Climate Impact Report – 2/24

Quick Facts
Rare Blizzard
As of Friday morning, a storm threatened rain and snow across the west and prompted rare blizzard warnings in Southern California.
122K Outages
As of Friday morning, more than 122,000 homes and businesses were without power in California.
Heat Records
This week, the Southeast recorded over 50 daily record highs.
Key Facts Of The Day 2/24
Storms and Flooding
- As of Friday morning, a storm threatened rain and snow across the west and prompted rare blizzard warnings in Southern California.
- In its first-ever blizzard warning, the National Weather Service in San Diego said the San Bernardino County mountains could see 3 to 5 feet of snow through Saturday morning.
- Blizzard warnings were also issued for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Saturday afternoon. Up to 5 feet of snow is possible, with some isolated areas seeing between 7 and 8 feet.
- The storm put more than 20 million people under flood watches and more than 30 million under high wind alerts across Southern California.
- As of Friday morning, more than 122,000 homes and businesses were without power in California.
- There is also a high risk for avalanches across the Sierra Nevada on Friday.
- On Thursday, the storm paralyzed parts of Oregon, trapping motorists for hours while others abandoned their vehicles on the side of the road.
- On Wednesday, the storm produced 10.8 inches of snow in Portland, giving the city its second snowiest day ever recorded.
- This week’s multiday winter storm wreaked havoc in several states across the West, northern Great Plains, the Great Lakes region, and New England.
- Several counties in Wyoming went into search-and-rescue mode after more than 40 inches of snow fell in the southern parts of the state for several days, and motorists were trapped in heavy snow.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, saw more than 13 inches in a three-day period this week.
- More than 160 vehicle crashes were reported statewide, and dozens of cars spun off roads Wednesday.
- As of Friday morning, more than 724,000 homes and businesses remain without power in Michigan.
Wildfire
- As of February 24, there are currently 2 large active wildfires that have burned 1,496 acres across the country.
- As of February 24, 3,485 wildfires have burned 28,701 acres across the country.
Extreme Heat
- This week, the Southeast recorded over 50 daily record highs.
- On Thursday, St. Simons Island, Georgia, saw a high temperature of 88 degrees, an all-time February record.
- On Thursday, Tupelo, Mississippi, reached a high temperature of 87 degrees, another all-time February record.
- On Thursday, Raleigh, North Carolina, saw a high temperature of 85 degrees, an all-time February record.
- On Wednesday, Atlanta, Georgia, hit 81 degrees —an all-time record high for February and the hottest temperature ever recorded in the city during winter.
New Reports and Data
- A February 2023 study found that more frequent atmospheric rivers slow the seasonal recovery of Arctic sea ice.
- A February 2023 study found that as sea ice declines in the Arctic, bowhead whales adjust their migration patterns, which could affect the long-term health of the whales and impact the Indigenous communities that rely on the whales.
- A February 2023 study found that the world’s forests are losing their ability to absorb carbon due to increasingly ‘unstable’ conditions caused by humans.
GET EXTREME WEATHER UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Wanna know more? Sign up for regular updates on extreme weather impacts and how you can fight for bold climate action.