Latest news with #Pastelok
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- 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
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New Mexico wildfires force evacuations, spark air quality alerts
Two large wildfires burning in southwestern New Mexico remain 0% contained as intense heat, wind and drought continue to fuel dangerous fire conditions. The Trout Fire, located 12 miles north of Silver City-about 150 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas- has burned 18,278 acres since it was first reported on June 12, according to New Mexico Fire Information. The blaze has triggered evacuation orders for at least 350 homes. "These fires are being fueled by a combination of extreme heat, prolonged drought and very dry vegetation. Low snowpack across the Southwest last winter left the region primed for early-season fire activity," AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. More than 600 personnel are working to contain the Trout Fire. Crews are using direct handlines and dozer lines to fight the flames, while helicopters assist with water and retardant drops when conditions allow. But the weather continues to complicate efforts, especially at night. "Usually humidity rises overnight and helps us out," Stefan La-Sky, spokesperson for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team said. "But it's remained dry. So we're seeing considerable fire movement even during the night, which we usually don't see." The fire's cause is under investigation. Buck Fire continues to spread About 120 miles to the north, the Buck Fire has burned over 35,000 acres near Aragon, New Mexico. Lightning sparked the fire on June 11, and it continues to spread in grass and timber despite aggressive suppression efforts. Air resources have been key to limiting fire progression along the northern flanks, especially as gusty, erratic winds fueled additional growth Sunday and Monday. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Tuesday as hot, dry conditions persist and winds remain a significant concern. Both fires have prompted area closures and trail shutdowns. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) has asked hikers to avoid sections near the Buck Fire for safety. Officials are urging residents to follow evacuation notices and avoid flying drones in the fire area. "If you fly, we can't," they warned, referencing the risk drones pose to firefighting aircraft. Temperatures in the region remain in the low to mid-90s with extremely low humidity. Winds will begin increasing as red flag conditions move into the region. "Winds across western New Mexico are expected to pick up Friday and remain gusty through next Wednesday. That's going to be a major concern, especially with both fires still at 0% containment," Pastelok said. Wildfire smoke sparks air quality concerns Air quality concerns are also growing as smoke becomes more visible from highways and nearby communities. "Smoke from these fires has already been affecting air quality across the region. Albuquerque will likely see impacts through the rest of the week, and Denver could be affected by the weekend," Pastelok noted. An air quality alert has been issued for parts of Grant County due to smoke from the Trout Fire. Hazardous air quality levels are expected through midday Wednesday. Areas most affected include the Sapillo Creek and Mimbres Valley along Highway 35, as well as along Highway 152 between Santa Clara and San Lorenzo. Health officials urge everyone to avoid outdoor exertion. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should remain indoors. Those with heart conditions experiencing symptoms like a fast pulse, shortness of breath or unusual weakness are advised to contact their healthcare provider.
Mint
30-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Alberta Wildfires Approach Oil Sands, Threaten More Output
(Bloomberg) -- Wildfires in Alberta are threatening almost half a million barrels of daily crude production as heat and wind push the flames closer to massive oil sands well sites. A total of 29 out-of-control fires are burning in the province amid hot, dry weather, bringing flames within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of about 459,000 barrels of daily oil production, according to data from Alberta's energy regulator and wildfire department. The province had only four out-of-control fires on Monday. An expanding fire near Alberta's border with Saskatchewan is the biggest threat to oil output. MEG Energy Corp.'s Christina Lake oil sands facility, which pumped 93,000 barrels a day in April, is within about 4 kilometers of the blaze. MEG said in an email that it has evacuated non-essential workers from the site, but hasn't curtailed production. Part of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.'s Jackfish oil sands site, which produced almost 38,000 barrels a day in April, is within about 3 kilometers of an expanding fire near Cold Lake, in the heart of the Canadian oil sands, according to Alberta Energy Regulator and Alberta Wildfire data. Other parts of Jackfish that produced a combined 83,000 barrels a day are within about 10 kilometers. CNRL didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Canada, the world's fourth-largest crude producer, has long seen its energy output threatened by wildfires that rage through the dense forests of northern Alberta in spring and summer. In 2016, a blaze shut down the massive oil sands mines just north of Fort McMurray, taking more than 1 million barrels of daily production offline. The situation is strengthening prices for Canada's oil. Canadian heavy crude for July traded at a discount to the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate of as little as $8.70 a barrel on financial markets versus $9.30 on Thursday, according to a person familiar with prices and General Index prices compiled by Bloomberg. Fire danger across most of Alberta is still considered extreme today, according to Natural Resources Canada, though it's expected to subside somewhat over the weekend as the weather shifts, bringing cooler temperatures and a chance of rain by Sunday. Meanwhile, fire crews in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba are facing 'very, very bad conditions' as gusty winds continue to scour the region, said Paul Pastelok, a senior meteorologist for AccuWeather Inc. Those dry gusts can make it challenging to gain control over existing fires and may also spread embers, Pastelok added, sparking new blazes. Smoke from the fires is expected to drift across the US Upper Midwest Friday, causing hazy skies and somewhat reduced air quality in Chicago and Minneapolis. 'You can get a whiff of that smoke coming down to the ground,' Pastelok said, 'but it won't be as strong as what they've gone through in past years.' --With assistance from Mia Gindis. (Updates with map, heavy Canadian crude price in sixth paragraph) More stories like this are available on
