Observed Trends in Severe Weather Conditions Based on Humidex,Wind Chill,and Heavy Rainfall Events in Canada for 1953–2012

Observed trends in severe weather conditions based on public alert statements issued by Environment Canada are examined for Canada. Changes in extreme heat and extreme cold events represented by various humidex and wind chill indices are analyzed for 1953–2012 at 126 climatological stations. Changes in heavy rainfall events based on rainfall amounts provided by tipping bucket rainfall gauges are analyzed for 1960–2012 at 285 stations. The results show that extreme heat events, defined as days with at least one hourly humidex value above 30, have increased significantly at more than 36% of the stations, most of which are located south of 55°N; days with nighttime hourly humidex values remaining above 20 have increased significantly at more than 52% of the stations, most of which are located south of 50°N. Extreme cold events represented by days with at least one hourly wind chill value below ?30 have decreased significantly at more than 76% of the stations across the country. No consistent changes were found in heavy rainfall events. Because city residents are very vulnerable to severe weather events, detailed results on changes in extreme heat, extreme cold, and heavy rainfall events are also provided for ten urban centres.     

北半球人体不舒适天数归因分析及其未来预估

基于NCEP/NCAR再分析资料及6个CMIP6全球气候模式模拟资料,对1961—2014年北半球湿热指数表征的热不舒适天数与风寒指数表征的冷不舒适天数历史变化进行归因分析,并预估未来(2015—2100年)4种不同情景下不舒适天数的变化趋势。结果表明:历史时期北半球中低(中高)纬度地区热(冷)不舒适天数偏多且不舒适天数显著增加(减少)。其中,高纬度(中纬度)地区能够检测到历史全强迫,人为强迫和温室气体强迫的影响,且温室气体强迫主导了冷(热)不舒适天数变化。低纬度地区,热不舒适天数显著增加可归因于人为温室气体强迫作用,气溶胶强迫能够产生相反的作用降低热不舒适的发生率,冷不舒适天数则受气候系统内部的调控作用。未来热(冷)不舒适天数将持续增加(减少),其中ssp585与ssp370情景下舒适度变化显著,ssp126与ssp245情景下,2080年后北半球人类遭受的冷热不舒适感将维持在稳定的水平。