Latest news with #EarthCam
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Dangerous' air quality in Minnesota, Wisconsin as wildfire smoke pours in from Canada
Air quality reached dangerous levels in part of the Midwest Tuesday morning as thick smoke from wildfires burning in Canada blew across the region. Smoke started to appear in the sky over parts of the central and eastern United States in late May, but the intensity of the smoke near the ground reached a new level by daybreak Tuesday in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Residents in Minneapolis could smell smoke in the air, and visibility was reduced to less than 3 miles. The air quality index (AQI) reached 288, a "dangerous" level at which even healthy individuals can start to experience immediate effects on their breathing and health when outside. Images from an EarthCam in St. Paul showed the dramatic difference between the smoky start to Tuesday compared to last week when little to no smoke was in the sky. The scenes are similar to the Northeast during 2023 when smoke from Canadian wildfires shrouded skylines across the Northeast, including in New York City. There is good news for people in the Midwest awaiting relief from the poor air quality. "The prolonged stretch of a smoke-filled sky and poor air quality across portions of the Upper Midwest will finally come to an end heading into midweek courtesy of a cold front sweeping the smoke eastward," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "Residents across Minnesota and Wisconsin who have seen the smoke, haze, and poor air quality will be able to breathe more easily by Wednesday; however, this may not be a prolonged stretch of smoke-free air, as waves of additional Canadian wildfire smoke could return by Friday and Saturday across the region," Buckingham added.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 begins as peak bloom approaches in DC
Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 begins as peak bloom approaches in DC The peak bloom of Yoshino Cherry trees in Washington, D.C., is a beautiful sight each spring. The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. The National Park Service announced in late February that the peak bloom season for the District of Columbia's Tidal Basin cherry blossoms is expected to fall from March 28 to March 31 this year. When will the cherry blossoms bloom? Predicting the peak bloom of cherry trees more than 10 days ahead is nearly impossible because of the influence of weather conditions on blossom development. Horticulturists from the National Park Service closely observe the buds' progress and provide updates. How long is peak bloom? The Yoshino trees typically bloom for several days. The length of the blooming period depends on weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the length of the bloom, and a rainy, windy day can bring an abrupt end to the ephemeral blossoms. A late frost can prevent the trees from blooming at all. When have cherry blossoms peaked historically? Unusually warm or cool temperatures have caused peak bloom as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958. Last year was the first time peak bloom occurred before the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival on March 20 since the festival's start date was moved about a week forward in 2012. Historically, the Cherry Blossom Festival often started in early to mid-April. Over time, the festival length was extended and the start date moved forward. The festival hasn't started in April since 1994. When is the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival? The park service, in collaboration with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will be celebrating the bloom in the district March 20 through April 14. The festival is held mainly around the Tidal Basin. The festival commemorates the gift of about 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the United States in 1912. The gift celebrates the friendship between the Japanese and American people. Multiple events are scheduled for the festival, including a parade, concerts and fireworks. Live bloom camera If you can't travel to see the cherry blossoms, you can view them live on the bloom camera. The camera provides a live view of the National Mall Tidal Basin from the roof of the hotel Salamander Washington D.C. courtesy of EarthCam. CONTRIBUTING Saman Shafiq SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; National Park Service
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When Will DC's Cherry Blossoms Hit Peak Bloom? The Official Prediction Is Out
It's one of the great American traditions each spring – the cherry blossoms hitting peak bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. And finally, we have an idea for when it'll happen in 2025. So if you're planning a trip to the National Mall, or you just want to see the awe-inspiring sight from afar via EarthCam's webcam, read on. (MORE: Our March Temperature Outlook Has Been Updated) March 28-31, to be exact. That's when the National Park Service projects the Tidal Basin's cherry blossom display to be in peak bloom, according to an announcement made Thursday. Peak bloom is reached when at least 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. If the projections are correct, it will happen toward the midpoint of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which spans from March 20 through April 13 this year. Once the trees hit peak bloom, they'll stay that way for about 10 days, according to FOX5 D.C. Yes. Yes it can. In fact, extreme temperatures have pushed the blooms as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958, the NPS said. Warmer weather can push the blooms earlier in the calendar, while prolonged cold weather would have the opposite effect. A year ago, peak bloom started on March 17, FOX5 D.C. reported. Additionally, extreme cold can significantly reduce those beautiful blooms if the flower buds sustain widespread damage, and extreme warmth can shorten the length of peak bloom. Hope for an absence of severe storms, too – strong winds and heavy rain can knock the petals off the trees, especially if it happens after peak bloom, according to Cherry Blossom Watch. Climate change is also working against the trees in the long-term. Warmer temperatures are believed to be moving bloom dates earlier, and tidal flooding is worsening with sea-level rise, which makes it more likely that the revered trees will be imperiled more frequently in the coming decades, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Recovery efforts continue in D.C. plane crash
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Authorities in Washington, D.C., are continuing their grim recovery operation after an American Airlines regional passenger jet flying from Kansas collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter. The airport re-opened, but there is still an active recovery mission in the Potomac River where first responders have spent the day searching for victims. They say they don't expect any survivors. EarthCam video shows the moment the plane and an Army helicopter collided in midair just before 9 pm Wednesday, near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport. President Donald Trump says the nation is grieving with the victims. 'We take solace in the knowledge that their journey ended not in the cold waters of the Potomac. But in the warm embrace of a loving God,' said Trump. 64 people were on board the plane coming from Kansas. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the experienced military crew was on a training flight. 'The military does dangerous things, it does routine things on a regular basis, tragically last night a mistake was made,' said Hegseth. Authorities spent the day recovering victims from the near-freezing waters of the Potomac River. 'These responders found extremely frigid conditions. They found heavy wind. they found ice on the water, and they operated all night in those conditions,' said DC Fire & EMS Chief John Donnelly. Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy believed the crash was preventable. 'We are going to get to the bottom of this investigation, not in three years, not in four years but as quickly as possible,' said Duffy. Kansas Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran were on the scene quickly after hearing the plane that crashed had taken off from their state. 'I won't rest until the people who lost loved ones on that plane know exactly what happened and why,' said Marshall. Multiple agencies are investigating the incident, including the Pentagon and FBI. The NTSB is taking the lead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Al-Ahram Weekly
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi expresses deep condolences to Trump over victims of Washington plane crash - Foreign Affairs
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed his deepest condolences to US President Donald Trump over the victims of the plane crash that took place in Washington on Thursday. "I extend my deepest condolences to my friend, President Donald Trump, and the American people over the victims of the plane crash in Washington," El-Sisi wrote in a post on his official Facebook account. He further expressed his sympathy: "Our hearts are with the families of the victims during this painful tragedy." Early Thursday, a regional passenger jet operated by American Airlines, carrying 64 people, collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight before crashing into the freezing Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. American Airlines confirmed that the jet carried 60 passengers and four crew members. Meanwhile, a Defence Department official told CBS News that three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, but no senior officials were on board. At least 19 bodies had been recovered, CBS News said, citing a police official. Moreover, the outlet reported that a dive team had retrieved one of the aircraft's two data recorders, commonly called black boxes. EarthCam video captures the moment a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional jet carrying 64 people on its descent into Ronald Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, causing it to crash into the Potomac River below. A rescue operation is… — CBS News (@CBSNews) January 30, 2025 Egypt reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the United States at the governmental and public levels, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Thursday. The ministry also extended the country's sincere condolences and support to the families and loved ones of those impacted by the incident. Short link:
