D.C. is seeing more intense rainstorms amid climate change
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Rainstorms are getting more intense in D.C. amid human-driven climate change, a new analysis finds.
Why it matters: More intense precipitation events can cause flash-flooding, landslides, dangerous driving conditions and other potentially deadly hazards.
The big picture: This comes as April is expected to bring more rain to the area after a particularly warm and dry March, says Capital Weather Gang.
By the numbers: Hourly rainfall intensity increased 15% in D.C. between 1970 and 2024, per a new report from Climate Central, a research and communications group.
- We're not alone: Nearly 90% of the 144 locations analyzed saw an increase.
The intrigue: While we're seeing more intense storms, D.C. has also experienced record-breaking heat and drought in recent years.
How it works: The researchers divided each location's total annual rainfall by its total hours of annual rainfall, using NOAA weather station data.
- That approach quantifies how much rain fell for each hour it was raining in a given year — in other words, rainfall intensity.
- Some locations were not included because their stations haven't consistently collected hourly precipitation data.
Between the lines: Human-driven climate change is resulting in warmer air, which holds more moisture and thus can drive more intense precipitation.
- Hotter temperatures also evaporate more water vapor from lakes, oceans and vegetation.
Threat level: Flooding costs the U.S. economy up to nearly $500 billion annually, by one estimate, and is creating "climate abandonment" zones as people flee for safer areas, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.
- Researchers have also found that predominantly Black coastal communities may be particularly vulnerable to increased flood risk over the coming decades, Climate Central notes.
What's next: The group recommends that people stay aware of their area's flooding risks, and suggests homeowners carry flood insurance and improve their home's resiliency against flooding as able.