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Chicago Tribune
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
IDEM declares Wednesday an ‘Air Quality Action Day'
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared Wednesday to be an 'Air Quality Action Day,' saying Northwest Indiana's ozone levels are expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. IDEM announced Tuesday that Northwest Indiana residents can expect continued high temperatures, modest humidity, light winds under mostly sunny skies, and Canadian wildfire smoke, according to a news release. The Associated Press reported during the weekend that much of the upper Midwest was dealing with unhealthy air because of drifting smoke from Canadian wildfires. Manitoba declared a state of emergency because of the wildfires, leading 12,600 people to evacuate their homes. The fires in Manitoba have burned more than 3,861 miles, according to the Associated Press. 'Air Quality Action Days' are declared based on the U.S. Air Quality Index, which is the Environmental Protection Agency's tool for communicating about outdoor air quality and health, according to the EPA's website. Sensitive groups that could be impacted by poor air quality include people with heart and lung disease, older adults, children, people with diabetes and those with a lower socioeconomic status, according to the EPA's website. Ricky Castro, meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Chicago office, said the 'Air Quality Action Day' declaration was first sent because of lingering effects of the Canadian wildfires. 'If there were some lingering effects and some smoke aloft, that could be conducive for elevated ozone levels,' Castro said. In addition to hazy skies, Castro said Northwest Indiana residents will notice more humid conditions and more stagnant air. Winds might pick up on Wednesday afternoon, Castro said. 'Usually on hot and humid days, it's not uncommon to have elevated ozone levels and air quality alerts,' he added. IDEM's 'Air Quality Action Day' lasts from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the agency's news release. Castro expects a cold front to pass through Northwest Indiana on Thursday, which will help break the unhealthy ozone levels and air quality. For those in sensitive groups, Castro recommends being mindful of time spent outdoors and to monitor their symptoms closely. He also recommends that people keep a close eye on infants and their behavior. 'Stay cool, stay hydrated,' Castro said. 'But, in terms of some of the air quality issues, consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense.'
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Rajasthan in the US? Heat dome will test America's cool quotient
Last year in July, the official temperature sensor at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas climbed to 49 degree celsius. That crushed the city's all-time record of 47.2 degree celsius, set in 1942 and tied in 2005, 2013, 2017 and 2021. The US is again bracing for sweltering summer under a looming heat dome that is set to bring sweltering temperatures and oppressive humidity to millions. Previously, while the US suffered through heat domes, the temperature was similar to that of India's Thar desert. In the past, all significant and historical record-breaking heat waves occurred in Europe, the US, and Canada have been due to heat dome. The heat dome works like a lid on a pot. The extensive dome traps warm air at all levels underneath, with layers sinking toward the ground. Therefore, the air mass becomes anomalously warm at the lowest elevations and extremely hot near the surface. As per the predictions of the weather agencies of the US, the heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts. This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from the Midwest to the East Coast, Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather, told AP. What is a heat dome? A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois, told AP. The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant hot air that can feel like a furnace. Live Events Normally, the jet stream, a narrow band of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere, has a wavelike pattern, meandering north and then south and then north again. When these meanders in the jet stream become bigger, they move slower and can become stationary. That's when heat domes can occur. How do Americans survive the heat domes? The risks of soaring temperatures are not just in naturally hotter areas in the US. Risks from extreme heat are also increasing in typically cooler regions like the Pacific Northwest. In previous years, nearly 300 people died in Oregon and Washington after the area was trapped under a relentless heat dome for over a week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US saw more than 700 heat-related deaths and over 9,200 hospitalizations annually, making extreme heat deadlier on average than hurricanes, floods or wildfires. As heat domes become a recurring threat across much of the US in recent years, Americans are forced to get more creative in the ways they deal with extreme heat. When formal emergency cooling centers fill up, locals have turned to ad hoc solutions. In Portland, during the historic 2021 heatwave , community members opened "mutual aid cooling centers" in churches and community centers, often with volunteers providing food, water and even basic medical care. Mobile cooling stations have also emerged. In Las Vegas, nonprofits used converted RVs equipped with AC to provide heat relief to the unhoused population. Desperate times have transformed unexpected spaces into refuge zones: Malls and casinos saw an influx of families seeking relief. In Reno, Nevada, casinos welcomed locals with no AC, offering cold drinks, shelter and free wi-fi. Movie theaters have become day-long getaways. With tickets cheaper than running an AC