For every °C that Earth’s atmospheric temperature rises, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere can increase by about 7%. The more water vapor that air contains, the more energy it holds, fuelling intense storms, particularly over land resulting in more extreme weather events.

Pics from Citrusdal in the Western Cape, South Africa showing severe storm damage resulting in millions of rands in infrastructure damage and crop loses.

The only access road to the town has been washed away and essential supplies for the 5,000 residents is being airlifted.

CO2 concentrations 424 ppm

+1.27°C above preindustrial average

In the near term (2021-2040) the people and animals most at risk of extreme weather events are those who exist:

1) Close to their upper thermal limits

2) Along coastlines

3) Near ice or seasonal rivers

#ClimateLiteracy #EarlyWarnings #ExtremeWeather #Citrusdal #SouthAfrica