Research: Spring storms over the North Atlantic on the rise - study from Gothenburg

Swedish climate researchers led by Zhi-Bo Li have specifically focused on the transitional seasons of spring and autumn, which have been little studied to date. While most climate studies concentrate on winter and summer storms, the new study shows that storm patterns have changed particularly strongly in spring and autumn. "A storm as powerful and persistent as Dave used to be quite rare in April, but now we see such storms occurring more frequently and travelling longer distances," explains Zhi-Bo Li in a press release. Many storms used to dissipate over the British Isles, but now they reach Scandinavia.

Storm Dave falls into this category

Storm DAVE, named by the UK Met Office on 2 April 2026, could be a consequence of the changes described in the study. It swept over the Scottish coasts with wind gusts of up to 145 km/h and generated eleven-metre-high waves off Denmark as well as massive traffic disruptions across northern Europe. The storm travelled from Ireland via Scotland into the North Sea and then hit western Norway with full force - a path that, according to the Gothenburg researchers, hardly ever occurred in the first half of the 20th century.

Regional differences depending on the season

The changes are not uniform, but show clear regional and seasonal patterns. In the Arctic north of the 65th parallel, spring storms are becoming stronger, lasting longer and travelling further distances. Over the North Atlantic, more storms form in spring than before, while in the North Pacific, autumn storms have become more intense and last longer. These regional differences make it clear that climate change influences storm systems in complex ways - with different effects depending on the ocean and season.

Arctic sea ice as an influencing factor

The researchers identify the decline in Arctic sea ice as a possible factor for the increase in storms. Open water can release more heat and moisture into the atmosphere than a layer of ice. The shrinking sea ice also means that storms can take new routes across the Arctic oceans that were previously blocked by ice. These changes in the upper latitudes could have an impact on the paths of low-pressure systems, which are crucial for weather patterns in Europe.

Spring cruises and transfers are at risk

For sailors in northern European waters, the findings mean that Storms at the start of the season could be more frequent and more intense in future than in the past. The traditional "closed season" in spring, when storms were less frequent, seems to be changing. Anyone planning Easter cruises or spring passages should pay particular attention to weather forecasts. The research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres under the title "All-Season Analysis of Extratropical and Arctic Cyclones Over the Northern Hemisphere Oceans During 1940-2024" published.

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