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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Extreme heat is back — here's where it will be the worst
The United States has entered the peak of summer and a new heat dome — sealing in all that hot, humid air — is about to make millions of people feel every bit of it. Some cities could notch their highest temperatures of the year as heat builds from the South to the Midwest this week while humidity drives the heat index, or how hot it will actually feel, well into the triple digits. Sizzling conditions began to set up from the Gulf Coast to the Plains on Tuesday, with more than 60 million people under heat alerts from Florida to South Dakota. Cities across these regions, including Memphis, Atlanta and St. Louis, saw temperatures climb into the 90s Tuesday afternoon. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and lasting longer as the world warms due to fossil fuel-driven climate change. The heat will ramp up in intensity and expand to the Midwest on Wednesday. Brutal temperatures will stretch from the South through the Midwest on Thursday and also start to push into the East. Wednesday and Thursday could be the new hottest days of the year in cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Memphis: Chicago and St. Louis are expected to soar into the upper 90s both days while Memphis could flirt with the triple digit mark. Unlike the intense heat wave earlier this summer, this bout of stifling heat isn't likely to topple hundreds of records. But records don't need to fall for heat to be incredibly dangerous: A Level 3 of 4 heat risk stretches from the Gulf Coast to Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Wednesday, and pockets along the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast are under a Level 4 of 4 'extreme' risk that will linger through Thursday. Heat this severe impacts anyone without access to effective cooling or proper hydration, not just vulnerable populations, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And for those without air conditioning, staying indoors can become deadly during the hottest parts of the day, the agency warns. For those under the highest risk level, the heat dangers are heightened because there will be little to no overnight relief. The heat index — also known as the apparent temperature — will soar to dangerous levels for tens of millions this week. Heat indices soared into the triple digits across the South and parts of the Central Plains on Tuesday. Temperatures felt as high as 110 degrees along coastal Georgia and South Carolina in the afternoon. By Wednesday, some parts of the Mississippi Valley, including Memphis, could have a heat index of between 110 and 115 degrees. Humid conditions will also prevent temperatures from cooling significantly overnight. It could still be close to 80 degrees in St. Louis by sunrise Thursday — nearly 10 degrees higher than a typical low for July. Chicago is expected to see low temperatures in the upper 70s Thursday morning, a departure from the typical lows in the 60s for this time of year. When overnight temperatures don't cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, people are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs. The heat will ramp up considerably Thursday in parts of the Ohio Valley and start to reach into the Northeast. Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati could come within a degree of or match their hottest day of the year so far, with expected highs in the 90s. These highs are about 10 degrees hotter than what's typical even in this hottest month of the year. The most intense heat for the East Coast will arrive by Friday, with high temperatures in the middle to upper 90s and a heat index of 100 degrees or more possible for Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. High temperatures in this range are also up to 10 degrees hotter than typical for these cities. Climate change is making this week's heat wave at least three times more likely for nearly 160 million people, almost half the US population, when compared with a world without fossil fuel emissions, according to an analysis from the climate research nonprofit Climate Central. The heat dome will ease by Saturday for many, replaced by more typical, though still very toasty, late July temperatures. Here's how hot this summer has been so far For many in the contiguous US, it's been sweltering since meteorological summer — June through August — began. The bulk of the heat has been focused on the East, where dozens of locations are so far on track for their hottest summer to date. Many more locales are currently experiencing at least one of their 10-hottest summers to date. The Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley and Midwest have all been literal hotspots. Rather than searing daytime temperatures driving the above-average heat in these locations, it's been many, many instances of too-warm overnight lows making the biggest impact, according to a CNN analysis of data from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. The Plains have so far dodged this really hot summer. Much of the West has too, with a few exceptions: Seattle is having its fifth-warmest summer to date while Portland is hovering around seventh-highest. Tiny pockets of cooler-than-normal summers are few and far between in the US, but the San Francisco Bay Area in California is one of them. Parts of the Bay Area — including Oakland and Fremont — are experiencing one of their coolest summers to date. August will likely be another hot month for much of the country, according to the Climate Prediction Center's latest forecast. Cities that are already baking could continue their hot streak while other places that have escaped the worst could still warm up a bit in the latter part of summer. CNN's Luke Snyder contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
