Weather plays a pivotal role in the construction industry. Unpredictable conditions, compounded by the looming threat of climate change, demand heightened preparedness and strategic responses. According to a study by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), weather conditions affect 45% of construction projects worldwide. This has cascading financial implications, incurring billions in unforeseen costs and lost revenues. But what exactly constitutes these weather risks, and how can contractors rise above them?

Here are some common weather risks:

1. Extreme Temperatures

Both ends of the temperature spectrum come with distinct challenges:

• Delays: Extremely hot or cold conditions can hamper the pace of construction, resulting in project hold-ups.
  • High temperatures: They can cause concrete to cure too swiftly, leading to cracks and reduced durability.
  • Extremely cold temperatures: They can affect materials differently. Mortar, for instance, can freeze and fail to bond adequately with bricks. Such conditions also make metals brittle and susceptible to breaking.
• Worker Welfare: Extreme temperatures can jeopardise the health of construction workers. While the cold can cause hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory problems, extreme heat might result in heat strokes, exhaustion, and dehydration.

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