Weather Effects of Global Climate Change

There's more to global warming than what immediately meets the eye. Aside from rising sea levels caused by glacial melting, and changing climates affecting how plants and crops grow, rises in average temperature can affect weather patterns. As temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of severe weather, especially in areas of the world that are already prone to such patterns.

Intense Hurricanes

• Global warming heats Earth's oceans. Because hurricanes derive their power from warm ocean waters, the Environmental Defense Fund states that more intense hurricanes will occur as temperatures continue to rise. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, if sea temperatures warm by as little as 2 degrees Celsius, hurricane winds in the tropical Pacific could increase anywhere from 5 to 12 percent.

Extreme Rain

• Warmer temperatures are expected to deliver heavier rainfalls. This is because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. Heavier downpours can cause increased flooding, especially in areas that border rivers and lakes. This could discourage cities from developing in flood-prone areas and encourage the protection of natural wetlands, which help protect against flooding. Increased precipitation may also be impacted by shifts in snowfall patterns, which could delay the onset of spring and make for longer winters.

Heat Waves

• As temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of heat waves. According to the National Wildlife Federation, states such as North Carolina, Delaware and New Jersey experienced their hottest June ever recorded in 2010. Hundreds of other daily temperature records in July 2010 were recorded by various U.S. states. Increased heat puts children and elderly populations at greater risk of heat stroke. Furthermore, increases in heat will cause the consumption of more energy and water, which may compound the problem.

More Frequent Storms

• A 2007 study led by researchers at Purdue University states that the frequency of severe storms could more than double in areas such as New York and Atlanta. The study was unable to predict individual storms, but the researchers were able to predict the days in which these areas would be more at-risk. Aside from an increased frequency in storms, the study also found that the increased number of storms would come during the typical storm season for the at-risk areas. The National Wildlife Federation expects severe storms -- storms that in the past would typically occur once every 20 years -- to hit storm-prone areas every four to six years by the end of the 21st century.