Impacts of Extreme Events on Northern High Latitudes: A Comprehensive Review

'Climate change's most significant impacts on ecosystems, wildlife, and humans often stem from extreme events rather than gradual shifts in average climatic conditions. Northern high latitude regions, including the Arctic, are particularly vulnerable to these events. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of various extreme events impacting these regions, examining both historical trends and future projections.

The review investigates a range of extreme weather and climate events, including:

• Temperature extremes: Heatwaves and cold spells* Precipitation extremes: Heavy rainfall, droughts, and changes in snowfall patterns* Cryospheric extremes: Rapid sea ice loss events and Greenland Ice Sheet melt* Other extremes: Atmospheric blocking, cyclones, windstorms, and freezing rain events

Furthermore, the analysis extends to the impacts of these events on both biophysical and human systems, encompassing:

• Floods and droughts: Examining the frequency and severity of these events* Wildfires: Analyzing the influence of climate extremes on wildfire occurrences* Coastal erosion: Assessing the impacts of sea-level rise and storm surges* Terrestrial and marine ecosystems: Investigating the responses of various species and habitats to extreme events

The review reveals that evidence for change and confidence in future projections are strongest for temperature and sea ice, while data on events like droughts, floods, and cyclones require further investigation. Based on these findings, the review identifies several research priorities:

• Enhanced modeling: Utilizing high-resolution climate models to better understand and predict extreme events* Improved observations: Strengthening observational networks to provide more comprehensive data on these events* Attribution studies: Determining the role of human-induced climate change in driving extreme events* Impact assessments: Evaluating the ecological and societal consequences of these events, including their influence on human health, infrastructure, and livelihoods* Threshold analysis: Identifying critical thresholds or tipping points that, when crossed, could lead to irreversible changes in high-latitude systems

By addressing these research gaps, we can enhance our understanding of extreme events in northern high latitudes and develop effective strategies for mitigating their impacts on these vulnerable regions.'