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Severe thunderstorms and high winds in the Great Plains region on Saturday night injured residents, damaged homes and left more than 50,000 electricity customers in Oklahoma and Texas without power, the local authorities said, as more than two dozen tornadoes were reported overnight. More than 13 million people from Texas to Illinois were under tornado watches as of 2 a.m. local time, meaning that tornadoes could occur over the next few hours. The severe weather followed a day in which tornadoes tore through parts of Nebraska and Iowa and leveled dozens of homes on Friday. Thunderstorms were expected to move east into the Mississippi Valley on Sunday, and heavy rains were forecast in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, the National Weather Service said.

Organizations: National Weather Service Locations: Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Mississippi, Texas , Arkansas, Louisiana

At least one tornado struck parts of Nebraska on Friday afternoon, leading to the collapse of an industrial building, injuring at least three people and prompting a widespread emergency response, officials said, a day after tornadoes battered other parts of the Midwest. The Weather Service issued tornado warnings for much of Omaha, including the downtown area. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office responded to the industrial building at Garner Industries around 3 p.m. and found it “pretty much totally collapsed” with several people trapped inside, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said. Three people were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, he said, adding that roughly 70 people were inside when the tornado struck. The sheriff’s office also received reports of a derailed train in Waverly, Chief Houchin said, adding, “They didn’t require any emergency assistance, so we’re hoping it’s very minor.”

Persons: Ben Houchin, Houchin, it’s, ” Organizations: Midwest, The Weather Service, Sheriff’s, Garner Industries Locations: Nebraska, Omaha, Lancaster, Waverly ,

☆ Severe Weather Bringing Tornado Threat and Flooding to Gulf Coast
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Waves of intense weather were moving east on Wednesday, bringing flash flooding and tornadoes the New Orleans area and other parts of the central Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. The first tornado warnings have been issued for some rural areas, and more were expected through the morning. Forecasters warned that more than seven million people across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama could experience extreme weather through the day. The Weather Service issued more than a dozen tornado warnings and watches that covered towns from Texas to Mississippi. One of the more significant bulletins was a tornado watch issued for the southeastern portion of Louisiana north to Columbus, Miss., until the early afternoon.

Persons: There’s Organizations: National Weather Service, Weather Service Locations: Orleans, Gulf Coast, New Orleans, Louisiana , Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Columbus, Miss

He had planned to lead a team of 15 local journalists reporting on the eclipse. Journalists at The Democrat & Chronicle have worked without a contract since 2019, said Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York, the union that represents them. Workers also seek a policy regarding the ethical use of artificial intelligence in reporting and writing articles, Mr. Craig said. “We had this incredible story that would touch a lot of people in our community,” Mr. Craig said. “Hopefully we’ll be back at the negotiating table tomorrow morning,” Mr. Craig said.

Persons: “ I’m, I’m, ”, Gary Craig, Susan DeCarava, “ Gannett, Ms, DeCarava, Craig, ’ bylines, “, ” Amy Garrard, ” Mr, we’ll Organizations: Democrat, Chronicle, Gannett, Journalists, The Democrat, The New York Times, ” Gannett, USA, Workers Locations: Rochester , N.Y, New York, newsrooms, United States, Rochester

Map: 4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes New JerseyShake intensity The New York TimesA light, 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck in New Jersey on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was felt across the New York City metropolitan area, and from Philadelphia to Boston. Earthquakes Magnitude 4.5+ Others 1983 5.1 CANADA 1982 4.5 Vt. N.H. N.Y. Mass. Today’s earthquake Magnitude 4.8 Conn. Pa. 1964 4.5 1994 4.6 250-mile radius from New York City Md. Today’s earthquake Magnitude 4.8 Conn. R.I. Pa. 1964 4.5 1994 4.6 N.J. Md.

