Latest news with #BMTN
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Spring ended up hotter and wetter than normal in Minnesota
Spring ended up hotter and wetter than normal in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Well, here we are, wrapping up meteorological spring in Minnesota Saturday. Summer, in our world, begins on Sunday, June 1. It was a warmer than normal May and spring for the state. Precipitation on a spring-wide basis was generally above normal but May was a mixed picture. Let's look at May warmer than normal conditions were driven largely by that 10 day heat wave we had in the first month. Despite the last 7 to 10 days of below normal temperatures, it couldn't overcome that "temperature surplus." We averaged anywhere from +1 deg F above normal in the southeast to as much as +6 deg F above normal in northwest Minnesota. Remember Northwest Minnesota bore the brunt of that heat when Hallock hit 100 degrees!Rainfall was highly variable depending on where you were. Central Minnesota saw above normal rainfall thanks to that deluge we had mid-May of up to 4 inches of rain for some. Total May rainfall was 4-5 inches for central and south central Minnesota. Far southern and far northern Minnesota had a dry May however. Those areas missed the soaking rains of May 19-21. Parts of northern Minnesota were behind by as much as 2 inches, meaning they saw just about one tenth of normal May rainfall in some spots. BUT, spring on the whole was mostly wet for the vast majority of the state, including many of those areas that didn't fare as well in May. As for spring temperatures, it was warm statewide just as May was. Spring temperatures averaged +1 to +2 deg F above normal for most of Minnesota which is quite significant when you remember that we're averaging 184 numbers together (92 highs and lows: March 1–May 31). Spring has been somewhat of an enigma in Minnesota in recent years. While most seasons have been warming rapidly, spring has been nearly flat with some warm seasons (such as this year) but also some unusually cold ones with snowy Aprils. The summer outlook officially calls for warmer and drier than normal conditions. As I've stated many times, it's a good wager to bet on a warmer than normal summer without looking at anything but climate data, since almost 75% of summers since 2000 have brought above-average heat. BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuation order lifted for 1 of 3 wildfires in northern Minnesota
Residents living in the vicinity of one of three wildfires burning in St. Louis County have been told they can return home. The evacuation order was lifted for areas around the 1,600-acre Munger Shaw Fire, with the news confirmed on Thursday evening by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey. "It was lifted earlier this evening due to the more favorable weather conditions and successful work on preventing further spread, residents have been allowed to return to their properties beginning earlier tonight," Ramsey said. The fire is now considered 25% contained, according to a Friday update from the Minnesota Incident Command System. "I'm happy to report the Munger Shaw Fire was much better than it was the last few nights, and hopefully with the rain we received this evening we can take that one off the list," he added. "Residents will be able to come and go as they need." The storms that passed through northern Minnesota on Thursday evening dropped around three-quarters of an inch of rain in parts of the Iron Range, bringing much-needed relief to the dry conditions that helped fuel the fire. But the winds that preceded it caused significant concern for responders particularly those fighting the 15,000-acre Jenkins Creek Fire, which Ramsey said "did continue to expand" on Thursday. This expansion prompted changes to the evacuation zones, moving the City of Hoyt Lakes into the second-highest alert – "SET" – which recommends residents be prepared to evacuate if needed. "We had some worries this afternoon when that wind really picked up," Ramsey said. "The heavy wind was gusting to the 30s as the storm moved in, and we we heard there was a gust of 74mph in Hovland. "We were really concerned about that fire and what was happening with it, however the rain came and diminished the worries significantly for tonight (Thursday)." While evacuation zones are still in effect for the Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires, authorities said residents would be allowed to return to their homes temporarily during the day on Friday provided they check in with officials at Hugo's Bar in Brimson. They must be out of the homes by 8 p.m. BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Charges allege Twin Cities church volunteer sexually assaulted 4 children
A St. Paul man is accused of sexually assaulting four young children while volunteering at a Twin Cities church this year, according to new criminal charges. Joshua Alirio Seeman, 50, has been charged in Ramsey County District Court with two counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the allegations. Seeman is accused of sexually assaulting three boys and one girl in bathroom stalls during Sunday school while volunteering at King of Kings Lutheran Church and School in Roseville, charges state. According to the criminal complaint, the victims include a six-year-old boy, a five-year-old boy, a four-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl. The first report was made on April 6 and the other three were reported to police on April 7. In each instance, Seeman would either use Facebook messenger or text the parents of the children after the alleged assaults had taken place, asking if the parents needed a babysitter or about their statuses of coming to school. Seeman was arrested on April 10. The criminal complaint describes Seeman as a "cognitively delayed" adult. Court documents show that he also has a pending 2022 case where he's been charged with 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly luring a vulnerable adult to a bathroom and sexually assaulting them. A notice of intent to prosecute was filed in the case on April 9. Prosecutors believe Seeman is a high risk to public safety, asking the court for him to remain in custody. He's being held at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center as of Tuesday. Precautions have been put in place due to Seeman's cognitive disability. Investigators have been advised to not interview him by his brother, who is his legal guardian. Bring Me The News reached out to King of Kings Lutheran Church and School but have not received a response. BMTN also reached out to Seeman's attorney for comment and haven't heard back.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eagan mother tragically dies after breast cancer worsens on Mexico vacation
