Widespread Extreme Weather Events

Pattern Signals Global Warming Across the Country On Tuesday, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projected a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year . Following up on this forecast, it’s worth taking a look at extreme weather of all types: connecting the dots is part of living in a global warming world. NOAA experts forecast an above average hurricane season, citing a variety of factors: an inter-decadal cycle, above normal sea surface temperatures and the El Niño/La Niña cycle. Scientists have found a direct link between global warming and the severity of hurricanes. They don’t say global warming is driving more frequent hurricanes, but they do say global warming fuels stronger storms – “ globally, the strongest hurricanes (category 4 and 5) have nearly doubled in frequency over the past 35 years. ” Put another way, global warming puts hurricanes on steroids. This year, NOAA says that of the 13 to 17 expected tropical storms, “ three to five could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher .” The broader context of extreme weather and consequent events such as wildfires becoming more widespread across America is that these events are on-the-ground evidence of global warming happening here, now. Less snow and rain leads to drought, fueling conditions that spawn massive wildfires. We’re seeing exactly the kind of more extreme weather events that scientists tell us to expect . Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, representing the scientific consensus of the planet’s leading climate experts, reported it’s not just global warming, it’s local warming. It’s happening where we live. What follows are examples, with citations, of extreme weather events and their related consequences across America. If we do nothing to stop global warming, scientists tell us to expect more of the same. CONTACT: Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate science expert. National Wildlife Federation 202-797-6821 Dr. Amanda Staudt provides scientific expertise for the National Wildlife Federation’s activities on global warming. Prior to joining NWF, Dr. Staudt directed the National Academies of Science Climate Research Committee and helped author more than a dozen reports on topics including the U.S. strategy for supporting climate change research, radiative forcing of climate, past records of surface temperature, and practices for effective global change assessments. She holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences (2001) and an A.B. in environmental engineering and sciences (1996) from Harvard University. Press contact: Aileo Weinmann, 202-797-6801, weinmanna@nwf.org Extreme Weather & Consequent Events in America: 2007 Wildfires: • Georgia Forestry Commission: 52 fires burning late Monday have scorched more than 345,000 acres.” May 22, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. • “Haze, Smell of Wildfires Shrouds Atlanta.” May 22, The Examiner. • Wildfires in Northern Florida have consumed over 110,000 acres as of May 21. May 21, The Ledger . • Fire in Northern Minnesota scorches 50,000 acres. May 12, Science Daily. • Forest fire burned 27 square miles in the tinder-dry New Jersey Pinelands, 6,000 people were evacuated at the height of the fire. May 20, Houston Chronicle. (see end of article) • Wildfires burned more than 4,000 acres on California’s Catalina Island, threatened rare and endangered species. May 11, NPR . • A brush fire that began in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, burned 600 acres and forced evacuation of 1,200 zoo animals. May 9, Los Angeles Times (subscription) • The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) issued its 2007 Wildland Fire Outlook , reporting high drought potential for areas throughout the United States. “Significant fire potential is expected to be higher than normal across much of the Southwest and California, portions of the Great Basin, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Alaska and the Southeast.” • “The fire-friendly conditions are partly the result of climate change. And it looks like there is more parched weather, and fires, on the way.” - May 13, NPR . Droughts: • Both the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cite intensifying droughts as a major cause of the already busy wildfire season. Precipitation in the Southeast for the first four months of the year was less than 50 percent of average in some areas. [ NOAA , under “U.S. Precipitation Highlights”] • The U.S. Drought Monitor (map, below), mirrors areas ravaged by wildfires. According to the aforementioned National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Wildland Fire Outlook , “Drought conditions have been expanding and intensifying over much of the West since last autumn…Drought relief is not expected in these areas this summer.” • Surface temperatures in April were the third highest on record. [ NOAA , under “Global Highlights”] • South Florida Drought Damaging Economy “We can honestly say this is one of the most severe droughts that we have dating back to when records started in the early 1900s,” said Randy Smith, spokesman for the South Florida Water Management District. May 18, CBS News. Floods: • “Spring Floods Inundate States Across the Central Plains.” - May 10, Environmental News Service. • “At least 20 levees have been overtopped as flood waters make their way down Missouri streams and rivers.” May 9, CBS4 . • “Thousands flee Midwest floods; rain forecast.” May 8, CNN. • The Soil and Water Conservation Society reported that larger, more extreme precipitation events are resulting in a sharp increase in soil erosion, from 4% to 95%, and soil runoff, from 6% to 100%, on certain American croplands. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: • “Fierce, Busy Storm Season Ahead, Experts Say: 13 to 17 Named Disturbances, Including 7 to 10 Hurricanes, Are Predicted.” May 23, Washington Post. • “Atlantic’s first named storm forms early.” May 9, Washington Post. If you would rather not receive future email messages from National Wildlife Federation, let us know by clicking here. National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190

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