Latest news with #DoyleRice
USA Today
3 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Fins up: Are shark attacks increasing? Here's what recent data shows.
Combine the 50th anniversary of the movie "Jaws" – which started the nation's shark obsession in 1975 – with Discovery Channel's 37th annual Shark Week that begins July 20, and sharks might be getting extra attention this summer. Why are people so fascinated with sharks? Perhaps it's the mixture of fascination, terror and respect for their strength. As one of the world's top predators, sharks are both dangerous and beautiful while being essential to marine environments, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuaries. As the ocean's top predators, sharks maintain their balance by feeding on sick, weak, or overabundant animals, including fish, marine mammals and other ocean life, according to NOAA. Despite their terrifying reputation, only three of the 350-plus shark species are thought to be responsible for roughly two-thirds of all shark attacks, according to the World Wildlife Fund. How common are shark attacks? You're far more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by a shark. Shark attacks are considered extremely rare. The Florida Museum, a state natural history museum, puts the odds of being attacked by a shark at 1 in 11.5 million, while the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are 1 in 1.2 million, according to NOAA. TrackingSharks says eight shark attacks occurred as of July 7 in five states: Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York and South Carolina. In 2024, there were 28 shark attacks in the United States, down from 36 in 2023. Since 2021, shark attacks have been on the decline. More: 'Jaws' scared swimmers out of the ocean 50 years ago. Real locations of Amity's terror Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. According to data released by the International Shark Attack File, 2024 was an "exceptionally quiet year" for shark bites around the world. Forty-seven unprovoked attacks were reported globally. That was 22 fewer than 2023 and well below the 10-year average of 70. On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year. The shark species most frequently linked to attacks These are the five shark species most often cited in nonfatal unprovoked attacks on humans: More: Summer of 'Jaws': Shark Week 2025 stocked with drama, dread ... and dancing The U.S. leads the world in shark attacks According to the International Shark Attack File, the majority of the U.S. incidents occur off the coast of Florida. That might be too surprising considering that Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States. How to reduce your risk of an attack CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice, Natalie Neysa Alund/USA TODAY
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Is your state one of the hottest today in this heat wave? See heat index map
About 160 million people are currently being affected by a heat wave that extends from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to the East Coast, the National Weather Service said on June 24. Heat warnings, which began over the weekend, remained in effect across much of the country. Local officials on the East Coast have said many areas could experience conditions that "feel like" 110 degrees as the heat combines with humidity. AccuWeather meteorologists said high temperatures approaching and even exceeding 100 degrees are expected over more than three dozen states stretching from the Plains to New England through at least Tuesday, challenging many long-standing records. "The most significant cumulative heat impacts are anticipated across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday and eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, leading to several consecutive days of oppressive heat," the weather service said Tuesday morning, urging people to stay cool and hydrated and to take action when they see symptoms of of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dozens of locations, especially in the Northeast, will be within striking distance of daily record highs, especially through June 24, said meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. Here's a look at which states feel the hottest during the heat wave and how long the heat wave is expected to last. How hot will it get? Record-smashing heat wave to scorch millions across the US National heat index map: See which states feel hottest The map embeds below identify areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees). Heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents. Heat index map for Tuesday, June 24 When will the heat wave end? The fierce heat is expected to last through the first half of the week before easing, according to forecasters. According to AccuWeather, some cloudiness and rain will enter the forecast in some areas near the Great Lakes and Northeast beginning Wednesday, and while temperatures will come down from their peaks on Monday and Tuesday, they will still likely run well into the 90s for most in the mid-Atlantic. What are the symptoms of heatstroke? There are multiple forms of heat illnesses, but heatstroke is the deadliest and most dangerous, according to the National Park Service. The following are symptoms of heatstroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: In the case of a heatstroke, the CDC recommends people do the following: Contributing: Doyle Rice and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Indianapolis Star
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Is your state one of the hottest today in this heat wave? See heat index map
