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Storms (CLIM 005) - Assessment published Nov 2012: Storm location, frequency and intensity have shown considerable variability across Europe over the past century, making it difficult to identify clear trends. A recent reanalysis suggests that storminess has increased over the past century in northern and north-western Europe but this finding is not yet robust. Climate change projections for storms in the North Atlantic and Europe region show no clear consensus in either the direction of movement or the intensity of storm activity. However, a recent study involving 20 climate models projects enhanced extreme wind speeds over northern parts of central and western Europe, and a decrease in extreme wind speeds in southern Europe.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Storms
Probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas: The figure shows the probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas during the 21st century estimated using a probabilistic projection of climate change for the SRES A1B scenario
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Direct losses from weather disasters (CLIM 039) - Assessment published Sep 2008: About 90 % of all natural disasters in Europe that have occurred since 1980 are directly or indirectly attributable to weather and climate. About 95 % of economic losses caused by catastrophic events have resulted from these weather and climate-related disasters. The average number of annual disastrous weather and climate-related events in Europe increased by about 65 % over 1998-2007 compared with the annual average for the 1980s, while non-weather events (e.g. earthquakes) remained stable. An unknown share of this increase can be attributed to climate change, the rest to changes in the sensitivity of human/societal systems. Overall losses resulting from weather- and climate-related events have increased clearly during the past 25 years. Even though social change and economic development are the main factors responsible for this increase, there is evidence that changing patterns of weather disasters are also drivers. However, it is still not possible to determine the proportion of the increase in damages that might be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. While in the immediate future disaster losses are projected to increase mainly as a result of societal change and economic development, the most severe effects of anthropogenic climate change on economic assets are expected in the second half of the century.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Direct losses from weather disasters
Cumulative specific net mass balance of European glaciers: The figure shows the cumulative specific net mass balance (mm water equivalent) of European glaciers 1946–2010.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Air pollutant emissions — EEA datasets: A description of the different air pollutant emissions datasets compiled and maintained by EEA
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution
Land in Europe: prices, taxes and use patterns: Developments in land‑use patterns across Europe are generating considerable concern, particularly in relation to achievement of environmental goals. Land‑use trends — such as urban sprawl and land abandonment — are jeopardising the future for sustainable land use. Moreover, these trends endanger the achievement of European environmental goals in areas such as biodiversity protection and water management and also hinder the effectiveness of instruments in these areas, including the Natura 2000 network and the Water Framework Directive.
Located in Publications
Season's greetings: Located in News
Trends in the extreme wind speeds in the period 1871-2008 based on reanalysis: Trends in the annual 95th percentile of daily maximum wind speeds in the 20th century reanalysis data set (ensemble mean) during the period 1871–2008. The trend is given in the units of the interannual standard deviation and plotted only when significant. The coloured circles indicate trends in the number of 'gale days' (an index that represents the number of extremely windy days) over the period at the specific locations.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Projected changes in extreme wind speed based on GCM and RCM ensembles: Ensemble mean of changes in extreme wind speed (defined as the 98th percentile of daily maximum wind speed) for A1B (2071–2100) relative to 1961–2000. Left: based on 9 GCMs. Right: based on 11 RCMs. Coloured areas indicate the magnitude of change (unit: m s−1), statistical significance above 0.95 is shown by black dots.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
European Union partners: Our information is designed to help policy-makers in various areas to make environmentally sound and consistent policies and decisions. To achieve this, the EEA works closely with EU institutions, i.e. the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The EEA also cooperates with EU advisory bodies, i.e. the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, and other European agencies.
Located in About EEA