Latest news with #easternregion
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What you need to know about derechos, an uncommon and destructive weather event
Climate-Derecho-Explainer Prolonged wind events that unleash heavy rainfall and travel far distances sometimes qualify as derechos. Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the United States but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the country. Winds typically gust over 60 mph (97 kmh) and can cause damage comparable to tornadoes or hurricanes. Here's what you need to know about this uncommon form of extreme weather. What is a derecho? A derecho is a long-lived line of storms that often produces extreme wind damage, said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's office in Chicago. Derechos can last eight hours or longer and travel hundreds of miles (kilometers) across the country with winds typically gusting over 60 mph (97 kmh). 'There's been instances where derechos have moved from Iowa all the way to Washington, D.C.,' said Izzi. Because of the intense straight-line winds and vast distances a derecho can travel, the damage they cause is sometimes comparable to the destructive forces of tornadoes or hurricanes. Hurricanes are low-pressure systems that form over tropical or subtropical ocean waters and have organized thunderstorm activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unstable air that is hot and humid is supportive of derecho formation. Derechos can happen any time of year, but July and early August are the prime time for this type of extreme weather, said Izzi. Derechos are an uncommon weather event and usually a small number occur each year, but Izzi said several years could pass without a recorded derecho. There are different types of derechos. Serial derechos tend to form with large, powerful storms and typically occur in early spring, fall and early winter. Progressive derechos are usually smaller and tend to form in summer as they feed off of hot, humid conditions. Hybrid derechos have characteristics of both serial and progressive types. Conditions that are favorable for derechos can also lead to small, embedded tornadoes, which are violently rotating columns of air that extend down from a thunderstorm and reach the ground. Derechos tend to produce much more widespread damage than tornadoes because they can produce a swath of damage that exceeds 100 miles (160 kilometers) in width, whereas the damage from violent tornadoes is typically less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. Safety tips include using a radio to listen to the forecast, monitoring devices for severe weather alerts from the NWS and having access to a sturdy shelter. 'It can go from nice, calm weather to 100 miles per hour winds blowing down trees in literally a matter of minutes,' said Izzi. Where do derechos form? Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the U.S. but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the United States. Progressive derechos tend to favor the northern and central Plains eastward into the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley area. That is because domes of heat can form across central parts of the U.S. and derechos tend to form on the northern and northeastern flanks of the dome where there are high levels of atmospheric instability. This also tends to be where the jet stream winds are stronger. Humidity from crops like corn, also known as corn sweat, also magnifies how unstable the hot, humid air is. A 2003 derecho traveled from Arkansas through several southern states, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Two people died and 11 were hurt. A 2009 storm dubbed a Super Derecho by meteorologists traveled from western Kansas to eastern Kentucky. It caused several deaths and injuries and more than $500 million in damages by the time it had traveled more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers). A 2020 derecho that traveled from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois reached wind speeds of a major hurricane. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported winds approaching 100 mph (160 kph) in places. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, residents emerged from their homes to find an estimated 100,000 trees had been snapped or torn out of the ground. In December 2021, a derecho in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest spawned at least 45 tornadoes, caused widespread damage and killed at least five people. Derechos can cause flash flooding Derechos can be associated with a slow-moving or nearly stationary band of thunderstorms. This could potentially lead to heavy rainfall and flash floods that can cause significant damage. Flash floods associated with a derecho that occurred July 4-5, 1969, caused Killbuck Creek in Ohio to rise more than 20 feet (6 meters) above normal level and at least two dozen fatalities, according to NOAA. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
What you need to know about derechos, an uncommon and destructive weather event
