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  • Record-breaking heat likely for most of the country this week

    Record-breaking heat likely for most of the country this week

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    Summer may officially begin on Thursday, but Mother Nature isn’t waiting around until then. Nearly 84% of the U.S. population will experience temperatures 90 degrees or higher this week.

    What You Need To Know

    • The heat will encompass nearly two-thirds of the country

    • Cities could break decades to even century-old records

    • “Extreme Heat Risk” will be experienced by millions of people

    Notable cities that will experience “Extreme Heat Risk” include Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Albany and Boston. The heat is expected to last most of the week, potentially the longest duration of heat experienced in decades in some locations.

    Extreme Heat is the number one weather killer, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year.. A heat wave is not formally declared until we have three or more straight days of highs in the 90s.

    Heat dome

    The reason for the heat is thanks to a large ridge of high pressure and the position of the high. With it located along the east coast, the winds in the middle part of the country and Midwest will be out the south and southwest.

    This warm fetch of air will bring the heat and humidity on Monday to those locations. As the high shifts further east off the coast of the eastern seaboard, the hot air will move into Ohio River Valley, northeast and New England regions.

    Meanwhile, areas located along the outer periphery of the ridge will see daily isolated rain and storm chances. Known as “ridge-rider” storms as the ridge blocks the storms from entering regions dominated by it. 

    Tuesday’s highs

    The heat moves further east into New England and along the east coast by Tuesday. 

    Here are the potential records that could be compromised. 

    Wednesday’s heat

    The heat looks to be most extreme by Wednesday, putting millions more at “Extreme Heat Risk.”

    Here are the records with the best chance of falling on Wednesday. 

    Friday will be even hotter for some

    The heat dome will shift westward by late week, bringing a return to the upper 90s for the Mississippi River Valley. Temperatures in the 90s look to stick around through the weekend into next week. 

    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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  • Dangerous heat is expected for parts of the country through Friday

    Dangerous heat is expected for parts of the country through Friday

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    A strong area of high pressure has positioned itself in the southwest part of the country, bringing extreme heat to not only the desert southwest but also to parts of Texas. This high will intensify over the next few days and block out any relief from Pacific arriving weather systems.

    What You Need To Know

    • A heat dome is set up over the soutwestern part of the country

    • Temperatures Wednesday through Friday are expected to be 20 degrees above normal

    • Excessive Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued for millions of people

    Cities that will see potential records in the next few days include Las Vegas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Palm Springs.

    Heat dome

    High pressure is associated with sunny skies and calm weather, thanks to sinking air. When the high remains in the same location and strengthens, it becomes a heat dome, where hot air is trapped underneath the high, how your car heats if the windows are closed.

    This is happening in the southwest. The high also acts to block any incoming storm system and diverts them northward around it. With sinking air, clouds don’t form, and rain can’t fall, so you are left with hot air that transports from the air to the ground.

    Tuesday’s highs

    As the high was positioning itself south of California and Arizona on Tuesday, it transported heat into interior sections of those states, as well as Nevada, Utah and even eastward into New Mexico and Texas. With the high expected to drift further north, the heat will expand with it.

    Desert locations don’t have to worry about the heat index, but other areas will feel even hotter thanks to the humidity. San Antonio, Texas, reached a record high temperature of 103 degrees on Tuesday, but considering the humidity, the “feels like” temperature or heat index soared to 117 degrees, breaking the all-time highest heat index for that city.

    High temperatures for the rest of the week

    The National Weather Service has issued Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for the rest of the week for regions expected to see extreme conditions. In locations with higher humidity levels, it will feel even hotter.

    Highs are expected in the triple digits with some locations not seeing the mercury go below 80 degrees, even at night. 

    Heat arriving early

    It may seem like the heat is arriving earlier than in years past, but for some, this is just a typical June. Phoenix and Palm Springs see daily average highs already in the low 100s this time of the year. But for Las Vegas, temperatures will be 15 degrees above average this week, peaking in the 110s.

    As for San Antonio, their average high during peak summer is only in the upper 90s, so temperatures surging into the low 100s any time of the year is abnormal.

    The heat dome looks to collapse by the weekend, bringing a reprieve from the extreme heat.

    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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  • Maternal death is higher in the U.S. than any other high-income country

    Maternal death is higher in the U.S. than any other high-income country

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    More women die from childbirth in the U.S. than any other high-income country.

    Black women experience the greatest percentage of deaths and Asian women experienced the least, according to an updated study from the Commonwealth Fund, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    What You Need To Know

    • More women die from childbirth in the U.S. than any other high-income country, according to an updated study from the Commonwealth Fund

    • There were about 22 maternal deaths out of every 100,000 live births in the U.S. in 2022

    • Among Black women, there were almost 50 maternal deaths out of every 100,000 live births

    • Norway had no maternal deaths in 2022

    For their study, researchers looked at differences in maternal mortality, the maternal care workforce and postpartum care in Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, /Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    In 2022, there were about 22 maternal deaths out of every 100,000 live births in the U.S. While the rate among Black women was more than twice as high, with almost 50 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births, white and Hispanic mothers in the U.S. also experienced higher maternal death rates than any other country in the study. Asian women had the lowest maternal death rate in the U.S.