all day, many families in Texas and Arizona spent entire afternoons watching back-to-back films. In Tucson, a city in US' Arizona, some people sought refuge at a place unlike many others: a cooling center made of old shipping containers. The containers were once part of a short-lived Arizona-Mexico border wall ordered by former Gov. Doug Ducey that his successor, Gov. Katie Hobbs, transformed into solar-powered spaces where people can escape the grueling heat, reported The New York Times. The report suggested that the containers, two long, narrow pods, offer places where residents can nap, watch TV and relax with sack lunches from a community kitchen. Extreme heat forced a rethinking of daily routines. In Phoenix, many landscaping companies and construction crews operated from 4 AM to noon, avoiding the dangerous afternoon heat. Some cities refer to this as adopting a "heat time zone". High heat has triggered innovations in personal wear too. Cooling vests, initially designed for athletes, were worn by mail carriers, construction workers and even school staff in places like Florida and Nevada. DIY cooling scarves soaked in ice water or filled with refrigerant beads became popular. Los Angeles and New York City expanded "cool pavement" programs, applying reflective paint to roads and rooftops to reduce surface temperatures by up to 20°F. In Sacramento, residents used DIY tarp-and-mist setups in backyards to create low-cost shaded zones with garden hose misters attached to poles. Heat domes have accelerated urban forestry and cooling green initiatives. Phoenix and Houston launched heat-mapping initiatives using drones to pinpoint the hottest neighborhoods and focus tree-planting efforts accordingly. Digital tools have become frontline defence. Apps like Heat Ready CA and Extrema Global provide real-time heat alerts and guide users to the nearest cooling center. Many cities text 'heat alerts' with practical steps (hydrate, avoid asphalt, check on neighbors) and links to resources. America's response to the growing threat of heat domes reflects not just ingenuity, but also a spirit of adaptation. But as climate change makes heat domes more intense and more common, the patchwork of grassroots solutions will need to be supported by broader, systemic changes.
Boston Globe
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Heat dome will blanket much of the US, with worrisome temperatures in Midwest
'A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming,' said Kines. The humid conditions will make places that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit feel as much as 20 degrees hotter, said Kines. In Boston, highs in the mid- to upper 90s are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Advertisement A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, said Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up According to the NWS Weather Prediction Center, daytime temperatures will be in the 90s Fahrenheit and overnight temperatures will only drop to the mid-70s Fahrenheit from the Great Lakes to the East Coast during the heat wave that's expected to last into next week. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, said Jacob Asherman, a Weather Prediction Center meteorologist. This influx of moisture is fairly typical during late spring and summer, he said. The Gulf, which shares borders with Mexico and the US, was renamed by President Trump to the Gulf of America. Advertisement The heat will be widespread into next week. On Friday, Denver could reach 100 degrees, according to the weather service. Chicago temperatures could reach 96 on Sunday. On Tuesday, Washington, D.C., could see a high of 99 and New York Central Park could reach 96. Several states in the Midwest could see dangerous temperature impacts over the weekend, according to a weather service measure that rates the risk from zero to four. Parts of Nebraska and Kansas will be in the highest category on the scale on Saturday, meaning that anyone without effective cooling or sufficient hydration could face health risks. On Sunday, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois also see a category 4 rating. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, and the heat index is what the temperature feels like when the humidity outside is factored in, according to the weather service. When humans sweat, it cools the body down because it absorbs and removes heat as it evaporates off the skin. The air is saturated with water on humid days, which makes it harder for sweat to evaporate. Hot and humid days can be dangerous when the body is unable to cool itself off and can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and even lead to heat stroke. Minimizing direct sun exposure, wearing loose and light-colored clothing, staying hydrated, and spending time in air-conditioned spaces are ways to cool down during extreme heat, according to the NWS. Some parts of the US, such as Phoenix, Ariz., are famously hot without the mugginess. Phoenix and nearby desert regions experience this so-called 'dry heat' due to being located far away from large water bodies, mountains that block moist air masses, and weather patterns that bring scarce precipitation. Advertisement Sweat evaporates faster in dry climates compared to humid ones. This can be dangerous because it is easy to underestimate how dehydrated you are, according to Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. In places such as Iowa, crops can affect the humidity in summer months. Plants feel the effects of hot weather and some people in the Midwest are familiar with " corn sweat," which is when crops move water to their leaves and other surfaces so it can evaporate, according to the Ohio State University. Madison County, Iowa, farmer Ryan Marquardt said corn sweat is 'not as bad as a sauna, but it definitely would have a sauna effect. It's humid in there (the cornfield), so you're gonna sweat.'
