It was a tumultuous week of contrasting weather phenomena. The week kicked off with frigid conditions enveloping millions of people in the U.S. as a result of a deviation in the jet stream’s usual path. Simultaneously, California experienced a catastrophic outbreak of wildfires fueled by fierce winds in a landscape parched from prolonged drought, marking the worst wildfires in Los Angeles history. Adding to the turmoil, major global weather monitoring agencies declared 2024 as the hottest year on record. Alarmingly, four out of six agencies reported that Earth had exceeded a critical warming threshold, signaling the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change.
Experts warn that this turbulent week is a glimpse into the future of the climate crisis, with more extreme events on the horizon. Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor, emphasized that the disruptions people are witnessing, including severe weather, escalating costs from climate impacts, and threats to food and water security, are becoming the new norm unless decisive action is taken. Natalie Mahowald, chair of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, expressed concern over the recent weather anomalies, urging immediate reductions in CO2 emissions to avert further climate chaos.
The week’s events unfolded as follows:
Monday:
The week commenced with a blast of cold air, attributed to the rapid warming of the Arctic. This disparity in temperatures between the polar region and lower latitudes, along with diminishing sea ice, destabilizes the polar vortex and alters the jet stream, leading to more frequent cold outbreaks amidst overall global warming. The resulting blizzard blanketed parts of Kansas in unprecedented snowfall, causing power outages in Kentucky and creating hazardous travel conditions across multiple states.
Tuesday:
Out West, wildfires ignited in the Santa Monica mountains, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds reaching speeds of 100 mph. The rapid spread of the fires forced evacuations and caused significant property damage, including homes of celebrities like Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore. Concurrently, the Eaton Fire ravaged Altadena, claiming two lives and prompting closures of school districts. Climate change exacerbated these wildfires by creating ideal conditions for their ignition and spread.
Wednesday:
The week saw a transition to water-related challenges as communities grappled with firefighting efforts amid the ongoing blazes.
The Palisades fire in Los Angeles intensified in the morning, with reports of some hydrants running dry due to being overstressed without air support from firefighting aircraft. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power attempted to alleviate the situation by pumping water from aqueducts and groundwater into the system. However, the demand was so high that it proved insufficient to refill three 1-million gallon tanks in the hilly Pacific Palisades area. Over 1,000 buildings were reported to be engulfed in flames as a result of the fire.
Simultaneously, the Sunset Fire also ignited, posing a threat to the Hollywood Hills and prompting mandatory evacuations in Hollywood. President-elect Donald Trump took the opportunity to criticize state and local officials’ water management policies, though experts refuted these claims, stating that they were unfounded and misleading during a time of crisis.
By the afternoon, calmer winds provided some relief to firefighters, allowing them to make progress. However, at least five fires were still active, with some burning out of control in the Los Angeles area. Scenes of devastation began to surface, including the recovery of a body from the remains of a beachfront residence in Malibu.
AccuWeather, a private weather data provider, estimated that the total damage from the wildfires could potentially reach $57 billion, although a comprehensive assessment of the destruction was still pending. Concurrently, another winter storm loomed over the South, with warnings and advisories issued for at least 20 states that had recently endured similar weather conditions.
On the following day, major weather monitoring agencies declared that 2024 had been the hottest year on record, surpassing the previous year. Notably, 2024 marked the first time since the late 1800s that the global average temperature exceeded the long-term warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The prevalence of extreme weather events like those experienced during the week was cited as a growing concern by experts.
Barbara Hofer, a psychology professor at Middlebury College, noted that the scale of such disasters was impacting a larger population simultaneously, leading to escalating losses. Hofer expressed worries about the potential for denial and misinformation surrounding climate change, particularly with the impending change in administration. President-elect Trump’s stance on federal climate action, including his promise to roll back existing legislation addressing climate change, raised concerns among experts.
Hofer emphasized the importance of addressing denial and misinformation to tackle the challenges posed by climate change effectively. She highlighted the need for collective efforts to combat the forces fueling denial and misinformation in order to bring about positive change.
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