Climate Impact Report – 5/3

Quick Facts

Historic Snow

Since Sunday night, up to two feet of snow fell in the hills of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in what has become a historic May snowstorm for the area.

Rail Lines

One of the nation’s busiest passenger rail lines is shut down indefinitely in Southern California after a rain-soaked cliff dumped debris on its tracks.

El Niño

Forecasters from the World Meteorological Organization report increased chances that the global climate pattern known as El Niño will arrive by the end of summer.

Key Facts Of The Day 5/3

Storms and Flooding

  • Since Sunday night, up to two feet of snow fell in the hills of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in what has become a historic May snowstorm for the area.
    • The Weather Service office for Marquette demolished the daily record of 5.4 inches of snowfall after it recorded 19.8 inches on Monday alone.
      • It also became the snowiest day in Marquette in May and so late in the year, as well as the 11th snowiest day on record overall.
      • The heavy snow led to numerous power outages and dangerous travel in the hardest-hit spots.
  • The high country of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have also witnessed rare May snow accumulation.
    • Tallies as high as half a foot or more of snow have been reported.
  • One of the nation’s busiest passenger rail lines is shut down indefinitely in Southern California after a rain-soaked cliff dumped debris on its tracks.
    • Tracks in north San Diego County have also been closed because of coastal erosion.
      • The situation has prompted the San Diego Association of Governments to push for the track to be moved to safer ground within a decade rather than an earlier plan to move it by 2050.

Wildfire

  • As of April 28, 13  large active wildfires have burned 45,376 acres across CO, FL, KS, NJ, NM, NC, OK, and WV.
  • As of April 28, 12,972 wildfires have burned 392,287 acres across the country.
  • In Colorado, 1 fire has burned 4,618 acres as of April 28.
  • In Florida, 2 fires have burned 1,353 acres as of April 28.
  • In New Mexico, 1 fire has burned 989 acres as of April 28.
  • In North Carolina, 1 fire has burned 32,400 acres as of April 28.
  • In Oklahoma, 5 fires have burned 2,384 acres as of April 28.

Extreme Heat

  • Forecasters from the World Meteorological Organization report increased chances that the global climate pattern known as El Niño will arrive by the end of summer.
    • El Niño will bring increased chances for hotter-than-normal temperatures in 2024.
    • There is about a 60% chance that El Niño will form between May and July and an 80% chance it will form between July and September.
  • An exceptionally wet and cool winter and spring so far has led to improved conditions in nearly every part of Oregon, but drought still persists.
    • Parts of eastern Oregon can still expect to face water supply problems this summer.
    • It will likely take several years with favorable weather to truly end the drought.
  • Citrus County, Florida, is going through its driest year on record since 2017, and farmers say ongoing drought conditions have been troublesome for their operations.
  • Thirteen Nebraska counties have been declared natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought.

New Reports and Data

  • An April 2023 study found that forests with a wide range of tree species sequester more climate-warming carbon.
  • An April 2023 study found that early-nesting ducks are at increased risk due to changes in climate.

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