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Millions brace for powerful ‘heat dome' set to engulf much of America
Millions across the United States are bracing for a dramatic start to summer this week, as a powerful 'heat dome' is set to engulf vast swathes of the country, bringing with it stifling temperatures and oppressive humidity. Forecasters have issued warnings of extreme temperature impacts, particularly highlighting the upcoming weekend for Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, where residents can expect the most severe conditions. This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from Midwest to the East Coast, said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather. 'A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming,' said Kines. The humid conditions will make places that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) feel as much as 20 degrees hotter, said Kines. What is a heat dome? A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, said Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois. According to the NWS Weather Prediction Center, daytime temperatures will be in the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) and overnight temperatures will only drop to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius) from the Great Lakes to the East Coast during the heat wave that's expected to last into next week. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, said Jacob Asherman, a Weather Prediction Center meteorologist. This influx of Gulf moisture is fairly typical during late spring and summer, he said. The heat will be widespread into next week. On Friday, Denver could reach 100°F (38°C), according to the weather service. Chicago temperatures could reach 96 degrees (36°C) on Sunday. On Tuesday, Washington, D.C., could see a high of 99°F (37°C) and New York Central Park could reach 96°F (36°C). Several states in the Midwest could see dangerous temperature impacts over the weekend, according to a weather service measure. Parts of Nebraska and Kansas will be in the highest of four categories on the scale on Saturday, meaning that anyone without effective cooling or sufficient hydration could face health risks. On Sunday, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois also see a category 4 rating. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, and the heat index is what the temperature feels like when the humidity outside is factored in, according to the weather service. When humans sweat, it cools the body down because it absorbs and removes heat as it evaporates off the skin. The air is saturated with water on humid days, which makes it harder for sweat to evaporate. Hot and humid days can be dangerous when the body is unable to cool itself off and can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and even lead to heat stroke. Minimizing direct sun exposure, wearing loose and light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and spending time in air-conditioned spaces are ways to cool down during extreme heat, according to the NWS. Some parts of the U.S., such as Phoenix, Arizona, are famously hot without the mugginess. Phoenix and nearby desert regions experience this so-called 'dry heat' due to being located far away from large water bodies, mountains that block moist air masses and weather patterns that bring scarce precipitation. Sweat evaporates faster in dry climates compared to humid ones. This can be dangerous because it is easy to underestimate how dehydrated you are, according to Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. In places such as Iowa, crops can affect the humidity in summer months. Plants feel the effects of hot weather and some people in the Midwest are familiar with ' corn sweat,' which is when crops move water to their leaves and other surfaces so it can evaporate, according to the Ohio State University. Madison County, Iowa, farmer Ryan Marquardt said corn sweat is 'not as bad as a sauna, but it definitely would have a sauna effect. It's humid in there (the cornfield), so you're gonna sweat.' Cornfield contributions to the overall humidity are much lower compared to the humidity winds carry from the Gulf of Mexico, according to OSU.
Chicago Tribune
20-04-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Heavy rain in Chicago delays Easter Sunday Cubs game
Afternoon egg hunts and the Cubs game Sunday were interrupted by a bout of heavy rain across the Chicago area, expected to ease up in the late afternoon before more stormy weather overnight. The worst of the Easter rain was expected to dry by about 3:30 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologist Ricky Castro said. Showers were expected around 8 p.m. with stormy conditions including wind gusts and possible lightning likely around midnight. The series finale between the Cubs and Diamondbacks was delayed at least twice Sunday afternoon because of the weather. Shortly after a delayed 2 p.m. start, the game stopped again due to lightning in the area, the Cubs posted on social media. Inland in the metro area, temperatures 'could make a run toward 60 degrees,' Castro said. But there won't be much of a warm up for fans at Wrigley Field or anywhere on the lakefront, he said, as temperatures there hovered in the 40s on Sunday and were expected to stay cool.
