From the Weather category

by Abigail Isaacson in Weather

MIAMI (AP) — A depression that was formerly Tropical Storm Barry dumped rain on eastern Mexico late Sunday as Tropical Storm Flossie brewed off its southwestern Pacific coast. The weakening and ill-defined depression came ashore south of Tampico and had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. It was moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph). All tropical storm warnings and watches were lifted, but rainfall and a risk of flooding were expected through Monday. In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Flossie maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). It was centered about 215 miles (345 kilometers) south-southwest of Acapulco and was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). A tropical storm watch remained in effect for Mexico’s southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes. A watch means tropical storm conditions are possible in the area within two days. Flossie is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane late Monday or Tuesday, then skirt the coast for a few days. While its center is forecast to remain offshore, moderate rain was likely in parts of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco through early next week.


by Adam Israel in Weather

A long-lasting extreme heat wave reached its dangerous crescendo Tuesday, bringing the hottest day in a decade to some major East Coast cities and putting millions of already fatigued Americans at risk. The brutal conditions, spurred by a potent heat dome, peaked Tuesday after building over the weekend in the central US and reaching levels rivaling summer’s hottest weather in the East Monday. It’s already taken a serious toll. A St. Louis-area woman died after going without water or air conditioning for at least three days, police said Tuesday. The region has been gripped by searing heat that often felt above 100 degrees in recent days. The 55-year-old was discovered in her home Monday, according to St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez. Here’s what else has happened: Nearly 160 million people in the eastern half of the US were under heat alerts Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and longer-lasting as the world warms due to human-caused climate change. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, and are warming faster than daytime highs. Record-breaking heat continues Tuesday was the hottest day of the week for many in the East, but a level 4-of-4 extreme heat risk is in place through at least Thursday that stretches from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and includes parts of the Northeast. It felt more like July, summer’s hottest month, than June for many locations Tuesday as temperatures rise 15 to 20 degrees above normal. Multiple major cities along the I-95 corridor were at or near 100 degrees by the mid-afternoon. Boston reached 102 degrees, setting a new June high temperature record. Also in Massachusetts, the New Bedford-Fairhaven swing bridge – located in the southern part of the state along Route 6 – will be closed for several hours due to “heat impacts,” the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in a news release Tuesday evening without disclosing how the heat has impacted bridge operations. Philadelphia also marked its first 100-degree temperature reading since 2012, reaching 101 degrees Tuesday, setting the record for the city’s hottest-ever day this early in the summer. The city broke Monday’s daily high temperature record when it reached 99 degrees. Records were also broken in Providence, Rhode Island where temperatures reached 100 degrees – a new June high temperature record. Meanwhile, Newark, New Jersey reached 103 degrees, tying with the current June high temperature record. New York City nearly hit 100 degrees for the first time in over a decade on Tuesday; the temperature in Central Park was hovering around 99 degrees by mid-afternoon. New York City’s last triple-digit temperature happened on July 18, 2012, but it hasn’t been 100 degrees during June since 1966 – nearly 60 years. In parts of the city, temperatures climbed above the three-digit mark. John F. Kennedy International Airport, in Queens, hit 102 degrees on Monday afternoon – the first time since 2013 and the first time ever in the month of June. LaGuardia Airport, also in Queens, saw a high temperature of 101 degrees, tying its record for the month of June. Con Edison, New York City’s main energy provider, asked millions of customers to conserve energy and protect its power grid as temperatures soar. “By working with all our customers to cut usage during peak demand, we protect the system and support neighborhoods individually,” the energy company said in an X post Tuesday afternoon. Customers can do so by setting window air conditioning units to 76 degrees and avoiding unnecessary appliance use, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul who also noted that staying safe should be everyone’s priority. “Find a cooling center near you, especially if you’re a senior citizen or have health concerns. Working together, we can easily get through this critical period,” Hochul said in a statement. Washington, DC, reached a scorching 99 degrees, almost seeing its first 100-degree day of the year on Tuesday – something that doesn’t typically happen until mid-July. Rail temperatures in the capital city reached 135 degrees, the Metro system said in a post on X, forcing operators to slow train speeds. When will it end? Parts of the East Coast will start to see some relief from the historically hot weather Wednesday, though it’ll be a slow start. Wednesday will still be very hot, but not quite as extreme for many. Record-breaking temperatures are possible, mainly in the mid-Atlantic, but triple-digit temperatures will be a thing of the past for the Northeast. Heat more typical of late June will arrive on Thursday, but it will still be quite warm in the morning and prolong the agonizing wait for relief. Much of the Northeast will see highs in the 70s, with 80s and a few lingering 90s in the Mid-Atlantic. Cooler, more typical, overnight low temperatures will finally reappear Friday in the East, and normal late-June heat will last through the weekend. But temperatures are likely to creep back up above average early next week. This week’s heat wave is likely only the opening act of a hot summer to come for the East. A hotter than normal summer is expected for the entire Lower 48, according to the Climate Prediction Center.


