Key Facts Of The Day 5/24

Storms and Flooding

• This week, thunderstorms with very little rainfall, but plenty of lightning, will also be possible over tinder dry ground in eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado and West Texas.
• A cold front will bring showers and storms to a large part of the country just in time for the holiday weekend. 
• On Monday, a super tornado touched down in North Texas and crawled across the state as weather officials are urged residents to exercise caution by remaining in their homes and adhering to other tornado protocols.
  • The storm had wind gusts up to 70 MPH.
  • A severe thunderstorm warning was also in effect until 11 p.m. local time as showers and scattered storms were seen forming in Lubbock and Amarillo in the North to San Antonio to Houston in the South.
• On Sunday, two lines of intense thunderstorms swept through the Washington region unleashing torrents, hail and high winds but also putting on a show in the sky.
  • The storms caused about 20,000 customers to lose power in Northern Virginia and scattered downed trees throughout the area.
  • The highest reported wind gust of 68 MPH was clocked near Centreville during the second line of storms.
• On Friday, a powerful EF3 tornado with winds of 150 MPH ripped through the northern Michigan town of Gaylord, killing two and injuring 44.
  • Strong killer tornadoes are uncommon in Michigan.
  • The Gaylord tornado was the state’s first EF3 twister since the 2012 Dexter tornado, and Michigan’s first deadly twister since 2010.
  • Because of the rarity of tornadoes, the city does not have tornado sirens, and tornado awareness is a concern.

Wildfires

• As of Monday, there are currently 14 large active wildfires that have burned 536,604 across AR, CA, CO, NE, NH, NM, and TX. As of Monday, 26,486 wildfires have burned 1,730,311 acres across the country.
• In Arkansas, 1 fire has burned 117 acres as of Monday.
• In California, 1 fire has burned 682 acres as of Monday.
• In Colorado, 3 fires have burned 2,663 acres as of Monday.
• In Nebraska, 1 fire has burned 4,192 acres as of Monday.
• In New Hampshire, 1 fire has burned 106 acres as of Monday.
• In New Mexico, 6 fires have burned 517,588 acres as of Monday.
  • The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire has burned 310,253 acres and is 40% contained as of Monday.
• In Texas, 1 fire has burned 11,256 acres as of Monday.

Extreme Heat

• Gov. Gavin Newsom warns California could face mandatory water restrictions if residents don’t use less on their own as the drought drags on and the hotter summer months approach.
• As of Monday, Lake Mead’s water level is 1,049.66 feet, which according to the Bureau of Reclamation is only 30% full at this time.
  • As Lake Mead continues to lose water more relics from the past are being exposed along the once underwater shoreline.
• Lake Waco in Texas is nearly 6 feet down and rain is needed to avert city drought measures. 
• A red-flag warning and heat advisories are in place across California’s Central Valley.
  • Temperatures will climb into the upper 90s and even triple digits by Tuesday and Wednesday where daily high temperature records could be set.
  • The heat, gusty winds and dry conditions will also aid in heightened fire conditions.
  • The strongest winds are forecast on Tuesday, with sustained winds up to 25 mph and gusts to 35 MPH.
• Nearly 30% of Texas is in exceptional drought, which is the highest number since 2012.
  • Abilene set a record for the highest number of days in May with 100-degree temperatures after it recorded 12 days in May with 100-degree temperatures or higher. 
  • Corpus Christi recorded the third driest February-May period to date in 136 years of records.
• The Monday assessment from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that human-caused greenhouse gas pollution trapped 49% more heat in 2021 than in 1990.

New Reports And Data

• A May 2022 report found that human-caused greenhouse gas pollution trapped 49% more heat in 2021 than in 1990.
• A May 2022 study found that air pollution is linked to deadly heart rhythm disorder.
• A May 2022 study found that switching to low carbon fuels for transportation, cooking, heating, power generation and other needs would help fight climate change and also reduce racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to air pollution.