{
  "id": 8272969,
  "title": "MIT researchers are mapping extreme weather risks — and building tools to act on them",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/mit-researchers-are-mapping-extreme-weather-risks-and-building-tools",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-18T16:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MIT News Research",
    "slug": "mit-news-research",
    "url": "https://news.mit.edu/2026/mit-researchers-mapping-extreme-weather-risks-building-tools-to-act-0918"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Warming temperatures are causing more extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves. However, the tools available to local communities, emergency agencies, and insurance markets have not kept up with the updated data and models needed to accurately predict how these events will unfold. In response, MIT launched its 2022 Climate Grand Challenges, with one focus area called \"Preparing for a New World of Weather and Climate Extremes.\" This initiative has involved over 40 faculty and student researchers, resulting in 29 published papers and digital tools in just four years. The projects span forecasting, risk assessment, planning, and resilient infrastructure development. Evelyn Wang, MIT's vice president for energy and climate, emphasizes the critical need for communities to anticipate risks and build resilience. Paul O'Gorman, a professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, is refining the science behind extreme weather forecasting, particularly focusing on the relationship between extreme rainfall and warming climate. He found that relative humidity plays a significant role in precipitation patterns, a factor that was not previously recognized. Kerry Emanuel, an atmospheric science professor, is working on improving the estimation of risks for hurricanes and severe convective storms, which have become increasingly costly in recent years. Meanwhile, Miho Mazereeuw, an associate professor in Architecture, is translating scientific data into practical tools for planners. The team has developed web-based tools for planning in Boston and Broward County, Florida, targeting the gap between scientific knowledge and actionable public information. By providing accessible and timely information, these tools aim to help communities prepare for and recover from extreme weather events more effectively.",
  "summary": "The Climate Grand Challenges “New World of Weather” project shows how modeling, planning tools, and infrastructure analysis are translating research into real-world resilience.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}