by Alice Ibarra in Weather

A long-lasting extreme heat wave reached its dangerous crescendo Tuesday, bringing the hottest day in a decade to some major East Coast cities and putting millions of already fatigued Americans at risk. The brutal conditions, spurred by a potent heat dome, peaked Tuesday after building over the weekend in the central US and reaching levels rivaling summer’s hottest weather in the East Monday. It’s already taken a serious toll. A St. Louis-area woman died after going without water or air conditioning for at least three days, police said Tuesday. The region has been gripped by searing heat that often felt above 100 degrees in recent days. The 55-year-old was discovered in her home Monday, according to St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez. Here’s what else has happened: Nearly 160 million people in the eastern half of the US were under heat alerts Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and longer-lasting as the world warms due to human-caused climate change. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, and are warming faster than daytime highs. Record-breaking heat continues Tuesday was the hottest day of the week for many in the East, but a level 4-of-4 extreme heat risk is in place through at least Thursday that stretches from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and includes parts of the Northeast. It felt more like July, summer’s hottest month, than June for many locations Tuesday as temperatures rise 15 to 20 degrees above normal. Multiple major cities along the I-95 corridor were at or near 100 degrees by the mid-afternoon. Boston reached 102 degrees, setting a new June high temperature record. Also in Massachusetts, the New Bedford-Fairhaven swing bridge – located in the southern part of the state along Route 6 – will be closed for several hours due to “heat impacts,” the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in a news release Tuesday evening without disclosing how the heat has impacted bridge operations. Philadelphia also marked its first 100-degree temperature reading since 2012, reaching 101 degrees Tuesday, setting the record for the city’s hottest-ever day this early in the summer. The city broke Monday’s daily high temperature record when it reached 99 degrees. Records were also broken in Providence, Rhode Island where temperatures reached 100 degrees – a new June high temperature record. Meanwhile, Newark, New Jersey reached 103 degrees, tying with the current June high temperature record. New York City nearly hit 100 degrees for the first time in over a decade on Tuesday; the temperature in Central Park was hovering around 99 degrees by mid-afternoon. New York City’s last triple-digit temperature happened on July 18, 2012, but it hasn’t been 100 degrees during June since 1966 – nearly 60 years. In parts of the city, temperatures climbed above the three-digit mark. John F. Kennedy International Airport, in Queens, hit 102 degrees on Monday afternoon – the first time since 2013 and the first time ever in the month of June. LaGuardia Airport, also in Queens, saw a high temperature of 101 degrees, tying its record for the month of June. Con Edison, New York City’s main energy provider, asked millions of customers to conserve energy and protect its power grid as temperatures soar. “By working with all our customers to cut usage during peak demand, we protect the system and support neighborhoods individually,” the energy company said in an X post Tuesday afternoon. Washington, DC, reached a scorching 99 degrees, almost seeing its first 100-degree day of the year on Tuesday – something that doesn’t typically happen until mid-July. Rail temperatures in the capital city reached 135 degrees, the Metro system said in a post on X, forcing operators to slow train speeds. When will it end? Parts of the East Coast will start to see some relief from the historically hot weather Wednesday, though it’ll be a slow start. Wednesday will still be very hot, but not quite as extreme for many. Record-breaking temperatures are possible, mainly in the mid-Atlantic, but triple-digit temperatures will be a thing of the past for the Northeast. Heat more typical of late June will arrive on Thursday, but it will still be quite warm in the morning and prolong the agonizing wait for relief. Much of the Northeast will see highs in the 70s, with 80s and a few lingering 90s in the Mid-Atlantic. Cooler, more typical, overnight low temperatures will finally reappear Friday in the East, and normal late-June heat will last through the weekend. But temperatures are likely to creep back up above average early next week. This week’s heat wave is likely only the opening act of a hot summer to come for the East. A hotter than normal summer is expected for the entire Lower 48, according to the Climate Prediction Center.


