Climate Impact Report – 2/9

Quick Facts

More than 8 million people are at risk for severe weather in the deep South, as storms with damaging winds, flash flooding, and scattered tornadoes are expected.
More than 40 million Americans in 20 states are under wind alerts, which stretch from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, with wind gusts topping 50 MPH on Wednesday and Thursday.
Winter alerts are in effect from Iowa through Wisconsin, with 8 inches of snow accumulation possible from Wednesday through Thursday afternoon.
A radar-confirmed tornado in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, Wednesday evening overturned trailers, downed trees, and caused injuries as part of a broader midweek storm system.

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.

The nonprofit climate communication organization, Climate Central, found that every single Super Bowl host city has seen an increase in average temperatures over that 50-year timeframe.
- Climate Central also found that Phoenix warmed the most, with recent average temperatures 5.1 degrees warmer than when the first Super Bowl was played.
Climate change is warming Wisconsin winters faster than other seasons.
- Milwaukee and Green Bay have experienced two of the five fastest-warming winters in major cities across America over the past half-century, with their average temperatures warming by about 6 degrees Fahrenheit.
After years of drought, ranchers in the U.S. face a historic hay shortage.

A February 2023 study found that more frequent atmospheric rivers hinder the seasonal recovery of Arctic sea ice.
A February 2023 study found that reducing pesticide pollution and harvesting intensity can increase crop yield and contribute to climate change mitigation.
A January 2023 study found that common levels of traffic pollution can impair human brain function in only a matter of hours.