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  • Climatological vs. Astronomical Seasons: What’s the difference?

    Climatological vs. Astronomical Seasons: What’s the difference?

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    Today is the first day of astronomical fall.

    When you step outside, do you ever wonder why it feels like summer in June, even though the calendar says it’s spring? Or why the chill of winter lingers into March, even as the days grow longer? 

    What You Need To Know

    • The seasons can be broken down by astronomical or climatological classifications

    • Astronomical seasons highlight the Earth’s position around the sun

    • Climatological seasons are aligned with our day-to-day weather and climate patterns


    The answer lies in the intriguing world of seasons, where two different systems—climatological and astronomical—help us make sense of the ever-changing weather. Let’s explore these two approaches to defining seasons and why they differ.

    Astronomical seasons: Nature’s cosmic calendar

    Astronomical seasons are the ones most of us are familiar with, and they’re based on the Earth’s position relative to the sun. These seasons follow the solstices and equinoxes, which are key moments in the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

    Spring equinox (around March 20-21): This marks the start of spring in the astronomical calendar. On this day, the Earth’s tilt is such that the day and night are nearly equal.

    Summer solstice (around June 20-21): The longest day of the year marks the official beginning of summer. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, resulting in more daylight.

    Autumn equinox (around Sept. 22-23): As we head into autumn, day and night are again roughly equal in duration.

    Winter solstice (around Dec. 21-22): The shortest day of the year, this signals the start of winter. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, leading to shorter days.

    Astronomical seasons are consistent and do not vary from year to year, making them a reliable way to track the progression of time. However, they don’t always match up with our everyday experiences of weather, which is where climatological seasons come into play.

    Climatological seasons: Weather’s perspective

    Climatological seasons are more closely aligned with our day-to-day experiences of weather. Instead of being based on celestial events, these seasons are defined by the typical weather patterns observed over a specific period in a particular region.

    Spring: In the climatological calendar, spring encompasses March, April and May. This makes it easier to relate to the blossoming flowers and warming temperatures we associate with springtime.

    Summer: June, July and August are the climatological summer months. This period captures the hottest days and summer vacations we plan.

    Autumn/Fall: September, October and November represent autumn in this system. The falling leaves and cooler temperatures align more closely with our autumnal experiences.

    Winter: December, January and February round out the climatological year with winter. It covers the coldest days and holiday season festivities.

    Why the difference?

    So, why do these two systems exist, and why don’t they sync up? The key reason is that astronomical seasons are universal, applying to the entire planet, while climatological seasons cater to regional variations in weather.

    Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and landmasses all play a part in shaping local climates. For example, Southern Hemisphere countries like Australia experience their hottest temperatures in December and January, which is their climatological summer, even though it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

    So what “season” better lines up with my weather pattern?

    This is an interesting question. And one that a little data can answer.

    Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist in Alaska, put together some interesting graphs to highlight what season most represents what weather you feel. Most of the U.S. fits in with climatological summer, meaning you find your hottest temperatures between June 1 to Aug. 31.

    Only a small portion of Florida and much of the west coast find their summer pattern more closely aligned with the actual astronomical summer season.

    Just about everyone in North America finds winter to more closely align with climatological winter than astronomical. Meaning you’re more likely to find your coldest portion of the year between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28.

    In simpler terms, astronomical seasons are like the Earth’s big-picture calendar that’s the same for everyone, while climatological seasons are like your hometown’s special weather diary, tailored to what you feel and see around you.

    So, when someone tells you it’s still winter, even though the calendar claims it’s spring, it’s all about how our planet is tilting and what’s happening right outside your window.

    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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  • Climatological vs. Astronomical Seasons: What’s the difference?

    Climatological vs. Astronomical Seasons: What’s the difference?

    [ad_1]

    Today is the first day of astronomical fall.

    When you step outside, do you ever wonder why it feels like summer in June, even though the calendar says it’s spring? Or why the chill of winter lingers into March, even as the days grow longer? 

    What You Need To Know

    • The seasons can be broken down by astronomical or climatological classifications

    • Astronomical seasons highlight the Earth’s position around the sun

    • Climatological seasons are aligned with our day-to-day weather and climate patterns


    The answer lies in the intriguing world of seasons, where two different systems—climatological and astronomical—help us make sense of the ever-changing weather. Let’s explore these two approaches to defining seasons and why they differ.

    Astronomical seasons: Nature’s cosmic calendar

    Astronomical seasons are the ones most of us are familiar with, and they’re based on the Earth’s position relative to the sun. These seasons follow the solstices and equinoxes, which are key moments in the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

    Spring equinox (around March 20-21): This marks the start of spring in the astronomical calendar. On this day, the Earth’s tilt is such that the day and night are nearly equal.

    Summer solstice (around June 20-21): The longest day of the year marks the official beginning of summer. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, resulting in more daylight.

    Autumn equinox (around Sept. 22-23): As we head into autumn, day and night are again roughly equal in duration.

    Winter solstice (around Dec. 21-22): The shortest day of the year, this signals the start of winter. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, leading to shorter days.

    Astronomical seasons are consistent and do not vary from year to year, making them a reliable way to track the progression of time. However, they don’t always match up with our everyday experiences of weather, which is where climatological seasons come into play.

    Climatological seasons: Weather’s perspective

    Climatological seasons are more closely aligned with our day-to-day experiences of weather. Instead of being based on celestial events, these seasons are defined by the typical weather patterns observed over a specific period in a particular region.

    Spring: In the climatological calendar, spring encompasses March, April and May. This makes it easier to relate to the blossoming flowers and warming temperatures we associate with springtime.

    Summer: June, July and August are the climatological summer months. This period captures the hottest days and summer vacations we plan.

    Autumn/Fall: September, October and November represent autumn in this system. The falling leaves and cooler temperatures align more closely with our autumnal experiences.

    Winter: December, January and February round out the climatological year with winter. It covers the coldest days and holiday season festivities.

