Latest news with #Gensini
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Traditional ‘Tornado Alley' shifts eastward as climate changes, says meteorologist studying trend
Arkansas has become more prone to tornadoes and hail storms as climate change and other weather phenomenon shift storms farther east and south, experts say. A rainbow appears after a March 31, 2023, tornado tore a path through Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) In the 30 days after several damaging twisters hit Arkansas on March 14, the state saw nearly four times as many tornado warnings as Texas did. The National Weather Service issued 144 warnings in Arkansas, compared to 39 in Texas from March 14 to April 14. Mississippi also recorded 144 warnings over the same period and Tennessee saw 125 warnings. Alabama noted 57 warnings. It's an indication that the classic 'Tornado Alley' region — the area from central Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas, so named because of the number of tornadoes there — is shifting eastward. The shift is attributed to climate change, the warming of the Gulf of Mexico's waters and a dip in the cold jet stream pattern. Arkansas, scientists say, is nearly in the bull's eye of a new tornado-prone area that's referred to as 'Dixie Alley.' The region, which has seen a vast increase in tornadoes over the past several years, also encompasses Mississippi, Alabama and western Tennessee. Weather Service survey teams have already confirmed 35 tornadoes have touched down in Arkansas through April. The state averages 42 twisters per year. The storms have also been larger. Arkansas was hit with two EF-4 twisters on March 14 — one in Jackson County and one in Izard County The last time a tornado of that strength hit the state was on April 27, 2014, when a tornado cut a 41-mile path of destruction through western Pulaski County, Mayflower and Vilonia in Faulkner County, and on into White County. Sixteen people died in that storm. Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, conducted research about the shift, authoring a paper in 2018 that noted the change. Since then, he's continued to monitor the trend and says the trend is ongoing. 'It's still more prevalent in the southeast,' he said. 'And we're seeing more evidence of that each year.' Gensini tracked tornado reports from 1979 to 2018 for his initial study, but also noted atmospheric conditions in the areas at the time that were favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Gensini blames a combination of weather phenomenon for the increase in Arkansas' tornadoes. A drought in the southwest is taking away needed moisture for the formation of twisters in the traditional Tornado Alley region. More than 67% of Arizona is experiencing 'extreme' and 'exceptional' drought conditions — the two highest levels of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is based at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and records weather conditions and patterns weekly. Three months ago, only 17% of Arizona was under the same two drought conditions. A year ago, the state was considered free from extreme and exceptional drought. New Mexico, Texas and Utah have also seen increases in drought in their respective states. Thirty percent of Texas is in 'extreme' and 'exceptional' drought, an increase from 14% three months ago. 'The most intense levels of drought now cover a broad area from southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah through much of Arizona, New Mexico and the Texas Big Bend, said Richard Tinker, a meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, and the author of the latest drought report. 'The southern Great Plains are drying up,' Gensini added. The dry atmospheric conditions in the southwest create a dome of high pressure over the western U.S., sapping energy from the atmosphere and forcing potential tornado-producing systems to move further east. The jet stream, a strong current of frigid Arctic air, is also dipping further south into the Mississippi delta region because of the Southwestern drought. Water temperature in the Gulf has also increased on average by one or two degrees, creating the moist, humid air needed for tornadoes. 'One or two degrees may not seem much. But think of the difference between 32 degrees and 33 degrees,' Gensini said, referring to the temperature when water freezes. 'It's early in the season, and the waters are warmer. That warm, humid air is heading into Arkansas where the air has been unstable already. It makes things more potent. 'We're seeing weather pattern changes over the last 70 to 80 years that didn't happen in 100,000 to 120,000 years before,' he said. 'There is such a rapid rate of change, and it's not lessening.' Of the 144 warnings issued in Arkansas between March 14 and April 14, not all produced tornadoes, said Dennis Cavanaugh, the National Weather Service warning coordinator in North Little Rock. In fact, the Weather Service strives to keep its 'false alarm' rate of tornado warnings to less than 80%. Warnings are issued when Doppler weather radar picks up rotation in clouds, signature 'inflow notches' that indicate the building of cyclonic air patterns, hail cores and other indicators. The Weather Service also must balance the need to warn people while also not unnecessarily alarming them. Issue too many warnings that don't produce tornadoes, and the public may become complacent and not heed future warnings as seriously. John Robinson, a former Meteorologist in Charge at the North Little Rock station, used to say that more people were injured in tornadoes while gawking at clouds for confirmation of those tornadoes rather than seeking shelter when warnings were issued. On the other side, if the Weather Service curtails its warnings and an unwarned tornado does form, results could be devastating. 'Radar can't see tornadoes,' Cavanaugh said. 