The UK is bouncing from one type of extreme weather to another this year. This is climate whiplash. Caused by changes in the fast-moving body of air high up in our atmosphere called the jet stream, climate whiplash has increased in likelihood with climate change. This constant changing of extreme weather makes it a challenge to build resilience.
Drought and heatwaves play a big role in this rollercoaster of weather extremes. There are many different types of droughts – in simple terms drought is an absence of water from an area, meaning it is drier. For a drought to be declared in a region of the UK, the National Drought Group (chaired by the Environment Agency which has responsibility for droughts) meets, looks at several factors and decides. This process is similar to how the UK decides to name winter storms.
