Category: Weather Nerd

Historic Wildfires in France and Spain Force Hundreds of Thousands to Flee their Homes

Helicopter in silhouette dropping water on raging wildfire

Heat waves and scant rainfall in Europe have contributed to historic wildfires in France and Spain that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in one of the continent’s biggest evacuation efforts since World War II. Rising Temps Could Complicate Firefighting Efforts As AP News reports, rising temperatures later this week could complicate efforts to […]

Sizzling US Temps put more than 100 million Under Heat Alerts This Week

thermostat temp gauge in front of blazing sun in the sky

More than 100 million people across the nation will be under some kind of heat alert this week, with dangerously hot weather expected to affect a large portion of the country from the West to the Midwest. As ABC News reports, at least seven large cities are forecast to reach triple-digit highs, including 112 degrees in Las […]

What is Storm Surge and why is it so Dangerous?

As Tropical Storm Bertha gains strength crossing Louisiana and heading towards Texas, everyone is talking not so much about the wind speeds, but the flooding rain and storm surge that threatens life and property. What is Storm Surge? Put simply, storm surge is the level at which sea water rises above its normal level. Much […]

Wildfire Smoke doesn’t just affect your Physical Health – it’s Bad for Your Mental Health, Too

Wildfire smoke haze over a city

Breathing in the yellow haze of wildfire smoke is not only bad for your lungs, it can harm your mind, too. As The Washington Post reports, in recent years research has begun to link air pollution with poor mental health, from depression and anxiety to psychotic breakdowns and, in kids, ADHD symptoms. And while most […]

How People Cooled Off During Hot Summers in a Time Before AC

cartoon of women overheated and sweating in the sun

Air conditioning is a comfort that many people take for granted when temperatures soar during the summer. However, before electricity or the widespread use of home cooling systems, people had to get creative to beat the heat. As AccuWeather reports, here are five ways people across the United States stayed cool before air conditioning was […]

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Engulfs the Northern U.S…. Again

Canadian Wildfire smoke orange haze over New York City

Massive plumes of smoke are descending across parts of Canada and the United States, creating dangerous air quality and scenes reminiscent of the historic wildfire smoke outbreak from three summers ago. As AccuWeather reports, air quality alerts have been issued for millions of people, including across all of Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, […]

Is Tropical Storm “Bertha” on its Way to Gulf Coast?

Storm clouds and rain over pacific ocean and beach

Meteorologists and hurricane experts are currently tracking “Tropical Depression Two” in the eastern Gulf that is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to much of the Gulf Coast through this week. As AccuWeather reports, a cluster of showers and thunderstorms moved off the west coast of Florida on Friday after producing localized areas […]

It’s an Eerie Deja Vu as Texas Gets Hit with Massive Rainfall and “Catastrophic” Flooding in July, Again

Floodwaters rage in Central Texas

Another round of slow-moving storms packing heavy rain is pounding an already drenched area of southern Texas on Wednesday and creating life-threatening flooding. As CNN Weather reports, the relentless rain, up to 16 inches of it so far, has led to dozens of water rescues in the region and is causing waterways to rise rapidly. About half a […]

These 3 Most Common Types of Floods all Carry Distinct Dangers You Should Know About

Houston Texas during Flood event, street under water

Flooding can strike in seconds or days in various forms, each with its own life-threatening potential. “Sometimes people are not taking flooding situations as seriously as a tornado or hurricane or a big blizzard and sometimes can underestimate the power that water,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said. “Unfortunately, that claims a lot of lives.”  As AccuWeather reports, all […]