ReportWire

Tag: APP Weather Tab 2

  • The Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend

    The Geminid meteor shower peaks heading into this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Geminid meteor shower peaks the night of Dec. 13

    • Up to 150 meteors per hour

    • Known as one of the best meteor showers of the year



    Every year in December, the night sky treats us to one of the best and brightest displays known as the Geminid meteor shower. 

    When to watch

    The Geminids can be viewed in the night sky as early as 9 p.m. The best time to view the Geminid meteor shower will be in the pre-dawn hours between 1 and 3 a.m.

    Tips for viewing

    To see up to 150 meteors in one hour, you will need to be far away from city lights and tall buildings. Ideally, there will be clear skies for viewing on the night of the 13th. 

    After you arrive, avoid bright lights, such as phone screens, for 15–20 minutes so your eyes can adapt to the darkness.

    A waning crescent moon will make viewing conditions even better because there will not be much moonlight to wash out the meteors, which are often bright and vivid.

    Here is the cloud forecast through the weekend across the country. 


    Even though the peak is this weekend, you can still view the Geminid meteor shower through December 21st. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ramel Carpenter

    Source link

  • Weather and safety alerts available in the Spectrum News app

    Severe weather and safety push alerts are available in the Spectrum News app.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alert options include lightning, precipitation alerts, watches, warnings and advisories

    • You can enable your device location, or you can manually enter a location 

    • Choose the category of alerts you want to receive

    • You can change your selections at any time 

    • Download the Spectrum News App

    The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.

    You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.

    How to choose your alerts

    1. Go to settings and select manage notifications. 

    2. Select the Weather option.

    3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.

    4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.

    The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.

    The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.

    The third option allows you to select all advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Here is a list of alerts with definitions.

    Keep in mind that some alerts could come overnight, so consider that when you make your selection. You can change your selections at any time.  

     

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • Weather and safety alerts available in the Spectrum News app

    Severe weather and safety push alerts are available in the Spectrum News app.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alert options include lightning, precipitation alerts, watches, warnings and advisories

    • You can enable your device location, or you can manually enter a location 

    • Choose the category of alerts you want to receive

    • You can change your selections at any time 

    • Download the Spectrum News App

    The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.

    You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.

    How to choose your alerts

    1. Go to settings and select manage notifications. 

    2. Select the Weather option.

    3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.

    4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.

    The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.

    The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.

    The third option allows you to select all advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Here is a list of alerts with definitions.

    Keep in mind that some alerts could come overnight, so consider that when you make your selection. You can change your selections at any time.  

     

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • Weather and safety alerts available in the Spectrum News app

    Severe weather and safety push alerts are available in the Spectrum News app.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alert options include lightning, precipitation alerts, watches, warnings and advisories

    • You can enable your device location, or you can manually enter a location 

    • Choose the category of alerts you want to receive

    • You can change your selections at any time 

    • Download the Spectrum News App

    The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.

    You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.

    How to choose your alerts

    1. Go to settings and select manage notifications. 

    2. Select the Weather option.

    3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.

    4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.

    The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.

    The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.

    The third option allows you to select all advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Here is a list of alerts with definitions.

    Keep in mind that some alerts could come overnight, so consider that when you make your selection. You can change your selections at any time.  

     

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • Breaking down the North American Monsoon season

    You’ve all heard the term “monsoon season”, usually applied to a particularly wet period of weather for a region. But, did you know there is a specific cause to a true monsoon season, and it has everything to do with the wind. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Traders off the Indian and Arabia coasts were the first to notice the monsoon pattern

    • Monsoons are large-scale wind shifts that occur in the spring and summer months

    • In the 90s, studies were done to determine if a monsoon existed in North America

    • Rain during a monsoon is not continuous and can vary in intensity year to year



    Monsoons occur in many parts of the globe. Besides the first monsoons observed in India and the Arabian peninsula, areas in Southeast Asia, Australia, North America, Africa and South America feature the annual weather phenomenon.

    How do monsoons form?

    Most of the time, wind in dry areas blows from the land toward the sea. However, by late spring, land areas begin to heat up.

    The heat creates an area of low pressure know as a ‘thermal low’. Nearby bodies of water are also warmed, but not as quickly, so air pressure remains high relative to the land.

    Eventually, the pressure differences get to where the cooler, more humid air over the water is drawn toward the hot, dry air over land, creating the perfect environment for areas of heavy rain to form.

    The North American Monsoon

    Not much was known or studied regarding a monsoon season in North America until the 1990s. The Southwest Arizona Monsoon Project, or SWAMP for short, more or less proved the existence of a monsoon season similar to those studied in other parts of the world.

    While not as strong or persistent as the Indian monsoon, it checks all the boxes of a bona fide monsoon. The wind shift in summer as Mexico and the southwest U.S. warm up starts the process. Flow from dry land areas to moist ocean areas switches and low-level moisture is transported primarily from the Gulf of California and eastern Pacific.

    Monsoon progression

    Like snowflakes or fingerprints, no two monsoon season are ever alike. However, they all follow a fairly predictable cycle with five phases. 

    • Ramp- Up: (June through Early July)

    • Onset: (Late June through Mid July)

    • Peak: (Mid July through Mid August)

    • Late Monsoon: (Mid August through early September)

    • Decay: (Late August through Late September)

    Each phase can differ year-to-year depending on where the subtropical, or monsoon, ridge is located. A stronger ridge can lead to hotter temperatures underneath this dome of high pressure and can result in more moisture transport in from the east.

    On the other hand, a weaker ridge can lead to cooler temperatures and a drier westerly wind influence.

    Results of the North American Monsoon

    Since no two monsoon seasons are ever the same, we can’t always rely on this four-month period to bring the desert southwest much needed rainfall. However, an average monsoon season in a place like Tucson, AZ can net about six inches of rain. This would account for more than half of their annual rainfall. 

    For 2025, the Climate Prediction Center is calling for a better that 50/50 chance at above-average monsoon rain totals. This will help Arizona, where half the state is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

    Source link

  • Rip currents: A hidden danger from tropical systems

    NORTH CAROLINA — When you think of a tropical storm or hurricane dangers, you think of things like high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. One risk you may not think of is the danger caused by rip currents.

     

    What You Need To Know

    A storm can be hundreds of miles off the coast but still produce dangerous rip currents

    The threat for rip currents increases even more as a tropical system approaches the coast

    Even if it’s sunny out, rip currents are still possible

     

    The danger of rip currents not only occurs when a storm is near the coast. Storms also cause rip current threats when they are well off the coast.

