Climate Matters: Strongest storms producing more rain in a warming climate
ABC 17 Stormtrack is digging into how globally warming temperatures is and could continue to impact precipitation rates over the next several decades.
Most of the country is expected to see precipitation extremes increase with 3.6 degrees of global warming, according to Climate Central. The indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) initiative has put together a climate tracking site that shows the global average temperature anomaly since 1850 at 2.77 degrees in 2024.
Heavy downpours can bring more rain at a faster rate, leading to flash flooding that can quickly become deadly, and displace families along with damaging crops and property.
Instances of extreme daily rainfall have become more frequent in the last 50 years. Climate Central reports hourly rainfall intensity by more than 10% across the U.S. since 1970.
The air can hold 4% more moisture for every 1 degree of warming, increasing the potential for heavier rain that can in turn add to the flash flooding risk.
In the Midwest, the amount of precipitation falling on the heaviest 1% of days has increased 45% from1958-2021.
A neat tool from FloodFactor shows that Columbia zip codes have a moderate risk for flooding, with 10% of properties in the 65201 zip code at risk for flooding over the next 30 years. In Jefferson City, an average of all the zip codes shows a risk for flooding at around 15% of the properties.
Climate Central reports an average annual flood loss just under $300 million, and that number could increase 3% in the next 25 years.
