Future changes to the intensity and frequency of short-duration extreme rainfall

Evidence that extreme rainfall intensity is increasing at the global scale has strengthened considerably in recent years. Research now indicates that the greatest increases are likely to occur in short-duration storms lasting less than a day, potentially leading to an increase in the magnitude and frequency of flash floods. This review examines the evidence for subdaily extreme rainfall intensification due to anthropogenic climate change and describes our current physical understanding of the association between subdaily extreme rainfall intensity and atmospheric temperature. We also examine the nature, quality, and quantity of information needed to allow society to adapt successfully to predicted future…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• DO
  Department of Energy and Climate Change

  Award: GA01101
• AG
  Australian Government
• DF
  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government

  Award: GA01101
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: NE/I006680/1
• MO
  Met Office

  Award: GA01101
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: GA01101, NE/I006680/1, NE/I006680/1
• AR
  Australian Research Council

  Awards: DP120100338, CE110001028, FT110100576