Prolonged wind events that unleash heavy rainfall and travel far distances sometimes qualify as derechos. Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the United States but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the country. Winds typically gust over 60 mph (97 kmh) and can cause damage comparable to tornadoes or hurricanes. Here's what you need to know about this uncommon form of extreme weather. What is a derecho? A derecho is a long-lived line of storms that often produces extreme wind damage, said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's office in Chicago. Derechos can last eight hours or longer and travel hundreds of miles (kilometers) across the country with winds typically gusting over 60 mph (97 kmh). 'There's been instances where derechos have moved from Iowa all the way to Washington, D.C.,' said Izzi. Because of the intense straight-line winds and vast distances a derecho can travel, the damage they cause is sometimes comparable to the destructive forces of tornadoes or hurricanes. Hurricanes are low-pressure systems that form over tropical or subtropical ocean waters and have organized thunderstorm activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unstable air that is hot and humid is supportive of derecho formation. Derechos can happen any time of year, but July and early August are the prime time for this type of extreme weather, said Izzi. Derechos are an uncommon weather event and usually a small number occur each year, but Izzi said several years could pass without a recorded derecho. There are different types of derechos. Serial derechos tend to form with large, powerful storms and typically occur in early spring, fall and early winter. Progressive derechos are usually smaller and tend to form in summer as they feed off of hot, humid conditions. Hybrid derechos have characteristics of both serial and progressive types. Conditions that are favorable for derechos can also lead to small, embedded tornadoes, which are violently rotating columns of air that extend down from a thunderstorm and reach the ground. Derechos tend to produce much more widespread damage than tornadoes because they can produce a swath of damage that exceeds 100 miles (160 kilometers) in width, whereas the damage from violent tornadoes is typically less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. Safety tips include using a radio to listen to the forecast, monitoring devices for severe weather alerts from the NWS and having access to a sturdy shelter. 'It can go from nice, calm weather to 100 miles per hour winds blowing down trees in literally a matter of minutes,' said Izzi. Where do derechos form? Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the U.S. but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the United States. Progressive derechos tend to favor the northern and central Plains eastward into the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley area. That is because domes of heat can form across central parts of the U.S. and derechos tend to form on the northern and northeastern flanks of the dome where there are high levels of atmospheric instability. This also tends to be where the jet stream winds are stronger. Humidity from crops like corn, also known as corn sweat, also magnifies how unstable the hot, humid air is. A 2003 derecho traveled from Arkansas through several southern states, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Two people died and 11 were hurt. A 2009 storm dubbed a Super Derecho by meteorologists traveled from western Kansas to eastern Kentucky. It caused several deaths and injuries and more than $500 million in damages by the time it had traveled more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers). A 2020 derecho that traveled from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois reached wind speeds of a major hurricane. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported winds approaching 100 mph (160 kph) in places. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, residents emerged from their homes to find an estimated 100,000 trees had been snapped or torn out of the ground. In December 2021, a derecho in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest spawned at least 45 tornadoes, caused widespread damage and killed at least five people. Derechos can cause flash flooding Derechos can be associated with a slow-moving or nearly stationary band of thunderstorms. This could potentially lead to heavy rainfall and flash floods that can cause significant damage. Flash floods associated with a derecho that occurred July 4-5, 1969, caused Killbuck Creek in Ohio to rise more than 20 feet (6 meters) above normal level and at least two dozen fatalities, according to NOAA. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Climate
- Associated Press
What you need to know about derechos, an uncommon and destructive weather event
