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UPI
a day ago
- Climate
- UPI
July 4th forecast: Along with fireworks, expect showers to erupt across South
Participants take cover during an early rain near the Washington Monument on the National Mall before July 4th celebrations last year. This year, some showers are likely to skirt northern New England and upstate New York, but the day and evening of July 4 are likely to be free of rain in the zone from Boston to New York City and Washington, D.C. File Photo (2024) by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel during the days leading up to the July 4th weekend, with 62.2 million to travel by car, the American Automobile Association (AAA) stated in a press release. For some, it's a day trip. For others, it is a long weekend or an entire week of travel from the last weekend in June through the first weekend of July, visiting friends, relatives or spending time at the beach or the mountains. In the several days leading up to the Fourth of July, expect very warm to hot conditions in much of the West, typical summer warmth from the Great Lakes to the Northeast and humid conditions with showers and thunderstorms from New Mexico to the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on Friday, July 4," AccuWeather's Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. An area of clouds, showers and thunderstorms is forecast to evolve from the northeastern Gulf coast to the southern Atlantic coast later in June and linger through the first part of July. It is possible this broad area of low pressure could organize into one or more tropical rainstorms during this time. Those heading to the beaches from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the coastal Carolinas may experience rough surf conditions and perhaps stiff winds should a tropical depression or storm try to develop. Around the July 4th holiday, in areas farther to the northwest, "we expect one or more complexes of thunderstorms to develop over the northern and central Plains and wander into the Midwest," Pastelok said. "Exactly where these storms wander will determine which areas could receive heavy rain and severe weather." Outside of the thunderstorms, the weather may be just fine for outdoor plans most of the day on Friday. Thunderstorms will be possible for at least part of the day in Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. It is possible that clouds and downpours could affect outdoor activities in some of these major metro areas and others in the region. Conditions in much of the Northeast will be far cooler than during this week's heat wave. In fact, it could be very comfortable, provided high pressure settles slowly over the region rather than slipping off the Atlantic coast. Humidity levels are likely to be lower than July standards, far lower in most areas compared to the swelter of late. Some showers are likely to skirt northern New England and upstate New York, but the day and evening of July 4 are likely to be free of rain in the zone from Boston to New York City and Washington, D.C., which should be good news for some of the largest fireworks displays in the nation. Folks heading to Coney Island, New York, will probably need sunglasses. Another active zone for thunderstorms is likely to be New Mexico, western Texas, part of Colorado and eastern Arizona as the North American monsoon continues to unfold. Most of the thunderstorm activity on Independence Day will tend to occur from mid-afternoon to mid-evening, but there can be some exceptions. Aside from the threat of lightning strikes for those caught outdoors as storms build during the midday hours, flash flooding will remain a concern. Elsewhere, showers will dampen western Washington and northwestern Oregon. While it will rain for only a small part of July 4, it could shower in the morning just as well as in the afternoon or evening. "If it's heat you want, the best bets with sunglasses needed, will be the interior West, portions of the Plains and the interior Southeast on Independence Day," Pastelok explained. Highs will be well into the 90s to the low 100s over the deserts of the Southwest, while highs mainly in the upper 80s to the mid-90s are forecast for much of the Plains and interior Southeast, away from the stormy coastal areas. In general, the West will be best overall for the Fourth of July, with only a few pockets where rain is likely to fall. However, folks are reminded to check with local laws and restrictions before setting off any backyard fireworks. Local dry conditions may prevent fireworks altogether. For those heading to the beach, the Fourth of July often brings some chilly surf, especially in New England, the upper mid-Atlantic and much of the Pacific Coast. Surf temperatures typically range from the upper 40s to the low 60s in New England and along much of the Pacific coast. Waters are generally warm enough and safe for swimming along the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts, with widespread surf temperatures in the 80s.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
July 4th travel to break records: The best and worst times to hit the road
