… Scientists and officials are now preparing for not one threatening storm, but a 30-day maelstrom of megastorms unlike anything seen in the state [Calif.] for almost 200 years. Such a scenario was always possible, but rising global temperatures are making it more likely – and far more destructive. “It was always a when, not if,” says Dr Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, who co-authored the study warning of the coming storm. “Before global warming, that ‘when’ might have been centuries away. Now it’s quite likely to be within my own lifetime.” This storm system, dubbed ‘ARkStorm 2.0’, could strike this year or in 60 years – no one knows for sure. Whenever it does, it is likely to be one of the most costly disasters in global history. The only question is whether California can prepare in time.