
European Heat Wave Gives Way to Violent Storms and Flooding
A powerful low-pressure system delivered heavy precipitation as it moved east into central Europe on Tuesday, after dumping a month's worth of rain across parts of England, according to Tom Morgan, a meteorologist with the UK Met Office.
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Nearly 3,300 U.S. Flight Delays Today Due To Extreme Heat And Thunderstorms
Travelers are encountering thousands of delayed flights Monday as extreme heat from Nebraska to the Carolinas snarls air traffic at major airport hubs. Blistering heat across much of the U.S. Monday is causing flight delays. getty As of around 1 p.m. EDT on Monday, nearly 3,300 flights within the U.S. were delayed, according to FlightAware flight tracking data. The Southeast, Midwest and Tennessee Valley will experience extreme heat through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which is warning of heat index values ('feels like' temperatures) surpassing 115 degrees in some areas due to the 'dangerous combination of high temperatures and humidity.' By early afternoon Monday, there were triple-digit flight delays at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. There were double-digit delays at two dozen other U.S. airports, including Boston Logan, Denver, Newark Liberty, Charlotte-Douglas and Baltimore/ Washington. Of the 'big four' U.S. airlines, Southwest Airlines had the most delays (641), followed by American Airlines (436), Delta Air Lines (289) and United Airlines (284). On Monday, extreme heat will oppress much of the Central and Eastern U.S., with the most dangerous combination of high temperatures and humidity continuing through Wednesday, according to the NWS forecast. From Nebraska to the Carolinas, high temperatures will soar into the upper 90s to low 100s, with heat index values ("feels like" temperatures) surpassing 110-115 degrees. Several major metropolitan areas—including Raleigh, Charlotte and Orlando—will experience 'extreme heat risk,' which means dangerous and potentially deadly heat stroke likely with limited exposure. Extreme heat across much of the country Monday is disrupting thousands of flights. National Weather Service Extremely high temperatures, especially when combined with humidity, can increase the likelihood and severity of thunderstorms, which can cause the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue ground delays and stops for affected airports. In addition, extremely high temperatures can force airlines to reduce the weight carried on planes, which in turn can cause flight delays and passengers being bumped to lighten the load. Lightening the plane becomes necessary because it takes more to get the plane aloft. 'The warmer the air becomes, the less dense it also becomes, which means a higher groundspeed just to reach the appropriate airspeed [for takeoff],' Melanie Dickson, a lecturer at The Ohio State University's Center for Aviation Studies, told Forbes. 'Because the air is less dense, there are fewer air molecules traveling over the wings so the aircraft has to go faster to achieve the same amount of lift.' Hotter temperatures mean more runway is required for takeoff and landing, while engines produce less thrust. 'This means that there is a possibility that the runway isn't long enough to accommodate the longer takeoff roll—especially at high altitude airports, which already have air that is less dense than at or near sea level.' Dickson said. 'If you add heat to that mix, it can grind everything to a halt.' Travelers can expect more turbulence at takeoff and landing 'from the hot temperature causing thermals and rising air,' Dr. Bob Thomas, assistant professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told Forbes. A weather issue in one region often blossoms into a national air travel problem because of how airlines reuse planes and crews for multiple trips during the day. A morning flight delay in Boston can prevent a plane from making it to Dallas for a midday departure, which can in turn bump back the same plane's afternoon flight out of Chicago. When thousands of morning flights are delayed, it creates a domino effect throughout the rest of the day. Why Do Airplane Cabins Get So Hot Before Takeoff And After Landing? Essentially, aircraft air-cooling systems are designed to work while the plane is in the air, not on the ground. 'The air conditioners on airplanes work differently than you'd expect,' Thomas told Forbes. 'At the airport gate, a big hose will pump cool air into the airplane, but in the time between leaving the gate and being airborne can get a little warm in the cabin.' According to tarmac rules of the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines are required to let passengers off the plane after three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. But extremely hot days can mean that passengers sit in sweltering cabins for hours when the plane is stuck on the tarmac, either waiting to takeoff or after landing. What Can Travelers Do To Avoid Summer Flight Delays? The simplest way for travelers to reduce the risk of a flight disruption is by booking an early flight, when temperatures are cooler. 'Especially down in the Southeast or anywhere in the South where there are afternoon thunderstorms every day, it's always smarter to take the very first flight in the morning,' Dr. Thomas told Forbes. 'You avoid the risk of thunderstorms delaying and changing routes.' Big Number 74%. That's the portion of flight delays in the U.S. caused by weather, according to FAA data. Over 7,000 U.S. Flights Disrupted Thursday—Latest Day Of Heavy Delays (Forbes)


New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Dangerous Heat Grips Much of the Southeastern U.S.
A dangerous stretch of extreme heat is gripping much of the Southeastern United States this week, with the most intense combination of high temperatures and humidity expected to persist through at least Wednesday. Forecasters said relief isn't likely to arrive until the weekend. Here are the key things to know: Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s and low 100s. Heat index values — or 'feels like' temperatures — are expected to exceed 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime lows will remain high, offering little overnight relief. See detailed maps about the latest heat index forecasts. Note: Forecast data is as of 8:18 a.m. Eastern on July 28, 2025. While heat has already been affecting large parts of the central and eastern United States in recent days, forecasters said it has intensified on Monday. The most dangerous conditions are expected through midweek, particularly across areas from the Carolinas and Georgia down to Florida. The Weather Prediction Center said that several metropolitan areas, including Raleigh and Charlotte in North Carolina, Orlando in Florida and Nashville, are likely to be affected. On Monday, more than 18 million people across this region were under a rare 'extreme' heat warning, what the National Weather Service calls a Level 4 out of 4 risk. More than 100 million people around the country were under a 'major' risk, the next level down. This prolonged heat wave is being driven by a persistent dome of high pressure over the center of the country. David Roth, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, said that the Southeast has been enduring elevated temperatures for at least a couple of weeks. As the heat intensified over the weekend, at least one temperature record was broken in Florida on Sunday. 'Tampa had their first 100 degree temperature record,' he said. Tampa's previous maximum temperature record was 99 degrees Fahrenheit, set in June 2020. Here's when some relief is expected. Forecasters said relief from the extreme heat isn't expected until the beginning of August, as a cold front begins to slowly move into the region from Thursday, bringing slightly lower temperatures. However, the Weather Prediction Center said that Thursday would still remain very hot across the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, with temperatures reaching into the 90s, and heat index values close to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida will be the last to see relief, with the cold front eventually pushing south toward the Gulf Coast this weekend. 'Some parts of Florida will remain hot, but it won't be as hot,' Mr. Roth said. 'But Florida is going to remain hot and humid for another two months or so, maybe three. That's just what it's like down there.'


Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
The heat wave in the Eastern U.S. is peaking. When will it finally ease?
Dangerous heat grips much of the eastern half of the country to start the week — but it will loosen that hold significantly by the weekend. About 200 million people are under some sort of heat alert Monday, including 24 million under the highest alert — extreme heat warning — for scorching conditions. The heat stretches from South Dakota to Texas in the west, then eastward, including most locations from the southern Great Lakes south to the East Coast.