    Why the difference?

    So, why do these two systems exist, and why don’t they sync up? The key reason is that astronomical seasons are universal, applying to the entire planet, while climatological seasons cater to regional variations in weather.

    Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and landmasses all play a part in shaping local climates. For example, Southern Hemisphere countries like Australia experience their hottest temperatures in December and January, which is their climatological summer, even though it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

    So what “season” better lines up with my weather pattern?

    This is an interesting question. And one that a little data can answer.

    Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist in Alaska, put together some interesting graphs to highlight what season most represents what weather you feel. Most of the U.S. fits in with climatological summer, meaning you find your hottest temperatures between June 1 to Aug. 31.

    Only a small portion of Florida and much of the west coast find their summer pattern more closely aligned with the actual astronomical summer season.

    Just about everyone in North America finds winter to more closely align with climatological winter than astronomical. Meaning you’re more likely to find your coldest portion of the year between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28.

    In simpler terms, astronomical seasons are like the Earth’s big-picture calendar that’s the same for everyone, while climatological seasons are like your hometown’s special weather diary, tailored to what you feel and see around you.

    So, when someone tells you it’s still winter, even though the calendar claims it’s spring, it’s all about how our planet is tilting and what’s happening right outside your window.

    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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  • How weather will influence this year’s fall foliage

    How weather will influence this year’s fall foliage

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    Every fall, people travel far and wide to go ‘leaf-peeping.’ The goal is to catch the leaves at peak color to see all the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows that Mother Nature has to offer. Weather plays a primary role in knowing when and where to go.

    So what should you expect this year?

    What You Need To Know

    • Weather plays a significant role in fall foliage


    • Heat and soil moisture determine foliage timing and intensity


    • Stressed trees will lose leaves earlier or later than normal


    Right place at the right time

    The first step of successful leaf-peeping is being at the right place at the right time. All other factors aside, this is the average time of the year around the U.S. that you can see peak fall colors according to Explore Fall.

    Aside from the Florida peninsula, the Gulf Coast and parts of the desert Southwest, most of the continental U.S. sees color change during fall.

    Weather’s role

    The weather determines whether the fall foliage comes out early, on time or late every year, but what role does it play?

    Heat and moisture are the biggest factors that influence fall foliage. The summer weather helps give an idea of when colors will pop, but the weather during September and October are the biggest influencers.

    Here is how soil moisture and air temperature affect fall foliage.

    Weather impacts on fall foliage

    (Courtesy: ExploreFall.com)

    A prolonged late-spring or severe summer drought that leads to dry soils in the fall not only affects the timing, but the quality of the colors. Drought and drier soil puts a higher stress on the trees, dulling down the colors and forcing them to lose their leaves sooner.

    Heavy rainfall and wet soils in the summer and fall can delay the colors’ arrival by a few days, or even weeks. The later arrival time can produce better fall colors.

    Colder and below-normal temperatures bring out fall colors early, while prolonged summer heat and above normal temperatures delay the colors.

    According to the USDA Forest Service, “a succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays.” In other words… typical fall weather.

    2024 outlook

    Fall colors are already starting to pop across some parts of the country, most notably in the Rockies and interior New England, where there are extensive areas of moderate and low color.

    For a lot of these spots, it’s right on time. When can the rest of the country expect to see color? Tree stress gives us a good idea if foliage will come out early, on time or late.

    It takes those earlier factors into account – soil moisture and temperatures. Low stress areas are where the foliage is most likely to be on time. 

    High stress areas around Ohio, West Virginia and the Appalachians are also under extreme to exceptional drought. That could cause those areas to lose leaves early and mute some of the vibrant colors.

    Drought, along with the combination of above normal summer temperatures, are also leading to highly stressed trees in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico.

    Areas with low stress, like parts of New England and the Rockies where fall colors are already coming out, are more likely to see vibrant colors and foliage showing up right on time.

    You can check on Explore Fall for a current fall foliage map and forecast updated daily.

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

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

    Source link

  • How weather will influence this year’s fall foliage

    How weather will influence this year’s fall foliage

    [ad_1]

    Every fall, people travel far and wide to go ‘leaf-peeping.’ The goal is to catch the leaves at peak color to see all the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows that Mother Nature has to offer. Weather plays a primary role in knowing when and where to go.

    So what should you expect this year?

    What You Need To Know

    • Weather plays a significant role in fall foliage


    • Heat and soil moisture determine foliage timing and intensity


    • Stressed trees will lose leaves earlier or later than normal


    Right place at the right time

    The first step of successful leaf-peeping is being at the right place at the right time. All other factors aside, this is the average time of the year around the U.S. that you can see peak fall colors according to Explore Fall.

    Aside from the Florida peninsula, the Gulf Coast and parts of the desert Southwest, most of the continental U.S. sees color change during fall.

    Weather’s role

    The weather determines whether the fall foliage comes out early, on time or late every year, but what role does it play?

    Heat and moisture are the biggest factors that influence fall foliage. The summer weather helps give an idea of when colors will pop, but the weather during September and October are the biggest influencers.

    Here is how soil moisture and air temperature affect fall foliage.

    Weather impacts on fall foliage

    (Courtesy: ExploreFall.com)

    A prolonged late-spring or severe summer drought that leads to dry soils in the fall not only affects the timing, but the quality of the colors. Drought and drier soil puts a higher stress on the trees, dulling down the colors and forcing them to lose their leaves sooner.

    Heavy rainfall and wet soils in the summer and fall can delay the colors’ arrival by a few days, or even weeks. The later arrival time can produce better fall colors.

    Colder and below-normal temperatures bring out fall colors early, while prolonged summer heat and above normal temperatures delay the colors.

    According to the USDA Forest Service, “a succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays.” In other words… typical fall weather.

    2024 outlook

    Fall colors are already starting to pop across some parts of the country, most notably in the Rockies and interior New England, where there are extensive areas of moderate and low color.