The Fourth of July has always been a peak travel period in the United States, but 2025 is set to shatter all previous records. According to projections from the American Automobile Association (AAA), a staggering 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the extended Independence Day holiday week, which runs from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. This marks an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and a remarkable 7 million more than in 2019. Key travel trends Road trips dominate: Of the 72.2 million travelers, 61.6 million are expected to travel by car—an all-time high and a 2.2% increase over 2024, adding 1.3 million more road travelers than last year. Air travel also surges: Air travel is also expected to set new records, with over 5.8 million people projected to fly, making up about 8% of all July 4th travelers. Other modes: Roughly 4.6 million Americans will use trains, buses, or cruise ships for their holiday journeys. Top destinations: Domestically, Orlando, Seattle, and New York are the most popular destinations. Internationally, Vancouver, Rome, and Paris lead the list, with cruises, beaches, and fireworks being top attractions. Best and worst times to travel by car With record numbers on the road, timing your departure is crucial to avoid the worst congestion. AAA, in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence and INRIX, has released a detailed timetable for optimal travel windows: Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time Saturday, June 28 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Sunday, June 29 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Monday, June 30 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Tuesday, July 1 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 2 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Thursday, July 3 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Friday, July 4 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Saturday, July 5 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Sunday, July 6 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 11:00 AM by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo General Guidance: Leave Early: The best way to avoid traffic is to hit the road before 11 a.m. (or before 10 a.m. on June 28). Morning hours are consistently less congested. Avoid Midday to Early Evening: The worst traffic is typically from noon to 7 p.m., especially on July 4 itself. Delaying your trip to the evening or leaving very early can help you avoid gridlock. Travel challenges and safety tips Roadside Assistance: Last year, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls during the holiday week. The most common issues were dead batteries, flat tires, running out of fuel, and lockouts. Preparation: AAA strongly recommends routine vehicle maintenance and packing an emergency kit before setting out. This is especially important given the increased volume and potential for delays. Fuel Prices: While gas prices are about 40 cents lower per gallon than last year, the Atlantic hurricane season could impact prices and availability, so travelers should plan accordingly.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Crude Oil Settles Higher on US-China Trade Optimism
August WTI crude oil (CLQ25) Friday closed up +0.28 (+0.43%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ25) closed down -1.04 (-0.50%). Crude oil and gasoline prices settled mixed on Friday. Crude found support on signs of easing trade tensions as the US moves closer to trade deals with China and other trading partners. Also, uncertainty over Iran gave crude prices a boost after US Energy Secretary Wright said that sanctions against Iran will remain in place for now. In addition, Friday's rally in the S&P 500 to a new record high shows confidence in the economic outlook, which is supportive of energy demand and crude prices. Gains in crude oil were limited, and gasoline prices fell due to a stronger dollar. Also, the crude crack spread Friday slid to a 1-1/2 week low, discouraging refiners from buying crude and refining it into gasoline and distillates. Crude Oil Prices Climb on Positive Trade News Nat-Gas Prices Surge in Anticipation of Hot US Weather Crude Oil Settles Higher on US-China Trade Optimism Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Crude prices rose Friday after US Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that the US and China had finalized a trade understanding reached last month in Geneva. Also, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said the White House has imminent plans to reach agreements with a set of 10 major trading partners ahead of a July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs. Crude oil prices have underlying support from US and European intelligence reports suggesting that Iran may still have most of its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium even after the Israeli and US bombing runs, which means that sanctions will likely remain in place until Iran agrees to nuclear inspections. On Friday, President Trump said he considered easing sanctions on Iran after a ceasefire, but would instead keep sanctions in place after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, claimed victory in the war with Israel. Concern about a global oil glut is negative for crude prices. On Wednesday, Russia stated that it is open to another output hike for OPEC+ crude production in August, when the group meets on July 6. On May 31, OPEC+ agreed to a 411,000 bpd crude production hike for July after raising output by the same amount for June. Saudi Arabia has signaled that additional similar-sized increases in crude output could follow, which