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Rising temperatures intensify "supercell thunderstorms" in Europe
https://mediarelations.unibe.ch/media_releases/2025/media_releases_2025/rising_temperatures_intensify_supercell_thunderstorms_in_europe/index_eng.htmlRising temperatures intensify "supercell thunderstorms" in Europe
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Bern and ETH Zurich have shown how climate change is intensifying supercell thunderstorms in Europe. At a global temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius, these powerful storms are expected to occur more frequently, especially in the Alpine region. This research utilizes a state-of-the-art digital map that provides unprecedented precision in tracking these storms.
Supercell thunderstorms are among the most impactful weather events in Europe. They typically occur in summer and are characterized by a rotating updraft of warm, humid air that brings strong winds, large hail and heavy rain. The impact is significant and often leads to property damage, agricultural losses, traffic chaos and even threats to human safety.
The collaboration between the Institute of Geography, the Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research and the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks at the University of Bern and the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich has enabled a detailed simulation of these storms. Their high-resolution digital storm map allows a precise representation of individual storm cells and thus surpasses previous possibilities. The study, published in Science Advances, shows that the Alpine region and parts of Central and Eastern Europe can expect a significant increase in storm activity - up to 50% more on the northern side of the Alps with a temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial values.
Simulations in line with reality
While European supercell thunderstorms are tracked via weather radar, differences in the countries' radar networks make a comprehensive analysis difficult. "This makes cross-border storm detection more difficult," explains corresponding author Monika Feldmann from the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks and the Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern. For the first time, a new type of climate model simulates supercell thunderstorms with a precision of 2.2 kilometers, developed as part of the scClim project (see box on page 3).
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2025/08/27
Monika Feldmann et al. ,European supercell thunderstorms—A prevalent current threat and an increasing future hazard.Sci. Adv.11,eadx0513(2025).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adx0513
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Bern and ETH Zurich have shown how climate change is intensifying supercell thunderstorms in Europe. At a global temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius, these powerful storms are expected to occur more frequently, especially in the Alpine region. This research utilizes a state-of-the-art digital map that provides unprecedented precision in tracking these storms.
Supercell thunderstorms are among the most impactful weather events in Europe. They typically occur in summer and are characterized by a rotating updraft of warm, humid air that brings strong winds, large hail and heavy rain. The impact is significant and often leads to property damage, agricultural losses, traffic chaos and even threats to human safety.
The collaboration between the Institute of Geography, the Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research and the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks at the University of Bern and the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich has enabled a detailed simulation of these storms. Their high-resolution digital storm map allows a precise representation of individual storm cells and thus surpasses previous possibilities. The study, published in Science Advances, shows that the Alpine region and parts of Central and Eastern Europe can expect a significant increase in storm activity - up to 50% more on the northern side of the Alps with a temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial values.
Simulations in line with reality
While European supercell thunderstorms are tracked via weather radar, differences in the countries' radar networks make a comprehensive analysis difficult. "This makes cross-border storm detection more difficult," explains corresponding author Monika Feldmann from the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks and the Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern. For the first time, a new type of climate model simulates supercell thunderstorms with a precision of 2.2 kilometers, developed as part of the scClim project (see box on page 3).
…
2025/08/27
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