    For a lot of these spots, it’s right on time. When can the rest of the country expect to see color? Tree stress gives us a good idea if foliage will come out early, on time or late.

    It takes those earlier factors into account – soil moisture and temperatures. Low stress areas are where the foliage is most likely to be on time. 

    High stress areas around Ohio, West Virginia and the Appalachians are also under extreme to exceptional drought. That could cause those areas to lose leaves early and mute some of the vibrant colors.

    Drought, along with the combination of above normal summer temperatures, are also leading to highly stressed trees in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico.

    Areas with low stress, like parts of New England and the Rockies where fall colors are already coming out, are more likely to see vibrant colors and foliage showing up right on time.

    You can check on Explore Fall for a current fall foliage map and forecast updated daily.

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

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • September’s full Harvest Moon is another supermoon

    September’s full Harvest Moon is another supermoon

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    This month’s full moon will peak on the evening of Sept. 17 and be the second of four supermoons this year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon is known as the Harvest Moon since it occurs closest to the Fall Equinox

    • This is the second of four supermoons that will occur this year

    • The moon will look “super-sized”

    Nicknamed the Harvest Moon, since it occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox. 

    What’s a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. 

    This is the second of four supermoons that will occur this year. The next supermoon will happen in October, followed by the final one of the year in November. 

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    If the October full moon happens closer to the Fall Equinox than the September full moon, October will take the Harvest Moon name and September’s moon will be referred to as the Corn Moon. 

    The month is a transitional month as we move away from summer toward fall and the alternative names reflect this. 

    • Autumn Moon (Cree)
    • Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe)
    • Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe)
    • Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota)
    • Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine)

    Partial lunar eclipse

    Not only is it a full supermoon, but it’s also a partial lunar eclipse, meaning part of Earth’s shadow will cover the moon. The celestial show will start at around 8:41 p.m. ET, Tuesday.

    The partial eclipse will make the moon appear reddish because of the way the Earth’s atmosphere refracts the light. 

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing. Nicknamed the Harvest Moon, since it occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox. 

    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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  • September’s full Harvest Moon is another supermoon

    September’s full Harvest Moon is another supermoon

    [ad_1]

    This month’s full moon will peak on the evening of Sept. 17 and be the second of four supermoons this year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon is known as the Harvest Moon since it occurs closest to the Fall Equinox

    • This is the second of four supermoons that will occur this year

    • The moon will look “super-sized”

    Nicknamed the Harvest Moon, since it occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox. 

    What’s a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. 

    This is the second of four supermoons that will occur this year. The next supermoon will happen in October, followed by the final one of the year in November. 

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    If the October full moon happens closer to the Fall Equinox than the September full moon, October will take the Harvest Moon name and September’s moon will be referred to as the Corn Moon. 

    The month is a transitional month as we move away from summer toward fall and the alternative names reflect this. 

    • Autumn Moon (Cree)
    • Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe)
    • Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe)
    • Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota)
    • Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine)

    Partial lunar eclipse

    Not only is it a full supermoon, but it’s also a partial lunar eclipse, meaning part of Earth’s shadow will cover the moon. The celestial show will start at around 8:41 p.m. ET, Tuesday.

    The partial eclipse will make the moon appear reddish because of the way the Earth’s atmosphere refracts the light. 

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing. Nicknamed the Harvest Moon, since it occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox. 

    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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  • Report shows system deficiencies a year before firefighting foam spill at former Navy base

    Report shows system deficiencies a year before firefighting foam spill at former Navy base

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    BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — A fire suppression system at a Brunswick Executive Airport hangar showed deficiencies about a year before it discharged gallons of firefighting foam containing harmful chemicals in Maine’s biggest accidental spill of the fire suppressant on record, according to a recently released report.

    It’s not known, however, if those deficiencies, which included some non-functioning sensors, led to what happened on Aug. 19 i n Hangar 4. The system released 1,450 gallons (5,490 liters) of firefighting foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of water at the former Navy base.

    An investigation is underway into why the fire suppression system discharged. The foam, which contains chemicals known as PFAS, was removed and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention had advised the public not to consume or to limit consumption of freshwater fish from four nearby bodies of water.

    The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which is overseeing redevelopment of the property, recently released a fire suppression inspection and testing report from July 2023. The authority was actively trying to get a technician out to address any deficiencies following the report, Kristine Logan, the group’s executive director, told The Associated Press in an email on Friday. She said “no one was able to be scheduled.”

    Logan also said the group also was working on finding alternatives to having an active foam system in the hangar.

    “We were not ignoring the issue,” she said.

    Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are found in everything from food packaging to clothing and are associated with health problems including several types of cancer. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency, for the first time, proposed limits on the chemicals in drinking water.

    Brunswick Naval Air Station officially closed in 2011, and automated fire suppression is mandated in large hangars. The hangars once housed P-3 Orion subhunters and other aircraft.

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  • Tropical Storm Gordon forms in the Atlantic

    Tropical Storm Gordon forms in the Atlantic

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    Tropical Storm Gordon has formed in the central Atlantic. It’s the seventh named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gordon has formed in the Atlantic

    • It’s moving west-northwestward

    • It isn’t expected to impact land


    Gordon is moving west-nortwestward in the central Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It’s expected to continue to head westward across the Atlantic for the next few days.

    It will slow down this weekend over the central Atlantic, where it’s expected to drift around and stay weak and unorganized as it moves into an area with drier air.


    Models have Gordon moving west this weekend, and then there is more uncertainty in the track by early next week.

    Conditions aren’t expected to be too favorable for Gordon to intensify much over the open Atlantic through this weekend, but conditions could improve early next week and Gordon could re-intensify.

    It will not threaten any land.

    Check to see how the rest of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is going so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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 Staff

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  • Francine made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane along coastal Louisiana

    Francine made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane along coastal Louisiana

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    Francine formed into a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, Sept. 9, becoming the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Francine made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Louisiana

    • It was the sixth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

    • It brought dangerous storm surge, widespread flooding and strong winds to the Deep South


    It became a hurricane on Tuesday, Sept. 10. It slowly strengthened as it moved northeast in the Gulf, eventually becoming a Category 2 hurricane before moving inland.

