News & Notes: Global panel predicts global warming-caused weather extremes

Unprecedented weather extremes — floods, heat waves and droughts — will occur more regularly as global warming worsens, according to international climate scientists and disaster experts on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change after meeting in Uganda.

The scientists released a report on global warming and weather patterns on Friday, co-authored by University geosciences professor Michael Oppenheimer.

The team’s predictions included that by mid-century, heat waves will become more intense and will occur every five years.

By the end of the century, the heat waves may happen every other year — and perhaps even yearly in regions such as Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Further, the United States and Canada may see heavy rainstorms occurring three times as often as they do now by the beginning of then next century if fossil fuel use does not decrease.

In the meantime, cold spells appear to be easing.

Most of these potential weather changes can be attributed to global warming, the scientists said, noting that world leaders should be better prepared for weird weather events.

The report said that several areas may be rendered unlivable by the weather extremes if handled inappropriately.