In February, air pollution over large parts of China was reduced by 20 to 30 percent (1). If air pollution levels remain this low for a longer-term period, 50,000 - 100,000 premature deaths could be avoided according to calculations by CICERO, Norway's leading institute for climate research.
The transition to renewable energy makes it more important for power producers to get accurate information about the weather to come. Climate scientists are currently investing considerable effort and resources to help them get better long-term forecasts.
Seasonal forecasts for this winter were markedly accurate, with mild conditions in Northern Europe in December and January predicted already in October. Researchers in the S2S4E project are now working to find out how to improve the reliability of future outlooks.
The unusual warm temperatures this winter and forecasts indicating milder winter conditions for January, February and March in Europe are partly due to an atmospheric circulation pattern called the North Atlantic Oscillation, or NAO. This atmospheric circulation pattern explains well the weather we get in Europe, especially in winter.