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  • DaNa Carlis’ role at the National Severe Storms Lab is a historic homecoming

    DaNa Carlis’ role at the National Severe Storms Lab is a historic homecoming

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    Dr. DaNa Carlis is breaking barriers as the first African-American to lead NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, Oklahoma.

    The laboratory studies severe weather, from tornadoes to winter weather. The National Weather Service uses their research to warn us and keep us safe from disruptive weather events.

    What You Need To Know

    • DaNa Carlis is the first African-American to be named NSSL director

    • Carlis co-founded NOAA’s Diversity and Professional Advancement

    • He holds three degrees from Howard University

    • One of his top priorities is to increase the engagement between the underserved communities and the NSSL

    Historic accomplishment

    NOAA appointed Carlis to the role in January 2023. Carlis is the first Black man named as a lab director.

    We spoke to the NSSL director in 2023 about his historic appointment, his future for the NSSL and how he plans to inspire more Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in meteorology.

    “It feels amazing! I am humbled by the opportunity to serve in this capacity as director of the National Severe Storms Laboratory,” said Carlis, describing his accomplishment.

    A few years ago, the NSSL Director didn’t think he’d be taking this path in his career. However, he said he was striving for an opportunity to be a leader of science within NOAA.

    Carlis is excited to inspire the next generation of science leaders.

    “I’m looking forward to continuing to uplift others with the BIPOC community that can serve in this capacity. It’s been a passion of mine to help and develop the next generation workforce,” said Carlis.

    Over his 20-year career, Carlis led efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within NOAA. He’s the co-founder of NOAA’s Diversity and Professional Advancement Working Group (DPAWG).

    Eight members of NOAA’s Diversity and Professional Advancement Working Group in 2023. Clockwise from the top left: Vankita Brown, John Moore, Terence Lynch, Maddie Kennedy, DaNa Carlis, Lonnie Gonsalves, Ashley Turnbull, and Janae Elkins. (NOAA)

    Carlis knows how big of a deal it is to be the first African-American to lead this agency.

    “I’m a firm believer that there are more talented people than me out there that will deserve this opportunity and probably have deserved it in the past. So, that I’m the first is humble… but you know I got to continue to strive for change and NOAA is right behind me in terms of diversity, inclusion and equity in our senior leadership ranks,” Carlis told Spectrum News.

    NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. supports Carlis’ mission. Spinrad gave this statement in a news release: “NOAA is fortunate to have a leader with deep scientific expertise and the strong skills to elevate diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of NSSL’s culture.”

    Back to his roots

    The role is a homecoming for Carlis, who grew up in Tulsa. Carlis is happy to be back in his home state and doing what he loves.

    “I am going to full circle, returning to my roots of being in Oklahoma…. I have kept myself grounded on who I am and where I come from,” said Carlis.

    The Tulsa native says his upbringing made him the man he is today.

    The NSSL director credits his mentors with sparking his passion for science.

    “It was mentors that really drew me in and after that first course in atmospheric science I fell in love with it because it was so applicable to people’s everyday lives,” Carlis recounted.

    He also takes great pride in graduating from Howard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Washington D.C.

    “The main thing that really helped me… that I really needed was the support system. I needed to believe in me, I needed to be supported by people that was going to help raise me up and make sure and hold me accountable for being excellent, being a high achiever… that’s what Howard University gave to me,” Carlis told us.

    Bright future

    “I got to go in and learn the organization. So, I’ll sit back and listen for a few months and try to figure out… where we need to improve weather that is on the business side or science and technology side,” said Carlis.

    The severe storms lab is a busy place, with its PERiLS project, radar improvements, field campaigns and much more.

    The NSSL director says his mission for the agency is to meet their goals and make sure they’re successful. One of his priorities is to increase the engagement between the underserved communities and the NSSL.

    “The integration of social science and physical sciences like in meteorology and atmospheric is going to be really key to us being able to engage and serve those folks that are from underserved communities even better,” said Carlis.

    In addition, Carlis thinks this is an opportune time for aspiring meteorologists to get into the field. He has this advice for them.

    “I would love to see more African-American, Black meteorologists or just BIPOC meteorologist coming into this field because it just such a gratifying field of work that we do because of the impact that we have on people’s lives… so we need you.”

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

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    Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • Mass. school takes unique approach to phone use by students

    Mass. school takes unique approach to phone use by students

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    With teachers and education leaders across the state grappling with how best to deal with cellphones in the classroom, officials at a boarding school in western Massachusetts have taken a novel approach.

    Two years ago, school leaders at the Buxton School in Williamstown banned the use of smartphones on campus. The school also provided students and faculty with “dumb phones” — devices with limited functions, so calls from parents and all-school messages can still be received.

    Teachers at Buxton say disturbances inside and outside of classrooms led to the prohibition, including a conflict between two students that was captured on a smartphone camera and broadcast to the students’ dorms.

    “We were seeing as educators that a lot of the larger goals were trying to reach students with were not actually landing,” said Buxton history teacher John Kalapos.

    “There would be a break in class and students would immediately go down and they would look at their phone,” he continued. “Teaching a class and having the class really engaged, and all of a sudden, you hear five dings because something goes off in a group chat and you’ve immediately lost your class.”

    Kalapos added, “It’s these little moments that erode away at the social fabric of a school.”

    Buxton students did not take the news well, initially.

    “Everyone was like, ‘Can they do this? Like, what about my right?’ It was a negative reaction at first,” said Buxton senior Iris Semon Pike. “Then we had conversations with faculty about why this was happening and what the plan was going forward. Everyone came around and realized that it was a good thing.”

    “During meals, I think [the change] is most visible,” said Owen Hindes, a senior at Buxton. “Everyone used to just come down with their phones, eat lunch and just be, like, scrolling through something during meals. Now, you find yourself talking or sitting at tables that you would never have before. A lot of people branched out and met a lot of the new people, instead of isolating themselves or sticking to their original friends.”

    Smartphones may be banned, but there is not a total tech blackout at Buxton.

    “We still have Wi-Fi. We still have access to the internet, and we are still very much connected to the outside world,” Semon Pike told NBC10 Boston.

