Tag: Central NY

Arctic blast brings the chill across the U.S. this weekend
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We have one more day of this arctic chill across the parts of the United States.

The jackets, scarves, and beanies won’t be needed from Midwest to the Northeast after Sunday.
What You Need To Know

Cold air covers the central and eastern U.S. through the weekend

Dozens of record cold temperatures have been broken

This kind of cold can be dangerous
The arctic air wraps up from the Northeast and Southeast Sunday morning.

Parts of Florida will wake up to freezing temperatures on Sunday.

Highs will reach 15 to 25 degrees below the average for numerous spots, although this arctic surge won’t be as powerful as the previous one.

And by Monday, temperatures should be closer to normal for this time of the year.

What we saw

The arctic air has been enough to tie or break dozens of record cold temperatures over the past few days–not just morning lows, but afternoon highs.

Sunday morning saw temperatures as low as -20 to -40 degrees in northern and northeast Montana. Saco, Mont., dropped to -51 degrees, and subzero lows reached as far south as Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and parts of Indiana, according to Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

The Associated Press reports the winter weather over the past two weeks is blamed for at least 45 deaths. That includes 14 in Tennessee alone, where 9 inches of snow fell around Nashville. Three people in Oregon were electrocuted by a live power line that fell on a car, and five people in Seattle died from exposure to cold.

Brutal cold earlier in the week made Monday’s Iowa caucuses the coldest ever, and heavy lake-effect snow and intense wind gusts forced the Steelers-Bills NFL game to be postponed from its original kickoff. A storm system on the leading edge of the cold dropped accumulating snow as far south as Arkansas and northern Mississippi, whereas much as six inches fell.

This week’s arctic waves have easily been the coldest of the season so far. Check your local forecast to see how cold you’ll get, and take a look at the stories below to be ready for the bitter blast.

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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January 20, 2024
The coldest time of the year largely varies on where you live
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As winter progresses across the Northern Hemisphere, cold outbreaks are becoming more common. And for many across the nation, the coldest day of the year is likely on the way to your city.
What You Need To Know

The coldest day of the year largely varies if you live east or west of the Rocky Mountains

Most across the eastern United States find their coldest time of the year in late January

The western United States typically is coldest in December

NOAA has found that the coldest day has been shifting later into winter
As we move deeper into the heart of winter, the coldest part of the year is upon us across the Midwest and Northeast. Back in 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an interactive map that details when the coldest day of the year is for your city.

In the analysis conducted by NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI), climate experts found that this chilly milestone is now happening later than it used to.

Check out the map below. It reveals when, on average, the coldest day of the year hits based on data from 1991 to 2020. From the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast, temperatures hit rock bottom around mid-to-late January.

According to their report, the study found several interesting regional differences across the nation. But the most notable observation was the separation between dates the Rocky Mountains bring forth.

That’s because temperatures out west of the Rockies are largely influenced by the parade of storm systems moving ashore from the Pacific Ocean. These storm systems determine the temperature influences, and thus temperatures more closely align with the seasonal solar cycle if you live west of the Rocky Mountains.

While a few pockets out west have seen their date for the coldest day of the year slide later into the season, these locations are typically found in deep valleys, where calm winds and the bountiful snow cover can cause a temperature inversion—where the temperature at the surface is colder than the temperature above the ground.

But for those located east of the Rockies, the analysis found that the date for the coldest day of the year has slid later into the season.

While the West largely finds their temperature fluctuations based on storm systems, the eastern U.S. finds their temperature regime largely dictated by modified snow cover to the north.

Believe it or not, snowfall in Canada drives the temperature forecast for the eastern half of the country. That’s because as snow falls and blankets the ground in Canada, that snowfall at the surface helps cool temperatures.

As Canada’s snow cover grows, it reflects more and more solar radiation away from the ground and back out to space, keeping temperatures colder than they could be.

As storm systems develop and move eastward across Canada, the wind flow can then push this colder air mass at the surface southward into the United States. This is what’s responsible for those cold air outbreaks across the northern tier of the country.

Now, keep in mind, these dates are calculated by averaging temperatures over a 30-year period, from 1991 to 2020. The actual coldest day may happen in your area earlier or later than what the map above suggests.

NOAA’s analysis points out an interesting shift, however: Compared to climatological averages from 1981 to 2010, the coldest day is now occurring three to six days later or more in many places east of the Rockies.

The newer 30-year averages ending in 2020 also show more warming early in the winter in the eastern U.S., according to NOAA. This lines up with findings from Climate Central, which revealed that winters in the United States are warming faster than any other season east of the Rockies and in Alaska.

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 Zach Covey

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January 20, 2024
‘Sudden stratospheric warming’ can drive arctic outbreaks. Here’s how
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You’ve almost certainly heard of the polar vortex. But what about “sudden stratospheric warming,” a weather term that’s started making the rounds on social media? They’re related to one another, and they can play a big role in winter weather.
What You Need To Know

Not all our weather happens near the ground

Atmospheric waves sometimes break on the polar vortex, making it weaken

A weaker polar vortex sometimes makes air far aloft descend and quickly warm

These events can cause arctic outbreaks
The polar vortex

First, a quick review of the polar vortex. The one we care about lives in the stratosphere, the second-lowest layer of the atmosphere. The stratosphere is above where most of our weather happens, starting about 6 miles above the ground and reaching up about 31 miles.

