Climate Impact Report – 7/15

July 15, 2024

Key Facts Of The Day 7/15

On Monday morning, a flood warning was in effect as strong thunderstorms containing heavy rainfall impacted West Michigan.
- The flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations has closed several roads.
In Chicago, Illinois, strong storms brought wind damage and tornado warnings to the area.
On Sunday, storms with high winds and many microbursts left widespread damage in Tucson, Arizona.
- The highest wind gust recorded was 76 mph in the Tucson Mountains.
Over the weekend, storms hit the Twin Cities with heavy rain and hail and left thousands without power.

As of Monday, 62 large active wildfires have burned 731,489 acres across AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NJ, NM, OR, UT, WA, and WY. This year to date, 24,541 wildfires have burned 3,065,455 acres across the country.
In Alaska, 5 fires have burned 213,178 acres as of Monday.
In Arizona, 10 fires have burned 56,586 acres as of Monday.
In California, 12 fires have burned 100,320 acres as of Monday.
- So far this year, California has seen 3,500 wildfires that have scorched nearly 220,000 acres – more than five times above what is typical for mid-July.
In Colorado, 1 fire has burned 1,310 acres as of Monday.
In New Mexico, 6 fires have burned 15,813 acres as of Monday.
In Oregon, 8 fires have burned 244,247 acres as of Monday.
In Washington, 2 fires have burned 15,858 acres as of Monday.

A heatwave that impacted the U.S. West Coast over the past week is now moving east into the Midwest and southeast. This week, over 245 million Americans are expected to experience temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with at least 30 million experiencing temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Las Vegas, Nevada, recorded a record-breaking seven consecutive days of temperatures 115 degrees Fahrenheit or higher this past week.
- Las Vegas also recorded its all-time highest temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit on 7 July.
In the U.S., 37 heat-related deaths have been reported so far in July 2024, which is likely an underestimate due to the time it takes for investigations into deaths to be completed.
Solar panels helped Arizona farmers shade crops, save water, generate power, and lower their electricity bills.