    Francine made landfall on Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Terrebonne Parish, La, as a Category 2 storm with maximum winds of 100 mph. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported a wind gust of 78 mph Wednesday night and 7.32 inches of rain in 24 hours. 

    At the storm’s peak, 450,000 people in Louisiana were estimated to be without power. Many of the outages were attributed to falling debris, not structural damage. At one point, around 500 people were in emergency shelters, officials said.

    It moved inland Wednesday night and by Thursday morning, Sept. 12 it had weakened to a tropical storm. By the afternoon it became post-tropical, but continued to spin rain along the Deep South. 

    The remnant low brought rain as far north as the drought-stricken Mid-Mississippi River Valley and Tennessee Valley.


    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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 Staff

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  • An anomalously quiet Atlantic hurricane season so far

    An anomalously quiet Atlantic hurricane season so far

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    Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean spans June through November and this year was forecasted as one for the record books, thanks to several climatological features. 

    What You Need To Know

    • 2024 was forecasted to be the most active Atlantic Hurricane Season on record

    • Through early Sept. 2024 there have only been six named storms

    • “Atlantic Niña” could have contributed to the lack of developing systems


    However, as we approach the midway point between the season, the under performance, so far, in the Atlantic basin has many questioning whether the season was over forecasted or the second half will see an “explosion” of activity.

    2024 Atlantic Season predictions

    Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University (CSU) made their seasonal forecasts back in May and had above average, ranging from 17 to 25 tropical cyclones (named storms) for NOAA and 23 named storms for CSU.

    The average number of named storms is around 14 per season. So why the extreme forecasts?

    The factors that contributed to the high number of storm predictions include near-record warmth of the Atlantic Ocean water temperatures and a La Niña. The La Niña creates a cooling of the equatorial Pacific Ocean temperatures but also reduces the wind shear and Atlantic trade winds, resulting in favorable conditions for storm development.

    Strong start to the season

    The season began strong. Alberto formed in mid-June over the southwestern part of the Gulf of Mexico.

    Next came Beryl, a long-lived storm that formed late June, south of Cabo Verde and traversed the Atlantic Ocean, intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane on July 2, becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record.

    A vehicle is stranded in high waters on a flooded highway in Houston, on Monday, July 8, 2024, after Beryl came ashore in Texas as a hurricane and dumped heavy rains along the coast. (AP Photo/Juan A. Lozano)

    Other storms that followed included Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Ernesto. Here’s a look at the 2024 hurricane season so far.

    By mid-August, conditions in the Atlantic went quiet. A lull that lasted several weeks.

    Early September saw the Atlantic wake up, with Francine forming on Sept. 9 in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico from a tropical wave that crossed the Atlantic the week prior. 

    “Atlantic Niña”

    The sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the North Atlantic remained extremely warm for much of the year. However, since early June, the central equatorial Atlantic has been about 0.5 to 1.0 degrees Celsius colder than average for this time of the year.

    Dubbed, “Atlantic Niña,” this phenomenon has shifted the track of the “seed” storms, or disturbances that move west off the coast of Africa into the Atlantic Ocean and typically develop into intense storms. According to NOAA, “a stronger West African Monsoon, the track of these waves has shifted north toward cooler waters and overall, less conducive conditions needed for tropical cyclone formation.”

    As of early September, the cooling of the central equatorial Atlantic has weakened with tropical activity expected to increase. NOAA suggests that even in active seasons, there can be periodic lulls in activity and is still forecasting a well above-average season.

    Still a lot of the season to go

    “We are just coming up on the halfway mark of the hurricane season, usually the time of peak activity,” says Dr. Frank Marks, a meteorologist in the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.

    Location is key. “For the month of September into early October, the most likely place to watch for tropical cyclone development is still the central Atlantic in the Caribbean. However, there is always a possibility of a tropical cyclone developing in the Gulf of Mexico along an old front.”

    Stressing that systems that form in the Gulf of Mexico are dangerous, “As they are likely to strike land in 2-3 days rather than being able to track them across the Atlantic for a week or more.”

    As for whether this season will be a bust for forecasters, Dr. Marks explains it like this. “Each hurricane season is different, with different changes in the weather patterns that affect the likelihood of storms to form. You need to remember that as Mark Twain once said, ‘Climate is what you expect, but weather is what you get.’”

    Unfortunately, as history has proven, it doesn’t matter the total number of storms per season because it only takes one storm to make landfall in your area and cause devastation.

    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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  • Francine is strengthening; Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings issued

    Francine is strengthening; Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings issued

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    Francine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico

    • It’s forecast to strengthen into a hurricane

    • It will make landfall along the Gulf Coast this week


    Francine is a tropical storm with max winds of 65 mph. It’s slowly moving north-northwest in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.

    The storm will slowly move off the coast of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas during the next day or so. It will then turn toward the northeast and speed up as it heads to the central Gulf Coast.

    The tropical-storm-force winds extend 160 miles outward from the center, meaning this is a large storm and impacts will be far from the center of the storm.

    It’s forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and could become a hurricane late Monday night or early Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall around Louisiana sometime late Wednesday.

    Regardless of development, this system will bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Gulf Coast and Deep South beginning Tuesday night. However, there is still uncertainty in the exact track and specific impacts. 

    The highest rainfall totals look to be around Louisiana and up the Mississippi River Valley, where flooding is possible through mid-to-late week.

    Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings are issued for parts of the western and central Gulf Coast, and Hurricane Watches and Warnings are in effect across southern Louisiana.


    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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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  • September hurricanes that brought devastation to the U.S.

    September hurricanes that brought devastation to the U.S.

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    September is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

    This is because wind shear, the change of speed and/or direction of the wind with height, is weaker, and the ocean waters are extremely warm.