About 160 million people are currently being affected by a heat wave that extends from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to the East Coast, the National Weather Service said on June 24. Heat warnings, which began over the weekend, remained in effect across much of the country. Local officials on the East Coast have said many areas could experience conditions that "feel like" 110 degrees as the heat combines with humidity. AccuWeather meteorologists said high temperatures approaching and even exceeding 100 degrees are expected over more than three dozen states stretching from the Plains to New England through at least Tuesday, challenging many long-standing records. "The most significant cumulative heat impacts are anticipated across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday and eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, leading to several consecutive days of oppressive heat," the weather service said Tuesday morning, urging people to stay cool and hydrated and to take action when they see symptoms of of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dozens of locations, especially in the Northeast, will be within striking distance of daily record highs, especially through June 24, said meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. Here's a look at which states feel the hottest during the heat wave and how long the heat wave is expected to last. How hot will it get? Record-smashing heat wave to scorch millions across the US The map embeds below identify areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees). Heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents. Heat index map for Tuesday, June 24 The fierce heat is expected to last through the first half of the week before easing, according to forecasters. According to AccuWeather, some cloudiness and rain will enter the forecast in some areas near the Great Lakes and Northeast beginning Wednesday, and while temperatures will come down from their peaks on Monday and Tuesday, they will still likely run well into the 90s for most in the mid-Atlantic. There are multiple forms of heat illnesses, but heatstroke is the deadliest and most dangerous, according to the National Park Service. The following are symptoms of heatstroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: In the case of a heatstroke, the CDC recommends people do the following: Contributing: Doyle Rice and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Northern lights may be visible in these states this weekend
Northern lights may be visible in these states this weekend Show Caption Hide Caption Watch as a vibrant aurora dances across the night sky About 20 U.S. states caught a glimpse of the northern lights, according to NOAA. Americans in some northern U.S. states may have another opportunity to catch a glimpse of the night sky's greatest spectacle. The northern lights are slated to be visible in states from Idaho to New York on the night of Saturday, June 14 as a geomagnetic storm watch was issued, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency's Space Weather Prediction Center classified the geomagnetic storm as a G2, the second lowest level on its G scale that sorts intensity from G1 (least) to G5 (most). The stunning natural phenomenon, formally known as aurora borealis, is expected to be visible over some northern-tier and upper Midwest states, according to the NOAA. Hopeful viewers may have a smaller window to see the lights because of longer daylight hours as the summer solstice arrives between June 20 and 21. Earlier this month, people in around 16 different states were blessed with the opportunity to see the swirling green, red and purple lights. What are the northern lights? Aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are colorful ribbons of light that weave across Earth's northern or southern polar regions, according to NASA. Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar activity like solar flares or coronal mass ejections. The solar wind moves energetic charged particles from these events away from the sun to produce the northern lights. Can you see northern lights with the naked eye? Northern lights can be safely viewed without a telescope or microscope. The visibility of the aurora depends on multiple factors, including location, weather, time of night and the level of geomagnetic activity present. Contributing: Julia Gomez, Doyle Rice, and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dazzling northern lights display captured on video: Watch enchanting time-lapse footage
People across many states witnessed one of the most breathtaking natural wonders during the northern lights' latest return. Time-lapse footage shared online captured the stunning phenomenon on June 1 across the United States from Dufur, Oregon, to San Antonio. "A magnificent display of the aurora from last night!" a vacationer in Victor, Idaho, shared on X. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that 20 states were expected to witness the vibrant lights. The northern lights could be visible on the nights of Monday, June 2, and Tuesday, June 3, though the likelihood of seeing them in the mainland United States will be lower. See map: Northern lights might be visible in several states tonight Aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are colorful ribbons of light that weave across Earth's northern or southern polar regions, according to NASA. Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar activity like solar flares or coronal mass ejections. The solar wind moves energetic charged particles from these events away from the sun to produce the northern lights. Northern lights can be safely viewed without a telescope or microscope. The visibility of the aurora depends on multiple factors, including location, weather, time of night, and the level of geomagnetic activity present. Contributing: Julia Gomez, Doyle Rice, and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dazzling northern lights display captured on video: Watch the footage
