Latest news with #WeatherPredictionCenter
New York Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Smoke Causes Poor Air Quality Across Canada, the Great Lakes and Northeastern U.S.
Canadian wildfires burning across northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan are sending smoke through central Canada, the Great Lakes region and the northeastern United States, reducing air quality and visibility in major cities. Here are the key things to know: Air quality alerts were issued across the Upper Great Lakes and the northeastern United States on Monday. The air is expected to improve for most areas by Wednesday. Air quality The worst smoke concentrations are in the smallest towns in Canada, nearest the wildfires, and are creating hazardous air quality that could be harmful to people breathing the air. Farther away from the fires, a strong haze is sinking to the surface this morning, creating unhealthy air quality from Milwaukee to Buffalo, including other major cities like Detroit and Toronto. This poor air has prompted air quality alerts across the Upper Great Lakes and in the northeastern United States on Monday, forecasters with the Weather Prediction Center said. An air quality reading that is above 150 in many of these cities is considered unhealthy, and can create ill effects that might start to be felt even by people who are not in sensitive groups. Cities along the East Coast, including New York City, were also experiencing hazy skies on Monday. But as of early afternoon, the air quality sensors in the area were registering less than 100, so the air pollution at that location is considered below the level that is known to cause adverse health effects. 'Concentrations will increase into Monday afternoon,' forecasters in the National Weather Service office in New York City said Monday morning. If the air quality reading climbs above 100 on Monday afternoon, outdoor air may be safe for many people, but older adults and children would be at risk, as would people of any age with heart or lung disease. Beyond Monday, the smoke may lift back to the north and out of New York, and may linger across the Great Lakes and Midwest through Tuesday, but concentrations are expected to begin dispersing, improving air quality across the region by Wednesday. With wildfires still active, and as weather patterns change, the smoke may once again blanket the same region over the next several weeks, as it has several times already this summer. There is also a smoky haze in California — not from the Canadian wildfires but from local fires, like the Gifford fire, which has burned more than 60,000 acres since Friday.
CBS News
01-08-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Cooler temperatures arrive in North Texas after streak of triple-digit days
July ended with the hottest day of the year, reaching 104 degrees at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Thankfully, Friday will be cooler. High temperatures will likely reach the mid-90s across North Texas, but since there is a sufficient amount of moisture in the atmosphere, the heat index will make it feel more like 105 degrees. The drop in temperature and uptick in rain chances are due to a stalling front. Rain will be likely today with the bulk of the activity flaring up in the afternoon. No severe weather is expected, but intense rainfall could lead to flash flooding. Cities to the north of I-20 and east of I-35 have the highest risk of flooding. In fact, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center has highlighted a slight risk, level 2 out of 4, meaning that isolated to scattered flooding instances are possible. Storm chances continue through the weekend and start Monday. By Tuesday, a ridge of high pressure will develop, drying out the skies and warming temperatures back up for the rest of the week.
CNN
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Dangerous storms will bring a significant flood risk to the I-95 corridor at the worst possible time
There is a dangerous risk for torrential rainfall and flash flooding in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday for millions along the Interstate 95 corridor. It could be another potentially serious flood event in a summer that's been full of them. Storms are expected to bubble to life in the afternoon and last through the evening, and some could dump several inches of rain in a few hours, flooding roads and threatening public transit during the busy evening commute. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 of 4 risk for flooding rain across northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. This threat level means numerous flash floods are likely, some of which could threaten life and property in vulnerable urban areas. A Level 2 of 4 risk of flash flooding is in place for a broader area extending inland from Virginia Beach up through southern New England, including the New York City metro area and all of Connecticut. Travel disruptions could be severe as the heaviest rain may fall during the evening commute. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roadways and heed detours and closures. Subways could also see serious flooding, as New York saw earlier this month, when intense rainfall in the span of hours sent water gushing onto platforms and into subway cars. Some storms are expected to train, or continue moving or redeveloping over the same areas, raising rainfall totals considerably. A few locations could get up to 8 inches of rain in a short amount of time, though exactly where the most intense storms will set up within the Level 3 of 4 area remains uncertain. The rain is due to a cold front that is breaking a long-lasting, punishing heat dome that has been keeping the East sweltering during the day and simmering at night. After a summer of frequent rain and flooding, the water simply has no place to go. And even if the region wasn't soaked, extreme rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour could overwhelm areas that typically drain well. Cities often struggle to handle heavy rain as pavement and asphalt keep water from soaking into the ground and instead head for drains that are prone to clogging or simply incapable of handling the volume of water. 'This type of setup carries the potential for very rapid rises on small streams and dangerous flooding in city streets,' the WPC said. 