payment systems and cooling devices, these may not be currently feasible for South African vendors. Instead, tailored interventions that consider the local context and available resources are necessary to effectively support South African street vendors. Key recommendations include integrating vendors into urban resilience planning such as encouraging the use of cleaner and more sustainable transportation, improving access to healthcare, and providing financial support. Additionally, governments and communities should pilot the solutions identified in this review and publish their findings to inform future policies and practices.

Urban Spatial Heat Resilience Indicator Based on Running Activity Z-Score

The assessment of urban heat resilience has become crucial due to increasing extreme weather events. This study introduces the Running Activity Z-score (RAZ) index based on running activity trajectory data to evaluate heat resilience. Through a case study of an August 2022 heatwave in Beijing, we examined the index’s sensitivity to extreme heat and explored its spatial relationships with key built environment factors, including plot ratio, green coverage, population density, and blue space proximity. Our results reveal two key findings: (1) the RAZ index serves as an effective real-time, high-precision indicator of urban heatwave impacts, as evidenced by extremely low RAZ values consistently coinciding with heatwave periods, and (2) the RAZ index offers valuable insights for identifying potential low heat resilience areas and supporting planning decisions, as demonstrated by its significant correlations with built environment factors that align with previous studies while uncovering more detailed spatial relationships. Although RAZ effectively complements traditional measurement methods, its application requires careful consideration of external factors such as social dynamics and climate variability.

What matters for environmental concerns among university students in Bangladesh? An empirical study

IntroductionExperts have a well-established consensus regarding the detrimental effects of human activities on the environment, including extreme temperature events, rainfall variability, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and flood occurrences—all of which significantly stress Earth’s natural systems. This study investigates the level of environmental concern among university students in Bangladesh, considering their socio-demographic factors.MethodsA comprehensive survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire targeting 380 final-year bachelor and master’s students from various academic disciplines at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Sylhet, Bangladesh. The analysis involved variables such as gender, completion of university courses related to the environment or climate change, disciplinary background, and vulnerability to climate change or extreme weather events in their home locality. Relationships between these variables and the students’ environmental concerns were examined using cross-tabulation with the Chi-square test and mean difference with the ANOVA test.ResultsThe findings indicate a high level of knowledge and significant concern among students regarding environmental issues, with disciplinary background being the primary determinant of environmental concern level. Additionally, completing university courses on environmental or climate change topics and experiencing vulnerability to such events in one’s hometown are significant predictors of environmental concerns.DiscussionThis study highlights the growing environmental concerns among university students and underscores the need for further scientific research to comprehensively understand their impact on population dynamics.

A Collection of Machine Learning Models for Improved Airport Operations Amidst Adverse Weather Conditions

In the face of escalating climate change, airports worldwide are finding themselves at the mercy of extreme weather events. This research paper presents a comprehensive system that models key indicators, aiding airport management during such challenging weather conditions. The system adopts an integrated approach, combining various machine learning models to provide a detailed projection of an airport's future state, drawing from past occurrences. The heart of the system is a model that focuses on the airport's peak service rate. This model meticulously correlates weather conditions and runway configurations with the 99th percentile of observed throughput from the training dataset. As such, the peak service rate model provides an estimate of the airport's capacity, which is essential for effective planning and resource allocation. Moreover, the system includes a predictive model that assesses the likelihood of air traffic flow management regulations based on weather data and calendar information. The robustness of this model against noise and uncertainty in the training dataset is fortified by the application of confident learning techniques and the inclusion of monotonic constraints. The system further enhances its capabilities by forecasting the potential entry rate of regulations, expressed in hourly arrivals, providing valuable insights that can guide proactive decision-making. By seamlessly integrating these three models, the system serves as an effective tool for airport operators and airlines. It enables operational optimisation and the development of strategic plans to mitigate the effects of increasing weather-related disruptions.

Relationship between Drought Frequency and Desertification Progress in Australia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between drought frequency and desertification progress in Australia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Frequent droughts in Australia accelerate desertification, particularly in arid regions like the Murray-Darling Basin. Rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and extreme weather events degrade soil, reduce vegetation, and threaten agriculture. ENSO-driven droughts worsen water scarcity, impacting ecosystems and farming. Satellite data show declining soil moisture and groundwater levels, increasing land degradation. Without sustainable land management, reforestation, and water conservation, desertification risks will rise, threatening biodiversity and food security. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of desertification, aridity index and climate variability theory & threshold theory of land degradation may be used to anchor future studies on the relationship between drought frequency and desertification progress in Australia. Implementing drought-resistant crops, precision irrigation systems, and soil conservation techniques can significantly reduce the rate of desertification in agricultural regions. Governments should establish joint climate resilience frameworks, particularly in transboundary drylands and shared water basins, to prevent cross-border desertification effects.

