Prepare for Severely Unusual Climate Conditions in the Azores
The Azores, a region in Portugal, has been recognised as one of the best-prepared areas to face extreme weather events. However, recent trends suggest that tropical cyclones affecting the region are becoming more intense, posing a greater threat to the islands' infrastructure and population.
This was evident in 2019 when Hurricane Lorenzo, the first Category 5 hurricane recorded so far east and north in the Atlantic, severely impacted the Azores. The storm caused estimated damages of around 330 million euros, including the destruction of the only commercial port on Flores Island.
As global warming continues to shift the paths of tropical cyclones northward, the Azores are becoming more vulnerable to stronger storms than in the past. Filipe Duarte Santos, the president of the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, suggested that tropical cyclones could move further north and hit the Azores.
In light of this, scientists and government officials emphasise the necessity to upgrade storm monitoring and warning capabilities in the Azores. The focus is on implementing advanced meteorological monitoring technology, improving forecasting models, and developing more effective public communication strategies to mitigate tropical cyclone impacts.
The head of the Climate and Climate Change division at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) stated that recent events in the Azores have become more energetic and destructive. He warned that in a context of global warming, extreme events generated in the Atlantic could gain more strength and intensity, potentially causing even greater destruction in the Azores.
Santos argued that better warning systems are needed to inform people when a storm is approaching, allowing them to take action. He made these remarks on the sidelines of the international conference "Weather, Climate, and the Economy."
While the Azores are somewhat protected from many extreme events due to their geographical location, they serve as a transit zone for major storms, which have been hitting the region with greater intensity in recent years. The Azoreans are better prepared for extreme weather events, and the infrastructure in the Azores is relatively ready. However, future infrastructure should be built to withstand greater destructive potential.
Despite the challenges, the Azores remain resilient in the face of climate change. The region's preparedness and the ongoing efforts to improve early warning systems underscore the commitment to protecting the Azores and its people from the impacts of extreme weather events.
- The Azores, located in Portugal, has been facing more intense tropical cyclones due to climate change, as shown by the damages caused by Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019 that destroyed the only commercial port on Flores Island.
- With stronger storms becoming a growing concern in the Azores, scientists and government officials are focusing on upgrading storm monitoring and warning capabilities, which includes implementing advanced meteorological monitoring technology, improving forecasting models, and developing effective public communication strategies.
- Filipe Duarte Santos, the president of the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, suggested that due to global warming, tropical cyclones could potentially move further north and hit the Azores, emphasizing the necessity for better warning systems to inform people when a storm is approaching.
