Latest news with #JonathanPorter
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Heat waves bring dangerous and deadly lightning strikes. Here's how to avoid getting struck
Amid the nation's first heat wave of the summer season, lightning killed one honeymooner enjoying the beach in Florida and injured 20 others cooling off on a South Carolina lake. More than 30 people have been injured by such strikes during the course of the past two weeks, according to AccuWeather. Some 20 people are killed by lightning each year in the U.S., and hundreds more are injured. Most of those deaths occur in July and usually over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, with the Southeast most at risk. Those who survive strikes can suffer lifelong neurological damage, such as forgetfulness and memory issues, depression, irritability, and personality changes. The result of the build-up and discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere, a strike can heat the air it passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit: a measurement that's five times hotter than the surface of the sun. 'Lightning is a serious summertime safety risk that can injure or tragically kill people who are outdoors,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned. With warmer temperatures comes an increased risk of storms that can lead to lightning strikes, and potentially related wildfires. A hotter atmosphere can hold more of the moisture needed for storm formation. So, how do you keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer? Be weather aware Monitoring the weather is the best way to stay safe! This is especially the case if you're planning any outdoor activities. Lightning can strike up to 30 miles away from a storm, particularly from anvil clouds that are the flat top of a thunderstorm. Whereas, 'cauliflower-looking' cumulonimbus clouds signal a maturing thunderstorm. But, dangerous lightning can happen in any thunderstorm, not just severe thunderstorms. That was the case in South Carolina. 'Conditions went from quiet and calm to a small thunderstorm with multiple lightning strikes within a matter of minutes,' AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno explained. 'As quickly as this storm developed, it weakened and passed by. This was a very small thunderstorm, but it packed a lot of lightning.' If you're outside There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you can hear thunder, you are likely in the range of the storm. Too many people wait too long to get to safety when thunderstorms are approaching. People should have a lightning safety plan, including where to go and how long it will take to get there. Avoid open fields, and hills or ridge tops. Also, stay away from tall, isolated trees and other tall objects. If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members. When lightning strikes the ground, the energy radiates outward. Stay away from water, wet items, and any metal objects. Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity. Fishing and swimming are some of the deadliest activities for lightning-related deaths. Lastly, don't do the 'lightning crouch', the old recommendation to bend over and curl up into a ball on your toes. The National Lightning Safety Council now says that it only prolongs the risk of being struck. When you're indoors Being inside may not protect you from associated dangers. When lightning strikes a home or building, it often follows the wiring or plumbing, so stay away from anything plugged into an outlet and sinks, showers, and tubs. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe, but do not touch TVs or computers. Lightning generates electric surges that can damage electronic equipment even a distance away from an actual strike. Make sure to stay away from windows or doors. The metal components could provide a pathway for the lightning to enter the home. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. 'Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder or flash of lightning, to allow the threat to pass before returning outdoors,' Porter added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
US braces for nationwide heat wave: What to know
A dangerous, record-breaking heat wave will spread over the eastern United States and is expected to last several days. Extreme heat warnings have been issued in Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Iowa, West Virginia and South Dakota, where temperatures could rise over 110 degrees. More than 170 million people will experience the highest level of extreme heat on Sunday and throughout the week, according to AccuWeather. To know more about active alerts in specific areas, follow this link. Here's what to know: This is the first heat wave of summer 2025, and it's coming in hot and humid. This will be the hottest week of the year, so far. The National Weather Service warned that people must be extra vigilant. 'When our bodies aren't acclimated to the heat yet – will make for an especially dangerous period for many,' the weather service posted on X. Extreme heat leads to an average of 800 deaths annually in the U.S. In 2024, 238 heat-related deaths outnumbered deaths by any other weather phenomenon such as tornadoes, hurricanes or flooding. 'The last day of a heat wave, and the day after a heat wave breaks, are often when most heat-related illnesses and emergencies are reported,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. 