Flooding in southwestern Colorado, particularly in Vallecito, is being linked to climate change, according to scientists. Following weeks of above-average temperatures and wildfire risks, recent storms released 300-450% of the typical annual rainfall, damaging 25 homes.
John Harvey, a geosciences professor, noted that while fall flooding in the San Juan Mountains isn’t new, climate change may heighten storm intensity, as seen with events like Hurricane Harvey. He explained that favorable conditions—moisture from hurricanes and geographic features—combined to cause this flooding.
Both Harvey and Ira Simpson from the National Center for Atmospheric Research highlighted the complexity of attributing extreme weather to climate change. Although specific connections are hard to pinpoint without experimental data, a warming atmosphere can hold more moisture, potentially leading to more intense precipitation events. They caution that while flooding and drought may alternate due to changing climate patterns, the long-term impact of global warming on weather extremes is increasingly evident.
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