ClimXtreme addressing (large scale winter) storm events

ClimXtreme is a research programme funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) that comprises 25 individual projects and aims to improve understanding of European extreme weather events and associated uncertainties under anthropogenic climate change. As part of the cross‑project collaboration, a coordinated approach is being established to initiate and sustain targeted stakeholder communication and support it throughout the project period. The aim is to develop information, data and tools targeted to stakeholder needs. To this end, Hazard‑specific Stakeholder Interaction (HaSSI) groups coordinate collaborative work on windstorms, heavy precipitation, and heat/drought.

The HaSSI Wind group includes projects investigating physical mechanisms behind cyclones (CyclEx), applying newly developed statistical methods (CoDEx and SCaHA), analyzing storm-related impacts (COO, FORTEC and ECCES II), and developing methods for knowledge exchange (ClimXchange). With the pressure tendency equation, project CyclEx quantifies the influence of diabatic heating on cyclone intensification. Cyclones with a relatively large diabatic heating influence exhibit steeper deepening rates, more warm conveyor belt activity, increased precipitation, and stronger wind gusts compared to cyclones with a small diabatic influence. Project CoDEx develops statistical models to estimate extreme values in space and time. Project SCaHA focuses on statistical modeling of clustering and seasonality in vorticity extremes over the North Atlantic using the fractional compound Poisson process, and on identifying suitable models for different regions. As for the storm-related impacts, project COO uses a tracking methodology to assign a loss motivated storm severity index to each storm event and to perform a loss motivated ranking of historical and future events. Project FORTEC uses logistic regression models to identify relevant storm damage factors and model current and future storm damage risk for two damage types: vegetation damage along railway lines and building damage. Project ECCES II uses hydrodynamic tide-surge model and sensitivity experiments to evaluate the impact of regional sea level rise on storm surges in the North Sea with a focus on the nonlinear processes. With respect to stakeholder engagement, project ClimXchange strengthens climate research communication by providing hands-on guidance on suitable approaches, methods and communication skills. With joint efforts, we aim to provide a diverse view regarding storms in Europe and exchange actively with relevant stakeholders.