Latest news with #OliviaCahill
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Millions Across 12 States Warned of Dangerous Water Conditions
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. Millions across at least 12 U.S. states were facing strong rip currents and rough surf this week, according to forecasters, as Tropical Storm Dexter continued to track east-northeast across the Atlantic's open waters. Why It Matters Tropical Storm Dexter is the fourth named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season. It follows storms Andrea, Barry and Chantal. Chantal brought heavy rain and flooding to North Carolina in early July. What To Know Tropical Storm Dexter is moving northeast over the open Atlantic, with no direct land impacts expected. However, maritime interests may encounter higher surf and rough seas through Saturday, AccuWeather said. Alongside a strengthening high pressure over the Northeast, Dexter will increase the risk of rip currents along East Coast beaches throughout the week. A forecast map provided to Newsweek by AccuWeather showed that the majority of the East Coast could see strong rip currents and rough surf this week, from Florida all the way north to Massachusetts. A forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states could experience coastal hazards this week. A forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states could experience coastal hazards this week. AccuWeather On Monday, Newsweek reported that authorities had advised thousands of beachgoers in North Carolina to exercise caution when entering the water at beaches north of Cape Hatteras due to hazardous ocean conditions. National Weather Service meteorologist Olivia Cahill told Newsweek at the time that northeasterly winds from Tropical Storm Dexter, swirling farther out in the Atlantic, generated powerful waves and life-threatening rip currents. In its most recent public advisory for Tropical Storm Dexter, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the system was moving east-northeast at around 13 miles per hour, and this motion was expected to continue "with some increase in forward speed" over the coming days. "Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours while the system becomes an extratropical cyclone," the agency said. This is a cyclone for which the primary energy source results from the temperature contrast between warm and cold air masses, according to the NHC. What People Are Saying AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said, in an advisory shared with Newsweek: "Be vigilant for rough surf and rip currents at Atlantic beaches this week from Florida to New England. Dexter will continue to churn up the surf as it pushes away from the U.S. High pressure will build over the Northeast starting Wednesday. An onshore flow will keep the rip current risk moderate to high at times through the end of the week. Look for beaches with lifeguards on duty this week." What Happens Next The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. The eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15 and lasts until November 30. The NHC says that August and September are typically the busiest months of the Atlantic season.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Potential Tropical Storm Erin Update as Chances at Forming Rise
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. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has increased the chances that a disturbance off the Southeast U.S. coast will form within the next seven days. Should it strengthen into a tropical storm, it will become the fifth named storm of the season and will be called Erin. Why It Matters The NHC is currently tracking three systems in the Atlantic Ocean. They are Tropical Storm Dexter, which is currently moving further out to sea, and two disturbances, one off the western coast of Africa and one brewing much closer to the U.S. Each of these disturbances has a moderate chance at strengthening into a tropical storm in the coming days. Hurricanes and tropical storms can lead to evacuation warnings and cause major damage when they hit the U.S. Tracking and predicting the movement of these storms can help with preparedness and public safety. The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. What To Know Since Monday, chances that the disturbance nearest the U.S. will strengthen into a tropical storm have increased. The storm had zero percent chance of strengthening within 48 hours and a 30 percent chance of doing so within the next seven days on Monday. On Tuesday, those chances for it to form within the next 48 hours have risen to 10 percent, and the chances it will do so within the next seven days have risen to 40 percent. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows meteorologists monitoring three disturbances, including one tropical storm, in the Atlantic Ocean. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows meteorologists monitoring three disturbances, including one tropical storm, in the Atlantic Ocean. National Hurricane Center Meanwhile, the disturbance off the coast of Africa has a slightly higher chance at forming in the next seven days at 50 percent, but chances remain at near zero for the next 48 hours. Either one of these disturbances could become Erin. Should they both strengthen into a tropical storm, one will be named Fernand. Neither of the new systems is causing weather hazards on land, although the North Carolina coastline did see dangerous wave and current activity yesterday from Tropical Storm Dexter, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Olivia Cahill told Newsweek. It remains to be seen what, if any, impacts will be caused by the new disturbances. Weather experts have issued repeated warnings this summer that peak Atlantic hurricane season doesn't typically hit until September, urging people to take precautionary action, such as stocking up on emergency supplies and ensuring they have proper insurance in place, before a storm forms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting from 13 to 19 named storms for this year's Atlantic hurricane season, with six to 10 strengthening into hurricanes and three to five into major hurricanes. What People Are Saying NHC in an updated outlook about the system closest to the U.S.: "A weak surface trough currently located several hundred miles off the coast of the southeastern United States is expected to form an area of low pressure in a day or so. Thereafter, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by the latter portion of this week or weekend as the low initially moves slowly westward, but turns more northward by this weekend." NHC in an updated outlook about the system near Africa: "A tropical wave over the far eastern tropical Atlantic is currently producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the southwest of the wave axis. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend as the system moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical or subtropical Atlantic." What Happens Next NHC meteorologists will continue to monitor the system as it progresses. As of the most recent forecast, there were no warnings or watches in place for the Southeast coast.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Thousands on East Coast Warned of Neck and Back Injuries