by Arturo Iglesias in Weather

A dangerous heat wave continues to scorch the Midwest and East Coast, with tens of millions facing dangerously hot temperatures. Heat advisories are in effect across a large swathe of the country, from Minnesota to Maine, and parts of the South. Temperatures soared to 80°F in Chicago by 7:30 a.m., with heat indices predicted to reach 100-105°F. Pittsburgh anticipates heat indices exceeding 105°F, while Philadelphia declared a heat emergency, offering refuge in air-conditioned spaces and establishing a heat line. The extreme heat even impacted sporting events, with players falling ill and organizers adapting to the conditions. The heat broke temperature records in Minneapolis, reaching 96°F, and is expected to persist into the coming week, shifting eastward towards New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., with temperatures predicted to reach near or above 100°F in these cities.


by Amy Ivanov in Weather

Powerful winds, including a confirmed tornado, swept across parts of the upper Midwest, resulting in three fatalities and significant damage to Bemidji Regional Airport. Two men and a woman died in Cass County, North Dakota, with two deaths initially attributed to a tornado striking a home. Another tornado touched down near Spiritwood, North Dakota. Bemidji, Minnesota, experienced wind gusts up to 106 mph, causing widespread tree damage, power outages, and gas leaks. The storm system, weakened, moved to Michigan and is expected to impact upstate New York. Concurrently, nearly 150 million Americans are under a heat advisory or warning, with temperatures soaring 20 degrees above normal in some areas. Cooling centers have opened in several cities, and two MLB players fell ill due to the heat. In Alaska, over 100 fires prompted evacuations near Fairbanks and Denali National Park.


by Amy Ivanov in Weather

Summer is making a dramatic, and potentially dangerous, entrance to the US this week, with a heat dome bringing stifling temperatures and uncomfortable humidity to millions. The Midwest, specifically Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, will be hardest hit this weekend, with forecasters warning of extreme temperature impacts. This will be the first taste of true summer weather for many across the Midwest and East Coast. The humid conditions will make temperatures exceeding 90°F (30°C) feel as much as 20 degrees hotter. A heat dome occurs when high pressure in the upper atmosphere traps heat and humidity. Daytime temperatures in the 90s°F (30s°C) and overnight temperatures only dropping to the mid-70s°F (mid-20s°C) are expected from the Great Lakes to the East Coast, lasting into next week. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather. The heat will be widespread next week, with Denver potentially reaching 100°F (38°C) on Friday, Chicago 96°F (36°C) on Sunday, Washington, D.C., 99°F (37°C) on Tuesday, and New York City reaching 96°F (36°C) on Tuesday. Several Midwest states could see dangerous temperature impacts over the weekend. Parts of Nebraska and Kansas will be in the highest risk category on Saturday, meaning anyone without effective cooling or hydration could face health risks. On Sunday, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois will also see a high-risk rating. High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, hindering the body's ability to cool down, and can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and lead to heat stroke.