    A storm can be hundreds of miles off a coastline and still produce surf hazards like large swells and rip currents. The stronger the storm, the greater the potential impact from a distance.

    Satellite image of Hurricane Bertha

    A good example of this was Hurricane Bertha in July 2008.

    Even though the storm was over 1,000 miles off the coast, in New Jersey, there were three rip current fatalities. At Maryland beaches, lifeguards performed 1,500 ocean rescues in the course of one week.

    In 2009, there were no fatalities in the United States that directly occurred due to tropical systems. However, there were six indirect fatalities. All were related to large waves and rip currents caused by offshore tropical systems.

    The threat of rip currents increase even more as a tropical system approaches the coast. That threat is greatest when the storm is one to two days from landfall.

    The best advice is to stay out of the water if a tropical system is causing swells and rip currents.

    You can find rip current forecasts for the North Carolina coast online. National Weather Service offices in coastal areas make a rip current forecast daily and update it as needed.  

    If you do go in the water and do get caught in a rip current, don’t panic.

    Try to swim parallel to the shoreline. This should take you out of the rip current. Another way to escape the rip current is to let it take you out and when the current weakens, swim back to shore or attract the attention of a lifeguard.

    Remember, during the tropical season, skies might be sunny at the beach you’re enjoying, but if there’s a tropical system off the coast, there might be dangerous rip currents in the surf.

    Always know the rip current risk for your local beach and stay aware while you’re enjoying the water.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

    Source link

  • Eggs, shadows and daylight: Equinox fact and fiction

    Everybody knows you can balance an egg on the equinox, the day with 12 hours of light across the planet… right?

    What You Need To Know

    • You can balance eggs and brooms any day

    • Daylight is close to 12 hours, but not exactly

    • As fall begins in one hemisphere, spring begins in the other


    There are various theories surrounding the equinox, which happen every year in March and September. Let’s separate fact from fiction. 

    Balancing eggs and brooms: Fiction

    Have heard that you can balance an egg only on the equinox? 

    Try it on a day other than the equinox. You’ll find that you can do it then, too! It just takes the right egg and a bit of patience.

    The egg-balancing myth swept over to brooms, which spread wildly thanks to social media. Like eggs, you can balance a broom with stiff, straight bristles any day of the year. There’s no exceptional, mysterious gravitational pull during the equinox that will balance your egg and/or broom.

    A moment, not a day: Fact

    The equinox happens when the sun passes the “celestial equator,” the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator. It’s just a moment in time. For example, the spring equinox for 2025 is at 5:01 a.m. While we observe the equinox as the first day of spring or fall, it’s just an instant.

    12 hours of daylight worldwide: Fiction

    No, there’s not exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night around the globe on the equinox. We have more than 12 hours of daylight on the equinox. The date when daylight and nighttime are both closest to exactly 12 hours falls a few days before the spring equinox and a few days after the fall equinox.

    So, why isn’t it exactly 12 hours? There are a handful of reasons, but two stand out. First, sunrise and sunset are when the very top-most tip of the sun–not the middle–crosses the horizon. Second, our atmosphere bends sunlight, so we see the sun a little longer than we “should,” so to speak.

    “Equal night”: Fact

    It’s understandable why some think the equinox means 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The word “equinox” translates to “equal night”. It comes from the Latin word aequinoctium–“aequi” meaning equal, and “nox” meaning night–according to Mirriam-Webster.

    If you want to impress your friends (or maybe just make them roll their eyes), you can mention the equilux (“lux” coming from Latin for “light”). That’s the date when day and night are equal lengths, although a true equilux is pretty rare.

    No shadow at noon: Fiction

    For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, our shadow will be shortest on the summer solstice when direct sunlight reaches the northernmost point of its annual journey. A person’s shadow disappears only where the sun is directly overhead, which isn’t anywhere close to home on the equinox.

    Opposite seasons: Fact

    What we call the fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. It might be hard to imagine, but our friends on the other side of the planet enjoy spring from late September through late December as the Earth’s tilt gives them increasingly direct sunlight.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton, Meteorologist Justin Gehrts

    Source link

  • Heating vs. cooling: Which one is costing you more?

    Now that it’s winter, it’s time to prepare yourself to fork out some extra money each month on your energy bill. When it gets cold outside, turning on the heat is necessary, but it can become costly.

    It depends where you live, but most people see a spike in their energy bill during winter and summer when it’s time to heat and cool your home. But which is more expensive?

    What You Need To Know

    • Heating uses more energy than cooling


    • There is a bigger temperature difference between inside and outside during winter


    • There are various ways to help conserve energy and save money on your utility bill


    According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home, making up almost 1/3 of your winter utility bill. Heating homes in the U.S. also uses more than four times as much energy as cooling.

    There are a few reasons for this. One of them? The temperature difference between the inside and the outside of your home during winter and summer. The bigger the temperature difference, the harder your HVAC system has to work.

    In the summer, that temperature difference in a warm-weather city between the inside and outside can be as high as 15 to 25 degrees on average, even higher in extreme cases. In the winter, the temperature difference in a cold-weather city between the inside and outside is much more significant than that.

    Take Louisville, Ky., for example, a city that sees cold winters and warm summers. You can see the average temperature difference between the inside and outside during winter and summer is a significant difference.

    Another reason is the process of heating versus cooling. Air conditioners remove heat from your home using electricity. It’s not creating cooler air, just displacing the excess heat from inside to outside.

    Electric heating systems have to create heat for your home, which takes more work to convert electrical energy to heat. Depending on your home, heating systems can also run on natural gas, fuel oil or propane. Those fuel options can become more expensive than the price of electricity.

    Everyone has a preference on what to set the thermostat at. It’s usually a balance between comfort inside your home versus conserving energy and saving money. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that the ideal thermostat setting in the winter is around the upper 60s, and the mid-to-upper 70s during the summer.

    One of the best ways to conserve energy and save money is to minimize the temperature difference between the inside and outside. In the winter, it may mean putting on some additional layers inside or lighting the fireplace. In the summer, it could mean turning on some fans to stay cool. 

    Here are some other tips on how to conserve energy and save some money on your utility bill during the winter and summer.

    Our team of meteorologists dive deep into the science of weather and break down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

    Source link

  • Your trees in the winter: Dead or dormant?

    There is a different type of beauty during the winter. After months of seeing the luscious summer greenery and vibrant fall foliage, the colors fade and snow blankets the landscape in white.

    But what happens to trees after shedding their leaves and becoming covered in snow or ice for the winter? Are they dead or dormant?

