The Alpine region is warming faster than the global average, making it particularly vulnerable to changes in rainfall patterns.

Research indicates that warmer air can hold approximately seven percent more moisture per degree, which intensifies storm activity in the region.

To mitigate severe impacts on extreme rainfall events, it is crucial to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above current levels.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns there is a 50 percent chance of global temperatures reaching this critical threshold by 2030-2035.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Lausanne and the University of Padova analyzed data from nearly 300 meteorological stations across the European Alps, focusing on extreme rainfall events from 1991 to 2020.

Using the TENAX model, the study assessed changes in summer rainfall extremes under warming scenarios of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius, predicting future rainfall intensities based on temperature shifts.

The study's lead author, Nadav Peleg, emphasized that sudden large volumes of rainfall can exceed soil absorption capacity, leading to flash floods and infrastructure damage.

Projected increases in extreme rainfall frequency necessitate a reevaluation of infrastructure resilience standards in the Alps to mitigate the risks posed by intensified natural hazards.

Researchers recommend updating urban water management systems and engineering standards to better handle increased rainfall volumes and mitigate risks from extreme weather events.

Francesco Marra, a co-author of the study, noted that the trend of intensified summer storms is already being observed and is expected to worsen.

The findings indicate that a two degrees Celsius rise in global temperatures could double summer rainfall in the Alps, increasing the frequency of intense storm events.

Researchers emphasize the urgency of understanding these changes to improve urban drainage infrastructure and plan for potential flash floods and debris flows.