Climate Change Is Behind Weird Rainfall Patterns in Europe
New study shows for the first time that greenhouse gas emissions are directly responsible for extreme rain and dry spells across the continent in winter.
Residents wade through flood water on a flooded street in Angleur near Liege, Belgium in July 2021.
Photographer: Valeria Mongelli/BloombergEmissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases caused by human activities are directly responsible for long-term dry conditions in the Mediterranean basin and the increasing rainfall over the rest of Europe during winter, according to a study by the UK’s Met Office.
The research, published in Journal of Climate, is the first to show the direct link between seasonal rainfall trends in Europe and climate change, the Met Office said in a statement. Scientists compared climate scenarios with and without human influence.