Climate Impact Report – 3/6

Key Facts Of The Day 3/6

Storms and Flooding

• The risk of damaging thunderstorms and tornadoes is rising across the U.S. as severe weather season begins to ramp up.
• Three storms will move through the eastern U.S. this weekend, delivering soaking rain that may lead to disruptions in outdoor activities.

Wildfires

• The largest wildfire in Texas history has burned nearly 1.1 million acres in the Panhandle, killing thousands of livestock, incinerating crops, and destroying hundreds of structures.
  • The wildfires destroyed about 2,000 square miles of grasslands that feed tens of thousands of cattle.
  • About 3,600 animals have died, and more will be euthanized because fires burned their hooves and udders.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom dispatched members of the California National Guard to Texas to help fight the massive wildfires in the Texas Panhandle.
• New research by the University of Washington found that wildfires can worsen mental health.

Extreme Heat

• In the U.S., about 78 locations across the country tied or broke a record high on February 26 and 69 on February 27. 
• As a multi-year drought persists on the Prairies, ranchers are making the tough choice to reduce or sell off their herds.
• A new study found that the Arctic could have summer days with practically no sea ice within the next decade due to emissions from burning fossil fuels.
  • Consistently ice-free Septembers could be expected by 2035 to 2067.
  • By the end of the century, there is potential for ice-free conditions between May and January under a high-emission scenario and August to October under a low-emission scenario.