Climate Impact Report – 2/20

Key Facts Of The Day 2/20

Storms And Flooding

• Life-threatening cold air will continue to surge across the central U.S. through midweek and build into the East into the end of this week.
  • Exposure to cold air and any breeze can create dangerous to life-threatening.
  • The cold will penetrate into portions of the South Central and Southeast states enough to raise the risk of frozen and burst pipes and water mains.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has not been above the freezing mark since late Sunday afternoon and may not climb above freezing until Saturday afternoon.
• A series of storms will move across the northern Pacific Ocean and into the northwestern U.S. and southern British Columbia, Canada, into early next week.

Wildfires

• Residents in Los Angeles are protesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to use a popular beach as a staging site for toxic wildfire debris, citing concerns over contamination of air, soil, and water.
• The federal hiring freeze could worsen wildfires in Arizona by complicating the government’s ability to hire firefighters.

Extreme Heat

• A new study found that when daily highs exceed 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit, emergency room visits rise roughly 7.5 percent, and admissions rise around 4 percent relative to the 71.6 to 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit range.