Persons: Lazaro Gamio Organizations: New York Times, United States Geological Survey, New, Maine CANADA, New York City Del Locations: New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Whitehouse, N.J, N.H, N.Y, Pa, New York City Md, Del, Va, Maine, R.I, Md

☆ ‘Alarming’ Ocean Temperatures Suggest This Hurricane Season Will Be a Daunting One
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A key area of the Atlantic Ocean where hurricanes form is already abnormally warm, much warmer than an ideal swimming pool temperature of about 80 degrees and on the cusp of feeling more like warm bathtub water. These conditions were described by Benjamin Kirtman, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami, as “unprecedented,” “alarming” and an “out-of-bounds anomaly.” Combined with the rapidly subsiding El Niño weather pattern, it is leading to mounting confidence among forecasting experts that there will be an exceptionally high number of storms this hurricane season. One such expert, Phil Klotzbach, a researcher at Colorado State University, said in his team’s annual forecast on Thursday that they expected a remarkably busy season of 23 named storms, including 11 hurricanes — five of them potentially reaching major status, meaning Category 3 or higher. In a typical season, there are 14 named storms with seven hurricanes and three of them major. Dr. Klotzbach said there was a “well above-average probability” that at least one major hurricane would make landfall along the United States and in the Caribbean.

Persons: Benjamin Kirtman, Phil Klotzbach, Klotzbach Organizations: University of Miami, Colorado State University Locations: United States, Caribbean

Warnings in Ohio Wednesday morning after dramatic weather in Chicago on TuesdayAn early picture of the storms’ impact began to emerge as officials worked to assess damage and confirm tornadoes in several communities west of Chicago on Tuesday night. As the threat of severe weather moved east on Wednesday morning, more than 3 million people across Ohio and Kentucky were under a tornado watch. The Weather Service office in Wilmington, Ohio, issued a brief tornado warning for several counties in west central Ohio, advising that debris may fly in strong winds and that mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. Tornado watches were also issued for Indiana until 6 a.m.

Organizations: Weather Service, Indiana Locations: Ohio, Chicago, Kentucky, Wilmington , Ohio

In the aftermath of that storm, safety experts offered advice on how people can stay safe if they are stuck in their vehicles. First, do not leave your car, experts said. If you run out of water, drink melted snow, Dr. Mitchell said. Drive slowly to avoid skidding, and note that it takes longer to decelerate in icy road conditions, according to AAA. Drivers should inspect tires monthly and before long trips, according to guidance issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Persons: Ken Zafren, ”, Gordon Giesbrecht, Steve Mitchell, Grant Lipman, Mitchell, Lipman Organizations: Woodrow, Stanford University, Alaska Native Medical Center, University of Manitoba, Credit, . Virginia Department of Transportation, Associated Press, American Kennel Club, National Weather Service, AAA, National, Traffic Safety Administration Locations: Alexandria, Va, Virginia, Alaska, Anchorage , Alaska, Seattle, Fredericksburg

Nearly half of all flash flood deaths are vehicle-related, experts say, which is why you should never drive into a flooded street. Here’s what to do in advance — and in the moment — to get through a flash flood safely. A “flash flood warning” means a flash flood is imminent or already occurring, and you should immediately move to higher ground if you’re outside or in a basement apartment. The most dire alert is a “flash flood emergency,” which indicates that not only is flooding occurring, but it’s posing a severe threat to human life. “People need to realize that most people who lose their footing in a flash flood don’t get out,” she said.

Persons: there’s, ”, Bonnie Schneider, Schneider, it’s, Hurricane Ida, You’ll, Ready.gov, David Markenson, ‘ It’s, Sabine Marx, I’m, Julie Munger, Munger, “, Dr, Markenson, you’re, don’t, they’re, Ms, Lynn Burttschell, Burttschell, Eugene Resnick, ’, ” Susan Shain Organizations: National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cross Training Services, Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Sierra Rescue, FEMA, Wimberley, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Times Locations: United States, New York City, New York, Madison, Wis

☆ Atmospheric River Could Bring ‘Dangerous’ Conditions to Southern California
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It could rain for days in Southern California starting on Saturday night, potentially in record amounts, creating the conditions for what the National Weather Service described as a “very dangerous situation” Sunday into Monday. The storm system is also expected to bring several feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada, and powerful onshore winds and intense, damaging surf along the California coast. The effects of this system will begin to be felt in California on Saturday evening, and will last through Tuesday. This atmospheric river will be stronger than the last two. This storm will connect to an atmospheric river, a stream of moisture in the sky that is typically a couple of hundred miles wide and can be seen on satellite imagery.