    The movement to remove smartphones from classrooms is gaining steam around the country.

    A Department of Education study done in 2020 found more than 75% of schools in the U.S. had moved to restrict the non-academic use of the devices. Last year, Florida required its public schools to ban cellphone use during instructional time and block students’ access to social media on district Wi-Fi.

    Some education officials question the efficacy of such bans. One Massachusetts high school principal who spoke with NBC10 Boston questioned whether cellphone restrictions are practical or even helpful to teens. Some educators in Connecticut, in response to a recommendation from Gov. Ned Lamont to limit cellphone usage in that state’s schools said there are benefits of having the devices in classrooms.

    A Buxton biology teacher hinted at a health benefit for students from the ban.

    “Smartphones, like other things, create an addiction,” said Linda Burlak, who also serves as academic dean. “You get those little buzzes happening in your pocket, the notifications and the sort of dopamine hits that you get from scrolling and seeing references.”

    “I mean, if you are addicted to cigarettes, and you were told, ‘You can’t smoke in class, but in those five minutes in between class, you can go smoke a cigarette,’ that is not going to break the addiction,” she continued. “And if you say, ‘You can’t look at your smartphone except for the five minutes in between class,’ your brain is still looking for those dopamine hits.”

    On its website, Buxton says it has been training teachers in the theory and practice of progressive education for nearly a century. Kalapos, who, in addition to serving as history teacher, is also the school’s co-director, believes Buxton adheres to its educational philosophy through this ban.

    “It is pretty ironic that in order to take a progressive step forward, we need to take a technological step backwards,” he said. “Saying that we are not actually going to invite all of this into our community all the time is a really progressive move.”

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    TJ Killilea and JC Monahan

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  • Casino revenues soared to $66.5 billion last year, powered by slot machines and sports betting

    Casino revenues soared to $66.5 billion last year, powered by slot machines and sports betting

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    America’s commercial casinos won $66.5 billion from gamblers in 2023, the industry’s best year ever, according to figures released by its national trade association Tuesday.

    The American Gaming Association said that total was 10% higher than in 2022, which itself was a record-setting year.

    When revenue figures from tribal-owned casinos are released separately later this year, they are expected to show that overall casino gambling brought in close to $110 billion to U.S. casino operators in 2023.

    That all happened in a year in which inflation, while receding, still kept things like grocery and energy costs higher than they had been.

    “From the traditional casino experience to online options, American adults’ demand for gaming is at an all-time high,” said Bill Miller, the association’s president and CEO.

    Early last year, when the group gave its annual statistical assessment, “inflation was high, uncertainty was in the air. Forecasters couldn’t agree what these challenges might do to discretionary income,” Miller said.

    As they year went on, “inflation began to cool, consumers began to spend and the (Federal Reserve) held rates steady,” he added. “The result was a record-breaking year for our industry.”

    Not even the pre-holiday shopping crunch discouraged gamblers from laying their money down: casinos won $6.2 billion in December and $17.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, both of which set records.

    Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at New Jersey’s Stockton University, which studies the gambling industry, said sports betting is still new enough that it may prove attractive even to those watching their budgets.

    “As a form of entertainment, legal sports betting might be a new and novel experience for many patrons, and with its relatively low cost of entry, may be attractive to them even if their discretionary spending budget is limited,” she said.

    In-person gambling remains the bread and butter of the industry. Slot machines brought in $35.51 billion in 2023, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year. Table games brought in $10.31 billion, up 3.5%.
    Sports betting generated $10.92 billion in revenue, up 44.5%. Americans legally wagered $119.84 billion on sports, up 27.8% from the previous year.

    Five new sports betting markets that became operational in 2023 — Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Ohio — contributed to that and generated a combined $1.49 billion in revenue.

    By the end of the year, Massachusetts and Ohio established themselves among the country’s top 10 sports betting states by revenue, New Jersey and Illinois exceeded $1 billion in annual sports betting revenue for the first time, and New York topped all states with $1.69 billion.

    Internet gambling generated $6.17 billion, up 22.9%. While Michigan and New Jersey each generated $1.92 billion in annual internet gambling revenue, Michigan outperformed New Jersey by just $115,500 to become the largest internet gambling market in the country. Pennsylvania was third with $1.74 billion in annual revenue.

    Other states offering internet gambling are Connecticut, West Virginia and Delaware; Nevada offers online poker only.

    Casinos paid an estimated $14.42 billion in gambling taxes last year, up 9.7% from the previous year.
    Nevada remains the nation’s top gambling market, with $15.5 billion in revenue. Pennsylvania is second at $5.86 billion, followed closely by Atlantic City at $5.77 billion.

    New York is fourth at $4.71 billion, followed by Michigan at $3.58 billion; Ohio at $3.31 billion; Indiana at $2.82 billion; Louisiana at $2.69 billion and Illinois at $2.52 billion.

    New York’s Resorts World casino reclaimed the title as the top-performing U.S. casino outside Nevada. It was followed by MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C., Encore Boston Harbor and Atlantic City’s Borgata.

    Of the 35 states that have commercial casinos, 31 saw revenue increase last year.
    Jurisdictions where revenue declined were Florida (-0.4%); Indiana (-2.3%) and Mississippi (-3.5%). The sports betting-only market of Washington, D.C., had a more significant decline, with revenue trailing 2022 by 17.6%, the largest drop in the country.

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    Wayne Parry, The Associated Press

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  • 5 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Massachusetts Right Now Listed by Redfin

    5 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Massachusetts Right Now Listed by Redfin

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    Massachusetts is a state that exudes elegance and sophistication, with its rich history, picturesque coastal towns, and vibrant urban centers. From the charming streets of Boston to the exclusive waterfront properties in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, luxury real estate in Massachusetts offers a blend of classic New England charm and modern opulence.

    In this Redfin article, we’ll unveil 5 of the most expensive homes for sale by Redfin, offering a glimpse into the epitome of luxury living in the Bay State.

