Scientists raise concerns over emerging weather phenomenon: '[These regions] will have to prepare'

The storms of the future are already forming, and they're set to bring more rain, more destruction, and longer-lasting impacts. A new study published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal reveals that cut-off lows — slow-moving weather systems that fuel days of heavy rain — are becoming more intense and shifting their patterns due to climate change, reported Phys.org.

What's happening?

Scientists from the Wegener Center at the University of Graz, along with researchers from the U.K. and Italy, analyzed 18 different climate models and found that these storms are not only creeping northward but are also occurring earlier in the year.

That means heavy spring downpours in places that are already struggling with the effects of extreme weather. "We expect that persistent cut-off lows north of 40 degrees latitude and in East Asia will occur earlier in the year. Canada, northern Europe, Siberia and China in particular will have to prepare for more heavy and prolonged heavy rainfall in spring," says project leader Douglas Maraun.

These findings suggest that communities in these regions need to brace for more frequent and intense floods.

Why is this change in rainfall concerning?

Flooding from these storms can be devastating, causing widespread property damage, infrastructure collapse, and loss of life. Since cut-off lows can linger for days, they often dump extreme amounts of rain over one area, overwhelming flood defenses. Recent disasters, like the 2021 floods in Germany's Ahr Valley and last year's floods in central Europe, were fueled by these systems — events that scientists warn will only get worse.

This shifting storm pattern is especially troubling for regions that aren't well-equipped for prolonged, intense rainfall. Without adaptation measures, cities and rural communities alike could face increasing flood risks, leading to economic and humanitarian crises.

Watch now: Survivors of extreme weather events discuss their fears for their children

What's being done about it?

Mitigating flood risk means both cutting emissions and preparing for a wetter future. "With targeted measures such as renaturation and a functioning early warning system, we can at least partially protect ourselves from extreme weather and the impacts of climate change," said Maraun.

Researchers stress the need for natural flood defenses like wetland restoration, which can absorb excess water and lessen the impact of heavy rainfall. Upgrading infrastructure — such as installing permeable pavement and improving drainage networks — can also help cities manage sudden downpours more effectively.

On a global scale, cutting our use of dirty energy sources remains key to slowing climate change and reducing the conditions that supercharge storms. Governments and cities investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation efforts are taking critical steps to curb rising temperatures and, in turn, extreme weather events.

As storms grow stronger and more unpredictable, the choices we make today will determine how well we weather the storms of tomorrow.