Weather Events Research Articles

In this current wildfire crisis, acknowledge widespread suffering.

With climate change causing more extreme weather events globally, climate scientists have argued that societies have three options: mitigation, adaptation or suffering. In recent years, devastating wildfires have caused significant suffering, yet the extent of this suffering has not been defined. To encapsulate this suffering, we determined impacts and effects of extreme wildfires through two systematic literature reviews. Six common themes of wildfire suffering emerged: environmental, social, physical, mental, cultural and resource suffering. These themes varied in scale: from local to regional; from individuals to communities; and from ecosystems to landscapes. We then applied these themes in the Las Maquinas (Chile) and Fort McMurray (Canada) wildfires. This highlighted several adaptation strategies that can reduce suffering, however our exploration indicates these strategies must address social and ecological factors. This analysis concludes that suffering from wildfires is diverse and widespread, and that significant engagement with adaptation strategies is needed if this is going to decrease.

Urology on a changing planet: links between climate change and urological disease.

Urological diseases and their varied forms of management warrant special attention in the setting of climate change. Regarding urological cancers, climate change will probably increase the incidence and severity of cancer diagnoses through exposures to certain environmental risk factors, while simultaneously disrupting cancer care delivery and downstream outcomes. Regarding benign urological diseases, a burgeoning body of work exists on climate-related heat waves, dehydration, urolithiasis, renal injury and infectious and vector-borne diseases. Adding to the potential effect on disease pathogenesis, many patients with urological diseases undergo high-tech, resource-intensive interventions, such as robotic surgery, and entail intensive longitudinal assessments over many years. These features incur a considerable carbon footprint, generate substantial waste, and can introduce vulnerabilities to climate-related weather events. Links exist between planetary health (the health of humans and the natural systems that support our health), climate change and urological disease and urological care providers face many challenges in the era of anthropogenic climate change. The next steps and priorities for research, management, and health care delivery include identification and prioritization of health care delivery strategies to minimize waste and carbon emissions, while supporting climate resilience. Examples include supporting telemedicine, limiting low-value care, and building resilience to minimize impacts of climate-related disasters to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Impacts of climate change on the suitable habitat of Angelica sinensis and analysis of its drivers in China

Climate change is shifting optimal habitats for medicinal plants, potentially compromising the efficacy and therapeutic value of herbal remedies. Global warming and increased extreme weather events threaten the sustainability and pharmaceutical integrity of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis). Despite its importance in traditional herbal medicine, there is limited research on adaptation of A. sinensis to climate challenges. This study systematically collected occurrence data of A. sinensis through field expeditions and online databases, using the Maxent ecological niche modeling tool and ArcGIS software to forecast suitable habitats. A total of 402 species occurrence points and 21 environmental variables were selected for modeling, resulting in 1,160 distribution models, of which only one met the stringent 5% odds ratio (OR) standard. The optimal model exhibited a pROC value of 0, an OR of 0.0196, and an AICc score of 9,287.133. The model, run ten times for robustness, showed an average AUC of 0.980, indicating high accuracy and reliability. Under current climate conditions, suitable habitats for A. sinensis cover approximately 13% of mainland China, primarily in Gansu (73.77%), Qinghai (14.73%), and Sichuan (11.18%) provinces. Environmental factors such as altitude, humidity, and temperature significantly influence the geographical distribution of A. sinensis. The future climate scenario predictions suggest that suitable habitats will generally shift towards higher latitudes, with areas of moderate to high suitability primarily distributed across the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. The interactions between environmental factors, characterized by mutual and nonlinear enhancement, further influence the spatial differentiation of suitability zones. Overlay analysis with 2020 land cover data indicated that 861,437 km² of arable and forest land are suitable for A. sinensis cultivation. Future predictions under four SSP scenarios show varying changes in suitable habitat areas, with the most significant expansion under SSP370 between 2080 and 2100, covering 14.54% of mainland China. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing A. sinensis cultivation regions and quality assessments in response to climate change.

