Climate Impact Report – 2/16

Quick Facts

40 Million

As of Thursday morning, more than 40 million people from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes will be at risk for severe weather.

Dust Storm

On Tuesday, a sudden dust storm dropped visibility to near zero and led to a deadly 10-vehicle pileup in Oklahoma.

3X Snow

Albuquerque, New Mexico, has received 1.5 inches of snow since February 1, which is more than three times the amount of snow that has fallen in New York City.

Key Facts Of The Day 2/16

Storms and Flooding

  • As of Thursday morning, more than 40 million people from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes will be at risk for severe weather.
    • As of  Thursday morning, a tornado watch was issued for more than 1.7 million people in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
      • In addition to the tornado threat, severe storms could also spawn frequent lightning strikes and flash flooding.
      • Damaging wind gusts, hail up to ping-pong-size, and a few tornadoes are possible in the warned region.
    • As of Thursday morning, bands of moderate to heavy snow moved across the northern Plains, creating treacherous travel conditions.
    • On Thursday morning, thunderstorms producing heavy rain and flash flooding across northwestern and south-central Kentucky prompted multiple flash flood warnings.
    • Thursday’s threats of intense snowfall in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area have led to over a dozen school closings thus far.
  • A significant ice storm is set to unfold across northern New York state and northern New England Thursday night into Friday.
  • On Tuesday, a sudden dust storm dropped visibility to near zero and led to a deadly 10-vehicle pileup in Oklahoma.
  • On Tuesday, bitter cold, rain, and snow blew across much of the southwestern U.S., closing stretches of interstate and state highways in northern Arizona.
    • Early Tuesday, winds gusting up to 88 MPH were recorded in the central Sierra at Mammoth Mountain south of Yosemite National Park.
    • A winter storm warning remained in effect into Wednesday evening for much of northern Arizona and New Mexico.
  • A recent winter storm has brought more snow to parts of New Mexico than some cities in the Northeast have seen all season.
    • Albuquerque, New Mexico, has received 1.5 inches of snow since February 1, which is more than three times the amount of snow that has fallen in New York City.

Wildfire

  • As of February 3, there are currently 0  large active wildfires that have burned 0 acres across the country.
  • As of February 3, 1,688 wildfires have burned 12,882 acres across the country.

Extreme Heat

  • The area of sea ice around Antarctica has hit a record low and is expected to shrink even further before this year’s summer melting season ends.
  • In 2022, the waters off New England, home to rare whales and most of the American lobster fishing industry, hit the second-warmest year on record.
    • The warming is driving species more associated with southern waters – such as black sea bass, which prey on lobsters – into the Gulf of Maine and altering its food chain.

New Reports and Data

  • A February 2023 study found that an upsurge in rocket launches could impact the ozone layer.
  • A February 2023 study found that coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific could survive into the 2060s.

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