Dramatic swings between weather extremes, also known as “hydroclimate whiplash”, could be getting worse due to climate change, researchers say. A UCLA study found that transitions between wet and dry conditions have increased by up to 66% globally. Los Angeles experienced wet winters in 2023 and 2024, followed by a hot summer and dry rainy season, which has contributed to the devastating wildfires the city has been experiencing. “This whiplash sequence in California has increased fire risk twofold: first, by greatly increasing the growth of flammable grass and brush in the months leading up to fire season, and then by drying it out,” climate scientist Daniel Swain said. (Study Finds)
Study: Hydroclimate Whiplash Could Be Making California Fires Worse
Jan 12, 2025 | 7:01 PM