'Residents in the mid‑Atlantic should ensure they have reliable ways to receive warnings throughout the day and into Thursday night.' Flash floods are most common in summer, as warmer air can hold more moisture and intense daytime heat helps fuel potent storms. But overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent due to climate change, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes. Hourly rainfall rates have grown heavier in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970, according to a study from the nonprofit research group Climate Central. Rainfall across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast has already been above normal this summer — especially in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, central New Jersey, northern Maryland, and the DC suburbs — leaving soils saturated and primed for rapid runoff and flooding even without extreme amounts of rain. Flood watches are already in effect for much of the region, including parts of Connecticut, all of New Jersey, southern New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore and eastern Pennsylvania. These watches will remain in place through Thursday evening. Nearly all of New Jersey is in the risk area. The state has been slammed by flooding this summer, including when at least two people were killed two weeks ago. The increased risk also includes parts of Virginia that have flooded multiple times this season. Flooding can be extremely dangerous at night, when it's harder to see water covering roads. 'If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find another route,' the National Weather Service advises. 'It only takes six inches of fast‑moving water to knock over an adult and just 12 inches to sweep away most vehicles.' Less than two weeks ago, on July 19, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency — the highest level of flood alert — for the Washington, DC, area with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes raising rivers and sending water over roadways. Dozens of people had to be rescued from floodwaters after heavy rain struck parts of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. The flood risk shifts south into the Carolinas and part of Georgia on Friday, more states all too familiar with serious flooding this summer. Tropical Storm Chantal's flooding rainfall killed at least one person in North Carolina in early July.
CNN
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Dangerous storms will bring a significant flood risk to the I-95 corridor at the worst possible time
There is a dangerous risk for torrential rainfall and flash flooding in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday for millions along the Interstate 95 corridor. It could be another potentially serious flood event in a summer that's been full of them. Storms are expected to bubble to life in the afternoon and last through the evening, and some could dump several inches of rain in a few hours, flooding roads and threatening public transit during the busy evening commute. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 of 4 risk for flooding rain across northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. This threat level means numerous flash floods are likely, some of which could threaten life and property in vulnerable urban areas. A Level 2 of 4 risk of flash flooding is in place for a broader area extending inland from Virginia Beach up through southern New England, including the New York City metro area and all of Connecticut. Travel disruptions could be severe as the heaviest rain may fall during the evening commute. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roadways and heed detours and closures. Subways could also see serious flooding, as New York saw earlier this month, when intense rainfall in the span of hours sent water gushing onto platforms and into subway cars. Some storms are expected to train, or continue moving or redeveloping over the same areas, raising rainfall totals considerably. A few locations could get up to 8 inches of rain in a short amount of time, though exactly where the most intense storms will set up within the Level 3 of 4 area remains uncertain. The rain is due to a cold front that is breaking a long-lasting, punishing heat dome that has been keeping the East sweltering during the day and simmering at night. After a summer of frequent rain and flooding, the water simply has no place to go. And even if the region wasn't soaked, extreme rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour could overwhelm areas that typically drain well. Cities often struggle to handle heavy rain as pavement and asphalt keep water from soaking into the ground and instead head for drains that are prone to clogging or simply incapable of handling the volume of water. 'This type of setup carries the potential for very rapid rises on small streams and dangerous flooding in city streets,' the WPC said. 'Residents in the mid‑Atlantic should ensure they have reliable ways to receive warnings throughout the day and into Thursday night.' Flash floods are most common in summer, as warmer air can hold more moisture and intense daytime heat helps fuel potent storms. But overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent due to climate change, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes. Hourly rainfall rates have grown heavier in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970, according to a study from the nonprofit research group Climate Central. Rainfall across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast has already been above normal this summer — especially in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, central New Jersey, northern Maryland, and the DC suburbs — leaving soils saturated and primed for rapid runoff and flooding even without extreme amounts of rain. Flood watches are already in effect for much of the region, including parts of Connecticut, all of New Jersey, southern New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore and eastern Pennsylvania. These watches will remain in place through Thursday evening. Nearly all of New Jersey is in the risk area. The state has been slammed by flooding this summer, including when at least two people were killed two weeks ago. The increased risk also includes parts of Virginia that have flooded multiple times this season. Flooding can be extremely dangerous at night, when it's harder to see water covering roads. 'If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find another route,' the National Weather Service advises. 'It only takes six inches of fast‑moving water to knock over an adult and just 12 inches to sweep away most vehicles.' Less than two weeks ago, on July 19, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency — the highest level of flood alert — for the Washington, DC, area with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes raising rivers and sending water over roadways. Dozens of people had to be rescued from floodwaters after heavy rain struck parts of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. The flood risk shifts south into the Carolinas and part of Georgia on Friday, more states all too familiar with serious flooding this summer. Tropical Storm Chantal's flooding rainfall killed at least one person in North Carolina in early July.
