As the West bakes, severe weather continues from Mississippi to western New York
More than 50 million people from Mississippi to western New York are under a slight risk Monday of receiving damaging wind, large-sized hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes.
Storms were already rolling through east Texas and Louisiana early Monday morning, prompting a severe thunderstorm watch. Storms are forecast to continue to move through the South, with the severe weather extending through Monday afternoon.
A cold front spanning the East from western New York to the Gulf Coast is expected to produce strong to sever storms Monday afternoon and into the evening.
A flood watch is also in place for parts of central and western New York, including the cities of Syracuse and Rochester, where 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall in a short span of time through Monday evening and could lead to flooding of rivers, streams, and other low-lying areas.
Overnight, there were more than 240 damaging storm reports from Texas to Virginia, including reports of large-sized hail, destructive wind and a few tornadoes.
Hail the size of grapefruit was reported on Sunday near Amarillo, Texas. Thunderstorms accompanied by wind gusts up to 90 mph swept across the Texas panhandle, causing widespread power outages.
A local state of disaster was declared Sunday by the mayor of the City of Canyon, Texas, a suburb of Amarillo, due to "significant storm damage" caused large-sized hail across the city.
More than 200 homes in the City of Canyon were damaged by hail that also left numerous vehicles with shattered windows, ABC affiliate station KVII in Amarillo reported.
Severe weather damage was also reported in the Dallas suburb of Bonham, Texas, where high winds partially ripped the roof off an ice cream store, according to ABC Dallas affiliate station WFAA.
One person was killed in Lafayette County, Mississippi, on Saturday when a tree fell on a vehicle during a storm, according to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. Multiple tornado warnings were issued across northern Mississippi on Saturday.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said one person was also killed in Georgia on Saturday night. The Georgia Emergency Management said the fatality occurred in Banks County when a tree fell on a vehicle.
Meanwhile, the west was dealing with extreme heat over the weekend that broke daily high-temperature records on Sunday in Seattle, which reached 90 degrees, and Portland, Oregon, which hit 96 degrees.
MORE: Massive Saharan dust cloud headed for Florida: What to know about the annual event
The hot weather is forecast to continue throughout the West through at least Tuesday.
Record high temperatures are possible on Monday in Oregon, including the cities of Portland, Eugene and Medford. Spokane, in northeast Washington, and Boise, Idaho, could also break high temperature records on Monday.
Las Vegas will be under an extreme heat warning on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures expected to reach 110.
At Death Valley National Park in Southern California, known as one of the hottest places in the world, temperatures could approach 120 degrees this week.
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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
As the West bakes, severe weather continues from Mississippi to western New York
More than 50 million people from Mississippi to western New York are under a slight risk Monday of receiving damaging wind, large-sized hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes. Storms were already rolling through east Texas and Louisiana early Monday morning, prompting a severe thunderstorm watch. Storms are forecast to continue to move through the South, with the severe weather extending through Monday afternoon. A cold front spanning the East from western New York to the Gulf Coast is expected to produce strong to sever storms Monday afternoon and into the evening. A flood watch is also in place for parts of central and western New York, including the cities of Syracuse and Rochester, where 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall in a short span of time through Monday evening and could lead to flooding of rivers, streams, and other low-lying areas. Overnight, there were more than 240 damaging storm reports from Texas to Virginia, including reports of large-sized hail, destructive wind and a few tornadoes. Hail the size of grapefruit was reported on Sunday near Amarillo, Texas. Thunderstorms accompanied by wind gusts up to 90 mph swept across the Texas panhandle, causing widespread power outages. A local state of disaster was declared Sunday by the mayor of the City of Canyon, Texas, a suburb of Amarillo, due to "significant storm damage" caused large-sized hail across the city. More than 200 homes in the City of Canyon were damaged by hail that also left numerous vehicles with shattered windows, ABC affiliate station KVII in Amarillo reported. Severe weather damage was also reported in the Dallas suburb of Bonham, Texas, where high winds partially ripped the roof off an ice cream store, according to ABC Dallas affiliate station WFAA. One person was killed in Lafayette County, Mississippi, on Saturday when a tree fell on a vehicle during a storm, according to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. Multiple tornado warnings were issued across northern Mississippi on Saturday. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said one person was also killed in Georgia on Saturday night. The Georgia Emergency Management said the fatality occurred in Banks County when a tree fell on a vehicle. Meanwhile, the west was dealing with extreme heat over the weekend that broke daily high-temperature records on Sunday in Seattle, which reached 90 degrees, and Portland, Oregon, which hit 96 degrees. MORE: Massive Saharan dust cloud headed for Florida: What to know about the annual event The hot weather is forecast to continue throughout the West through at least Tuesday. Record high temperatures are possible on Monday in Oregon, including the cities of Portland, Eugene and Medford. Spokane, in northeast Washington, and Boise, Idaho, could also break high temperature records on Monday. Las Vegas will be under an extreme heat warning on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures expected to reach 110. At Death Valley National Park in Southern California, known as one of the hottest places in the world, temperatures could approach 120 degrees this week.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
How to check the air quality near you before Saharan dust sweeps the UK
From the hottest spring on record to droughts and so-called rain bombs, it's already been an unusual year in the world of weather. Now, Saharan dust (fine particles blown from the Sahara desert in North Africa) is expected to sweep across the UK later this week, thanks to winds pushing particles high into our atmosphere. The weather warning, flagged by BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood on X this morning, is a timely reminder to check the air quality where you live – especially if you have allergies or a lung condition. Kirkwood said the dust could be visible from Wednesday to Friday and possibly noticeable on your car. But aside from car-washing woes, these dust clouds can impact our health. When the air is heavy with pollution – whether from traffic, pollen or Saharan dust – it can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness, particularly in people with asthma or other respiratory issues. "Fine particles in dust clouds can irritate inflamed airways," explains Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK. "If you have a lung condition, you may already have some inflammation in your airways, and those particles can make things worse, especially if you're outside and breathing them in." Saharan dust can be carried over to the UK on high winds, causing poor air quality and leading to health alerts for people with respiratory issues. "It's the same advice we give on high pollen days," she adds. "Take your preventer medication every day as prescribed, and make sure you have your reliever inhaler with you when you're out and about." She also recommends having a self-management plan in place. "It helps you know what steps to take when your symptoms get worse, and when to seek help." Cities, unsurprisingly, top the list. More traffic, more people, and more industrial activity mean more pollution. But that doesn't mean the countryside is immune. Farming practices, construction, wood-burning stoves, and even coal fires all contribute to air pollution. Rural areas can also see higher ozone levels, especially in warmer months. "If you're travelling along busy main roads, you're exposed to more pollution every day," says Spillett. Even your regular commuting route can make a difference. The weather plays a big role, too. Pollution tends to build up on still, sunny days when there's little wind to disperse it. "Hot, heavy air makes it harder to breathe, especially if there are added particles from something like Saharan dust," she adds. "It's like extra pollution in the mix, and it can push some people over the edge symptom-wise." If Saharan dust or traffic fumes are ramping up the pollution index, Allergy UK says there are practical ways to protect yourself: Stay indoors when you can, especially during peak pollution hours or on very hot, still days. Keep windows and doors shut to stop particles entering your home. Avoid main roads when walking or cycling; stick to quieter side streets if possible. Use recirculated air in the car, particularly in slow-moving traffic. Exercise early, when the air quality tends to be better. Shower after spending time outside to rinse off pollen and pollutants. Use antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays as advised. Choose exercise routes away from heavy traffic or industrial zones. Avoid mowing the lawn or gardening during high pollen or pollution days. If you have asthma or a lung condition, always carry your reliever inhaler, Spillett adds. If you notice you're using it more than usual, follow your action plan or check in with your GP. While masks became second nature during the pandemic, they're not a one-size-fits-all solution for pollution. Some specialist masks with charcoal filters can reduce your exposure to traffic-related gases like nitrogen dioxide. But they still don't block the tiniest, most harmful particles that can get deep into your lungs. Plus, many people with respiratory issues find masks harder to breathe through. So it's usually better to focus on avoidance and preparation. The good news? It's easy to keep an eye on what you're breathing. Use the