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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
May misery for Northeast as a chilly rainstorm unfolds
As if the Northeast hasn't received enough rain lately, a rainstorm will approach and drench the region before the end of this week. AccuWeather meteorologists say Memorial Day weekend won't exactly feel like the unofficial start of summer. Despite areas of significant drought heading into May, many areas have already received more than an entire month's worth of rain just past the midway point. Some areas in the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic even flipped from drought to flash flooding in the past week or so. More rain is on the way for many areas. From Tuesday night to Thursday night, a general 1-2 inches of rain is forecast with higher amounts in parts of western Pennsylvania, western Maryland and northeastern West Virginia. When the storm wraps up by the end of the week, some areas may have double the historical average rainfall for this month. Those with outdoor plans or travel in mind should expect wet conditions much of the time Wednesday and Thursday. The steadiest rain Wednesday and Wednesday night will extend from the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Delmarva, northwestward through the eastern Great Lakes region. The rain should hold off for much of Maine. Enough rain can fall at times farther south to bring flooding in urban areas, which can slow travel. The combination of rain and air from the Atlantic will create conditions more typical of late March or early April with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in the 40s and 50s F for many areas Wednesday. As the rainstorm focuses more on New England Thursday, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will dip even lower over portions of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and northern Connecticut. It will feel more like the 30s in much of this area. The combination of the rain, wind and cool air from the ocean will create the raw conditions in the Northeast. Winds from the east and northeast will average 30-40 mph along the coast with locally higher gusts. The same winds off the ocean for a couple of days will also push tide levels up to the point where minor flooding can occur during times of high tide, along with minor beach erosion. The slow movement of the storm and sluggish northward advancement of the rain initially may allow downpours to hold off until Thursday night in northern areas. It is also conceivable that the air will get chilly enough to allow some wet snow to fall on the highest ridges and peaks of northern New England, such as Mount Washington, New Hampshire, and perhaps Mount Mansfield, Vermont. The slow-moving storm will finally begin to break up on Friday, and it's possible that some areas along Interstate 95 in the mid-Atlantic will be free of rain for a couple of days. Some showers are still anticipated farther west over the Appalachians, around the eastern Great Lakes, and across much of New England Friday-and likely Saturday as well. The most likely time for a stretch of rain-free conditions in these rainstorm-targeted areas will be from Sunday to Monday. That's a bit of good news for outdoor Memorial Day ceremonies, parades and gatherings. However, even then, the atmosphere could still whip up spotty showers, due to unusually cold air higher up in the atmosphere. That same setup will continue the chilly overall conditions in the region, even where it rains little or not at all. On Monday, a storm from the South Central states may begin to encroach on portions of the central Appalachians and part of the mid-Atlantic region with yet more rain. The sun and sand will feel warm at the beaches this weekend, but the water is cold enough to provide a dangerous shock this time of year. Surf temperatures are generally in the 50s and 60s. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas energy demand to surge as temperatures surpass 100 degrees
A dangerous spell of summer heat is about to roast Texas, making it feel like the dog days of summer through midweek. High temperatures are forecast to exceed the 100-degree mark in Dallas, San Antonio and Austin Wednesday afternoon, enough to shatter daily records in each city by several degrees. Heat of this magnitude is even a few degrees above the historical average for the hottest time of the year. It may feel even hotter outside with the strong sunlight and humidity, with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures a few degrees higher than the actual air temperatures. In mid-May, temperatures in the 80s are more common across Texas. Energy demand to surge amid building heat The summerlike heat will cause the energy demand across Texas to approach record territory. ERCOT provides power to most of the state and is anticipating an energy demand of nearly 84,000 megawatts Wednesday afternoon. This would be just shy of the all-time energy demand of more than 85,500 megawatts set during the summer of 2023. The company is not anticipating any significant issues, however, and is expected to have an energy capacity of over 108,000 megawatts. The energy demand is expected to fall below 80,000 megawatts Thursday and Friday, according to ERCOT, as temperatures retreat after reaching peak levels Wednesday afternoon. Heat could become dangerous, deadly Heat is the deadliest type of weather in the United States, accounting for more fatalities than tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and lightning combined. In 2023, there were 555 heat-related fatalities across the country, according to NOAA. Officials are opening cooling centers across Texas this week to provide relief from the extreme weather to those who need a place to escape the high temperatures. Last June, a couple living near Houston died in their home after their air conditioning unit broke. The couple had secured a loan to pay for repairs, but they passed away during a stretch of hot weather before a maintenance worker was able to fix their cooling system. People are encouraged to check on their friends and family members living in Texas who are coping with the early summer like heat.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heat wave to bake Dakotas to Minnesota into midweek