Organizations: National Weather Service, Weather Service Locations: Southern California, Sierra Nevada, California, Bay, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Hawaii

☆ Coastal Cities Brace for Climate Change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Manuela Andreoni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Over the past few weeks, flooding from storms has battered cities in the South and the East Coast, from Louisiana to New Jersey. Overlapping atmospheric rivers over the West Coast have brought heavy rains that are likely to come back in the next few days. “The problem comes when there’s too much at one time,” he said. Climate change makes that a lot more likely. Warmer air holds more moisture, which means storms in many parts of the world are getting wetter and more intense, as my colleague Ray Zhong explained during deluges last year.

Persons: Jill Cowan, Judson Jones, there’s, ”, Ray Zhong, deluges Locations: East Coast, Louisiana, New Jersey, West, Ventura County, San Diego

☆ Here’s How the Next Two Atmospheric Rivers Will Affect California
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

An atmospheric river of moisture, stretching over 3,000 miles past Hawaii, was streaming into California on Wednesday. Forecasters have warned California residents that unsettled weather through Thursday is likely to bring heavy rains, strong winds and mountain snow as the storm moves down along the West Coast. A similar storm will threaten the region early next week. When the tail end of an atmospheric river stretches back toward Hawaii, like this one, it is often called a “Pineapple Express.”

Locations: Hawaii, California, West Coast

☆ More Atmospheric Rivers Are on the Way. Here’s What the West Can Expect.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Judson Jones | More About Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Western United States and Canada are likely to see excessive rain and heavy snowfall from a sequence of back-to-back atmospheric rivers beginning this weekend and continuing into next week. An atmospheric river is like a powerful fire hose with only one person holding it. It could be strong in the San Francisco Bay Area, and little might fall in Southern California, or vice versa. But they are less certain where the heaviest precipitation will fall, especially later in the week. There are at least three atmospheric rivers over the next week, and an additional one beyond that.

Persons: UC San Diego — Organizations: Western United, San Francisco Bay Area, SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego Locations: Western United States, Canada, San Francisco Bay, Southern California, West Coast

In Dallas, where temperatures dropped as low as 10 degrees last week, highs were forecast to reach the 60s on Wednesday. In New York City, where the low dropped to 17 on Wednesday, unseasonably high temperatures in the 50s were expected by Thursday. And in St. Louis, which was covered in ice on Monday, a high of 50 was expected on Wednesday. Sitting in a frigid Bryant Park in New York City on Monday, Adia Rafio, 26, of Queens said she was considering making outdoor plans later this week. “I’m definitely going to take advantage,” she said as workers shoveled snow and ice nearby.

Persons: Louis, Adia Rafio, Queens, “ I’m, ” Locations: Dallas, New York City, St, Bryant, United States

Residents in Billings, Mont., woke up to a temperature of minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit. In Des Moines, homeowners were digging out snow from a blizzard and facing wind gusts of 45 miles per hour. Towns and cities along the East Coast were bracing for possible flooding from yet more rain. And communities near the Gulf Coast are preparing for a deep freeze. MidwestAs of Saturday morning, blizzard warnings were in effect for most of Iowa, as well as for North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Organizations: National Weather Service Locations: Billings, Mont, Des Moines, Towns, East, United States, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska

☆ 2023 Hurricane Season Ends, Marked by Storms That ‘Really Rapidly Intensified’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( William B. Davis | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

During the Atlantic hurricane season, 20 storms formed, seven of which reached hurricane strength, meaning sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Storms that experienced rapid intensification Rapid intensification Atlantic storms Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. wind speed Hilary Lidia 100 50 0 4 0 6 8 2 10 12 14 16 Days since start of storm Atlantic storms Rapid intensification Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. Despite its strength, the slightly cooler waters near Mexico’s Baja Peninsula would rapidly weaken Hilary to a tropical storm. The background graphic shows the storm moving from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall on Oct. 25.