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Over 3 million in Maryland still facing drought despite recent rain
Despite a recent stretch of rain, large swaths of Maryland remain parched, with over 3 million residents living in areas affected by drought, according to the latest federal Drought Monitor. Parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties continue to experience unseasonably dry conditions. Liberty Reservoir — a major source of drinking water for the region — has dropped to its lowest level in nearly 20 years, prompting the Baltimore Department of Public Works earlier this month to issue voluntary water restrictions for the city and surrounding counties. Statewide, 43% of Maryland is experiencing moderate drought, while 24.6% is considered abnormally dry, according to drought data released Thursday. Weather experts say several factors are contributing to the drought, including persistent wind patterns and a lackluster winter snowfall. 'This past spring has been windy with prevailing winds from the west and northwest. Any cold fronts tend to lose moisture heading through,' AccuWeather lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok said in an email. 'In addition, it has been a very windy spring and any rain that falls runs off or dries out before it's absorbed. Also, it was not a very snowy winter. Snow in the winter helps the deeper layers of soil stay moist in the spring, and helps with deeper root systems. 12.7 inches of snow fell this winter, compared to the historical average of 19.3 inches.' The impacts of drought conditions are being felt in Baltimore's surrounding areas. In Harford County, 244,826 people are affected by drought conditions. From January through April, the area experienced its fifth driest start to the year in 131 years of monitoring precipitation. Baltimore County is also struggling: From January through April, rainfall totals were 4.39 inches below normal, with last month being the 60th driest April on record over the past 131 years, drought data shows. Over 78% of Carroll County residents are experiencing drought, with January through April ranking the third driest year to date over the past 131 years. In Anne Arundel County, 38% of residents, or 204,365 people, are affected by drought. Relief might be on the horizon, according to Pastelok. 'Late May and June still look active, with more cold fronts and rainfall that could ease drought conditions,' Pastelok said. 'We expect near to slightly above average rainfall this summer. If tropical systems from the Gulf track north, that could quickly boost rainfall totals — though pockets of drought may linger into early summer. Drier weather could return later in the season if those storms miss the region.' Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@ or on X as @ToddKarpovich
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Memorial Day weekend weather forecast: Will rain ruin your plans?
Will you be one of the record 45.1 million people that AAA says will be traveling this Memorial Day weekend? Read below to see how the weather will affect your plans. Temperature-wise, while most of the central and eastern U.S. will see below-average temperatures throughout the weekend, the western U.S. and Florida will see above-average warmth, reports. As for rain, a large chunk of the middle part of the country will see wet, potentially stormy weather this weekend as a system moves through the Plains. Folks starting a vacation early will encounter wet and nasty conditions in the Northeast on Friday, May 23. "Have the umbrellas, waterproof shoes and warm jackets handy," said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. While that storm will diminish by Saturday, "the second half of the Memorial Day weekend looks to be mainly dry but quite cool," AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "Watch those flowers and veggies, as there could be a frost in parts of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York by Sunday morning, if clouds break and the breeze diminishes." More: 'Severe weather threat' forecast for parts of US could ruin your Memorial Day weekend Farther south, AccuWeather said that most of the time from Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26 will be free of rain. One exception to the dry weather in the Southeast will be over Florida. "Brief but drenching sea breeze thunderstorms are possible over the Florida Peninsula and will generally drift from east to west on a daily basis," Pastelok said. The likelihood of rain and thunderstorms will increase this weekend toward the central Gulf, the Tennessee Valley and the Plains states, AccuWeather said. More numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected for the second half of the weekend when the greatest risk of severe weather is likely in the Central United States. Cities like Kansas City, St. Louis, Little Rock and Nashville will see rain Saturday, May 24 into Sunday, May 25, predicts. The Southwest will be the hot spot for the holiday weekend, according to AccuWeather. "Temperatures should surpass 100 degrees in the deserts each day, while highs well into the 90s are in store for the central and southern part of the interior valley of California," Pastelok added. The Northwest, however, will not be completely dry through the holiday weekend with a couple of showers and thunderstorms extending into the northern Rockies, AccuWeather said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will it rain? Memorial Day 2025 weather forecast for weekend travelers