    1. Elegant Melrose residence

    174 East Emerson St, Melrose, MA 02176
    Listed by Nancy McLaughlin
    Priced at $1,999,900

    Step into the heart of Bellevue in Melrose, where this residence stands as a truly special offering. A gracious wraparound porch beckons, creating an inviting entry to this grand dame on a wide, tree-lined street.

    Architectural elegance defines this home, with the foyer setting the tone for a unique experience only homes of this era can provide. French doors open to a fireplaced living room, while a home office and a stunning eat-in kitchen showcase the residence’s charm. The elegant dining room, with direct access to a screened-in porch, adds to the allure. The primary suite graces the second floor, featuring a sitting room or home gym, while the upper floor boasts a playroom unlike any other. Bonus features include an au pair or in-law suite, a game room, a luxurious inground heated pool, mature landscaping, an attached garage, and ample storage.

    2. Sherborn Colonial charm

    88 Hollis St, Sherborn, MA 01770
    Listed by Robin Spangenberg
    Priced at $1,600,000

    Discover classic New England charm in this custom Colonial on 4.5 acres in Sherborn. This home boasts elegant design elements like 9′ ceilings, crown moldings, and cherry cabinetry. The main level flows seamlessly from the kitchen to the sunny breakfast room and fireside family room, ideal for entertaining. A main-level office adds convenience.

    Upstairs, find 4 bedrooms, including a primary suite with a luxurious ensuite and a sitting room. The walk-out basement offers expansion potential, and a spacious patio provides serene views. Enjoy a 3-car garage and the lovely surroundings of this Sherborn gem.

    luxury redfin listing 88 Hollis St, Sherborn, MA

    3. Luxury loft living

    717 Atlantic Ave Unit 2A, Boston, MA 02111
    Listed by CJ Lee
    Priced at $950,000

    Experience urban living at its finest in this unique live and work loft in Boston’s Leather District. Perfect for the urban professional, this sun-filled corner unit boasts impressive city views from its dramatic arched windows. The open-plan layout features polished concrete floors, track lighting, and 12-foot high terracotta ceilings.

    The kitchen is a culinary delight with stone counters, gas cooking, a custom sub-zero refrigerator, and an oversized island. The spa-like bathroom offers a jetted tub.

    luxury redfin listing 717 Atlantic Ave Unit 2A, Boston, MA

    4. Spacious Colonial elegance

    2 Parsons Ln, Manchester, MA 01944
    Listed by Patricia Nunez
    Priced at $1,199,900

    Luxurious living awaits in this spacious 2,872 sf colonial featuring 4 beds and 3.5 baths. The primary suite, additional bedrooms, and family bath on the 2nd floor provide ample space. Oak hardwood floors grace the 1st floor, complementing the kitchen with a sizable island, dining room with a fireplace, and a living room with French doors leading to a spacious deck.

    Enjoy the fenced yard with gardening and play areas. Situated on a conforming 25,400 sf lot on a dead-end road, this property offers expansion potential for a truly indulgent lifestyle.

    luxury redfin listing 2 Parsons Ln, Manchester, MA

    5. City chic penthouse

    15 Mossland St Unit C, Somerville, MA 02144
    Listed by Nancy McLaughlin
    Priced at $1,175,000

    Indulge in city living with this spectacular penthouse in the heart of Porter Sq. Unit C at 15 Mossland St. surpasses new construction, offering designer finishes and exquisite décor.

    This unique condo features soaring cathedral ceilings, nearly 13′ high, oversized windows, skylights, and a treetop feel in the midst of the city. Top highlights include a sleek chef’s kitchen with a breakfast bar, a primary en suite with a deck and Boston skyline view, luxurious bathrooms, and a fantastic living room with a gas fireplace.

    luxury redfin listing 15 Mossland St Unit C, Somerville, MA

    Thinking about buying or selling a luxury home in Massachusetts?

    Whether you’re in search of an upscale property in the Bay State, exploring the featured listings mentioned earlier, or contemplating the sale of your high-end residence, a Redfin Premier agent is ready to assist you throughout the entire process. Armed with extensive real estate knowledge and a profound understanding of the local market, your Premier agent serves as your indispensable partner in securing the best deal as a buyer or maximizing your profit as a seller of luxury real estate in Massachusetts.

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    Marissa Crum

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  • Honoring a pioneer in broadcast meteorology, June Bacon-Bercey

    Honoring a pioneer in broadcast meteorology, June Bacon-Bercey

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    In honor of Black History Month, we are taking the opportunity to look back on and celebrate the life and work of meteorologist June Bacon-Bercey.

    A woman of many “firsts,” Bacon-Bercey broke many barriers and paved the way for others, particularly for women and African Americans in meteorology. 

    What You Need To Know

    • June Bacon-Bercey broke many barriers as an African American woman in science 

    • She was the first African American female degreed broadcast meteorologist

    • She established a scholarship in the late 1970s from game show winnings

    • The American Meteorological Society renamed an award in her honor

    Noted as the first African American and first female degreed broadcast meteorologist, Bacon-Bercey is considered a pioneer in the field of meteorology. Born in 1928 in Wichita, Kansas, ever since she was a kid, she knew she wanted to follow a path of math and science.

    In 1954, she became the first African American female in the United States to earn a bachelor of science degree in meteorology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

    According to her official biography provided by her daughter, Dail St. Claire, when she arrived at UCLA, a counselor suggested she major in home economics instead of meteorology.

    Bacon-Bercey once said, “when I earned an ‘A’ in thermodynamics and a ‘B’ in home economics, I knew my decision was the right one.”

    Her biography also states that her career extended well beyond television weather. Before retiring from a position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 1993, she held positions as a weather forecaster, weather analyst, radar meteorologist, aviation meteorologist, broadcast journalist, public administrator and educator.

    She had a lasting impact on the field of broadcast meteorology, especially during a time when weather broadcasts within local newscasts were considered more entertainment-based than science-focused.

    June-Bacon Bercey on set at WGR-TV in Buffalo, N.Y. (Courtesy: Dail St. Claire)

    In 1972, she became the first African American and first female to earn the AMS Seal of Approval for Excellence in Television Weathercasting. 