following: Defra's Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI): Check pollution forecasts at or call 0800 55 66 77. airText: Free text alerts for Greater London, Chelmsford, Colchester and Cambridge. City Air app: Sends email alerts specifically for London residents. London Air: Monitors pollution levels across London, with a handy mobile app. airAlert: Offers free alerts for Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Sevenoaks. Many weather apps now include air quality information, and Asthma and Lung UK recommends checking this daily during high-risk periods. Finally, if you're ever unsure about symptoms or you're struggling to breathe, call NHS 111 or speak to your GP. If you want to chat things through, Asthma and Lung UK has a free nurse-led helpline on 0300 222 5800. Read more about weather: How hot it could get this summer as Met Office issues heatwave warning (Yahoo UK News, 4-min read) How climate change is making our health worse (Yahoo UK News, 4-min read) Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows (Reuters, 2-min read)
Yahoo
8 hours ago
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When and where Saharan dust storm and 'blood rain' could hit the UK this week
The UK's topsy-turvy weather is set to continue this week, with forecasters hinting at the possibility of 'blood rain' heading to UK shores. A brief blast of heat is expected for much of the country later in the coming days - only to quickly be replaced by torrential rain. And, what's more, it is predicted the downpours will bring with it some Saharan dust. Here, Yahoo News UK looks at exactly what Saharan dust is and what it could mean for the coming days. It's a mixture of sand, detritus and dust from the Sahara Desert that have been blown thousands of miles by strong winds in the upper part of the atmosphere as far north as British shores. However, for it to end up on the ground, it needs to be carried there by a meteorological vehicle, such as rain. According to the Met Office, Britain's official forecaster: "As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust." This is sometimes referred to as 'blood rain'. According to Met Office forecasters, there are currently "hints of a little bit of Saharan dust in the atmosphere on Thursday and perhaps Friday". Thunderstorms forecast for later in the week will "potentially wash any sand out of the atmosphere". Heavy rain is currently expected to start in Northern Ireland, western Wales and south west England on Wednesday night, before moving north and east over Thursday. This is then predicted to be followed by a second band of rain following the same pattern over Friday and Saturday. However, downpours are also expected to be preceded by high temperatures, reaching almost 30C in parts of southern and central England. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone, said: 'After largely benign weather early in the week, some intense, thundery showers will move in on Wednesday evening. "These thunderstorms are being triggered by some warm, humid air that is moving into the UK from the south. The intense rainfall could see 20-40mm accumulating over just a few hours, which could cause some disruption. "While there are no severe weather warnings issued at the moment, it is possible thunderstorm warnings may be issued this week.' The most obvious impact most will see from 'blood rain' is a reddish residue left on cars, pavements and garden furniture. In 2022, Saharan dust left a red tinge to snow at ski resorts in the French Pyrenees, while staff at Legoland in Germany had to deploy jet washers to hose down attractions before visitors arrived. BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood advised the public to keep an eye out for "impressive sunrise/sets" as a result of the phenomenon. As the southerly flow develops this week, there will be some Saharan dust pushing widely across the UK from later on Wednesday to Friday. You may notice this on your car! And where there are clear skies there is also the chance of some impressive sunrise/sets.@BBCBreakfast xx — Carol Kirkwood (@carolkirkwood) June 9, 2025 However, it can also have more serious consequences, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD or bronchitis. 'If there's a lot of air pollution in the air [and] if you have a pre-existing lung condition, those fine particles can get into your airway and irritate airways that may already be inflamed," said Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK. "If you're out and about and you have a reliever inhaler, make sure you've got that reliever inhaler with you.' She added: 'If you do start to get symptoms — that might be coughing, wheezing, tightness across your chest, feeling a bit more breathless — you can take that reliever inhaler and that can hopefully help with your symptoms.' One of the last widespread instances of Saharan dust affecting Europe was in March 2022, when parts of Germany, Spain and France all found themselves blanketed with a layer of red debris. But it has also struck more recently, such as last month, when the phenomenon left a brown haze hanging over Athens, the Greek capital. And last year, dust clouds over Italy saw temperatures in June approach 40C. Closer to the dust's starting point, in Africa, a dust storm in Senegalese capital Dakar shortly before Christmas reduced visibility to less than 500 metres.
