WASHINGTON — Saying climate change has "moved firmly into the present," a federal scientific panel released a report Tuesday that catalogs the impacts of such changes, saying some would be beneficial "but many more are detrimental."

The American Southeast and Caribbean region, for example, is "exceptionally vulnerable" to rising sea levels, extreme heat events, hurricanes and decreased water resources, the report said. Seven major ports in that region are vulnerable to sea level rise. And residents can expect a significant increase in the number of hot days — defined as 95 degrees or above — as well as decreases in freezing events.

"Large numbers of southeastern cities, roads, railways, ports, airports, oil and gas facilities and water supplies are vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise," the report concludes. Among the cities most at risk: Miami and Tampa, Fla.; Charleston, S.C.; New Orleans and Virginia Beach, Va.

The findings, from the U.S. National Climate Assessment, were the result of a three-year project involving more than 300 experts and top administration officials, including President Barack Obama's science and technology adviser. The report was called for in Obama's climate action plan, launched last year.