Latest news with #meteorology
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The 'anti-Greta Thunberg' fighting climate hysteria who is pals with celebs and gets quoted by DeSantis
A meteorologist has described himself as the 'anti-Great Thunberg', as he hopes to calm the 'hysteria' surrounding climate change. Chris Martz, 22, a recent graduate from Pennsylvania 's Millersville University with a degree in meteorology, said his life's work is to lower worries about climate change. Unlike Thunberg, the poster girl for environmental activism, Martz said he wants to tackle the ongoing issues surrounding the Earth's climate with data. Speaking with The New York Post, the Virginia native said: 'I'm the anti-Greta Thunberg. In fact, she's only 19 days older than me.' He hopes that with a pragmatic approach he can hopefully bring a stop to the often disruptive actions taking by activists by calming tensions, and kill any theories surrounding climate change. Martz said: 'I've always been a science-based, fact-based person. My dad always said, If you're going to put something online, especially getting into a scientific or political topic, make sure what you're saying is accurate. 'That way you establish a good credibility and rapport with your followers.' His X profile now boasts over 120,000 followers and his work has even been highlighted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. His online profile first started when he was still in high school, and his posts about the weather have since been shared by the likes of Ted Cruz and Thomas Massie. DeSantis used one of his Martz' post to hit back at a reporter last year following the devastation of Hurricane Milton. The reporter had questioned if the hurricane was a direct consequence of global warming. Paraphrasing one of Martz' post, he said that there had been 27 storms stronger than Milton since 1851. Martz told the post: 'It was word-for-word my post. His team follows me.' He also said that former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler had invited him to lunch in DC earlier this month to discuss his future. Outside of politicians, celebrities including Superman actor Dean Cain and comic Larry the Cable Guy have all reached out - with Cain taking him to dinner. He added: 'They didn't have to be as nice as they were. They just treated me like I was their next-of-kin.' His interest in meteorology started over a fascination with tornadoes and winter storms. From a young age he always questioned the truth surrounding climate change. At the age of 12 he recalls a Christmas Eve trip to church where the mercury hit 75F. Martz said: 'Everyone seems to remember white Christmases when they were a kid, but the data doesn't back that up. It may be that we're remembering all the movies where it snows at Christmas. 'And I had science teachers telling me New York City was going to be under water in 20 years and that fossil fuels are destroying the environment.' Not long after the heatwave, a blizzard dumped record snowfall on his Virginia hometown. He describes himself as being a 'lukewarm skeptic' of climate change, saying he believes the planet to be warming and human activity as being a factor. In hopes of understanding better, he said he looks at the numbers to understand what's going on with the Earth. Martz added: 'You can make the case we've seen heavier rainfall in the eastern United States, but it all depends on where you start the graph. 'Since 1979, there's been an eastward shift in Tornado Alley. Okay, that's evidence of climate change. That's not evidence that humans caused it. 'A lot of the biggest tornado outbreaks during the 1920s and '30s occurred in the southeastern United States, where we see them today. Whereas in the 1950s and '60s they occurred more in the Great Plains. 'So it's likely that it oscillates due to changes in ocean circulation patterns and how that affects the placement of pressure systems and where moisture convergence is and wind shear is and how those dynamics play out. It's much more likely an artifact of natural variability. 'There's no physical mechanism that makes sense to say, well, if you add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that it's going to cause an eastward shift of tornadoes in the United States.' Wildfires have recently been a large target as an indicator of climate change, something which Wartz doesn't believe. He told the outlet that California has been drying up over the last 100 years, but in the past the state has been drier. 'Between 900 and 1300 AD, there was a 400-year long drought that was worse than today's in the southwestern United States', he added. Wartz believes California could be better prepared if the state started placing powerlines underground, rather than on hillsides. He added: 'It's all a giant money-making scheme. Politicians and bureaucrats latch on to scientific issues, whether it was the pandemic, for example, or climate, to try and get certain policies implemented. In usual cases, it's a left-wing, authoritarian kind of control. 'We want to control what kind of energy you use, control the kind of, how much you can travel, what you can drive, what you can eat, all that. 'But in order to do that, they need scientists telling a certain message. And the science is funded by government actors.' Online he is frequently attacked by those who say he is being backed by Big Oil, something which he vehemently denies. He even said that people would call his university and send emails hoping to have him kicked out, but his professors backed him. Currently he is working as a research assistant for a DC-based non profit which is pushing for free-market energy solutions.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm Center AM Update: Smoke and Warmth Hangs Around
