Floods, droughts, then fires: The hydroclimate whiplash hitting the world

The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive blazes, has already scorched over 17,000 acres and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, including homes and businesses.

In Short

• The subsequent summer of 2024 brought record heat
• There was an unusually dry start to the 2025 rainy season
• This created a landscape filled with highly flammable vegetation

Los Angeles is engulfed in flames as a series of devastating wildfires wreak havoc across Southern California, driven by the phenomenon known as "hydroclimate whiplash."

This term describes the rapid shifts between extreme wet and dry conditions that have become increasingly common due to climate change.

After experiencing severe drought conditions, California was inundated with record rainfall during the winter of 2022-23, which led to significant snowpack and flooding.

However, the subsequent summer of 2024 brought record heat and an unusually dry start to the 2025 rainy season, creating a landscape filled with highly flammable vegetation. This combination of factors has set the stage for the current wildfire crisis.

The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive blazes, has already scorched over 17,000 acres and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, including homes and businesses.

The Eaton Fire has also caused significant damage in nearby areas. As of January 10, 2025, at least five lives have been lost due to these fires, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain emphasized that hydroclimate whiplash has increased fire risk in California by promoting the growth of flammable brush during wet periods, followed by extreme drying conditions. “The evidence shows that hydroclimate whiplash has already increased due to global warming,” he noted.

As firefighters battle these blazes amid strong Santa Ana winds, which have gusted up to 100 mph, evacuation orders have been issued for thousands of residents in affected areas. The situation has prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.

Experts warn that without significant action to mitigate climate change, California will continue to experience more frequent and severe wildfires. “Hydroclimate in California is reliably unreliable,” said John Abatzoglou, a climate scientist at UC Merced.

The ongoing crisis points to the urgent need for comprehensive climate action and improved water management strategies to cope with an increasingly volatile climate.