What Next TBD: Why Extreme Weather Keeps Surprising You
Jun 28, 2024
auto_awesome
Climate scientist Daniel Swain discusses how extreme events are changing on a warming Earth, highlighting the impacts of climate change on extreme weather events. The podcast delves into the intensification and frequency of extreme weather events, the challenges in weather forecasting, and the importance of adaptation and preparedness for extreme weather events triggered by climate change.
Extreme weather events are increasingly severe due to climate change.
Challenges exist in accurate weather forecasting and public readiness for extreme weather situations.
Deep dives
Increased Impact of Extreme Weather Events
The podcast explores how extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. With temperatures rising, there is a higher likelihood of experiencing heatwaves, heavy rainfall, storms, and flooding. The speaker emphasizes that these changes are part of the 'new normal' and discusses the challenges individuals face in adapting to these unpredictable weather patterns.
Role of Climate Change in Weather Patterns
The episode delves into the relationship between climate change and shifting weather patterns. Climate scientist Daniel Swain highlights that rising temperatures are making extreme weather events more common. He explains how climate change leads to increased temperatures, altering precipitation patterns, and intensifying storms, ultimately affecting various aspects of weather conditions.
Challenges in Weather Forecasting and Public Preparedness
The podcast addresses the challenges in accurate weather forecasting and public readiness for extreme weather situations. Daniel Swain discusses the limitations of smartphone weather apps in predicting severe weather events. He emphasizes the crucial role of the National Weather Service in providing detailed warnings and forecasts, advocating for better public awareness of these resources to enhance preparedness and response to changing weather conditions.
Saying any one storm or heat wave or weather in general was “caused by climate change” is tricky—summer is, after all, usually pretty hot, and storms happen. But researchers are working on a model that brings “climate change” from abstract into the particular.
Guest: Daniel Swain, climate scientist at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, studying how extreme events are changing on a warming Earth.
Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.