    Sept. 10 is typically the last day for peak tropical activity. From then on out, activity declines, but this doesn’t mean we won’t see powerful storms.

    Let’s look back in recorded history to some of the strongest storms that occurred during September.

    What You Need To Know

    • Most tropical activity occurs during September

    • Storms can form across the entire Atlantic basin

    • The average peak of activity during hurricane season occurs on Sept. 10


    The 2000s

    Damage from Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla. in 2022. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

    Hurricane Ian in 2022: First forming on Sept. 24, Ian traveled through the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf and the Atlantic, making five total landfalls.

    Ian made its first and second landfall in Cuba and Dry Tortugas, Fla. as a Category 3 hurricane, a third and fourth landfall in Cayo Costa, Fla. and near Punta Gorda, Fla. as a Category 4 hurricane and a final landfall in Georgetown, S.C. as a Category 1. 

    The hurricane affected Florida severely, with tens of thousands of structures damaged or destroyed. Catastrophic storm surge occurred on Florida’s west coast, reaching 10 to 15 feet near Fort Myers.

    Historic flooding occurred in some areas, getting over 20 inches of rain. The highest total was 26.95 inches in Grove City, Fla.

    Ian was responsible for 156 deaths, and became the third costliest hurricane on record, causing $112.9 billion in damage. 

    Two people ride past debris piled up on the beach in Galveston, Texas after Hurricane Ike hit the coast. Courtesy: AP/Matt Slocum.

    Hurricane Ike in 2008: Our next hurricane takes us back to 2008 when a tropical wave slid off the coast of Africa at the end of August. It developed into a tropical depression on Sept. 1, and on the same day, became a tropical storm.

    Ike became a hurricane on Sept. 3, underwent rapid intensification, and became a major hurricane later that same day. By the morning of Sept. 4, it reached a maximum intensity of 145 mph.

    Ike first made landfall in Cuba as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing devastating impacts then weakening.

    After, it moved into the Gulf of Mexico and regained strength, reaching Category 2 status before making landfall near Galveston, Texas on Sept. 13.

    Ike’s slow movement and large wind field led to a storm surge up to 20 feet. It destroyed all homes on the Bolivar Peninsula, submerged roads with floodwaters and blocked roads with fallen debris.

    Ike killed 74 people in the state of Texas, alone.

    Its northeast movement brought impacts far north to the upper Midwest and Northeast, causing extensive wind damage and leaving millions of people without power for over a week.

    Hurricane Rita in 2005: The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season will forever be a memorable one, with many powerful storms impacting the U.S. that year.

    Only a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Rita developed into a tropical depression near Turks and Caicos on Sept. 18.

    It tracked west for several days and underwent rapid intensification in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a major Category 5 hurricane on Sept. 21. Rita weakened to a Category 3 hurricane right before making landfall in southwest Louisiana on Sept. 24.

    Rita caused $18.5 billion in damage, bringing up to 15 feet of storm surge to the coast of Louisiana and Texas. It destroyed or damaged most homes.

    Rita’s storm surge overtopped the levees that were newly repaired from Hurricane Katrina’s destruction the month prior, worsening the devastation across the city of New Orleans.

    Hurricane Ivan floods Gulf Breeze, Fla. Courtesy: AP/John Bazemore

    Hurricane Ivan in 2004: Ivan formed in the central Atlantic on Sept. 2, tracking west-northwest for a week while intensifying.

    It first brushed by Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands, fluctuating between a Category 4 and Category 5 hurricane before weakening to a Category 3 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

    Ivan then made landfall near Gulf Shores, Ala. as a major Category 3 hurricane on Sept. 16.

    Once again, the storm surge was the primary cause of damage, destroying and washing away many homes.

    Ivan also produced over 100 tornadoes throughout 9 different states and dumped heavy rainfall along its path, racking up $20.5 billion in damage.

    Ivan then moved eastward back toward the Atlantic Ocean, curved back toward Florida, moved over the Gulf of Mexico for a second time, and made a second landfall in Louisiana as a tropical depression.

    Luckily, it weakened quickly and didn’t produce any big impacts the second time around.

    The 1900s

    Hurricane Floyd in 1999: Floyd first originated as a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on Sept. 2.

    It traveled west and intensified to a major Category 4 hurricane while traveling through the Bahamas.

    Floyd then turned north and paralleled the Florida coast, weakening and making landfall at Cape Fear, N.C. as a Category 2 hurricane.

    It brought heavy rain, tornadoes and a high storm surge.

    The peak of the storm surge, which reached 10 feet, occurred at high tide, and devastated the state.

    Nearly every river in eastern North Carolina reached flooding stage. Floyd dropped 17 inches of rain, which only added to the flooding.

    The cyclone caught many people unprepared, and emergency crews had to make more than 1700 water rescues.

    Floyd traveled up the east coast and also brought major flooding to northeastern cities, destroying many homes and businesses and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power for days.

    The 1938 New England Hurricane floods Providence, R.I. Courtesy: AP

    The 1938 New England Hurricane: The New England Hurricane of 1938 first developed near the Cape Verde Islands on Sept. 9 and tracked toward the U.S.

    It continued up the east coast and eventually made landfall on Long Island, N.Y. as a major Category 3 hurricane on Sept. 21.

    Further inland, on the same day, the hurricane made a second landfall as a Category 3 hurricane between Bridgeport and New Haven.

    Storm tide reached close to 17 feet for areas, destroying many homes. Montauk temporarily became an Island.

    Many residents received little warning about the hurricane, which led to a deadly outcome. Around 500 to 700 people died.

    The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926: Back in 1926, the government centralized storm warnings from their D.C. office, then distributed those warnings to other weather offices.

    However, on the morning of Sept. 17, less than 24 hours before Florida felt the hurricane’s effects, the state didn’t receive any warnings. It wasn’t until the afternoon when the Miami Weather Bureau Office got the go ahead to post-tropical storm warnings.

