Climate and catastrophe risk experts are bracing for a wave of extreme weather events in the coming months and years, as the current El Niño system strengthens to unprecedented levels, and the potential for stronger seismic events in the United States increases.
El Niño, which causes flooding, drought, wildfires and winter storms, is showing no sign of cooling after causing $12.6 billion in natural catastrophe losses during the first half of 2015. In fact, on Nov. 8, 2015, the El Niño index, a measure of Pacific Ocean temperatures, set a record of 2.8, the warmest in recorded history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Meanwhile, catastrophe risks experts are also concerned about recent scientific studies showing an elevated risk of seismic activity in the United States.
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