    The study attributed the high maternal mortality among Black women to worse-quality care compared with whites, including the ability to receive necessary care that is “often rooted in discrimination and clinician bias,” the study said

    The U.S. rate was more than double most other high-income countries. Norway had no maternal deaths in 2022. Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia and Germany all had a maternal death rate of 3.5 or less for every 100,000 live births.

    In the U.S., about 20% of maternal deaths occurred during pregnancy, most of them due to heart conditions and stroke.

    Nearly two-thirds of the deaths took place up to 42 days after the baby was born. The report found that one week after birth, infection, severe bleeding and high blood pressure were the most common conditions that led to maternal death.

    The researchers said women in the U.S. were the least likely to have postpartum support systems, such as guaranteed paid leave or home visits. They also have the fewest midwives and OB-GYNs.

    During the pandemic from 2020-2021, maternal death rates increased in four of the countries studied, including the U.S., where the highest increases were among Hispanic women. The Commonwealth Fund cited a study that found almost one third of Latino maternal deaths during that time period were related to COVID-19. The maternal death rate decreased in 2022.

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    Susan Carpenter

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  • Weather Explained: Understanding the heat index

    Weather Explained: Understanding the heat index

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    Heat index is the temperature that it feels like to the human body and is also referred to as the feels-like temperature or the apparent temperature.

    Oftentimes, it will feel much hotter than what the thermometer reads.

    This is especially true on hot and humid days because the body can’t cool as efficiently. When the heat index is high, people become more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

    Watch the video above to learn how humidity impacts how you cool down, and learn the math behind the science.

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    Meteorologist Nick Merianos

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  • Where to expect tropical activity in June

    Where to expect tropical activity in June

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    The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1.

    With above normal activity expected, it’s important to know where tropical systems could form.

    What You Need To Know

    • June tropical activity is most likely in the Gulf of Mexico

    • Storms that develop typically move northeastward

    • Only four June hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. since 1950

    Even though systems can form before hurricane season, June is still very early in hurricane season. Tropical systems typically struggle to develop, and those that do usually only strengthen into a disorganized system or weak hurricane.

    The most favorable areas for tropical development in June are the Gulf of Mexico, the northern Caribbean Sea and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, just off the southeastern coast.

    Systems that develop typically take a northeastward track. 

    Since 1950, only four hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. during June, all of them along the Gulf Coast. Bonnie and Agnes made landfall as Category 1 hurricanes, while Audrey and Alma strengthened into major hurricanes. 

    Development zones expand and tropical activity increases as we get further into summer. 

    Read More About Hurricanes

    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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  • 10 times tropical systems devastated the U.S. in June

    10 times tropical systems devastated the U.S. in June

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    It’s the first official month of hurricane season.

    In June, most tropical systems only form into depressions or storms because we don’t have the right ingredients for stronger storms, such as warmer ocean water.

    Let’s look back at some of the top June systems.

    What You Need To Know

    • 120 tropical systems categorized as a tropical storm or higher have occurred in June since 1850

    • 87 of those tropical systems brought impacts to the U.S.

    • Only three major hurricanes have occurred in June

    The 2000s

    Tropical Storm Debby in 2012: An area of low pressure in the Gulf developed into Tropical Storm Debby on June 23. Curving northeast, Debby made landfall as a weak tropical storm near Steinhatchee, Florida.

    Extreme rainfall fell over Florida, with Curtis Mill receiving the most at 28.78 inches. The Sopchoppy River reached a record-high flood stage and flooded 400 structures in Wakulla County.

    River and creek flooding in Pasco and Clay Counties inundated around 700 homes. Central and South Florida saw damage from several tornadoes.

    In the end, Debby caused around $210 million in losses and 10 deaths.

    Rainfall from Debby caused massive flooding for areas like Live Oak, Fla. in 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

    Tropical Storm Allison in 2001: An interesting storm, Allison first made landfall as a tropical storm near Freeport, Texas, on June 5. It drifted northward but quickly made a U-turn and re-entered the Gulf of Mexico on June 10.

    After moving back into the Gulf, Allison tracked northeastward and made a second landfall in Louisiana on June 11, and continued northeast towards the Atlantic.

    Texas saw a major flood disaster when Allison stalled over the state, dumping over 35 inches of rain. The storm damaged over 65,000 homes and 95,000 vehicles. Allison killed 41 people, most died from drowning.

    Allison became the costliest and second-deadliest tropical storm on record in the United States, with around $8.5 billion in damage.

    The 1900s

    Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994: Initially forming near the western tip of Cuba on June 30, this storm tracked north, making landfall near Destin, Florida. It quickly weakened but stalled over Georgia and continued to stream in moisture across the Southeast.

    This storm triggered devastating flooding across Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Twenty-seven inches of rain fell in some locations.