Temperatures will soar well into the 90s Fahrenheit and may even approach 100 degrees through Tuesday over hundreds of square miles of the northern Plains. AccuWeather meteorologists continue to advise that dangers will accompany the heat. In some cases, temperatures will be 30-40 degrees above the historical average for May and shatter daily record highs by several degrees. Nearly every location will experience highs of 15-30 degrees above average for the date. High temperatures within a few degrees of 100 are in store for Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota, through Tuesday. Daily records dating back to the 1800s may be toppled. Highs well into the 90s are forecast for much of South Dakota and western Minnesota. In Minneapolis, temperatures will peak within a few degrees of 90 into Wednesday. In some cases, temperatures can eclipse the season-high mark from all of last year over the northern Plains. The early season heat can be hard on some individuals, especially those partaking in physical labor or vigorous exercise. Experts urge people to drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous activity during the midday and afternoon hours, when the sun is the strongest and AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are the highest. RealFeel® temperatures can be 10-20 degrees higher than official temperature, which is measured in the shade, about 6 feet off the ground and away from the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ Despite the early-season heat, many streams, ponds and lakes are still icy cold at this point in the spring. Individuals taking a swim are at risk for cold water shock, muscle cramps and drowning. Along with the extreme heat, gusty southwest winds will further bake the soil and vegetation. Dry grasses and leaves leftover from the winter will become a prime source of fuel for any wildfire that ignites. Small fires can rapidly escalate into major blazes and threaten lives and property. A storm pushing slowly onshore over the Northwest into early next week will eventually break the heat wave over the northern Plains. However, that could take until the middle of the week in some areas and the transition could be marked by violent thunderstorms. The dangerous storms will follow a large pocket of severe weather for the northern Rockies into Sunday night. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Summer of heat, thunderstorms and drought to unfold for US in 2025
Energy bills could run high this summer as AccuWeather long-range forecasters predict a hotter-than-normal season across large swaths of the United States. Meteorological summer starts on Sunday, June 1, and runs through the end of August, a three-month span that will feature sweltering heat, severe weather, intense wildfires and the start of a dynamic hurricane season. A family walks onto the newly replenished beach in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) Summer heat to bake central, western US Many parts of the U.S. have already had a taste of summer warmth, including Phoenix, which had its earliest 100-degree temperature reading in seven years when the mercury cracked the century mark on April 10. And this is just a preview of what's to come as it is expected to be a hot summer for most of the country. Temperatures as a whole from June through August will be above the historical average. AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters, led by Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, says the worst of the heat will be focused in the northern Rockies and across the Plains where records could be challenged on multiple occasions. Millions of homes will face higher energy bills due to the increased use of air conditioning, fans and other cooling systems. In the Northeast and across the Appalachians, the season will be full of ups and downs as heat waves are broken up by showers and thunderstorms. The tradeoff will be higher humidity, which can ultimately boost AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures, especially when the sun is shining. The number of days when temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees is forecasted to be 12-16 in New York City, 25-30 in Philadelphia, 45-50 in Atlanta and 18-24 in Orlando. Farther west, there could be more 90-degree days in 2025 compared to last year, including the predicted 16-22 in Minneapolis, 60-66 in Denver and 56-62 in Los Angeles. A trend in recent years has been warmer nights during the summer, especially in and around major cities. This could be the case again in 2025. "Less relief from the heat at night can contribute to more heat stress and health issues," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Climate Expert Brett Anderson said. "More people die from extreme heat than from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and cold weather combined." Storms, monsoon to provide breaks from hot weather Areas of the East that avoid the worst of the heat may face an uptick in showers and thunderstorms, including the risk of severe weather. "The Gulf is warm and will lead to intense severe weather events into summer," Pastelok explained. The storms could be more frequent in June and July than they are in August, including the potential for intense groups of thunderstorms known as derechos. Derechos unleash extreme winds over a large area, with the ability to level fields of corn, snap trees like twigs and cause power outages that