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The US and weather -

The US is a global leader in extreme weather and experiences countless hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires annually. They're caused in part by colliding air masses and a unique geographic setup.

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Weather disasters and their costs for America -

In 2024 alone, there were 27 billion-dollar weather disasters that cost a total of US$182.7 billion in damages! The costs of rebuilding communities after these events are skyrocketing as extreme weather conditions intensify.

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Geography and climate -

The US is extremely vulnerable to extreme weather in part due to its geography. Warm Gulf air collides with cold Arctic air and creates volatile conditions. Additionally, factors like the Rockies, the Gulf of Mexico, and the jet stream increase storm activity. Climate change also adds fuel to the fire and contributes to the disasters.

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The ocean's impact -

Warm ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico can create powerful hurricanes, and when combined with the Rockies' influence on air mass, truly destructive storms can form.

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When warm air meets cold -

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms form when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets the cold, dense Arctic air. The intense pressure and temperature contrast makes for an unstable atmosphere, driving updrafts and wind shear. 

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Jet streams -

The jet stream is a fast, narrow current of air that flows from west to east and encircles the globe. It's particularly important because it can control which regions are storm-bound. It also acts as a boundary between contrasting air masses and has a strong influence on temperatures at ground level.

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The South -

In the South, you'll find varying weather conditions ranging from tornadoes to droughts and even the occasional blizzard.

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Climate change -

As the oceans get warmer with climate change, hurricanes will become more intense, droughts more severe, and extreme rainfall even more frequent.

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Rising tide and coastal communities -

Sea levels are continually rising and will exacerbate storm surges during a hurricane. Coastal communities are especially at risk as the storms grow.

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Droughts and heat waves -

Droughts and heat waves are extremely dangerous weather conditions. They can strain our food supply and water resources, and increase wildfire risk, especially in more western states.

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Intensification -

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton grew into a category five hurricane and highlighted the growing weather dangers in the US as warmer oceans and higher air temperatures further fuel storms.

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Building in harm's way -

The US continues building and developing homes and other buildings in floodplains, coastal zones, and wildfire-prone areas. This shortsighted view of profit will cause trouble later when extreme weather occurs.

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Weak infrastructure -

In low-income communities especially, aging and inadequate infrastructure, including crumbling bridges, homes, and underfunded utilities, can turn storms into truly catastrophic events.

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Building codes -

Weak building codes can leave structures vulnerable to the intense effects of a hurricane, tornado, or other extreme weather event. It's essential that stronger codes are implemented to prevent disaster.

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Nighttime storms -

Tornadoes and storms at night are especially deadly because people are usually asleep and might miss critical safety warnings. This is a huge concern in the South where these events are quite frequent.

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The increasing toll -

Since 1980, the US has suffered over US$2.9 trillion in weather-related damages. Billion-dollar disasters are becoming commonplace and reflect the increasing intensity of these storms and the increasing cost of recovery.

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The states bearing the brunt -

Florida often bears the heaviest burden when it comes to severe storms and accounts for nearly $450 billion in damages. Here, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters have taken a real toll.

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The costliest hurricanes -

There are often extreme economic tolls that result from these storms in the US, especially in more densely populated areas.

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The insurance dilemma -

While insurance is supposed to be there to help with disasters like those discussed here, oftentimes, gaps in coverage will leave many people vulnerable.

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Hurricane Helene -

Hurricane Helene was a category four storm that caused historic levels of flooding in the Carolinas and Virginia in September 2024. It claimed 219 lives and caused a whopping $79.6 billion in damage.

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Asheville's flood -

Thanks to Hurricane Helene, Asheville, North Carolina, experienced unprecedented flooding. There were landslides, debris flows, and a ton of infrastructure damage.

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Hurricane Milton -

Hurricane Milton escalated into a category five hurricane before landfall and caused widespread devastation in southern Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene. It caused $34.3 million in damages.

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The 2024 tornado outbreak -

In 2024, six major tornado outbreaks occurred, including one with 165 tornadoes. They wrought widespread destruction across the central and southeastern US.

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The Gulf coast -

The warm Gulf coast waters provide fuel for powerful storms and hurricanes, making this particular region the most vulnerable in the nation.

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The west on fire -

Extremely long droughts and increased development in fire-prone areas have fueled a surge in destructive wildfires in the western US.

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Tornado Alley -

According to the National Weather Service, this area running up the center of the US remains a tornado hotspot.

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The human cost -

Economic losses are staggering in the US but the human toll of extreme weather shouldn't be ignored. Disasters can cause displacement, injury, and even loss of life.

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A call to action -

Addressing this weather and climate crisis will take time and a lot of dedicated, purposeful effort from all of us. It could include reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change, investing in better, more robust infrastructure, and promoting equitable recovery efforts for different communities. 

Sources: (AP) (National Centers for Environmental Information) (POdaac) (NOAA) (AXA) (National Weather Service) (Climate.gov)

See also: The link between pollution and extreme weather events

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