Climate Impact Report – 3/13

Key Facts Of The Day 3/13

Storms and Flooding

• California’s Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park remain closed indefinitely due to toppled iconic trees, storm debris, and a sinkhole.
•  A large winter storm is expected to drop several inches of snow in northern Arizona starting Wednesday and into the weekend.
• On Wednesday evening, nearly impossible travel conditions are expected during an upcoming winter storm in Colorado.
  • In the mountains and foothills, forecasters still expect between two and four feet of snow to fall through Thursday night, and travel conditions could stay dangerous well into Friday.

Wildfires

• As of Wednesday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire – the largest wildfire to ever burn across Texas – burned 1,058,482 acres and is 89% contained.
• As of Wednesday, the Windy Deuce Fire burned more than 144,000 acres and is 94% contained. 
• The Texas Panhandle still faces extremely critical fire weather.

Extreme Heat

• Florida is the hottest state in the country and has some of the highest hospitalization rates due to heat illness, but heat standards only protect student-athletes.
  • The number of workplace fatalities from heat has doubled since the 1990s, averaging over 40 workplace deaths a year for the last five years. 
• Industry experts say the price of bananas globally is very likely to rise due to the impact of climate change.