That polar vortex forms in the fall as polar nights get longer and temperatures turn colder. In the spring, it breaks down as daylight returns and temperatures become more balanced.

Polar temperatures in the stratosphere are very cold in the winter, but turn relatively warm in the summer. (NOAA)

But something else can make it break down during the winter, waves in the atmosphere. That’s where sudden stratospheric warming comes in.

Sudden stratospheric warming

The atmosphere has waves, just like the ocean. After all, it pretty much is an ocean… just made of air, not salt water. These waves rise up and down, and sometimes they’ll break and crash on the polar vortex, weakening it.

What happens if the vortex weakens enough? Its winds can reverse direction, causing cold air in the stratosphere to descend and quickly warm. And that’s where the name “sudden stratospheric warming” comes from.

“Sudden” doesn’t mean it happens out of the blue, completely unexpectedly. And “warming” is relative, since we’re still talking temperatures that are way below zero.

Polar vortex temperature centered on 2022, when a sudden stratospheric warming event happened. (NOAA)

Cold air outbreaks

Forecasters try to get a sense of whether sudden stratospheric warming might happen because it can give clues about weather patterns a few weeks away.

Instead of a stable swirl keeping the arctic air bottled up, the polar vortex is knocked off-kilter, coming off the North Pole or splitting into a couple pieces. The frigid air mass sometimes spills southward, although it doesn’t always dump into North America. It can just as easily hit Europe or Russia.

Major sudden stratospheric warming events happen once every winter or two on average, according to NOAA. These can cause big cold air outbreaks, although not every cold wave can lead to sudden stratospheric warming.

It also turns out that El Niño can cause sudden stratospheric warming events–and polar vortex breakdowns–because of how it influences the pattern of waves in the jet stream in the late winter.

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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January 19, 2024
Why we don’t officially name winter storms
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Every spring, the World Meteorological Organization releases a list of names for hurricanes that season.

But why don’t we name any other storm, particularly winter storms?
What You Need To Know

The U.S. does not officially name winter storms

Other countries name non-tropical storms year round

The National Weather Service has no plans for naming winter storms
History of naming storms

We have unofficially named winter storms throughout history.

Storms such as The Great Blizzard of 1888, a storm that brought feet of snow to the Northeast and killed over 400 people, or a more recent storm in 2010, Snowmageddon, that crippled the mid-Atlantic with snow.

But naming winter storms didn’t become regular until 2012, when a television weather company did so. At the time, this decision divided the weather community. Some saw the practice as more of a publicity stunt than a way to save lives, as they did not consult any official weather agency.

After 5 years of The Weather Channel naming winter storms, an ad hoc committee of the American Meteorological Society conducted a study and agreed that there was no evidence to support that the naming of storms increases the safety of the public.

The flip side

Even though the U.S. does not name storms other than tropical cyclones, the UK Met Office started officially naming storms in 2015. They not only name winter storms, but powerful storms that form throughout the year that cause substantial impact.

Each area in the UK has different criteria for naming storms, but the fun part is that the public can suggest names for the upcoming year.

Taking a stand

However, the National Weather Service still stands on the side of not naming winter storms, but what is the reason?

I talked to Maureen O’Leary, a spokesperson for the National Weather Service, and she said, “unlike tropical storms, winter storms are diverse with conditions that evolve throughout the storm’s life. That is why our forecasts, watches and warnings focus on specific impacts such as wind conditions, snowfall, ice, temperature, visibility and other impacts.

“Winter storm conditions can vary widely and over a very large area, from community to community. It’s critical that people understand how a storm will impact them, in their area, or where they are going.”

She also said there are no plans to consider naming winter storms.

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 Shelly Lindblade

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January 15, 2024
This year’s Iowa caucuses will be the coldest ever
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Iowans are used to cold weather, but the arctic blast that’s spread across much of the country is the biggest one to happen at the same time as the caucuses.
What You Need To Know

The coldest Iowa caucuses before this year were in 2004

Most have had highs in the 30s and 40s

This year, wind chills will be in the -20s throughout Iowa on caucus night
The Iowa caucuses began in 1972. That year, the high in Des Moines was 25 degrees and scattered snow fell around the state.

Since then, the warmest caucus day was 49 degrees on Feb. 20, 1984. The coldest, in 2004, had a high of just 16 degrees with wind chills in the single digits.

That’ll seem almost tropical compared to what’s coming on Monday.

Highs throughout Iowa will struggle to even get close to 0 degrees–and that’s just the actual temperature. Caucus-goers are going to face frigid wind chills in the -20s while they’re heading to and from their local precincts in the evening.

Here’s a snapshot of the conditions people had to brave through to caucus.

If there’s any good weather news in the Hawkeye State, it’s that they’ll have dry weather on Monday. That’ll be a welcome change after two powerful winter storms socked parts of the state with heavy snow in the days before. The bad weather forced Republican candidates to cancel some events.

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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January 15, 2024
How you can calculate the wind chill this winter
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Winter means cold, and winter plus wind equals colder! The term to describe the combination of wind and cold is “wind chill.”
What You Need To Know

The “feels-like” temperature in winter is known as the wind chill

Wind chill is calculated based on the air temperature and wind speed

Frostbite is a danger when we have extremely cold wind chills
How does wind chill work?

First, understand that our bodies lose heat through convection.

