The 2020 North Atlantic hurricane season was exceptionally active, resulting in significant rainfall, storm surges, and high winds. This study investigates the contribution of human-induced climate change to the extreme rainfall events during this season. Using a hindcast attribution methodology, the researchers found that human activities increased extreme 3-hourly storm rainfall rates by 10% and extreme 3-day accumulated rainfall amounts by 5% for storms at least tropical storm strength. These increases were even more pronounced for hurricane-strength storms, reaching 11% and 8%, respectively.

Kevin A. Reed, Michael F. Wehner, Colin M. Zarzycki