Occupational allergy and climate change.

Climate change influences working conditions in various ways, affecting employee health and safety across different sectors. Climatic factors like rising temperatures, increased UV radiation, and more frequent extreme weather events pose risks to in both indoor and outdoor workers. Allergic diseases of the respiratory tract and the skin may emerge due to climate change. This review summarizes current aspects of both direct and indirect consequences of climate change and associated exposures in diverse work environments, focusing on occupational allergies. Outdoor workers, in particular, are increasing susceptible to ubiquitous pollen allergens. Additionally, they may experience climate-related increases in allergens typically associated with specific workplaces, such as Cryptostroma corticale. Changes in production processes, along with altered workplaces exposures, can lead to new sensitizations and trigger allergies, representing indirect consequences of climate change. Furthermore, lifestyle changes aimed to promoting climate protection and sustainability (e.g. the introduction of insects as a protein source or using enzymes), may also contribute to the emergence of new allergens. The emergence of new occupational sensitization sources from novel or modified allergen exposures must be addressed within the framework of workplace safety and health, necessitating proactive measures to safeguard workers and mitigate risks.

Climate Change and Human Mobility: Considering Context, Mechanisms, and Selectivity

AbstractClimate change is projected to increase human mobility. Research links climate stressors, such as warming temperatures, severe weather events, and rising sea levels, to human migration within and between countries in many regions of the world. This paper reviews this new frontier for migration research and charts directions for future work. Understanding climate mobility, we argue, requires considering local context to identify mechanisms (what climate impacts) and selectivity (who responds). Research needs to draw more on existing theory to deduce selectivity patterns under alternative drivers of mobility and to extend the theory by considering how those patterns shift under climate shocks. Research also needs to generalize from diverse findings by documenting which mechanisms and selectivity patterns are most common in which contexts.

HYDROLOGY IN PAKISTAN: A REVIEW OF RUNOFF, FLOODS, DROUGHTS AND THEIR IMPACTS

This review explores the complex relationship between climate change and hydrology in Pakistan, which is leading to significant weather extremes such as rainfall, temperature, floods, droughts and variable runoff patterns. It highlights the significant challenges posed by these water-related issues and the adaptive strategies needed for sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change and human activities. This study observes the major hydrological challenges in Pakistan focusing on repetitive floods and droughts that have deep impacts on the country’s economy, agriculture and environment. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country as it experiences extreme weather events since the last few decades. Pakistan has faced many worst floods due to the changes in climate and hydrological extremes. The recurring occurrence of extreme rainfall events can be challenging to alleviate the flood hazards. This study will be helpful for our understanding on water management strategies to safeguard water resources and diminish the impacts of climate change on the country.

PRESENT TRENDS IN AIR TEMPERATURE IN THE EAST OF KAZAKHSTAN

According to world research, over the past decades there has been a tendency for air temperature to rise and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. The study of the climatic predisposition of individual regions to extreme events, in particular fires, is an urgent problem of our time. The main purpose of this study was to define current trends in air temperature in Eastern Kazakhstan on an annual, seasonal and monthly scale. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimation were used for the analysis, and the co-kriging method was used to interpolate the data to obtain areal distribution. As a result of the study, it was revealed that in most of Eastern Kazakhstan, there has been an increasing trend in average and maximum temperatures significantly. It was also noted that the main statistically significant changes are observed in the spring and summer seasons. Changes at some stations were reached from 0,2 to 1,0 °C in ten years. The most consistent and significant trends in temperature increase were recorded in March and April.