    Thirty-three people died from flash flooding alone, and the storm damaged over 18,000 homes. Alberto also affected about 900,000 acres of crops and caused 218 dams to fail.

    There was a total of $1.03 billion in damage, and Alberto became one of the worst natural disasters in Georgia’s history.

    Hurricane Agnes in 1972: One of the worst hurricanes in history, killing 131 people, Agnes first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Panama City, Florida, on June 19.

    It then moved northeastward towards the Carolinas before it moved into the Atlantic and then drifted towards New York City, where it made landfall as a tropical storm on June 22.

    Agnes caused a significant tornado outbreak in Florida and Georgia. There were 26 confirmed tornadoes, 24 of them in Florida. Agnes damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures in Florida.

    The rest of the Southeast felt minor impacts, but once Agnes moved into the Northeast, it devastated Pennsylvania and New York.

    Pennsylvania experienced extreme flooding because of heavy rainfall. One area in Schuylkill County saw 18 inches of rain. Creeks and rivers ran out of their banks, and the damage from flooding left 220,000 people homeless.

    New York suffered similar damage. Flooding damaged or destroyed over 32,000 homes and 1,500 businesses.

    A large boat was tossed from the ocean in Cameron, La. when Hurricane Audrey ripped through in 1957. (AP Photo/Randy Taylor)

    Hurricane Audrey in 1957: The first major hurricane to make our list, Audrey made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in southwestern Louisiana on June 27. The impacts were devastating.

    The storm surge inundated much of the Louisiana coast and killed much of the local wildlife. Heavy rainfall led to flooding.

    In Texas, strong winds caused $8 million in damage.

    The hurricane spawned many tornadoes inland, and people felt the effects of the storm as north as Canada, killing 15 people.

    It was the earliest major hurricane at the time and one of the deadliest, with over 400 people killed.

    The Gulf Coast Hurricane of 1916: The second major hurricane to make the list, this system first formed into a tropical storm on June 29 in the Caribbean Sea.

    It moved north, and once it reached the Gulf of Mexico, warm waters allowed this system to intensify into a Category 3 hurricane.

    It made landfall near Gulfport, Mississippi, on July 5, and winds caused about $3 million in damage. In Florida, it peeled roofs off houses, and chimneys and trees toppled. Heavy rainfall severely damaged crops in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

    Overall, this hurricane killed 34 people. The remnants from this storm would combine with another system in the Atlantic and cause massive flooding in North Carolina.

    A steamer sunk in Mobile Bay, Ala. when The Gulf Coast Hurricane of 1916 tore through. (NOAA/Steve Nicklas)

    The 1800s

    An unnamed tropical storm in 1899: Although it is unknown when this storm first formed, weather maps indicate a tropical storm in the northwestern Gulf on June 26.

    This storm made landfall on Galveston Island, Texas, on June 27 and caused major devastation, mainly because many people did not have ways of receiving warnings.

    This tropical storm flooded 12,000 square miles of land, and it left thousands of people homeless. It’s estimated that 284 people died in the storm.

    3 back-to-back-to-back hurricanes in 1886: The end of our list takes us to 1886 when three hurricanes devastated the South and Southeast.

    The first made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near High Island, Texas on June 14. The hurricane damaged boats, waterfront structures and a railroad. Winds tore roofs from houses, and saltwater from the ocean impacted livestock.

    Areas in Louisiana even saw major crop damage and heavy rainfall, peaking at 21.4 inches.

    The second hurricane made landfall near St. Marks, Florida as a Category 2 on June 21 after traveling from Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. Flooding happened across low-lying streets, and it pushed ships onshore. The most damage occurred near Apalachicola and Tallahassee.

    The third and final hurricane of the month (and this list) also developed in the Caribbean Sea, moved northward and made landfall near the same area as the second hurricane. It made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Indian Pass in Florida.

    Homes lost their roofs, buildings collapsed and several ships sunk. It destroyed crops in Florida and Georgia, and even areas in North Carolina and Virginia saw wind and flood damage.

    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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  • It’s the first day of Atlantic hurricane season

    It’s the first day of Atlantic hurricane season

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    Today is the first day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Here are some helpful resources to help you and your family get ready.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30

    • It’s expected to be an active season

    • Track the latest in the tropics here

    How to prepare?

    Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

    You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

    Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

    Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

    This year’s forecast

    NOAA and Colorado State University are both predicting above normal activity this season.

    This year’s forecast includes several factors, primarily record warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic. Global climate models and forecasters also suggest a transition to La Niña conditions by the peak of Atlantic hurricane season.

    More resources

    Learn More About Hurricanes

    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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  • It’s the first day of Atlantic hurricane season

    It’s the first day of Atlantic hurricane season

    [ad_1]

    Today is the first day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Here are some helpful resources to help you and your family get ready.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30

    • It’s expected to be an active season

    • Track the latest in the tropics here

    How to prepare?

    Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

    You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

    Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

    Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

    This year’s forecast

    NOAA and Colorado State University are both predicting above normal activity this season.

