European monsoon

Just as I read in the Guardian about European monsoons, Gridworks colleague Pam over in Illinois blogs on her Public Works site about dealing with water quantity and a one in 500 year event.

Questions to be asked of our storm drainage perhaps?

Leo Hickman:

But discuss it we must, because talk of a “European monsoon” is increasing, not just due to this summer’s frequent cycle of deluges but last summer’s washout, too. Is a recognisable trend now occurring, whereby the prevailing westerly winds from the Atlantic, which weaken at the end of spring, pick up again at the beginning of June and bring with them wave after wave of rain-laden depressions that can last into July

Public Works Blog

We need to start questioning the (water quantity) standards under which we design – do they need to be updated to address any climate changes?