5 ms·

Great Lakes area is probably well positioned.

nostrademons 22d ago
Everybody is saying that the Great Lakes region is a climate haven, but it's intensely vulnerable to both polar vortex events coming down from Canada and wet-bulb heat waves coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. The middle of America is flat; there is no natural barrier to stop a frigid or sweltering airmass from moving in. This has already happened multiple times within just the last few years. In terms of death toll, a power outage during a severe deep freeze (with subzero temperatures and -50 wind chills) or a wet bulb event has a far greater lethality potential than wildfires. The most deadly wildfire in California history was the Camp fire that leveled the town of Paradise; it caused 85 deaths. The Oakland Hills firestorm of 1989, immortalized in SimCity and several made-for-TV movies, only caused 25 deaths. By contrast, the 1995 Chicago heat wave caused 740 fatalities, and even the 2024 polar vortex event that barely made headlines killed more people (90) than the Camp Fire. (Also note the low absolute numbers of even very severe, headline-grabbing natural disasters in developed countries. And that good construction can mitigate almost all of them. You are probably better off, in strict actuarial terms, by settling in a place where you can make a lot of money and then using it to prepare your home for disaster than by settling in a place that is cheaper but where you can't afford the latest building technology.)
ferguess_k 21d ago
I think they have their fair share of snow storms during the winter because of the vortex coming from the West. The vortex goes down from Alaska because the mountains block it, and then it turns east and goes straight to the lake area. I live in Montreal, but sometimes I see bitter weathers in Toronto during the winter. Ofc we have our share of pain, but I'm fine with snow -- raining is a huge problem in recent years -- I'm installing a French Drain right now, and hopefully it offers enough protection. However, my house is sitting on top of clay, so that could be a big issue.
- dredmorbius 21d ago
  Snow can be annoying but is rarely catastrophic. Somewhat more concerning is that tornado frequency is increasing at a ferocious rate, though most are relatively minor (EF-0 / EF-1). The total for 2026 to date is 207 ground tracks (as of 27 Aug 2026). The previous full year record was 142, and the historical average (again full-year) is closer to 50. This has knock-on effects to insurance as well as raising home and landscaping repair (downed trees, etc.). <https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2026/08/27/200-tornadoes-illinois-2026 https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2026/08/27/200-torn...> Flash-flooding is also an increasing concern, though unlike Nepal, water channels tend to be largely flat. Urban creeks, local rivers, retention ponds, and low-lying locations (underpasses, local low spots) may experience flooding, though generally flow strength is low. Basement flooding is the most likely risk.

Everybody is saying that the Great Lakes region is a climate haven, but it's intensely vulnerable to both polar vortex events coming down from Canada and wet-bulb heat waves coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. The middle of America is flat; there is no natural barrier to stop a frigid or sweltering airmass from moving in. This has already happened multiple times within just the last few years. In terms of death toll, a power outage during a severe deep freeze (with subzero temperatures and -50 wind chills) or a wet bulb event has a far greater lethality potential than wildfires. The most deadly wildfire in California history was the Camp fire that leveled the town of Paradise; it caused 85 deaths. The Oakland Hills firestorm of 1989, immortalized in SimCity and several made-for-TV movies, only caused 25 deaths. By contrast, the 1995 Chicago heat wave caused 740 fatalities, and even the 2024 polar vortex event that barely made headlines killed more people (90) than the Camp Fire. (Also note the low absolute numbers of even very severe, headline-grabbing natural disasters in developed countries. And that good construction can mitigate almost all of them. You are probably better off, in strict actuarial terms, by settling in a place where you can make a lot of money and then using it to prepare your home for disaster than by settling in a place that is cheaper but where you can't afford the latest building technology.)

ferguess_k 21d ago

I think they have their fair share of snow storms during the winter because of the vortex coming from the West. The vortex goes down from Alaska because the mountains block it, and then it turns east and goes straight to the lake area. I live in Montreal, but sometimes I see bitter weathers in Toronto during the winter. Ofc we have our share of pain, but I'm fine with snow -- raining is a huge problem in recent years -- I'm installing a French Drain right now, and hopefully it offers enough protection. However, my house is sitting on top of clay, so that could be a big issue.

dredmorbius 21d ago
Snow can be annoying but is rarely catastrophic. Somewhat more concerning is that tornado frequency is increasing at a ferocious rate, though most are relatively minor (EF-0 / EF-1). The total for 2026 to date is 207 ground tracks (as of 27 Aug 2026). The previous full year record was 142, and the historical average (again full-year) is closer to 50. This has knock-on effects to insurance as well as raising home and landscaping repair (downed trees, etc.). <https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2026/08/27/200-tornadoes-illinois-2026 https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2026/08/27/200-torn...> Flash-flooding is also an increasing concern, though unlike Nepal, water channels tend to be largely flat. Urban creeks, local rivers, retention ponds, and low-lying locations (underpasses, local low spots) may experience flooding, though generally flow strength is low. Basement flooding is the most likely risk.