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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future
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Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Meteorology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 2200

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Helber Barros Gomes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio 57072-900, Brazil
Interests: climate variability and change; natural hazards and impacts; extreme events; numerical modeling; climate dynamics; atmosphere circulations; renewable energies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Cristina Lemos da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio 57072-900, Brazil
Interests: weather and climate extremes; climate variability; precipitation; numerical modeling; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hakki Baltaci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Earth & Marine Sciences, Gebze Technical University, 41400 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
Interests: extreme atmospheric events; synoptic climatology; satellite precipitation estimates; heatwaves; drought; teleconnection patterns
Dr. Dirceu Luís Herdies

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Space Research, Cachoeira Paulista, São Paulo 12630-000, Brazil
Interests: numerical modeling and data assimilation; extreme events; aerosol and atmospheric chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change’s dramatic impacts on natural systems and humans are mainly manifested in the increasing frequency and severity of extreme climate events such as heatwaves, cold spells, extreme precipitation, and the associated flash-flooding, droughts, and storms (including tropical and extratropical cyclones). Notable increases in the frequency, intensity, and duration of these events are among the most significant features of global climate change and among the most serious challenges facing humankind. This Special Issue invites potential contributors to submit papers outlining important scientific investigations and the latest findings regarding weather- and climate-related extremes, adopting a broad perspective. Diverse approaches that utilize observational and remote sensing data, atmospheric reanalysis, and numerical models to investigate the characteristics and processes associated with these extremes are highly encouraged. By integrating different methodologies, the aim is to deepen our understanding of the background atmospheric factors and impacts of climate extremes, minimizing potential risks and contributing to climate change adaptation.

This Special Issue is now open for novel, original research paper submissions outlining important scientific investigations, alongside modeling, reanalysis, and observational studies on changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climate events.

Dr. Helber Barros Gomes
Prof. Dr. Maria Cristina Lemos da Silva
Dr. Hakki Baltaci
Dr. Dirceu Luís Herdies
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • weather and climate extremes
  • compound extreme atmospheric events
  • droughts and heatwaves
  • extreme precipitation and floods
  • thunderstorms
  • windstorms
  • risks, vulnerability, and impacts

