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Dexter stayed over the open Atlantic.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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The Perseid meteor shower begins, lasts through late August
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The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.
The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.
As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteors appear to originate — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.
Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour.
The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.
In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.
The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)
There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.
This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks.
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.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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The Perseid meteor shower begins, lasts through late August
[ad_1]
The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.
The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.
As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteors appear to originate — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.
Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour.
The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.
In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.
The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)
There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.
This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks.
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.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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How the weather could impact tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby
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When you think of a baseball player hitting a home run, there are lots of variables that come into play. Who is the batter? Who is the pitcher? What stadium are they playing at? But what about the weather?
Wind, rain and snow may come to mind first, but temperature and humidity can influence how far a baseball travels and be a deciding factor in if the ball makes it out of the park.
What You Need To Know
- The temperature can influence how far a baseball travels
- Warm and humid air is less dense than cold and dry air
- Lower density allows the baseball to travel further
Warm air is less dense than cold air. Air expands when it’s heated, so the molecules are more spread out. This means there is less air for the ball to travel through, giving it less resistance.
Now factoring in humidity, warmer air can hold more moisture. Water vapor is light compared to nitrogen and oxygen molecules, so humid air is less dense than dry air at the same temperature.
When it’s hot and humid, the air is lighter, and the baseball can travel further.
A 2023 study claims that “a 1° C increase in the daily high temperature on the day of a baseball game played in a stadium without a dome increases the number of home runs in that game by 1.96%.” A bigger difference in home runs was observed for games played during the early afternoon versus night games because of the larger difference in temperature.
How about cold air? Cold air is more dense than warm air, so the ball has to travel through more air. Molecules move closer together when the air contracts as temperature lowers.
If it’s cold and dry out, the drier air will have fewer water vapor molecules, so the nitrogen and oxygen comprising the air will be heavier than the humid air would be.
Ideally, outdoor games in hot and humid climates are most favorable for seeing your favorite team or player hit a home run.
Tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby is in Atlanta, and the forecast calls for no rain and temperatures near 90 degrees with heat index values in the mid-90s. Get ready to watch the ball fly!
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.
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Meteorologist Reid Lybarger
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Thursday brings July’s full moon, the ‘Buck Moon’
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This month’s “Buck Moon” also happens when the moon will be at its closest to Earth for the year.
Full moons’ nicknames typically relate to something from that time of year. July’s full moon is called the “Buck Moon” because this is when bucks’ (male deer) new antlers have grown more sizeable after starting late in the spring.
An American Whitetail deer buck. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman)
Other names include the “Thunder Moon,” as this time of year typically sees a threat for thunderstorms.
The moon will be at its fullest at 4:36 p.m. EDT, but it’ll still be essentially full when it rises Thursday evening and will appear low in the sky. This happens because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, and the moon tracks a correspondingly low path through the night.
The moon will look even lower than normal because of a phenomenon known as a ‘Major Lunar Standstill,’ when the sun’s gravity drags the moon’s tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth’s celestial equator. This occurs every 18.6 years.
Here’s the cloud cover forecast for Wednesday evening through Friday evening across the country.
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.
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Meteorologist Stacy Lynn
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Thursday brings July’s full moon, the ‘Buck Moon’
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This month’s “Buck Moon” also happens when the moon will be at its closest to Earth for the year.
Full moons’ nicknames typically relate to something from that time of year. July’s full moon is called the “Buck Moon” because this is when bucks’ (male deer) new antlers have grown more sizeable after starting late in the spring.
An American Whitetail deer buck. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman)
Other names include the “Thunder Moon,” as this time of year typically sees a threat for thunderstorms.
The moon will be at its fullest at 4:36 p.m. EDT, but it’ll still be essentially full when it rises Thursday evening and will appear low in the sky. This happens because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, and the moon tracks a correspondingly low path through the night.
The moon will look even lower than normal because of a phenomenon known as a ‘Major Lunar Standstill,’ when the sun’s gravity drags the moon’s tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth’s celestial equator. This occurs every 18.6 years.
Here’s the cloud cover forecast for Wednesday evening through Friday evening across the country.
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.
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Meteorologist Stacy Lynn
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5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer
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Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.
Look at your ceiling fans
Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.
This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.
(Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)
Open up
Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.
Block the sun
Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.
Turn the dial
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!
(Photo by Olivia Levada)
Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.
If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.
Keep it clean
Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.
(Spectrum News)
You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.
Extra credit
Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.
- Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
- Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
- Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.
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.
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Meteorologist Justin Gehrts
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5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer
[ad_1]
Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.
Look at your ceiling fans
Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.
This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.
(Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)
Open up
Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.
Block the sun
Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.
Turn the dial
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!
(Photo by Olivia Levada)
Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.