    Her daughter recalled the day that her mother got the news of this accomplishment. “She was beaming. We sat down over tea, as she often did with me to discuss life matters. Upon sharing the significance of the Seal, she said, ‘no greater honor can come to me than earning the respect of my colleagues.’”

    This came after joining WGR-TV in Buffalo, New York, in 1970, where she became the chief meteorologist after just four months at the station. This was a remarkable feat for the era.

    Nearly five decades later, a 2018 study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society revealed that only 8% of chief meteorologists are female. 

    Bacon-Bercey became a role model to many African American aspiring meteorologists, including Janice Huff, Chief Meteorologist at WNBC in New York.  

    “When I was a child, I never saw anyone who looked like me delivering the forecast on television, so I never thought of broadcasting as an option for a future career. I wanted to be a scientist and work behind the scenes, and I was on my way to doing just that. Then I learned of June Bacon-Bercey, and I was certain that any and all things were possible,” said Huff.

    Alan Sealls, Chief Meteorologist at WPMI-TV in Mobile, Alabama also has been moved by the life of Bacon-Bercey. He described her as “a woman who likely opened doors for women, African-Americans, and degreed meteorologists in broadcast meteorology.”

    Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia who served as the second African American president of the American Meteorological Society, shared his appreciation for Bacon-Bercey. “I cannot imagine the struggles that Mrs. Bacon-Bercey faced as she trailblazed on behalf of women and people of color,” he said.   

    Women’s issues and racial equality were of the highest importance to Bacon-Bercey. She helped launch the AMS Board on Women and Minorities in 1975, which continues to operate to this day. It was renamed the Board on Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Diversity (BRAID) in 2020.

    In 1977, it wasn’t weather, but her music knowledge that awarded her $64,000 on the game show “The $128,000 Question.” She used her earnings to launch the June Bacon-Bercey Scholarship through the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for women pursuing careers in meteorology and atmospheric sciences.  

    She felt the scholarship could help women become meteorologists. “I was discouraged from becoming a meteorologist. If women feel they have some money behind them, it might be better,” she stated according to her official biography.

    AGU offered this scholarship from 1978 to 1990. It became reestablished in 2021 through the generosity of her daughter, Dail St. Claire, and other family and friends.  

    June Bacon-Bercey speaking at a luncheon. (Photo Courtesy: Dail St. Claire)

    Bacon-Bercey also funded the meteorology lab at Mississippi’s Jackson State University (JSU) in 1980. At the time, JSU was the only historically black university or college with a meteorology program in the United States. 

    Janice Huff remarked on her achievements. “She showed great strength and determination to study in a field where there were so few who looked like her. She persevered despite the odds against her, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

    Bacon-Bercey passed away in July 2019 at the age of 90. Her legacy will live on for generations to come through the American Meteorological Society’s (AMS) June Bacon-Bercey Award for Broadcast Meteorology.  

    The AMS renamed the Award for Broadcast Meteorology in her honor. Since 1977, this award has annually recognized broadcast meteorologists “for sustained long-term contributions to the community through the broadcast media, or for outstanding work during a specific weather event.”

    Since its inception, three Award for Broadcast Meteorology recipients have been female. By honoring Mrs. Bacon-Bercey’s legacy, women and minorities might be encouraged to strive for this award and submit future nominations. 

    Her daughter, Dail St. Claire, reflected on this honor. “My family and I are grateful to the AMS for honoring my mother, June Bacon-Bercey. There is no greater honor for an on-air meteorologist to serve the public. The field of meteorology will one day fully represent the rich diversity of all people.”

    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 Maureen McCann

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  • Mae C. Jemison: The first African American woman in space

    Mae C. Jemison: The first African American woman in space

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    Becoming an astronaut is hard enough, but one woman overcame obstacles to become the first African American woman in space.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jemison wanted to study science from an early age

    • She first studied medicine before starting a career at NASA

    • She went to space in Sept. 1992

    • After NASA, she accomplished many more things

    Early life accomplishments

    Born in the 1950s, Jemison would let nothing stop her from becoming one of the most accomplished African American women in history.

    She was born in Decatur, Ala. but grew up in Chicago, and from a very early age, she knew she wanted to study science.

    She worked hard and graduated from high school when she was just 16. At that early age, she traveled across the country to California to attend Stanford University.

    Being one of the few African Americans in her class, she experienced racial discrimination from students and teachers, but that didn’t stop her from graduating with two degrees in four years, one in chemical engineering and one in African American studies.

    Jemison didn’t start her career in space. She first attended Cornell Medical School, where she got her doctorate in medicine and practiced general medicine.

    Her talents also didn’t stop in science. Jemison is fluent in Japanese, Russian and Swahili. She used this and her medical studies to her advantage and joined the Peace Corps in 1983 to help people in Africa for two years.

    Jemison with the rest of the Endeavour Crew in 1992. (AP Photo/Chris O’ Meara)

    On to space

    After the Peace Corps, Jemison opened her own private practice as a doctor, but not too long after, she decided she wanted to go to space, something she had wanted to accomplish for a long time.  

    Jemison applied for the astronaut program at NASA in 1985. Unfortunately, NASA stopped accepting applications after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986.

    Jemison tried her luck again in 1987 and was one of the 15 people chosen out of 2000 applicants. Nichelle Nichols, who starred as Uhura in the original Star Trek series, recruited her. Jemison later starred in an episode of the series after being a fan since childhood.

    In Sept. 1992, she joined six other astronauts on the Endeavor for eight days, making her the first African American woman in space. On her mission, she made 127 orbits around the Earth.

    Mae C. Jemison on board the Endeavour in 1992. (Photo by NASA)

    After NASA

    Jemison left NASA the year after she went to space and accomplished many more things.

    She started her own consulting company, became a professor at Cornell, launched the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries, created an international space camp for teens and much more.

    She currently leads 100 Year Starship through DARPA, United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which works to ensure humans will travel to another star in the next 100 years.

    With all her accomplishments, it’s no surprise Jemison was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the National Medical Association Hall of Fame and the Texas Science Hall of Fame.

    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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  • Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

    Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

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    A University of California, Irvine professor is being tasked to help design the most powerful laser in the world.

