Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, to be produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with other federal agencies, will focus on sharpening understanding of climate extremes through improved observations, analyses, and modeling, and determining whether any changes in their frequency or intensity lie outside the range of natural variability. The ability to assess, understand, and predict extreme events has important implications for natural resources, property, infrastructure, and public safety.