Report says expect more extreme weather

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - In Holyoke on Thursday Environment Massachusetts released a new report called In the Path of the Storm: Global Warming, Extreme Weather, and the Impacts of Weather Related Disasters in the United States.

The report found that since 2006 weather disasters have impacted the entire state with the highest number occurring in Hampden County.

Last year western Massachusetts was hit by tornadoes, major flooding and a record snowstorm in October.

According to the report in 2011 alone, federally declared weather related disasters affected every county in Massachusetts.

The report also details how global warming could affect our weather in the future.

“Global warming is projected to bring more frequent and heavier downpours and snowfalls, heat waves and unusually hot seasons will become more common or likely too and hurricanes are also expected to be more intense and bring greater amounts of rainfall,” said Mackenzie Clark Field Associate for Environment Massachusetts.

According to the Toxics Action Center the combination of pollution and global warming could lead to more health related problems too.

“As average temperatures will rise we'll see more ground level smog which is a huge irritant for lung tissue and bad for asthma as well,” said Claire Miller, Community Organizer for Toxics Action Center.

Some people 22News talked to aren't quite convinced that global warming will lead to more extreme weather.
“No, no I don't but I am not an expert and that’s just my opinion as an informed citizen, no,” Edward Connors of Easthampton.

“Well we could but it's hard to say I could happen but I've seen Christmas where the ground was bare and then the next Christmas a foot of snow,” said Bob Devins of Chicopee.

In the Path of the Storm report