    That same night, those warnings became hurricane warnings.

    By the morning on Sept. 18, the hurricane that no one prepared for made landfall in Miami, Fla. as a major Category 4 hurricane.

    The hurricane killed over 100 people in Miami.

    Many people were unfamiliar with hurricanes at the time, and while the eye was passing, they thought the hurricane was over.

    The calm lasted about 35 minutes before the wind battered the coast again, and a 10-foot storm surge quickly pushed water on land, leading to a massive amount of destruction.

    The 1800s

    The Cheniere Caminada Hurricane of 1893: Also known as The Great October Storm, it first developed in the Caribbean Sea, bringing impacts to the southern areas of Mexico.

    It then moved into the Gulf of Mexico and intensified to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Cheniere Caminada, La., completely wiping the town off the map.

    Sixteen-foot storm surge flooded the entire town, and strong winds added to the destruction.

    Overall, over 2000 people died, making this hurricane one of the deadliest weather events in history.

    The 1875 Indianola Hurricane: Our last stop takes us to 1875 when a cyclone just started brewing off the coast of Africa on Sept. 1. It made its way west, intensifying, and first passing through the Caribbean.

    It emerged in the Gulf of Mexico where it slowly made its way to Category 3 status and made landfall on Sept. 16 near Indianola, Texas.

    The hurricane devastated the town, and wind gusts leveled many homes. Hundreds of people died when the storm surge washed everything away.

    The town tried to rebuild, but 11 years later, another hurricane destroyed the town, leaving the city to be abandoned.

    Atlantic hurricane season

    With the peak of hurricane season so close, we urge you to always stay prepared. This is when we see activity ramp up.

    96% of Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes occur from mid-August to mid-October. This isn’t to say that all hurricanes that develop will make landfall in the U.S., but it is always best to stay prepared for any scenario.

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

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  • Storms across the Eastern U.S. and Gulf Coast could disrupt Labor Day travel

    Storms across the Eastern U.S. and Gulf Coast could disrupt Labor Day travel

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    Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and the weather could slow you down.

    If you’re traveling in the western U.S., it will be dry through Labor Day with no slowdowns. If you’re traveling anywhere else in the country, here’s what you need to know about the forecast this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Strong storms are possible in the Northeast and Appalachians on Saturday

    • The storm threat shifts to the East Coast on Sunday

    • Texas and the Gulf Coast will see rain chances all weekend thanks to a disturbance in the Gulf

    • The western U.S. remains dry through Labor Day weekend


    Saturday

    A cold front will be swinging toward the East Coast, bringing showers and storms on Saturday. 

    Severe storms could produce heavy rainfall with gusty winds from the central Appalachians into the Northeast on Saturday. Parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes will also see potential for strong storms.

    Along with the potential for some strong winds within storms, locally heavy rainfall is possible across parts of the Eastern U.S. Rainfall totals could exceed an inch locally from Kentucky northward to New England.

    A disturbance in the northern Gulf of Mexico will also bring some heavy rainfall to the central Gulf Coast. For I-10 travelers, locally heavy rainfall could cause some flooding issues stretching from coastal Texas across southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

    Sunday

    The cold front bringing storms on Saturday and Saturday night will continue to push toward the coast on Sunday. It will bring a low-end threat for severe storms stretching from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.

    Heavy rain and gusty winds are possible within storms through Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon, especially along the I-95 corridor. Rainfall totals around this area could climb up to an inch, with the highest totals in North Carolina.

    The disturbance in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico will continue to bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Gulf Coast and across Texas, so any travel in those areas could be soggy.

    Monday

    Rain and storm coverage on Labor Day will be limited to the South and Southeast, with parts of Texas seeing the best potential for heavy rainfall, especially central and west Texas.

    The cold front that moves through the eastern 2/3 of the country will have pushed through by then, allowing high pressure to build in with cooler and drier weather across the Central U.S. and Northeast.

    Aside from Texas, most areas will see minimal impacts from weather traveling around the country.

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

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  • Viral lobsterman documents Maine’s lobster season

    Viral lobsterman documents Maine’s lobster season

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    Viral lobsterman documents Maine’s lobster season – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    It’s the height of lobster season in Maine, and one lobsterman is providing a unique look into the process of trapping the crustaceans. Jacob Knowles has become a social media sensation on TikTok, and now, he’s inviting “CBS Saturday Mornings” to join him for a day on the water to learn the secret of his success.

    Be the first to know

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  • August’s full Sturgeon Moon will also be a supermoon

    August’s full Sturgeon Moon will also be a supermoon

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    This month’s full moon will peak on Monday just before 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be the first of the supermoons this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • August’s full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon thanks to abundant lake sturgeon that was caught in the Great Lakes in late summer

    • This is the start of a string of supermoons that will commence in November

    • The moon will look “super-sized”

    Nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon, it will appear larger and brighter than the other full moons seen thus far this year.

    What’s a supermoon?

    “A supermoon is when Earth’s lunar sister’s orbit is at its closest to the planet and when it is full,” explains Spectrum News’ space expert Anthony Leone.

    Adding, “We don’t always get them because the moon’s orbit is more of an oval. So, when the moon is at its closest orbit to Earth, called a perigee, we get a supermoon.”

    He says during this time the moon will appear brighter and look “super-sized.”

    This moon is also considered a “Blue Moon,” which has nothing to do with the color. According to NASA, the third full moon that occurs in a season that has four full moons denotes the third one as a seasonal Blue Moon. A monthly Blue Moon would be the second full moon that occurs during the month.

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    The full moon was dubbed the sturgeon moon thanks to the abundant native freshwater fish caught during late summer in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. These prehistoric-looking fish provided an important staple for Native Americans in that region.

    There are nearly 30 species of sturgeon worldwide, including the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes. The sizes of these fish have evolved from the size of a bass to the size of a car. Unfortunately, due to overfishing in the 19th century, pollution and habitat damage, the lake sturgeon is rare.