    Franklin Dollar, a professor of physics & astronomy at UCI, is part of the effort to build the laser called the EP-OPAL (Optical Parametric Amplifier Lines).

    What You Need To Know

    • A UC Irvine Professor is helping contribute to building the most powerful laser in the world

    • The laser could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and space science

    • Physicists will build the laser at the University of Rochester


    The National Science Foundation awarded an $18-million grant to build the laser at a university in New York. EP-OPAL will house it at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester.

    The laser will open the door for more research in astrophysics and the medical field, from telescopes to medical imaging.

    EP-OPAL could also develop radiation techniques to help treat cancer patients.

    Plus, it could lead to new developments in nuclear physics, particle acceleration and quantum mechanics.

    The instrument has two separate 25-petawatt lasers and will fire in a millionth of a billionth of a second.

    Dollar’s team will focus on particle acceleration and light sources.

    I talked to Dollar’s team about the laser and how he’s mentoring the next generation of plasma physicists. Watch the video above to see more.

    Franklin Dollar, assistant professor of physics and astronomy (Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI)

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

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    Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

    Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

    [ad_1]

    A University of California, Irvine professor is being tasked to help design the most powerful laser in the world.

    Franklin Dollar, a professor of physics & astronomy at UCI, is part of the effort to build the laser called the EP-OPAL (Optical Parametric Amplifier Lines).

    What You Need To Know

    • A UC Irvine Professor is helping contribute to building the most powerful laser in the world

    • The laser could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and space science

    • Physicists will build the laser at the University of Rochester


    The National Science Foundation awarded an $18-million grant to build the laser at a university in New York. EP-OPAL will house it at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester.

    The laser will open the door for more research in astrophysics and the medical field, from telescopes to medical imaging.

    EP-OPAL could also develop radiation techniques to help treat cancer patients.

    Plus, it could lead to new developments in nuclear physics, particle acceleration and quantum mechanics.

    The instrument has two separate 25-petawatt lasers and will fire in a millionth of a billionth of a second.

    Dollar’s team will focus on particle acceleration and light sources.

    I talked to Dollar’s team about the laser and how he’s mentoring the next generation of plasma physicists. Watch the video above to see more.

    Franklin Dollar, assistant professor of physics and astronomy (Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI)

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

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    Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

    Most powerful laser in the world could lead to cancer treatment

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    A University of California, Irvine professor is being tasked to help design the most powerful laser in the world.

    Franklin Dollar, a professor of physics & astronomy at UCI, is part of the effort to build the laser called the EP-OPAL (Optical Parametric Amplifier Lines).

    What You Need To Know

    • A UC Irvine Professor is helping contribute to building the most powerful laser in the world

    • The laser could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and space science

    • Physicists will build the laser at the University of Rochester


    The National Science Foundation awarded an $18-million grant to build the laser at a university in New York. EP-OPAL will house it at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester.

    The laser will open the door for more research in astrophysics and the medical field, from telescopes to medical imaging.

    EP-OPAL could also develop radiation techniques to help treat cancer patients.

    Plus, it could lead to new developments in nuclear physics, particle acceleration and quantum mechanics.

    The instrument has two separate 25-petawatt lasers and will fire in a millionth of a billionth of a second.

    Dollar’s team will focus on particle acceleration and light sources.

    I talked to Dollar’s team about the laser and how he’s mentoring the next generation of plasma physicists. Watch the video above to see more.

    Franklin Dollar, assistant professor of physics and astronomy (Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI)

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

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    Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • Finding a love for all seasons

    Finding a love for all seasons

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    Mother Nature, flowers and candy could be your recipe for finding a love for all seasons or Valentine’s Day.

    It is that time of the year, when romance is in the air. But can the weather, or even the season, spark love? Or do less than ideal conditions dampen love’s flame and blow it out? 

    What You Need To Know

    • Cuffing season is the time between September and November

    • The “turkey drop” is when you breakup with someone after Thanksgiving

    • Some consider gloomy or cold weather romantic

    • Talking about the weather is not a good conversation starter

    We talked to celebrity matchmaker and dating expert Alessandra Conti, co-founder of Matchmakers In The City in Beverly Hills.

    We chatted with her about how the time of season and weather might influence someone’s dating behavior.

    Cuffing season

    Autumn may be the best season to ‘fall’ in love. Many people refer to the fall as cuffing season for couples.

    Conti says cuffing season is the time between September and November. She told us during those months the weather gets colder and people want to find love for the holidays.

    “Everyone wants love for the holidays. Especially leading up to the holidays, that’s when people who are normally single want to be in relationships,” Conti told Spectrum News.

    The matchmaking maven says her business is booming during cuffing season for people wanting to find love just in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

    “[People] will usually fast track something that they maybe did not consider in the summertime.”

    The cuffing part comes in as people just wanting to find a partner for the colder months and just come together during that time.

    The turkey drop

    Though cuffing season runs through November, it might be the best opportunity to breakup with someone.

    Conti says the day after Thanksgiving is the time when couples break apart. The celebrity matchmaker calls it the “turkey drop.”

    “You can see it in tons of celebrity couples, that right after Thanksgiving so many couples breakup,” Conti said.

    She said couples like Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde broke up during that time too, among other couples.

    Conti says a lot of couples “turkey drop” right after Thanksgiving.

    A new year for love

    We are a month into the new year and finding that special someone is top priority for some singles. When a new year begins, Conti says people are deliberate about wanting to find love.

    “While cuffing season is over, it’s the new year season, which is people desiring to find that partner,” Conti told us.

    As far as other seasons like spring and summer, she says business doesn’t experience that same uptick in clientele during the winter and fall months.

    Like cuffing season, there is also the something known as a summer fling. A summer fling is between May and September.

    “You see more casual dating during the summertime because that’s more of the weather vibe. It’s sunny out, everyone is relaxed… there’s not that deep longing for connection because it’s freezing cold outside and you want to be cuddling with someone indoors,” Conti said.

    Heartbreak weather

    Now let’s talk about how the weather could lead you to heartbreak or romance.

    Conti laments many dates get cancelled because of bad weather.