'It can see circulation aloft when it's likely a tornado is forming. If we wait to see the debris cloud from a tornado that's on the ground to issue a warning, it's much too late.' Cavanaugh said continued advances in technology should help the Weather Service lower its rate of false alarms. But the service will always rely on trained storm spotters who can see the lowering of wall clouds — a first step in the formation of tornadoes — and any circulation of clouds overhead. 'That's really not applicable to this year,' he said of the fear that the scores of warnings issued may eventually be ignored. 'I don't think the average Arkansan thought he or she was not warned unnecessarily.' During a round of storms one April evening, Ryan Vaughn, the meteorologist for KAIT8 in Jonesboro, was broadcasting live storm coverage. At one point, most of northeast Arkansas was placed under a myriad of tornado warnings. Vaughn took a deep sigh on air. 'I don't think I've ever said this before, but if you're anywhere in northeast Arkansas, take cover now,' he told viewers. Tornadoes are formed by opposing winds at various levels. Strong winds in opposite directions cause a shear and a horizontal column of air circulating overhead. Warm, humid air feeds the twister and eventually the column of air begins tilting vertically and lowering to become a destructive tornado. And if the increase in tornadoes in Arkansas and the Delta is not enough, Gensini said the ingredients for twister formation should also cause larger hail storms. Hail is formed inside supercell thunderstorms. The rising air inside a building storm lofts raindrops into freezing air. It causes hail, which falls to the ground. Many times, a frozen raindrop falls in the size of a pea or gravel. But with more convection inside the stronger storms, that pea-sized bit of hail is lofted over and over again inside the system, growing larger as more water freezes on it. That's what causes the golf ball- and baseball-sized hail and are indicative of stronger storms and tornadoes. Gensini is about to embark on a 40-day field study this summer of hail storms. 'Tornadoes get all the attention on the news because of the visual destruction,' he said. 'You see a path of destruction with shattered homes. But hail is much worse overall. It damages roofs, cars and agriculture in a much larger area. 'I think the south and southeast will see a lot more problems in the years coming,' he said. This article is republished from the Arkansas Advocate, a sister publication of the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Traditional ‘Tornado Alley' is shifting eastward as climate changes, expert says
Arkansas has become more prone to tornadoes and hail storms as climate change and other weather phenomenon shift storms farther east and south, experts say. A rainbow appears after a March 31, 2023, tornado tore a path through Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) In the 30 days after several damaging twisters hit Arkansas on March 14, the state saw nearly four times as many tornado warnings as Texas did. The National Weather Service issued 144 warnings in Arkansas, compared to 39 in Texas from March 14 to April 14. Mississippi also recorded 144 warnings over the same period and Tennessee saw 125 warnings. Alabama noted 57 warnings. It's an indication that the classic 'Tornado Alley' region — the area from central Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas, so named because of the number of tornadoes there — is shifting eastward. The shift is attributed to climate change, the warming of the Gulf of Mexico's waters and a dip in the cold jet stream pattern. Arkansas, scientists say, is nearly in the bull's eye of a new tornado-prone area that's referred to as 'Dixie Alley.' The region, which has seen a vast increase in tornadoes over the past several years, also encompasses Mississippi, Alabama and western Tennessee. Weather Service survey teams have already confirmed 35 tornadoes have touched down in Arkansas through April. The state averages 42 twisters per year. The storms have also been larger. Arkansas was hit with two EF-4 twisters on March 14 — one in Jackson County and one in Izard County The last time a tornado of that strength hit the state was on April 27, 2014, when a tornado cut a 41-mile path of destruction through western Pulaski County, Mayflower and Vilonia in Faulkner County, and on into White County. Sixteen people died in that storm. Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, conducted research about the shift, authoring a paper in 2018 that noted the change. Since then, he's continued to monitor the trend and says the trend is ongoing. 'It's still more prevalent in the southeast,' he said. 'And we're seeing more evidence of that each year.' Gensini tracked tornado reports from 1979 to 2018 for his initial study, but also noted atmospheric conditions in the areas at the time that were favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Gensini blames a combination of weather phenomenon for the increase in Arkansas' tornadoes. A drought in the southwest is taking away needed moisture for the formation of twisters in the traditional Tornado Alley region. More than 67% of Arizona is experiencing 'extreme' and 'exceptional' drought conditions — the two highest levels of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is based at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and records weather conditions and patterns weekly. Three months ago, only 17% of Arizona was under the same two drought conditions. A year ago, the state was considered free from extreme and exceptional drought. New Mexico, Texas and Utah have also seen increases in drought in their respective states. Thirty percent of Texas is in 'extreme' and 'exceptional' drought, an increase from 14% three months ago. 'The most intense levels of drought now cover a broad area from southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah through much of Arizona, New Mexico and the Texas Big Bend, said Richard Tinker, a meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, and the author of the latest drought report. 