LIFE ADAPT EST
ADAPT-EST: Compounding Climate Risks from Severe Convective Storms
Extreme convective events (ECE) such as hailstorms and heavy precipitation are among the most costly natural hazards for agriculture and infrastructure. The Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg represent a critical transition zone where climate-driven trends for these events are complex. Within the EU-LIFE funded project ADAPT-EST, we investigate the compound risk resulting from the interplay between drought and severe convective weather.
Goals and Methods
The project aims to characterize compounding risks from extreme convection and drought while identifying their underlying atmospheric drivers. To achieve this, we employ a multi-source hazard analysis that integrates dual-polarization radar data, lightning detection, and crowdsourced reports to track long-term trends. A central focus is the assessment of compound hazards, where we analyze how pre-existing drought—measured via soil moisture and vegetation indices—exacerbates the damage potential of subsequent storms.
To bridge the gap between remote sensing and actual impacts, we perform forensic case studies with immediate on-site damage assessments following extreme events. This scientific approach is complemented by active stakeholder engagement: through workshops and interviews with the agricultural sector, we identify critical vulnerabilities and evaluate existing adaptation strategies to ensure long-term regional resilience.