    “It is really sad, but a lot of people do if it’s raining. We have experienced that people will cancel a date if it’s raining… even if it’s through a matchmaker.”

    She notes that people really don’t enjoy driving in the rain to go on a date. However, she has one important piece of advice if there is rain or snow in the forecast for a date.

    “My advice to anyone considering in canceling a date if it’s raining or snow… Don’t, you are self sabotaging yourself!,” exclaimed Conti.

    The dating expert said this sabotaging equates to flakiness. She says you have to follow through on the plan.

    “You need to make a shift and make a change. If that means going on an ice skating date, go for it… if that means leaving your house when it’s drizzling outside, go for it!” exclaims Conti. 

    Love is in the air

    The ideal weather for date ranges from person to person. Some like sunny and while others enjoy overcast skies.

    Talking with Conti, she says colder weather might actually be more romantic.

    “I actually think a little colder for a date, actually quite romantic, as long as you are indoors… it’s very cozy. So get a really cute winter jacket and enjoy,” she said.

    Conti might be right about colder weather, because one of the greatest Christmas songs “Let It Snow!” is a romantic song about a couple getting cozy during a blizzard (even though the songwriters wrote it in the summer).

    It all comes down to the people’s preference.

    “I don’t think cold weather is bad for a date. I think it’s cozy. If it’s a little rainy outside, it makes your indoor experience more special and romantic. Use it to your advantage,” Conti told Spectrum Networks. 

    Forecasting romance

    The perfect weather for a date may be in April, if you are Miss Rhode Island from the movie “Miss Congeniality.”

    But for others, it could be something else. We talked to our Spectrum News meteorologists and digital weather team about their ideal weather for date. Watch their responses.

    No matter what season you’re in, you have to be intentional about finding love and being in the moment.

    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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  • Rain soaked one of the most important marches to equality

    Rain soaked one of the most important marches to equality

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    During one of the most trying times in America, the Southeast’s weather did not help the ongoing battle for justice.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama occurred in 1965

    • It was an effort to register more Black voters in the South

    • Heavy rain soaked the protestors

    What was the Selma to Montgomery March?

    The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a huge achievement that ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion and sex.

    It helped strengthen the voting rights of African Americans in the South, but even so, many southern states continued to deny African Americans their right to vote.

    On Feb. 18, 1965, a peaceful protest for voting rights in Marion, Ala. turned deadly when white segregationists attacked the group. An Alabama state trooper shot an African American protester, Jimmie Lee Jackson.

    In response, Martin Luther King Jr. organized a march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama to shed more light to what was happening to the Black community and help their voting rights.

    Martin Luther King Jr. leads supporters to the voter registration drive in the rain.

    The beginning of the march

    The event began on March 1, 1965, with a voter registration drive. Pouring rain soaked the supporters and led to ponding on the roadways and sidewalks.

    Even these miserable conditions couldn’t stop the movement, as thousands of people prepared for the drive with raincoats, umbrellas and rain boots. This laid the foundation for one of the most important marches during the civil rights movement.

    On March 7, the march to Montgomery from Selma began and lasted over two weeks. This was because state troopers and segregationists tried to stop the protesters several times, leading to brief pauses in the march.

    On March 15, President Lyndon B. Johnson showed his support for the march, and military personnel led the protesters the rest of the way, finally completing the march on March 25.

    A big win for racial equality

    After all of their hard work, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It guaranteed the right to vote for all African Americans in every state.

    Southern states could no longer use literacy tests to stop African Americans from voting.

    The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is one of the greatest pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. It provided another way for the voice of the Black community to be heard.

    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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  • Ex-Massachusetts lawyer accused of trying to bribe Medford police chief for pot shop sentenced to prison – The Cannabist

    Ex-Massachusetts lawyer accused of trying to bribe Medford police chief for pot shop sentenced to prison – The Cannabist

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    A former lawyer who was accused of trying to bribe the Medford police chief to get city approval for a pot shop has been sentenced to prison.

    Somerville man Sean O’Donovan, 56, was sentenced on Wednesday to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    O’Donovan was also ordered to pay a $150,000 fine.

    Read the rest of this story on BostonHerald.com.

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  • Guion “Guy” Bluford: The first African American astronaut

    Guion “Guy” Bluford: The first African American astronaut

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    Guion Bluford was one of the most influential people in the space community, becoming the first African American to fly in space.

    What You Need To Know

    • Guy Bluford was the first African American to fly in space

    • He started his career as a pilot in the Air Force

    • He became an astronaut for NASA in 1979

    Bluford became intrigued with flying at a very early age. By high school, he knew he wanted to become an aeronautical engineer.

    Early life

    After getting his college degree, Bluford joined the Air Force and received his pilot wings in Jan. 1966 at the early age of 24.

    He soon became an instructor pilot and eventually entered the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, where he received his master’s degree in 1974 and a doctor of philosophy degree in aerospace engineering in 1978.

    Upon his graduation in 1974, he worked in the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory as a deputy until he was promoted to branch chief of the Aerodynamics and Airframe Branch.

    These successes led to his selection to the NASA astronaut program in 1978.

    It’s safe to say he never lost sight of his childhood dreams.

    Becoming a legend

    Guion stands on the launch pad with his crew weeks before his first mission in August of 1983. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

    After a year of training in the astronaut program, Bluford became an official astronaut in Aug.1979.

    Only four years later he flew his first mission aboard STS-8 on Aug. 30, 1983.

    His first trip to space was quick but came with many accomplishments, developing techniques for nighttime operations and deploying the Indian National Satellite.

    After 145 hours in space, the crew returned to Edwards Air Force Base on Sept. 5.

    Over the next 10 years, Bluford became the second, third and fourth African American in space, logging over 688 hours.

    After NASA

    In 1993, Bluford left NASA and retired from the Air Force to become the Vice President and General Manager of the Engineering Services Division of NYMA Inc., in Greenbelt, Maryland.

    After several more high-end jobs, he went on to become the President of Aerospace Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, a job that he still holds today.

    Bluford never stopped learning and pursuing the next level of his career. A brilliant man in the space and engineering community, Bluford became a leader and role model for many African Americans.