is viewed as a strategy to reduce oil prices and punish overproducing OPEC+ members, such as Kazakhstan and Iraq. OPEC+ is boosting output to reverse the 2-year-long production cut, gradually restoring a total of 2.2 million bpd of production. OPEC+ had previously planned to restore production between January and late 2025, but now that production cut won't be fully restored until September 2026. OPEC May crude production rose +200,000 bpd to 27.54 million bpd. Gasoline prices have support from the American Automobile Association (AAA) projection that a record 61.6 million people will travel by car this Fourth of July holiday (June 28 to July 6), up +2.2% from last year and a sign of stronger gasoline demand. Oil prices continue to be undercut by tariff concerns, as President Trump recently stated that he intends to send letters to dozens of US trading partners within one to two weeks, setting unilateral tariffs ahead of the July 9 deadline that followed his 90-day pause. A decline in crude oil held worldwide on tankers is bullish for oil prices. Vortexa reported Monday that crude oil stored on tankers that have been stationary for at least seven days fell by -13% w/w to 79.66 million bbl in the week ended June 20. Wednesday's EIA report showed that (1) US crude oil inventories as of June 20 were -10.9% below the seasonal 5-year average, (2) gasoline inventories were -2.8% below the seasonal 5-year average, and (3) distillate inventories were -20.3% below the 5-year seasonal average. US crude oil production in the week ending June 20 was unchanged w/w at 13.435 million bpd, modestly below the record high of 13.631 million bpd from the week of December 6. Baker Hughes reported last Friday that active US oil rigs in the week ending June 27 fell by -6 to a 3-3/4 year low of 432 rigs. Over the past 2-1/2 years, the number of US oil rigs has fallen from the 5-1/4 year high of 627 rigs posted in December 2022. On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
July 4th forecast: Will you need sunglasses or a raincoat?
A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel during the days leading up to the July 4th weekend, with 62.2 million to travel by car, the American Automobile Association (AAA) stated in a press release. For some, it' i's a day trip. For others, it is a long weekend or an entire week of travel from the last weekend in June through the first weekend of July, visiting friends, relatives or spending time at the beach or the mountains. In the several days leading up to the Fourth of July, expect very warm to hot conditions in much of the West, typical summer warmth from the Great Lakes to the Northeast and humid conditions with showers and thunderstorms from New Mexico to the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. "Portions of the Midwest, Southeast and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on Friday, July 4," AccuWeather's Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. An area of clouds, showers and thunderstorms is forecast to evolve from the northeastern Gulf coast to the southern Atlantic coast later in June and linger through the first part of July. It is possible this broad area of low pressure could organize into one or more tropical rainstorms during this time. Those heading to the beaches from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the coastal Carolinas may experience rough surf conditions and perhaps stiff winds should a tropical depression or storm try to develop. Around the July 4th holiday, in areas farther to the northwest, "we expect one or more complexes of thunderstorms to develop over the northern and central Plains and wander into the Midwest," Pastelok said. "Exactly where these storms wander will determine which areas could receive heavy rain and severe weather." Outside of the thunderstorms, the weather may be just fine for outdoor plans most of the day on Friday. Thunderstorms will be possible for at least part of the day in Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. It is possible that clouds and downpours could affect outdoor activities in some of these major metro areas and others in the region. Conditions in much of the Northeast will be far cooler than during this week's heat wave. In fact, it could be very comfortable, provided high pressure settles slowly over the region rather than slipping off the Atlantic coast. Humidity levels are likely to be lower than July standards, far lower in most areas compared to the swelter of late. Some showers are likely to skirt northern New England and upstate New York, but the day and evening of July 4 are likely to be free of rain in the zone from Boston to New York City and Washington, D.C., which should be good news for some of the largest fireworks displays in the nation. Folks heading to Coney Island, New York, will probably need sunglasses. Another active zone for thunderstorms is likely to be New Mexico, western Texas, part of Colorado and eastern Arizona as the North American monsoon continues to unfold. Most of the thunderstorm activity on Independence Day will tend to occur from mid-afternoon to mid-evening, but there can be some exceptions. Aside from the threat of lightning strikes for those caught outdoors as storms build during the midday hours, flash flooding will remain a concern. Elsewhere, showers will dampen western Washington and northwestern Oregon. While it will rain for only a small part of July 4, it could