Rising temperatures may increase flood risk through river ‘whiplash’, study finds
Summary
A new study shows that rising temperatures may cause rivers to switch quickly between heavy rain and dry spells, increasing the risk of floods and droughts. This pattern, called hydroclimatic whiplash, makes managing water and planning for floods and droughts more challenging.Key Facts
- Hydroclimatic whiplash means rapid changes in river flow from very low to very high water levels or the reverse.
- Warmer air holds more moisture, which leads to more intense rainfall and dry periods.
- Intense rain on dry ground can cause flash floods and soil erosion because the ground absorbs less water.
- The study used climate models to look at 698 river catchments in the UK under scenarios of 2°C and 4°C warming.
- The number of whiplash events may more than double by the end of the century in some areas.
- The biggest increases in dry-to-wet swings are expected in south Wales, Northern Ireland, northern and western England, and parts of southeast England.
- Managing water will become harder as flood and drought events happen close together, stressing current flood defenses and drought plans.
- Researchers suggest new plans should focus on handling cycles of extreme weather, with better flood control and more water storage during wet times.
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