Climate Impact Report – 2/1

Key Facts Of The Day 2/1

Storms and Flooding

• The first of two atmospheric rivers is unloading heavy snow at high elevations and gusty winds and soaking rainfall Thursday across a large part of California.
  • As of Thursday, more than 20 million people are under flood alerts as storms threaten flash flooding in cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jos, and Oakland. 
  • Rainfall of 1 to 4 inches is possible in the southern part of the state, falling at rates that could exceed 1 inch per hour.
  • On Sunday, another atmospheric river – likely stronger – is poised to move across the region.
• A new study found that sea otters have helped save a California marshland from erosion after returning to the area.

Wildfires

• The permanent Maui wildfire debris dump site was narrowed down to three locations. 
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, the majority of municipal fire departments in the U.S. are not prepared for wildland firefighting.
  • Firefighters accustomed to fighting fires in buildings may need training in battling wildfires as they grow more common and extreme due to climate change.

Extreme Heat

• 15 cities participated in a national project through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to map where heat lingers in neighborhoods and determine the best ways to adapt to extreme heat. 
• With the ongoing drought and water levels below normal in the Panama Canal, authorities are only allowing 24 ships to cross a day, down from 38.
  • 5% of the world’s maritime trade and 40% of U.S. container traffic move through the Panama Canal.