Latest news with #DavidRoth
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Canadian Wildfires Update as Alert Issued for 'Some of the Densest Smoke'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Canadian wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have prompted a new warning in Minnesota's Twin Cities as "some of the densest smoke" from the blazes will shift into the region Friday. Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) via email Thursday for comment. Why It Matters Smoke from widespread wildfires in Canada prompted air quality alerts across several Midwest and Northeast U.S. states this week, threatening public health and advising residents to alter their daily routines. The increased concentration of airborne fine particulate matter—PM2.5—from wildfires can worsen respiratory and heart conditions, making sensitive groups particularly vulnerable, especially for people with asthma, heart disease or other preexisting respiratory conditions. Canadian wildfires have been of recent concern to Americans who live in bordering states, as hundreds of fires have burned this summer. What To Know In a post to X, formerly Twitter, the NWS office in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, said, "Some of the densest smoke during this stretch is possible tomorrow morning for some folks as sinking air increases under surface high pressure. #mnwx #wiwx" The NWS also posted a graphic warning of "heavy smoke possible early AM" Friday. All of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, along with the majority of Iowa and Illinois, are under an air quality alert heading into Friday and the weekend. Portions of Nebraska are also under an air alert, the NWS shows on its interactive map. The NWS warns that "Northerly winds will continue transporting waves of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into Minnesota. Smoke will move south across all of Minnesota and linger through Saturday afternoon. The smoke will be reinforced by an area of high pressure that will create light winds and limit the dispersion of smoke. Therefore the air quality alert has been expanded to include all of Minnesota and extended until Saturday afternoon when the air quality is forecasted to improve." The sun is shrouded by smoke from the Canadian wildfires as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan, which includes the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, in New York City on June 11,... The sun is shrouded by smoke from the Canadian wildfires as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan, which includes the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, in New York City on June 11, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by) More What People Are Saying NWS Weather Prediction Center Meteorologist David Roth previously told Newsweek via phone on Wednesday: "Behind the cold front from where the wildfires are in Canada there is bound to be a smoke plume--it was a bit more expansive today. Conditions across the three states should improve from Thursday afternoon onward." Roth added, "Anyone who is sensitive to this should stay indoors and if outside they should wear a mask." NWS Chicago posted to X on Thursday: "Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke is expected to continue through tomorrow and will be at unhealthy levels for everyone in some locations. Consider limiting prolonged outdoor activity. #ILwx #INwx" NWS Detroit posted to X on Thursday: "The Air Quality Advisory has been extended through Saturday for all of Michigan. #miwx" What Happens Next If wildfires continue burning unchecked across Canada, future advisories are likely, as prevailing winds could carry more smoke into the United States. Meteorological agencies and public health officials emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance and urge residents in affected areas to adhere to safety advisories, monitor local and federal updates, and minimize outdoor exposure until conditions improve.
Newsweek
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Canadian Wildfires Map Shows Three US States Warned About Air Quality
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Canadian wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have prompted air quality alerts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday and Thursday as residents are advised to "limit prolonged or heavy exertion." Why It Matters The elevated levels of fine particulate matter resulting from wildfire smoke could present significant health risks, especially for people with asthma, heart disease or other preexisting respiratory conditions. State and local health officials have urged those in the affected areas to limit outdoor activities and remain indoors while conditions persist. Canadian wildfires have been of recent concern to Americans who live in bordering states, as hundreds of fires have burned this summer. What To Know According to the National Weather Service (NWS), all of Wisconsin and the majority of Minnesota and Michigan are under the air quality alert. The agency has a map on its website that lists regions directly impacted. The NWS warns Wisconsin residents that "Northerly winds will continue transporting waves of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into Minnesota. Smoke will move south across all of Minnesota and linger through Saturday afternoon. The smoke will be reinforced by an area of high pressure that will create light winds and limit the dispersion of smoke." People with lung and heart diseases including asthma are asked to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion while the general public is advised to limit it. "Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible," the NWS says. People are also advised to keep their windows closed overnight to avoid smoke drifting into their homes. Earlier in the week, portions of New York including New York City were under a similar alert related to the wildfires. Below are the states currently impacted by the plumes of Canadian wildfire smoke: What People Are Saying NWS Weather Prediction Center Meteorologist David Roth to Newsweek via phone on Wednesday: "Behind the cold front from where the wildfires are in Canada there is bound to be a smoke plume--it was a bit more expansive today. Conditions across the three states should improve from Thursday afternoon onward." Roth added, "Anyone who is sensitive to this should stay indoors and if outside they should wear a mask." What Happens Next Further advisories may be issued if wildfires in Canada continue to burn and wind patterns bring additional smoke into the U.S. A new weather front is expected to move in next week, which meteorologists say could shift air quality concerns across the Midwest and Northeast. If smoke persists, health agencies recommend continued vigilance and adherence to advisories on minimizing outdoor activity and monitoring local air quality.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning for 125M Americans as swathes of US to stay hotter than the BAHAMAS until Friday
