WP7 • Persistent winter extremes

WP7 will study dynamical drivers and impacts of cold-season weather extremes induced by persistent atmospheric circulation regimes within the context of European climate. It will:

(i) detect high-impact extreme events in the observational record and in models through methods considered in WP3,

(ii) attribute them to dynamical causal drivers and pathways through methods considered in WP4,

and (iii) assess potential changes under different climate change scenarios through methods considered in WP5.

The focus lies in persistent cold and wet spells in northern and central Europe, including their impacts on ecology and renewable energy production, as well as winter dry spells over the Mediterranean region relevant for water security in this region and related to the recent drought.