When we are outside and there is little to no wind, the air temperature is the same temperature we feel. There’s little to no difference between the two.

In the example below, the outside temperature is 20 degrees, and it feels like it because a layer of that heat remains around our body to help us stay warm.

When it is windy, the moving air breaks up the insulating warm layer. This wind helps to speed up the heat loss and makes the body feel much colder outside.

Add in a 20 mile per hour wind to an outside temperature of 20 degrees, and it doesn’t feel like 20 degrees anymore. Instead, the wind chill is only 4 degrees!

Calculating the wind chill

The wind chill temperature is calculated based on the temperature and wind speed. Check the chart below to determine the wind chill and how long it takes to get frostbite.

At the top of the chart you’ll find the air temperature, and on the left is the wind speed. When you line up those two factors, where they meet is the wind chill.

Ways to stay warm

Frostbite happens when body tissue freezes; your hands, feet, and nose usually freeze first. Your body protects your vital organs by cutting circulation to those extremities and focusing it on the most important places.

We’ve fought wearing jackets since we were kids, but one of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe from frostbite or hypothermia is by dressing appropriately. Wearing layers and cover all exposed skin (including fingers, toes, ears, nose and so on).

How you fuel your body can also help you stay safe. Stay hydrated because that increases your blood volume, which in turn helps prevent frostbite.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine constricts your blood vessels, which prevents the warming of your extremities. Alcohol reduces shivering, which is the body’s attempt to keep you warm.
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Meteorologist Robyn King

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January 14, 2024
Your astronomical calendar for 2024
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We’re heading into another year, and there are so many astronomical events we can look forward to.
What You Need To Know

A rare total solar eclipse will occur in April

We have many meteor showers happening throughout the year

Mercury will be our most-viewed planet

We’ll also see Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn
Check out what to expect for each month. The second half of the year will bring plenty of fun shows.

January

Quadrantids meteor shower: We started the year with a bang. This meteor shower produced 40 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the 3rd. Don’t worry if you missed it. We have plenty more meteor showers this year.

(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

View of Mercury: Our first 2024 view of Mercury occurred on the 12th. We’ll be able to view this planet six more times this year!

February

February is quiet, only offering a new moon on the 9th and a full moon on the 24th.

March

First day of spring, also called the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere (the autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere) will occur on the 19th this year at 11:06 p.m. ET. The Sun will pass directly over the equator, and we’ll have nearly equal amounts of day and night across the planet.

(Spectrum News/Lacy Leonardi)

Mercury in sight: our second view of Mercury will happen on the 24th. Look for it low in the western sky just after sunset.

Penumbral lunar eclipse: occurring when the moon passes through Earth’s penumbra. This eclipse will take place on the 25th and be visible through all the U.S.

April

Total solar eclipse: this rare event will occur on the 8th and be visible in the eastern U.S. The Moon will completely block the Sun, letting us see the outer ring of the Sun. You don’t want to miss it because it won’t happen again until 2045.

(Pixabay)

Lyrids meteor shower: this is a decent shower that produces about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It will run from the 16th to the 25th but will peak on the night of the 22nd. Unfortunately, the full moon will block out many meteors, but you should still be able to catch a glimpse of the brightest ones.

May

Eta Aquarids meteor shower: this decent meteor shower will produce 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere at its peak on the 6th. The new moon means we’ll have a dark sky and an excellent show.

Mercury returns: our third viewing of Mercury this year will occur on the 9th. You can see it in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

June

First day of summer: this year, the summer solstice will occur at 4:50 p.m. ET on June 20, marking the first day of summer for the northern hemisphere. The North Pole will tilt toward the Sun, and the Sun will travel over the Tropic of Cancer.

July

Another view of Mercury: our fourth view of Mercury will happen on the 22nd. Look for it low in the western sky just after sunset.

(Pixabay)

Delta Aquarids meteor shower: this shower will produce 20 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the 28th. The moon will block out a lot of the meteors, but you will still catch a few bright ones.

August

Perseids meteor shower: one of the best meteor showers of the year, you’ll see 60 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the 12th. The good news is the Moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving us with dark skies for the show.

Full moon and blue moon: we’ll get this full moon and blue moon on the 19th. It’s called a blue moon because it’s the third of four full moons of the season.

September

View of Mercury: our fifth view of Mercury will be on the 5th. Look for it low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

See Saturn’s rings: Saturn should be visible all night on the 8th. You’ll see a glimpse of its rings and brightest moons with a medium or large telescope.

Full moon and supermoon: this full moon and supermoon will occur on the 18th. Don’t miss it, as the moon will look larger and brighter.

Partial lunar eclipse: occurring when the Moon passes through the penumbra and partially through the umbra. We’ll see this partial lunar eclipse on the 18th, and most of the U.S. will be able to view it.

(Photo by Anthony Leone)

The Blue Giant: we’ll get a view of Neptune all night on the 20th. Unfortunately, because of its distance, it’ll only look like a tiny blue dot in the sky unless you have an extremely powerful telescope.

First day of fall: the autumnal equinox will occur at 8:43 a.m. ET on the 22nd. We’ll have nearly equal amounts of day and night across the world as the Sun shines over the equator, marking the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere.

October

Draconids meteor shower: practice patient with this shower on the 7th, as it only produces 10 meteors per hour. Unlike other showers, you’ll want to view this one in the early evening.

