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‘Life-threatening’ storm system batters California, with flooding and high winds

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: California faced a massive storm fueled by an atmospheric river on Sunday, causing widespread damage, including power outages, flooding, and mandatory evacuations
The storm affected both northern and southern regions, with hurricane-force wind warnings issued for the first time along the coast

🔭 The context: Approximately 36 million people were under flood watches as the storm brought not only heavy rain but also snow to mountain areas and high waves along the coast

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This event is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change, with scientists warning of the increasing likelihood of such conditions
The atmospheric rivers, especially during El Niño years, reflect what future winters in California might look like as the world continues to warm

⏭️ What's next: With several more weeks of the wet season ahead, California could face additional major storms
The state's reservoirs, already above average capacity, and the saturated ground increase the risk of flooding and infrastructure challenges

💬 One quote: “This tells us something about what California winters may look like increasingly in a warmer climate,” (climate scientist Daniel Swain)

📈 One stat: Nearly 850,000 homes and businesses were without power by late Sunday, indicating the storm's extensive impact on infrastructure and communities across California

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change

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