ClimateMeter: Putting Extreme Weather Phenomena in Climate Perspective

Climate change is a global challenge with manifold and widespread consequences, including the intensification and increased frequency of numerous extreme weather phenomena. In response to this pressing issue, we introduce ClimaMeter, a platform designed to assess and contextualize extreme weather phenomena in relation to climate change. The platform provides near-real-time information on the dynamics of extreme events, serving as a resource for researchers, policymakers, and acting as a scientific outreach tool for the general public. ClimaMeter currently analyzes heatwaves, cold spells, heavy precipitation, and windstorms.Our methodology is based on looking for weather conditions similar to those that caused the extreme event of interest with physics-informed machine-learning methodologies. We focus on the satellite era, namely the period since 1979, when widespread observations of climate variables from satellites have become available. The object studied (i.e. "the event") is asurface-pressure pattern over a certain region and averaged over a certain number of days, that has lead to a extreme weather conditions. We split the dataset 1979-Present in two parts of equal length and consider the first half of the satellite era  as "past" and the second part as "present" separately. We use data from MSWX. We then compare how the selected weather conditions have changed between the two periods, and whether such changes are likely due to natural climate variability or anthropogenic climate change.

This presentation sheds light on the methodology, data sources, and analytical techniques that ClimaMeter relies on, offering a comprehensive overview of its scientific foundations. To illustrate ClimaMeter, we present some examples of recent extreme weather events. Additionally, we highlight the role of ClimaMeter in promoting a profound understanding of the complex interactions between climate change and extreme weather phenomena, with the hope of ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and climate resilience. Follow us on X @ClimaMeter and visit www.climameter.org.