A brutal heat dome has been gripping more than 125 million Americans, and the dangerous weather is expected to keep things hotter than the Bahamas for days. The widespread heat wave has driven temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above average for June, with cities breaking decade-long records. Scientists define a heat dome as a high-pressure system that 'traps hot air and humidity,' creating oppressive, stagnant heat. National Weather Service meteorologist David Roth said: 'You're talking about some places that could be 40 degrees warmer than last week. So that's a big deal.' From New York to Nashville, this humid weather event has forced 'real feel' temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, sending dozens to hospitals and pushing major cities to activate emergency cooling plans. In the Bahamas, temperatures are only expected to reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday and 83 on Friday, while large parts of the US will be sweltering under heat index values topping 100. In cities from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, Thursday will mark the seventh consecutive day of triple-digit "feels like" temperatures when you factor in the humidity, making it feel nearly 20 degrees hotter than the Caribbean. On Friday, as highs settle into the low 90s, oppressive humidity will keep the heat index hovering around 99, making much of the US hotter than in the tropics. Forecasters expect on Friday, as actual highs settle in the low 90s, oppressive humidity will keep the heat index hovering around 99, making much of the US hotter and more hazardous than a tropical island built for heat. As of Wednesday, large sections of the eastern half of the country remain under an 'extreme' heat risk warning, according to the National Weather Service's HeatRisk tool. The danger zone includes much of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic, where high temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s to around 100 degrees. That's 10 to 15 degrees above seasonal norms, with heat index values climbing well into the triple digits. Forecasters say the center of the heat dome, which had been parked over the Mid-Atlantic, will begin weakening and sliding southward by Thursday. That shift is expected to bring modest relief to parts of New England and the Northeast, while large parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic continue to face major to extreme heat through Friday. However, the Ohio Valley is expected to bear the brunt of the remaining heat dome on Friday before more typical summer temperatures settle in over the weekend. The heat wave has already rewritten the record books. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 600 high temperature records have been set across the country over the past week. New York, Maryland, and even states in typically moderate New England recorded new all-time highs for June. Boston hit 102 degrees this week, just two degrees shy of its all-time high of 104. JFK Airport in New York City reached 102, while Newark Airport in New Jersey hit 103. In downtown Baltimore, a reading of 105 degrees was recorded, though it has not yet been verified. Public health experts are raising alarms over the impact of such extreme heat. Ashley Ward, director of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, said: 'Your body needs a reprieve.' 'When overnight lows remain above 75 Fahrenheit, you start to see some pretty extraordinary outcomes with respect to heat illness and heat stroke, and even mortality.' Residents are urged to reschedule outdoor activities and prioritize vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pets. Hospitals across the Northeast are reporting spikes in heat-related illnesses. Hartford Healthcare in Connecticut treated nearly 90 patients for dehydration and overheating in recent days. New York EMS teams responded to dozens of calls Tuesday alone. In New Jersey and Massachusetts, several people collapsed and were hospitalized during outdoor high school graduations. Cities have responded by opening emergency cooling centers, including 248 sites in New York City under its Code Red Alert protocol. In Philadelphia, a Heat Health Emergency remains in effect. Officials have urged the public to avoid outdoor activity, hydrate frequently, and check on vulnerable individuals including seniors, children, and people without access to air conditioning. According to the NWS, an Excessive Heat Warning is issued when heat indexes exceed 110 degrees for several hours. These warnings remain in place for wide regions through Friday. The impacts have gone beyond health. In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a stretch of road buckled under the heat, launching a passing car briefly into the air. Utilities including Duke Energy, Con Edison, and Eversource implemented emergency response plans to avoid power outages as air conditioning usage spiked across the Northeast. While some Northeast cities like Boston and New York may see temperatures fall into the 70s and 80s by Friday with the arrival of a cold front, places like Raleigh, Nashville, and Columbus will continue to suffer through oppressive heat. Heat index values there are expected to remain above 110 through the end of the week. The core of the heat dome is predicted to shift westward by this weekend, setting up a new zone of extreme heat across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Meteorologists have warned that while heat waves are common in summer, the intensity and timing of this one, arriving before July, signal a potentially severe season ahead. 'This is not a typical heat wave,' Roth said. 'This is a season-starter with deadly implications.'