    This year’s forecast includes several factors, primarily record warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic. Global climate models and forecasters also suggest a transition to La Niña conditions by the peak of Atlantic hurricane season.

    More resources

    Learn More About Hurricanes

    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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  • Planets on parade: Rare 6 planets line up in the sky

    Planets on parade: Rare 6 planets line up in the sky

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    2024 has gifted us with some spectacular celestial views from the total solar eclipse in April to the northern lights seen throughout most of the U.S. in May. June brings another astronomical phenomenon known as “planets on parade.” 

    What You Need To Know

    • Six planets will align on the morning of June 3

    • Planets lining up happens a couples times per year

    • Three of the six planets will rise just before 6 a.m. making them faint in the sunlight

    It’s nicknamed as such because several planets appear to form into a straight line in the early morning sky. However, Spectrum News Space Expert Anthony Leone says it’s all about perspective. “In reality (and out in space), they are not lined up. It only appears that way to us.”

    This ‘parade’ is unique because six planets, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, will align. He recommends waking up early and finding a location with minimal light pollution for optimal viewing. “Saturn is expected to rise from the east to southeast of the horizon at 2 a.m. ET on June 3.”

    And bring binoculars or a telescope. “With the naked eye, you can see planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn as stars. The more distant planets like Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a telescope to view.”

    Adding, “Free astronomy apps like ‘Sky Guide,’ ‘Planets’ and ‘SkyPortal’ are great at helping people see when and where the planets will rise.” 

    With three out of the six planets expected to rise just before 6 a.m., the sun may end up obscuring the view of the “parade.”

    As for how common is this event?

    “Believe it or not, planet alignments are not too rare, and they happen a couple of times each year. It just depends on how many planets will be in alignment for a parade,” explains Leone. 

    “The last time people saw most planets line up was this year’s total solar eclipse in April.” 

    And if the weather doesn’t permit you for the viewing in June, there will be another opportunity in August. “The next one will be Aug. 28 with Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all aligning.”

    2025 will have three chances to witness planets on parades, Jan. 18, Feb. 28 and Aug. 29.

    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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  • United in Grief, Divided on Solutions, Part 3: A Foggy Future

    United in Grief, Divided on Solutions, Part 3: A Foggy Future

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    On this last episode of our three-part series, “United in Grief, Divided on Solutions,” the Maine legislature wraps up its work and a final decision is made on potential new gun laws after the Lewiston mass shootings last October.

    Find out how this community and state will try to move forward and what it means for the future.

    This story takes place in Maine, but it will remind you of conversations happening in diners, barber shops and kitchen tables across America.

    About the Podcast

    With the speed of the local news cycle, it’s easy to forget that the politicians who represent us and the influencers in our communities are more than just a sound bite. North Carolina’s veteran reporter and anchor, Tim Boyum, loosens his signature bow tie to give listeners a glimpse behind the curtain, showing us who these power players really are and why they do what they do. Through Tim’s candid conversations on “Tying It Together,” his guests reveal their most fascinating life stories, passions, and help all of us get a better grasp on the issues affecting our communities.

    Listen and Subscribe

    Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google

    Join the Conversation

    Do you have any thoughts or questions for Tim? Weigh in on X with the hashtag #TyingItTogetherNC. Afterward, rate the podcast and leave a review to tell us what you think!

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Veteran and NASCAR crew member shares what Coca-Cola 600 means

    Veteran and NASCAR crew member shares what Coca-Cola 600 means

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    LINWOOD, N.C. — The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is NASCAR’s longest race and honors military members and families this holiday weekend. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Coca-Cola 600 honors military service members on Memorial Day weekend

    • Race cars will display a patriotic design and carry the name of a fallen military service member

    • Carl Garcia is a veteran and crew member for Legacy Motor Club driver 43, Erik Jones

    • Jones’ car at the Coca-Cola 600 will honor Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Thomas Butler, who died in 1967

    Ricky “Carl” Garcia had always dreamed of wearing a green beret. 

    “I was raised with a lot of uncles that were in Vietnam in that area, and most of my dad’s side of family served,” Garcia said. “So I grew up around listening to stories about Green Berets and the Rangers and the Delta Force and all that stuff. So I wanted to wear a beret.” 

    After discovering he would need to jump out of planes to get the coveted beret, his fate was sealed. Garcia became a specialist in the 3rd Battalion in the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. 

    Carl Garcia’s favorite photo of him parachuting in Panama. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy)

    “I specialized in urban warfare, which would be like a hostile takeover of a city, going in and clearing out a city if there were a hostile in a city,” Garcia said. 

    He says a favorite memory in service was going to Panama for jungle training. 

    “Spending three months down there and getting to jump and see the culture and be actually in a jungle, which is an eye-opening experience that you would not know unless you’re actually there,” he said. 

    He traveled around the world, including spending time at Fort Bragg. Garcia’s dream was to serve for decades and move into specialized units, but a physical limitation ended his service. 

    “I am glad I did at least get the opportunity to serve,” Garcia said. 