100-degree heat dome to set up shop over southern US
The heart of summer is here and a major pattern change unfolding in the coming days will yield searing heat for millions over the southern United States, centered over the Plains and Mississippi Valley, Accuweather meteorologists advise. The same pattern, caused by a massive area of high pressure, will limit heat and high humidity to a handful of days in the Northeast. Many locations that have avoided 100-degree heat thus far will rack up a string of triple digits in the days ahead. A northward bulge in the jet stream will develop while high pressure builds. This setup-a heat dome-can be very persistent. While the core of the heat dome may meander east-to-west and back in the weeks ahead, it may linger through a good chunk of August. Dallas, which as of July 21 had not hit triple digits, but could do so on any of the days over the next two to three weeks. The pattern will erase the below historical average temperature condition thus far in July (1.2 degrees below average) and is likely to finish the month near to above the historical average. "Kansas City, Missouri, has not hit 100 degrees since Aug. 25, 2023, but is positioned to do so on multiple days during the upcoming heat dome," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said. The heat will make it difficult for manual labor jobs ranging from construction to agriculture, as well as the start of athletic training camps for the upcoming start of the school year. Caution is advised to take breaks and stay hydrated. It will take a while for the ground to dry out in some areas and, as that moisture is drawn into the air, it will make for very steamy conditions for a time, Merrill said. "Many cities from Nebraska and Missouri to Texas and Louisiana won't get relief at night with low temperatures to range from the mid-70s to the low 80s." "The zone from central Texas into the Ozarks in Arkansas and Missouri still has wet soil from recent rain," Merrill added. "The humidity levels will end up highest in this area, leading to extremely humid conditions this week. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will peak around 110 degrees this week in this zone." With the core of the heat dome centered over the southern Plains, it will be difficult for thunderstorms to occur. "The bottom line is that this has the look of a long-lasting heat wave with limited rainfall," Merrill said. "Drought will expand through the central Plains by mid-August and worsen in Kansas and Nebraska, where there are already pockets of moderate to extreme drought." As the ground dries out, temperatures will trend upward. Multiple days will have highs ranging from the mid-90s to the low 100s. In some areas, actual temperatures could even push 110 F as average soil moisture transitions to abnormally dry to drought conditions. Some tropical moisture can push westward from the Gulf and into parts of central and southern Texas and spill northward from Mexico and into the Deserts, Rockies and High Plains in the form of periodic thunderstorms. Pattern to bring rounds of cooler, less humid air to Northeast As the heat dome builds and meanders over the Southern states, a large southward dip in the jet stream will develop and persist from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast. This pattern will result in frequent fronts that bring extended bouts of cool and less humid air. Heat and humidity will surge ahead of the fronts, but likely only for a day or so here and there. In other words, the relentless sauna bath feel and torrential downpours leading to flash flooding should go away as the pattern evolves. However, there can still be quick-moving severe thunderstorms with brief downpours and strong wind gusts. The pattern will be a guard against tropical storms from making a northward run along the Atlantic coast of the U.S., as any storm that forms would be shunted out to sea or directed westward across the Gulf. A dose of cool air will visit the Northeast early this week. Heat will briefly surge back in later in the week in the Northeast. However, that heat is not expected to be of long duration and will likely be followed by an even more impressive surge of cooler and less humid air for the upcoming weekend. Areas from the central and northern Plains to the Ohio Valley and Southeast will need to be on guard for long-traveling complexes of damaging thunderstorms, known as derechos, in the pattern. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe weather, flash flood threat impact eastern half of US