Another full moon and supermoon: this full moon and supermoon will happen on the 17th. It’ll be the second supermoon of three in 2024.

Orionids meteor shower: this shower will peak on the night of the 21st, bringing us 20 meteors per hour. The waning gibbous moon will block fainter meteors, but you should still be able to catch some brighter ones.

November

Taurids meteor shower: a very minor shower. This show will only produce 5-10 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the 4h. The first quarter moon will block most of the meteors, but you’ll still see a few after midnight.

Full moon and supermoon: the last of the supermoons of 2024, you can catch this full, big and bright moon on the 15th.

Mercury’s back: Mercury loves to show off, as this will be our sixth view of the planet on the 16th.

Uranus: Uranus appears on the 17th and you’ll be able to view it all night. Unfortunately, if you don’t have an extremely power telescope, you’ll only see a tiny dot in the sky.

(NASA/JPL)

Leonids meteor shower: another minor shower, this one will produce 15 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the 17th. The best time to view this show will be during the early morning of the 18th, but the nearly full moon will block out most of the meteors.

December

Jupiter and its moons: Jupiter will appear on the 7th and be visible all night. You’ll be able to see Jupiter’s cloud bands with a medium telescope. Even with just binoculars, you’ll be able to see its four largest moons.

Geminids meteor shower: welcome to the best meteor shower of every year. Peaking from Dec. 13-14, this shower will produce 120 multicolored meteors per hour. Unfortunately, an almost full moon means we won’t see a lot of the meteors, but we should still be able to catch a good amount. Bundle up and head outside after midnight for the best viewing time.

First day of winter: on the 21st, the winter solstice will occur at 4:19 a.m. ET, marking the first day of winter. The South Pole will tilt toward the Sun, and the Sun will be in its southernmost position in the sky.

(Photo by Sean Organ)

Ursids meteor shower: the last shower of the year will be the Ursids meteor shower on Dec. 21-22. It is minor, producing 5-10 meteors per hour, and the waning gibbous moon will block out many of the meteors.

One last view of Mercury: Mercury was the first planet we saw this year, and it’ll be the last. You’ll be able to view it on the 25th low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

Viewing these events

If you’re trying to view a planet, it might become a little tricky differentiating it from a star. Caballero-Nieves, assistant professor in Astronomy at FL Institute of Tech., explains “planets are typically brighter than stars. Stars also twinkle. This is called scintillation. Stars will change a little in brightness and even color, and planets do not.”

“Finally, if you look at a planet over several nights or months, you will notice that it moves with respect to the stars near it. That’s where the Greeks gave the planets their names, which means wanderer.”

If you want to view all these heavenly events this year, head to a dark area away from city lights.

It also doesn’t hurt to buy a telescope, either. What kind of telescope should you buy?

Caballero-Nieves suggests that “You should first decide what you are interested in observing. Reflecting telescopes use mirrors and are more compact, but reflecting telescopes that use lenses can be more affordable.”

“Smaller telescopes are great for looking at bright things like the Moon, planets and bright stars. Larger telescopes are better for observing faint things like galaxies, nebulas and comets.”

Hopefully, you will see some wonderful views this year!

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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January 13, 2024
Weather Explained: Understanding the wind chill

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Learn how wind can affect the outside temperature.

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Spectrum News Weather Staff

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January 12, 2024
2023 saw a record 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters
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The U.S. dealt with 28 disasters that each cost over $1 billion last year, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. That’s the most in one year since records began in 1980.
What You Need To Know

The U.S. had 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023

19 of them were severe storms and tornadoes

The 28 disasters cost an estimated $93 billion

Last year broke the record of 22 such events in 2020
The average number of billion-dollar disasters since 1980 is 8.5 per year. However, from 2019 to 2023, the average was 20.4 events, including the previous record of 22 events in 2020.

NOAA adjusts for the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation.

Here’s when and where 2023’s billion-dollar disasters happened.

The majority were from severe storms and tornadoes, which made up 19 of them. The rest included four floods, two tropical cyclones (including Hurricane Idalia), one wildfire, one winter storm and one drought/heat wave.

The year may end up with one more, depending on the tally from the mid-December East Coast storm.

In total, NCEI estimates 2023’s billion-dollar disasters cost $93.0 billion, above the average of $60.5 billion. They also say these also contributed to at least 492 deaths.

NOAA’s information on 2023’s costly disasters came the same day that Europe’s climate agency reported the global average temperature last year set a record that was 2.66 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The Lower 48 had its fifth-hottest year on record, according to NOAA.

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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January 11, 2024
How rainbow clouds dazzle the skies
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Clouds come in many shapes and forms, but did you know there are rainbow clouds?
What You Need To Know

Rainbow clouds form when light scatters through tiny ice crystals and creates a cascade of colors

These types of clouds form in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds

High-altitude clouds, the uniform distribution of ice crystals, sunlight and a sun that is high in the sky is the recipe of iridescence
According to NOAA, “a rainbow cloud can occur because of something called cloud iridescence.”

You’ll see this dazzling phenomena in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds.

These rainbow clouds, or as they’re scientifically known, ‘nacreous clouds’, form when small ice crystal scatter the sun’s light. Once the light hits the droplets, it creates a vibrant hue of colors.

Check out this video of rainbow clouds see above Aylesford, United Kingdom in late December.

