Climate Impact Report – 2/10

Key Facts Of The Day 2/10

Storms And Flooding

• On Monday, about 29 million people were under winter alerts across the central plains, the Midwest, the Ohio Valley, and the mid-Atlantic in preparation for two winter storms. 
  • The first storm was expected to form across the central Plains, bringing three to six inches of snow and up to eight inches in some local areas across the mid-Atlantic. The southern side of the storm was expected to bring one to three inches of rain through Thursday. 
  • The storm was forecasted to bring Arctic cold air, bringing temperatures 25 to 40 degrees below average across the northern Rockies and the northern high Plains.
  • The second storm was forecasted to bring light snow Tuesday night and by Wednesday, produce moderate to heavy snow across the Midwest. The heaviest snowfall was expected in Chicago with up to four to eight inches of snow. 
  • On Monday, Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of the winter storms. 
• From Saturday to Sunday, more than ten inches of snow fell in parts of New England as a winter storm delivered a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
  • As of  Saturday, over 90 million people were under winter weather alerts in portions of 19 states across the Midwest and Northeast. 
  • As of Sunday, more than 3,000 domestic flights were delayed due to winter weather across the Northeast.
• An atmospheric river is expected to bring up to two inches of rain to the central coast of California starting Tuesday, creating a risk for floods and mudslides in Southern California. 
• Meteorologists warn that a “frenetic weather pattern” is expected to bring persistent winter storms across more than 20 states through the end of February, disrupting daily routines and causing travel delays. 

Wildfires

• In the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires, uninsured and low-income residents are facing severe financial strain from rising insurance costs. 
• Residents, first responders, and individuals involved in cleaning up after the Los Angeles wildfires are at risk for exposure to toxic air pollution from burned plastic in homes and buildings. 
  • Exposure to burned plastic has been linked with health risks, including respiratory problems, developmental problems, birth defects, heart problems, and organ damage.  
• Researchers found that dead trees in Yellowstone National Park may pose a greater fire risk than previously thought. 

Extreme Heat

• On Friday, a critical drought was declared across central and northeastern Massachusetts. Despite the expected snowfall this week, there are still concerns about an ongoing drought as the state faces below-average precipitation. 
• A new study found that extreme heat may lead to more hospitalizations for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. 
• Scientists warn that drought conditions in Texas and the Southwest may spread to the western Corn Belt and the Northern Plains threatening agricultural conditions this growing season. 
• On Friday, researchers reported a 96% decline in the number of monarch butterflies spending their winter in the western U.S. 
  • The study found that 2024 had the second-lowest overwintering population ever recorded. Climate change-induced warming was cited as one reason for the decline.