Caught between wildfires and snowstorms: US battles with climate crisis as experts caution on future impacts

The United States witnessed a week of extreme weather, with raging wildfires on the West Coast and a major winter storm on the Eastern Coast impacting schools, businesses, and travel.

The wildfires began on Jan 7 mainly affecting Pasadena, Altadena, and the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles ravaging over 16.5 square miles (42.7 square kilometers).

Although the two events are not directly related, both phenomena reflect a broader atmospheric pattern.

According to the experts, California's wildfires are driven by a combination of dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong Santa Ana winds.

California usually experiences wildfires from June to late October, but the season has extended all year round. Recently, major weather monitoring agencies confirmed 2024 as the hottest year in global history.

What’s even more concerning is that most agencies have reported that 2024 marked the first full year Earth surpassed a critical warming threshold, which is key to preventing the worst impacts of climate change.

“For the average person, this means the changes you’re experiencing — more extreme weather, rising costs due to climate impacts, threats to food and water security — aren’t anomalies,” Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University was quoted as saying.

“They’re the new normal unless we take action,” he added. Rising global warming has aided in prolonging hotter and drier seasons with big fires being witnessed in January, a phenomenon once very rare but now it is more common.

Meanwhile, the winter storms affected the south and mid-west of the US because of cold air masses (polar vortex) interacting with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico leading to snow, sleet or freezing rain depending on local temperatures.

Millions of people across the US endured blizzard conditions and cold weather for days, caused by a jet stream shifting from its usual path more frequently.

The jet stream is a high-altitude wind that moves from west to east across the Northern Hemisphere, helping to shape and move weather systems.

Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M, states there is no consensus in the scientific community linking climate change to more frequent or colder winter storms.

The National Weather Service typically issues weather alerts two to three days before extreme events, allowing time for people to prepare.

Meteorologist Paul Kirkwood advises staying indoors during snowstorms and cold weather to avoid dangerous, slick roads.

According to the latest reports, winds are picking up again around Los Angeles into early Jan 12. Santa Ana winds are expected to bring gusts of 60-70 mph (96-112 kph) to the high ground, while coastal and valley areas will experience gusts of 35-55 mph (56-88 kph).

By Jan 12 afternoon, winds will shift direction, with onshore winds developing along the coast. Another round of strong Santa Ana winds is anticipated on Jan 14-15.

In one of the worst wildfires in the US, approximately 36,000 acres of Los Angeles were scorched leading to the destruction of 10,000 homes and businesses.

The death toll has risen to 16, with concerns that it may increase as search and rescue operations continue.

Authorities in Los Angeles are currently managing four major wildfires. The largest, the Palisades fire, is 11% contained and covers 23,654 acres, threatening areas like Brentwood, Encino, and Mandeville Canyon.

The Eaton fire, north of the city near Pasadena, covers 14,118 acres, with 15% containment. The Kenneth fire is 1,052 acres and 90% contained, while the Hurst fire spans 799 acres and is 76% contained.

There are 11 deaths linked to the Eaton fire, while five deaths are related to the Palisades fire.

“The last week of weird weather has been alarming,” Natalie Mahowald, chair of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University was quoted as saying.

“I hope it’s not a sign of things to come because we’ve barely seen any climate change compared to what we are going to get unless we radically cut CO2 emissions,” she added.