Latest news with #BrettAnderson
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke covers Eastern US, causing red sunsets
Smoke from wildfires in Canada covered most of the eastern and central United States on Monday morning and will linger through Tuesday, AccuWeather meteorologists say. Fortunately for people worried about the air quality impacting their health, most of the smoke has remained high in the atmosphere over the United States and only caused red sunrises and sunsets over the weekend. However, for areas closer to the fires in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, air quality remains poor to unhealthy on Monday morning. "Shower and thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest this afternoon and evening will help cleanse the air and help improve air quality," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alexander Duffus said. Rainfall can bring the smell of wildfire smoke down to the ground, so people who are outside during the showers and storms could catch a whiff of smoke. Residents concerned about the smoke's health effects can check their local air quality on The largest wildfire burning in Canada is the Shoe Fire in central Saskatchewan, which remains out of control and one of the many sources of smoke over the lower 48 states, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson. As of Monday morning, the Shoe Fire has burned 1490 square miles, which is equivalent to the size of Rhode Island.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Experts warn of dramatic spikes in US households' energy bills this summer: 'Unprecedented'
A new AccuWeather report forecasts searing temperatures, more frequent droughts, and higher power bills across large swaths of the United States this summer. According to the news release shared by PR Newswire, hotter weather is expected to impact millions of Americans, with meteorologists predicting temperatures three degrees or higher above average for much of the U.S. Higher energy bills are expected as people crank up the air conditioning to find relief. "Make sure your air conditioners are ready for another hot summer across much of the country, especially the western and central U.S. We expect a summer with more extremes, including extreme heat waves, expanding drought and the potential for big wildfires and major hurricanes later in the summer," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said. Droughts across the western U.S. could spark wildfires, even during monsoon season when thunderstorms trigger lightning strikes that hit dry landscape and potentially cause it to burn. Overall temperatures are projected to climb above historical averages in 45 states, with 14 in the central and western U.S. expected to see the highest temperatures. Heatwaves are extremely dangerous for the elderly, young, immunocompromised, or anyone without air conditioning, as extreme heat causes more deaths than hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and cold weather combined, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist and climate expert Brett Anderson. The impacts of scorching summer temperatures are usually worse in major cities, where the urban heat island effect makes the surrounding air feel hotter than it would in rural or suburban areas because of the dark-colored asphalt and concrete buildings. If someone lacks air conditioning, they're at a higher risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses and other health issues. In highly humid climates, warm weather can be even deadlier because the body struggles to maintain a safe core temperature without the ability to cool down through sweating. Recent studies show an alarming increase in heat-related deaths over the past two decades across the U.S., and the trend is likely to continue as global temperatures continue to climb because of the shifting climate. Human activities — namely the burning of dirty fuels such as oil and gas — are driving rapid changes in the climate that are contributing to more extreme weather. Scientists have been observing these long-term shifts in weather patterns since the mid-1800s, but the effects haven't been felt to an extreme degree until the past decade. How often do you worry about your energy bills? Every day A few times a week A few times a month Only when I pay it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. NASA reported that "the rate of change since the mid-20th century is unprecedented over millennia." "While Earth's climate has changed throughout its history, the current warming is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years," it added. Rising global temperatures act like "steroids for weather," as climate tech investor Molly Wood explained. Burning dirty fuels causes the atmosphere to trap excess heat and hold more moisture, which triggers more intense storms, hurricanes, wildfires, and every other kind of natural disaster. Addressing the overheating planet is costly, but ignoring the consequences is far more expensive. Luckily, governments, climate tech companies, and other organizations have come up with solutions to help us withstand the effects of the warming world. For example, the U.S. government just unlocked $7 billion in solar panel incentives that will help homeowners switch to cleaner energy that can reduce the pollution in the atmosphere, thereby contributing to a cooler planet. Companies have also made breakthroughs in battery tech that allow for longer storage, increasing grid resiliency and ensuring people have enough power at night when demand peaks. Installing solar panels with a backup battery system can make your home safer and more prepared to handle extreme weather events during power outages. Plus, your energy costs will be drastically lower or even reduced to nothing, allowing you to save that money for other home improvements that increase security as the climate shifts. If you're interested in going solar, the online marketplace EnergySage offers a free service that allows you to compare quotes from vetted installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installations. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
May ranks among the wettest ever in much of eastern, southern US