    After his service, he began a career as a plumber and did construction jobs. 

    “I’ve always wondered how things work. I love taking things apart,” he said. “Obviously, if you’re going to take them apart, you need to learn how to put them back together.” 

    He came into his next line of work by chance. 

    “I met a guy at the grocery store one day that was going to cook for a race team, and I had just started watching NASCAR probably a couple of months earlier and got into it. He asked me if I wanted to go, and I said, ‘Sure. I’ve never been to a race,’ so I got to go with him and help cook for a race team,” Garcia said. “I did that for two weeks and was so interested that the owner of the race team offered me a job learning how to change tires.” 

    From changing tires to working in the shop, Garcia became a full-time mechanic, using his size and knowledge of electrical work to specialize in the interior of the car. 

    Carl Garcia working on a four-wheeler at his home.

    Carl Garcia works on a four-wheeler at his home. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy)

    “I have transitioned over to the last couple of years to the front-end mechanic as well, as personnel has changed, but I pretty much do anything on the race car that needs to be done that’s mechanic-related, whether it’s hanging the suspension, helping put motors in some fabrication stuff, welding that we don’t really do much of anymore. But anything that needs to be done,” Garcia said. 

    Although he didn’t come from the grassroots of racing fans like many other crew members, Garcia landed a spot with Legacy Motor Club, on driver 43 Erik Jones’ crew. 

    “For this week in Charlotte, we’ve spent the last few days getting the car together, safety-checking everything, making sure nothing’s going to fall off, making sure that the car was properly put together, the way the engineers wanted it put together,” he said. 

    Garcia has an important role in making sure his driver is safe and comfortable. 

    “I do think sometimes that the interior gets overlooked for the aspect and only gets reminded when something happens [that’s] bad,” he said. “The most important part of our entire job is to make sure that at the end of the day, everybody’s going home the same way they started the day out with, whether we win a race or we lose a race.”

    “That’s more important than anything else that’s going on with our job,” Garcia said. 

    Garcia travels to different race tracks, and each experience is different. He says the most special part of every race is the national anthem. 

    Erik Jones' car design for the Coca-Cola 600. (Legacy Motor Club)

    Erik Jones’ car design for the Coca-Cola 600. (Legacy Motor Club)

    “Sometimes when we’re not on the track, we’re in the garage working. If the other series is starting to race and then do the national anthem, the entire garage stops, as respect. It’s just something that everybody does because they want to, you know, and that and all the sports that I’ve ever watched. I think the appreciation for the military is probably the greatest in NASCAR out of any of them,” Garcia said. 

    The Coca-Cola 600 is a special weekend in racing, as it is geared toward honoring military service members. 

    The NASCAR Salutes Together with the Coca-Cola Program will recognize fallen military members in a special way this Memorial Day weekend. 

    “It’s really cool because usually all the branches of service are represented this weekend and then all the different cars with all the different people on there and their family gets to have some sort of enjoyment, you know, for the sacrifice that their loved one made,” Garcia said.  

    Image of Charles Thomas Butler, who will be honored on Erik Jones' car. (LEGACY MOTOR CLUB via Charles Thomas Butler's family)

    Charles Thomas Butler will be honored on Erik Jones’ car at the Coca-Cola 600. (Legacy Motor Club via Charles Thomas Butler’s family)

    Besides special events at the track, for the 10th year of the program each car will be carrying a patriotic design as well as the name of a fallen military service member on the car for the 600 Miles of Remembrance.

    “I think that’s probably the highest form of respect you can repay is to show your appreciation not only to him, but to his family for the sacrifices that he made for our country,” Garcia said. 

    Jones’ car will honor Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Thomas Butler, who was 38 when he died and had received numerous awards for his service on Reconnaissance Attack Squadrons Five and Three. Butler died in 1967 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 

    Garcia is excited to see what surprises are in store for the weekend, and of course eager to pull out a win.  

    “I love the races, the start of the day, and then the night. Erik does extremely well with those…  I think we’ll be super fast this weekend and I think it’ll be a great day and it’ll be good for our organization to have all three cars on the track. I think they’ll do extremely well and put on a good show for everybody for Memorial Day and they can have some fun along with them — a remembrance of what it actually means,” Garcia said. 

    To learn more about each of the fallen military service members who will be honored this weekend, visit NASCAR’s website.

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    Sydney McCoy

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  • Severe weather could disrupt Memorial Day weekend travel

    Severe weather could disrupt Memorial Day weekend travel

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    If you’re traveling for Memorial Day weekend, the weather could affect your plans. Severe weather will develop across the central and southern Plains on Saturday before shifting east toward the mid-Mississippi and Ohio River Valley on Sunday.

    Dangerous and record-breaking heat is possible in South Texas, along the Gulf Coast to South Florida through Memorial Day.

    What You Need To Know

    • Severe weather is expected across the central U.S. on Saturday and Sunday

    • Parts of the southern U.S. could experience record-breaking heat

    • Wet weather and storms are expected across the eastern U.S. on Memorial Day

    Here’s what you need to know about the forecast this weekend.

