Climate Impact Report – 2/5

Key Facts Of The Day 2/5

Storms

• A major ice storm is expected to hit the Midwest and Northeast starting Wednesday, creating potential power outages and hazardous travel conditions. 
  • The heaviest icing is forecasted to hit western Maryland, the West Virginia panhandle, and portions of Pennsylvania, where up to a quarter of an inch of ice accretion is possible. 
  • Following the storm, cold wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph are expected. 
• A recent report found that January 2025 was likely the coldest January the U.S. has experienced since 2011. 
  • Despite the average cool temperatures, the report found that none of the cities analyzed set a January low-temperature record.
  • The report also found that the number of days where warmer temperatures were at least 2x more likely because of climate change outnumbered days on which climate change made cooler temperatures at least 2x more rare, highlighting the warming influence of climate change. 
• A recent study found that 78% of the deaths caused by Hurricane Helene occurred in counties that were designated as “low risk” by FEMA. 
  • The study attributed rain, which led to flooding and landslides, as the deadliest part of the storm, followed by damaging winds. 
  • The study further supports research that the common cause of fatalities during tropical cyclones has shifted from storm surges in coastal communities to freshwater flooding in recent years. 

Wildfires

• In California, 337 fires have burned 57,636 acres as of Wednesday. 
  • As of Wednesday, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,707 acres and is 100% contained. 
• In North Carolina, 1 fire has burned 644 acres as of Wednesday.
  • As of Wednesday, 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

• A new study predicted that the rapid melting of polar ice could shut down a key ocean current by 2050, triggering surges of sea level rise along the U.S. East Coast. 
• A new report found that the 30 National Football League cities have warmed on average by 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit during the regular season since 1970. 
  • Las Vegas, home to the Raiders, and Minneapolis, home to the Vikings, experienced the most warming, at 5.1 degrees Fahrenheit and 5 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. 
  • The 30 cities also experienced an average of 14 more extremely hot days since 1970.