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Opacity

Extreme Precipitation

Key messages:

  • Overall slight increase of heavy precipitation in Europe
  • Single regions experience stronger increase in extreme precipitation

Why is the content of this map important?

Extreme precipitation affects many aspects of our life. It can lead to flooding of inhabited area and infrastructure. It can cause landslides and destroy crops.

Which sectors are affected by this result?

The health sector is affected, as flood events and landslides caused by extreme precipitation can lead to human loss. The agricultural sector is affected, as flooding or extreme precipitation can lead to loss of crop yields. Flood events caused by extreme precipitation can also affect infrastructure and energy production.

What is shown on the maps?

On the basis of all rain days (more than 1mm/day) within the 30 year period, the maps show the 95th percentile of precipitation (only 5% of the rain days exceed this value). This value is an indicator for the strength of extreme precipitation events. It is shown for simulated present day climate and projected future climate in mm/day. In addition, the difference is plotted for the 2°C period.

Overall a slight increase in extreme precipitation is projected in Europe. Single regions show a more pronounced increase in extreme precipitation.

In present day climate, the region of North-East Italy/Western Slovenia/Southern Austria shows elevated simulated extreme precipitation. In parts of this region, an elevated increase in extreme precipitation is projected.

Details and further information:

At present day, high extreme precipitation rates are simulated in distinct regions (e.g., Northern Italy/Alpine region). Overall, the season with highest extreme precipitation values is fall. In fall, larger areas show extreme precipitation values of more than 35mm/day.
One of these regions is North-East Italy/Western Slovenia/Southern Austria, where an increase of up to 6 mm/day is projected.
At present day and over most areas in Europe, the values of extreme precipitation lie between 10 and 20 mm/day. Here, an increase of up to 2mm/day for extreme precipitation can be important.

Additional information:

Author:

Claas Teichmann

Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), Germany