    Saturday

    Severe weather is going to be the primary threat for holiday weekend travelers on Saturday. Storms will develop across the central and southern Plains on Saturday afternoon and evening capable of producing all types of severe weather.

    Oklahoma, Kansas and western Missouri will see the highest threat for severe weather, including several strong to violent tornadoes, extreme hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall Saturday afternoon into the overnight hours.

    Scattered showers are possible across parts of the interior Northeast and Mid-Atlantic late Saturday.

    The Gulf Coast states, from South Texas to South Florida will experience summerlike heat with the potential for record highs. Heat impacts will likely be highest in South Texas, where heat index values will exceed 115 degrees through Memorial Day.

    The western U.S. will be cool to kick off the weekend, as highs stay 5 to 15 degrees below normal.

    Sunday

    The same complex of storms from the Plains on Saturday will shift east, bringing the highest severe threat across parts of the mid-Mississippi and Ohio River Valley on Sunday into Sunday night.

    Once again, it looks likely that storms will be capable of producing strong tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding. The highest threat will be for parts of eastern Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky.

    Other areas that will see rain and storms include Wisconsin and Ohio. A weak front could bring some scattered showers to parts of the upper Northeast and New England on Sunday morning, but it will dry out early.

    Dangerous heat remains in place across the southern states on Sunday. Heat index values will be highest in South Texas again as actual air temperatures climb into the upper 90s and even the triple digits. Overnight temperatures won’t cool off much with record warm lows, so little to no relief is expected to those without reliable cooling.

    Western parts of the country will warm up slightly as temperatures climb back near normal for late May while the East Coast remains around 10 degrees above normal, topping out in the upper 80s to low 90s.

    Monday

    Wet weather will spread east on Memorial Day, bringing widespread shower and storm chances to parts of the eastern U.S., including the Northeast, New England and Mid-Atlantic.

    Memorial Day will kick off with showers, likely across the Ohio River Valley and Mid-Atlantic. As the system moves northeastward, rain and storms will fill into the Northeast through the morning and New England through the afternoon.

    Temperatures will also be rain-cooled for these areas, so it will feel more seasonable around the Great Lakes. A few scattered showers and storms are possible in the southeast, too.

    The western U.S. also warms back up a few degrees above normal, and Texas and Florida continue to feel the summerlike heat with record highs possible and heat index values climbing well into the triple digits.

    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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  • Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1

    Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1

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    The Atlantic hurricane season begins on Saturday, June 1. 

    NOAA just released its 2024 hurricane season outlook, and is forecasting above normal activity this year.

    What do these forecasts mean for people living in hurricane-prone areas? What are the ingredients for an active hurricane season? What can you do to prepare?

    Spectrum News Meteorologists’ Kyle Hanson, Thomas Meiners, Blake Matthews, Reid Lybarger and Stacy Lynn will answer your questions about NOAA’s forecast and what you can expect this hurricane season at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

    Be sure to include your name and location when you ask a question below.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • NOAA releases its 2024 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

    NOAA releases its 2024 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

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    The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins on Saturday, June 1, and NOAA just released its annual outlook. NOAA predicts above normal activity across the Atlantic basin this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • NOAA predicts above normal activity this hurricane season

    • Atlantic sea surface temperatures are experiencing record warmth

    • La Niña conditions are expected during the peak of hurricane season

    NOAA’s outlook predicts an 85% chance of an above normal season, a 10% chance of a near normal season and a 5% chance of a below normal season. 

    NOAA forecasts a likely range of 17 to 25 named storms, of which 8 to 13 could become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes, which are a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

    NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

    “This is the highest number of named storms NOAA has ever issued in its May forecast,” says Dr. Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., administrator, NOAA.

    Remember, predictions of the season’s activity are not predictions of exactly how many storms will make landfall in a particular place. Individual storms make impacts, regardless of how active (or not) a season is. Coastal residents should do what they can to make sure they’re prepared every year.

    As a reminder, this season has brought some new changes and a new list of names.

    You can learn more about 2024’s list of names here.

    Researchers look at a variety of factors to make their prediction.

    Current El Niño conditions are forecast to transition to La Niña conditions later this summer or fall, leading to more favorable conditions for tropical development.

    La Niña conditions typically favor more hurricane activity in the Atlantic because of weaker vertical wind shear and more instability across the main development region. 

    Sea surface temperatures are also running well above normal in the Gulf of Mexico and the tropical Atlantic, including the main development region. Some areas are experiencing record warmth.

    Warm ocean water helps fuel tropical systems, and combined with the effects of La Niña, it is expected to be an active Atlantic hurricane season.

    Here is the latest tropical update for the next 48 hours. 

    Learn More About Hurricanes

    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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  • NOAA releases its 2024 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

    NOAA releases its 2024 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

    [ad_1]

    The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins on Saturday, June 1, and NOAA just released its annual outlook. NOAA predicts above normal activity across the Atlantic basin this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • NOAA predicts above normal activity this hurricane season

    • Atlantic sea surface temperatures are experiencing record warmth

    • La Niña conditions are expected during the peak of hurricane season

    NOAA’s outlook predicts an 85% chance of an above normal season, a 10% chance of a near normal season and a 5% chance of a below normal season. 