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It has been a quiet start to the morning for most of us in KELOLAND. Showers with an isolated rumble of thunder have developed in eastern South Dakota, but those will diminish going into the mid morning hours. Another warm day is ahead in KELOLAND as a ridge continues to move eastward. Highs will stay above average in the 70s and 80s with winds staying on the lighter side East River. While there will be plenty of sunshine, the blue skies will be covered with haze as Canadian wildfire smoke sinks southward. Thicker smoke is expected to arrive by this afternoon, while most of it will be at cloud level, it could reach the surface at times in northern and eastern South Dakota. Smoke could reach the surface in the Sioux Falls area by Sunday. While the hazy skies hang around, we will still stay seasonable for temperatures into the overnight hours. Winds will continue to stay light into tomorrow with an even warmer day in store. Highs will climb into the mid to upper 80s on Sunday and the heat will stay for Monday. The dry and hot weather will begin to come to an end as a cold front moves through. This will create instability for showers and thunderstorms by the late afternoon that will push eastward into the evening. Some of these storms could be strong to severe with the main threat being large hail and strong wind gusts. By Tuesday we will begin to see temperatures cool back into the 60s and 70s. As we head into next weekend, highs look to get back to above average. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
First Bouts Of Saharan Dust Are Reaching Caribbean, US. Here's What To Know About Its Impact On Hurricane Season And Your Health
The first big surge of Saharan dust is expected to reach the Gulf Coast this weekend and into next week. Here's what you need to know about this dust: In Brief: Saharan dust travels thousands of miles from Africa to the Americas each spring and summer. Once or twice a summer, one of these SALs makes a complete 5,000-plus mile journey as far west as the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas. In Depth: More formally, it is known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), this dry dust plume commonly forms from late spring through early fall and moves into the tropical Atlantic Ocean every three to five days, according to NOAA's Hurricane Research Division. The Saharan Air Layer is typically located between 5,000 and 20,000 feet above the Earth's surface. It is transported westward by bursts of strong winds and tropical waves as they move westward from Africa to the Pacific. Here are three things dust can do: 1. Drier air can squash thunderstorms and tropical systems: One of the reasons we don't start watching the stretch between Africa and the Caribbean for tropical activity in June and July is because of this dust. The dust is not only dry but also has a sinking motion in areas that it passes through. This is not favorable for thunderstorm growth. Tropical waves often have a rough time developing if they are enshrouded by the Saharan air layer. Dust can also zap other ingredients needed for tropical development. Saharan air can reflect sunlight before it can reach the Atlantic, slightly cooling the oceans. Stronger winds within the SAL also increase wind shear, which can either tilt or rip apart a tropical system. But as the dust and wind shear weaken ocean warmth will peak in the late summer months. That's why the heart of the hurricane season is from late August into October, during which 82% of a hurricane season's activity usually takes place. This same thunderstorm-squashing idea that is found in the tropics is also found when the dust gets closer to the Southeast. When dust is passing through, there is often a multiday drop in rain chances until the dust is gone. In Florida, this means there is a break in the rainy season, but that's not always good news. This pause in sea breeze thunderstorms allows Florida's typical high temperature of 90-92 degrees to rise by a few degrees without much of a drop in surface humidity. This can make it even more uncomfortable to be outside. Be sure to take breaks and keep hydrated. (For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) 2. Dust can diminish air quality: When a Saharan Air Layer arrives, you'll typically notice hazier skies than usual for a summer day. This is your first signal that you may want to check the air quality. Health experts say the dust particles could trigger symptoms similar to springtime allergies or cause respiratory irritation for people with conditions like asthma or emphysema. If you are susceptible to breathing issues, you may want to limit your time outdoors or take a mask with you if you have to leave your home. 3. Particles can make for more beautiful sunrises and sunsets: If the air quality in your area isn't too bad, head outside early or late in the day. If you know that dust is overhead, you'll probably notice that your sunrises and sunsets appear more orange or reddish. This can make for some spectacular photos. MORE ON Hurricane Season's Opening Act: What To Expect In June What The 'Cone Of Uncertainty' Does And Doesn't Tell You Latest Hurricane Season Outlook Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
CBS News
9 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
NEXT Weather Alert: Strong to severe weather predicted for this Saturday
NEXT WEATHER ALERT this Saturday from Noon until 5 p.m. Scattered storms will develop around midday. Some of the storms could turn strong to severe with the potential for damaging gusty winds, heavy rain, localized flooding, small hail and frequent lightning due to a frontal boundary, plenty of moisture and instability in the atmosphere. The Storm Prediction center has placed South Florida under a marginal (level 1out of 5) risk of severe weather today. The rain chance is higher on Sunday with scattered to widespread storms possible with the potential for heavy downpours and localized flooding. As the frontal boundary stalls, we remain unsettled with high rain chances through the middle of next week. Once drier, Saharan air moves in late next week, the rain chance will decrease a bit.
