More extreme winter storms, with strong winds and heavy rainfall are likely to be in store for the UK and Ireland as a result of climate change, according to newly published research.
Using simulations, based on historic and future periods, experts from Newcastle University and the Met Office found that, as the climate warms, winter storms are likely to become more severe with stronger winds and heavier rainfall occurring at the same time.
Coastal areas are likely to be susceptible to compound flooding, while key infrastructure such as electricity and transport networks are likely to be affected. Emergency response resources could also become stretched.
Co-author, Professor Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts at Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, said: “These types of studies show that we will need to invest much more money into making our infrastructure systems robust to future stronger storms, alongside reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to reduce their potential strengthening, caused by anthropogenic warming.”