    NOAA forecasts a likely range of 17 to 25 named storms, of which 8 to 13 could become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes, which are a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

    NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

    “This is the highest number of named storms NOAA has ever issued in its May forecast,” says Dr. Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., administrator, NOAA.

    Remember, predictions of the season’s activity are not predictions of exactly how many storms will make landfall in a particular place. Individual storms make impacts, regardless of how active (or not) a season is. Coastal residents should do what they can to make sure they’re prepared every year.

    As a reminder, this season has brought some new changes and a new list of names.

    You can learn more about 2024’s list of names here.

    Researchers look at a variety of factors to make their prediction.

    Current El Niño conditions are forecast to transition to La Niña conditions later this summer or fall, leading to more favorable conditions for tropical development.

    La Niña conditions typically favor more hurricane activity in the Atlantic because of weaker vertical wind shear and more instability across the main development region. 

    Sea surface temperatures are also running well above normal in the Gulf of Mexico and the tropical Atlantic, including the main development region. Some areas are experiencing record warmth.

    Warm ocean water helps fuel tropical systems, and combined with the effects of La Niña, it is expected to be an active Atlantic hurricane season.

    Here is the latest tropical update for the next 48 hours. 

    Learn More About Hurricanes

    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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  • Tornadoes by the numbers, is 2024 seeing more twisters?

    Tornadoes by the numbers, is 2024 seeing more twisters?

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    Springtime tornadoes are nothing new for residents of the Midwest, Plains and even the South. It’s common, most cities and towns have tornado sirens and school children perform tornado drills, but is the U.S. seeing a higher number of tornadoes this year compared to the average?

    What You Need To Know

    • April 26 through May 9 was a particularly dangerous stretch of weather, producing hundreds of tornado reports

    • The number of tornado reports does not equate to the number of tornadoes

    • Thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes are not as prevalent during the summer months

    In recent weeks, top stories have featured violent weather with tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and flooding that injure people and infrastructures and even cause fatalities.

    April 26 through May 9 was an active period for severe weather. At least one tornado report was submitted to the Storm Prediction Center per day.

    Halfway through the month, the count stands at 234. How do these values compare to the average? Are we seeing more tornadoes than we used to, or is this just par for the course at this time of the year?

    Severe season

    Dr. Harold Brooks, Senior Research Scientist with NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman Oklahoma, says this is the time of the year when the greatest number of tornadoes is observed.

    Historically, May has produced the most violent twisters. Joplin, Missouri’s EF5 tornado occurred on May 22, 2011, and Moore, Oklahoma’s EF5, the last EF5 to touch down in the United States, happened on May 20, 2013.

    Above-average count

    The tornado archives began in 1950, with averages compiled from 1991 to 2020. According to the Storm Prediction Center, preliminary data from Jan. 1 – May 16, lists 806 counts of tornadoes from local storm reports for the year so far.

    Courtesy of NOAA Storm Prediction Center

    The SPC analyzed April, noting 384 preliminary tornado reports, more than double the 1991-2020 April average (182). This was the highest count on record, since April 2011 and is second only to that same year.  

    Overestimations of tornadoes

    Preliminary tornado reports are not the same as actual tornadoes.

    Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center, Matthew Elliot explains,

    “In realtime, the National Weather Service collects what are called preliminary local storm reports. For tornadoes, these can be thought of as eyewitness reports of the tornado.” 

    Reports such as damage or video of a tornado are documented, showing the location of the damage and tornado. Each report will count as one tornado preliminary report.  

    However, he mentions that sometimes there may be multiple reports of the same tornado, especially longer-track ones, leading to overestimated tornado counts.

    “Some preliminary reports end up not being tornadic after a ground survey has been completed (could be wind) while others are surveyed and entered into the official database but never have a preliminary local storm report issued (rarer but does happen).”

    Ground surveys

    When information is relayed to the local National Weather Service offices about storm damage or tornadoes, NWS teams will complete a ground survey to verify these results, usually the following day. Meteorologist Alex Elmore with the National Weather Service in St. Louis explains the process of the storm survey teams.

    An NWS emergency official surveys damage from an EF-1 tornado on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (Spectrum News 1/Jonathon Gregg)

    “When storm damage occurs and we suspect it was possibly caused by a tornado or very strong straight-line winds, we will head first toward the location of the worst known damage,” he said.

    The max wind speed can be estimated based on damage indicators, including trees, houses, out buildings, and the degree of damage such as missing shingles, partial collapse of the building, tree uprooted, etc., according to Elmore.

    “If the damage was produced by a tornado, we assign it a rating on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale based on the wind speed,” he said.

    Sometimes the damage from a storm is not from a tornado but straight-line winds. Damage from straight-line winds will all be laying in the same direction, whereas tornado damage will comprise more circular damage.

