The WCRP research into the risk of extreme events has the aim of preserving life and natural, as well as economic, assets. The challenge in climate is improving forecasts of events with time scales from several weeks, to seasons, years and even decades. Statistics of extreme events such as their probability of occurrence, duration and intensity are very important for assessing the human and environmental risks from extreme weather events.

The WCRP research on extreme events for which climate forecasts are being improved include prolonged drought (GEWEX) and cold periods (CliC) and the intensity of monsoons (MAIRS). Seasonal forecasting is one of the main streams of WCRP research including improving regional-scale skill (GEWEX) and reducing the impacts of the wide-ranging natural disasters following from ENSOs (El Niño-Southern Oscillations) (CLIVAR).

The WCRP's research also deals with the probability of occurrence of short time scale extreme events dependent on mean climate characteristics: tropical cyclones, mid- and high-latitude storms, severe frosts (CliC), air pollution extremes (SPARC) and heavy precipitation. In recent years, the occurrence of extreme events as well as the associated damage has increased. The WCRP is developing new projects jointly with THORPEX focussing on the predictability of atmospheric extremes. The WCRP works closely with the WMO Disaster Risk Reduction Programme to deliver improved forecasting skill to those affected by climate extremes.

The WCRP Group on Coupled Modelling researches the links between global climate change and the frequency and intensity of extreme events, and to forecast the evolution of these important features as part of climate scenarios for the 21st century. Atmospheric and marine chemical events are important in the creation and understanding of extreme events (e.g. coral reef bleaching) and risk (e.g. tropospheric air pollution or high surface UV radiation). The WCRP contributes to chemistry and climate research in collaboration with the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).