by Abigail Isaacson in Weather

Hurricane Erick, having doubled in strength in less than a day, is rapidly intensifying as it approaches Mexico's southern Pacific coast. This rapid intensification, more common in warmer climates, is concerning scientists. Last year saw a record number of such events. Erick, though currently strong, gained 50 mph in 18 hours and is expected to be the strongest storm to hit that part of Mexico so early in the season. Its early arrival, being the fifth eastern Pacific storm of the season, is unusual. While Erick's rapid intensification is noteworthy, its location and timing differ from the devastating Hurricane Otis of 2023. Erick is an early-season storm, while Otis hit in October, benefiting from warmer, deeper waters. Experts note that despite cooler deep waters, surface waters are still warm enough to fuel Erick's intensification. Ideal atmospheric conditions, including high moisture and a well-formed eye, are contributing factors. While studies link climate change to increased rapid intensification, further study is needed to determine its specific role in Erick's development.


by Alex Ingram in Weather

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Barbara has strengthened into a hurricane, the first of the eastern Pacific hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday swells generated by the storm system will affect portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Hurricane Barbara was located about 155 miles (245 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 75 mph (120 kph). The storm’s center was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph). No coastal warnings or watches were in effect Monday morning. But the storm was expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, with the possibility of localized flooding. The hurricane center said swells from Barbara were likely to form life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the southwestern Mexican coast, with gusty winds likely. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Cosme strengthened slightly Monday but remained well off the coast of Mexico, about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) south-southwest of the tip of Baja California, the NHC said. At 2 a.m. local time it had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 9 mph (14 kph). Cosme is expected to reach near-hurricane strength on Monday before turning to the northeast and picking up speed Tuesday into Wednesday.


by Albert Inestein in Weather

At least 21 people have died in a series of deadly storms across the southern and midwest US. Severe rains, flooding rivers, and tornadoes have led to several evacuations. Some cities ordered residents to evacuate as floodwaters rose, with rescue crews using inflatable boats to check on residents in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Tennessee health department confirmed 10 deaths related to the severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding. While severe weather diminished in some areas, floodwater and debris hazards remain. Alabama and Mississippi faced new tornado warnings on Sunday, while flash flood warnings were in effect for several counties across Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Power and gas outages stretched from Texas to Ohio. The National Weather Service warned of continued river flooding in middle Tennessee. Over 90 tornadoes were reported across at least 10 states. Victims include a nine-year-old boy caught in floodwaters while walking to his school bus, a five-year-old killed when a tree fell on his home, and a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter who died in a crash during a rescue attempt. A 74-year-old was found dead in a submerged car. Authorities urged people not to drive through floodwaters. Some areas may remain underwater for days due to more rain. The storms are linked to the global climate crisis, with Climate Central predicting heavier rainfall and flood risks for the US.


by Amanda Ireland in Weather

Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding hit parts of the South and Midwest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, following days of severe storms and deadly tornadoes. Forecasters warned of rising rivers for days to come. Floodwaters inundated homes and vehicles, causing widespread damage and at least 16 weather-related deaths (10 in Tennessee alone). Two deaths occurred in Kentucky—a 9-year-old boy and a 74-year-old whose body was found in a submerged vehicle—and a 5-year-old died in a weather-related incident in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornadoes earlier in the week destroyed neighborhoods and caused at least seven deaths. The flooding impacted interstate commerce, potentially causing shipping and supply chain delays in Louisville and Memphis. Louisville's Ohio River rose 5 feet in 24 hours. Flash flood emergencies and tornado warnings continued across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Hundreds of Kentucky roads were impassable. A mandatory evacuation was ordered for Falmouth, Kentucky. In Arkansas, a railroad bridge washed out, causing a derailment. Over a foot of rain fell in parts of Kentucky, and over 8 inches in parts of Arkansas and Missouri. The severe weather was attributed to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear, and abundant moisture from the Gulf. Dozens of people sought shelter in Dyersburg, Tennessee, a city recently hit by a tornado.