In recent years, weather events seemingly pulled out of science fiction stories have been rampant across the world. Wildfires in California are larger and more destructive than ever, and unexpected snowstorms in the South have brought entire regions to an icy standstill. While these events may seem unrelated, the source of weather intensification is obvious and glaring: climate change. As the impacts of a warming climate become more apparent, the situation is only going to get worse.
California Wildfires
Last year, I wrote about the flooding in Los Angeles, but now, California is facing an opposite threat. Wildfires have been ravaging California for years, but their frequency, intensity, and destruction have escalated dramatically. In January alone, 4 fires broke out across Los Angeles County, including the massive Pacific Palisades fire, which burned over 15,000 acres of brush and structures. High winds at speeds of 45 to 70 mph paired with extremely low humidity made these fires spread rapidly.
According to a preliminary report by Forbes, the wildfires have already caused at least $385 million in damages in Los Angeles alone, with the majority of those losses linked to the destruction of infrastructure. The fire season seems to be starting earlier each year, with more intense flames and more frequent outbreaks.
While some fires are suspected to be the result of arson, the majority of this year’s fires have been caused by natural factors, exacerbated by the increasingly dry, hot climate. With these hotter temperatures and extended droughts, California’s wildfire season is more dangerous and more destructive than ever before. In fact, it is estimated already that there has been $275 billion in damages done in this wildfire season across California.
Snowstorms in the South
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the southern U.S. has been hit with brutal cold fronts, shattering snow and temperature records and causing chaos across the region. A blast of Siberian air has sent temperatures plummeting 20 to 30 degrees below normal from Canada to the Mexican border. This cold front has resulted in heavy snow falls across interstates in the South, causing traffic disruptions, power outages, and more than 1,700 flight cancellations per day. Many in the south were unprepared for the cold weather, leading to at least four deaths so far.
While snowstorms in the South are uncommon, they are not unheard of. However, the intensity of the storms, paired with the low temperatures, shows the unpredictability and severity of weather patterns. Climate change is often associated with hotter temperatures, but it’s also responsible for shifts in atmospheric conditions that can cause extreme cold weather. According to PBS, the warming of the Arctic is disrupting weather systems, making cold fronts more intense and unpredictable in regions that typically don’t experience freezing conditions.
Climate Change
Although both natural phenomena may seem unconnected, both wildfires in California and extreme snowstorms in the South are linked to climate change. As temperatures rise, the atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense storms and heavier precipitation in some regions, while simultaneously creating hot and dry conditions that create violent wildfires. The rise in greenhouse gases, deforestation, and other human activities have altered the natural balance of the Earth’s climate, resulting in more frequent and severe weather events.
Relief Efforts
Although it may seem as though we are powerless in the face of nature and quickly changing weather patterns, many relief efforts are already active in mitigating the impacts of these disasters.
California has mobilized firefighters and emergency responders to tackle the wildfires, and communities are coming together to support one another. The scale of the damage requires long-term strategies, including increased investment in fire prevention, as well as forest management.
President Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of the situation, threatening to withhold federal assistance unless California changes its water laws and implements voter ID requirements..
In the South, cities have been working to restore power and clear roads in the aftermath of the snowstorms, employing fleets of snow plows. These extreme events serve as a reminder that we must take greater action to combat climate change on a global scale. This includes pivoting towards renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and making cities and infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather.
The damage caused by these disasters is immense, and the path forward is unclear. But, taking action to reduce the impact on the planet, and aiming to be more adaptable, we can work together to protect communities, our environment, and our future.