    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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  • Moon mountain named in honor of Melba Mouton

    Moon mountain named in honor of Melba Mouton

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    Few humans can say they were a part of the mission that allowed astronauts to land on the moon in 1969. Only the prestigious can claim they have a mountain in their name – not on earth, but on the moon.

    Melba Roy Mouton is now one of the handful of scientists and mathematicians that do.

    What You Need To Know

    • Melba Mouton was an accomplished Black mathematician and computer programmer for NASA from 1959 to 1973

    • Despite being a minority, her strong leadership skills and willpower allowed her to excel in a groundbreaking career

    • One of Mouton’s biggest successes includes her contributions to the Apollo 11 Moon landing

    • NASA recently named a mountain on the moon in honor of her

    While Melba Mouton was not one of the “hidden figures” unveiled and featured for their success at NASA during the late 1950s and 1960s, her story is no different. As a Black female working in a prominently male-dominated field, she too faced the brutal reality of discrimination.

    Yet, her relentless determination and curiosity allowed her to overcome obstacles. All of which lead her to become a prominent leader as a mathematician and computer programmer in the Space Race era.

    The life of Melba Mouton

    Melba Mouton was born in the late 1920s and spent much of her childhood in Virginia during the difficult times of the Great Depression and Word War II. Despite this, she still pursued her passion for math.

    She attended the historically Black college, Howard University, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mathematics.

    Mouton began her NASA career at the Goddard Space Flight Center in 1959. By the early 1960s, she worked as a lead computer programmer for the Mission and Trajectory Analysis Division’s Program Systems Branch, to compute where spacecraft were in orbit and their trajectories.

    This eventually put her as the head mathematician, helping to track the Echo 1 and 2 satellites.

    (Photo by NASA)

    NASA awarded Mouton the Apollo Achievement Award for all of her contributions toward the famed Apollo 11 mission, that allowed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to first step foot on the moon (while third crewmember Michael Collins piloted the command module).

    Ending her career at NASA as the Assistant Chief of Research Programs for the agency’s Trajectory and Geodynamics Division, Mouton finally retired in 1973. Years later, doctors diagnosed Mouton with brain cancer and she passed away in 1990 at age 61.

    What’s in a name

    On Feb. 15, 2023, NASA announced they would name a mountain on the moon after Mouton in honor of all her accomplishments during her time at the agency. With all mountains on the moon referred to as mons, “Mons Mouton” is now the official name of the lunar mountain near the South Pole.

    Naming a mountain, or any other topographic features, on the moon isn’t as easy as you think. NASA can only suggest potential names, but it does not have the final say in determining whether the name is confirmed.

    Only the International Astronomical Union (IAU) can approve a name and there’s a designated committee that handles that: the Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN).  

    The WGPSN has certain guidelines it must follow when accepting and choosing a name, whether it be a mountain on the moon or any other astronomical object. To view the set of rules they must abide by, click here.

    According to NASA, the IAU declared that the name for lunar mountains must reflect “scientists who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their fields.”

    Given all her accomplishments in the field, it makes sense that the name Mouton was a strong candidate, and thus, approved by the IAU.

    The future of Mons Mouton

    Since Mons Mouton has a relatively flat top, NASA claims it is one of the potential landing spots for Artemis III, the first manned mission to the moon, scheduled in 2026.

    Although Mons Mouton will first serve as the location for NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission set to happen later in 2024. 

    Please be sure to check out the tribute video NASA put together honoring Melba Mouton, while discussing its plans for Mons Mouton as a potential landing and research site on the moon.

    Whether Mons Mouton is the selected landing site for the Artemis III mission or not, the gesture of honoring one of NASA’s greatest scientists comes full circle. With all her efforts to get us to the moon, it is only fitting that her name and her legacy earn a spot among the stars.

    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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  • Weather Explained: Groundhog Day

    Weather Explained: Groundhog Day

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    Groundhog Day is arguably the biggest weather holiday of the year. On Feb. 2 each year, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania. Thousands of people gather around, curious to know if Phil sees his shadow.

    As the legend has it, when Phil sees his shadow, it means there are six more weeks of winter ahead of us. No shadow indicates an early spring.

    Phil has forecast the weather on Groundhog Day for more than 120 years. But as it turns out, he isn’t that good at his job.

    Watch the video above to see how many times he’s gotten the forecast wrong and find out how we came to rely on Phil in the first place.

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    Meteorologist Nick Merianos

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  • Meteorologist or imposter: Probing groundhogs’ precision

    Meteorologist or imposter: Probing groundhogs’ precision

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    Are our rodent friends really as accurate as they think?

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    Meteorologist Zach Covey

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  • NHC is making changes to the cone of uncertainty this year

    NHC is making changes to the cone of uncertainty this year

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    The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will experiment with some tweaks to the way the cone of uncertainty is presented this hurricane season. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Inland tropical watches and warnings will be shown on an experimental map with the cone

    • The cone will still be present over the watches and warnings

    • The usage of the cone and alerts will not change

    Instead of just displaying watches and warnings at the coast, the NHC will distribute display all tropical watches and warnings through inland areas in a new graphic on their website.

    “The absence of displaying those warnings inadvertently gives the impression that it’s all clear in the more inland locations,” says Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center, Jamie Rhome. 

    Here is a look at what the new experimental cone will look like.

    For reference, here is what the traditional cone of uncertainty looks like.

    Eagle Researchers Work to Better Communicate Uncertainty in Hurricane Forecasts | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Newsroom

    Studies have shown that it is common for people to misinterpret the cone of uncertainty.

    For instance, according to a study by Colorado State University, people perceive the widening of the cone toward the end of the forecast period to mean that the storm will be getting bigger.

    In reality, widening the cone is just communicating a greater degree of uncertainty as to where the center of the storm will pass. It is independent of the size or intensity of the storm. 

    The NHC hopes to reduce misinterpretation with a new look to the cone, and this new experimental graphic is a step in that direction.

    “I suspect we will have to make other changes in the realm of hurricane risk communication as time marches on,” says Rhome. “we want to move people off the cone and onto the hazards.”

