Latest news with #RichSegal
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Central Texas' air quality could use improvement
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The American Lung Association has, for 26 years, analyzed data from air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report. Part of the goal of this report is to make citizens aware of the air they breathe in order to protect their health. Rich Segal spoke with Clean Air Force Executive Director Jim Stephens about the 2025 report. Stephens cited statistics and reasons for the grade this area received, along with potential solutions that could improve the grade. The report looks at levels of ozone 'smog'—the air pollutant affecting the largest number of people in the country. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro grading This year, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area ranked 46th worst in the nation for ozone pollution. The ranking was based on this area's worst county average of the number of unhealthy days. In Travis County specifically, the number of unhealthy days was 5.7 per year, a grade of F. Last year, that number was 2.3 days, a grade of D. The second category tracked short-term particulate pollution, which can be extremely dangerous and worse. Austin-Round-San Marcos ranked 156th worst in the nation for short-term particle pollution, which was equivalent to a B grade. This was, however, better than the 2024 ranking of 101st worst, also a B grade. When combined, Travis County received a grade of F for pollution levels above the federal standard. The area ranks 39th worst in the nation, worse than last year's report, which showed the area as being the 54th worst. What contributed to this failing grade? The increase in the area's population means there are more cars on the roads, leading to belching exhaust from tailpipes … ozone. Construction projects continue to multiply, causing dust to enter the atmosphere … particulate matter. Add to that the fine particulate matter that affects the area from the seasonal agricultural burning that drifts north from Mexico and Central America. And, there's also the fine particulate matter from the Saharan dust layer. As the country observes Air Quality Awareness Week (May 5-9), there are ways to mitigate this and to improve the grade. One is to think about purchasing electric cars and hybrids. Consider filling your gas tank early in the morning or late in the day. Stephens cites an even bigger reason for the failing grade. Idling cars lead to increasing levels of ozone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How the ‘Clean Air Force' keeps the skies above Austin clean and healthy
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Clean Air Force of Central Texas has as its primary goal to keep air in this area clean and healthy. The CAF has been doing this good work since 1994. Jim Stephens is the executive director of the Clean Air Force. He speaks with Rich Segal about the difference between attainment and compliance, specifically how you try to attain clean air goals to be in compliance with the standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Where does Austin stand when it comes to compliance? The short answer is that Austin is not in compliance. That happened in February 2024 when the EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter from 12 micrograms (a unit of mass equal to one millionth of a gram) of particulate matter to 9 micrograms. Austin was in compliance before the change from 12 to 9 micrograms as this area's air quality was/is 9.3 micrograms. The EPA's goal in making the change was to protect millions of Americans from harmful and costly health impacts. While Austin is not compliance (but not by much), the EPA is giving Austin (and any other area of the country) two years to work towards getting that 9.3 figure down to below 9. So, there's time. In their conversation, Jim will tell you the months where this area's Ozone season is the worst and the criteria for an Ozone Action Day declaration. He also says area citizens can sign up to get email alerts when those Ozone Action Days are going to be in effect. They are usually called for 24 hours in advance. Sign up to receive Ozone Action Days alerts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Austin schoolchildren to promote flood safety
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The beginning of Meteorological Spring (March, April, and May) coincides with the start of a season within the season. The spring storm season is a time when Central Texas has the bulk of its severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding. Periods of heavy rain can lead to flooding, so now is the perfect opportunity to make Central Texas citizens aware of the dangers of driving over flooded roads, especially at night when the standing water is harder to see. With that in mind, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department is conducting its annual Flood Safety Video Contest. Vicki Pugh is the Community Engagement Specialist with Watershed Protection. She spoke with Rich Segal about the contest. The contest is for schoolchildren in grades 6-12. Those who choose to participate must include in their videos the moniker 'Turn Around, Don't Drown.' Turn Around Don't Drown launched on May 22, 2003, as a partnership between the National Weather Service, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Entries are due by March 31st, 2025. The winners will be revealed during the city's Flood Safety Awareness Week April 21st to 26th. The winners get a $100 gift card and other prizes. Learn more about the Flood Safety Contest and view previous year's winners on the city of Austin's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to become a volunteer weather watcher for the weather service
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Being a volunteer weather observer helps the National Weather Service office with sourcing critical weather information. Public reports are often the NWS's most valuable details for warning decisions. Just as important is the training private citizens need to supply the NWS with this important information. That's where SKYWARN comes in. SKYWAN is a program conducted by the Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office each spring. Local officials from the office drive all across Central Texas (all 33 counties) holding seminars designed to give attendees a closer look at how to report weather events. KXAN Meteorologist Rich Segal spoke with Troy Kimmel about the upcoming session in Austin. Kimmel is a former local television meteorologist and retired University of Texas professor who, for several years, conducted these training sessions. The training is now done by Warning Coordination Meteorologist Paul Yura. Yura will be teaching both basic and advanced training. Basic SKYWARN is a program providing an overview of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, including how they form, their hazards and their structures. Attendees will learn how to measure hail before submitting a report to the NWS office. This session goes into detail about remaining safe during severe weather outbreaks. It's essential that reports to the NWS be accurate. Real-time reports to the office can save lives and property. The Basic SKYWARN lasts about one-and-a-half hours. Advanced SKYWARN takes a look at weather models, a more in-depth review of the ingredients that make up tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, and an overview of the radar and its products. The advanced program caters to those who want to learn more. The Austin session is on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It will be held at St. Edwards University in Jones Auditorium in the Ragsdale Campus Center. Registration for the 2025 Skywarn Parking is free but you must register and use the parking link below. The code you will need is WARN. Click here to register for the free parking If you can't make the Austin session there are still many opportunities in other cities for training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