last over a week. The zone that faces the highest risk of derechos includes the northern Plains, the Ohio Valley and the Tennessee Valley. Later in the summer, tropical storms and hurricanes that make landfall can contribute to tornado activity. Lightning strikes the Empire State Building above the skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. (Photo by) The North American monsoon is also forecast to ramp up in late June across the interior West and produce above-normal rainfall. "The monsoon may be good for improvements on drought," Pastelok said. The above-average monsoon will help to bring up river and lake levels, while also providing some relief from the high heat. The tradeoff will be flash flooding and mudslides when the worst of the monsoon-fueled thunderstorms strike. •Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ People should remain vigilant when outdoors any time thunderstorms are in the forecast, as June, July and August account for the highest number of lightning-related fatalities. Every thunderstorm poses a risk of lightning, and it only takes one strike to abruptly end a day at the beach, on the golf course or hiking in the mountains. Drought to prime wildfire season The same areas that experience some of the hottest weather compared to the historical average will also face worsening drought, which will cause the wildfire season to escalate quickly. "Drought coverage will be widespread across the High Plains and West this summer," Pastelok said. This would be the opposite of last summer across the Midwest and northern Plains, where rainfall was more frequent throughout the summer months. "Drought can have a big impact on the growing season in this region, including spring wheat, corn and soybeans." While the monsoon can provide much-needed moisture and help combat wildfires, the associated thunderstorms will also bring lightning strikes, which can ignite new blazes. There is a higher risk of these fire-starting thunderstorms at the onset of the monsoon when the landscape is at its driest. Read AccuWeather's breakdown of the Tropics could spawn storms early A dynamic hurricane season is predicted for the Atlantic in 2025, and it could start quickly. "Drought can improve quickly early in the summer from Florida to the Carolinas due to frequent cool fronts and tropical moisture," Pastelok said. The same warm water that will promote thunderstorms across the East could also fuel tropical storms or even hurricanes in the Gulf, Caribbean and Atlantic, especially in July and August. There is also the chance that a storm will develop before the official start to the season, which is June 1. This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken at 4:16 p.m. EDT on Friday, July 5, 2024, and provided by NOAA, shows Hurricane Beryl over Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. (NOAA via AP) Beryl was one of the most powerful hurricanes of the 2024 season. It initially spun up in late June, becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record. It eventually generated dozens of tornadoes in the United States and resulted in power outages that lasted over a week. AccuWeather is predicting 13 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six direct U.S. impacts during the Atlantic hurricane season this year. "Similar to last year, northern and eastern portions of the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas are at a higher-than-average risk of direct impacts this season," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva explained. "Atlantic Canada and the northeastern Caribbean are also at an increased risk of direct impacts." Read the complete .
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hot, dry weather to boost wildfire risk in Florida
Surging temperatures and ongoing dryness across much of Florida will raise the risk of wildfires this week, AccuWeather meteorologists advise. April is often a great month to enjoy comfortable temperatures, moderate humidity and little risk of thunderstorm activity. This week, however, while humidity levels will be rather low and thunderstorms are likely to be scarce, temperatures will climb above the historical average--generally 4 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit above the average. Widespread highs in the mid-80s to the low 90s are in store this week. While most locations are not likely to set daily record highs, some may come within a few degrees. When combined with intense late April sunshine, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can approach the mid-90s to 100 degrees for a time in the afternoon. That can pose some health risks to those not used to the heat coming out of the winter season. Even seasoned Florida residents are encouraged to stay the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ Much of the Florida Peninsula has been experiencing below-historical-average rainfall at a time of the year when rainfall is typically low to begin with. Of the approximate 2.50 inches of rain Orlando typically receives this month, less than 0.40 of an inch of rain has fallen. The dryness extends well through the start of the year in Orlando and many other locations. Conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought over the Florida Peninsula, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The combination of intense sunshine, dry brush, dry air, heat and dry, sandy soil will boost the risk of wildfire ignition this week. People are advised to use caution with outdoor power equipment, open flames or anything that produces sparks. As long as precautions are taken regarding heat exhaustion and outdoor fire safety, this week should be ideal for heading to the beach, golf course or theme parks. As May progresses, the likelihood of thunderstorms typically increases as humidity levels climb. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