'The southern Great Plains are drying up,' Gensini added. The dry atmospheric conditions in the southwest create a dome of high pressure over the western U.S., sapping energy from the atmosphere and forcing potential tornado-producing systems to move further east. The jet stream, a strong current of frigid Arctic air, is also dipping further south into the Mississippi delta region because of the Southwestern drought. Water temperature in the Gulf has also increased on average by one or two degrees, creating the moist, humid air needed for tornadoes. 'One or two degrees may not seem much. But think of the difference between 32 degrees and 33 degrees,' Gensini said, referring to the temperature when water freezes. 'It's early in the season, and the waters are warmer. That warm, humid air is heading into Arkansas where the air has been unstable already. It makes things more potent. 'We're seeing weather pattern changes over the last 70 to 80 years that didn't happen in 100,000 to 120,000 years before,' he said. 'There is such a rapid rate of change, and it's not lessening.' Of the 144 warnings issued in Arkansas between March 14 and April 14, not all produced tornadoes, said Dennis Cavanaugh, the National Weather Service warning coordinator in North Little Rock. In fact, the Weather Service strives to keep its 'false alarm' rate of tornado warnings to less than 80%. Warnings are issued when Doppler weather radar picks up rotation in clouds, signature 'inflow notches' that indicate the building of cyclonic air patterns, hail cores and other indicators. The Weather Service also must balance the need to warn people while also not unnecessarily alarming them. Issue too many warnings that don't produce tornadoes, and the public may become complacent and not heed future warnings as seriously. John Robinson, a former Meteorologist in Charge at the North Little Rock station, used to say that more people were injured in tornadoes while gawking at clouds for confirmation of those tornadoes rather than seeking shelter when warnings were issued. On the other side, if the Weather Service curtails its warnings and an unwarned tornado does form, results could be devastating. 'Radar can't see tornadoes,' Cavanaugh said. 'It can see circulation aloft when it's likely a tornado is forming. If we wait to see the debris cloud from a tornado that's on the ground to issue a warning, it's much too late.' Cavanaugh said continued advances in technology should help the Weather Service lower its rate of false alarms. But the service will always rely on trained storm spotters who can see the lowering of wall clouds — a first step in the formation of tornadoes — and any circulation of clouds overhead. 'That's really not applicable to this year,' he said of the fear that the scores of warnings issued may eventually be ignored. 'I don't think the average Arkansan thought he or she was not warned unnecessarily.' During a round of storms one April evening, Ryan Vaughn, the meteorologist for KAIT8 in Jonesboro, was broadcasting live storm coverage. At one point, most of northeast Arkansas was placed under a myriad of tornado warnings. Vaughn took a deep sigh on air. 'I don't think I've ever said this before, but if you're anywhere in northeast Arkansas, take cover now,' he told viewers. Tornadoes are formed by opposing winds at various levels. Strong winds in opposite directions cause a shear and a horizontal column of air circulating overhead. Warm, humid air feeds the twister and eventually the column of air begins tilting vertically and lowering to become a destructive tornado. And if the increase in tornadoes in Arkansas and the Delta is not enough, Gensini said the ingredients for twister formation should also cause larger hail storms. Hail is formed inside supercell thunderstorms. The rising air inside a building storm lofts raindrops into freezing air. It causes hail, which falls to the ground. Many times, a frozen raindrop falls in the size of a pea or gravel. But with more convection inside the stronger storms, that pea-sized bit of hail is lofted over and over again inside the system, growing larger as more water freezes on it. That's what causes the golf ball- and baseball-sized hail and are indicative of stronger storms and tornadoes. Gensini is about to embark on a 40-day field study this summer of hail storms. 'Tornadoes get all the attention on the news because of the visual destruction,' he said. 'You see a path of destruction with shattered homes. But hail is much worse overall. It damages roofs, cars and agriculture in a much larger area. 'I think the south and southeast will see a lot more problems in the years coming,' he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Fashion Network
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Italian jewellery brand Nomination plans new stores in the UK and Türkiye as turnover climbs 30%
The company, which generates a large part of its turnover in Europe between Italy and England, is also continuing to advance its retail development strategy. "Last year, we opened nine standalone stores — one in Sofia, one in Dubai, four in Türkiye, two in South Africa, one in Azerbaijan and another in Glasgow just a few weeks ago," Gensini continued. "Moreover, we are planning further openings in England and Türkiye by the end of the year." Regarding other projects for this year, the manager is clear: "In addition to standalone stores, we will focus heavily on shop-in-shops within independent jewellery retailers, and we are working on new collections and symbols. From a communications perspective, we are preparing a new campaign that will launch in September, evolving from the current one. We want to highlight our heritage, our roots in Florence, and the originality of a family-owned company that has managed to innovate the world of jewellery and continues to set trends in the sector. Our social media platforms and selected content creators will increasingly become the ambassadors of our brand values and the unique language of our precious jewellery because Nomination is a truly accessible luxury for everyone," concluded Alessandro Gensini.