Enhancing Smart Microgrid Resilience Under Natural Disaster Conditions: Virtual Power Plant Allocation Using the Jellyfish Search Algorithm

Electric power networks face critical challenges from extreme weather events and natural disasters, disrupting socioeconomic activities and jeopardizing energy security. This study presents an innovative approach incorporating virtual power plants (VPPs) within networked microgrids (MGs) to address these challenges. VPPs integrate diverse distributed energy resources such as solar- and wind-based generation, diesel generators, shunt capacitors, battery energy storage systems, and electric vehicles (EVs). These resources enhance MG autonomy during grid disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical services. EVs function as mobile energy storage units during emergencies, while shunt capacitors stabilize the system. Excess energy from distributed generation is stored in battery systems for future use. The seamless integration of VPPs and networked technologies enables MGs to operate independently under extreme weather conditions. Prosumers, acting as both energy producers and consumers, actively strengthen system resilience and efficiency. Energy management and VPP allocation are optimized using the jellyfish search optimization algorithm, enhancing resource scheduling during outages. This study evaluates the proposed approach’s resilience, reliability, stability, and emission reduction capabilities using real-world scenarios, including the IEEE 34-bus and Indian 52-bus radial distribution systems. Various weather conditions are analyzed, and a multi-objective function is employed to optimize system performance during disasters. The results demonstrate that networked microgrids with VPPs significantly enhance distribution grid resilience, offering a promising solution to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on energy infrastructure.

Climatic impacts on mortality in pre-industrial Sweden

Abstract. Climate variability and change, as well as extreme weather events, have notable impacts on human health and mortality. In historical times, the effect of climate on health and mortality was stronger than today, owing to factors such as poor housing and healthcare, along with the nutrition status that was meditated through climatic impacts on food production. Despite this, climatic impacts on mortality in the past remain poorly understood. This study aims to improve the understanding of climate effects on mortality using annual mortality records and meteorological data from Sweden between 1749 and 1859. The analysis includes the entire population, as well as subgroups based on sex and age. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between late winter and spring temperatures and mortality (i.e. lower temperatures equal higher mortality, and vice versa). We demonstrate that colder late winter and spring seasons were linked to higher mortality levels, not only for the same year but also for the following year. Conversely, no statistically significant associations were observed between summer or autumn temperatures and mortality, and only weak associations existed with hydroclimate. The impact of late winter and spring season temperature on mortality was most pronounced for the same year in southern Sweden and during the 19th century but stronger for the following year in central Sweden and during the 18th century. These findings call for further research, especially with respect to investigating specific diseases and additional factors contributing to the observed increase in mortality following cold late winter and spring seasons in Sweden during the late pre-industrial period.

Unveiling India’s lightning patterns through satellite-based climatology and numerical modelling of severe weather events: A review

Unveiling India’s lightning patterns through satellite-based climatology and numerical modelling of severe weather events: A review

Assessing water status in rice plants in water-deficient environments using thermal imaging

BackgroundRice is a staple food for the global population. However, extreme weather events threaten the stability of the water supply for agriculture, posing a critical challenge to the stability of the food supply. The use of technology to assess the water status of rice plants enables the precise management of agricultural water resources.ResultsThe results of this study reveal that rice-producing regions with more severe drought have higher ion leakage rates, lower Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meter values, and reduced total chlorophyll content in plants. Although no significant differences were observed in red-green-blue (RGB) images, physiological parameters and canopy temperature differed significantly from conventional farming when infrared thermography was used to capture rice plants in the early stages of drought. The Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), calculated from canopy temperature and atmospheric temperature, indicated a high correlation between access to water for rice plants and their physiological parameters. Regression analysis using CWSI and plant water status yielded a corrected coefficient of determination of 0.86.ConclusionOur study demonstrate that infrared thermography can effectively detect early signs of water stress in rice, aiding farmers in irrigation planning and enabling precise management and optimal utilization of water resources.

