From snowstorms to infernos: A week of climate crisis disrupt American lives

A week of extremes gripped the US: blizzards and frigid air swept the nation, Los Angeles faced its worst wildfires amid a relentless drought, and 2024 was confirmed as the hottest year on record. Scientists warn this is just a glimpse of the escalating climate crisis.

The central US experienced severe winter weather with snow, ice, wind, and plummeting temperatures causing hazardous travel. Kentucky set new snowfall records, with Louisville receiving 7.7 inches and Lexington 5 inches. Upstate New York recorded over 3 feet of snow due to a lake effect event. Tornado warnings were issued in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Virginia reported 135 crashes amid snow, while Charleston, West Virginia, urged residents to stay home. Temperatures were frigid, ranging from the teens in Chicago to -11°F (-11.7°C) in Minnesota. School closures were widespread across multiple states. (Photo: AP)

The Arctic’s rapid warming, at four times the global rate, led to more intense cold blasts in the US, despite overall rising temperatures. The storm caused Kansas to receive a year's worth of snow in a single day, while eastern Kentucky’s ice-coated trees took down power lines. In Washington, a US Olympian skied across the National Mall. Farmers in rural areas scrambled to protect their livestock as icy roads made travel impossible. Around 200 homeless people in Cincinnati sought refuge at a roller rink to avoid frostbite, with temperatures expected to plunge well below freezing overnight. (Photo: AP)

The Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains spread rapidly, fueled by Santa Ana winds gusting up to 100 mph. The winds were so fierce that they grounded aircraft used to fight the flames. The fire neared the Getty Museum, displacing several high-profile residents, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Milo Ventimiglia. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire in Altadena claimed two lives and led to the closure of about 10 school districts. (Photo: AP)

The Palisades fire continued to rage as the water system in Los Angeles struggled to keep up with the firefighting demand. Some hydrants ran dry due to overstressed resources and a lack of support from aerial firefighting efforts. The LA Department of Water and Power was forced to pump from aqueducts and groundwater, but it wasn’t enough to refill three 1-million gallon tanks in the Pacific Palisades. At least 1,000 buildings were lost in the fire. Meanwhile, the Sunset Fire started, threatening the Hollywood Hills and prompting mandatory evacuations in Hollywood. (Photo: AP)

Calmer winds allowed firefighters to make progress in containing the wildfires in Los Angeles, but at least five fires remained active, with some still raging out of control. In Malibu, recovery teams found a body amid the charred remains of a beachfront home. AccuWeather estimated the overall damage from the wildfires could reach up to USD 57 billion, though full assessments were still pending. Meanwhile, a new winter storm began to bear down on the South, affecting at least 20 states, many of which had already experienced severe weather just days earlier.

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles was 8% contained, while the Altadena Fire was 3% contained. The Kenneth Fire, which broke out in West Hills, was 50% contained after evacuation orders were issued. Meanwhile, a powerful winter storm that impacted Texas and Oklahoma moved eastward, bringing heavy snow and icy roads to the Southern US. Over 30,000 people lost power in northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas, and several regions, including Georgia, canceled in-person classes and closed offices due to the storm.

Saturday's weather across the US South saw continued disruptions from snow, ice, and freezing rain. Major airports like Atlanta and Charlotte reported over 300 flight cancellations and more than 250 delays. Temperatures were expected to drop after sundown, increasing the risk of refreezing and hazardous road conditions. Power outages in Georgia remained above 110,000, though restoration efforts were underway. Winds also posed risks where ice persisted. Meanwhile, the Palisades fire in Los Angeles spread towards new neighborhoods, with at least 11 deaths reported and evacuation orders in place, as winds pose risk of new fires. The fire was only 8% contained and had consumed 21,600 acres by Saturday morning.