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 10912 KiB  
Article
Influence of the South Asian High and Western Pacific Subtropical High Pressure Systems on the Risk of Heat Stroke in Japan
by Takehiro Morioka, Kenta Tamura and Tomonori Sato
Atmosphere 2025, 16(6), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16060693 - 8 Jun 2025
Abstract
Weather patterns substantially influence extreme weathers in Japan. Extreme high temperature events can cause serious health problems, including heat stroke. Therefore, understanding weather patterns, along with their impacts on human health, is critically important for developing effective public health measures. This study examines [...] Read more.
Weather patterns substantially influence extreme weathers in Japan. Extreme high temperature events can cause serious health problems, including heat stroke. Therefore, understanding weather patterns, along with their impacts on human health, is critically important for developing effective public health measures. This study examines the impact of weather patterns on heat stroke risk, focusing on a two-tiered high-pressure system (DH: double high) consisting of a lower tropospheric western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and an overlapping upper tropospheric South Asian high (SAH), which is thought to cause high-temperature events in Japan. In this study, the self-organizing map technique was utilized to investigate the relationship between pressure patterns and the number of heat stroke patients in four populous cities. The study period covers July and August from 2008 to 2021. The results show that the average number of heat stroke patients in these cities is higher on DH days than on WPSH days in which SAH is absent. The probability of an extremely high daily number of heat stroke patients is more than twice as high on DH days compared to WPSH days. Notably, this result remains true even when WPSH and DH days are compared within the same air temperature range. This is attributable to the higher humidity and stronger solar radiation under DH conditions, which enhances the risk of heat stroke. Large-scale circulation anomalies similar to the Pacific–Japan teleconnection are found on DH days, suggesting that both high humidity and cloudless conditions are among the large-scale features controlled by this teleconnection. Early countermeasures to mitigate heat stroke risk, including advisories for outdoor activities, should be taken when DH-like weather patterns are predicted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future)
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20 pages, 7606 KiB  
Article
Convection-Permitting Ability in Simulating an Extratropical Cyclone Case over Southeastern South America
by Matheus Henrique de Oliveira Araújo Magalhães, Michelle Simões Reboita, Rosmeri Porfírio da Rocha, Thales Chile Baldoni, Geraldo Deniro Gomes and Enrique Vieira Mattos
Atmosphere 2025, 16(6), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16060675 - 2 Jun 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Between 14 and 16 June 2023, an extratropical cyclone affected the south-southeastern coast of Brazil, causing significant damage and loss of life. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Defense authorities reported at least 16 fatalities. Although numerical models can simulate [...] Read more.
Between 14 and 16 June 2023, an extratropical cyclone affected the south-southeastern coast of Brazil, causing significant damage and loss of life. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Defense authorities reported at least 16 fatalities. Although numerical models can simulate the general characteristics of extratropical cyclones, they often struggle to accurately represent the intensity and timing of strong winds and heavy precipitation. One approach to improving such simulations is the use of convective-permitting models (CPMs), in which convection is explicitly resolved. In this context, the main objective of this study is to assess the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in CP mode, nested in the ERA5 reanalysis, in representing both the synoptic and mesoscale structures of the cyclone, as well as its associated strong winds and precipitation. The WRF-CP successfully simulated the cyclone’s track, though with some discrepancies in the cyclone location during the first 12 h. Comparisons with radar-based precipitation estimates indicated that the WRF-CP captured the location of the observed precipitation bands. During the cyclone’s occlusion phase—when precipitation was particularly intense—hourly simulated precipitation and 10 m wind (speed, zonal, and meridional components) were evaluated against observations from meteorological stations. WRF-CP demonstrated strong skill in simulating both the timing and intensity of precipitation, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.4 and biases below 0.5 mm h−1. Some limitations were observed in the simulation of 10 m wind speed, which tended to be overestimated. However, the model performed well in simulating the wind components, particularly the zonal component, as indicated by predominantly high correlation values (most above 0.4), suggesting a good representation of wind direction, which is a function of the zonal and meridional components. Overall, the simulation highlights the potential of WRF-CP for studying extreme weather events, including the small-scale structures embedded within synoptic-scale cyclones responsible for producing adverse weather. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future)
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18 pages, 9721 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Year Investigation of Thunderstorm Activity at Istanbul International Airport Using Atmospheric Stability Indices
by Oğuzhan Kolay, Bahtiyar Efe, Emrah Tuncay Özdemir and Zafer Aslan
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040470 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Thunderstorms are weather phenomena that comprise thunder and lightning. They typically result in heavy precipitation, including rain, snow, and hail. Thunderstorms have adverse effects on flight at both the ground and the upper levels of the troposphere. The characteristics of the thunderstorm of [...] Read more.
Thunderstorms are weather phenomena that comprise thunder and lightning. They typically result in heavy precipitation, including rain, snow, and hail. Thunderstorms have adverse effects on flight at both the ground and the upper levels of the troposphere. The characteristics of the thunderstorm of Istanbul International Airport (International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code: LTFM) have been investigated because it is currently one of the busiest airports in Europe and the seventh-busiest airport in the world. Geopotential height (m), temperature (°C), dewpoint temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), mixing ratio (g kg−1), wind direction (°), and wind speed (knots) data for the ground level and upper levels of the İstanbul radiosonde station were obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) for 29 October 2018 and 1 January 2023. Surface data were regularly collected by the automatic weather stations near the runway and the upper-level data were collected by the radiosonde system located in the Kartal district of İstanbul. Thunderstorm statistics, stability indices, and meteorological variables at the upper levels were evaluated for this period. Thunderstorms were observed to be more frequent during the summer, with a total of 51 events. June had the highest number of thunderstorm events with a total of 32. This averages eight events per year. A total of 72.22% occurred during trough and cold front transitions. The K index and total totals index represented the thunderstorm events better than other stability indices. In total, 75% of the thunderstorm days were represented by these two stability indices. The results are similar to the covering of this area: the convective available potential energy (CAPE) values which are commonly used for atmospheric instability are low during thunderstorm events, and the K and total totals indices are better represented for thunderstorm events. This study investigates thunderstorm events at the LTFM, providing critical insights into aviation safety and operational efficiency. The research aims to improve flight planning, reduce weather-related disruptions, and increase safety and also serves as a reference for airports with similar climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future)
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15 pages, 6512 KiB  
Article
Wind Field Characteristics of the 13 June 2014 Downburst Event in Beijing Based on Meteorological Tower Records
by Shi Zhang, Yibo Wang, Zengzhi Qian, Kexin Guo, Xiaoda Xu, Daxing Zhou and Qing Cao
Atmosphere 2025, 16(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16010027 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Understanding the characteristics of downburst wind fields is crucial for studying structural resistance to downbursts. Based on measured data from the 325 m meteorological tower in Beijing, this paper investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of mean and fluctuating winds during a non-stationary downburst. Key [...] Read more.
Understanding the characteristics of downburst wind fields is crucial for studying structural resistance to downbursts. Based on measured data from the 325 m meteorological tower in Beijing, this paper investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of mean and fluctuating winds during a non-stationary downburst. Key wind field parameters such as the mean wind speed, turbulence intensity, turbulence integral length scale, probability density function, power spectral density, evolutionary power spectral density, and gust factor are statistically analyzed. The results show that the wind speed of downburst undergoes rapid changes, with wind direction significantly influenced by outflow vortices at low altitudes and relatively stable at higher altitudes. When the event happens, the temperature decreases sharply. The mean wind speeds and turbulence integral length scale of the downburst exhibit pronounced “nose-shaped” profile characteristics at the moment when peak wind speed occurs. The turbulence intensity at lower altitudes predominantly exceeds that at higher altitudes. The probability density distribution function of the reduced fluctuating wind speed matches the standard Gaussian distribution curve. The fluctuating wind speeds of the downburst exhibit significant non-stationary characteristics, with their energy mainly distributing in the period of rapid change of wind speed in the time domain and concentrating in the vicinity of 0–0.1 Hz in the frequency domain. The gust factor reaches its maximum at the moment when the peak wind speed occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weather and Climate Extremes: Past, Current and Future)
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