Cloud iridescence is a rare phenomenon. Clouds need to be thin and have a lot of water droplets that are about the same size.

Iridescence is a combination of high-altitude clouds, the uniform distribution of ice crystals, sunlight and a sun that is high in the sky.

(Photo by: CameraLeon/WEATHER TRAKER/TMX)

Nacreous clouds are rare sites to see. According to the World Meteorological Organization, you can see these dazzling sites in Alaska, Canada and parts of Scandinavia and the Arctic.

Plus, the clouds form in colder climates because the ice crystals in the clouds need to be chilled to freezing or below.

Whenever you see rainbow or nacreous clouds, enjoy these color clouds and experiences.

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 Keith Bryant

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January 8, 2024
Look at incredible video of tornado spinning through Fort Lauderdale

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A tornado ripped through parts of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Look at this incredible video of the tornado in the area.

The video was shot by one of our Spectrum News photographers who was in the area covering the Buffalo Bills game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday Jan. 7.

Ft. Lauderdale city officials on X (formerly known as Twitter) said the twister was spotted near Las Olas and the Intracoastal.

The twister was a part of a storm system bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to parts of South Florida.

In another video, you can see sparks fly as the tornado spins through the area.

Plus, the tornado touched down shortly after the National Weather Service in Miami issued a Tornado Warning for the area.

There were no reports of injuries, just scattered debris and some power outages.

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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January 7, 2024
Here are your top 5 astronomical events for 2024
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Every year, avid sky gazers book their calendar full of events that are sure to have you looking up. And 2024 promises to bring a series of events you don’t want to miss.
What You Need To Know

Several noteworthy events are possible in the skies above North America in 2024

A coast-to-coast solar eclipse will be found in April

A beautiful meteor shower will dazzle in August

A new comet could light the skies in October
North America is set for dozens of potential sky gazing events during 2024. From a pair of eclipses to a brand new comet and several meteor showers, here are the top five astronomical events for North America in 2024.

1. America’s total solar eclipse

The most anticipated event of the year across the nation will come in April when the Great American Solar Eclipse will streak across the United States.

On April 8, 2024, the nation will be greeted by the moon passing right in front of our sun, creating a breathtaking experience for those who can reach totality. While the entire nation will enjoy the eclipse, only a few select states will get the joys of totality.

Totality occurs when the moon blocks out the entire sun from view, leading to a darker sky resembling if it were dawn or dusk.

A look at the path of the total solar eclipse.

Just prior to totality, another phenomenon known as Baily’s beads will occur. These beads look like distinct balls of light found just on the edge of the moon’s surface as it passes in front of the last bit of the sun.

Baily’s beads are caused by the sun’s light shining through the craters on the surface of the moon and will flicker on and off as the sun passes through the valleys of the moon’s surface.

Totality will be enjoyed by states like Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Maine. Totality will last for nearly four and a half minutes in cities across Texas—the longest in the nation.

2. America’s penumbral lunar eclipse

Just two weeks before the total solar eclipse, the nation will be greeted by an eclipse of a different kind. On March 24-25, 2024, the nation will observe a penumbral lunar eclipse.

Often, during a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the inner shadow of Earth, known as Earth’s umbra. During that passage, the moon darkens noticeably, and can produce a unique nighttime effect.

But during a penumbral lunar eclipse, the moon stays out of the inner shadow and only breaches Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra.

During a lunar eclipse, the moon passes by Earth’s shadow.

This leads to a less deep and typically less dramatic eclipse. Sometimes it can even be mistaken as a normal Full Moon event versus an actual eclipse.

Regardless, this eclipse will be found nationwide. The best time to view the eclipse will be around maximum eclipse time, when one half of the moon will appear slightly darker than the other half.

3. Planets align

A favorite of sky gazers alike, planetary alignment is expected in late June across the nation. This celestial alignment will feature the planets Jupiter, Mars and Saturn along with our Moon.

During this alignment, you can expect to find all the planets and our moon situated near one another in the eastern sky during sunrise.

If you are heading east during your morning commute, you may notice all these celestial bodies shining brightly next to the moon, resembling stars.

4. Perseid meteor shower

Often called the most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Perseid meteor shower will happen in the heart of August. The peak of the shower will occur on the nights of Aug. 12 and 13.

The Perseid shower is caused by Earth’s movement through a debris cloud left behind from the comet Swift-Tuttle, a comet last passed by Earth in 1992.

Two Perseid meteors, centre and lower left, streak across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower above a forest on the outskirts of Madrid, in the early hours of Monday, July 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

2024 is likely to be a decent year for this shower, as the moon will only be illuminated 50%. This should allow for between 200 to 350 meteors an hour if you can get to a place with no light pollution. For those in cities, expect that number to be closer to 40 to 60 meteors an hour.

5. A new comet passes by

While there is a bit of a debate about how big this event may be, October will bring a new comet to the skies of Earth.

Discovered back in Feb. 2023, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will make its closest pass to Earth’s Northern Hemisphere during October. The comet will be roughly 44 million miles away from our planet, or roughly 100 million miles closer than our closest neighbor, Mars.

The comet will appear too close to the sun to be seen in early October, but it will get into a better position for observation around and after Oct. 14.

Comet Hale–Bopp. (NASA)

Scientists are still debating how visible the comet could be on Earth, but some scientists believe this could be a very bright passing, outshining some of the brightest stars in our sky during the peak passage.

