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The global climate is changing. Predicting the impacts this will have on buildings is the first step in the process of finding suitable building adaptation measures. Future climate adaptation of buildings and infrastructure is a growing field of research, relying on both socio-economical and meteorological research for input values to the simulation models. Models producing hourly future weather data rely on global climate models which are based on emission scenarios made from assumptions of future political, social, and economic developments. Accounting for the uncertainties from these underlying models as much as possible, and communicating the uncertainties in the results, is obviously paramount for reliable conclusions from the building simulation models. This paper is a scoping review, investigating how 132 studies treat and communicate the string of uncertainties from underlying models connected to future weather file generation in the scientific literature on building adaptation research. The findings suggest that climate-model-induced uncertainties are often under-communicated, due to either insufficient analysis or neglect. The studies that included the most comprehensive analyses of the uncertainties frequently concluded that treatment of these is important for the reliability of the results, and neglecting this could lead to misleading conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is among the most important vector borne diseases of humans in Europe and is currently identified as a major health problem in many countries. TBE endemic zones have expanded over the past two decades, as well as the number of reported cases within endemic areas. Multiple factors are ascribed for the increased incidence of TBE, including climatic change. The number of TBE cases has also increased in Norway over the past decade, and the human cases cluster along the southern coast of Norway. In Norway the distribution and prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in tick populations is largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to estimate the TBEV prevalence in Ixodes ricinus from seven locations and to assess the relationship between the TBEV prevalence and site-specific climatic variables. Methods A total of 5630 questing nymphs were collected and analyzed in pools of ten. All pools were screened with an in-house real-time RT-PCR, and the positive pools were pyrosequenced. Two methods, minimum infection rate (MIR) and a frequentist method (EPP) for pooled prevalence estimations were calculated and compared. Climatic data were descriptively compared to the corresponding EPP of each location in order to explain variations in TBEV prevalence. Results The seven foci of TBEV had an estimated overall prevalence (EPP) in pools of nymphs combined, of 0.53% with 95% CI (0.35–0.75), with point prevalence ranging between 0.11%–1.22%. The sites with the highest point prevalences were within the municipalities which had the highest numbers of registered TBE cases. The results indicate that the location with highest point prevalence had the highest relative mean humidity and lowest mean saturation deficit and vice versa for the lowest EPP. Conclusion Our study confirms the existence of TBEV endemic foci in Norway. These results are of importance to increase the awareness of TBEV infections in Norway and could be used for public information and recommendations of TBE vaccination. EPP is the method of choice for pooled prevalence calculations, since it provides estimated prevalences with confidence intervals. Our findings emphasise the possible importance of microclimatic conditions regarding the TBEV prevalence in ticks.

The climate of Bangladesh is very likely to be influenced by global climate change. To quantify the influence on the climate of Bangladesh, Global Climate Models were downscaled statistically to produce future climate projections of maximum temperature during the pre-monsoon season (March–May) for the 21st century for Bangladesh. The future climate projections are generated based on three emission scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) provided by the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. The downscaling process is undertaken by relating the large-scale seasonal mean temperature, taken from the ERA5 reanalysis data set, to the leading principal components of the observed maximum temperature at stations under Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Bangladesh, and applying the relationship to the GCM ensemble. The in-situ temperature data has only recently been digitised, and this is the first time they have been used in statistical downscaling of local climate projections for Bangladesh. This analysis also provides an evaluation of the local data, and the local temperatures in Bangladesh show a close match with the ERA5 reanalysis. Compared to the reference period of 1981–2010, the projected maximum pre-monsoon