Climate scientists are warning that the second year of El Nino in 2024 is likely to result in not only hotter temperatures but also more frequent and powerful extreme weather events in China. The country recently experienced its strongest cold wave in December, breaking several records for low temperatures in multiple cities.
In December, Beijing set a record for the longest consecutive low temperatures for that month since 1951, while Central China’s Henan witnessed the coldest mid-December since 1961. The extreme cold wave affected various regions, leading to blizzards, snowfall, and plummeting temperatures.
Experts attribute the recent cold wave to the combined effects of rising global temperatures, increased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced Arctic sea ice, and unstable polar vortexes. Despite the long-term trend of global warming, the occurrence and extremity of cold waves in certain regions, including China, have not decreased.
Climate scientists emphasize that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, widespread, intense, and simultaneous globally due to climate change. El Nino, a climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, is expected to play a significant role in shaping weather patterns in 2024.
Zhang Tao, chief forecaster at the China Meteorological Administration, anticipates extreme events such as high temperatures, heavy rain, drought, typhoons, severe convective storms, cold waves, sandstorms, and heavy fog in 2024. However, it remains uncertain whether these events will outnumber those in 2023.
The impact of El Nino on weather patterns includes stronger monsoons in certain regions, increased rainfall, and, conversely, severe droughts in other areas. Historical records indicate that during El Nino years, some parts of China experience higher temperatures, extreme drought, and an elevated risk of floods.
To mitigate the negative impacts of extreme weather events, experts recommend measures such as optimizing infrastructure, enhancing water resource management, establishing early warning systems, and incorporating climate change prevention into the national security system.
While global warming is a long-term trend, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events highlights the need for proactive adaptation strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change. As El Nino continues to influence weather patterns, countries, including China, are urged to prioritize climate resilience measures to protect communities and ecosystems.
Read Now:Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ‘Salaar’ Nears Rs 500 Crore Worldwide
