1. Extreme Events and Climate Variability X. William Proenza, Director National Weather Service Southern Region Fort Worth, Texas

2. Issues: Scientists are telling us that global warming means more extreme weather. Every year we seem to experience weather extremes. What is the origin of extreme events?

3. A Major Issue for All Countries Is Global Warming and Its Regional Impacts

5. The El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a major factor in global climate variability.

10. Colombia Gets Less Rain During El Nino

11. Major Weather-Related Natural Disasters (1999 La Nina)

12. Regional 1999 Floods Possibly Linked to La Nina Date Event April 9-16 Mudslides & heavy rains Columbia: Cauca, Argelia May 5-15 High water in Amazonas, Peru August 15-22 Flooding in eastern Venezuela Aug 30-Sept 11 Flooding in Columbia: Antioquia, Cordoba, Choco Sept 12-29 Persistent rains, floods, mudslides in Columbia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatamala Dec 12-19 Major flooding and mudslides in Venezuela (50,000+ victims)

13. Impacts of December 1999 Floods in Venezuela

14. Typical Winter Weather Anomalies And Atmospheric Circulation Changes During El Nino & La Nina

17. Contributions to Surface Temperature Trend from 1950-1999