Latest news with #PaulPastelok
USA Today
5 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Brace for more smoky skies as Canadian wildfires rage
A dire August forecast map shows "well above average" fire severity across a swath of Canada. Smoke from Canadian wildfires again plagued portions of the northern United States on Wednesday, July 16, prompting air quality alerts from Illinois to Maine. This includes portions of Michigan, where the National Weather Service said that due to the wildfire smoke, "it is recommended that, when possible, you stay indoors and keep time outdoors short and avoid strenuous activities." The smoke is coming from 81 uncontrolled active wildfires in Canada across several provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Smoke to continue Smoke from western Canadian fires is forecast to continue to impact portions of the United States for the near future, forecasters said July 16, as fires are expected to persist: "We expect that there is a high potential for wildfires in the next three months," atmospheric scientist Djordje Romanic of McGill University told USA TODAY in an e-mail July 16. This includes a dire forecast map for August from the Canadian government, which shows that most of the four huge western Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) all face "well above average" fire severity. AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok told USA TODAY that the wildfires are likely to continue well into October in Canada, so smoke will continue to be an issue in the United States into the fall. 'A pretty bad situation' While our northern neighbor's wildfire season hasn't been as bad as the record-shattering 2023 season, the province of Manitoba is enduring its worst year for wildfires in roughly three decades, according to the Manitoba government. The province remains under a state of emergency due to the fires. The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks in fire-plagued Manitoba shows little relief from the dry conditions that have plagued the western provinces since the late spring, Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke told USA TODAY on July 16. "It's a pretty bad situation," he said. Although the number of fires in Canada is average for this time of year, the area burned to date is significantly more than the 10-year average, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). And according to the Canadian government, "Canada is at National Preparedness Level 5, indicating that there is full commitment of national resources and demand for interagency resources through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center is extreme. Since national availability of resources is limited, international resources are being mobilized." What should I do when an air quality alert is issued? According to Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services, here are some indoor methods to protect yourself from the pollutants outside: Contributing: Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fourth of July forecast: See where weather could disrupt fireworks, travel
Rain and potential thunderstorms are in store for Americans in several states for the Fourth of July, while severe storms are expected to snarl one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, forecasters said. A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6, according to AAA. The days leading up to the holiday are expected to bring showers, heavy rain and thunderstorms to a stretch from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the Southeast, which could cause localized flash flooding, the National Weather Service said on July 2. Other storm systems are expected in the northern High Plains and the Southwest. The pre-holiday stormy weather will give way to a marginal risk of thunderstorms in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Independence Day, according to the Storm Prediction Center. The center of the country and southeast could see rain and some storms that day. But there's good news: About two-thirds of the country will have clear weather perfect for viewing fireworks shows on the Fourth, AccuWeather forecasters said. "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on Friday, July 4," AccuWeather Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. Thunderstorms are expected to form in parts of North Carolina on July 2, while heavy rainfall will impact areas over the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. Torrential downpours and heavy winds are expected along a stretch from New Jersey to Florida, AccuWeather reported. Meanwhile, the storms impacting the Midwest are expected to bring hail and strong wind gusts on July 2, according to the outlet. On July 3, showers and thunderstorms will impact Florida through the morning of the Fourth, the weather service said. The storm system in the Midwest will shift its focus to the Northeast on July 3, bringing strong wind gusts that could even cause isolated power outages, AccuWeather warned. The weather will be clear and dry in the Great Lakes region and Northeast and most of the West on the Fourth of July, AccuWeather reported. Heat and humidity with temperatures in the 90s are forecast across several states. "It's been very humid the past several weeks, but we'll finally be in store for a more pleasant airmass, just in time for the Fourth of July," the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York, said. The most likely areas to experience hazardous weather on the holiday are along a corridor from northern Kansas up through the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the outlet said. Those storms could bring damaging hail, wind gusts, flash flooding, and possibly some isolated tornadoes. Into the holiday weekend, the storms could produce flash flooding, the weather service in Duluth, Minnesota, said. Meanwhile, a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic has a medium chance of forming into a cyclone in the next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. It could turn into a tropical or subtropical depression by the holiday weekend, and is bringing the chance of heavy rainfall across the Southeast, particularly along the west-central Florida coast, forecasters said. The system doesn't pose a direct threat to Florida in the coming days, but could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and rip currents, the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. Contributing: USA TODAY Network-Florida This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4th of July forecast reveals where rain could impact fireworks, travel