Potential Development of Anti-Heat Stress Broiler Feed Using Dried Rice Waste: A Review

Objective: The objective of this review is to explore the potential development of anti-heat stress broiler feed using dried rice, with the aim of mitigating the adverse effects of heat stress on broiler performance and welfare while improving feed efficiency. Theoretical Framework: This study is grounded in the concepts of poultry nutrition, focusing on Metabolizable Energy (ME) reduction and the inclusion of resistant starch from dried rice. These approaches align with strategies for heat stress management in livestock during extreme weather conditions. Method: This review synthesizes findings from various studies on the use of dried rice as a functional feed ingredient. The approach involves formulating broiler feed with reduced ME by lowering caloric content and incorporating high resistant starch to optimize nutrient absorption and minimize body heat production during heat stress Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that feed formulations with low-calorie and high-resistant starch content effectively reduce heat stress in broilers. These formulations improve productivity, support optimal nutrient absorption, and enhance overall welfare. The discussion highlights the practical application of these formulations and their cost-effectiveness, addressing heat stress challenges in broiler farming. Research Implications: This review provides insights for feed formulation strategies to combat heat stress in poultry, with implications for improving animal welfare, reducing production losses, and promoting sustainable livestock practices. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the innovative use of dried rice, an organic waste product, as a sustainable and functional feed ingredient for broilers under heat stress conditions.

Climate-based measures of supply chain resilience

PurposeSupply chains are a complex but integral part of the food distribution system with unique vulnerabilities, as agricultural production is a function of biological processes and food goods are perishable necessities. Various shocks, including pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather events, can cause disruptions to the food supply chain. International trade often plays an adaptive role in mitigating the effects of these shocks as it allows for a market-oriented redistribution of resources that can mitigate the impacts of localized shortages and surpluses.Design/methodology/approachWith this in mind, our goal is to combine information on weather shocks and trade flows to propose novel supply chain resilience metrics focusing on key weather drivers in over 50 countries. We focus on the role of extreme heat (degree days above 29°C) for maize, soybeans and rice, but the approach is general enough to be widely applied to any combination of crops, trade partners and weather/climate variables.FindingsWe focus on the role of extreme heat (degree days above 29°C) for maize, soybeans and rice, but the approach is general enough to be widely applied to any combination of crops and weather/climate variables. Leveraging globally gridded temperature data, we estimate the metrics for the United States and find a heterogeneous range of resilience across crops and risk dimensions. In addition, we provide a detailed look at the spatial correlations with the US and its historical trade partners and find evidence that these metrics could (potentially) be enhanced via strategic trade relationships.Research limitations/implicationsLeveraging globally gridded temperature data, we estimate the metrics for the United States of America and China to demonstrate differences that might arise from a net-exporter versus net-importer perspective. Our results suggest that these metrics can be useful for disentangling the resilience a country faces between its own internal supply chain versus its participation in other countries’ supply chains.Practical implicationsSince these metrics are a combination of exogenous spatial correlations of weather shocks and endogenous trade patterns, we also discuss how they can be adjusted via strategic trade relationships to enhance resiliency.Originality/valueOur results provide pertinent insights to US policymakers promoting export expansion under climate change (USDA FAS, 2024). Moreover, the metrics provided here are focused on climate resiliency and thus could be an important component of strategic trade decisions given the recent concerns between the US and Mexico centered around GM maize (Beckman et al., 2024) and the seemingly improving US–India agricultural trade relationship.

Understanding the Effect of a Changing Climate on the Re-Emergence of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Vulnerable Small Island Nations: A Systematic Review.

Drastic changes in meteorological variables due to climate change will likely have an implication on the proliferation of vectors such as mosquitoes. Extreme weather events may therefore promote the emergence/re-emergence of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) and potentiate the risk of endemicity, particularly, in small island nations. A systematic review was chosen to methodically ascertain the knowledge gaps that exist in determining the influence of the changing climate on MBDs in small islands with vulnerable public health systems. This review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Following extraction of 600 articles from the databases, 16 studies were determined to meet the selection criteria. The majority of these research papers were from Sri Lanka (n = 9) while the remaining articles were distributed between islands in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. Several of these studies used regression modelling techniques to discuss the effect of multiple meteorological variables on the incidence of MBDs. A positive relationship was observed between temperature and the relative risk of MBDs in 72% of the papers. Rainfall enhanced dengue transmission in 84% of the studies included. All the articles discussing the effect of humidity illustrated a similar trend while wind speed was the only climatic variable demonstrating a negative relationship with MBDs. Considering the intricate nature of the non-linear exposure-response link is crucial when estimating the lagged effect of the changing climate on MBDs transmission. Other challenges associated with bias and confounders in the selected studies as well as meteorological data accessibility, were highlighted. Therefore, it was not possible to conclusively establish that the changing climatic variables do influence the spread of MBDs which accentuated the need for conducting further studies to illustrate the effect of changing weather variables on the incidence of MBDs, with an emphasis on vulnerable small island nations.

