Latest news with #NOAA
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora alert: Northern lights to glow over US Sunday night
The biggest display of the northern lights since 2024 could unfold at the end of the weekend and start of the new week following a massive eruption on the sun. On Friday evening, satellites detected an explosive solar flare on the sun. This sent a tremendous cloud of charged particles toward the Earth, and when it arrives, it will set off an expansive display of the aurora. The northern lights could glow as early as Sunday night, with the potential for another showing on Monday night -- and people in more than half of the United States could see the Aurora Borealis. "The aurora may become visible over much of the northern half of the country, and maybe as far south as Alabama to Northern California," NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said. The impending solar storm is predicted to be a level 4 out of 5. The aurora happens when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. Typically, the particles are funneled toward the north pole and south pole, but during bigger events like the one that is expected to unfold, the aurora can be seen in areas farther away from the poles. The green, red, pink, purple and blue colors are caused when the solar particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere. Clouds are a concern for onlookers from Idaho and Montana southward into New Mexico and Arizona, but better sky conditions are in the offing for much of the West Coast states. In the central and eastern U.S., the bigger concern will be smoke from Canadian wildfires, which could impact viewing conditions from the Midwest into parts of the Southeast. Viewing Tips The farther north you are, the better the light show will be. To get the best view of the Aurora Borealis, it is also important to be in a dark area away from light pollution. In some areas, the aurora may appear as a faint green or red glow in the northern sky. However, in the far northern U.S., such as New England or the northern Rockies, the aurora could appear overhead. Furthermore, if the aurora isn't bright enough to see with the naked eye, it can still be photographed using a camera with a long exposure. This technique collects more light, making the northern lights more visible in photographs.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Issued for June, May Threaten Infrastructure
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. A severe geomagnetic storm watch issued by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is in effect for June 2, with the agency warning that the powerful solar event could disrupt critical infrastructure. Shawn Dahl, a space weather forecaster at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), told Newsweek in an email Saturday: "We are already taking measures to notify FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] for their awareness only at this time" so the agency can make "preparation[s] to deal with and manage geomagnetic induced currents that will likely develop in high voltage transmission lines," potentiallyimpacting the nation's power grid. Newsweek has reached out to FEMA's press team for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters Geomagnetic storms are classified by the NOAA on a scale of G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), with G5 being the most powerful and least common. The fluctuations in our planet's magnetic field during a geomagnetic storm create electric fields on the Earth's surface. When these electric fields interact with conductive materials like rock, soil or water, they induce electrical currents in the ground. These currents, coupled with the electric fields in the ground, can lead to geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), which can travel through power grid systems. These GICs overload transformers and other electrical components, leading to potential damage or large-scale power outages. Aurora borealis, or northern lights, shine in the sky on August 12, 2024, in Mohe, China. Aurora borealis, or northern lights, shine in the sky on August 12, 2024, in Mohe, China. VCG/VCG via AP What To Know On Saturday, NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch with a strong (G3) alert for June 1, a severe (G4) alert for June 2 and a moderate (G2) alert for June 4. The warning comes after "a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun" on May 30. It is expected to arrive at Earth on Sunday, June 1. CME is an "eruption of solar material and magnetic fields," according to NOAA. The warning levels are "our best guesses" at the moment, Dahl told Newsweek, adding that "essentially we have to wait until the CME arrives 1 million miles from Earth at the DSCOVR/ACE spacecraft solar wind observatories to know exactly what the CME structure and magnetic strength and orientation actually are." CME arrival at Earth is anticipated and a G4 Watch is now in effect for 2 Jun. CME arrival later on 1 Jun could lead to G3, with G4 potential increased on 2 Jun, and as CME passage weakens, G1-G2 still possible on 3 Jun. Full story at — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 31, 2025 He added that if the magnetic field of the CME is "strong and oriented orientated opposite Earth, we are quite confident in G3-G4 levels being reached," whereas if it is not than the severity becomes less likely. The effects of a geomagnetic storm can be significant, with NOAA's watch stating, "detrimental impacts to some of our critical infrastructure technologies are possible, but mitigation is possible." The infrastructure can be impacted by overload transformers, potentially causing temporary blackouts of the power grid, or interfering with satellites communications and GPS disruptions, among others. In 1989, a powerful CME caused a geomagnetic storm that knocked out the Hydro-Québec power grid in Canada, leaving millions of people without electricity for hours. What People Are Saying Matthew Cappucci, an atmospheric scientist wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: "A rare 'G4' geomagnetic watch has been hoisted by the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado – indicating they are unusually confident in direct Earth impacts." My Radar Weather posted on X Saturday: "This is a BIG deal! A 'severe' geomagnetic storm is coming – and LOTS of Americans might get to see the aurora borealis!" Dr. Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist, wrote on X Saturday: "Our Sun finally aims straight for Earth! NASA model predictions show a very fast #solarstorm travelling near 1000 km/s that could hit Earth by midday June 1. A slower storm ahead might cause a slight traffic delay, but G4-levels by June 2 are possible. This means #aurora may be visible deep into mid-latitudes. Considering we expect big flares to continue on Earth's dayside over the next few days, this means both the dayside and nightside radio bands will remain noisy, with periodic disruptions." What Happens Next? Geomagnetic storms can make aurora borealis, or the northern lights, more visible by disrupting the Earth's magnetic fields. NOAA says the aurora may be visible for the northern half of the country, as well as other sites. The SWPC will continue updating information about the solar event throughout the day and leading up to its expected impact.