A few scientists believe it could be the brightest comet in our skies since Comet Hyakutake in 1996 or Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Comet Hale-Bopp was the most observed comet in human history.

If these hypotheses prove to be correct, Comet C/2023 A3 could feature a very prominent tail that observers could see with their own eye.

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 Zach Covey

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January 6, 2024
Weather Explained: Why bridges freeze before roads

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It all has to do with the flow of cold air.

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Spectrum News Weather Staff

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January 5, 2024
Look fast! A brief meteor shower peaks early Thursday morning
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The new year starts with the Quadrantid meteor shower. But don’t blink, or you might miss it.
What You Need To Know

Astronomers named the Quadrantids after a former constellation

They have a very short peak

The peak falls early Thursday morning

Moonlight will obscure the fainter meteors
The Quadrantids aren’t one of the more well-known meteor showers, but they can still bring a decent number of meteors… if you’re looking at the right time.

Most meteor showers have a peak that lasts a couple of days, but the Quadrantids’ shower is much shorter. It should peak within a few hours of 4 a.m. Eastern Time Thursday morning, according to Sky & Telescope.

NASA says the Quadrantids produce roughly 120 meteors per hour in perfect conditions, although that can vary quite a bit. And this year won’t have ideal conditions even if you get away from city lights, thanks to a half-full moon hanging in the southeastern sky during the peak.

If you give it a shot, let your eyes adjust to the dark sky for at least 15 minutes and try to shield the moon from view. The American Meteor Society recommends looking north. Even if moonlight washes out the fainter meteors, you might catch a bright fireball meteor as relatively larger particles burn up in the atmosphere.

The Quadrantids are unusual, like December’s Geminids, because they come as the Earth passes through the debris of an asteroid, rather than a comet. The name itself is also unusual; it’s from the constellation “Quadrans Muralis,” which didn’t make the cut in 1922’s official, modern list of constellations.

An image of an etching of an astronomical chart of constellations, showing a quadrant–Quadrans Muralis–above Bootes the Ploughman. Also shown are the dogs Asterion and Chara and the hair of Berenice. (Library of Congress)

The next noteworthy meteor shower is the Lyrids in April. Unfortunately, the moon will be nearly full for that show.

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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January 3, 2024
Why is salt used on roads in the winter?
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We all know that road crews and plows work hard to keep roads clear and safe for drivers this time of year.
What You Need To Know

Road crews use salt on roads and other surfaces in the winter

Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which prevents ice from forming

Salt loses its effectiveness once the temperature falls below 15 degrees
In addition to clearing snow and ice from roads, plows also put down a lot of salt on roads and other surfaces this time of year.

The usual freezing point of water – the temperature at which water freezes and becomes ice – is 32 degrees. So if there’s precipitation (snow, sleet, or freezing rain) and the ground is 32 degrees or colder, ice will form on streets and other surfaces.

So, why use salt on roads and other surfaces? It’s simple – salt lowers the freezing point of water, which prevents ice from forming.

Interesting fact: road salt is simply rock salt, which is table salt in its natural form.

The big difference is that the table salt that we use goes through a long purification process, while rock salt does not. As a result, rock salt still has impurities and that’s why it’s brownish or gray in color.

(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Can salt become less effective if it gets too cold? Generally, salt loses its effectiveness once the temperature falls below 15 degrees.

When temperatures are that cold, the salt simply can’t get into the structure of the frozen water or ice to start the dissolving and melting process. Therefore, salt is much less effective or not effective at all when temperatures are bitterly cold.

Road crews sometimes try other methods, even beet juice.

When wintry weather hits, be careful, take your time and stay safe on the roads – especially when temperatures are cold enough to keep road treatments from doing their thing.

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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Carrie Cheevers

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January 1, 2024
Different weather conditions can affect your fireworks show
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Many people are looking forward to the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks shows. However, everything from snow, 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

Heavy snow 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.

Snow

(Bradly J. Boner/AP Images for EUKANUBA™)

Snow is okay when it comes to fireworks.

The only problems are heavy snow can obscure the colors, and crews need to keep the fireworks dry in times of heavy snow or they might not light.

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.

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

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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.

(Photo by Heather Morrison)

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.
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Meteorologist Shelly Lindblade

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December 31, 2023
Safety tips for driving through the rain
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From drizzle to downpours, driving in the rain could be difficult and dangerous if you are not careful. According to U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, over 3,400 people are killed and over 357,300 people are injured in rainfall-related crashes.
What You Need To Know

Over 357,000 people are injured in rainfall-related crashes

AAA says wet pavements contribute to more than one million traffic crashes each year

Check the maintenance of your car before you drive in the rain

Hydroplaning happens when your vehicle glides on top of a thin film of water and your tires lose contact with the ground
We want you to understand the hazards of driving in the rain and how you can drive defensively in the elements. AAA says wet pavement contributes to more than one million traffic crashes each year.

Before driving in the rain

Before you drive in the rain, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is prepared. You want to check your windshield wipers and make sure they don’t leave streaks and clear any rain on a single swipe.

Plus, you want to check if all your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are working as well.

Next, you want to check your tire tread depth. The tire tread and inflation of your tires are important in maintaining traction on wet roads.

You can check the tread by using a quarter. If you turn it upside down and dip it into the tread of a tire and you can see the entire head of the president, that means you need to replace them.

You also need to check the tire pressure, as well.

