Extreme weather phenomena: what are, causes, types and consequences

Extreme meteorological phenomena are Unusual climatic events As for your intensity and/or duration. These include, among others, hurricanes, tornadoes, intense thunderstorms, droughts, heat waves, cold waves, floods and extraordinary snowfall. These events usually go beyond what is considered “normal” in a specific area and can cause significant damage to infrastructure, affectations to the environment, and put people’s lives and safety at risk.

The causes of extreme meteorological phenomena are varied and can originate both in natural processes and in human activities:

• Atmospheric processes and climatic patterns: Changes in the atmosphere, such as variations in pressure or temperature, can trigger extreme phenomena. For example, high and low atmospheric pressure systems, together with moisture and temperature, are key elements for the formation of storms, tornadoes and hurricanes.
• Oceanic currents: The oceans play a fundamental role in the regulation of global climate. The sea currents, which are like rivers of moving water into the oceans, transport heat from Ecuador to the poles and cold in the opposite direction. When these currents experience changes, they can alter the climate in various parts of the world, increasing the probability of extreme phenomena.
• Effect of climate change: In recent decades, human activity has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing global warming that intensifies extreme meteorological phenomena. For example, the increase in the temperature of the oceans provides more energy to storms and hurricanes, making them stronger and more destructive. In this other article we talk more about the effects of climate change.
• Deforestation and changes in land use: The elimination of large forest areas alters humidity patterns and the ability of ecosystems to retain water. This can favor floods, since the ground loses its ability to absorb rainwater naturally. You can read more about deforestation: what is, causes, consequences and how to avoid it here.

Extreme weather phenomena can be classified into different types, according to their characteristics, duration and impact:

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhons

These phenomena are storm systems with a cyclonic structure that are formed on warm oceans. Hurricanes mainly affect the American continent, while cyclones are recorded in southern Asia and the Indian Ocean, and typhoons in the Pacific Ocean.

If you want to know some examples of extreme meteorological phenomena such as these, we recommend this other post about the strongest hurricanes in history.

Thoroughies

This type of storms are events characterized by the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, which produce rays, thunder and, sometimes, intense rainfall and also hail.

If you want more information, discover more about the storms: what are, how types and consequences in this other post are formed.

Tornados

They are columns of rapid rotation that extend from a storm to the earth’s surface. Although they usually last a short time, tornadoes are highly destructive due to the speed of their winds, which can exceed 300 km/h.

You can consult more information about the tornado: what is, how it is formed, types and consequences here.

Heat waves

This phenomenon refers to a prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures in a region. Heat waves are usually accompanied by drought and low humidity conditions, which can increase the risk of forest fires and health problems, especially among vulnerable populations.

We advise you to read this other article about heat waves: what are, temperatures, causes and consequences.

Cold waves

In contrast to heat waves, cold waves are prolonged periods of abnormally low temperatures, which can affect large regions. They are usually associated with intense snowfall, strong frosts and sometimes ice storms.

If you want to learn more about the cold waves: what are, causes and consequences, we recommend this other article.

Floods

Floods occur when excess water, from intense rains, thaw or river overflows, exceeds the drainage capacity of an area.

You can read more about floods: what are, causes and consequences in this link.

Droughts

A drought occurs when a region experiences a prolonged rainfall. This reduces the availability of water in soils, rivers and reservoirs, affecting agriculture, drinking water supply and the local ecosystem.

Know more about what drought, its causes and consequences here is.

Hails

Highlands can cause important damage to crops, vehicles, roofs and windows, especially when hail stones are large.

You can see more information about hail: what is, how it is formed and types in this other post.

Extreme snowfall

Although snowfalls are common phenomena in cold regions, extreme snowfall are characterized by the rapid and excessive accumulation of snow in a place and a short period.

We advise you to read about what a snowstorm is and how it is formed in this article.

The consequences of extreme meteorological phenomena can be devastating and affect various aspects of human life, the environment and the economy:

• Human losses and health damage: Extreme phenomena, such as hurricanes, heat and cold waves, and floods, can have lethal consequences. Heat waves, for example, can cause heat blows, dehydration and heart complications, especially affecting older people and who have pre -existing health problems. Floods and storms can cause injuries and loss of lives due to housing destruction and other accidents.
• Economic Impact: Damage to infrastructure, homes, roads, and transport systems are some of the most expensive consequences of extreme phenomena. Repairs and reconstructions may imply an economic burden. In addition, losses in the agricultural sector due to droughts, floods or hailstorms affect food production, which in turn can cause increases in basic products prices.
• Destruction of infrastructure and homes: Phenomena such as tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes can destroy homes, public buildings and other infrastructure.
• Impact on ecosystems: Floods can erode soils and destroy habitats of terrestrial and aquatic species. On the other hand, prolonged droughts reduce fresh water bodies, affecting biodiversity and survival of many species.

Extreme weather phenomena and climate change are closely related. While many of these phenomena occur naturally, Climate changemainly driven by human activities, The frequency, intensity and duration of extreme meteorological phenomena has increased In recent decades.

The global warming has raised the average temperatures of the planet, which makes heat waves more intense, frequent and prolonged. The record temperatures that used to be rare now occur more regularly.

It has also altered rain patterns in many parts of the world. In some areas, the rains are less frequent but more intense, which increases the risk of sudden floods and landslides. In other regions, the decrease in rainfall leads to more frequent and severe droughts, affecting the water supply and agriculture.

The melting of glaciers also generates a feedback cycle that amplifies climate change. For example, the thaw of the Arctic decreases the ability of the earth to reflect solar radiation, which accelerates global warming. Forest fires and methane emissions due to the member of permafrost add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, further intensifying global warming. This feedback makes climate change progress more quickly and increases the probability of extreme meteorological phenomena in the future.

Below, you can watch a video about how climate change affects us. In addition, after having learned all this about extreme meteorological phenomena, we encourage you to know some of the natural disasters in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdx0okuekw

If you want to read more articles similar to Extreme weather phenomena: what are, causes, types and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.