Climate Impact Report – 8/26

August 26, 2024

Key Facts Of The Day 8/26

Two named tropical cyclones are expected to pass within a few hundred miles of Hawaii within a week’s time before the end of August, a rare occurrence that hasn’t happened since 1992.

On Sunday, Tropical Storm Hone caused over 17,000 customers to lose power across Hawaii. Peak wind gusts of 72 mph and 27.5 inches of rainfall were observed on Hawaii’s Big Island.
On Monday, Hone is expected to pull away from Hawaii. Wind gusts are expected to reach 40 to 60 mph, threatening power outages, downed trees, and increased fire threat.
On Monday, Hone is expected to bring one to two inches of additional rainfall, potentially causing flash floods and mudslides.

On Monday, Hurricane Gilma was a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds.
As of Monday, the core of Gilma was forecasted to bring rain showers, thunderstorms, and strong winds to Hawaii’s Big Island by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

As of Monday, 54 large active wildfires have burned 2,061,572 acres across ID, OR, MT, CA, WA, UT, NV, SD, and NM. This year to date, 32,088 wildfires have burned 5,626,708 acres across the country.
In California, 5 fires have burned 528,988 acres as of Monday.
- As of Monday, the Park Fire has burned 429,603 acres and is 82% contained.
In Idaho, 13 fires have burned 190,536 acres as of Monday.
In Montana, 10 fires have burned 16,217 acres as of Monday.
In Nevada, 1 fire has burned 6,146 acres as of Monday.
In New Mexico, 1 fire has burned 1,500 acres as of Monday.
In Oregon, 12 fires have burned 338,744 acres as of Friday.
In South Dakota, 1 fire has burned 1,959 acres as of Monday.
In Utah, 3 fires have burned 4,019 acres as of Monday.
In Washington, 3 fires have burned 50,909 acres as of Monday.

Starting Monday, a dangerous heat wave is expected to impact the Midwest.
- According to the National Weather Service, the heat risk will reach “extreme” levels in Chicago, Illinois, Des Moines, Iowan, and the Twin Cities area on Monday and Tuesday.
- Typically, heat waves of this severity in the Midwest are confined to July and early August, but human-caused climate change has been lengthening heat seasons.
The Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast are projected to experience at least “major” levels of heat risk due to combined heat and humidity, with daily maximum heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
On Monday, Chicago Public Schools began classes amid excessive heat warnings. The district released guidelines, including canceled outdoor games and practices and equipping all classrooms with air conditioning to keep students and instructors safe.