NWS transmitters out of service in areas with severe weather
The outage is resulting from the National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Ala., conducting a required update to its Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System.
The AWIPS displays and integrates weather and water information to send information and warnings to the public.
'During the time of the update, forecast operations will be conducted in conjunction with our service back-up office in Peachtree City, Ga., to minimize any potential interruption to services,' NWS said in a press release.
'No impacts to our core services of forecast products and weather watches, warnings and advisories are expected during this period,' they added.
States like Kentucky, which just dealt with a freak Tornado outbreak, along with several others that stretch from Texas to Iowa, remain at risk of severe conditions.
The update was expected to last from May 19-May 21.
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Chicago Tribune
6 hours ago
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Vintage Chicago Tribune: Revisiting our hottest days — including the 1995 heat wave
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In addition to these there were more than thirty deaths from heart disease and other ailments in which the heat was regarded as a contributing factor. … 'The 12th prostration victim was Karol R. Bielawski, 43 years old, 1629 North Mobile avenue, who dropped dead over the wheel of his truck while driving in Ogden avenue near Warren boulevard. … 'Although temperatures throughout the middle west and the east were extremely high Monday and yesterday, pilots on the transcontinental air lines reported comfortable weather only a few thousand feet above the ground. One pilot, flying a TWA Douglas air liner to Pittsburgh from Chicago, found the temperature 32 degrees at 15,000 feet and was forced to turn on heat in the cabin for the comfort of shivering passengers.' Just two days earlier, John Dillinger — dubbed America's first Public Enemy No. 1 by U.S. Attorney General Homer S. Cummings — was gunned down by federal agents outside the air-conditioned Biograph Theatre.'Of the estimated 350,000 persons who sought relief at beaches and pools, five drowned, scores suffered heat prostration, and thousands took home second-degree sunburns. Another 150,000 tried to duck the heat by seeking shade trees in forest preserves and parks. 'More than 300 motorists were temporarily stranded, the Chicago Motor club reported, when vapor locks developed in carburetors. They had to wait until engines cooled off. Some Chicago transit authority buses were slowed because of overheating, but service was maintained. 'The heat softened blacktop roads in many parts of the Chicago area. Pavement buckled in two places in Lake county — route 173, near Channel Lake, and route 134, near Big Hollow. … 'It was also the hottest spring day in Chicago weather history, because summer does not begin until noon today, and the warmest day of this year, exceeding Friday's 101.8 degrees. 'There were only two cities in the country which registered higher temperatures than Chicago. These were Abilene, Tex., and Oklahoma City, Okla., with 105 degrees each. Fort Worth, Tex., and Yuma, Ariz., equaled Chicago's mark of 104. … 'In some neighborhoods, adults joined children in opening fire hydrants to get momentary relief. … 'Police also were busy on south side beaches, taking care of the 75,000 persons there and ticketing 150 illegally parked cars that blocked entrances and exits. 'Unusually small crowds attended Lincoln Park and Brookfield zoos. Directors Robert Bean of Brookfield said the animals appeared to be comfortable despite the heat. 'They are more judicious than humans, and never seek second degree burns on beaches,' he said.' Other 104-degree days June 20, 1988: 'On the first day of summer Monday, Chicago-area residents experienced two weather milestones. The thermometer at O'Hare International Airport read 104 degrees at 4:26 p.m., the second-hottest temperature ever recorded in Chicago. And it rained for the first time in nearly a month.' July 13, 1995: 'From the Department of Scant Consolation: Only about one two-billionths of the sun's heat and light reaches the Earth. The rest of our star's blazing energy is lost in space or absorbed by the other planets in the solar system. That's true day in and day out. But on a day like Thursday, it seemed as though the sun was focusing all of its searing heat on the Chicago area.' What the Tribune reported 'Some were elderly. Others lived alone. All had underlying health problems. 'While many Chicagoans were able to escape the third day of triple-digit temperatures Friday — retreating to air-conditioned homes or cooling centers — authorities said that over the last few days, at least six people have succumbed to the stifling heat. 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June 25, 1988: 'Chicago's official high temperature was a record (for June 25) 103 degrees at O'Hare International Airport at 3 p.m., and it was 2 degrees higher at Lake Michigan. By midnight, however, the temperature had dropped to a cool 66 and was expected to fall even more before dawn.' Thanks for reading! Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
California's largest blaze explodes in size as dry, hot weather raises wildfire risk statewide
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Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Fire-Risk Warning Could Impact July 4 Celebrations for More Than a Million
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Fourth of July celebrations could be disrupted for more than 1 million people in the western U.S. amid dangerously dry conditions, gusty winds and widespread wildfire risk, what the National Weather Service (NWS) calls Critical Fire Weather. Why It Matters Fourth of July is known for its fireworks, with some people beginning their celebrations before Independence Day. Fireworks celebrations can be heard throughout the week and certainly on the day itself, but some events could be disrupted this year for people in five states with high wildfire risk. Red-flag warnings issued by the NWS are in place across California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Idaho on Thursday, affecting more than 1.1 million people. Fourth of July celebrations could be disrupted for more than 1 million people in the western U.S. amid dangerously dry conditions, gusty winds and widespread wildfire risk. Fourth of July celebrations could be disrupted for more than 1 million people in the western U.S. amid dangerously dry conditions, gusty winds and widespread wildfire risk. Leon Neal/Getty What To Know Red-flag warnings have been issued across parts of the Pacific Northwest this week amid a prolonged drought and elevated temperatures. Throughout the week, meteorologists have been urging people to avoid activities that could start a fire, including launching fireworks. "Fireworks absolutely can contribute [to wildfires]," NWS meteorologist Justin Collins told Newsweek. "We have such dry fuels out here, the fine grasses and things like that, and any sort of spark could get those grasses to ignite. Once you have the winds on top of that, it'll just carry that flame. You could get a fire to rapidly spread." A fireworks celebration in Rifle, Colorado, was canceled on Thursday amid wildfire concerns. Earlier in the week, the NWS office in Spokane, Washington, urged people to avoid anything that could start a fire when a red-flag warning was in place for central Washington. The Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Washoe County, Nevada, reminded residents that fireworks are illegal in the county in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. "A Red Flag Warning has been issued from Noon today until Midnight due to gusty winds and low humidity," the post said. "Please postpone or avoid any outdoor activities that can spark a fire. The wildfire threat is high. And remember fireworks are illegal in @washoecounty." What People Are Saying Rifle, Colorado, Parks and Recreation Director Austin Rickstrew, in a report by the Post Independent: "With all the recent fires, we feel more comfortable cancelling them. We'll try again next year and we'll still have them for Hometown Holidays in the winter." NWS Reno, in a red-flag warning: "The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them. Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires. Follow local fire restrictions." What Happens Next Most red-flag warnings will expire at midnight but could be reissued on Friday depending on conditions.