Fashion Network
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Italian jewellery brand Nomination plans new stores in the UK and Türkiye as turnover climbs 30%
The company, which generates a large part of its turnover in Europe between Italy and England, is also continuing to advance its retail development strategy. "Last year, we opened nine standalone stores — one in Sofia, one in Dubai, four in Türkiye, two in South Africa, one in Azerbaijan and another in Glasgow just a few weeks ago," Gensini continued. "Moreover, we are planning further openings in England and Türkiye by the end of the year." Regarding other projects for this year, the manager is clear: "In addition to standalone stores, we will focus heavily on shop-in-shops within independent jewellery retailers, and we are working on new collections and symbols. From a communications perspective, we are preparing a new campaign that will launch in September, evolving from the current one. We want to highlight our heritage, our roots in Florence, and the originality of a family-owned company that has managed to innovate the world of jewellery and continues to set trends in the sector. Our social media platforms and selected content creators will increasingly become the ambassadors of our brand values and the unique language of our precious jewellery because Nomination is a truly accessible luxury for everyone," concluded Alessandro Gensini.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Work on Sterling's $6M Second Street construction project rolls out next week
Apr. 9—STERLING — Sterling's Second Street road construction project, which will rebuild 10 blocks along Second Street from First Avenue to Route 2, is expected to start next week. Sterling city officials held an open house Tuesday, April 8, to answer residents' questions about the project that will be completed by Gensini Excavating of Princeton at a price tag of $6.2 million. "The whole road will be cored out," Gensini estimator Mike Garland said. "They're going to get new curbs and sidewalks on both sides. The driveways will be redone in those areas, and then, right away, new storm sewer system, and then a new asphalt road." Engineer Kyle Lorenz of Willet Hofmann & Associates said the work will be completed in five phases and expects the project will be finished by June 2026. "The first phase will be from Ninth Avenue to Broadway [Avenue], the end of it by the Dillon Home, and then from Ninth to Sixth Avenue, Sixth to Third [Avenue], and Third to Illinois 40," Lorenz said. "The fifth stage will probably be the pedestrian bridge." The 160-foot pedestrian bridge will cross over Illinois 40 near the north side of the train tracks, extending behind the Plainwell Brass building and leading to a new multi-use bikeway path on East Second Street from First Avenue to Broadway Avenue. The Sterling City Council approved a resolution in October authorizing Mayor Diana Merdian to enter into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation and allocate $655,203 in local matching funds for the bikeway path's construction as part of the project. City Manager Scott Schumard has said the majority of the bikeway path will be funded with IDOT's Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants. The ITEP grant will reimburse the city for 80% of the bikeway path construction and the city will be responsible for the remaining 20%. Several Sterling residents living on Second Street, including Pam and Joe Machan, expressed concerns over the potential impact of the construction. "One of our big concerns is being trapped in our driveways," Pam said. "Because when American Water did that street a couple of years ago, there was a four-hour period where we weren't told in advance that we could or could not leave, and that's what we want to avoid." Garland assured the Machans they would be notified 24 hours in advance of any driveway work that might impact them. ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 8 A rendering of Sterling's Second Street road construction project is shown during an open house on April 8, 2025. (Brandon Clark) "If we're doing driveway replacements and we have to redo the concrete, yeah, we have to cut off access, but we'll let you know ahead of time so you can get your cars out of there, and park on a side street and then you can go back," Garland said. "Other than that, you're going to have access to your house at all times." Garland said construction will generally occur Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Lorenz said crews will be out on Tuesday, April 15, performing water work site preparation. "They're going to move some of the domestic vault belts," Lorenz said. "They're going to move some of them so that they're out of the way, and then they're also going to where we have conflicts with storm sewer, they're going to be lowering them." The Second Street project was originally planned for last year but approval delays impacted the city's ability to schedule as much roadwork as it could have. Each year, the city sends a list of streets that need to be resurfaced and rebuilt to their engineers to prepare bids for the first half of the year. Schumard said that by the time the city learned the Second Street project would likely be delayed until 2025, allowing them to add more roads to their list of projects, contractors responding to those bids were already booked and required the city to extend the project deadlines if the city wanted a lower price. Although the city is responsible for 100% of the Second Street roadwork costs, Schumard said the majority of that project's cost already is in place by using a combination of motor fuel tax funds, the city's allotment of federal Surface Transportation Program funds and Sterling's local option sales tax.