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Fourth of July forecast: See where weather could disrupt fireworks, travel
Rain and potential thunderstorms are in store for Americans in several states for the Fourth of July, while severe storms are expected to snarl one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, forecasters said. A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6, according to AAA. The days leading up to the holiday are expected to bring showers, heavy rain and thunderstorms to a stretch from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the Southeast, which could cause localized flash flooding, the National Weather Service said on July 2. Other storm systems are expected in the northern High Plains and the Southwest. The pre-holiday stormy weather will give way to a marginal risk of thunderstorms in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Independence Day, according to the Storm Prediction Center. The center of the country and southeast could see rain and some storms that day. But there's good news: About two-thirds of the country will have clear weather perfect for viewing fireworks shows on the Fourth, AccuWeather forecasters said. "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on Friday, July 4," AccuWeather Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. Traveling for the holiday? See where storms are coming Thunderstorms are expected to form in parts of North Carolina on July 2, while heavy rainfall will impact areas over the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. Torrential downpours and heavy winds are expected along a stretch from New Jersey to Florida, AccuWeather reported. Meanwhile, the storms impacting the Midwest are expected to bring hail and strong wind gusts on July 2, according to the outlet. On July 3, showers and thunderstorms will impact Florida through the morning of the Fourth, the weather service said. The storm system in the Midwest will shift its focus to the Northeast on July 3, bringing strong wind gusts that could even cause isolated power outages, AccuWeather warned. Fourth of July forecast The weather will be clear and dry in the Great Lakes region and Northeast and most of the West on the Fourth of July, AccuWeather reported. Heat and humidity with temperatures in the 90s are forecast across several states. "It's been very humid the past several weeks, but we'll finally be in store for a more pleasant airmass, just in time for the Fourth of July," the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York, said. The most likely areas to experience hazardous weather on the holiday are along a corridor from northern Kansas up through the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the outlet said. Those storms could bring damaging hail, wind gusts, flash flooding, and possibly some isolated tornadoes. Into the holiday weekend, the storms could produce flash flooding, the weather service in Duluth, Minnesota, said. Forecasters watching disturbance off Southeast coast Meanwhile, a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic has a medium chance of forming into a cyclone in the next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. It could turn into a tropical or subtropical depression by the holiday weekend, and is bringing the chance of heavy rainfall across the Southeast, particularly along the west-central Florida coast, forecasters said. The system doesn't pose a direct threat to Florida in the coming days, but could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and rip currents, the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. Contributing: USA TODAY Network-Florida
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fireworks to light up July 4 skies: Here's the cities that will have the best view - and the duds that will be rainouts
Fourth of July fireworks are set to light up the night sky and while some parts of the U.S. will have spectacular weather and clear views, others will be battling a few storms. Forecasters say viewing conditions will be the best on Friday for major Northeast cities, where some of the largest displays in the country kick-off, and along the West Coast. New York City — the home to the 49th annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show and a display at the Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk — along with areas from Boston to the nation's capital are likely to be rain-free. Fortunately for the Big Apple, humidity levels are likely to be lower than July standards. 