temperature in Bangladesh indicate an increase by 0.7/0.7/0.7 ∘ C in the near future (2021–2050) and 2.2/1.2/0.8 ∘ C in the far future (2071–2100) assuming the RCP8.5/RCP4.5/RCP2.6 scenario, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change ought to be a natural part of the weather conversation on TV, radio and social media. Inspired by similar projects in other countries, the Norwegian Meteorological institute established a project in 2019 to develop their TV meteorologists as climate change communicators. The main objective in the project was to integrate research-based, localized climate content in the weather presentation, as to inform and engage the Norwegian public about climate change. Over a period of almost two years, the project has produced several climate stories on the national TV-news. The majority of the stories have also been shared through social media and through press releases to reach a wide range of audiences. In this paper, experiences from the project at the Norwegian Meteorological institute are shared along with recommendations for climate communication. We claim that TV meteorologists can have an important role in climate change communication, with a potential that is often not yet fully realized, and give our thoughts on how to further develop their role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents selected results of the interdisciplinary research project Impacts of extreme weather events on infrastructure in Norway (InfraRisk) carried out between 2010 to 2013, as part of the program NORKLIMA (2004 2013) of the Research Council of Norway (RCN). The project has systematized large amounts of existing data and generated new results that are important for our handling of risks associated with future extreme weather and natural hazards threatening the transport infrastructure in Norway. The results of the InfaRisk project range widely, from the establishment of trends in key weather elements to studies of human response to threats from extreme weather. The analyses of weather elements have provided a clearer understanding of the trends in the development of extreme weather. The studies are based on both historical data and available future scenarios (projections) from climate models. Compared to previous studies, we calculated changes in climate variables that are particularly important in relation to nature hazards. Overall, the analyses document an increase in frequency as well as intensity of both precipitation and wind. Results of projections show that the observed changes will continue throughout this century. We could also identify large regional differences, with some areas experiencing, e.g., a reduction in the intensity of heavy rainfall events. However, most of the country will experience the opposite, i.e., both increased intensity and increased frequency of heavy precipitation. Our analyses show that at least 27 per cent of Norwegian roads and 31 per cent of railroads are exposed to rock fall and snow avalanches hazards. The project has also assessed relationships between different parameters that can affect the likelihood of debris flows. Variables such as terrain slope and size of watercourses are important, while local climate, which varies widely in Norway, determines threshold values for rainfall that can trigger debris flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a matched case-control study to examine the association between heavy precipitation events and waterborne outbreaks (WBOs) by linking epidemiological registries and meteorological data between 1992 and 2012 in four Nordic countries. Heavy precipitation events were defined by above average (exceedance) daily rainfall during the preceding weeks using local references. We performed conditional logistic regression using the four previous years as the controls. Among WBOs with known onset date (n = 89), exceedance rainfall on two or more days was associated with occurrence of outbreak, OR = 3.06 (95% CI 1.38-6.78), compared to zero exceedance days. Stratified analyses revealed a significant association with single household water supplies, ground water as source and for outbreaks occurring during spring and summer. These findings were reproduced in analyses including all WBOs with known outbreak month (n = 186). The vulnerability of single households to WBOs associated with heavy precipitation events should be communicated to homeowners and implemented into future policy planning to reduce the risk of waterborne illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study on the role of deer keds in the prevalence of hair loss in moose in Norway and Sweden. The hair-loss syndrome was observed to be associated to massive infestations with deer keds after finding their presence in the coat of moose and acute to chronic, eosinophilic to lymphocytic dermatitis concurrent with the absence of any other lesions or dermal infections. It mentions the contributing factors to the occurrence of hair-loss epizootic.

