Interplay of climate change-exacerbated rainfall, exposure and vulnerability led to widespread impacts in the Mediterranean region

During the first two weeks of September 2023 torrential rain fell in several countries across the Mediterranean, caused by low-pressure systems forming around a blocking high centred over the Netherlands.

Latest analyses

An aerial photo of wildfires in Quebec, Canada with dense, dark smoke plumes.

Climate change more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fire weather conditions in Eastern Canada

During May and June 2023 Canada witnessed exceptionally extreme fire-weather conditions, leading to extensive wildfires that burned over 13 million hectares.

A Greek firefighter receives care from a Red Cross worker. The firefighter is sweating and grimacing and the Red Cross worker places her hands on his face.

Extreme heat in North America, Europe and China in July 2023 made much more likely by climate change

Following a record hot June, large areas of the US and Mexico, Southern Europe and China experienced extreme heat in July 2023, breaking many local high temperature records.

People impacted by the flood in Rwanda stand outside a building with Red Cross workers.

Limited data prevent assessment of role of climate change in deadly floods affecting highly vulnerable communities around Lake Kivu

At the beginning of May severe flooding around Lake Kivu devastated communities in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Flooding and landslides led to at least 595 fatalities with 460 reported deaths in the DRC and 135 in Rwanda.

World Weather Attribution

World Weather Attribution uses weather observations and climate models to understand how climate change influences the intensity and likelihood of extreme weather events. The studies also assess the role of vulnerability and exposure in the extent of the impacts.

Most studies are performed rapidly, in the aftermath of extreme weather events – or even while they’re still happening – to answer the increasingly common question: ‘what was the role of climate change in this event?’

Formed in 2015, WWA has performed more than 50 attribution studies on heatwaves, extreme rainfall, drought, floods, wildfires and cold spells around the world.

To contact World Weather Attribution, email wwamedia@imperial.ac.uk

Interplay of climate change-exacerbated rainfall, exposure and vulnerability led to widespread impacts in the Mediterranean region

Latest analyses

Climate change more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fire weather conditions in Eastern Canada

Extreme heat in North America, Europe and China in July 2023 made much more likely by climate change

Limited data prevent assessment of role of climate change in deadly floods affecting highly vulnerable communities around Lake Kivu

World Weather Attribution

Cold spells

Drought

Extreme rainfall

Heatwave

Storms