    What You Need To Know

    • Not all trees are equally resistant to cold


    • Shedding leaves for the winter is a survival tactic


    • Trees’ dormancy is like an animal hibernating

    Trees have survival instincts just like people and animals. Depending on the type of tree, it will either shed its leaves or have protective measures to survive the winter without losing any of its greenery.

    Deciduous trees

    In the fall, deciduous trees shed their leaves as a protective measure to prepare for the upcoming winter cold. Deciduous trees include oaks, maples, birches and willows, and any other tree you see losing leaves during autumn.

    Losing leaves allows the tree to spend less energy in the winter. Instead of spending energy protecting its leaves during a cold and dry winter, it can protect itself, conserving moisture in the tree’s trunk, which keeps it from drying out.

    A person stands by a frozen pond during snow fall on in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

    Winter also produces powerful storms with strong winds. Without leaves, wind can blow through trees and branches easier without drag, meaning less stress on the tree.

    Even though trees can look dead in the winter, they’re probably just dormant. The dormancy period begins in the fall when leaves changes colors and fall off the trees and lasts through all of winter. 

    In the spring, trees come out of dormancy, reverse the internal processes, and begin growing leaves again.

    Evergreen trees

    Evergreen trees don’t shed their leaves or needles every winter like deciduous trees, hence the name ‘evergreen’. Instead, the leaves and needles have a waxy coating called cutin that helps protect the tree during the winter.

    Evergreen trees include fir, spruce and pine trees, which also make up the most popular Christmas tree types.

    Christmas trees laden with freshly fallen snow are displayed for sale at Boston Hill Farm, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in North Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    Christmas trees laden with freshly fallen snow are displayed for sale at Boston Hill Farm, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in North Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    The ground freezes in the winter in colder climates and trees can’t draw water through their roots anymore. The cutin helps prevent water loss during winter, which allows the tree to survive cold temperatures more easily.

    So, instead of the leaves acting as a liability and strain on the tree, evergreen leaves are their biggest assets. Evergreen trees don’t go completely dormant because of their natural protection.

    Our team of meteorologists dive deep into the science of weather and break down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

    Source link

  • How some of Santa’s little reindeer relate to the weather

    We all know that Santa travels the world on Christmas Eve on a sleigh pulled by eight… no, nine, reindeer! But are you aware of the weather tie-ins with Santa and his reindeer?

    What You Need To Know

    • Two reindeer are named after weather phenomena

    • Rudolph saved the day one Christmas Eve when fog covered most of the Earth

    • Santa uses forecasts from local meteorologists to plan his Christmas Eve flight

    (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    We’ve all heard the tale of Rudolph, and we’ll cover that part of the story in a moment, but first, let’s start with two of Santa’s original reindeer.

    The original eight

    You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen, but did you know that two of the reindeer are named after weather phenomena?

    But which ones?

    If you guessed Donner and Blitzen, you are correct!

    Donner, also sometimes called Donder or Dunder, is named after thunder. The name comes from the Dutch word for thunder.

    Blitzen, also spelled Blixen and Blixem, is named after lightning. The name also comes from a Dutch word meaning lightning.

    Santa’s reindeer were never officially named until the 1823 release of the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” also known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement C. Moore.

    (AP Photo/Malin Moberg)

    Here’s an interesting reindeer fact.

    In the story “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum, the author listed ten reindeer. Flossie and Glossie are Santa’s lead reindeer, while Racer and Pacer, Fearless and Peerless, Ready and Steady, and Feckless and Speckless are the rest of the team. 

    None of these names are weather-related terms.

    No offense to L. Frank Baum, but I’m glad we stuck with Clement C. Moore’s names for Santa’s reindeer.

    Rudolph leads the way

    I think we all know the story of Rudolph.

    This iconic reindeer showed up in 1939. Looked upon as a misfit (aren’t we all in some way), the other reindeer rejected Rudolph and made fun of him because of his red, glowing nose. Though that “little” abnormality came in handy “one foggy Christmas Eve.”

    In an unprecedented weather event, one never seen before or seen since, an “outbreak” of fog blanketed most of the planet, and it became impossible for Santa to make his flight on Christmas Eve around the world. 

    All was lost until Santa realized that Rudolph and his incredible nose could lead the way.

    This was Rudolph’s time to shine. (Pun intended.)

    (File Photo)

    And the rest is history. From that time on, Rudolph has been Santa’s lead reindeer.

    Santa’s Christmas Eve forecast

    Something you may not know is Santa Claus has a weather forecasting team at the North Pole.

    Some elves specialize in forecasting the weather around the world. These meteorologists give Santa an overview of the weather around the globe on Christmas Eve, but Santa depends on local National Weather Service and TV meteorologists to provide him forecasts for cities along his flight path.

    My daughter found out about this during a visit with Santa when she was about six years old.

    I had taken her and her younger brother to see Santa a few days before Christmas. As we were next in line, Santa saw us, stood up, walked over to me and asked, “Gary, what kind of weather am I looking at on Christmas Eve?”

    I gave him a quick forecast, he thanked me, walked back over to his chair and sat down as the next child climbed on his lap.

    The expression on my daughter’s face was priceless.

    “Santa knows you?” she asked as she looked up at me with a look of shock, confusion and pride. “Well, of course he does. Who do you think he gets his forecast from for this area? I’m a pilot, and he’s a pilot. I’m the perfect person to give him a ‘flight weather briefing.’”

    Talk about a priceless memory that I will always remember.

    (Gary Stephenson)

    In the Christmas Eve sky

    So on Christmas Eve night, if your skies are clear, look to the sky. You might see a red light moving across the sky. More than likely, it’s the beacon on an airplane, but it might, just might, be the glow of Rudolph’s red nose.

    And if the weather is not so clear, rest well knowing that Santa’s got a well-trained team of reindeer pulling the sleigh and an accurate forecast so he can safely complete his Christmas Eve journey around the Earth.

    I’ll finish my story with these final words.

    My wish for all of you is to have a safe and Merry Christmas. And to Santa and the reindeer, have a good flight!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

    Source link

  • Thanksgiving weather we were not thankful for

    Thanksgiving is a time for the gathering of family and friends, for great food, football, and for some, shopping. Most of the time, the weather around the Thanksgiving holiday centers on travel impacts.

    Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and a little bit of “not so nice weather” can cause a lot of travel headaches.

    Many times, the weather is just an inconvenience, but sometimes around Thanksgiving, the weather has been dangerous and even deadly.

    What You Need To Know

    • Thanksgiving storms are not all about wintry weather

    • The transition in seasons can allow for active weather in late November

    • Thanksgiving storms can affect even more people due to holiday travel

    Though Thanksgiving is celebrated in the later part of fall, we’re still in a time of year with the clash of air masses, we can see some pretty big storm systems. And we’re not just taking snow and wintry precipitation.

