Latest news with #MikeMcKay
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘There was some growing concern': Extreme heat events potentially impacting Lake Erie conditions
Extreme heat waves are impacting the Great Lakes and may have negative impacts on the health of the ecosystem. CTV London's Gerry Dewan reports. Local researchers are keeping an eye on Lake Erie temperatures, with warmer conditions creating potential risks. It was a surge in the lake's average surface temperature that caught Mike McKay's attention, with those temperatures reaching around 27 degrees Celsius, 'Last week there was some growing concern, as the temperatures were starting to reach what had been, in recent years, the highest temperature for mid-July. That was (established) 2020.' McKay is the director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor. He told CTV News that extreme heat warnings issued by regional health units in late June and early July were also impacting the lake. Overnight temperatures in the 20s offered little relief and contributed to a rare phenomenon known as hypoxia. According to McKay, 'Hypoxia is when usually deeper waters in the lake lose their oxygen.' PORT STANLEY BEACH A boat passes near the beach at Port Stanley on July 23, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) That can have three impacts; the first is discoloured water in the drinking water supply, not dangerous but also not pleasant. It can also contribute to the blue-green algae, with farm fertilizer stored in sentiment on the lakebed getting stirred up and feeding the algae. McKay said the third issue is the detrimental impact on small creatures that are an important part of the food chain. 'Which really is what drives the impressive fishery we have in Lake Erie. Lake Erie has roughly 2 per cent of the water in the Great Lakes, but about 50 per cent of the fish,' explained McKay. 'So, the commercial fishery on the Canadian side, the massive recreational fishery on the U.S. side.' The average surface temperature has slipped to 24 degrees this week, but with another surge in high temperatures expected, McKay said he and other researchers will be closely watching the impacts on Lake Erie.
CBC
09-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
'Astonishing' increase in Lake Erie surface temperature this summer, scientist says
Social Sharing The surface temperature in the western basin of Lake Erie is currently 26 C, and in some places, it's more than 30 C, according to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). The average temperature for the lake on July 31 is around 24 C, according to data on NOAA's website. "It's not record-breaking but certainly impressive, especially considering the cool spring we had," said Mike McKay, the director of the University of Windsor's Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research. Temperatures on the lake were 2 C below the 30-year average just three weeks ago in mid-June, McKay said, so it's astonishing to see it heat up so quickly, especially considering how much energy it takes to raise the temperature of water. Sustained hot weather in the region is the culprit, he added. Monitoring the temperature in Lake Erie is important, McKay said, because water temperature is a contributor to the formation of blue-green algae, which can produce toxins that cause itchy, irritated eyes and skin and flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. "One of my colleagues published an article in ... Science a few years ago called 'Blooms Like it Hot,'" he said. "And it's true — cyanobacteria, blue-green algae … often prefer temperatures above 25 C." But temperature isn't the only contributor to the blooms, he said. Nutrient loads in the water are a more important factor. "We had a relatively dry spring, which meant fewer nutrients washing into the western basin, meaning less fuel for these algal blooms," McKay said. A forecast released by the Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science on May 8 predicted only mild to moderate blue-green algae blooms for 2025. Temperatures across the lake vary considerably, McKay added. It's typically warmer in the western basin, cooler in the centre and quite a bit cooler in the eastern basin. Even within those areas the temperatures fluctuate. "As of this morning, about an hour ago, temperatures off Sturgeon Creek were 25 C and off of Hillman Marsh 24.4," he said.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Astonishing' increase in Lake Erie surface temperature this summer, scientist says
The surface temperature in the western basin of Lake Erie is currently 26 C, and in some places, it's more than 30 C, according to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). The average temperature for the lake on July 31 is around 24 C, according to data on NOAA's website. "It's not record-breaking but certainly impressive, especially considering the cool spring we had," said Mike McKay, the director of the University of Windsor's Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research. Temperatures on the lake were 2 C below the 30-year average just three weeks ago in mid-June, McKay said, so it's astonishing to see it heat up so quickly, especially considering how much energy it takes to raise the temperature of water. Sustained hot weather in the region is the culprit, he added. Monitoring the temperature in Lake Erie is important, McKay said, because water temperature is a contributor to the formation of blue-green algae, which can produce toxins that cause itchy, irritated eyes and skin and flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. "One of my colleagues published an article in ... Science a few years ago called 'Blooms Like it Hot,'" he said. "And it's true — cyanobacteria, blue-green algae … often prefer temperatures above 25 C." But temperature isn't the only contributor to the blooms, he said. Nutrient loads in the water are a more important factor. "We had a relatively dry spring, which meant fewer nutrients washing into the western basin, meaning less fuel for these algal blooms," McKay said. A forecast released by the Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science on May 8 predicted only mild to moderate blue-green algae blooms for 2025. Temperatures across the lake vary considerably, McKay added. It's typically warmer in the western basin, cooler in the centre and quite a bit cooler in the eastern basin. Even within those areas the temperatures fluctuate. "As of this morning, about an hour ago, temperatures off Sturgeon Creek were 25 C and off of Hillman Marsh 24.4," he said.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Mild to moderately harmful algae blooms predicted in Lake Erie
Ohio federal researchers predict that this year's algae blooms in Lake Erie will be mild to moderately harmful. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts the bloom to measure around three on the Harmful Algal Bloom Severity Index on a scale of one to 10, 10 being the most severe. A three means possible impacts on drinking water, public health, and tourism. The blooms are made up of cyanobacteria, which is also called blue-green algae. It can produce a toxin that's dangerous for people and animals. Officials with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor said no matter the size of the bloom, we can't let our guard down, as the risk is always present. 'Even though we're talking about Lake Erie right now, this is the same advice that applies to Lake St. Clair, where we're more likely to see blooms along the Ontario shoreline,' said Mike McKay, Glier director with UWindsor. 'Avoid green water. It may not be toxic, but it's not worth taking the chance.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
McKay seeking second term as state senator
CUMBERLAND — Maryland state Sen. Mike McKay is seeking a second term. McKay, a Republican who represents District 1 — comprised of Allegany, Garrett and a portion of Washington counties — launched his reelection campaign Tuesday during an event that featured about 250 supporters at the Western Maryland Railway Station. 'Town by town, handshake by handshake, we'll listen, we'll lead, and we'll make sure working families have a real voice in Annapolis,' McKay said. His remarks were also posted to social media. McKay has been a state senator since 2023. He was a member of the state House of Delegates, representing District 1C, from 2015 to 2023, and an Allegany County commissioner from 2010 to 2014. He is the only candidate to file so far in the race. The primary election is June 20, 2026.