The Environmental Impact of Rising Sea Levels on the Global South

Climate change is a worldwide emergency that has a much greater impact on developing countries. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and droughts are happening more often and are more severe, causing widespread damage and displacement. Sea levels are also rising, threatening coastal communities and displacing millions of people. The impacts of rising sea levels are wide-ranging and include flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and loss of biodiversity. The Global South is hit hardest by climate change because it is less developed and has fewer resources to adapt. It also depends more on natural resources that climate change is damaging. Sea level rise is not uniform across the globe and varies regionally. Increasingly elevated and extreme sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal areas, giving rise to a spectrum of coastal hazards. The Global South has contributed less to climate change than industrialized nations. Therefore, it is a matter of global justice that these regions be supported in their efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. In this article, the authors will discuss the impact of rising sea levels, along with the challenges and opportunities for adaptation to rising sea levels.

Potential of Accelerometers to Remotely Early Detect Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Cattle Using Pattern Mining1

Abstract Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF), caused by an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus, is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. It affects cattle with symptoms of fever, lameness, inappetence and in some situations can result in mortality. The goal of this study is to determine if accelerometer data can be used to identify the behaviour patterns that occur when cattle become ill from BEF. Eight heifers in a separate experiment were monitored with 3-axis accelerometers sensors. Movement variation (MV) was calculated from accelerometer data (25 Hz) using 1-minute epochs and then averaged hourly. Two different approaches, cosine similarity (CS) and deviation from previous behavioural patterns, were developed to autonomously detect patterns and recognize the onset of sickness in cattle using accelerometer data. Analyses show that one heifer had behavioural changes one day before the manager observed BEF, and another heifer had behavioural changes on the same day the manager observed BEF. The other six heifers did not display any BEF symptoms. To validate the efficacy of our analytical approaches, we employed them on a separate commercial herd of 73 cows where 4 of the 27 monitored cows were observed with BEF symptoms. Predictions were either on the day or even the day prior to the manager's observation and diagnosis. There were likely no false positives in the first or second trials using the deviation algorithm with sum_deviation formula, but there were several false positives with the other algorithms. These case studies demonstrate the potential of accelerometer data to autonomously detect disease onset, in some cases before it was apparent to the human observer. However, more research is needed to minimize false positives that may occur from other similar diseases, abnormal weather events or cyclical changes in behaviour such as oestrus is required.

Balancing Immediate Relief and Resilience: Centring Local Voices for Disaster Aid and Capacity Building in Climate‐Conflict Vulnerable Communities

ABSTRACTClimate change exacerbates fragility and security risks; however, the intersectional vulnerabilities arising from climate and conflict in fragile regions remain insufficiently studied, particularly from local perspectives. While development practices have increasingly shifted towards capacity‐building approaches, traditional aid distribution is often criticised for fostering dependency and lacking transparency. These critiques usually stem from country‐level studies that inadequately capture locally grounded realities. This article investigates the lived experiences of compounding climate and conflict shocks in the Bangsamoro region of southern Philippines through interviews and focus groups. The findings corroborate existing literature, indicating that extreme weather events and violence disrupt agricultural livelihoods, precipitate displacement and exacerbate food insecurity. Semi‐permanently displaced residents rely heavily on immediate relief, locally referred to as ayuda, as a coping mechanism; however, locally designed, long‐term capacity‐building initiatives frequently struggle to secure adequate funding. Perspectives on balancing ayuda with long‐term capacity development suggest a potential for complementarity between these approaches. Proposed resilience strategies emphasise strengthening local governance, enhancing infrastructure, promoting climate‐smart agriculture and fostering inclusive planning. However, gaps in state support hinder progress. By foregrounding the perspectives of marginalised communities affected by climate and conflict, this article offers nuanced insights into addressing compound fragilities often overlooked by top‐down policy discourses. Centring local voices illuminates the grounded realities necessary for a more balanced theoretical discourse regarding ayuda versus capacity building in climate‐fragile, post‐conflict regions, advocating for participatory, tailored and synergistic methodologies to strengthen climate resilience, food security and peacebuilding efforts.