    Alternative moon names include Flying Up Moon, a Cree term for when young birds leave the nest. Corn Moon, Harvest Moon, Ricing Moon and Black Cherries Moon all refer to a time of maturing crops.

    More supermoons?

    If you can’t witness this month’s supermoon, Leone says there will be plenty more opportunities. “We will get a celestial treat this year. We will get four supermoons in a row, from August through November.”

    He mentions that September’s supermoon will be extra special. “It will also fall on a partial lunar eclipse. This will give the moon a bit of a reddish color to it and that’s because of the way Earth’s atmosphere refracts light.”

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing.

    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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  • Landscape Visit: The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor House on 36 Acres in Coastal Maine – Gardenista

    Landscape Visit: The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor House on 36 Acres in Coastal Maine – Gardenista

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    “There isn’t another site like this available anywhere near Portland, Maine,” said Russell Tyson of Whitten Architects, “and it’s the site that makes this house so unique.”

    He’s describing a jaw-dropping 36 acres perched along the oceanfront in Scarborough, Maine, the site of many native habitats—rocky coastline, woods, wetlands, and meadows included. Most of the land is in a conservation trust to preserve its natural character, but that didn’t deter the owners, a young couple with two children who wanted a weekend retreat that was “the antithesis of their high-rise life in New York City.” Two acres could be developed, so they removed an existing 1980s house that had “no sort of relationship to the landscape,” said Tyson, the project architect. In its stead, they designed a four-bedroom, mostly single-story house and detached car barn with guest quarters above.

    Whitten partnered with landscape architect Todd Richardson to create a strong connection between the house and landscape. They knew each other well and had collaborated before, so they designed the project’s indoor and outdoor elements in tandem. “Here, the exterior spaces were just as important as the interior ones,” said Tyson. Let’s take a look.

    Photography by Trent Bell except where noted, courtesy of Whitten Architects.

    Above: At the entryway, a Rockport granite boulder directs visitors from the parking court toward the front door just off to the right. A small apple orchard flanks the walkway.

    The site was once part of a farm, full of rolling meadows that drop down to the shore.

    Above: In the front garden are salvia and ornamental grasses mixed with lawn. “The walls extend outward from the house to throw the architecture out into the landscape,” said Richardson.

    The previous house had an asphalt parking lot prominently featured in front; in contrast, said the architect, “we wanted you to park your car and forget about it for the rest of the time you are here.”

    Above: Flanking a porch off the bedroom wing: A birch tree at far left hovers over highbush blueberries, northern bayberry, low huckleberry, lowbush blueberry sod, and hay-scented fern. The patch on the right side of the walkway also includes black chokeberry, rhodora, and cinnamon fern.

    The landscape architect chose native plants that thrive in this part of Maine.

    Above: Each bedroom has a porch to encourage residents and guests to head directly outdoors in the mornings.

    The house is framed in Douglas fir and stained in Cabot Nantucket White. The decking is water-resistant ipe wood, and the roof is standing seam metal in slate gray.

    Above: Bordered by full-height sliding glass doors, the living room links a courtyard in front of the house to a patio on the opposing side. The landscape architect planted pitch pine here, centered on the axis of a single large pitch pine hovering over the water’s edge—the only tree along the waterfront for about 1,500 feet, visible beyond the living room.

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  • Ernesto becomes a hurricane north of Puerto Rico

    Ernesto becomes a hurricane north of Puerto Rico

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    Ernesto has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. It passed by Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands early Wednesday, bringing torrential rainfall and tropical storm force winds. It continues to produce widespread flash flooding across the eastern Caribbean.

    Ernesto formed in the western Atlantic Ocean, becoming a tropical storm on Monday, Aug. 12, and became a hurricane on Wednesday, Aug. 14. It’s the fifth named storm and third hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ernesto is a hurricane

    • It’s moving toward Bermuda

    • It will continue to strengthen


    Ernesto is moving northwest to the north Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with max winds of 75 mph. It’s expected to strengthen as it moves further into the western Atlantic. It could become a major hurricane as it approaches Bermuda.

    Widespread, heavy rainfall could lead to more flash flooding and mudslides across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Wednesday morning and early afternoon. The storm has brought rough coastal conditions as well across the eastern Caribbean.


    Most models have Ernesto passing near Bermuda as a hurricane Friday night into early Saturday morning.

    Ernesto isn’t expected to directly impact the U.S., but large swells will reach the East Coast late this week into the weekend that will cause life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents.

    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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 Staff

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  • Maine regulators reject utility proposal to report suspected marijuana grow operations to police – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    Maine regulators reject utility proposal to report suspected marijuana grow operations to police – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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  • Sea turtle strandings have increased dramatically. Congress might create a fund to bail them out

    Sea turtle strandings have increased dramatically. Congress might create a fund to bail them out

