Climate Impact Report – 4/2
April 2, 2024
tags
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Storm
ThreatMillions of people in the eastern half of the U.S. face severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts, dangerous hail, and destructive tornadoes.
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Firefighter
DeadIn Virginia, a firefighter died after collapsing while helping put out a wildfire.
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164
citiesA March 2024 study found that the allergy season has grown longer in 164 cities since 1970.
Key Facts Of The Day 4/2
Storms and Flooding
- Millions of people in the eastern half of the U.S. face severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts, dangerous hail, and destructive tornadoes.
- On Tuesday, dangerous storms were already ongoing in the morning in the Ohio Valley, and numerous tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued.
- More than 75 million people are at risk for severe thunderstorms from the Gulf Coast to Great Lakes.
- Over 17 million people from Illinois to Maryland also face a flood threat from the storms, with flood watches lasting into the evening and rainfall totals of up to 5 inches possible.
- Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana are the most at risk for tornadoes.
- Ohio hasn’t been warned of a substantial tornado threat in over 10 years.
Wildfires
- As of last Friday, 10 large active wildfires have burned 22,372 acres across GA, KY, OK, VA, and WA. This year to date, 5,260 wildfires have burned 1,659,645 acres across the country.
- In Georgia, 1 fire has burned 175 acres as of last Friday.
- In Kentucky, 1 fire has burned 269 acres as of last Friday.
- In Oklahoma, 1 fire has burned 180 acres as of last Friday.
- In Virginia, 3 fires have burned 17,571 acres as of last Friday.
- In West Virginia, 4 fires have burned 4,177 acres as of last Friday.
- In Virginia, a firefighter died after collapsing while helping put out a wildfire.
Extreme Heat
- Heat islands in Dallas, Texas, were, on average, 10 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods in the city.
- Neighborhoods considered heat islands include the Bishop Arts District, Medical District, West Dallas, Love Field, Uptown, Oak Lawn, downtown, Deep Ellum, the Design District, and Market Center.
- A March 2024 study found that the allergy season has grown longer in 164 cities since 1970.
- On average, these cities saw the season lengthen by 19 days.
- The USDA has designated 17 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions.