Storm Kristin and climate change

 

Storm Kristin and climate change

In late January 2026, Storm Kristin struck the Iberian Peninsula as an "extreme climatic event," with meteorologists describing it as a "weather bomb" or explosive cyclogenesis.

 

Impact and Destruction

Fatalities and Injuries: At least six deaths were confirmed in Portugal and one in Spain, with over 100 reported injuries.

Power and Infrastructure: Hurricane-force winds—gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph)—cut power to over 1 million customers in Portugal and severely damaged the high-voltage grid.

Economic Damage: Estimated costs run into billions of euros, with the Portuguese government approving a €2.5 billion package for reconstruction.

Agricultural Losses: Heavy rain and flooding caused severe damage to greenhouse crops in Almería, Spain.

 

Connection to Climate Change

Experts and officials have linked Storm Kristin's intensity to broader climate shifts:

The New Climate Paradigm: Portuguese officials and climatologists noted that the country must rebuild under a "new climate paradigm," as infrastructure designed for more benign past weather is now inadequate.

Increased Frequency: Climatologists from the University of Lisbon noted that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of such extreme events, with Storm Kristin arriving as part of a rapid "train" of storms (following Ingrid and Joseph) facilitated by an unusually southern jet stream.

Energy Resilience: The European Commission and Portuguese government are now prioritizing "structural adaptation" of the energy grid, including undergrounding power lines, to withstand increasingly frequent weather extremes