Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Atmospheric blocking often results in significant weather extremes and associated impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, cold spells, and floods in mid-latitude regions. However, the physical processes behind blocking and associated extreme weather events are not well understood, hampering prediction and decision-making for mitigation and adaptation. Further, numerical models often struggle to simulate the frequency, duration, and geographic distribution of atmospheric blocking events. Here, we provide an overview of blocking-related weather extremes and impacts, as well as of our current understanding of the key physical processes. We identify knowledge gaps and current challenges and provide our perspective on potential ways forward. Atmospheric blocking often causes weather extremes in the mid- to high latitudes, yet the physical processes underlying blocks are not well understood. This article provides an overview, identifies current knowledge gaps and challenges, and offers perspectives on potential ways forward.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, Ocean University of China, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Wisconsin–Madison, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Oxford, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Battelle, Purdue University, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Science, Natural Environment Research Council, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Biological and Environmental Research, Climate Program Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Awards: G1084989500, G1202769797, G125460123, G138090931, G1899721271, G1956481188, The Management and Operation of the National Center for Atmoshperic Research (NCAR), G2506945562, G2510423872, G2820049545, G2988778103, G3137522415, Causes and impacts of Greenland atmospheric Blocking changes, G3698920401, G391136020, G40072227, G4423001442, G5321382714, G5373841109, G5653134238, G5726405315, G7560550554, G7665161096, G8135867528, G821644656, Investigating the Baroclinic Annular Mode and its Predictability of Extreme Weather Events in the Midlatitudes, Collaborative Research: Dynamical Mechanisms for Midlatitude-Arctic Interactions and Associated Weather Extremes in a Warming Climate
OpenAlex ID: W7140195331