Multiplex genome editing for climate-resilient woody plants

Climate change is severely impacting global forest ecosystems, stressing woody plants due to rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. These pressures threaten biodiversity and disrupt the essential roles forests play in carbon sequestration, timber production, and ecosystem stability. Traditional forest management strategies, such as selective breeding, cannot keep up with the rapid pace of climate change, given the long juvenile phase of trees. Multiplex genome editing, particularly through CRISPR technologies, offers a promising solution to accelerate the development of climate-resilient traits in woody plants. By simultaneously targeting multiple genes, multiplex CRISPR enables efficient modification of polygenic traits that govern stress tolerance, disease resistance, and other crucial resilience factors. This mini-review examines the potential of multiplex CRISPR technologies in forest management, breeding, and agroecological practices, showing how they can improve tree resilience and support sustainable forestry in response to the growing challenges of climate change.

Influence of Water Temperature on Fish Reproduction in Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of water temperature on fish reproduction in Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that water temperature significantly impacts fish reproduction in Bangladesh, with optimal breeding occurring at 25–30°C. Higher temperatures (>32°C) reduced sperm motility and hatch rates, while lower temperatures (<20°C) delayed spawning. Climate change-induced temperature shifts may disrupt fish breeding patterns, affecting aquaculture productivity. Temperature regulation and seasonal monitoring are recommended for sustainable fisheries. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Metabolic theory of ecology (MTE), thermal bottleneck hypothesis & brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis theory may be used to anchor future studies on the influence of water temperature on fish reproduction in Bangladesh. Fisheries and aquaculture should select and breed fish species with higher thermal tolerance, ensuring stable reproductive success despite temperature changes. Governments must revise fisheries policies to integrate climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that breeding habitats and spawning seasons are protected from rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

Patterns and Trends of Respiratory Diseases in Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims in Mecca: 2024 Descriptive Study

Background and Objective: Respiratory diseases are a major health problem for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, triggered by extreme environmental factors such as high temperatures (39-43°C), crowding, and air pollution. Changes in physical activity and dust exposure also play a role, especially in the elderly and those with comorbidities. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that >50% of Hajj pilgrims experience respiratory problems, with pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma as common diagnoses, particularly after the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. This study aims to analyze the patterns and trends of respiratory diseases among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Mecca in 2024. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study uses secondary data from the registration of regular Hajj pilgrims at the KKHI Mecca in 2024 (1445 H). The total sample consists of 1962 Hajj pilgrims. Data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive. Results: The majority of Hajj pilgrims seeking treatment were male (55.4%) and aged >61 years (65.3%). Pneumonia was the most common respiratory disease (62%), followed by COPD (11.8%), asthma (4.3%), and ARI (8.1%). Risk factors included old age, extreme weather changes, physical fatigue, and air pollution. The majority of cases were treated on an outpatient basis at the KKHI Mecca (61.1%). Conclusion: Pneumonia is a major health problem among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Mecca. Old age is an important risk factor. Comprehensive prevention and treatment efforts are needed, including health education, awareness of medical personnel, and further research. This study provides valuable information for the development of more effective Hajj health policies.

Lichens are more tolerant against winter warming stress than vascular and non‐vascular plants: Insights from an alpine field experiment

Abstract Extreme weather events influence carbon cycling and lead to pervasive changes in ecosystem structure and function. Vegetation at high latitudes and in alpine bioclimatic zones can be particularly sensitive to winter warming events, which are short‐lived climatic events where temperatures are unusually high and often include rainfall. With climate change the frequency and severity of winter warming events are increasing. We report here from a field experiment on a lichen‐dominated ridge at a high mountain plateau in central Norway. This is a common vegetation type at high latitudes and altitudes, yet little is known about ecophysiological responses to winter warming events in lichens, and how it may differ from responses in bryophytes and vascular plants. We ran a week‐long simulation of vegetation stress from winter warming events through thaw–freeze and ice encasement, during late winter in 2021 and 2022. The thaw–freeze treatment had minor effects on summer ecophysiology in lichens (Cladonia mitis, Cetraria islandica and Nephromopsis nivalis), while the species N. nivalis and to a lesser extent, C. mitis had reduced vitality after the ice encasement treatment. Contrastingly, the bryophyte Polytrichum juniperinum, and vascular plant Empetrum nigrum had reduced photosynthetic efficiency and seasonal growth in both thaw–freeze and ice encasement treatments. The ice encasement treatment was overall more lethal and led to reduced NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index). However, reduction in vitality of vascular and non‐vascular plants was not enough to impact overall ecosystem carbon flux. Synthesis: The lichen's stronger tolerance against thaw–freeze and ice encasement than co‐existing plants oppose the general effects of summer climate warming, where lichens may succumb under greater plant‐growth and warmer soils. This study advocates for the importance of year‐round ecology to understand vegetation change under climate change.