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
CWG Live updates: Cooler today with a gusty breeze and a few showers; warmer next week
Welcome to updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists. Happening now: We'll see more breaks of sun today, but also some bubbling midday showers or a storm. Highs upper 60s to low 70s, with a gusty northwest wind. What's next? Partly sunny Sunday and milder and minimal shower odds. Turning toastier next week. Today's daily digit — 7/10: Perhaps a touch unsettled, on the cool side and kind of windy. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Saturday): The dip in the jet stream responsible for yesterday's storminess is still finishing its pass through the area. It could spark some showers or a storm, especially between noon and 5 p.m. We'll see breaks of sun before and after with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, and winds gusting from the west and northwest near or over 35 mph. Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: A pleasant if cool evening. Gusts diminish with sunset, though they stay noticeable overnight. It's on the cool side with lows across the 40s under mainly clear skies. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow (Sunday): It's on the cool side for the start of climatological summer (June-August), but it'll be hard to find much to complain about. Highs in the range of near 70 to mid-70s, and lots of sun. Confidence: Medium-High 😎 Nice Day! Tomorrow night: Mostly clear conditions continue. It should be a touch milder than tonight, with lows mainly in the upper 40s to low 50s. Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead Mid- to upper 70s by Monday as mainly clear skies persist. Probably into the 80s for Tuesday with more sunshine. Confidence: Medium It should stay warm through the rest of the workweek. We might make a run at 90 by Thursday or Friday. Confidence: Medium Today's daily digit — 7/10: Perhaps a touch unsettled, on the cool side and kind of windy. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Saturday): The dip in the jet stream responsible for yesterday's storminess is still finishing its pass through the area. It could spark some showers or a storm, especially between noon and 5 p.m. We'll see breaks of sun before and after with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, and winds gusting from the west and northwest near or over 35 mph. Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: A pleasant if cool evening. Gusts diminish with sunset, though they stay noticeable overnight. It's on the cool side with lows across the 40s under mainly clear skies. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow (Sunday): It's on the cool side for the start of climatological summer (June-August), but it'll be hard to find much to complain about. Highs in the range of near 70 to mid-70s, and lots of sun. Confidence: Medium-High 😎 Nice Day! Tomorrow night: Mostly clear conditions continue. It should be a touch milder than tonight, with lows mainly in the upper 40s to low 50s. Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead Mid- to upper 70s by Monday as mainly clear skies persist. Probably into the 80s for Tuesday with more sunshine. Confidence: Medium It should stay warm through the rest of the workweek. We might make a run at 90 by Thursday or Friday. Confidence: Medium Here's a model forecast of radar for Saturday afternoon. We expect showers and possibly thunderstorms to be more scattered, hit-or-miss than Friday evening's storms. The timing and exact location of the showers aren't set in stone, but models including this one suggest they will come through between approximately noon and 5 p.m. Overall any storms on Saturday should be weaker than the ones Friday evening. But a couple of them could still produce downpours and strong gusty winds.