Maternal exposure to ambient temperature and risk of preterm birth in Chengdu, China, from 2017 to 2020: a cohort study

BackgroundDue to climate change, the frequency and intensity of heat waves and other extreme weather events are rapidly increasing. Compared to the general population, pregnant women and fetuses are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures and are associated with the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB). However, its risk of preterm birth is currently uncertain. The objective of the research is to examine the effect of ambient temperature on PTB in pregnant women.MethodsThis study included 6,850 pregnant women from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. Meteorological data for Chengdu through the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The main exposure assessment was conducted during eight different exposure windows, including the first three months of pregnancy, 7 weeks periods during the first two trimesters, throughout pregnancy, 1-week preceding delivery, and 4 weeks preceding delivery. The effect of environmental temperature on PTB during different exposure windows was assessed using the logistic regression based on the percentile of the mean temperature in different exposure cycles. Additionally, the lagged effect of environmental temperature on preterm births throughout the study period was analyzed using a distributed lag non-linear model.ResultsAmong the 6850 pregnant women, 301 (4.4%) were diagnosed with PTB. Compared to mild temperature (10th to 90th percentile), exposure to extreme cold (< 10th percentile) temperature during the 4 weeks preceding delivery (RR = 2.45, 95% CI:1.11,5.40) and throughout pregnancy (RR = 3.85, 95% CI:1.56,9.53) increased the risk of PTB. In addition, hot temperature (> 90th percentile) at 4 weeks preceding delivery (RR = 0.33, 95% CI:0.13,0.86) and 22–28 weeks of pregnancy (RR = 0.25, 95% CI:0.11,0.59), and cold exposure at 1-week preceding delivery(RR = 0.51, 95% CI:0.27,0.96), reduced risk of PTB. In the lagged model, compared with 18° C (50th percentile), 7 °C (10th percentile) had the strongest effect on lag day 21 and lag 22 (RR = 1.20, 95% CI:1.03,1.40; RR = 1.20, 95% CI:1.03,1.39). A temperature of 27° C (90th percentile) was protective for PTB from the 22nd day of lag(RR = 0.86, 95% CI:0.75,0.99).ConclusionsThis study indicates that high temperature may be a protective factor for PTB, while low temperature may be a risk factor, with an obvious lag effect.

Closing the phenotyping gap with non-invasive belowground field phenotyping

Abstract. Breeding climate-robust crops is one of the needed pathways for adaptation to the changing climate. To speed up the breeding process, it is important to understand how plants react to extreme weather events such as drought or waterlogging in their production environment, i.e. under field conditions in real soils. Whereas a number of techniques exist for aboveground field phenotyping, simultaneous non-invasive belowground phenotyping remains difficult. In this paper, we present the first data set of the new HYDRAS (HYdrology, Drones and RAinout Shelters) open-access field-phenotyping infrastructure, bringing electrical resistivity tomography, alongside drone imagery and environmental monitoring, to a technological readiness level closer to what breeders and researchers need. This paper investigates whether electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) provides sufficient precision and accuracy to distinguish between belowground plant traits of different genotypes of the same crop species. The proof-of-concept experiment was conducted in 2023, with three distinct soybean genotypes known for their contrasting reactions to drought stress. We illustrate how this new infrastructure addresses the issues of depth resolution, automated data processing, and phenotyping indicator extraction. The work shows that electrical resistivity tomography is ready to complement drone-based field-phenotyping techniques to accomplish whole-plant high-throughput field phenotyping.