If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.
Keep it clean
Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.
(Spectrum News)
You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.
Extra credit
Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.
- Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
- Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
- Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.
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.
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Meteorologist Justin Gehrts
Source link -
5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer
[ad_1]
Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.
Look at your ceiling fans
Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.
This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.
(Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)
Open up
Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.
Block the sun
Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.
Turn the dial
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!
(Photo by Olivia Levada)
Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.
If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.
Keep it clean
Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.
(Spectrum News)
You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.
Extra credit
Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.
- Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
- Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
- Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.
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.
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Meteorologist Justin Gehrts
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Chantal brought heavy rain and significant flooding to the Carolinas
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Chantal has become post-tropical as continues to move through the Mid-Atlantic. It’s expected to dissipate later Monday with some additional rainfall and flooding potential across parts of eastern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Chantal began as Tropical Depression Three, forming off the coast of northeast Florida. It became Tropical Storm Chantal one day later, on July 5.
It made landfall just one day after forming, moving inland near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, as a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph on July 6. Chantal was the first storm to make landfall in the U.S. during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
The highest winds reported were in Myrtle Beach at the Springmaid Pier, with gusts up to 56 mph. An EF0 tornado also touched down in Wilmington, N.C., causing minor home damage and extensive tree damage.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding were the biggest impacts from Chantal. Radar-estimated rainfall totals up 9 to 12 inches were recorded in parts of North Carolina between Raleigh and Greensboro, causing significant flooding around Chapel Hill and nearby rivers.
Chapel Hill Fire Department said it performed roughly 50 rescues since Sunday morning. First responders also rescued people in Durham after the Eno River hit major flood stage. Flooding on the Haw River shut down I-85 and I-40 in Alamance County after Chantal moved through.
There are no more watches and warnings in effect.
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.
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Spectrum News Weather Staff
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The colorful chemistry behind firework displays
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On America’s first Fourth of July in 1777, there was one color – orange. Fireworks have come a long way since then, taking on new colors and various shapes and sizes.
However, there is a lot of science behind these modern-day marvels.
What You Need To Know
- Fireworks are chemical reactions made of high energy compounds
- The type of atom used in the firework mixture gives off certain colors when heated
- Atmospheric conditions play a critical role in firework visibility
How it works
The colors that we see lighting up the night sky are caused by chemical reactions. The compounds in the firework are heated. These hot atoms give off light and that’s what we see.
Different elements from the periodic table give off different colors. Lithium or strontium create a red color. Magnesium sparks a white color. Copper ignites a blue color.
The weather’s impact
Weather can make or break a fireworks show.
It is a delicate balance when it comes to wind. Gusty conditions can be very problematic and blow debris onto spectators.
Meanwhile, light winds can also be an issue as there is nothing to help disperse the smoke.
Humidity is also very important. The lower the humidity the brighter fireworks appear. On muggy nights, fireworks can look dimmer and more muted.
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.
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Chief Meteorologist Ricky Cody
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Where to expect tropical activity in July
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We’re just over one month into the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters are expecting another active season, so it’s important to know where tropical systems could form this month.
Historically, July is still a relatively quiet month across the Atlantic basin for tropical activity. According to NOAA, July only accounts for 7% of the Atlantic’s named storms since 1851, and less than 6% of hurricanes.
There are a handful of limiting factors working against tropical development this month. Saharan dust outbreaks are still common this time of the year, and sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic’s main development region are still warming up, so tropical waves that track across the length of the Atlantic Ocean and survive to make landfall in the U.S. aren’t too common.
The most common areas for tropical development this month are closer to land. These home-grown systems can spin up in the Gulf or off the Atlantic coast over the Gulf stream, where waters are slightly warmer and conditions are more favorable.
Just because tropical systems don’t usually form in July doesn’t mean they can’t.
Last year, Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 5 storm in the Atlantic basin on record in early July. It made three landfalls, eventually moving inland over the U.S. near Matagorda, Texas, on July 8, 2024 as a Category 1 storm.
Only three major hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. during July. Most recently, Hurricane Dennis in 2005.
Dennis made landfall on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane on July 10. It caused almost $4 billion of damage across the U.S. and Caribbean, and was responsible for 90 deaths, 17 in the U.S.
The other two major hurricanes to make landfall in July were from the early 1900s. The Gulf Coast Hurricane of 1916 made landfall on July 5, 1916, near Pascagoula, Mississippi, as a Category 3 hurricane, claiming at least 34 lives.
The 1909 Velasco hurricane made landfall near Velasco, Texas, on July 21, 1909 as a Category 3 hurricane, causing 41 deaths.
Development zones expand and tropical activity increases as we get further into summer.
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.
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Meteorologist Reid Lybarger
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