ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Extreme value theory

Extreme Value Theory is a way to figure out how rare things happen. It tells us what kinds of things are most likely to happen when conditions are very extreme. For example, it can tell us how much rain or snow might fall in a really heavy storm. It can also tell us how high tides might get during a really big storm. Practically, this helps us to plan ahead, so that we can be ready if something extreme ever happens.