Driving in the elements

When driving in the rain, it’s important to leave room between vehicles. Safety experts suggest following the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you. In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) suggests adding an extra two-seconds when you’re driving in heavy rain.

The NWS also say to be careful during the first half hour of rainfall because grime and oil on the road could mix with water to make them slippery. Check out our “Weather Explained: Slick roads after a dry spell” for more information.

According to AAA, “with as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road.” To navigate driving in the rain, it’s best to stay toward the middle lanes, since water pools in the outside lanes. Plus, drive at the speed to correspond to the amount of rain on the roads.

Beware of hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is one risk of driving in the rain. Hydroplaning happens when your vehicle glides on top of a thin film of water and your tires lose contact with the ground.

It only happens in a few seconds, but it can feel like your vehicle is veering on its own. You should avoid hard braking and sharp turns. AAA says pressing the breaks will make hydroplaning worse and cause you to swerve out of your lane.

To reduce your risk of hydroplaning, slow down, turn off cruise control and don’t panic.

If you feel like your hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas to regain control of the vehicle and pull over and park your car until the rainfall lightens.

If you feel your card is skidding, don’t panic and avoid hard braking. Just look and steer in the direction you want your car to go.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown®

Now, if water is over the road because of heavy rain, you should never drive through it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that over half of all flood-related drownings happen when a vehicle has driven into flood water.

Whenever you encounter a flooded road, practice Turn Around, Don’t Drown®.

The NWS says it takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.

An empty vehicle is surrounded by floodwaters on a road in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

So it’s important to beware and drive defensively in the rain and avoid any hazards if you can.

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 Keith Bryant

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December 30, 2023
The most sustainable and cost-effective ways to heat your home
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Winter just began, and the coldest days of the season are on the horizon. Through much of the country, many will reach to their thermostats to crank up the heat… some places more than others.

It’s important to know what options work best when it comes to heating your home.
What You Need To Know

A large portion of the country needs to heat their homes in the winter

Most American homes are heated by a furnace, boiler or heat pump

Electricity and natural gas are the most common fuel sources
The methods of how we heat our homes range from clean and green to the kind that literally cause smoke to rise out of a chimney.

However, the most sustainable and cost-effective way to heat a home is subjective. The answer varies from one place to another and comes down to what type of fuel sources are most accessible in that location.

Weather and climate play a role, too. Colder regions favor certain methods over others and vice versa.

It all stems from the fuel source

Electricity and natural gas are, by far, the most common heating fuel sources in the U.S. Other sources include propane, wood and oil.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, about 25% of households in the U.S. rely solely on electricity to heat their homes. Electric heating systems are typically the most eco-friendly, but they often come at a higher cost.

Of course, it’s hard to pin down exact amounts, since energy prices vary by location and fluctuate over time.

Electric heating is more suitable across the southern U.S., where winters are usually milder and the demand for heating isn’t as high. Using this fuel source across the northern half of the country where it gets and stays colder for longer can send electricity bills soaring.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stated that natural gas was 3.4 times more affordable than electricity, which is why it might be the better option for heating homes in some parts of the country. The EIA’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey reported over 50% of households in the U.S. used natural gas to heat their homes.

Even though it might come with a slightly bigger carbon footprint, natural gas is far more cost-effective for many Americans, especially for those living in colder climates such as the Midwest and Northeast.

(American Gas Association)

The American Gas Association (AGA) claims that annual energy costs for an all-electric home using a cold-climate heat pump can be roughly 37% higher than a home using natural gas as its source of heating, cooking and drying clothes.

A home heating oil delivery truck climbs a snow-covered road in the Northeast on Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

On the national scale, oil is not nearly as common as natural gas or electricity. Yet, it was once the most popular fuel in the Northeast, where it is still used in roughly 20% of homes. However, this source of heating is not as environmentally friendly and is often more expensive than electric and natural gas heat.

The most common heating systems

The DOE says that most Americans use either a furnace or boiler to heat their home. Both systems can be fueled by natural gas, oil or electricity, but differ in how they provide heat to dwellings.

The biggest difference between the two is that furnaces heat air, while boilers heat water.

Over the years, these systems have been improved to be more energy efficient. To see how efficient each furnace or boiler is, the DOE examines its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE).

The AFUE is essentially a percentage measuring how much fuel gets converted to heat. The higher the percentage, the more efficient the furnace or boiler is.

1.) Furnaces:

Most modern homes use a central furnace, which burns a fuel source (either oil or gas) to heat air.

Technician works on a furnace. (Photo by Natalie Sopyla)

The heated air then flows through a series of ducts, where it is released through vents in each room. Cooler air in the room is then sucked back through a return vent, then it goes back into the furnace to be reheated.

This method of heating is fast and energy efficient, which is why most households use it.

2.) Boilers:

Radiators and baseboard heaters in older homes provide heat via a boiler. Hot water or steam travels through pipes in the home. When the hot water reaches the radiator or baseboard unit in each room, it releases its heat. The cooled water then flows back to the boiler to be reheated.

(Pexels)

Since water takes longer to heat than air, this method can take longer for a home to reach the desired temperature, and might not be seen as the most efficient way to heat a home.

That aside, boilers are usually better for people who suffer from indoor allergies, as furnace or forced air systems can blow around dust and pollen particles.