    November can see some late season severe weather outbreaks. Not to mention, the hurricane season is still underway in November, not ending until the end of the month.

    Here are a few of the major Thanksgiving storms that have impacted the United States in the last 100 years.

    Nov. 25, 1926: Thanksgiving Day tornado outbreak

    The Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1926 is a perfect example of a late season severe weather outbreak for the Deep South. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1926, there were 14 reported tornadoes across central and eastern Arkansas.

    Four of the tornadoes were rated at F3 and F4 on the old Fujita Scale of tornado intensity.

    This was the deadliest tornado outbreak in the state of Arkansas until a severe weather outbreak in Jan. 1949.

    Arkansas was not the only state hit by this Thanksgiving Day weather system. Louisiana had 11 fatalities, as several tornadoes made their way through that area, as well.

    Nov. 24-25, 1950: The Great Appalachian Storm

    On the day after Thanksgiving in 1950, an area of low pressure developed along a cold front in southeastern North Carolina. That low would become the storm that would be called The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950.

    As the system moved northward, it rapidly strengthened near Washington, D.C. on the morning of Nov. 25. Over time, the storm moved more northwest, more inland, into the Ohio Valley.

    The strong low pressure system pulled frigid air down across the eastern U.S. With moisture wrapping into this cold air, snow was reported as far south as Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. The bulk of the snow occurred across the Ohio Valley, with many locations seeing over two feet of snow in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

    Coburn Creek, West Virginia reported 62 inches of snow from the storm. Farther north, the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast also saw some snowfall from the storm.

    Units of the 112th Engineers of the Ohio National Guard use shovels to help free snow bound streets of Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 28, 1950. Weekend storm caused one of the worst traffic jams in Cleveland’s history. (AP Photo)

    And speaking of the cold air, many reporting stations saw all time record low temperatures for November during this weather event.

    As far south as Florida, Pensacola had a low of 22 degrees. It was 16 degrees in Wilmington, North Carolina; 5 degrees in Birmingham, Alabama; 3 degrees in Atlanta and 1 degree in Asheville, North Carolina. The temperature in Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee dropped below zero to -1 degrees.

    Looking toward downtown Pittsburgh, Webster Avenue is buried in snow, Nov. 26, 1950, after a record snowfall. The Mellon skyscraper is under construction at left in background. (AP Photo/Walter Stein)

    Looking toward downtown Pittsburgh, Webster Avenue is buried in snow, Nov. 26, 1950, after a record snowfall. The Mellon skyscraper is under construction at left in background. (AP Photo/Walter Stein)

    Strong wind was another factor in the storm. Winds at Mount Washington reached 160 mph. A wind gust of 110 mph was reported at Concord, New Hampshire. A gust to 94 mph was recorded in New York City.

    These strong winds cause wide spread tree damage and power outages. Along the coast, the strong winds produced coastal flooding. Runways at LaGuardia Airport in New York were flooded when coastal flooding overwashed dikes in the area.

    Overall, 22 states were affected by the Storm of 1950. 383 people lost their lives in the storm and it caused over 65 million dollars in damages (almost $1 billion today).

    Nov. 24-25, 1971: Thanksgiving snowstorm

    21 years later, another early season winter storm would affect some of the same areas as The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950.

    On the Thanksgiving Eve, snow started falling across parts of the Northeast U.S. As the snow continued to fall through the night, the precipitation increased and by Thanksgiving afternoon, snowfall totals of 20 to 30 inches of snow were reported across parts of the Catskills and Upper Hudson River Valley.

    Pennsylvania saw the most snow from the storm. Albany, New York recorded just under two feet of snow. The storm stranded travelers in the region as they tried to make their way to their Thanksgiving destinations.

    Because the air temperature was near the freezing mark during the storm, the system produced a heavy, wet snow. This caused roofs to collapse, tree damage and widespread power outages across the region.

    Nov. 25, 1982: Hawaii hurricane

    From severe weather and winter storms, we switch to a tropical system. November is still tropical season in the Atlantic and the Pacific, and in Nov. 1982, Hurricane Iwa found its way to Hawaii. It was the first significant hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands since the island was made a U.S. state in 1959.

    Hurricane Iwa at peak intensity just north of Kauaʻi, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1982. (NOAA)

    Hurricane Iwa at peak intensity just north of Kauaʻi, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1982. (NOAA)

    The strong Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph struck the islands of Ni’ihau, Kaua’i and O’ahu on Thanksgiving Day 1982. Those areas reported wind gusts of over 100 mph during the storm.

    A few gusts up to 120 mph were reported. Coastal locations saw about eight feet of storm surge. In those areas, the ocean waters pushed over 900 feet inland during the surge. One reporting station received over 20 inches of rain during the hurricane.

    A clean-up crew picks up tree branches knocked down by Hurricane Iwa. (U.S. National Archive)

    A clean-up crew picks up tree branches knocked down by Hurricane Iwa. (U.S. National Archives)

    Almost 2,000 homes were destroyed. Hundreds were left homeless and four people were killed, either directly or indirectly because of the storm.

    Nov. 26-27, 1983: The Great Thanksgiving Weekend Blizzard

    In 1983, it was the central and western parts of the country that dealt with a winter storm at Thanksgiving.

    The blizzard hit on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving and affected Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wyoming and Nebraska.

    One of the hardest hit locations was Denver. The city received almost two feet of snow in 36 hours. The storm shut down Stapleton Airport for 24 hours. Several thousand passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport.

    It was not much better on the roads around Denver. Thousands of people were stranded on local interstate highways.

    Eight to nine-foot snow drifts were reported in Nebraska and Kansas. Major highways were closed in all states affected by the storm.

    An interesting fact about the Great Thanksgiving Weekend Blizzard of 1983. Snow from the storm stayed on the ground in Denver for over two months, not melting until late January the following year.

    Nov. 26, 1987: Thanksgiving Day Storm

    On Thanksgiving Day 1987, a significant winter system hit the northeastern United States.

    A winter storm dumped anywhere from 1 to almost two feet of snow from Upstate New York through the New England states. In New Hampshire, parts of the state received 18 inches of snow. In Maine, there were stations that saw just under two feet of snow accumulation.

    Along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, strong winds and waves battered the coastline.

    Nov. 23, 1989: Thanksgiving Day Storm

    Two years later, another Thanksgiving Day storm battered parts of the East Coast and northeastern U.S.