CNN
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Dangerous storms will bring a significant flood risk to the I-95 corridor at the worst possible time
There is a dangerous risk for torrential rainfall and flash flooding in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday for millions along the Interstate 95 corridor. It could be another potentially serious flood event in a summer that's been full of them. Storms are expected to bubble to life in the afternoon and last through the evening, and some could dump several inches of rain in a few hours, flooding roads and threatening public transit during the busy evening commute. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 of 4 risk for flooding rain across northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. This threat level means numerous flash floods are likely, some of which could threaten life and property in vulnerable urban areas. A Level 2 of 4 risk of flash flooding is in place for a broader area extending inland from Virginia Beach up through southern New England, including the New York City metro area and all of Connecticut. Travel disruptions could be severe as the heaviest rain may fall during the evening commute. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roadways and heed detours and closures. Subways could also see serious flooding, as New York saw earlier this month, when intense rainfall in the span of hours sent water gushing onto platforms and into subway cars. Some storms are expected to train, or continue moving or redeveloping over the same areas, raising rainfall totals considerably. A few locations could get up to 8 inches of rain in a short amount of time, though exactly where the most intense storms will set up within the Level 3 of 4 area remains uncertain. The rain is due to a cold front that is breaking a long-lasting, punishing heat dome that has been keeping the East sweltering during the day and simmering at night. After a summer of frequent rain and flooding, the water simply has no place to go. And even if the region wasn't soaked, extreme rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour could overwhelm areas that typically drain well. Cities often struggle to handle heavy rain as pavement and asphalt keep water from soaking into the ground and instead head for drains that are prone to clogging or simply incapable of handling the volume of water. 'This type of setup carries the potential for very rapid rises on small streams and dangerous flooding in city streets,' the WPC said. 'Residents in the mid‑Atlantic should ensure they have reliable ways to receive warnings throughout the day and into Thursday night.' Flash floods are most common in summer, as warmer air can hold more moisture and intense daytime heat helps fuel potent storms. But overwhelming rainfall is becoming more prevalent due to climate change, as rising global temperatures drive weather toward extremes. Hourly rainfall rates have grown heavier in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970, according to a study from the nonprofit research group Climate Central. Rainfall across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast has already been above normal this summer — especially in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, central New Jersey, northern Maryland, and the DC suburbs — leaving soils saturated and primed for rapid runoff and flooding even without extreme amounts of rain. Flood watches are already in effect for much of the region, including parts of Connecticut, all of New Jersey, southern New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore and eastern Pennsylvania. These watches will remain in place through Thursday evening. Nearly all of New Jersey is in the risk area. The state has been slammed by flooding this summer, including when at least two people were killed two weeks ago. The increased risk also includes parts of Virginia that have flooded multiple times this season. Flooding can be extremely dangerous at night, when it's harder to see water covering roads. 'If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find another route,' the National Weather Service advises. 'It only takes six inches of fast‑moving water to knock over an adult and just 12 inches to sweep away most vehicles.' Less than two weeks ago, on July 19, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency — the highest level of flood alert — for the Washington, DC, area with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes raising rivers and sending water over roadways. Dozens of people had to be rescued from floodwaters after heavy rain struck parts of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. The flood risk shifts south into the Carolinas and part of Georgia on Friday, more states all too familiar with serious flooding this summer. Tropical Storm Chantal's flooding rainfall killed at least one person in North Carolina in early July.
