Climate change affecting rainfall patterns

Rain in Switzerland is falling less often but more heavily when it does, and the trend is likely to continue, according to MeteoSwiss

Ten-minute downpours have grown around 20% more intense since the 1980s and daily heavy rainfalls have increased in frequency by roughly a quarter over the last century.

A one-degree rise in temperature lets the air hold about 7% more water vapour, feeding more powerful storms.

Under a three-degree warming scenario, hourly rainfall could rise by up to 30% which means more flash floods, mudslides and pressure on road, bridge and drainage infrastructure built to older standards.

 

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