Around 11 million Americans are under flood alerts Saturday evening as a "ring of fire" weather pattern continues to impact the eastern two-thirds of the country through the weekend. High pressure centered over the Southeast will keep dangerously hot and humid conditions in that region, but strong to severe storms along the perimeter of the high will remain possible across portions of the Plains, Midwest and even across portions of the East Coast. Severe thunderstorm watches remain in effect for portions of southern Maryland, northeastern North Carolina and Virginia until 10 p.m. ET Saturday. The primary threats include damaging winds, with gusts up to 65 mph possible, and isolated large hail up to an inch in diameter. To the west, portions of Nebraska remain under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. CT Saturday. A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for portions of eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and far northeastern Wyoming until 12 a.m. MT. Damaging winds, with gusts up to 70 mph are possible, along with the potential for very large hail measuring as much as 2.5 inches in diameter. Over 13 million across 13 states are under a slight risk -- level 2 of 5 -- for severe weather through the night. Damaging winds and the potential for flash flooding remains a threat for all areas, but powerful storms that develop over parts of the Plains and Midwest could generate large to very large hail and even a few tornadoes. While parts of the Dakotas are under a slight risk for severe weather on Sunday, parts of Northeast could also encounter strong to severe storms as well. This includes big cities like New York City, Boston and Albany -- which are all under a slight risk, mainly for damaging winds and the potential for hail. Along with the potential for severe weather, locally heavy downpours associated with showers and thunderstorms will continue to raise concerns in regard to flash flooding. Plenty of atmospheric moisture and already saturated grounds will only increase the likelihood of flooding and will exacerbate flooding that is ongoing. Flood watches remain in effect across portions of Iowa, western Illinois, and northeastern Missouri through Sunday, and for portions of Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina through Saturday night. A flood watch was also issued for Washington, D.C., until 10 p.m. ET. Areas under a flood watch could see between 2 to 4 inches of rain. A number of Flash Flood Warnings are also in effect across portions of southern Illinois, southern Indiana and northern Kentucky, where heavy rain from thunderstorms moved through. Much of the heavy rainfall and flooding will be localized -- not everywhere will be impacted. However, the potential for heavy rainfall stretches across a good portion of the eastern U.S., which remains under a slight risk for excessive rainfall through tonight. Between 1 to 3 inches are possible depending on where storms track, but locally higher amounts are possible in some spots. Portions of western and central Kentucky, southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois have been elevated to a moderate risk -- level 3 of 4 -- for excessive rainfall through Saturday evening. Rainfall totals between 3 to 5 inches are possible, with rainfall rates potentially reaching 2 to 3 inches per hour.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Come back into play': Wanuskewin bison herd has grown in the past five years
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is marking national bison week by highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of bison. 'Bison are regarded as a keystone species,' said Ian Hnatowich, manager of natural resources and ecology at Wanuskewin. 'Without the bison on this landscape — much like a building would crumble and fail without the keystone — these environments would similarly begin to crumble and fail.' Bison behaviour create conditions and habitats that can benefit other plants and animals. Their waste incubates insect eggs and larvae, which in turn provide food for endangered prairie bird species. As bison roam, they also help spread seeds, and birds use their shed fur for nesting. Nearly 150 years after facing near extinction, bison are making a comeback. In 2019, a small herd of 11 bison was introduced to Wanuskewin. That herd has since grown to more than 50, and their presence is already making a noticeable impact on the landscape. 'We've seen the rejuvenation of several different specific animal species and their populations,' Hnatowich told CTV News. 'We've also seen new species that should be part of this environment start to slowly come back into play.' Bison also hold spiritual and cultural importance for many Indigenous communities. Historically, they were used for a variety of purposes including food, clothing, and ceremonial practices. 'Bison have such a huge history here on the Plains, and they are so intertwined with the history of Indigenous people,' said Jessie Muhlbach, a senior interpretive guide. 'So, when you learn about bison, you're also learning about the land and Indigenous culture.' National bison week encourages people to celebrate the species. 'Because it's national bison week, coming out here and spending time with the bison is a great way to understand Wanuskewin in its complete form,' said Andrew McDonald, co-executive director of Wanuskewin. National bison week runs until Saturday.