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    IT WAS PUSHED BACK THIS MONTH ALL NEW AT 6 – HISTORY MADE IN GEORGIA TODAY … AS THE STATE MARKED ITS LARGEST – SEA – TURTLE – RELEASE … ON RECORD. WJCL 22 NEWS BROOKE BUTLER … WAS THERE. SHE TELLS US … HOW THIS ALL CAME TOGETHER.// (NAT – CLAPPING – PEOPLE SAYING GOODBYE) IT WAS ALL SMILES ON JEKYLL ISLAND WEDNESDAY – AS A RECORD BREAKING NUMBER OF REHABILITATED SEA TURTLES – WERE RELEASED BACK INTO THE OCEAN :23 WE ACTUALLY HAD 33 KEMPS AND ONE GREEN SEA TURTLE RELEASED TODAY OFF OF JEKYLL ISLAND. :30 THESE ENDANGERED TURTLES – ALL CAME FROM UP NORTH. THE ORGANIZATION – TURTLES FLY TOO – FLEW THEM IN. :20 SO WE FLEW FROM OUR HOME BASE IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY UP TO MASSACHUSETTS TO PICK THE TURTLES UP FROM THE TEAM AT THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM. :28 1:53 HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE DOING THESE RELEASES TOGETHER AS FATHER AND SON? 1:56 1:56 THAT’S IT’S DEFINITELY IT’S VERY COOL. 1:59 (BROOKE STANDUP) I’M TOLD THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS CHOSE JEKYLL ISLAND… AS THE LOCATION FOR THIS RELEASE. 1:15 I THINK IT’S REALLY NICE. IT’S CONVENIENT. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE AN AIRPORT ON THE ISLAND, BUT OUR FACILITY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH TURTLES FLY TO AND THESE OTHER FACILITIES UP IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA, UP IN THE NORTHERN STATES THAT WE ALL BAND TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, HELP THESE ANIMALS IN NEED. 1:30 RACHEL OVERMEYER WITH GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER SAID – ALL OF THESE TURTLES..WERE COLD STUNNED WHEN THEY WERE RESCUED. THEIR RELEASE INTO GEORGIA WATERS… ENSURING THEY’LL STAY AT A COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE. 1:34 OUR WATERS ARE JUST NOW WARM ENOUGH THAT WE CAN RELEASE ANIMALS. 1:38 OVERMEYER SAYS – WHILE SHE’S TAKEN PART IN A NUMBER OF RELEASES OVER THE YEARS – THE WORK – NEVER GETS OLD. 1:55 RELEASES ARE JUST SO SPECIAL BECAUSE IT’S WHAT WE PUT OUR BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS INTO. AND IT’S WHAT WE WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY IS WHAT WE WORK FOR. SO TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM RELEASED IS IS REALLY EXCITING. 2:06 BROOKE BUTLER… WJCL 22 NEWS. OUT:”THAT ONE

    Sea turtle strandings have ticked up at an alarming rate in New England, but now the reptiles are close to receiving a lifeline from Congress to help them stay in the water.Related video above: ‘Really exciting’: 34 rehabilitated sea turtles released back into the ocean on Jekyll IslandCongress is nearing passage of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, which would create a new $33 million federal grant program to fund institutions around the country that rescue, rehabilitate and research stranded turtles. The aid would arrive as scientists and federal authorities are sounding the alarm that an increasing number of cold-stunned turtles are washing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, likely as a result of climate change.Less than 50 sea turtles were found stranded on Cape Cod in 2000, but by 2022, that number has ballooned to 866, said Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. Quick action is needed to help the turtles because all six species of sea turtles found in the U.S. are threatened or endangered, Markey said.Turtles face “extinction and environmental wipeout” without assistance, said Markey, the sponsor of the act.”Our current rescue efforts are largely volunteer and underfunded, forcing our aquariums to shell out to keep our shelled friends safe,” he said. “We will not let these rescue and rehabilitation organizations, much less sea turtles, sink.”The annual average number of cold-stunned turtles in Massachusetts has also increased over time. Two decades ago, it was 139, and in the past five years it has increased to 739, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in June.The sea turtle act was placed on the Senate’s calendar after unanimously passing the commerce, science and transportation committee on July 31, records state. A similar measure, introduced by Democratic Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, passed the House of Representatives earlier in the year.Both proposals have bipartisan support, and the Senate measure is cosponsored by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.Sea turtles sometimes become cold-stunned because they’re unable to regulate their body temperatures. In recent years, hundreds of those turtles have become stranded in Massachusetts. The New England Aquarium operates a Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts, that treats the animals, who sometimes need months of care before they can be rereleased into the marine environment.Providing more assistance to organizations that care for stranded turtles “would have a significant impact on the continuation of this collaborative conservation work and the resulting research to solve ocean challenges,” said Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the New England Aquarium, in support of the proposal last year.

    PORTLAND, Maine —

    Sea turtle strandings have ticked up at an alarming rate in New England, but now the reptiles are close to receiving a lifeline from Congress to help them stay in the water.

    Related video above: ‘Really exciting’: 34 rehabilitated sea turtles released back into the ocean on Jekyll Island

    Congress is nearing passage of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, which would create a new $33 million federal grant program to fund institutions around the country that rescue, rehabilitate and research stranded turtles. The aid would arrive as scientists and federal authorities are sounding the alarm that an increasing number of cold-stunned turtles are washing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, likely as a result of climate change.

    Less than 50 sea turtles were found stranded on Cape Cod in 2000, but by 2022, that number has ballooned to 866, said Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. Quick action is needed to help the turtles because all six species of sea turtles found in the U.S. are threatened or endangered, Markey said.

    Turtles face “extinction and environmental wipeout” without assistance, said Markey, the sponsor of the act.

    “Our current rescue efforts are largely volunteer and underfunded, forcing our aquariums to shell out to keep our shelled friends safe,” he said. “We will not let these rescue and rehabilitation organizations, much less sea turtles, sink.”

    The annual average number of cold-stunned turtles in Massachusetts has also increased over time. Two decades ago, it was 139, and in the past five years it has increased to 739, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in June.

    The sea turtle act was placed on the Senate’s calendar after unanimously passing the commerce, science and transportation committee on July 31, records state. A similar measure, introduced by Democratic Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, passed the House of Representatives earlier in the year.

    Both proposals have bipartisan support, and the Senate measure is cosponsored by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

    Sea turtles sometimes become cold-stunned because they’re unable to regulate their body temperatures. In recent years, hundreds of those turtles have become stranded in Massachusetts. The New England Aquarium operates a Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts, that treats the animals, who sometimes need months of care before they can be rereleased into the marine environment.

    Providing more assistance to organizations that care for stranded turtles “would have a significant impact on the continuation of this collaborative conservation work and the resulting research to solve ocean challenges,” said Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the New England Aquarium, in support of the proposal last year.

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  • Utility company’s proposal to rat out hidden marijuana operations to police raises privacy concerns – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    Utility company’s proposal to rat out hidden marijuana operations to police raises privacy concerns – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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