Latest news with #NationalOceanicAndAtmosphericAdministration
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will it be a cold winter in NC, Asheville? Here are NOAA's long-range predictions
Long-range predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have arrived for the winter season in 2025-2026. The NOAA makes three-month outlook predictions for the entire nation months in advance, including the probability of each prediction. The organization's December 2025-February 2026 predictions were issued in mid-July. Additionally, the Old Farmer's Almanac has published an initial look at some of its forecasts for this winter, though specific details have yet to be issued. Here's what NOAA says about this winter in North Carolina and countrywide, plus what we know about the Old Farmer's Almanac predictions, the timing of seasonal changes, and more. Will it be a cold winter in NC? In the U.S.? NOAA predictions for winter 2025 NOAA predicts above-normal temperatures in the south and up the Eastern Coast between December 2025 and February 2026. This includes all of NC, with a 33-40% probability of above normal temperatures this winter. Below-average precipitation is predicted in the lower southern states, including most of NC. Parts of WNC, however, may see near-normal precipitation. These predictions are made with 33-50% probability based on the region of NC, according to NOAA. Old Farmer's Almanac predictions for winter 2025 The Old Farmer's Almanac teased its 2025-2026 winter forecast, giving readers an idea of what's to come in the long range. The full forecast will likely drop in several weeks, but many factors are leading to what could be a warmer-than-average winter this year. The Almanac cites several early signs of what's to come, including the peak in solar activity that has historically contributed to milder winters, the fading of La Niña into neutral conditions, which could lead to shaky jet streams and temperature patterns, and the possibility of a "wavy" polar vortex. This could send bursts of frigid air and snow to the southeastern states. When is the first day of fall? The first day of fall 2025 is Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere, which is marked by the autumnal equinox. When is the first day of winter? The first day of winter 2025 is Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere, which is marked by the winter solstice. Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK, contributed to this report. Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Will it be a cold winter in NC? In the U.S.? NOAA predictions Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Above-normal activity predicted for remainder of 2025 Atlantic hurricane season: NOAA
Above-normal activity is still expected for the remainder of hurricane season, according to the updated hurricane forecast from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency is continuing to predict an above-normal number of named storms for the year but with slightly less confidence than when the initial hurricane outlook was issued in May. There is now a 50% chance of an above-normal season, a 35% chance of a near-normal season and a 15% chance of a below-normal season, according to the updated assessment, which was released on Thursday. In May, the agency forecast a 60% chance of above-normal activity. For the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA is forecasting 13 to 18 total named storms with winds of 39 mph or greater -- with five to nine of those storms predicted to become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater. MORE: Above-normal activity predicted for 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA forecasts Two to five of those named storms are expected to become major hurricanes between Categories 3 and 5 and winds of 111 mph or higher, according to NOAA. As of Thursday, the 2025 season has seen four named tropical storms and no hurricanes. The names Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter have been used so far. Erin is the next name up. MORE: Puerto Rico's infrastructure still recovering from Hurricane Maria 7 years after the Category 4 storm devastated the island Climatologically, the Atlantic season typically sees its first hurricane on Aug. 11. "No two storms are alike," NOAA's National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said in a press release. "Every storm presents unique, life-threatening hazards that can impact people in both coastal and inland communities. Have a plan in place, and know the actions you should take before, during and after the wide range of hazards that the hurricane season can bring." On Wednesday, Colorado State University (CSU) updated its seasonal forecast for storm activity in the Atlantic Basin. While the university's team have also maintained their previous forecast of a slightly above-average season, they said they have lower-than-normal confidence in their outlook due to a significant difference in wind speed and direction in the atmosphere over the Caribbean Sea in June and July. Over the next two weeks, there is a 55% chance of above-average activity, a 35% chance of near-average activity and just a 10% chance of below-average activity, according to CSU. MORE: Destructive hurricanes like Helene highlight that catastrophic impacts from storms can extend far inland CSU is predicting 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes for the 2025 season. It will be issuing its two-week forecasts from Thursday through the peak of the season. Several key weather and climate factors influenced the updated forecasts, according to NOAA and CSU. The sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are warming and are now a bit higher than normal, and cool, neutral conditions in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are expected during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. These conditions make it easier for hurricanes to form and strengthen. "Many of the factors we identified ahead of the season are still at play, and conditions are largely tracking along with our May predictions," Matt Rosencrans, the lead hurricane season forecaster at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction, said. ABC News' Matthew Glasser, Dan Manzo, Kyle Reiman, Dan Peck and Sam Wnek contributed to this report.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Haunting Underwater Voice Remains Mystery 25 Years Later (Listen)
The mysteries of the world's oceans are as vast as the seas themselves, spreading across more than 70% of the earth's surface, and still to this day, remaining largely unexplored. And one unknown occurrence has remained unanswered for 25 years. Back in 1991, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration captured an underwater sound off the Pacific Ocean, near the equator, eerily resembling that of a woman. As such, they named the phenomenon 'Julia.' And still, they've been scratching their heads as to what may have caused the anomalous noise. Hear it below. Of course, online, conspiracy theorists have their ideas about what the sound may be. Like on Reddit, where some users commented and cautioned: 'So T-Rex didn't go extinct. He moved into the ocean to escape the heat from the apocalypse and is now a fish. Got it.' 'This is terrifying.... It's why you'll never find my ass out on a cruise ship. No thank you.' 'What could be causing that? Could it be something similar to the big blip, or like an under water eruption?' 'RELEASE THE KRAKEN!'In reality, the experts at NOAA do have a pretty distinct idea of what the mysterious sound may be. They believe it was the sound of an iceberg grounding on the seafloor. NOAA continued: 'This sound was recorded on March 1, 1999 on the eastern equatorial Pacific autonomous hydrophone array. The most likely source of the sound formerly known as 'Julia' is a large iceberg that has run aground off Antarctica. Due to the uncertainty of the arrival azimuth, the point of origin could be between Bransfield Straits and Cape Adare with an origin time of 1999 JD60 21:05GMT.' Or, just maybe, there's more secrets in the ocean's depths that we've yet to Underwater Voice Remains Mystery 25 Years Later (Listen) first appeared on Surfer on Aug 4, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 10 States May See Aurora Borealis Wednesday
There may be an opportunity for some states in the northern U.S. to view the northern lights Wednesday night, and it's possible the phenomenon may become more visible, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No geomagnetic storms or significant solar winds are forecast. Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Wednesday, suggesting the northern lights might be more visible farther from the poles, including just south of the Canadian border. No geomagnetic storm conditions or 'significant' solar wind effects are expected over the next three days, including Wednesday night, according to NOAA's projections. Lesser auroral activity is expected Thursday and Friday, according to NOAA, with a maximum Kp index of about two forecast for either day. The northern lights will have a better chance of being seen throughout Canada and Alaska once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance, marked by a curved 'view line,' is forecast in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, upper Michigan and Maine. (See map below.) Wednesday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests disabling flash, enabling night mode and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting to capture the northern lights. Key Background Activity on the sun's surface achieved a 'solar maximum' in late 2024, indicating the northern lights will be more visible through early 2026, according to NASA and NOAA. A 'solar maximum,' coinciding with a 'solar minimum,' occurs throughout the sun's 11-year cycle and marks a respective increase or decrease in solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares. These events are responsible for aurora borealis, as electrons collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights. Further Reading Forbes Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 By Ty Roush
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Update: 8 States May See Aurora Borealis Wednesday
There may be an opportunity for some states in the northern U.S. to view the northern lights Wednesday night, and it's possible the phenomenon may become more visible, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No geomagnetic storms or significant solar winds are forecast. Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images The NOAA forecast a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Wednesday, suggesting the northern lights might be more visible farther from the poles, including just south of the Canadian border. No geomagnetic storm conditions or 'significant' solar wind effects are expected over the next three days, according to NOAA's projections, though the Kp index may rise to around four later Wednesday, meaning more states could have a chance to see the northern lights. Lesser auroral activity is expected Thursday and Friday, according to the NOAA, with a maximum Kp index of about two forecast for either day. The northern lights will have a better chance of being seen throughout Canada and Alaska once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance, marked by a curved 'view line,' is forecast in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Wednesday's view line. NOAA NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests disabling flash, enabling night mode and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting to capture the northern lights. Key Background Activity on the sun's surface achieved a 'solar maximum' in late 2024, indicating the northern lights will be more visible through early 2026, according to NASA and NOAA. A 'solar maximum,' coinciding with a 'solar minimum,' occurs throughout the sun's 11-year cycle and marks a respective increase or decrease in solar events like coronal mass ejections or solar flares. These events are responsible for aurora borealis, as electrons collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of colorful, swirling lights. Further Reading Forbes Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 By Ty Roush