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. Thousands of North Carolina beachgoers were advised to use caution when entering the ocean at beaches north of Cape Hatteras amid dangerous ocean conditions that could cause life-threatening injuries to swimmers. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Olivia Cahill told Newsweek that strong waves and life-threatening rip currents are caused by northeasterly winds from Tropical Storm Dexter churning further out in the Atlantic Ocean. Why It Matters The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a beach hazards statement for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island in North Carolina, warning thousands of East Coast visitors of dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves on Monday. Such hazards pose a significant risk to swimmers and surfers, with particular concern for neck and back injuries that can result from being thrown into the ocean floor. Awareness of these risks is vital, as rip currents are the leading cause of weather-related fatalities on Carolina beaches, and shore break injuries can have devastating, long-term health consequences. The NWS statement comes amid the height of summer tourism, when beaches are crowded, increasing the potential for drownings and serious spinal injuries. What To Know In the early morning hours on Monday, the NWS Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina, office announced a Beach Hazards Statement in effect through the evening. The advisory targeted the beaches north of Cape Hatteras and specifically warned of dangerous rip currents capable of pushing even strong swimmers away from shore into deeper water and large breaking waves in the surf zone, increasing the risk of shore break injuries. The highest risk of strong rip currents occurred earlier this morning, but the hazard will persist throughout the day. Stock photo showing a red flag at a beach, signaling hazardous ocean conditions. Stock photo showing a red flag at a beach, signaling hazardous ocean conditions. Ahmad Darmansyah/Getty The impacts noted included a high likelihood of swimmers being caught and pulled offshore by rip currents, as well as a risk that large, forceful shore breaks could drive swimmers and surfers head-first into the sandy bottom, causing neck and back injuries. The NWS emphasized the life-threatening nature of these conditions and urged beachgoers to follow safety guidelines. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should remain calm, swim parallel to the shore, and if exhausted, float or tread water until free from the current. For shore break protection, keep hands in front of the face and head when in the surf to help shield against potential impact injuries. Numerous other beach hazards statements were issued along the East Coast, including in North Carolina and Virginia, although these alerts didn't specifically mention neck and back injuries as a threat. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Olivia Cahill told Newsweek: "The beach hazards statement is only issued if there's a high rip current risk or if there's a potential for a longshore currents or dangerous shore break." A beach hazards statement issued in North Carolina said: "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water." What Happens Next Authorities expected hazardous conditions to persist through Monday evening, but the alert could be extended should conditions persist. The NWS and local officials recommended that all visitors consult beach forecasts and abide by posted warnings. Rip current risks can recur, particularly around low tide or following distant storms, so ongoing vigilance is required throughout the summer season. Cahill stressed the importance of only swimming at beaches with lifeguards. "Just because it's a beautiful day outside doesn't mean the rip currents aren't dangerous," she said.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Look at the labels': Advice on cannabis consumption during National Poison Prevention Week
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – This week is National Poison Prevention Week. New York State leaders are sounding the alarm on safe storage and responsible use of marijuana to help prevent accidental ingestion, especially among children and pets. As the legal cannabis market continues to grow across New York, state leaders are putting poison prevention at the forefront. 'All of the packaging is designed to make sure it's not attractive for those under 21 – that's something you'll see in our adult use and medical markets. In addition, they also require on the packaging and labeling the universal symbol. So, we can teach our youth – and our grandparents as well,' said Olivia Cahill, a program analyst for the NYS Office of Cannabis Management. Cahill reminds families to look at the universal symbol found on all legal products, making sure items are stored in a safe place and out of the hands of children and pets. 'Like any other medication, you'll want to keep that stored up and away. It can be in a lock bag or in a container, or making sure it's not necessarily visible for youth or pets. With the symbol, there's three little blocks on any given corner. But, it's a cannabis leaf with an exclamation point. Then, you have the New York symbol and the 21 and over symbol. That indicates, like any nutrition label, we want to teach our youth to look at your nutrition labels,' said Cahill. In light of National Poison Prevention Week, officials explain one of the other best practices is to acknowledge and help reduce the stigma surrounding marijuana, namely for medical use. New Yorkers float expanded tax credits or voucher programs to address homelessness 'We're really trying to reduce the stigma as well. Being open and honest is the best policy. That's why we want to have the conversation of safe storage. But, at the end of the day, it is plant medicine. Being able to have safe access to it, I think, is a great thing for our state. The best way to reduce those accidental consumptions is just talking to people about it,' said Cahill. More information on resources available to families can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