    They continue this process across the swath of damage until no more damage can be found. He says surveys for a single track can take several hours or upwards of an entire day, depending on the path length and degree of damage.   

    This process can be lengthy and take several months. Once investigations have been completed, the SPC publishes the final count. “Historically, for every 100 preliminary tornado reports, at least 65 tornadoes are confirmed,” says the SPC.

    Less summer tornadoes

    Tornado counts usually peak from March to June and then taper into the summer. The reason is because of the jet stream.

    “One of the ingredients needed for thunderstorms to produce tornadoes is strong wind shear, and this is in part provided by the jet stream,” Elmore says.

    “During the summer, the jet stream shifts northward toward the U.S.-Canadian border, reducing the amount of wind shear we see locally during severe weather, which reduces the chance for tornadoes.”

    We may see more thunderstorms during the summer, but without wind shear, storms that become severe are more likely to produce hail and damaging winds.

    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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  • Full flower moon peaks this week

    Full flower moon peaks this week

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    The flower moon will illuminate our skies this week.

    What You Need To Know

    • May’s full moon is the Flower Moon

    • Full moon will peak early Thursday

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings

    May’s full moon is often called the Flower Moon. Native American names also have a spring flavor, including Budding Moon and Planting Moon.

    It is called the flower moon because of the abundance of flowers that emerge during the month across North America. 

    Last October, Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” premiered. It was titled as such to attribute to the “Reign of Terror” in the Osage nation that began in May 1921.

    The full moon will come to full peak early Thursday morning but still provide optimal viewings for both Wednesday night and Thursday night. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    Cicada moon?

    Residents along the Midwest and South might refer to this year’s May full moon as the cicada moon, due to the emergence of billions of cicadas from two separate broods.

    A 13-year cicada peers over a ledge in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, May 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

    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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  • Mom of Madalina Cojocari pleads guilty, set to be deported

    Mom of Madalina Cojocari pleads guilty, set to be deported

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Diana Cojocari, the mother of missing 13-year-old Madalina Cojocari, pleaded guilty to failure to report a missing child and is expected to be deported, according to Cornelius Police Chief David Baucom. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Diana Cojocari plead guilty and is expected to be deported

    • Madalina, then 11 years old, was last seen getting off the school bus on Nov. 21, 2022

    • It would take until Dec. 15 for her mother, Diana Cojocari, to report her missing

    Madalina, then 11 years old, was last seen getting off the school bus on Nov. 21, 2022.

    It would take until Dec. 15 for her mother, Diana Cojocari, to report her missing. 

    Diana Cojocari is still being held in a Mecklenburg County Detention Center, where she has been since Dec. 17, 2022.

    She was charged with failure to report the disappearance of a child. 

    Madalina’s stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, was also charged with failure to report the disappearance of a child. He was released on bond in August, according to jail records. 

    Palmiter was originally expected to appear in court Monday morning, but his trial was delayed until further notice.

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    Daniel Gray

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  • Officer fatally shot unarmed suspect, police say. Here’s what we know

    Officer fatally shot unarmed suspect, police say. Here’s what we know

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    A police officer working off-duty at a shopping center shot and killed an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting on Tuesday, according to the Pineville Police Department.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A sargeant with the Pineville Police Department shot and killed an unarmed shoplifting suspect Tuesday

    •  Police say the suspect fought with police and lunged for an officer’s gun

    •  Two officers were hurt in the fight

    • Detectives with the neighboring Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are investigating the killing

    A sergeant with the Pineville police was in uniform and his marked police car when he confronted the suspect outside of a Food Lion just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

    Pineville is a bedroom community just south of Charlotte. 

    Police said 46-year-old Dennis Bodden “was very well known to Pineville Police as being a chronic shoplifting suspect at this Food Lion and having violent tendencies towards police and the public.”

    Bodden refused to stop for the sergeant and “became physically confrontational,” police said. The sergean used a Taser on Bodden, but it didn’t stop him from trying to get away, according to a statement from police. As backup arrived, another officer used a Taser on Bodden, police said. 

    “With the Taser having little to no effect on Mr. Bodden, he lunged towards our sergeant and tried to grab his service weapon, ending up with the use of deadly force,” according to the police account of events.

    The officers at the scene started to treat Bodden’s injuries before an ambulance arrived, according to police. 

    Police said Bodden had two felony warrants out for his arrest for breaking and entering and larceny from the same Food lion.

    SPECTRUM NEWS 1 SPECIAL REPORT: POLICE SHOOTINGS IN NORTH CAROLINA

    Two police officers were injured and taken to the hospital, but neither were shot. 

    Police said Bodden was not armed when he was shot. 

    The sergeant is on paid leave as police investigate the shooting. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s homicide dvision and Pineville Police’s internal affairs division are investigating.

     

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    Charles Duncan

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  • Photo gallery: Northern lights seen around the U.S.

    Photo gallery: Northern lights seen around the U.S.

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    See pictures of the northern lights around the U.S.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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