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Researching and reporting the science and impacts of climate change 🌎

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🗣️ “This kind of persistent extreme heat – especially during peak bushfire season – the landscape dries out rapidly, increasing the risk of dangerous bushfire conditions....These events are increasing the frequency & intensity of bushfires" - @kaitlyntrudeau.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 9:13 PM
📍 Jan. 7–11: Daily temps reached/forecasted:

CSI Level 2 — a strong climate change fingerprint — in cities including Sydney, Newcastle, and Alice Springs.

CSI Level 5 — almost impossible without climate change — across much of South Australia, southern NT, and parts of southeastern NSW.
January 8, 2026 at 9:13 PM
📈Why is there is upward trend in billion-dollar disasters?
1. There is a growing number of people, homes, and businesses exposed to these hazards.
2. Climate change is causing an increase in frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather.
That's a bad combo.
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Severe storms are the most frequent type of billion-dollar weather and climate disaster, accounting for more than half of all such events in the U.S. since 1980.

And the last three years have seen a ton!
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
🌊If it seems like billion-dollar disasters have been happened more often, you're right!

The average time between disasters in 2025 was just 10 days.

In the 1980s, it was 82 days. 🗓️
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
🔥🌪️⛈️The 23 billion-dollar disasters included 1 wildfire, 1 drought/heatwave and a record 21 severe weather events.

The past three years rank highest for the annual number of billion-dollar disasters.
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
📊RESOURCES:

• Climate Shift Index: Ocean | csi.climatecentral.org/ocean

• Heavier Rain Rates in US Cities | www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...

• Latest Forecast | www.weather.gov/hfo

• Drought Monitor | droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/S...
Climate Shift Index: Ocean Global Map | Today | Climate Central
The Climate Shift Index: Ocean (Ocean CSI) global map shows the influence of climate change on daily sea surface temperatures around the globe.
csi.climatecentral.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Climate change supercharges the water cycle, raising odds of heavier rain & flood risks.

📍Honolulu: heaviest rain days have increased slightly over the past 50+ years.

As warming continues, rainfall extremes are expected to rise globally, even in places getting less rain overall.
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Reminder: A warmer atmosphere is a thirstier atmosphere

It holds more moisture, giving weather systems like this Kona low more water to work with.

Warmer oceans allow for more evaporation into this bigger “sponge”...extra moisture that can be wrung out as heavier rain.
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Let's start with the moisture supply...

Ocean temperatures around the islands are running 1.5°–2°F ABOVE average for early January.

Climate Shift Index shows warmth like this is at least 10–20x more likely due to human-caused, heat-trapping pollution.
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM