Way back in 2009, I wrote about the Flood Season in the American Midwest, opining that it generally runs from late February into April. Causes included snowmelt, dormant trees, frozen ground and early spring rains. Fifteen years later, that post is far too simple (though it does have nostalgic value).
Now that climate change is unfolding, severe, destructive floods may occur during any season of the year. Warmer seas, more potent storm systems and hot, humid air all play a role, as do record mountain snowpacks. Just in the past week, highly destructive and life threatening floods have been reported from across the globe.
Indeed, living on or near a floodplain has become a high risk life choice, even in relatively dry regions of the planet. Sudden, torrential downpours have occurred in all seasons and in all geographic areas; of course, they can be especially deadly in mountainous areas. Unfortunately, flood season has no bounds in this warming climate.