Before Helene’s Landfall: Analysis of Disaster Risk Perceptions and Preparedness Assessment in the Southeastern United States in 2023

Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact on the Southeastern United States highlighted the critical importance of disaster preparedness. This study analyzes data from FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey to examine pre-Helene disaster risk perception and preparedness levels among residents of six Southeastern states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Our aim was to assess baseline preparedness and gain insights that could inform future disaster planning. The analysis revealed significant inter-state variations in risk perceptions, with Florida residents showing the highest awareness (84% believing a disaster was likely or very likely) and Virginia residents the lowest (63%). Perceived primary threats varied geographically, with hurricanes dominating concerns in coastal states (78% in Florida) and tornadoes in inland areas (68% in Georgia). Despite these differences, concerns about losing access to essential services during disasters were consistent across all states, with over 60% of residents extremely concerned about energy and food/shelter disruptions. While self-reported confidence in disaster preparedness was high across all states, there was a notable discrepancy between this confidence and residents’ estimated ability to manage without power or water. For instance, only 47% of Florida residents believed they could manage without power for more than one week despite their high-risk perception. Home or renters’ insurance coverage ranged from 65% in Florida to 77% in South Carolina. Hazard-specific insurance varied widely, with hurricane insurance coverage at 53% in Florida compared to about 12% in Tennessee. Our findings provide timely insights into the state of disaster preparedness in the wake of Helene, emphasizing more need for tailored, region-specific approaches to disaster preparedness and risk communication. The discrepancies between perceived and actual preparedness highlighted by this study can inform more effective strategies for enhancing community resilience in the face of increasing extreme weather events driven by climate change.

A comprehensive review on impact of climatic change on adaptability and mitigation in fruit crop

Global warming and climate change are among the most pressing challenges confronting humanity in the 21st century. Climate change will result in rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and an increased occurrence of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, cold spells, frost days, droughts and floods. The effects of climate change have recently become more evident, with rising temperatures, altered and irregular precipitation patterns and increased extreme weather events. These changes are directly impacting the maturity and development of fruit crops. Heat stress during flowering and fruit set can greatly reduce fruit production, while irregular rainfall may disrupt pollination and heighten the risk of pests and diseases. Furthermore, increased carbon dioxide levels can influence the quality characteristics of fruits. To maintain the ongoing production and sustainability of fruit crops, it is vital to enhance resilience. Focusing on developing new varieties that offer higher yield potential and resistance to various stresses, such as drought, flooding and salinity, is crucial for sustaining crop yields. Additionally, breeding programs should aim to enhance the germplasm of key tropical and subtropical fruit crops to improve heat stress tolerance. Recent advancements in genetic editing technologies present substantial opportunities for the agricultural sector, especially in enhancing fruit crop traits. These innovations can be precisely tailored to meet consumer preferences, which is crucial for driving commercial success. In this review, we strive to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of this important topic, along with recommendations for future research.

Women and Housing After the Lismore Floods (Australia)–A Relational Rights-Based Approach

Australia is experiencing both a housing crisis and an increase in extreme weather events due to global warming. This largely dry continent, beset by bushfires and floods, is a land of stark inequality. These inequitable landscapes make recovery from disaster difficult and prolonged for those already marginalised. National statistics reveal that older women are the fastest growing group facing housing precarity, and disasters compound upon this dire situation. This paper presents a relational rights-based approach, informed by a feminist ethics of care, to attain the right to adequate housing for all in the Australian context.

Effects of Saline Solutions on Paper-Based Cultural Heritage: Non-Invasive Techniques for Studying Flooded Ancient Books

Archival materials are increasingly vulnerable to damage from chemical, physical, biological, and environmental factors, including climate change-related extreme weather events such as torrential rains and flash floods. These conditions pose significant risks to paper-based cultural heritage, leading to degradation from both water and salt exposure. This study investigates the effects of direct immersion in saline solutions on different types of paper, simulating the impact of flooding events. We focused on how varying levels of salinity affect the crystalline structure of paper, which is crucial for understanding its degradation. This study employed non-invasive, portable optical techniques such as luminescence, reflectivity, and Raman spectroscopy to monitor the changes in the paper structure. Our results showed that salt exposure leads to significant alterations in the paper’s crystalline composition. The study concludes that washing treatments are essential for mitigating further degradation, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in preserving cultural heritage. The non-destructive nature of the methods used also demonstrates their potential for in situ applications in cultural heritage conservation.