Deadly April rainfall in US South and Midwest was intensified by climate change, scientists say
- The World Weather Attribution group released an analysis on April 3-6 storms in the central Mississippi Valley that caused at least 24 deaths and inundated homes and roads.
- Scientists found that human-caused climate change intensified rainfall by 9%, made the storms 40% more likely, and increased Gulf of Mexico sea temperatures by 1.2°C.
- The storms included tornadoes, strong winds, and record rainfall across Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, fueled by abnormally warm Gulf waters amplified fourteenfold by climate change.
- Ben Clarke, lead author, said such events now occur once every few decades instead of once every 100 years, warning fossil fuel use will worsen these dangerous storms.
- Researchers urge rapid emissions cuts as heavier downpours are expected, while National Weather Service staff shortages raise concerns about future public safety and warning effectiveness.
83 Articles
83 Articles

Deadly April rainfall in US South and Midwest was intensified by climate change
Human-caused climate change intensified deadly rainfall in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and other states in early April and made those storms more likely to occur, according to a group of scientists.
A report shows how climate change has exacerbated an extreme flood - HotNews.ro
A report on disaster floods in April in the central area of the Mississippi River shows that climate change has made the weather event extremely intense and more intense than it would have been if...
Arkansas becomes part of ‘Dixie Alley’ as more frequent tornadic activity shifts east and south
Arkansas has become more prone to tornadoes and hail storms as climate change and other weather phenomenon shift storms farther east and south, experts say. Here, a rainbow appears after a March 31, 2023, tornado tore a path through Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)In the 30 days after several damaging twisters hit Arkansas on March 14, the state saw nearly four times as many tornado warnings as Texas did. The National Weather…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage