Currently in Portland — January 7th, 2022

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A rather strong burst of wind could occur this afternoon in conjunction with a wave of tightened pressure gradients that approaches the Willamette Valley— expect gusts in the 40-50 mph range at times. Isolated areas could even have gusts higher than that— combined with rain it is possible that power outages and downed trees could be an issue. Although most models are onboard, it’s worth noting that this is a somewhat tenuous setup, so be prepared but don’t be surprised if the burst of high winds is rather quick and subsides just as fast as it revved up. This weekend looks far tamer and much better for outdoor activities. — Kavin Iyengar

More than 40 percent of Americans experienced some form of climate-driven extreme weather in 2021, according to recent reporting from the Washington Post. Their analysis also shows that almost every American— more than 80 percent— experienced a heatwave this past year. And, 15 percent live in a county that experienced a fire disaster.

The U.S. has historically contributed the most greenhouse gases out of any other nation globally, however, the U.S. has been slower to experience the actual effects of climate change, compared to some other nations on the frontlines of the climate crisis. That time is coming to an end as the climate crisis intensifies and puts Americans at risk every day.