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5. Critical Thinking: A devastating monsoon has just occurred in Thailand. Taking the role of a climate
scientist, how might you determine if this specific extreme weather event was due to climate change,
natural climate variability, or a weather anomaly?
Sample answer: Climate scientists determine whether to attribute an extreme weather event to climate
change by using historical climate records to assess the odds of such an event occurring. Therefore,
I would look up the climate history of the area in Thailand where the monsoon occurred, to see if there
are specific climate patterns during that month.
6. Critical Thinking: A coastal city experienced a severe rainstorm that caused flooding in several
neighborhoods. Can this be considered an extreme weather event? Explain your answer.
Sample answer: Based on the information provided, it is difficult to determine whether the rainstorm
in the coastal city qualifies as an extreme weather event without considering additional factors. In this
case, it is necessary to consider specific characteristics of the rainstorm event, such as its intensity,
duration, and resulting damages, as well as any potential connections to climate change and the
presence of complex non-climate factors specific to that location.
Extreme Weather Event: Test Your Understanding (continued)
Teacher's Guide
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