BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – December 25, 2024 – An October study of Hurricane Helene by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that climate change accounted for an increase in rainfall by 10%. The organization is a collaboration of academicians from Europe and the U.S. that study the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.
Factors that contributed to the rainfall increase was the rise in sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and atmospheric warming. There is more water evaporation because the ocean is warmer, and a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor. According to the World Meteorological Association, for every 1 degree Celsius of atmospheric warming, there is 7% more rainfall. However, the actual rainfall can vary depending on local geography and climate. Therefore, global warming due to climate change can increase rainfall for each storm.
Buncombe County is situated in the Southern Appalachian region which is more vulnerable to rainfall when moist air runs into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Moisture-ladened air rises after it strikes the steep mountains and quickly releases the moisture as rain. Therefore, more rainfall can be associated with more episodes of flooding if the region is not able to drain off the increased amount of rain.
Atmospheric temperatures have increased since the mid-20th century and are associated with a rise in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. The 10 most recent years have been the warmest since records have been kept from the mid-1800’s. 2023 was the hottest year ever. Temperatures are close to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels of the 1850’s.
Climate change is a world-wide problem that is driven by the human activity of burning fossil fuels particularly gas-powered vehicles, coal-burning power plants and factories. Carbon dioxide is a major fossil fuel combustion product. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is at its highest level in more than 3 million years.
Most scientists feel that the solution to global warming is to drastically reduce the amount of fossil fuel combustion, like coal and gas. Measures include increasing renewable energy, like solar and wind power.
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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]
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