    Other changes could come to the cone in the future, but the National Hurricane Center wants feedback from professionals and the public before going any further. 

    “That’s what this experimentation is about, to start a discussion and open up a forum and a venue for people to talk to us about what changes need to be made in hurricane risk communication,” says Rhome. 

    Even with slight changes to how the cone is displayed, the meaning of the cone of uncertainty, along with tropical watches and warnings, will not change. 

    The traditional, operational cone of uncertainty will continue to be distributed by the NHC. The new, experimental, graphic will be available on the National Hurricane Center Website. 

    2024 storm names

    Here’s a look at the list of names for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. 

    No description available.

    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 Kyle Hanson

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  • OxyContin marketer agrees to pay $350 million rather than face lawsuits

    OxyContin marketer agrees to pay $350 million rather than face lawsuits

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    Supreme court to hear bankruptcy case of Purdue Pharma


    Supreme court to hear bankruptcy case of Purdue Pharma

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    An advertising agency that helped develop marketing campaigns for OxyContin and other prescription painkillers has agreed to pay U.S. states $350 million rather than face the possibility of trials over its role in the opioid crisis, attorneys general said Thursday.

    Publicis Health, part of the Paris-based media conglomerate Publicis Groupe, agreed to pay the entire settlement in the next two months, with most of the money to be used to fight the overdose epidemic.

    It is the first advertising company to reach a major settlement over the toll of opioids in the U.S. It faced a lawsuit in at least Massachusetts but settled with most states before they made court claims against it.

    The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led negotiations with the company, said Publicis worked with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma from 2010-2019, helping campaigns for OxyContin and other prescription opioids, Butrans and Hysingla.

    James’ office said the materials played up the abuse-deterrent properties of OxyContin and promoted increasing patients’ doses. While the formulation made it harder to break down the drug for users to get a faster high, it did not make the pills any less addictive.

    Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the company provided physicians with digital recorders so Publicis and Purdue could analyze conversations that the prescribers had with patients about taking opioids.

    Publicis’ work for Purdue

    As part of the settlement, Publicis agreed to release internal documents detailing its work for Purdue and other companies that made opioids.

    The company said in a statement that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing and noted that most of the work subject to the settlement was done by Rosetta, a company owned by Publicis that closed 10 years ago.

    “Rosetta’s role was limited to performing many of the standard advertising services that agencies provide to their clients, for products that are to this day prescribed to patients, covered by major private insurers, Medicare, and authorized by State Pharmacy Boards,” Publicis said.

    The company also reaffirmed its policy of not taking new work on opioid-related products.

    Publicis said that the company’s insurers are reimbursing it for $130 million and that $7 million of the settlement amount will be used for states’ legal fees.

    Opioid settlements

    Drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacies, at least one consulting company and a health data have agreed to settlements over opioids with U.S. federal, state and local governments totaling more than $50 billion.

    One of the largest individual proposed settlements is between state and local governments and Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma. As part of the deal, members of the Sackler family who own the company would contribute up to $6 billion, plus give up ownership. The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether it’s appropriate to shield family members from civil lawsuits as part of the deal.

    The opioid crisis has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans in three waves.

    The first began after OxyContin hit the market in 1996 and was linked mostly to prescription opioids, many of them generics. By about 2010, as there were crackdowns on overprescribing and black-market pills, heroin deaths increased dramatically. Most recently, opioids have been linked to more than 80,000 deaths a year, more than ever before. Most involve illicitly produced fentanyl and other potent lab-produced drugs.

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  • Surviving avalanches: What you need to know

    Surviving avalanches: What you need to know

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    This time of year, snowboarders and skiers head to some of the most popular snow summits across the country. However, snowy natural disasters called avalanches can become a concern. 

    What You Need To Know

    • An avalanche is a mass of snow moving down a slope

    • Someone in the victim’s party triggers 90% of avalanche incidents

    • The natural disaster kills about 30 people in the U.S. yearly

    According to the National Weather Service, an avalanche occurs when there’s a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside.

    Avalanches happen suddenly and “occur during or just after snowstorms on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees.”

    Also, look out for Avalanche Watches and Warnings from the Weather Service.

    The NWS says 90% of avalanche incidents become triggered by someone in the victim’s party.

    They also kill about 30 people a year in the U.S.

    So far this year, avalanches have killed four people; in California, Wyoming, Idaho and Colorado.

    Placer County sheriff vehicles are parked near the ski lift at Palisades Tahoe where avalanche occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Tahoe, Calif. (AP Photo/Andy Barron)

    There are resources people can use to get avalanche safety training and spot potential avalanches.

    One resource there is the NWS and Avalanche.org.

    Here’s a breakout of avalanche safety tips and warning signs.

    Remember, stay vigilant and safe during avalanches and be aware of the signs when you’re on the slopes. 

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

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    Meteorologist Keith Bryant

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  • The lightning capital of the U.S. stayed in Florida in 2023

    The lightning capital of the U.S. stayed in Florida in 2023

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    After Four Corners, Florida–in the Kissimmee area–was crowned the lightning capital of the United States in 2022, the most frequently struck place moved a little south in 2023.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area saw the most lightning flashes in 2023

    • Over 242 million flashes were recorded across the U.S. in 2023

    • The global lightning count was over two billion

    The Finnish company Vaisala tracks lightning strikes globally every year using a lightning detection network.

    They found that the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area had the most total lightning (in-cloud and cloud-to-ground) of any metro in the U.S. with 120,998 flashes in 2023.

    Florida led the country in lightning density (lightning events per square kilometer), followed by Mississippi and Louisiana.

    Texas had the most total lightning of any state, tallying over 42 million flashes.

    June 14 was the most lightning-active day in the U.S. in 2023, with more than 3.6 million flashes.

    While somewhere in Florida is often the lightning capital of the United States, it is not the most struck place in the world.

    Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela is considered the lightning capital of the world, with an average of 233 lightning strikes per square kilometer per year, according to NASA.

    Global lightning density in 2023. (Vaisala/Xweather)

    You can see Vaisala’s full report here.

    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 Kyle Hanson

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