Climate Impact Report – 2/4

Key Facts Of The Day 2/4

Storms and Flooding

• The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Wednesday in anticipation of a winter storm that is expected to bring hazardous snow and ice, impacting travel conditions from the Midwest to the Northeast. 
  • Maryland and Pennsylvania are expected to see the highest ice storm potential, with isolated areas forecasted to receive 0.25 inches or more of ice.
  • The National Weather Service warning included risks of scattered power outages, tree damage, and potentially “impossible” traveling conditions. 
• Meteorologists predict that two additional winter storms, one this weekend and one early next week, may also bring hazardous snow and ice conditions across the northern U.S. 
• Two waves of rain were expected to hit California this week, bringing intense rainfall, snowmelt, flooding, and possible landslides that will close roads and delay travel. 
  • The first wave started late last week. As of Monday, widespread rainfall totals reached two to four inches. 
  • A second round of rain is forecasted to begin on Wednesday, bringing colder air and potential snowfall from western Washington into Northern California. 
  • The Los Angeles area is expected to see rainfall totals of 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch starting Wednesday night. 

Wildfires

• In California, 337 fires have burned 57,636 acres as of Tuesday. 
  • As of Tuesday, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,448 acres and is 100% contained.
• In North Carolina, 1 fire has burned 644 acres as of Sunday.
  • As of Monday, the Crooked Fire has burned 644 acres and is 80% contained. 
    • The wildfire struck an inland region of North Carolina that is still recovering from the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene in September.
    • The fire was believed to be fueled mainly by downed trees and other debris from Hurricane Helene. 

Extreme Heat

• The National Weather Service warned that record high temperatures of up to 20 to 30 degrees above average are expected across the southern U.S. this week. 
• Recent research has found that many species of coral in Florida’s reefs have stopped reproducing in the wild, possibly due to climate change-induced marine heat waves and hurricanes that disturb the reefs. 
  • One of the many benefits of Coral is that it helps safeguard Florida’s coastal communities from storm surges.