'This is because health impacts from heat accumulate over time.' In order to be prepared the NWS recommends drinking a lot of fluids, keeping the air conditioning on, avoiding staying outside for long periods of time and checking up on your loved ones. Seniors and babies are particularly sensitive to extreme heat and extreme temperature changes. If there are any signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration, authorities recommend taking medical action. In the Midwest and northeast, temperatures are expected to be 15 degrees higher than average, and humidity will make it feel even hotter. Nights will be 'exceptionally warm,' according to Porter, and temperatures will not drop below 80 degrees in these areas. The temperatures will stand between 90 and 110 degrees. New York City will experience 97 degrees, Boston will see 94-degree days and in Washington, D.C., the temperature could go up to 100. With 90-degree heat, Chicago will see its hottest day on record in the last few years. According to The Weather Channel, changes in pressure and winds will create a heat dome that will flatten out slowly next week. At the same time, snow is expected in Montana, also breaking records for the lowest temperature during this time of year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Dangerous heat dome scorches millions of Americans
Published: | Updated: Over 170 million Americans are roasting under a giant heat dome that is sending temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the eastern US. AccuWeather is calling this the first widespread heat wave of the year , with 25 states falling under this 'record-challenging' event. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned: 'This is a strong and dangerous heat wave to kick off the summer.' There will be little relief from the heat at night on Tuesday with temperatures expected to stay above 80 in many cities throughout the Northeast. Porter added that this significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses among Americans who don't have air conditioning or those who are particularly vulnerable to hot weather, like the elderly. Major cities, including Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia are predicted to hit 100 degrees through at least Tuesday. This would mark the first time in decades that these Northeastern cities experienced triple-digit heat in June. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme heat warnings for Tuesday, urging everyone from Richmond, Virginia to Boston, Massachusetts to limit their time outdoors as much as possible. Parts of eastern and northern New England, including cities in Massachusetts and Maine, which AccuWeather noted are sometimes spared extreme heat domes, may reach 100 degrees when the heat peaks Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologists said that the heat will be less extreme in the Midwest, but temperatures are still expected to reach the 90s as the heat dome stretches into the center of the country. A heat dome is a weather phenomenon where a large area of high-pressure air traps hot air underneath it, like a lid on a pot. Imagine a giant bubble of warm air getting stuck over a region of the US, preventing cooler air from moving in. This causes temperatures to soar, often leading to prolonged heat waves with very high temperatures and humidity. This week's heat dome covers move than half of the US, with large metropolitan areas like Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Memphis, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis also baking in the humid weather. The forecast for Wednesday is almost as grim, with AccuWeather's 'real feel' temperatures projected to exceed 100 degrees across most of the US, from New York to Dallas. The heat will be even worse in the Southeast, as meteorologists warn that it'll feel like 110 degrees in parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Temperature is only one part of the equation that's endangering the public during this heat wave - the UV index is also important. The ultraviolet index is a measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing UV radiation. It shows how strong the sun's UV rays are. The higher the index, the stronger the rays. Zero to two means there is little danger from the sun, but an index of just three to five is considered risky and people are advised to wear sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective clothing. At a six or seven, there is moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Eight to 10 indicates high risk and people may experience burns in under 10 minutes. Anything 11 or above is very high risk and people with fair skin can experience dangerous burns in just five minutes. People are advised to stay indoors or avoid the sun completely. Forecast maps for Tuesday revealed that the UV index along the entire East Coast was projected to be between eight and 10, adding more urgency to the NWS's warning to stay indoors. The extreme temperatures this week have affected more than people, it's also destroyed American infrastructure as well. Just before 3pm ET Sunday afternoon, a video captured a roadway in Cape Giradeau, Missouri splitting open under the stress of the heat. A gray Toyota traveling past a local car dealership was sent into the air by the broken pavement, according to KFVS News. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures caused the road's surface materials to expand, and without enough space to relieve this pressure, the pavement buckled - resulting in the sudden rise upwards. The AccuWeather team recommended that everyone should wear lightweight and light-colored clothing this week as the heat dome persists. Additionally, Americans need to watch out for their pets, children, and seniors, who tend to be the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. The best ways to beat the heat Tuesday will be to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity, and stay out of direct sunlight. AccuWeather Meteorologist Jacob Hinson added that anyone who has to be outdoors on Tuesday or Wednesday should make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade and also avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you use the bathroom more than usual. This causes your body to lose water and essential fluids faster.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
