Overview

• Five southern states, including Louisiana and Georgia, have declared states of emergency due to an impending winter storm bringing snow and freezing temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F).
• Meteorologists have issued weather warnings for 40 million people, with snow expected in regions as far south as Florida and hundreds of flights already canceled.
• In Los Angeles, firefighters are working to contain two major wildfires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed over 12,000 buildings and claimed 27 lives.
• Authorities warn that returning Santa Ana winds and dry conditions could reignite fires or spark new ones, with evacuation orders still impacting tens of thousands of residents.
• Experts link the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, including wildfires and storms, to the effects of climate change, highlighting the urgent need for mitigation efforts.