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Science
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. climate news: Evacuation order for wildfire in B.C.'s Peace River Swiss glacier collapse renews focus on risks of climate change as glaciers retreat
Here's the latest news concerning climate change and biodiversity loss in B.C. and around the world, from the steps leaders are taking to address the problems, to all the up-to-date science. Check back every Saturday for more climate and environmental news or sign up for our Climate Connected newsletter HERE. • Evacuation order for wildfire in B.C.'s Peace River • Evacuee describes 'surreal' speed of B.C. wildfire that quadrupled in size • Saskatchewan and Manitoba declare provincial wildfire emergencies • Swiss glacier collapse renews focus on risks of climate change as glaciers retreat around the world Human activities like burning fossil fuels and farming livestock are the main drivers of climate change, according to the UN's intergovernmental panel on climate change. This causes heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere, increasing the planet's surface temperature. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The panel, which is made up of scientists from around the world, has warned for decades that wildfires and severe weather, such as B.C.'s deadly heat dome and catastrophic flooding in 2021, would become more frequent and intense because of the climate emergency. It has issued a code red for humanity and warns the window to limit warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial times is closing. According to NASA climate scientists, human activities have raised the atmosphere's carbon dioxide content by 50 per cent in less than 200 years, and 'there is unequivocal evidence that Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate.' And it continues to rise. As of May 5, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen to 429.64 parts per million, up from 428.15 parts per million last month and 427.09 ppm in March, according to NOAA data measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory, a global atmosphere monitoring lab in Hawaii. The NOAA notes there has been a steady rise in CO2 from under 320 ppm in 1960. • The Earth is now about 1.3 C warmer than it was in the 1800s. • 2024 was hottest year on record globally, beating the record in 2023. • The global average temperature in 2023 reached 1.48 C higher than the pre-industrial average, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. In 2024, it breached the 1.5 C threshold at 1.55 C. • The past 10 years (2015-2024) are the 10 warmest on record. • Human activities have raised atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by nearly 49 per cent above pre-industrial levels starting in 1850. • The world is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement target to keep global temperature from exceeding 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, the upper limit to avoid the worst fallout from climate change including sea level rise, and more intense drought, heat waves and wildfires. • On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, the temperature could increase by as much 3.6 C this century, according to the IPCC. • In April, 2022 greenhouse gas concentrations reached record new highs and show no sign of slowing. • Emissions must drop 7.6 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030 to keep temperatures from exceeding 1.5 C and 2.7 per cent per year to stay below 2 C. • There is global scientific consensus that the climate is warming and that humans are the cause. (Source: United Nations IPCC , World Meteorological Organization , UNEP , NASA , ) The Peace River Regional District in northeastern B.C. has issued an evacuation order for properties threatened by an out-of-control wildfire. The province's emergency information service said Thursday afternoon that the Kiskatinaw River fire south of Dawson Creek, measuring about 1,100 hectares, poses a threat to human life. The evacuation order was issued for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border. The Peace River Regional District said people should evacuate to Dawson Creek. The fire was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press Shelley Calliou of the Kelly Lake Cree Nation said it was 'surreal' how fast a wildfire threatening the community in northeast British Columbia moved. She said she was told by the RCMP at 6 p.m. Thursday that she had a two-hour window to evacuate, with the Kiskatinaw River fire 18 kilometres southwest of the unincorporated community of Kelly Lake. 'Within those two hours, it moved 10 kilometres. It's fast-moving,' said Calliou on Friday from Dawson Creek, B.C., where she said about 70 people had fled, about 80 kilometres north. The fire that prompted the evacuation order for Kelly Lake and nearby areas on Thursday quadrupled in size overnight, as firefighters warned of 'intensifying conditions' in the parched northeast of the province where most fire activity is concentrated. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported that the out-of-control blaze in the Peace River Regional District, near the Alberta boundary, was about 46 square kilometres in size on Friday, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press Thousands of people in Saskatchewan have been forced to leave their homes and flee to nearby cities as massive wildfires have ravaged through communities and campgrounds, and blocked off highways for evacuation routes. Communities under evacuation orders include Pelican Narrows, Hall Lake, Brabant Lake, Canoe Lake, Lower Fishing Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake, Little Bear Lake and Whiteswan Bay. Additional communities facing pre-evacuation orders include Narrow Hills Provincial Park, the Resort division of Trout Lake, Smeaton, Choiceland, Love, Creighton, Sikachu Lake Clam bridge, and Flin Flon, Man. Provincewide, Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency in its fight against the rampaging wildfires. The declaration by Premier Scott Moe came one day after his Manitoba counterpart Wab Kinew did the same. 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with,' Moe told a news conference in Prince Albert. 'We do need some rainfall. We need that sooner rather than later, and in light of that not being in the forecast, we most certainly are putting in place every measure possible to prepare the province.' Read the full story here. —Saskatoon StarPhoenix There's no rain in the forecast for Flin Flon, Manitoba over the next week as crews there fight a wildfire that's raging nearby. Temperatures throughout the weekend are expected to range from the low to high 20s, before cooling off. Thousands have evacuated the northwestern Manitoba city, including municipal government officials and health-care professionals. Flin Flon mayor George Fontaine said on Friday that unless things changed, the fire was projected to take chunks out of the town. As of now, wildfires in Manitoba have displaced more than 17,000 people. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with 1,300 people in the community of Swan Hills northwest of Edmonton already forced from their homes. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press If you were out strolling in Stanley Park over the weekend you may have noticed a thick layer of slimy algae all over Lost Lagoon. Although not unusual, these algae blooms typically appear in late July or August, not in May. Over the years, the lake near the entrance of Stanley Park has become rife with pollution, sediment, eutrophication — run-off from land causing excessive nutrients, depriving the lake of oxygen — and invasive species. Experts say drought and increased heat from human-caused climate change, along with eutrophication, particularly high levels of phosphorus, are contributing to the algae blooms. The Vancouver park board and the Stanley Park Ecological Society have been working on solutions as the lake continues to degrade but so far nothing specific has been planned. Read the full story here. —Tiffany Crawford A huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier thundered down a Swiss mountainside on Wednesday, sending plumes of dust skyward and coating with mud nearly all of an Alpine village that authorities had evacuated earlier this month as a precaution. Video on social media and Swiss TV showed the mudslide near Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, with homes and buildings partially submerged under a mass of brownish sludge. Regional police said a 64-year-old man was reported missing, and search and rescue operations involving a drone with a thermal camera were underway. 'What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90 per cent of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten,' Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the southern Valais region, told local TV channel Canal9. A The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier above the village had broken off, causing the landslide which also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows. 'There's a risk that the situation could get worse,' Ganzer said, alluding to the blocked river. Read the full story here. —The Associated Press The landslide that buried most of a Swiss village this week is focusing renewed attention on the role of global warming in glacier collapses around the world and the increasing dangers. How glaciers collapse — from the Alps and Andes to the Himalayas and Antarctica — can differ, scientists say. But in almost every instance, climate change is playing a role. In Switzerland, the mountainside gave way Wednesday near the village of Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, because the rock face above the Birch Glacier had become unstable when mountain permafrost melted, causing debris to fall and cover the glacier in recent years, said Martin Truffer, a physics professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who studies how glaciers move. While the debris insulated the glacier and slowed melting, its weight caused the ice to begin moving — which accelerated dramatically a few weeks ago. Authorities ordered the evacuation of about 300 people, as well as all livestock, from the village in recent days, 'when it became clear that there's a whole mountainside that's about to collapse,' said Truffer, who is from Switzerland. Lakes that form at the base of glaciers as they melt and retreat also sometimes burst, often with catastrophic results. Water can even lift an entire glacier, allowing it to drain, said Truffer, adding that Alaska's capital of Juneau has flooded in recent years because a lake forms every year on a rapidly retreating glacier and eventually bursts. Read the full story here. —The Associated Press Researchers at the University of B.C. have discovered that millions of seahorses are being traded illegally around the world on hidden routes, putting many species at risk of becoming endangered or extinct. The study, published this week in the scientific journal Conservation Biology, found nearly five million seahorses, worth an estimated $29 million, were seized by authorities in 62 countries over a 10-year span at airports in passenger baggage or shipped in sea cargo. However, researchers believe the number of seahorses on the illegal trade market is significantly higher, as the data show only the shipments that were seized. They also found emerging trade routes for dried seahorses in Europe and Latin America, in addition to already known routes such as Thailand to Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. For example, researchers were surprised to learn there was poaching in European waters and that different species of seahorse are showing up in unusual trade routes, said Sarah Foster, who holds a PhD in resource management and is the program leader with Project Seahorse at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. Foster said of the 46 known species of seahorse, 14 are considered to be threatened with extinction, mostly because of trawling and trade. Read the full story here. —Tiffany Crawford
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
First Bouts Of Saharan Dust Are Reaching Caribbean, US. Here's What To Know About Its Impact On Hurricane Season And Your Health
The first big surge of Saharan dust is expected to reach the Gulf Coast this weekend and into next week. Here's what you need to know about this dust: In Brief: Saharan dust travels thousands of miles from Africa to the Americas each spring and summer. Once or twice a summer, one of these SALs makes a complete 5,000-plus mile journey as far west as the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas. In Depth: More formally, it is known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), this dry dust plume commonly forms from late spring through early fall and moves into the tropical Atlantic Ocean every three to five days, according to NOAA's Hurricane Research Division. The Saharan Air Layer is typically located between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above the Earth's surface. It is transported westward by bursts of strong winds and tropical waves as they move westward from Africa to the Pacific. Here are three things dust can do: 1. Drier air can squash thunderstorms and tropical systems: One of the reasons we don't start watching the stretch between Africa and the Caribbean for tropical activity in June and July is because of this dust. The dust is not only dry but also has a sinking motion in areas that it passes through. This is not favorable for thunderstorm growth. Tropical waves often have a rough time developing if they are enshrouded by the Saharan air layer. Dust can also zap other ingredients needed for tropical development. Saharan air can reflect sunlight before it can reach the Atlantic, slightly cooling the oceans. Stronger winds within the SAL also increase wind shear, which can either tilt or rip apart a tropical system. But as the dust and wind shear weaken ocean warmth will peak in the late summer months. That's why the heart of the hurricane season is from late August into October, during which 82% of a hurricane season's activity usually takes place. This same thunderstorm-squashing idea that is found in the tropics is also found when the dust gets closer to the Southeast. When dust is passing through, there is often a multiday drop in rain chances until the dust is gone. In Florida, this means there is a break in the rainy season, but that's not always good news. This pause in sea breeze thunderstorms allows Florida's typical high temperature of 90-92 degrees to rise by a few degrees without much of a drop in surface humidity. This can make it even more uncomfortable to be outside. Be sure to take breaks and keep hydrated. (For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) 2. Dust can diminish air quality: When a Saharan Air Layer arrives, you'll typically notice hazier skies than usual for a summer day. This is your first signal that you may want to check the air quality. Health experts say the dust particles could trigger symptoms similar to springtime allergies or cause respiratory irritation for people with conditions like asthma or emphysema. If you are susceptible to breathing issues, you may want to limit your time outdoors or take a mask with you if you have to leave your home. 3. Particles can make for more beautiful sunrises and sunsets: If the air quality in your area isn't too bad, head outside early or late in the day. If you know that dust is overhead, you'll probably notice that your sunrises and sunsets appear more orange or reddish. This can make for some spectacular photos. MORE ON Hurricane Season's Opening Act: What To Expect In June What The 'Cone Of Uncertainty' Does And Doesn't Tell You Latest Hurricane Season Outlook Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Jersey Shore summer forecast. Will we have good beach days this summer?
It's been a slow start for summer heat. Don't worry, it's coming. The spring has yet to offer up too many great beach days to start the summer of 2025. On days we did see the temperatures rise, we typically also dealt with rain. Hot, sunny beach days have been few and far between, but things could change. Quickly. According to USA Today, June 1 marks the first day of meteorological summer, the kickoff of the three months that typically feel the hottest (although the calendar will technically say it's spring until June 20). According to multiple outlooks, summer 2025 will be a scorcher. The summer forecast calls for hotter-than-normal temperatures from coast-to-coast, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center and other private forecasters. "Model guidance was overwhelmingly above normal across the U.S. and most of Alaska for the upcoming summer season," Johnna Infanti, meteorologist for NOAA's Climate Prediction Center told USA TODAY via email. This summer calls for above average temperatures for most of the United States, including New Jersey. According to accuweather, the first week of June will be dry and warm at the Jersey Shore. After two cool days to start the month, we should be into the upper 80s and creeping into the lower 90s by midweek. The second week looks cooler, with temperatures falling to reach 80 degrees most days. It will also be wet with rain forecasted for three days. The last two weeks of the month are fairly similar to the first two. We'll have a few days with high temperatures struggling to reach 80 degrees, but for the most part we'll see high temperatures in the low-80s. July looks like a perfect month for beach lovers. Accuweather's long-range forecast calls for mostly sunny days with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s. Bad news is after a June that has a lot of chances for rain, July looks to be much dryer until the last week when there are few chances for rain. August looks a lot like July. It's going to be a great month for people who enjoy outdoor activities. Temperatures look to stay mostly in the mid-80s with few chances for rain until the end of the month. The last week of summer could be a wet one, but that's after three weeks of mostly sunny skies. Obviously these forecasts will change, but for now it looks like it's going to be a great weather summer at the Jersey Shore. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey summer weather 2025 calls for great beach weather