The relationship between building materials, structures and climate is complex and there is an urgent need for more accurate methods to assess building performance. For example, the lifetime of wooden cladding is strongly dependent on the local-level climatic impact. A national map of the potential for decay in wood structures in Norway is presented based on Scheffer's climate index formula. Weather data are used from 115 observing stations for the reference 30-year period 1961–90. The climate index distribution allows for geographically differentiated guidelines on protective measures. Detailed scenarios for climate change for selected locations in Norway are used to provide an indication of the possible future development of decay rates. Climate indices allowing for the quantitative assessment of building enclosure performance may be an important element in the development of adaptation measures to meet the future risks of climate change in different parts of the world. Established quantified relations between climatic impact and material behaviour or building performance can be used as a tool for the evaluation of the need for changes in functional requirements. The presented work represents an example of a first step towards such measures. Ways to improve the reliability of the index further are also suggested.Les relations qui existent entre les matériaux de construction, les structures et le climat sont complexes et il est urgent de disposer de méthodes plus précises pour évaluer les performances des bâtiments. Ainsi, la durée de vie d'un revêtement en bois est étroitement liée à l'impact du climat au niveau local. En Norvège, sur la base de la formule de l'indice climatique de Scheffer, on a dressé une carte nationale des risques de dégradation des structures en bois. Cent quinze stations d'observation ont fourni des données météorologiques pour la période de référence de 30 ans de 1961 à 1990. La distribution de l'indice climatique permet de rédiger des directives différenciées en fonction de la géographie concernant les mesures de protection. Des scénarios détaillés relatifs au changement climatique pour des sites sélectionnés en Norvège servent à donner une indication de l'évolution possible des taux de dégradation. Les indices climatiques permettant de procéder à une évaluation quantitative des performances des enveloppes de bâtiments peuvent être un élément important dans la formulation de mesures d'adaptation afin de répondre aux risques futurs des changements climatiques dans différentes parties du monde. Les relations quantifiées établies entre l'impact climatique et le comportement des matériaux et les performances des bâtiments peuvent être utilisées comme outils pour évaluer la nécessité de modifier les exigences fonctionnelles. Le travail présenté dans cet article est un exemple d'une première étape vers de telles mesures. L'auteur suggère également des voies afin d'améliorer encore davantage la fiabilité des indices.Mots clés: enveloppes des bâtiments, performance des bâtiments, adaptation climatique, changements climatiques, risques de dégradation, structures en bois, Norvège [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will lead to more extreme weather events in Europe. In Norway, little is known about how this will affect drinking water quality and population's health due to waterborne diseases. The aim of our work was to generate new knowledge on the effect of extreme weather conditions and climate change on drinking water and waterborne disease. In this respect we studied the relationship between temperature, precipitation and runoff events, raw and treated water quality, and gastroenteritis consultations in Norway in 2006-2014 to anticipate the risk with changing climate conditions. The main findings are positive associations between extreme weather events and raw water quality, but only few with treated drinking water. Increase in maximum temperature was associated with an increase in risk of disease among all ages and 15-64 years olds for the whole year. Heavy rain and high runoff were associated with a decrease in risk of gastroenteritis for different age groups and time periods throughout the year. No evidence was found that increase in precipitation and runoff trigger increased gastroenteritis outbreaks. Large waterworks in Norway currently seem to manage extreme weather events in preventing waterborne disease. However, with more extreme weather in the future, this may change. Therefore, modelling future climate scenarios is necessary to assess the need for improved water treatment capacity in a future climate., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

Background: Heatwaves in Europe and the USA have been shown to cause excess mortality among older persons. The summer of 2018 was unusually hot in south-eastern Norway. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether more older persons died that summer compared with the average for the previous ten summers., Material and Method: Temperature data from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and mortality data for the summer of 2018 (June, July and August), divided into age groups and counties, were compared to the previous ten summers., Results: For Norway as a whole, there was no increase in mortality among persons more than 75 years and 85 years of age in summer 2018. None of the counties in south-eastern Norway stood out as having elevated mortality for persons more than 75 years of age, apart from Vest-Agder county. Three counties, among them Aust-Agder, had somewhat lower mortality than expected., Interpretation: We are unable to show any increase in mortality among older persons in summer 2018 compared with the average for the period 2008-17. Due to climate change and prognoses of more frequent heatwaves, mortality should nevertheless be monitored and public warning systems considered.

We conducted a matched case-control study to examine the association between heavy precipitation events and waterborne outbreaks (WBOs) by linking epidemiological registries and meteorological data between 1992 and 2012 in four Nordic countries. Heavy precipitation events were defined by above average (exceedance) daily rainfall during the preceding weeks using local references. We performed conditional logistic regression using the four previous years as the controls. Among WBOs with known onset date (n = 89), exceedance rainfall on two or more days was associated with occurrence of outbreak, OR = 3.06 (95% CI 1.38-6.78), compared to zero exceedance days. Stratified analyses revealed a significant association with single household water supplies, ground water as source and for outbreaks occurring during spring and summer. These findings were reproduced in analyses including all WBOs with known outbreak month (n = 186). The vulnerability of single households to WBOs associated with heavy precipitation events should be communicated to homeowners and implemented into future policy planning to reduce the risk of waterborne illness.