170m Americans urged to stay indoors TODAY as dangerous 100-degree heat dome cooks the US
Over 170 million Americans are roasting under a giant heat dome that is sending temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the eastern US. AccuWeather is calling this the widespread heat wave of the year, with 25 states falling under this 'record-challenging' event. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned: 'This is a strong and dangerous heat wave to kick off the summer.' There will be little relief from the heat at night on Tuesday with temperatures expected to stay above 80 in many cities throughout the Northeast. Porter added that this significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses among Americans who don't have air conditioning or those who are particularly vulnerable to hot weather, like the elderly. Major cities, including Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia are predicted to hit 100 degrees through at least Tuesday. This would mark the first time in decades that these Northeastern cities experienced triple-digit heat in June. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warnings for Tuesday, urging everyone from Richmond, Virginia to Boston, Massachusetts to limit their time outdoors as much as possible. Parts of eastern and northern New England, including cities in Massachusetts and Maine, which AccuWeather noted are sometimes spared extreme heat domes, may reach 100 degrees when the heat peaks Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologists said that the heat will be less extreme in the Midwest, but temperatures are still expected to reach the 90s as the heat dome stretches into the center of the country. A heat dome is a weather phenomenon where a large area of high-pressure air traps hot air underneath it, like a lid on a pot. Imagine a giant bubble of warm air getting stuck over a region of the US, preventing cooler air from moving in. This causes temperatures to soar, often leading to prolonged heat waves with very high temperatures and humidity. This week's heat dome covers move than half of the US, with large metropolitan areas like Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Memphis, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis also baking in the humid weather. The extreme temperatures this week have affected more than people, it's also destroyed American infrastructure as well. Just before 3pm ET Sunday afternoon, a video captured a roadway in Cape Giradeau, Missouri splitting open under the stress of the heat. A gray Toyota traveling past a local car dealership was sent into the air by the broken pavement, according to KFVS News.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
A heat wave is hitting this US over the coming days. When could it hit New England?
Across the central and eastern United States, about 170 million people could experience temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees over the next week as a heat wave arrives as early as Friday. Heat will dominate the Midwest through Sunday, with temperatures likely being in the 90s or 100s, according to AccuWeather. Despite these daytime highs being brutal, nighttime lows are not expected to bring relief. 'It will be exceptionally warm at night with little relief once the sun goes down,' AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in a report. 'Many urban areas may struggle to drop below 80 at night, and that can take a toll on the body without air conditioning.' The Northeast should start to see high heat on Monday and continue until Wednesday, forecasters said. With high heat involved, forecasters anticipate humidity to make conditions feel even hotter. This could result in heat stroke or exhaustion. This could push temperatures to feeling closer to 110 or 120 degrees, which can be dangerous for children, pets and older people. 'Extreme heat is tragically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in America,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in AccuWeather's report. For the Northeast, temperatures are widely expected to be between 90 and 95 degrees on Monday, forecasters said. This is expected to change by Monday afternoon, when highs could reach a sweltering 105 to 110 degrees. 'The last day of a heat wave, and the day after a heat wave breaks, are often when most heat-related illnesses and emergencies are reported,' Porter said in the report. 'This is because health impacts from heat accumulate over time.' Boston's hottest temperature between Monday and Wednesday is on Tuesday, with a high of 98 degrees, according to AccuWeather. Worcester could reach its hottest on Monday, with a high of 97. The difference is negligible for Springfield between Monday (98) and Tuesday (99). Heat advisory active for Berkshire County Monday and Tuesday Heat advisory affecting 3 Massachusetts counties from Sunday to Tuesday Mass. weather: Thunderstorms possible Saturday night before dangerous heat wave More than a dozen beaches closed across Massachusetts on Friday, June 20 Mass. weather: 'Significant change' to follow intense heat, humidity Read the original article on MassLive.
