Weather and climate office hours by Weather West: 10/1/2024

The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain on various topics related to extreme weather and climate.10/1/2024 edition: Today's office hour will again focus on two separate topics: The unfolding autumn heatwave across the Southwest that will reach record levels (once again) in the coming days, and further thoughts on the aftermath of devastating floods in the Southern Appalachians last week.

[jessemakesvideossometimes]

keep doing what you do Dr. Swain!!! its so necessary - I really appreciate you!

[climateteacherjohnj]

It's insane they're barely talking about the climate crisis during the presidential debates.

[amariebeaubien]

As someone with environmental engineering/water resources background, it is nuts that other engineers are saying not to worry about arkstorm scenarios. systems such as water treatment and wastewater treatment plants, stormwater catchment and drainage, are designed to handle certain 100 yr flood events. It is been shown that what constitutes a 100-yr flood has changed in the last 20-40 years. Additionally we have a LOT of aging infrastructure in the US, especially dams in California. And of course with the large fires that happen more and more frequently here in the west, you have larger burn scars which leads to much more dangerous mudflows/runoff.

[kellil]

We call them the Santa Lucia winds in SLO. I love all the local terms for the offshore winds.

[michelecraig]

Take ways: infrastructure planning and maintenance needs to take climate change into account; disaster planning should include alternate communication systems, NFS needs to modify their view on fire personnell. We all need to care about this. I just saw the movie, "Look Up" and sadly, i thought of you, Daniel. All of you scientists are screaming at the top of your lungs (and pens and cameras) and some of us are listening.

The problem i have is how to apply pressure in the proper places. I guess write to the USFS and support more firefighter resources and controlled burns.