Does climate change affect flood and drought severity and frequency?
* A: Warmer temperatures and higher rates of evapotranspiration with climate change in some areas, such as the Southwest United States, will likely lead to increased drought frequency and severity. Overall, drought-affected areas are projected to increase in extent. Although increased temperatures will likely lead to decreased runoff in some areas, increased frequency of heavy precipitation events will likely lead to increased flood risk in many regions. Earlier snowmelt and runoff due to increased temperatures could also lead to increased winter and spring flooding. (IPCC 2007).
