Weather 2011: Climate extremals become commonplace

Extreme weather has set new records in 2011. Only in the U.S. natural disaster affected millions of people. About a thousand people were killed and 8000 injured, and total economic losses exceeded $ 52 billion. In the past year climatic catastrophe brought destruction in various regions of the United States. For Bill Wingo all began on 1 January. On this day in Cincinnati (Arkansas) hit a tornado destroyed his house. "We were standing right on the path of the tornado and felt like a house somewhere sucks. There was a strong wind and everything was shaking, "- he said. It was one of the 1600 tornado swept across the country in 2011. In just the past year there were 12 natural disasters that have caused economic damage to the country over $ 1 billion each - and a new record, according to the National Weather Service representative Chris Vaccaro: "We have seen an event of historic proportions in virtually every category of weather. Snowstorms, hurricanes, floods, droughts - in each group this year was a precedent caught in the top three catastrophes, or even set the record. " Drought, heat waves, wildfires in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma were the most "expensive" natural disasters. The damage caused by them ranged from 6 to 8 billion. According to Vaccaro, the weather conditions have affected such a large-scale cyclical phenomenon, as La Niña in the eastern Pacific Ocean. "La Niña changes the usual picture of the storm - says Vaccaro. - In addition, there is such a thing as the Arctic Oscillation. This is a very important factor for the winter and spring, and he runs into U.S. territory, cold air, causing snow storms and promotes the formation of tornadoes. " Vaccaro said, although there is no evidence to indicate that the global warming impact on specific weather events, extreme weather this year is consistent with long-term forecasts of climate experts. "Global warming increases the likelihood of increasing the number of heat waves, prolonged droughts and severe fire - he says. - And in other areas may experience heavy rains, causing floods. " Peter Altman directs the campaign for clean air and climate change undertaken by the National Council for the Protection of Natural Resources. He believes that steps must be taken to reduce emissions that affect climate change and mitigate its impact. "We must increase the availability of such weather events, whether it be drought, fires, heat waves, floods, - he said. - We must be prepared to provide medical assistance to victims of such disasters. " We may have to accept the fact that the events which in 2011 were considered extreme, become commonplace, said Chris Vaccaro of the National Weather Service. His department takes measures to improve the "readiness of the nation to weather." This is an increase in the number of participants in public-private partnership to prepare for natural disasters in the future.

VOA