    An unidentified street person huddles with his belongings on the Ellipse in morning on Thursday, Nov. 23, 1989 in Washington Monument after a light snow hit the area late Wednesday night. Some 4-inches of snow hit the Washington area on this Thanksgiving Day. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

    An unidentified street person huddles with his belongings on the Ellipse morning of Thursday, Nov. 23, 1989 in Washington Monument after a light snow hit the area late Wednesday night. Some 4 inches of snow hit the Washington area on this Thanksgiving Day. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

    Developing low pressure brought significant rain to the Carolinas and as it moved northward, the system turned more wintry. Parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast saw snowfall totals that ranged from a few inches to over a foot.

    New York City saw almost 5 inches of snow. Parts of Long Island picked up nine inches of snow. Cape Cod reported over a foot of snow.

    An interesting fact about the snow in New York City. Before the snow accumulation on Thanksgiving Day 1989, the last time snow had accumulated there, on Thanksgiving Day, was over 50 years earlier in 1938.

    Ryan Tuman, 9, of Erdenheim, N.Y. takes a running belly flop onto the snow-covered bleachers during the Penn-Cornell football game in Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

    Ryan Tuman, 9, of Erdenheim, N.Y. takes a running belly flop onto the snow-covered bleachers during the Penn-Cornell football game in Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

    And as bad as the weather was in New York that day, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade went off on schedule. A few of the parade’s big balloons paid the price, however, as they were damaged in the gusty winds caused by the storm.

    So overall, thankfully, we’ve been blessed with “not so bad” weather for most Thanksgivings across the United States in the past decades.

    So here’s to high pressure and a quiet weather pattern to always be with us around Thanksgiving time. Because we all know, even a little bad weather can go a long way in making a big mess of Thanksgiving plans.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

    Source link

  • The time change debate continues as we ‘fall back’ to standard time this weekend

    The time change debate continues as we ‘fall back’ to standard time this weekend

    It’s that time of the year when we set the clocks back one hour, returning us to standard time, reducing the amount of daylight in the evenings, but we gain an extra hour of sleep this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sunshine Act passed in the U.S. Senate in 2022

    • Current time change rules have been in place since 2007

    • Arizona and Hawaii remain on standard time year round


    This brings up the conversation of why we need to do the switching of the clocks twice a year. Why not just stay on daylight saving time year round or standard time for the entire year?

    However, it’s not that easy. The path to accomplish this includes federal approval.

    Why we change the clocks twice a year

    The United States began the concept of daylight saving time in 1918, during World War I, to save fuel. By advancing one hour ahead, coal-fired energy would assist the war effort rather than that hour at home.

    Standard time returned following the war and continued until World War II. After World War II, some states and even cities kept daylight saving time, creating various time zones within regions. Frustrated with no uniform time, the public pushed Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act in 1966.

    This established the time frame that daylight saving time would begin the last Sunday in April and end the last Sunday in October.

    In 1987, it extended to include the first Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October.

    Part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the modern daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

    This current time shift began in 2007.

    Not everyone participates

    Hawaii doesn’t participate because of its location. With not much variation throughout the year between sunrise and sunset, it made little sense to switch the clocks. 

    Only the Navajo Nation in Arizona observes daylight saving time. The rest of the state exempted itself in 1968. 

    They cited the heat as their reason for opting out, adding that if they switched the clocks ahead one hour, the sun would not set until 9 p.m. in the summer, limiting nighttime activities.

    Old metal alarm clock among grass and flowers.

    Current legislation

    The Department of Transportation oversees daylight saving time and all the country’s time zones. 

    According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Federal law refers to the Uniform Time Act, which was passed in 1966. This law allows a state to exempt itself from observing daylight saving time or staying on standard time year round. However, it does not allow a state to be on permanent daylight saving time. 

    As of 2024, at least 30 states have considered or are considering legislation or resolutions about Daylight Saving Time. 

    22 States that have introduced legislation exempting from daylight saving time and staying on standard time year-round. No federal approval will be needed if passed. 

    On the other hand, 20 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to provide for year-round daylight saving time, but there are a few caveats. If Congress allows the change and if the surrounding states enact the same legislation. 

    Sunshine Protection Act

    On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year to account for the time change. 

    While the Senate passed the bill, two and a half years later, it remains stalled in the House and has not been signed into law by President Biden.

    The future

    For now, legislation to observe daylight saving time year-round remains pending.

    Other states will continue to perform case studies and collect data to see if this shift is beneficial in saving energy, helping improve health and reducing crime.

    And so we will change our clocks back one hour this Saturday night, returning to standard time and then on March 9, 2025, we will move the clocks forward one hour, switching to daylight saving time. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • The time change debate continues as we ‘fall back’ to standard time this weekend

    The time change debate continues as we ‘fall back’ to standard time this weekend

    It’s that time of the year when we set the clocks back one hour, returning us to standard time, reducing the amount of daylight in the evenings, but we gain an extra hour of sleep this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sunshine Act passed in the U.S. Senate in 2022

    • Current time change rules have been in place since 2007

    • Arizona and Hawaii remain on standard time year round


    This brings up the conversation of why we need to do the switching of the clocks twice a year. Why not just stay on daylight saving time year round or standard time for the entire year?

    However, it’s not that easy. The path to accomplish this includes federal approval.

    Why we change the clocks twice a year

    The United States began the concept of daylight saving time in 1918, during World War I, to save fuel. By advancing one hour ahead, coal-fired energy would assist the war effort rather than that hour at home.

    Standard time returned following the war and continued until World War II. After World War II, some states and even cities kept daylight saving time, creating various time zones within regions. Frustrated with no uniform time, the public pushed Congress to pass the Uniform Time Act in 1966.

    This established the time frame that daylight saving time would begin the last Sunday in April and end the last Sunday in October.

    In 1987, it extended to include the first Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October.

    Part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the modern daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

    This current time shift began in 2007.

    Not everyone participates

    Hawaii doesn’t participate because of its location. With not much variation throughout the year between sunrise and sunset, it made little sense to switch the clocks. 

    Only the Navajo Nation in Arizona observes daylight saving time. The rest of the state exempted itself in 1968. 

    They cited the heat as their reason for opting out, adding that if they switched the clocks ahead one hour, the sun would not set until 9 p.m. in the summer, limiting nighttime activities.

    Old metal alarm clock among grass and flowers.

    Current legislation

    The Department of Transportation oversees daylight saving time and all the country’s time zones. 

    According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Federal law refers to the Uniform Time Act, which was passed in 1966. This law allows a state to exempt itself from observing daylight saving time or staying on standard time year round. However, it does not allow a state to be on permanent daylight saving time. 

    As of 2024, at least 30 states have considered or are considering legislation or resolutions about Daylight Saving Time. 