If it felt like the rain just wouldn't quit this May across the eastern and south-central United States, you're not imagining things. A number of towns and cities have recorded their top-five wettest Mays on record with some places already notching the top spot. And more rain can fall before the month comes to a close. Some of the locations that have experienced the wettest May on record include Jackson, Mississippi; Huntsville, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Montgomery, Alabama; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; Worcester, Massachusetts; and Lebanon, New Hampshire. The list may continue to grow through the end of the month with more steady rain in store for locations in the Northeast and the ever-drenching thunderstorms in the Southern states into the weekend. "The frequency and amount of rain is having a negative effect on agriculture and the construction industry," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "Farmers cannot cut and store wet hay, and workers cannot replace roofs during rainy weather." "The wet conditions of May are making up for areas of dryness and drought in the Northeast during March and April," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "Some places have received double or more than their historical average for May in New England, as well as portions of the South." Mongtomery, Alabama, receives 3.88 inches of rain during May on average. But, this May, the city has filled up with 8.61 inches or 222% of the historical average for the entire month. •Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ The list of issues goes beyond farmers not being able to get into their fields to plow. Mildew and fungus can become a problem. Meanwhile, construction, painting, paving and pool projects continue to face lengthy delays, and work is becoming backlogged. Hourly employees dependent on work may be furloughed. Grass-cutting operations are busy with lawns growing fast in the wet conditions, but problems arise in this industry as well, with persistent rains putting crews behind. Downpours by way of thunderstorms will persist in the Southern states through Friday before some areas start to dry out. In the Northeast, the risk of showers will extend right through the weekend, which marks the end of May and the start of June. The rain is hampering outdoor activities such as ball games and exercising. Those spending money and time on travel are finding that Mother Nature has other plans for their golf games or a vacation at the beach or lake. 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
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What will summer weather be like in South Dakota this year? Here's what AccuWeather predicts
This summer is expected to be hotter than normal in South Dakota and across the central U.S., according to AccuWeather's long-range forecast. The meteorological start to summer is June 1, and it runs through the end of August – three months that, across the country, will feature "sweltering heat, severe weather, intense wildfires and the start of a dynamic hurricane season," AccuWeather's report says. Temperatures across much of the U.S. are expected to be above the historical average from June to August, with the worst heat in the northern Rockies and across the Great Plains. South Dakota won't be an exception, with temperatures forecast to be three degrees or more above the historical average from June to August in most of the state, according to AccuWeather's forecast. In the Sioux Falls area, high temperatures have already reached the upper-80s in May, with the average monthly temperature near 80 degrees, a National Weather Service report says. The high temperatures forecast this summer will likely mean more expensive air conditioning costs for millions of families nationwide. But without relief from the heat, people are more likely to suffer from heat stress and other health issues, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist and climate expert Brett Anderson. "More people die from extreme heat than from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and cold weather combined," Anderson said. South Dakota has been plagued by drought since 2024, though recent rainfall has somewhat improved the situation, according to a South Dakota State University Extension report. The U.S. Drought Monitor reduced the drought area from 100% to 58% of the state between April 1 and May 8. Still, with higher-than-average temperatures expected, AccuWeather's long-range forecast predicts nearly the entire state will be at a moderate to high drought risk this summer. "Drought can have a big impact on the growing season in this region, including spring wheat, corn and soybeans," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: AccuWeather forecasts a hot, dry summer for South Dakota in 2025
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How climate change is influencing tornadoes
Are tornadoes getting worse because of climate change? It's a question many are asking, especially as headlines highlight unusual outbreaks and shifting storm patterns. A recent National Geographic article explored that connection, and AccuWeather Climate Expert Brett Anderson sat down with Senior Meteorologist Dan DePodwin to unpack the science behind it on a new episode of Climate in the News on the AccuWeather Network. Tornado numbers: correlation without causation Although the number of observed tornadoes has increased over the past 50 years as the globe has warmed, much of that uptick is likely due to advancements in Doppler radar technology, increased storm chasing and better video documentation, Anderson said. Interestingly, there has been no significant observed change in the frequency of major tornadoes, because those higher-end tornadoes are less likely to go unnoticed. Two twisters spinning side-by-side in Akron, Colorado. (AccuWeather/Tony Laubach) More heat but less wind "Climate change adds heat to the atmosphere. Heat provides energy. So you'd think we'll see stronger tornadoes." Anderson explained. "However, with added heat, we're seeing weaker jet streams because the Arctic is warming very rapidly. So the temperature difference between the north and the south is less. The jet stream's weaker. So you have less wind shear, which is critical for the formation tornadoes." Tornado alley has shifted Another notable finding is the shift or expansion of "Tornado Alley" from the Great Plains to the southeastern United States over the past few decades. Anderson believes this is primarily due to the warming of the Gulf of America, which adds substantial heat energy to the atmosphere. Consequently, the region has seen an increase in strong tornadoes occurring outside of the traditional tornado season, particularly in late winter and early spring. Good news: Fatality rate is down The southeastern U.S. is home to a more vulnerable population, with many residents living in manufactured homes that are not securely anchored to the ground. Despite this vulnerability, the fatality rate for tornadoes has decreased over the years, thanks to advancements in technology and improved warning systems.