3.) Heat pumps:

Heat pumps are becoming more common and provide heat to the majority of homes in the Southeast. This system runs on electricity and does not require a fuel source to provide heat, which can significantly cut electricity costs compared to an electric furnace or boiler.

Serving as both an air conditioning system and a heating system, heat pumps move warm air out and allow cooler air to flow back into a home during the summer. These systems work in reverse when it gets cold outside, and cooler air is pumped out and warmer air pumped in.

While heat pumps are energy efficient and work well in milder climates, they are not the best option for areas that experience frequently temperatures below 40 degrees. They simply will struggle to provide enough heat, requiring the need for a secondary heating system.

Secondary sources of heat

Residences in colder climates will sometimes need a secondary source to generate heat, especially those that rely on heat pumps as their main system.

To raise the temperatures up a few degrees, some people use space heaters or wood-burning stoves or fireplaces.

(Pexels)

These options are good at providing supplemental heat, but aren’t the best and most sustainable choices to heat a home by themselves.

Each may be enough to heat one room, but you would need multiple fireplaces, wood-burning stoves or electric space heaters to heat an entire home. If the home is large, you could even need more than one in each room!

Along with the additional costs associated with plugging in multiple space heaters or purchasing wood to burn, these methods come with fire hazards and can increase indoor pollutants, possibly outweighing their benefits.

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 Shawnie Caslin

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December 29, 2023
Shakes on a plane: What causes air turbulence
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Everyone has experienced it. You’re in the middle of your flight, and all of a sudden, you feel the plane shake or jolt.

The pilot comes on the intercom and announces you’re experiencing turbulence and to buckle up.

But what exactly is turbulence?
What You Need To Know

Turbulence is the unsteady movement of air

Many things can cause turbulence, including fronts, thunderstorms and mountains

Most turbulence is harmless, and engineers designed and built planes to handle it
Turbulence is the unsteady movement of air resulting from eddies and vertical currents. There are many types of turbulence. Let’s explore some.

Convective turbulence

(NWS)

When the sun heats the Earth’s surface, it’s usually uneven because different surface types heat up differently, and this can lead to turbulence.

The heat then rises, and the cool air descends, leading to bumpy rides. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), turbulence is found from the base to the top of where the air stops rising, usually up to the clouds. Above this layer of turbulent air, you’ll find smooth conditions, usually above clouds.

On days where pilots expect convective turbulence, they’ll travel in the morning or evening when heating is not so intense.

Frontal turbulence

(NWS)

Frontal turbulence occurs when warm air meets cold air.

The warm air will lift over the cold air, creating friction between the two air masses and producing turbulence.

Wind shear

Wind shear is the change in wind direction and/or wind speed over a horizontal or vertical distance. It can also cause turbulence, especially when the change is large.

Wind shear often exists in areas of temperature inversions, along troughs and lows and around jet streams.

The atmospheric temperature profile usually goes from warm (the ground) to cold (higher in the atmosphere). In a temperature inversion, that profile goes from cold to warm.

Turbulence will often occur at the top of the inversion since that is where the warm, unstable air sits.

We usually associate lows and troughs with wind shear. This change in wind speed and direction creates turbulence.

The NWS states that a jet stream is a horizontal wind that follows a wave pattern, usually located where there are large horizontal differences in temperature between warm and cold air masses. Turbulence usually occurs where there is a large difference in horizontal wind speeds over a short distance.

Turbulence from obstructions

(NWS)

When wind flows around an obstacle, it can break off and form into an eddy. The NWS defines eddies as gusts with sudden changes in speed and direction, and the size of an object and velocity of the wind can determine the eddy’s intensity.

The NWS says this type of turbulence can cause dangerous impacts when flying. Aircraft can fail to gain enough altitude to clear low objects. When landing, aircraft can experience drops.

Wind around bigger objects, such as mountains, is more noticeable. The wind moving up the windward side helps planes and other aircraft get over the peak.

But on the leeward side, the wind blowing down can cause problems for pilots. The downdraft can push an aircraft into the mountain or cause the pilot to not clear the peak.

Pilots often will gain enough altitude in advance to prevent this.

Your next trip on an airplane

I hope this information will help you relax the next time you fly.

If you experience turbulence, you’ll now know that it’s just wind, and your pilot knows how to manage it.

Engineers also designed and built your airplane to handle it.

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 Shelly Lindblade

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December 27, 2023
The ‘Full Cold Moon’ is here, even though it’s not cold
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December’s full moon is appropriately called the “Full Cold Moon,” although that name isn’t quite as relevant this year, considering the lack of bitter air around the country.
What You Need To Know

December’s full moon is the “Cold Moon”

It’s also sometimes called the Moon Before Yule

The moon is fullest Tuesday evening

The constellations Gemini and Orion are near the moon all night
The moon will become its fullest at 7:33 p.m. ET/4:33 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

December’s full moon is also sometimes called the Moon Before Yule, since it happens near the ancient celebration around the winter solstice. Native American names include the Long Night Moon–also because it falls near the winter solstice and the longest night of the year–and Big Winter Moon.

No matter the name, you can use the moon to find a couple of constellations. In the evening, it’ll appear right above Gemini and left of Orion. In the morning, Gemini is left of the moon and Orion is below.

Simulated view of the eastern sky the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 26. (Adapted from Stellarium)

You can also see the Big Dipper and Little Dipper in the northern sky throughout the night.

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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December 26, 2023