    22 States that have introduced legislation exempting from daylight saving time and staying on standard time year-round. No federal approval will be needed if passed. 

    On the other hand, 20 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to provide for year-round daylight saving time, but there are a few caveats. If Congress allows the change and if the surrounding states enact the same legislation. 

    Sunshine Protection Act

    On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year to account for the time change. 

    While the Senate passed the bill, two and a half years later, it remains stalled in the House and has not been signed into law by President Biden.

    The future

    For now, legislation to observe daylight saving time year-round remains pending.

    Other states will continue to perform case studies and collect data to see if this shift is beneficial in saving energy, helping improve health and reducing crime.

    And so we will change our clocks back one hour this Saturday night, returning to standard time and then on March 9, 2025, we will move the clocks forward one hour, switching to daylight saving time. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • Fall brings out spooky things, including spiders

    Fall brings out spooky things, including spiders

    They’re creepy and they’re crawly and altogether spooky. That’s why spiders are associated with Halloween. Have you ever noticed this time of the year spider webs become more prevalent?

    What You Need To Know

    • Females are the larger spiders

    • Warmer fall weather means larger spiders

    • Wolf spiders are common across the United States


    In fact, check any doorway outside and you’ll likely run into a web. I opened the door to let Boomer, the dog, out and inadvertently destroyed a web created by a spider. Several hours later, the web was repaired and intact.

    Spider facts

    The lifecycle of the arachnid begins in the spring with hatching. Spiders that survive into adulthood are big enough to spin webs by the fall.

    Webs are not only created to catch food but also for females to lay eggs. The spiders we typically see spinning those geometric webs in the fall are females.

    Some spider species are solo creatures and often travel alone, unless during mating. If you see two spiders grouped together, the larger of the two is the female.

    Male spiders provide the genetic material and once mating is complete, female spiders typically consume them.

    Warmer temperatures means larger spiders

    Some species of spiders die when the temperatures drop below freezing. However, if it’s a warm fall, these spiders have more time to eat and grow, leading to bigger spiders.

    Other spiders have evolved to survive the colder temperatures, either by seeking shelter indoors or in a pile of leaves or rocks. Once they find this spot, they will go into a state of diapause, slowing down or suspending their body processes into dormancy.

    Brown recluse

    A venomous spider commonly found in the Midwest and South-Central U.S. is called the Brown Recluse spider. The name “recluse” is fitting, as these spiders are often found hiding in unused drawers, basements, closets, garages or attics.

    Before wearing garments found in these locations, including shoes and boots, be sure to inspect them and shake them out to rid of the arachnids. This spider species is quite social, meaning there could be more hiding nearby.

    The females lay their eggs in their untidy webs, but spend little of their time in them.

    These spiders are identified by the violin shape of their heads and are usually observed running or walking around.

    If you think you have a Brown Recluse spider problem in your home, it is best to call in the professionals with a licensed exterminator. 

    Wolf spiders

    This type of spider does not behave like a typical spider. In fact, it got its name because of its ability to run down its prey like a wolf and its large appearance. They don’t spin webs to catch their food.

    The female wolf spider attaches her egg sac to herself and carries it around on the bottom of her abdomen. After the eggs hatch, she will then carry her babies on her back.

    Wolf spiders will only bite if provoked, but their bites are harmless to humans. They are common all over the United States, including Hawaii, and are found in all different habitats, including woodlands, shrublands, as well as coastal forests and even alpine meadows. They like to find warm places to hibernate so don’t be surprised to find them hiding under furniture or in the basement. 

    A Wolf spider was found in the basement. Spectrum News/Stacy Lynn

    Tips to keep spiders away

    Like any insect, these arachnids will find their way into your home by any means necessary, but this will offer you the best way to keep the majority at bay.

    • Seal any cracks or small holes
    • Seal all entryways
    • Remove webs as soon as they appear
    • Keep a clean kitchen free of food and crumbs
    • Turn off exterior lights as much as possible because lights attract bugs and bugs will attract spiders 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida seven years ago

    Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida seven years ago

    Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida seven years ago today, on Sept. 10, 2017.

    What You Need To Know

    • It’s the seven-year anniversary of Irma

    • Irma made two landfalls in Florida

    • It was one of the costliest Atlantic hurricanes

    • There were 123 deaths in Florida because of Irma

    It all started with a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 27, 2017.

    Irma became a hurricane and strengthened to a Category 5 in the Atlantic. At one point, Irma’s winds were 185 mph.

    Infrared satellite image of Hurricane Irma when it was at peak intensity. (NOAA)

    Irma made five landfalls in the Caribbean before making a turn toward Florida.

    On Sept. 10, 2017, Irma made landfall in Cudjoe Key as a Category 4 hurricane.

    It made its way up to Southwest Florida and made another landfall near Marco Island as a Category 3 hurricane, leaving damage behind in cities like Naples and Fort Myers.

    Then it gradually weakened and moved north toward the Tampa area. 

    Initially, the water levels in Tampa Bay dropped because of the strong offshore winds on the north side of Irma’s circulation. Many people were amazed that for a short period, the bay was dry.

    (Spectrum News)

    Even though Irma was weakening, it still brought damaging winds to our area into the morning hours of Sept. 11.

    The eye of Irma moved north through Polk County, then toward eastern Citrus County before moving to North Florida and Georgia.

    The Bay Area didn’t have any sustained hurricane-force winds, but there were wind gusts of 60 to 90 mph.

    (NWS Tampa)

    Power was out for weeks in some places.

    There were 21 confirmed tornadoes in Florida. While most of the tornadoes were on the east coast, an EF2 tornado hit Polk City.

    We had 5 to 15 inches of rain across the state.

    The highest rainfall totals occurred in the southwestern and eastern parts of the state where the strongest bands moved through. 

    A record 6.5 million Floridians evacuated ahead of Irma, and thousands headed to shelters.

    Irma was responsible for over 100 deaths in the United States. Most of the deaths happened in Florida.

    Damage in the U.S. because of Irma was estimated at $77.2 billion in 2017, equal to $98.4 billion in 2024.

    Track of Irma in Florida

    Irma moved up the western side of the Florida Peninsula and weakened from a Category 4 storm around Cudjoe Key to a Category 1 storm by the time it was just southeast of Tampa. 

    Peak wind gusts

    Irma brought wind gusts well over 100 mph in parts of southwest Florida, including a gust of 142 mph near Naples.