Prolonged wind events that unleash heavy rainfall and travel far distances sometimes qualify as derechos. Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the United States but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the country. Winds typically gust over 60 mph (97 kmh) and can cause damage comparable to tornadoes or hurricanes. Here's what you need to know about this uncommon form of extreme weather. What is a derecho? A derecho is a long-lived line of storms that often produces extreme wind damage, said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's office in Chicago. Derechos can last eight hours or longer and travel hundreds of miles (kilometers) across the country with winds typically gusting over 60 mph (97 kmh). 'There's been instances where derechos have moved from Iowa all the way to Washington, D.C.,' said Izzi. Because of the intense straight-line winds and vast distances a derecho can travel, the damage they cause is sometimes comparable to the destructive forces of tornadoes or hurricanes. Hurricanes are low-pressure systems that form over tropical or subtropical ocean waters and have organized thunderstorm activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unstable air that is hot and humid is supportive of derecho formation. Derechos can happen any time of year, but July and early August are the prime time for this type of extreme weather, said Izzi. Derechos are an uncommon weather event and usually a small number occur each year, but Izzi said several years could pass without a recorded derecho. There are different types of derechos. Serial derechos tend to form with large, powerful storms and typically occur in early spring, fall and early winter. Progressive derechos are usually smaller and tend to form in summer as they feed off of hot, humid conditions. Hybrid derechos have characteristics of both serial and progressive types. Conditions that are favorable for derechos can also lead to small, embedded tornadoes, which are violently rotating columns of air that extend down from a thunderstorm and reach the ground. Derechos tend to produce much more widespread damage than tornadoes because they can produce a swath of damage that exceeds 100 miles (160 kilometers) in width, whereas the damage from violent tornadoes is typically less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. Safety tips include using a radio to listen to the forecast, monitoring devices for severe weather alerts from the NWS and having access to a sturdy shelter. 'It can go from nice, calm weather to 100 miles per hour winds blowing down trees in literally a matter of minutes,' said Izzi. Where do derechos form? Derechos can happen almost anywhere in the U.S. but are most common in the central and eastern regions of the United States. Progressive derechos tend to favor the northern and central Plains eastward into the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley area. That is because domes of heat can form across central parts of the U.S. and derechos tend to form on the northern and northeastern flanks of the dome where there are high levels of atmospheric instability. This also tends to be where the jet stream winds are stronger. Humidity from crops like corn, also known as corn sweat, also magnifies how unstable the hot, humid air is. A 2003 derecho traveled from Arkansas through several southern states, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Two people died and 11 were hurt. A 2009 storm dubbed a Super Derecho by meteorologists traveled from western Kansas to eastern Kentucky. It caused several deaths and injuries and more than $500 million in damages by the time it had traveled more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers). A 2020 derecho that traveled from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois reached wind speeds of a major hurricane. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported winds approaching 100 mph (160 kph) in places. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, residents emerged from their homes to find an estimated 100,000 trees had been snapped or torn out of the ground. In December 2021, a derecho in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest spawned at least 45 tornadoes, caused widespread damage and killed at least five people. Derechos can cause flash flooding Derechos can be associated with a slow-moving or nearly stationary band of thunderstorms. This could potentially lead to heavy rainfall and flash floods that can cause significant damage. Flash floods associated with a derecho that occurred July 4-5, 1969, caused Killbuck Creek in Ohio to rise more than 20 feet (6 meters) above normal level and at least two dozen fatalities, according to NOAA. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Rains, tornado-like dust devil storms hit some parts of UAE
As the summer heat intensifies, parts of the UAE have been treated to a refreshing shift in weather. Scattered showers over the past few days have brought welcome relief, particularly across the country's eastern region. Today is no different. Videos shared by Storm Centre captured showed rainfall pouring onto roads in areas such as Safi. In one video, rain lashes a car's windshield, obscuring visibility and hinting at the intensity of the downpour. Another clip shows water pooling along the roadside, forming shallow puddles that glisten under the grey skies. However, the rainfall wasn't just a gentle drizzle. In some locations, it was heavy enough to disrupt driving conditions and obscure views, prompting authorities to step in with safety advisories. #Ù�رÙ�ز_اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© 28_7_2025 — Ù�رÙ�ز اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© (@Storm_centre) July 28, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ù�رÙ�ز اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© Ù�Ù�راÙ�بة اÙ�Ø·Ù�س Ù�اÙ�ذذÙ�ر اÙ�Ù�Ù�اخÙ� اÙ�Ù�ؤسس