shower in the morning just as well as in the afternoon or the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ "If it's heat you want, the best bets with sunglasses needed, will be the interior West, portions of the Plains and the interior Southeast on Independence Day," Pastelok explained. Highs will be well into the 90s to the low 100s over the deserts of the Southwest, while highs mainly in the upper 80s to the mid-90s are forecast for much of the Plains and interior Southeast, away from the stormy coastal areas. In general, the West will be best overall for the Fourth of July, with only a few pockets where rain is likely to fall. However, folks are reminded to check with local laws and restrictions before setting off any backyard fireworks. Local dry conditions may prevent fireworks altogether. For those heading to the beach, the Fourth of July often brings some chilly surf, especially in New England, the upper mid-Atlantic and much of the Pacific Coast. Surf temperatures typically range from the upper 40s to the low 60s in New England and along much of the Pacific coast. Waters are generally warm enough and safe for swimming along the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts, with widespread surf temperatures in the 80s. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ready for a summer road trip? Here's why a visit to the gas pump could cost you more in July
Bad news if you are planning a road trip this summer. Gas prices at the pump in California will likely jump in July, the result of a state sales tax hike and stricter rules on refineries to encourage them to create lower-carbon fuels. The combined increases could boost gas prices by nearly 70 cents, although industry experts said they can't estimate the exact price of a gallon of gas for next month. Californians and drivers nationwide typically see a spike in fuel prices during the month of June but the oil supply market is currently outweighing demand, leading to slightly cheaper prices compared to 2024, according to the American Automobile Assn. As of Wednesday, the current average for the state is $4.64 per gallon compared to $4.81 on the same day last year, a 17-cent decrease. Even though forecasters predict global oil inventories will increase over the next five months, relieving pressure on oil prices, California consumers won't feel the expected continued reprieve next month. On July 1, California's gas and diesel excise tax will increase to 61.2 cents per gallon, from the current rate of 59.6 cents per gallon, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Diesel fuel will also increase from 45.4 to 46.6 cents per gallon. The state adjusts its fuel tax rates based on data from the Department of Finance annually and the new rate goes into effect on July 1 of each year. Read more: Contributor: The high cost of California's green energy policies This isn't the only factor that will drive up gas prices this summer. In 2024, California Air Resources Board approved amendments to the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard program that was established in 2011 with two goals in mind: shifting the state's fuel dependence toward lower-carbon fuels and helping the state reach the goal of cutting fuel use by 49% by 2045. The approved amendments are meant to incentivize the value of lower-carbon fuel and impose stricter limits on carbon intensity fuels so gasoline producers are encouraged to create less-polluting fuels. But that extra cost to comply with the new regulations will be passed onto motorists at the pump. Last year, CARB estimated the amendments could raise gasoline prices by 47 cents a gallon, or $6.4 billion a year. Months later the agency walked back its estimate and said it would not provide the public with a revised one. The agency previously told The Times that no new numbers will be forthcoming because 'what we are not equipped to do is analyze what the effect would be on retail gasoline prices,' it instead analyzes economic growth, job creation and public health. Danny Cullenward, vice chair of the California's Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee, estimated that near-term affects from the program amendments on gas prices could be an additional 65 cents a gallon this year, $0.85 per gallon by 2030, and nearly $1.50 per gallon by 2035. Read more: Another victim of Trump's tariffs: California's electric vehicle ambitions AAA said it doesn't have an estimate yet on how the amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program will affect gas prices next month, "especially with the recent drop in oil prices." "If those stay low, the impact could be smaller," said Gianella Ghiglino, spokesperson for AAA of Southern California. Drivers won't be able to avoid the price hike at the pump in California but there are ways to locate gasoline stations with the cheapest prices. There are several apps and websites that can help you find lower prices near your traveling route. The Auto Club app for AAA members shows the closest gas stations that are charging the lowest price, anywhere in the United States. Its app and its website, Gasbuddy, displays real-time pump prices near you. The Gas Guru app can search for gas stations by price, fuel grade and distance, as well as show prices in your area. Mapquest, Google Maps and Waze have a feature that enables you to see gas prices on the route of your trip. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