    (NWS Miami)

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Kyle Hanson

    Source link

  • Hurricane Charley made landfall 20 years ago

    Hurricane Charley made landfall 20 years ago

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Charley made landfall in Florida on Aug. 13, 2004

    • It was responsible for nine deaths in Florida

    • It was a Category 4 at landfall with winds near 150 mph

    • Hurricane Charley was the first of four hurricanes to strike Florida in 2004

    As it rapidly intensified, winds reached 150 mph at landfall.

    The damage to come was inevitable. Charley isolated communities for several days and demolished homes and businesses.

    While Charley was expected to make landfall in Tampa Bay, most of the west coast of Florida still had to prepare for the impact of the storm. 

    On the morning of Aug. 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley started to shift to the east. Alan Winfield and I at Bay News 9 were the first on TV in Tampa to call Charley missing Tampa Bay and hitting south, at about 8:30 a.m. on that fateful morning.

    At about 6 a.m., I saw the eye of Charley on our first live Doppler radar at a 300-mile range over the Dry Tortugas (the islands west of Key West). I knew then it was getting much stronger than the forecast, and as we watched over the next couple of hours, it veered slightly to the east.

    Hurricane Charley making landfall in Florida on Aug. 13, 2004. (NOAA)

    While it spared Tampa Bay, Charley devastated places like Captiva Island, Cayo Costa and Port Charlotte. 

    No description available.

    Charley continued northeast across the Florida peninsula, bringing a path of destruction that was described as a “20-mile-wide tornado.”

    There was a wind gust of 147 mph in Wauchula. Polk County reported gusts over 100 mph, and there was a 106 mph wind gust in Orlando.

    Hurricane Charley was responsible for nine deaths in Florida and caused nearly $17 billion in damage.

    Charley was the first of four hurricanes to make landfall in Florida that season.

    Our team of meteorologists dive deep into the science of weather and break down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Kyle Hanson

    Source link

  • What are the dog days of summer?

    What are the dog days of summer?

    Summer can be ruff with soaring temperatures that leave us panting for relief. Some people call the worst of the heat “the dog days of summer.” Here’s the tail of where that phrase comes from. 

    What You Need To Know

    • It originated from the ancient Greeks and Romans

    • The phrase refers to the star Sirius

    • The dog days last from July 3 to Aug. 11

    Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, which is Latin for “greater dog.” The ancient Greeks and Romans noticed that during the heart of summer, this star rose and set with the sun. They theorized that having another star in the sky, along with our own sun, is what made the summer months so hot.

    Sirius is a massive star that is double the size of our sun and 25 times as bright. Thankfully, it’s much farther away from Earth than our own sun, otherwise we’d be dealing with serious heat!

    Sirius, part of the Canis Major constellation, appears near the eastern horizon in latter August just as the sun rises. (Adapted from Stellarium)

    Sirius appears often in Greek mythology, including references in Homer’s “The Iliad.”

    The word Sirius translates as “scorching” or “glowing,” which is appropriate for the heat of summer.

    The phrase “dog days of summer” was translated from Latin to English about 500 years ago.

    Some people think “dog days” refers to man’s best friend’s tendency to lie about during the summer heat, but now you know the real meaning behind the phrase.

    Dog days of winter?

    Although the star Sirius appeared in the early morning sky to the ancient Greeks and Romans shortly after the summer solstice, it now has shifted to mid-August. In about 13,000 years, the star will shift to rising with the sun in the middle of winter.

    This is because of the wobbly movement of the Earth on its path around the sun each year.

    The dog days of winter… now that’s a phrase that will set tails wagging. 

    Our team of meteorologists dive deep into the science of weather and break down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist John Davitt

    Source link

  • Sustainable celebrations: Exploring alternatives to traditional fireworks

    Sustainable celebrations: Exploring alternatives to traditional fireworks

    Nothing says “Fourth of July” more than fireworks. After all, they are one of the longest held traditions of the holiday itself. But the unwanted health and environmental consequences that follow a pyrotechnic display are often overlooked.

    Between drought conditions and air quality issues, now might be the time to reconsider the centuries-old tradition.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fourth of July fireworks cause numerous environmental and health impacts every year

    • There are “cleaner” fireworks that release less smoke and other harmful substances 

    • Some places are now replacing fireworks with LED drone shows

    The Fourth of July is a holiday of traditions, and fireworks are the grand finale. Despite all their beauty while lighting up the night sky, though, fireworks can take a toll on the environment.

    According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, over 16,000 fireworks displays typically take place across the nation on Independence Day.

    Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument at the National Mall during the Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

    Between some parts of the country combating drought conditions and others dealing with unhealthy air quality, setting off fireworks will only seem to make matters worse.

    Banning the highlight of the holiday itself could put a damper on celebrations and cause major upset to those looking forward to the event. However, more suitable alternatives are beginning to trend across the U.S.

    Eco-friendly fireworks do exist

    Despite their short time to shine, nothing beats the sight of fireworks lighting up the night sky, especially on the Fourth of July. The pyrotechnics are so mesmerizing that they often disguise the negative effects that follow.

    In standard fireworks, two “explosions” occur: one launches the firework into the sky, and the second makes the stunning bursts of color that follow.

    Both explosions are a result of a combustion reaction, usually involving gunpowder, an oxidizing agent, and for the second explosion, different metals that contribute to the color and sound of the boom.

    Despite the beauty of the second blast, the byproducts released from the series of explosions are quite harmful to the environment.

    Along with affecting wildlife, the near-ground smoke from pyrotechnics can significantly alter air quality in the hours that follow.

    Smoke from fireworks lingers over the Chicago skyline in 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Attempts to create “cleaner” fireworks are out there but come at a greater expense.

    With numerous fireworks shows per week, Disney invested in fireworks that launch via condensed air instead of gunpowder.

    While the secondary explosion still releases unfavorable substances into the atmosphere, this approach eliminates the first explosion needed to launch traditional fireworks, reducing smoke and other byproducts released.

     

     

    Another bonus? Launching with condensed air also sends the fireworks higher into the atmosphere, reducing the amount of fine particles circulating near the ground.

    A quieter and cleaner approach

    Standard fireworks come with hazards, even when the weather is ideal. However, when conditions are not ideal, the risks are enhanced.

    Fireworks could be a problem in extremely dry areas; the embers that fall to the ground after their vibrant blast are known to spark new wildfires year after year, damaging homes and more.

    In recent years, drought-stricken parts of the country were forced to skip their displays to prevent wildfires from happening. Even though the break from tradition may come as disappointment, some communities are opting for safer alternatives instead of fireworks.

    Many places in the West continue to replace fireworks displays with LED drone shows instead.

