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Extreme Weather Event: Test Your Understanding
Teacher's Guide
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1. Based on the information in this article, what are the two main factors that determine whether an event
is considered an extreme weather event?
The two main factors that determine whether an event is considered an extreme weather event are
rareness (a statistical extreme) and the severity of resulting damages (a physical extreme).
2. Explain the two main ways in which the question of whether extreme weather events are
becoming more frequent due to climate change is framed. Provide examples of when each approach
is most appropriate.
The two main ways the question is framed are: 1) Are events of that intensity becoming more frequent
because of climate change? This approach is most appropriate when it is possible to group similar
kinds of events together, such as heat waves over a continental region. 2) Was the particular event
made more intense or impactful because of climate change? This approach is most appropriate when
the event is singular, such as a freak weather event, or when impacts involve complex non-climate
factors specific to a location.
3. What aspects of extreme weather events are strongly linked to thermodynamic aspects of climate
change? Provide examples of extreme weather event types that fall into this category.
Extreme weather event types that are strongly linked to thermodynamic aspects of climate change
include: heat extremes (expected to increase in magnitude and frequency); cold extremes (expected
to decrease); extreme precipitation (expected to increase from the higher moisture content of warmer
air); and high sea levels (expected to increase from thermal expansion of a warmer ocean).
4. Critical Thinking: Explain how weather can be extreme without being destructive.
Sample answer: Extreme weather means weather outside the range of normal or what people expect
at that time and place. Weather may just be wetter, drier, colder, or hotter than average without being
devastating.
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