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Ground squirrels are taking over a North Dakota city and officials are not amused
The Richardson's ground squirrel weighs less than a pound, is about a foot long, and is native to the northern Plains. The little creature also is a ferocious tunneler, and it's exasperating the people of Minot, North Dakota, where it's burrowing everywhere from vacant lots to the middle of town and growing more plentiful over the past two decades. Now North Dakota's fourth-largest city is fighting back, but even the pest control guy leading the charge acknowledges that it will be difficult to turn the tide against the rodent. An uphill battle, Joshua Herman said fighting the squirrels is akin to one guy standing against a massive storm. 'If I'm trapping but my neighbor isn't, well, then we're really not going to get anywhere with it long-term,' Herman said. Ground squirrels have been an issue in Minot, a city of nearly 50,000 people, for at least 20 years, but the problem has dramatically worsened in the last few years, said Minot Street Department Superintendent Kevin Braaten. It's unclear how many of the squirrels live in Minot, but it likely nears or even exceeds the city's population. 'Gosh, there's got to be tens of thousands of them in the area,' Herman said. Officials in the city, a green spot along the winding Souris River surrounded by farmland and grassy prairie, know they can't get rid of the squirrels but hope to simply get the rodent numbers down. 'I don't see the population ever going to zero,' Braaten said. 'I mean, it's almost impossible by the numbers that we have.' Put another way, Minot won't be able to rid itself of the squirrels because the animals have lived on the prairie for centuries. Outside of town, predators like coyotes, badgers, owls, and even snakes love to dine on the squirrels. But in residential neighborhoods and even downtown, where few of their predators live, the rodents can roam pretty freely. Greg Gullickson, an outreach biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, adds that the squirrels now have fewer grassland areas available to them and like the mowed spots they find in town. No land is safe. Female squirrels typically give birth to litters of about six babies a year, so it's easy to see how their numbers can quickly soar. Herman said he kills 3,500 to 5,000 of them a year, primarily by putting snares and carbon monoxide into the holes and using an air rifle. 'I've had calls downtown, calls in the mall, along the highways, here at the airport – really every part of the city I've done trapping for ground squirrels here in Minot,' Herman said as he checked his traps along an apartment building and shoveled dirt over holes. Herman says they damage driveways, sidewalks, and lawns, create tripping hazards with their holes, and can harbor disease from fleas. Along an apartment building, the squirrels had dug under a concrete slab and against the foundation. Nearby in a vacant lot, the rodents popped in and out of holes. Ground squirrels near Pashone Grandson's ground-level apartment dig holes near her door and eat her plants. One squirrel even got around her baby gate at the door and into her daughter's clothes in her bedroom. 'It was a little scary. You don't know what disease they carry. They're dirty. I have a young daughter… I didn't know if it was going to bite her,' Grandson said. North of town, Minot Air Force Base, which houses bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles, has fought the ground squirrels for years. Earlier this month, the base said it had trapped more than 800 dak-rats, a base name for the rodents. Base officials declined to comment on the squirrels. Jared Edwards, facilities director for Minot Public Schools, which has three schools on the base, said residential areas of the base and runways are overrun by ground squirrels. He called it a continuous battle for them for the last 75 years since the base has been there. 'I'm not going to exaggerate: They're by the millions out there,' Edwards said. In town, three school properties have large populations of ground squirrels, he said. Last year, the school system began using snares and, for years before that, had used poison. 'It's something you have to keep up with. It is Mother Nature,' Edwards said, adding that they've probably been in the area since homesteaders came through. Still, not everyone sees the squirrels as a pest. Some find the critters cute and fuzzy. Herman said people have sabotaged, stolen, or thrown out his traps. They occasionally confront him when he shoots at ground squirrels with an air rifle, scolding him for hurting the wildlife, he said. 'They get that cute association, and they are, you know, adorable, but they're a vermin and a pest and dangerous when they are allowed to proliferate,' Herman said.