    Drones form an American flag during Super Bowl LI’s Halftime show on Feb. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Business Wire/Intel Corporation)

    LED drone shows eliminate the potential fire threat and air quality issues that immediately arise in the wake of a fireworks show.

    In addition, drone shows come with less noise–at least to some extent. All booming and cracking sounds caused by fireworks will be replaced by the low humming buzz of hundreds of drones, which is barely detectable once the drones ascend high enough in the night sky.

    However, most LED drone shows are still performed with music, so don’t worry about complete silence.

    While choreographing and rehearsing the drone show itself may come with a higher price tag, it is a much more sustainable and safer route to consider. Not only is it better for the environment, but could also reduce the amount of damage and health impacts that fireworks cause.

    Eliminating the use of old school fireworks may not go away entirely, but the transition to establish new Independence Day traditions is underway.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Shawnie Caslin

    Source link

  • What you need to know about weather and fireworks

    What you need to know about weather and fireworks

    Many people are looking forward to the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks shows. However, everything from rain, wind and humidity can affect not only if you can launch those rockets into the sky, but also what they will look like.

    What You Need To Know

    • High humidity can make the fireworks’ colors less vibrant

    • Strong winds during fireworks can endanger the public

    • Lightning can strike spectators and unlit fireworks

    Ideal weather

    Clear skies, light winds and low humidity make for a great show. Extra moisture in the air can distort the colors and make them less vibrant.

    Less humidity also means we can enjoy the show a little more because we don’t feel sticky.

    Wind

    We also need to have the right amount of wind. Light wind might not clear the smoke quickly enough, affecting how well you can see the fireworks.  

    Too much wind can blow smoke or embers around, endangering people.

    Smoke from a fireworks display at Chicago’s Navy Pier filters through the skyline on wind currents from Lake Michigan. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Rain and lightning

    Light rain is okay when it comes to fireworks, as long as they are covered or in waterproof bags. A wet fuse will not light.

    Rain before fireworks

    A couple improvises by hovering beneath a towel during a brief rain shower while waiting in Brooklyn Bridge Park for the start of a fireworks display on the Fourth of July, Monday, July 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

    Storms and heavy rain can lead to canceled or delayed shows. Lightning can pose a major threat, sometimes striking unlit fireworks or even people.

    Drought

    Drought conditions can also cause problems. The fallout from fireworks can spark fires when there’s a lot of dry vegetation.

    Each year, fireworks spawn many fires.

    A burnt hillside caused by fireworks in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

    If there is a bad drought happening in your area, avoid setting off fireworks. Often, local authorities will ban the use of fireworks in high fire risk or drought conditions.

    However, bigger shows might launch over bodies of water to accommodate for a drought.

    So, keep these in mind if you plan on setting off fireworks. Check the forecast first and stay safe!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Shelly Lindblade

    Source link

  • Sustainable celebrations: Exploring alternatives to traditional fireworks

    Sustainable celebrations: Exploring alternatives to traditional fireworks

    Nothing says “Fourth of July” more than fireworks. After all, they are one of the longest held traditions of the holiday itself. But the unwanted health and environmental consequences that follow a pyrotechnic display are often overlooked.

    Between drought conditions and air quality issues, now might be the time to reconsider the centuries-old tradition.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fourth of July fireworks cause numerous environmental and health impacts every year

    • There are “cleaner” fireworks that release less smoke and other harmful substances 

    • Some places are now replacing fireworks with LED drone shows

    The Fourth of July is a holiday of traditions, and fireworks are the grand finale. Despite all their beauty while lighting up the night sky, though, fireworks can take a toll on the environment.

    According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, over 16,000 fireworks displays typically take place across the nation on Independence Day.

    Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument at the National Mall during the Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

    Between some parts of the country combating drought conditions and others dealing with unhealthy air quality, setting off fireworks will only seem to make matters worse.

    Banning the highlight of the holiday itself could put a damper on celebrations and cause major upset to those looking forward to the event. However, more suitable alternatives are beginning to trend across the U.S.

    Eco-friendly fireworks do exist

    Despite their short time to shine, nothing beats the sight of fireworks lighting up the night sky, especially on the Fourth of July. The pyrotechnics are so mesmerizing that they often disguise the negative effects that follow.

    In standard fireworks, two “explosions” occur: one launches the firework into the sky, and the second makes the stunning bursts of color that follow.

    Both explosions are a result of a combustion reaction, usually involving gunpowder, an oxidizing agent, and for the second explosion, different metals that contribute to the color and sound of the boom.

    Despite the beauty of the second blast, the byproducts released from the series of explosions are quite harmful to the environment.

    Along with affecting wildlife, the near-ground smoke from pyrotechnics can significantly alter air quality in the hours that follow.

    Smoke from fireworks lingers over the Chicago skyline in 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Attempts to create “cleaner” fireworks are out there but come at a greater expense.

    With numerous fireworks shows per week, Disney invested in fireworks that launch via condensed air instead of gunpowder.

    While the secondary explosion still releases unfavorable substances into the atmosphere, this approach eliminates the first explosion needed to launch traditional fireworks, reducing smoke and other byproducts released.

     

     

    Another bonus? Launching with condensed air also sends the fireworks higher into the atmosphere, reducing the amount of fine particles circulating near the ground.

    A quieter and cleaner approach

    Standard fireworks come with hazards, even when the weather is ideal. However, when conditions are not ideal, the risks are enhanced.

    Fireworks could be a problem in extremely dry areas; the embers that fall to the ground after their vibrant blast are known to spark new wildfires year after year, damaging homes and more.

    In recent years, drought-stricken parts of the country were forced to skip their displays to prevent wildfires from happening. Even though the break from tradition may come as disappointment, some communities are opting for safer alternatives instead of fireworks.

    Many places in the West continue to replace fireworks displays with LED drone shows instead.

    Drones form an American flag during Super Bowl LI’s Halftime show on Feb. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Business Wire/Intel Corporation)

    LED drone shows eliminate the potential fire threat and air quality issues that immediately arise in the wake of a fireworks show.

    In addition, drone shows come with less noise–at least to some extent. All booming and cracking sounds caused by fireworks will be replaced by the low humming buzz of hundreds of drones, which is barely detectable once the drones ascend high enough in the night sky.

    However, most LED drone shows are still performed with music, so don’t worry about complete silence.

    While choreographing and rehearsing the drone show itself may come with a higher price tag, it is a much more sustainable and safer route to consider. Not only is it better for the environment, but could also reduce the amount of damage and health impacts that fireworks cause.

    Eliminating the use of old school fireworks may not go away entirely, but the transition to establish new Independence Day traditions is underway.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Shawnie Caslin

    Source link