An Eagan family is in desperate need of support after the tragic death of 44-year-old Jodi Taylor, whose health took a turn for the worse while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico. Taylor, 44, who was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer in 2018, was vacationing with her husband, Scott, their 13-year-old son and their nine-year-old daughter when she fell ill. She was admitted to an emergency room and then an intensive care unit on March 30. Her close friend Patricia Peterson told Bring Me The News that she had been experiencing some liver issues prior to the trip. Taylor was in the ICU from that Sunday until Tuesday, April 1. Peterson said due to Jodi's urgent medical needs, her husband Scott made the decision to get her cleared to fly home on a Medevac flight. However, insurance would only pay to have her flown to Florida and Scott opted to pay out of pocket so she could be home in Minnesota with her family and friends. After Scott's sister had flown to Mexico to watch over the children while Scott was with Jodi, the kids were able to fly separately back to Minnesota late Wednesday night to see their mother. "Shortly after the kids arrived and were able to see Jodi, she passed peacefully with her family at 8:16 p.m.," Peterson said. A fundraiser, launched on SupportNow, looks to recoup costs for Jodi's hospital stay while in Mexico, the Medevac and the funeral. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised nearly $27,300 of its $75,000 goal. Peterson says Jodi worked as a Medicare analyst specialist for CVS and "enjoyed crocheting, reading, camping and spending time with her kids and husband." "Jodi was a selfless person. She put everyone first, even after her diagnosis," Peterson tells BMTN. "She lived life and wanted to spend time with her family traveling." Peterson says her friendship with Jodi dates back to 2003. "I considered her as my sister. We texted all day every day. My world has changed since she left... we crocheted together, we spent as much time [together] as we could," Peterson said. Visitation has been planned for Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Klecatsky & Sons at 1580 Century Point in Eagan. A funeral service will take place on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Easter Lutheran On the Hill at 4200 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wacky March has brought biggest snow of season, record warmth and storms to Minnesota
The old phrase for March, "in like a lion, out like a lamb" doesn't seem to apply this year. On a national and Minnesota level, it's been an active month. We've had our biggest snow storm of the entire season, record warmth, and severe storms all within a couple weeks! Even for March in Minnesota, that is extreme. Last weekend saw incredible record warmth and an unusually deadly severe weather outbreak, all a part of the same system of weather. It appears at least three dozen people were killed in severe storms March 14-16. There were 182 reports of tornadoes over the course of that 3 day period. Sign up for our BREAKING WEATHER newsletters While Minnesota had just one severe thunderstorm report (58 mph wind gust picked up in Fairmont Friday evening, March 14), the heat we experienced helped to fuel the record-breaking setup. Rapid attribution analyses have become key to understanding climate change's impacts on these specific events, or at least their elements. We know the temperatures on March 14 were made 2 to 4 times more likely due to climate change. Not only did we break the record for the date of 73 degrees set in 2012, but it was the earliest we had ever reached 75 degrees. Those new 'heat thresholds' are more important and sobering stats than daily records. While the low pressure didn't quite break records, it got close for Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota, within a few millibars (how we measure air pressure). It might be hard to imagine how a 75 degree, sunny day can create such havoc, but it's the energy or fuel for any setup that a storm system can then take advantage of. The more heat, the more storm potential. We measure thunderstorm potential energy by a term called C.A.P.E. or convective available potential energy. This is a measure of instability. The primary driver of instability with thunderstorms is both heat and moisture (temperature and dew point). The "spark" is an atmospheric disturbance or storm system that provides the forcing. The number of days with C.A.P.E. now above 1,000 J/kg (a good threshold for the difference between a garden variety thunderstorm and potentially severe storms) has changed by as much as 10 more days in eastern Minnesota. In those areas most affected by the 'Ides of March' storms it's as much as 20 additional days in a year. The storm was so intense, that it sucked wildfire smoke from the central and southern Plains into Chicago and Milwaukee, creating 'red' or unhealthy air quality Saturday, March 15. It is extremely rare to have that kind of air quality this early, that far north Let's hope March 2025 isn't an indicator of what's to come the remainder of spring and summer but given the trajectory of temperatures and extreme events we should probably be prepared for more bumpy weather. BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.
