Unlocking the Mystery: Why Is It Not Raining in Your Area?

When I was asked to write about the climate crisis, the aim was to guide readers through its complexities. To do that, I often look for solutions, whether nature-based or policy-driven, and consult experts. Yet, sometimes, just looking out the window offers a clear view of what’s happening.

Take the weather in England and Australia. Recently, England experienced its wettest 18 months on record, with nearly 1,700 mm of rain from October 2022 to March 2024. Oxfordshire had its wettest September since records began in 1836, and severe storms dumped massive amounts of rain in a short period. Meanwhile, in Australia, New South Wales saw over 400 mm of rain in just two days, an event categorized as unprecedented.

These extreme weather events are not surprising; they are becoming our new normal. The link between climate change and these shifts is simple: for every 1°C increase in global temperature, the atmosphere can hold 7% more water vapor. NASA’s analysis shows that in 2024, Earth was 1.47°C warmer than in the late 19th century, resulting in about 10% more moisture in the air.

This excess moisture leads to two main issues: more intense droughts and heavier rainfall. As warmer temperatures cause more evaporation, we experience both extremes—droughts and flooding—more frequently.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned about these trends back in 1990. Their report predicted that warmer conditions would lead to intense storm patterns and increased evaporation rates. Today, we see those predictions unfolding.

Recently, the Climate Council of Australia reported that the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere hit record levels in 2024—5% above the average from 1991 to 2020. This increase translates to significantly more rainfall during both short, heavy storms and extended rain periods, complicating our understanding of weather patterns.

These shifts in climate create a challenge. Once-in-a-century floods and droughts now seem to occur almost every year. Events like the UK hitting 40°C for the first time in 2022 or the Valencia floods demonstrate that we are witnessing extreme weather often unseen by previous generations.

Academics have noted this rise in storms and heavy precipitation, pointing back to that significant 7% increase in atmospheric moisture per degree of warming. What’s clear is that storms today are not just more frequent; they also deliver more rain than they would have a century ago.

Moreover, water vapor is not just a byproduct but also a greenhouse gas. NASA explains that higher temperatures make it harder for water vapor to condense and leave the atmosphere, exacerbating heat retention. This effect intensifies warming, doubling the warming impact of increased carbon dioxide alone.

Ending on a positive note, while emissions can still be curbed, we need to speed up our efforts. We’re taking steps, but we must act quicker. As we face this new reality of fluctuating weather patterns, adaptation is essential. We can no longer ignore the shifts; learning to adapt will be the key to surviving in these changing times.

For more on the science and implications of climate change, check out NASA’s Climate Change Vital Signs and the IPCC Impact Assessment for in-depth analysis and data.

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