Examining Compound Climate Extremes

(ETH Zurich, June 30, 2017)

Since the co-occurrence of severe heat and drought generally depends on the correlation between temperature and precipitation in the summer, ETH researchers have calculated the probability of compound climate extremes. Calculating the probability of these two extremes separately and then combining them is not the same as establishing the likelihood of their co-occurrence. The calculations clearly show that compound climate extremes occur much more frequently than previously expected. In terms of health risks, an intense heatwave can lead to dehydration and even premature death in the elderly and very young population. In agriculture, severe drought can ruin crops or lead to escalating irrigation costs. This new study helps to prepare us for what might be in store.