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Some People in Florida Advised To Stay Inside Amid Warning of Saharan Dust
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Floridians who are sensitive to poor air quality might want to limit their outdoor activity or consider staying inside this week as a Saharan dust plume moves into the state. Why It Matters The influx of Saharan dust can directly impact public health and daily life in Florida, especially for those with asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, and allergies. Elevated particle concentrations can trigger breathing problems, sore throats, and eye irritation. The plume's presence is also expected to temporarily suppress hurricane development, which could be a mixed blessing ahead of the Atlantic storm season, which is set to begin on June 1. What To Know The Saharan Air Layer originates in Africa's Sahara Desert and is carried westward by powerful winds across the Atlantic Ocean, often reaching as far as the Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf Coast. Each summer, the dust travels over 5,000 miles, typically peaking from June through mid-August. A Florida sunset is seen amid a Sahara dust storm on June 30, 2020. A Florida sunset is seen amid a Sahara dust storm on June 30, 2020. Johnny Louis/Getty National guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) says that exposure to elevated dust levels can aggravate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergies. Eyes, nasal passages, and throats may also become irritated, and vulnerable groups—including children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions—face increased risks. The dust cloud is particularly strong in the Caribbean, where the health guidance advises limiting time outdoors, especially during highest dust concentration. People are urged to keep windows and doors closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters and wear masks—preferably dust or surgical masks—if time outdoors cannot be avoided. While the dust degrades air quality, it also can suppress hurricane activity. NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth told Newsweek the dust can make it more difficult for showers and thunderstorms to form. The dust also can make the sky appear whiter, Roth said. People also should be cognizant of heat, as the dust can make it feel hotter, Roth said. What People Are Saying NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth told Newsweek: "Any particulate in the air, especially if it's above 80 lower air quality. Usually it won't be unhealthy for the general population, but if you're sensitive to a decrease in air quality, you should stay indoors." Wokil Bam, an assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Saharan dust is a fascinating natural phenomenon! Every year, strong winds lift massive amounts of dust from the Sahara Desert and carry it across the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes reaching as far as the Americas: Saharan dust is headed to Florida. It travels to the Sunshine State each summer, causing hazy skies, colorful sunsets, and lower air quality. The dry, dusty air can weaken or block hurricane formation." What Happens Next Roth said the Saharan dust conditions will likely persist for at least the next few days. People who are sensitive to poor air quality are encouraged to follow air quality forecasts as the dust persists across the region.
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
An Atmospheric River Brings Flooding Risks to the Mid-Atlantic
A slow-moving storm system that's been called an atmospheric river is poised to deliver bouts of heavy rain across the Mid-Atlantic over the next few days, increasing the risk of flash floods. Forecasters expressed concern for areas where the ground is especially vulnerable in North Carolina. David Roth, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, said the state has been particularly at risk since Hurricane Helene. 'Helene just made everything worse,' he said. 'There were some landslides in western North Carolina from it. It takes a while to recover from a tropical cyclone. So their ground is more sensitive.' Mr. Roth said North Carolina's complex terrain was another factor of concern. 'They have a lot of up and down variation,' he said. 'Even without Helene, almost every time it rains moderately, to have the mountains, basically you get these small waterfalls.' The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall, potentially leading to flash flooding across eastern North Carolina, eastern Virginia, Maryland, eastern West Virginia and extending into central and southern Pennsylvania through Wednesday. Flood watches have been issued across these areas through late Tuesday. Rainfall totals were expected to range between one and three inches, and rain may fall at a rate of one to two inches an hour. Forecasters anticipated the intense rain to develop by late Tuesday morning, fueled by daytime warming. The Weather Prediction Center also noted that the hills and mountains stretching from southern Pennsylvania through Virginia could receive additional rainfall because of the way the air is being pushed up the slopes. Recent rainfall has saturated the ground in this region, further elevating the risk of flash flooding. The storm has brought repeated rounds of heavy rain to the Southeast since last week. Its slow-moving nature and a continuous feed of moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic are the main risk factors for flash floods. Forecasters have called this an atmospheric river, a term more commonly associated with the steady streams of moisture that soak the West Coast but that also describes patterns responsible for rain in the East. 'You can call any warm conveyor belt circulation around a nontropical low an atmospheric river,' said Mr. Roth, adding that such systems are especially concerning when they stall. 'This at least will show some progression,' he said. 'It won't be as bad as some of the multiday heavy rain events that the mountains of California can sometimes get.' The system is expected to reach the Great Lakes by Wednesday, when thunderstorms will most likely become more scattered and less intense. However, a lower-level risk for flash flooding, 1 out of 4, was expected across parts of the Carolinas and into southern Pennsylvania through Thursday.
