Tag Archives: extreme weather

An Expert’s Updated View of Climate Change

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Extreme weather events, like heat waves and drought, seem to becoming more and more prevalent around the globe.  When they occur, we often hear officials say that individual weather events cannot be linked to climate change or that global warming may have played a role, but they cannot be certain.  New research, however, may change these somewhat standard responses.

James Hansen, a climatologist with NASA’s Goddard Institute, released a new study last week, which concludes that the only explanation for the increase in extreme weather is climate change. While this new statistical analysis of global temperatures has its critics, his recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post , “Climate Change is Here – and Worse than We Thought”, is well worth reading.

Weather and Health: Extreme Heat

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An oppressive heat wave is currently scorching the central region of the United States and is forecast to expand eastward this weekend.  As temperatures soar, it is important to remember that intense heat can cause serious health problems.

According to the CDC, extreme heat – temperatures that are significantly hotter than the average local summertime high – is one of the leading causes of weather related deaths in this country.   Claiming hundreds of lives every year, excessive heat kills more people across the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

Extreme heat is deadly, because it forces the human body beyond its capacity to cool itself. Linked to overheating and dehydration, heat related illnesses range in severity from mild to life threatening.  Symptoms for each stage include:

Heat Cramps:  painful muscle spasms in the legs and/or abdomen

Heat Exhaustion:  fatigue, weakness, clammy skin, and nausea

Heat Stroke:  rapid pulse, hot and dry skin, no sweating, victim could possibly be
unconscious;  a medical emergency

To beat the heat, the American Red Cross suggests:

  • Avoid strenuous activity
  • Dress lightly
  • Eat lightly
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Replenish salts and minerals lost to perspiration
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol
  • Stay out of the sun
  • Cool off in an air-conditioned building, when possible

Tropical Storm Debby

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Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth storm of this Atlantic Hurricane Season, has been battering Florida for days.  Spawning more than two dozen tornadoes, Debby’s strong winds have caused power outages and significant property damage around the state.  The most serious problems, however, are being produced by this storm’s relentless precipitation.

Essentially stalled over the Gulf of Mexico since Saturday, Debby has unleashed torrential rain and high storm surges up and down the Florida peninsula, causing widespread flooding.  The northern and central parts of the state have been particularly hard hit. According to the NWS office in Jacksonville, rainfall totals for this storm, so far, range from 15 to 20 inches across northern Florida.

Stretching out 205 miles from its center, this massive and slow moving storm finally made landfall late this afternoon. It is forecast to travel across the state and move out into the Atlantic Ocean by the end of the day tomorrow.  Before leaving, however, Debby is expected to unload even more rain on the already saturated Sunshine State.

It is hard to believe that many parts of Florida were suffering under serious drought conditions only a few weeks ago.

Severe Weather: Watches and Warnings

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Severe weather can happen anytime of the year, given the proper conditions.  This past weekend, for example, unstable air and wind shear combined to send tornadoes roaring through America’s heartland.

Any meteorological event that can cause property damage and loss of life is categorized as severe. It can come in a variety of forms, depending on location and season.  High winds, strong thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, dust storms, hurricanes, floods, and blizzards are all examples of severe weather that occurs in the United States.

When any severe weather event is in the forecast, it is important to understand the difference between the various alerts issued by the National Weather Service.  They include advisories, watches, and warnings.  All should be taken seriously.

  • Advisory:  An “advisory” is issued when significant, but not severe, weather conditions are likely to occur. Residents should exercise caution.
  • Watch:  A “watch” is issued when dangerous weather conditions are possible over the next several hours.  They generally cover a large geographic area.  Residents should be prepared to take action.
  • Warning:  A “warning” is issued when dangerous weather is imminent or already occurring.  They cover a smaller, more specific geographic area.  Residents should take action immediately.

Texas Tornado Outbreak

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Tornadoes swept across northeast Texas yesterday afternoon.  Widespread damage and numerous injuries have been reported, but luckily no fatalities.

So far, the National Weather Service has confirmed that eleven twisters touched down in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the ninth-largest metropolitan area in this country. The strongest storm in this outbreak was rated an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. It tore through the Dallas suburb of Forney, TX with winds of up to 150 mph.

Video taken during this outbreak shows the incredible power of a tornado’s winds, both horizontal and vertical. The footage of 8-ton tractor-trailers being lifted over one hundred feet in the air and tossed around like toys is unforgettable.

It is sadly coincidental that this devastating storm occurred on the anniversary of the Super Outbreak of 1974, the most violent tornado outbreak in U.S. history.

Tractor-trailers being sent skyward by the lifting power of a tornado near Lancaster, TX

Image credit: KXAS

Deadly March Tornado Outbreak

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Roaring through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys this past weekend, tornadoes claimed the lives of forty people across five states.  This was one of the deadliest March tornado outbreaks in the U.S. since 1950.

At this point, the National Weather Service has confirmed forty-five twisters in eleven states.  This number, however, is likely to rise as damage investigations continue.  The strongest storm in this widespread outbreak was rated an EF-4, the second highest ranking on Enhanced Fujita Scale. With winds of 175 mph, it devastated the town of Henryville, IN. Another hard hit area was West Liberty, KY. An EF-3 storm, with winds of 140 mph, is reported to have charged through the town’s main street, destroying everything in its path.

Tornadoes, nature’s most violent storms, are spawned by severe thunderstorm activity.  They can occur anywhere in any season, given the proper conditions. That said, they are more typical in the spring, when the atmosphere is transitioning from cold winter weather to summer warmth.

With the spring equinox just around the corner, this tornado season is only getting started.   Unfortunately, more severe weather is likely in the coming months.

Image Credit: NWS/Storm Prediction Center

2011: A Year of Wild Weather

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As 2011 comes to a close, there is no doubt that it has been an extraordinary year in weather.  We saw the full gamut of wild weather, both here in New York City and across the United States.

Locally, in NYC, we had a variety of exceptional weather events.  January became the snowiest month on record with 36 inches of snow.  Our second hottest day of all time came on July 22nd with a high temperature of 104°F.  In August, Irene became the first hurricane to make landfall in the city in 26 years. The storm contributed to August becoming our wettest month ever, with 18.95 inches of rain.   October brought us an early season snowstorm that left 2.9 inches of snow in Central Park, a record for the month. Overall, 2011 brought us 72.8 inches of rain.  That is 22.6 inches above average and marks this year as the second wettest in city history.

Nationally, some form of severe weather impacted nearly every state in the U.S. this year. This included blizzards, tornadoes, drought, wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, and hurricanes. According to NOAA, a new record for “billion dollar weather disasters” was set in 2011 with one-dozen extreme events. These twelve natural disasters alone are reported to have taken 646 lives and caused $52 billion worth of damage.

What a year it has been!