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Extreme storms, like recent ones in the US, follow a recipe
- Extreme storms, like those in the U.S. in early April, are fueled by moisture and atmospheric instability, increasingly common due to climate change.
- A storm system stalled over states from Texas to Ohio, causing tornadoes, mudslides, and flooding with over a foot of rain in some areas.
- The vital ingredients for extreme storms are moisture and atmospheric instability, with warm air holding more moisture, leading to stronger storms.
- The amount of moisture in the air depends on its temperature, with warm air supplying storms with more energy through latent heat release.
- Atmospheric instability, involving rising air and wind shear, is crucial for storm formation, with strong wind shear tilting storm systems.
- Global warming creates conditions conducive to extreme precipitation, as warmer air holds more moisture and leads to stronger storms.
- With polar regions warming faster, the temperature gradient weakens, potentially slowing storm movements and increasing the likelihood of prolonged precipitation events.
- The clash of warm and cold air masses in the Midwest during spring creates an environment prone to extreme storms and tornadoes.
- The warm temperatures before the April storm system reduced the speed of frontal movement, leading to prolonged precipitation and repeated storms.
- As temperatures continue to rise globally, the conditions favoring extreme storms and flooding are expected to become more frequent in the future.
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