Latest news with #lakes
CBS News
7 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
How is the heat index calculated? Why it's more important than air temperature during some heat waves
During the hot, humid summer months, meteorologists often discuss the heat index instead of the actual air temperature. But how is the heat index calculated, and why is it more important than the air temperature during some heat waves? Spending time outdoors or exercising outside can feel very different depending on humidity levels — from crisp mornings when it seems you do not even sweat, to muggy summer afternoons when the air feels like a steam sauna. Humidity is a measure of how much moisture is in the air, which originates from the water cycle. When the sun hits the Earth's lakes and oceans, a fraction of that water evaporates into a gaseous form called water vapor. That water vapor, or humidity, then blows from place to place as air moves around the planet. The heat index is a complicated calculation that factors humidity into the air temperature, giving us a more representative number of how it feels outside when the humidity is high. It looks like this: HI = -42.379 + 2.04901523*T + 10.14333127*RH - .22475541*T*RH - .00683783*T*T - .05481717*RH*RH + .00122874*T*T*RH + .00085282*T*RH*RH - .00000199*T*T*RH*RH Ultimately, it's all about how easily sweat evaporates off of your skin. Sweat is the body's natural air conditioning system. Evaporation is a cooling process, so when sweat evaporates off of your face, is pulls heat out of your skin and dissipates it into the surrounding air, leaving your skin slightly cooler. But the amount of humidity in the air has a big impact on how much of your sweat evaporates, and how easily your body can cool itself. On a crisp, low humidity day, sweat evaporates so easily off of your skin that you may not realize you are sweating at all. In extremely dry climates like Phoenix or Palm Springs, you may even feel cold after getting out of the swimming pool on a 100-degree day. That is because water is evaporating off of your skin so rapidly in the low humidity environment, it cools your skin well below the air temperature. In a high humidity environment, like a tropical beach, the air surrounding your body is too moist for sweat to evaporate off of your skin. Your body continues to sweat in an effort to cool itself, but heat keeps building up since the sweat is not evaporating. The heat index is a measure of how hot the temperature and humidity feel to the human body in the shade. Heat index values can be 15 degrees hotter in direct sun.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
These are the 4 most snake-filled lakes in Arizona, new ranking says
People living in Arizona have more in common with our slithery neighbors than we realize. Not only can both snakes and people handle the heat, we also often seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. According to geography website World Atlas' list of the most snake-infested lakes in Arizona, we have an estimated 41 species of snakes, which puts the Grand Canyon State second to Texas for highest diversity of snakes and greatest number of venomous snakes. The next time you visit these four lakes, keep an eye out for some friendly — and not so friendly — serpent friends. Lake Mead Located in both southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, Lake Mead's water comes from the Colorado River. Lake Mead's approximately 247 square miles is plenty of room for the recorded 41 species of reptiles to take a cool dip. According to World Atlas, five different species of snake have been recorded at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Venomous snakes: Mojave snake Western diamondback Southwestern speckled Sidewinder rattlesnake snakes: Long, black and white striped common king snake Lake Powell Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir along the Colorado River that reaches across Utah and Arizona state lines. The maximum water capacity in Lake Powell is 24 million acre-feet, which, like Lake Mead, is plenty of room to sustain a range of wildlife. Visitors might spot any of the following snakes in Lake Powell: Black-necked garter snake Common king snake Gopher snake Glossy snake Long-nose snake Night snake Patch-nosed snake Striped whipsnake Wandering garter snake Western rattlesnake Lake Pleasant Over the years, semi-aquatic snakes have made headlines at Lake Pleasant, according to WorldAtlas. The lake is located less than an hour north of Phoenix on the Agua Fria River. According to World Atlas, a gopher snake once slithered aboard a motorboat on Lake Pleasant, and rattlesnakes have been filmed swimming across the surface. Arizona history: Lake Pleasant wasn't named for its calm waters. How the popular lake was named Mittry Lake Mittry Lake is located in the far southwest corner of Arizona, just north of Yuma near California state lines. The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area covers 600 acres of surface water and 2,400 acres of restored marsh, upland terrain, riparian woodland and desert-scrub habitats, according to World Atlas. Mittry Lake is an important ecosystem for a wide range of plants and animals, including birds, amphibians and snakes. In 2016, 20 southern banded water snakes were pulled from the area. While these snakes are non-venomous, the Florida natives are invasive to the Mittry Lake and the Yuma area. The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimated that the population of water snakes in Mittry Lake was in the thousands. Can rattlesnakes swim? Unfortunately, according to previous Arizona Republic reporting, rattlesnakes can and regularly do swim. The Arizona Game and Fish Department said rattlesnakes will swim when necessary in pursuit of food, mates or refuge. However, they usually don't travel through water faster than their land speed of two to three miles per hour. Additionally, in Arizona, species like the gopher snake, coachwhip and common kingsnake are known to take a dip, especially near rivers, lakes or backyard pools. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about snakes living in Arizona lakes Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Louisiana lakes with the highest snake populations according to WorldAtlas. What to know
Louisiana is home to approximately 48 species of snakes, and seven of those species are venomous. Louisiana also is home to a diverse array of water bodies, including rivers, bayous, lakes, bays, sounds and the Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico. Within these bodies of water, a variety of Louisiana's snake species can be found, and some waters are more infested than others. The four most snake infested lakes in Louisiana according to WorldAtlas In Louisiana lakes, the most common non-venomous snakes that are found include the banded water snake, the diamond back water snake and the common garter snake. Conversely, the most common venomous snakes found in Louisiana lakes include cottonmouths, also referred to as water moccasins, and copperheads. Lake Pontchartrain Lake Pontchartrain is considered to be the No. 1 most snake infested lake in Louisiana, according to WorldAtlas. The body of water encompasses approximately 630 square miles, and has multiple bayous and rivers flowing into it. The mostly freshwater lake is inhabited by a variety of snakes, including the ball python, brahminy blind snake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, glossy swamp snake, eastern copperhead, gray rat snake, western rat snake, scarlet snake and mud snake. Lake Maurepas Lake Maurepas is another large, snake-filled lake in Louisiana. The remote lake spans more than 15,000 acres and is home to over 18 different species of snake. A few of these snake types include the ball python, gray rat snake, glossy swamp snake and mud snake. Calcasieu Lake Calcasieu Lake sits on the Louisiana-Texas border and is located on the Chenier Coastal Plain. This lake has a natural surrounding, with a variety of wildlife thriving within its marsh habitat. Nearly 26 species of snake inhabit Calcasieu Lake, some include the eastern copperhead, timber rattlesnake, northern cottonmouth, Texas coral snake and glossy swamp snake. Lake Claiborne Lake Claiborne is a man-made lake that covers approximately 6,400 acres. This lake is home to approximately 26 different types of snakes, including Graham's crayfish snake, diamondback water snake, rough earth snake, flat-headed snake, Texas coral snake and the pygmy rattlesnake. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Which Louisiana lakes have the most snakes? Snake infested lakes here Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
CTV National News: High heat triggers rapid growth of E. coli in lakes
Watch Blistering temperatures from Ontario to Newfoundland has caused a rapid rise in E. coli in lakes and rivers. Adrian Ghobrial reports.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
This South Jersey beach has some of the clearest water in New Jersey
The Garden State is home to some of the best beaches and lakes along the East Coast. And some of these bodies of water offer the clearest waters, attracting visitors seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities, according to The online travel blog dedicated to exploring new places and cultures identifies which beach has the Clearest Water in New Jersey. And, that beach is the 96th Street Beach in Stone Harbor, Cape May County. Unlike many Jersey Shore destinations, this beach has no boardwalk or carnival attractions and has a population of 1,000 full-time residents. During the summer, its population rises sharply as tourists descend upon the town. There is also a bird sanctuary and a local museum that preserves the area's history. These locations have several beaches and lakes known for their exceptional water clarity, according to Stone Harbor Beach in Cape May: The water clarity is enhanced by regular monitoring and conservation efforts. Sandy Hook Bay: Sandy Hook maintains a water quality rating that exceeds state requirements, making it a prime location for swimming and other water activities. Island Beach State Park: The park's preservation efforts contributes to the clarity and cleanliness of its waters. Lake Hopatcong: As the the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey, its Foundation conducts regular water quality assessments reflects ongoing efforts to improve water quality and control pollution. Wharton State Forest: The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry states that water quality in Wharton State Forest is consistently monitored, ensuring a safe recreational environment. The forest's remote nature helps maintain the integrity of the water. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Cape May County beach has NJ's clearest water, plus 4 more spots
