New Jersey State Climatologist warns "once-in-lifetime" weather events are becoming more frequent
The State Climatologist says that a warming climate brings extreme weather swings, known as "weather whiplash."
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Have you been saying, "every time it rains, it floods," this summer?
This summer, New Jersey has dealt with multiple rounds of flooding after being in a severe drought.
The State Climatologist says that a warming climate brings extreme weather swings, known as "weather whiplash."
Bergen and Passaic counties were hit hard once again on Sunday with over 4 inches of rain in just a few hours, and the infrastructure couldn't keep up.
Dr. John Krasting, The New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, says for every 2 degrees that the atmosphere warms, it can hold 8% more moisture.
Temperatures across New Jersey have risen 4 degrees since 1970, so as the climate warms, heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent.
"As we've seen, we've had a couple of these events this summer. It's been one after the other. Just because you get it doesn't mean you've got another 80 years before you get it again," says Dr. Krasting. "The fact people are saying hey, we're getting once-in-lifetime events every month, it seems and unfortunately that has been true this summer in North Jersey."
More flooding rain is possible this weekend.
Stay with News 12 meteorologists for updates.