'Folks heading to Coney Island, New York, will probably need sunglasses,' AccuWeather forecasters said. But, that is not the case for a large swath of the central and northern U.S., and parts of the southern U.S. A stormy Fourth "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on July 4," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok cautioned. Thunderstorms are anticipated Friday across New Mexico, west Texas, Colorado and eastern Arizona, and carry flash flooding concerns. Temperatures in the deserts may reach the triple digits yet again. In the warm Pacific Northwest, showers could also extend into the evening hours, and the Plains and interior Southeast will see high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. In the Midwest, thunderstorms will be possible in Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Meteorologists are watching an area of showers and thunderstorms over the Bay of Campeche in Mexico, which could become a tropical cyclone near the Southeast within the next week. Should a tropical depression or storm develop, southeastern beaches may experience rough surf. "If anything forms, heavy rainfall looks to be the primary impact,' AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva explained. Alternatively, in the days leading up to the holiday, the West is expected to be hot and dry. That may result in fireworks restrictions in some places on Friday. From the Great Lakes to the Northeast, typical summer weather is forecast. AccuWeather says humid conditions and wet weather will affect New Mexico, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Travel impacts Thunderstorms were already impacting travel from Chicago Monday, and 114 delays had been reported at the Windy City's O'Hare International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware. A record 72.2 million Americans are projected to travel across the U.S. this Fourth of July, according to AAA. That estimate includes all air, ground and other travel from Saturday through July 6. An unprecedented 5.84 million travelers are anticipated to take to the skies, marking a 1.4 percent increase over the previous record. With gas prices the lowest they've been since 2021, AAA also said there will be the highest volume of people traveling by car on record. It currently sits at $3.14 a gallon. Some 61.6 million people will drive to their destination this year, marking a 2.2 percent increase over last year. 'AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit. Last July 4th week, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for issues like dead batteries and flat tires, plus people locking themselves out of their car or running out of gas,' the group warned.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fireworks to light up July 4 skies: Here's the cities that will have the best view - and the duds that will be rainouts
Fourth of July fireworks are set to light up the night sky and while some parts of the U.S. will have spectacular weather and clear views, others will be battling a few storms. Forecasters say viewing conditions will be the best on Friday for major Northeast cities, where some of the largest displays in the country kick-off, and along the West Coast. New York City — the home to the 49th annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show and a display at the Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk — along with areas from Boston to the nation's capital are likely to be rain-free. Fortunately for the Big Apple, humidity levels are likely to be lower than July standards. 'Folks heading to Coney Island, New York, will probably need sunglasses,' AccuWeather forecasters said. But, that is not the case for a large swath of the central and northern U.S., and parts of the southern U.S. "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on July 4," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok cautioned. Thunderstorms are anticipated Friday across New Mexico, west Texas, Colorado and eastern Arizona, and carry flash flooding concerns. Temperatures in the deserts may reach the triple digits yet again. In the warm Pacific Northwest, showers could also extend into the evening hours, and the Plains and interior Southeast will see high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. In the Midwest, thunderstorms will be possible in Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Meteorologists are watching an area of showers and thunderstorms over the Bay of Campeche in Mexico, which could become a tropical cyclone near the Southeast within the next week. Should a tropical depression or storm develop, southeastern beaches may experience rough surf. "If anything forms, heavy rainfall looks to be the primary impact,' AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva explained. Alternatively, in the days leading up to the holiday, the West is expected to be hot and dry. That may result in fireworks restrictions in some places on Friday. From the Great Lakes to the Northeast, typical summer weather is forecast. AccuWeather says humid conditions and wet weather will affect New Mexico, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Thunderstorms were already impacting travel from Chicago Monday, and 114 delays had been reported at the Windy City's O'Hare International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware. A record 72.2 million Americans are projected to travel across the U.S. this Fourth of July, according to AAA. That estimate includes all air, ground and other travel from Saturday through July 6. An unprecedented 5.84 million travelers are anticipated to take to the skies, marking a 1.4 percent increase over the previous record. With gas prices the lowest they've been since 2021, AAA also said there will be the highest volume of people traveling by car on record. It currently sits at $3.14 a gallon. Some 61.6 million people will drive to their destination this year, marking a 2.2 percent increase over last year. 'AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit. Last July 4th week, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for issues like dead batteries and flat tires, plus people locking themselves out of their car or running out of gas,' the group warned.