omar alnauimi (@storm_ae) Abu Dhabi Police issued a weather alert for Al Ain, urging motorists to drive cautiously in light of the rainy conditions. The authority also urged motorists to adhere to variable speed limits displayed on electronic road signs. #Ù�رÙ�ز_اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© 28_7_2025 — Ù�رÙ�ز اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© (@Storm_centre) July 28, 2025 But it wasn't just rain turning heads. Storm Centre also shared a striking video of a massive sandstorm. The swirling gust of sand appeared to shoot skyward in a funnel-like shape, resembling a tornado. The storm was so intense that it blanketed the affected area in a brown-ish haze. Watch the video below, as shared by Storm Centre: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ù�رÙ�ز اÙ�عاصÙ�Ø© Ù�Ù�راÙ�بة اÙ�Ø·Ù�س Ù�اÙ�ذذÙ�ر اÙ�Ù�Ù�اخÙ� اÙ�Ù�ؤسس omar alnauimi (@storm_ae) Some residents on Sunday (July 27) also observed a massive sandstorm or a gustnado — a small, short-lived whirlwind that often appears during strong thunderstorms, especially in desert climates. Unlike true tornadoes, gustnadoes are not connected to a thunderstorm cloud base. Though less destructive than full-scale tornadoes, they can still kick up sand and debris, causing visibility issues and posing risks for motorists. Summer rains in UAE While summer rain may seem surprising to some, meteorologists say it's not entirely uncommon in the UAE. But while the occasional rain during the season brings respite, residents still need to be careful and take serious precautions to prioritise their health and safety. Summer in the UAE isn't just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to serious health conditions, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Eastern youth: 'We need representation to trust government institutions'
As part of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya's public consultations with youth on the political process, 21 youth from across the eastern region joined an online consultation on Sunday about the Advisory Committee's proposals to take Libya to elections. Highlighting their recommendations, they said youth must have representation in government institutions in order to rebuild trust with the executive which has been eroded. 'We do not trust any of the current entities. There is a large trust gap among young people and government entities because we do not have any representation,' said one participant from Benghazi. 'None of the existing bodies give space for new players,' said another participant from Benghazi. 'They do not give space to youth. We need new bodies that represent us.' Others agreed saying that the current institutions have lost the confidence of the people, with many believing they have obstructed elections because those running them wish to stay in power. Many participants suggested that Option 4, which stipulates a Constituent Assembly be selected through a dialogue forum to select an interim government and pave the way for elections, was the most reasonable way forward as it gives citizens a voice. But others advocated for options 1, 2 and 3. Option 1 suggests near simultaneous presidential and legislative elections. Option 2 suggests electing a legislature first to adopt a constitution before conducting presidential elections. Option 3 suggests adopting a constitution prior to any elections. 'We have tried options 1 and 2 before and they were unsuccessful,' said a participant from Derna. 'It is like the Advisory Committee put forward four options, the first three of which have already been done.' A participant from Benghazi argued: 'Option 4 is the best option because there is a constituent assembly, and we can be local observers.' 'Simultaneous elections will not work,' said another participant who favoured Option 2. The current political environment is not conducive to linking presidential and legislative elections, as is suggested in the Advisory Committee's first option, they said. 'It is very difficult to have a full electoral track,' said a participant from Benghazi. 'We saw what the government did to prevent elections last time. Any new government must be under a constitutional track that elections follow.' The need for political stability was stressed, with participants saying the impact of the ongoing economic and security situation was taking a significant toll. 'I don't accept a unified government in Tripoli when I need development in my area and they are 1,000 kilometres away,' said one participant from Benghazi. Another from Al Marj, said that all the options were ideal, if Libya was a stable country. They suggested that a national dialogue that included everyone—not just 40 to 50 people— and which represented each region would be hard to ignore if it was established. 'The country requires political and institutional stability for there to be a future. We must let the people choose, not have us subjected to under-the-table agreements,' said another participant. 'There must be real opportunities for women and youth to participate. But there also has to be regional representation. Federalism is a realistic solution to these issues and would save the country from regional separation and ensure a fair distribution of wealth.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
