UK rivers face rising risk of climate 'whiplash'

Climate change could push UK rivers to dangerous extremes and bring more frequent rapid swings between wet and dry conditions—a phenomenon known as hydroclimatic whiplash—according to research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA). Researchers analyzed almost 700 river catchments across the UK to project how river flows may change at 2° C and 4° C of global warming. The results reveal stark regional contrasts and growing challenges for communities and water managers trying to plan for flood and drought risk, particularly in areas that will increasingly experience both.