Persons: El Niño, ” James P, ”, Kossin, Otis, Hilary Lidia 100, Philip Klotzbach, Klotzbach, Hurricanes Lee, Idalia, Hilary, Hurricane Hilary, “, Eric Blake Organizations: Canada New York United States Houston, Canada New York United States, Houston, Canada New York United, Canada New York United States Los, PACIFIC, ATLANTIC, Eastern, OCEAN United, OCEAN United States Los, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico City, Atlantic, University of Wisconsin, El, Pacific, National, Colorado State University, East, Hurricanes, Hurricane, U.S, National Hurricane Center Locations: Canada, Canada New York United States Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Canada New York United States, PACIFIC OCEAN, Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, OCEAN United States, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico, Eastern, North America, Pacific, Madison, Florida, United States, Florida’s Big Bend, Cuba, Caribbean, Cancun, Gulf, Mexico, Bend, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida , Georgia, North Carolina, California, Peninsula, Baja California, Southern California, Death, Acapulco

Heavy rain and snow that could snarl morning travel in parts of the Eastern United States on Wednesday were expected to end by the afternoon and give way to a placid Thanksgiving for much of the nation, forecasters said. A storm that began late Monday and continued overnight Tuesday was expected to leave up to three inches of rain in some areas from the Gulf Coast through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast. Snowfall of up to six inches was possible in parts of New Hampshire and northern Maine, according to the National Weather Service, which would create what the forecasters called a “white Thanksgiving.”

Persons: ” Organizations: Eastern, National Weather Service Locations: Eastern United States, Gulf, New Hampshire, Maine

It’s that time of the year when airports and highways are abundantly crowded as hosts of travelers make their yearly pilgrimage for turkey and stuffing. A pre-Thanksgiving storm may make travel more difficult for many as some regions register severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, heavy rain and even snow at some high elevations. Whether wintry precipitation or just plain wet weather, the storm system could impact travel during one of the busiest travel days of the year, as millions take to the skies to break bread with family and friends. The Transportation Security Administration expects about 30 million passengers to fly between this Friday and the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which represents an 11.5 percent increase from last year. In the New York area alone, which could be on the path of the storm weather, the four major airports were expecting 3.1 million passengers through Monday next week.

Organizations: Weather Prediction, Transportation Security Administration Locations: United States, New York

Listen and follow The DailyApple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicHurricane Otis, which killed more than two dozen people in southern Mexico this week, exemplified a phenomenon that meteorologists fear will become more and more common: a severe hurricane that arrives with little warning or time to prepare. Judson Jones, who covers natural disasters for The Times, explains why Hurricane Otis packed such an unexpected punch.

Persons: Judson Jones, Hurricane Otis Organizations: Spotify, Music Hurricane Otis, The Times Locations: Mexico

☆ Why Hurricane Otis Caught Many By Surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Judson Jones | More About Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Tuesday morning, few meteorologists were talking about Tropical Storm Otis. At that time, forecast computer models didn’t show much to be concerned about. Forecasters with the U.S. National Hurricane Center said that morning that “some slight strengthening” was possible over the following days. By Sunday evening, the computer forecast models were still not showing much. A forecaster uses several tools to create a weather forecast, not just computer models.

Persons: Tropical Storm Otis, Otis, Tomer Organizations: Tropical Storm, U.S, National Hurricane Center Locations: Mexico, Tomer Burg

Before the storm made landfall, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico had urged residents in Guerrero to brace for the storm. “Agree to move to shelters, stay in safe places: away from rivers, streams, ravines, and be alert,” he said on Tuesday. It also recommended that Acapulco residents take shelter, avoid crossing streams and flooded streets, and stay away from areas prone to landslides. The rainfall could cause flash and urban flooding, as well as mudslides in the mountainous areas, forecasters said. “There are no hurricanes on record even close to this intensity for this part of Mexico,” the hurricane center added.

Persons: Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ”, Otis, Hurricane Patricia Organizations: of, Protection Locations: Mexico, Guerrero, Acapulco, Tecpán, Oaxaca, Pacific Coast

On Tuesday morning, few meteorologists were talking about Tropical Storm Otis. At that time, forecast computer models didn’t show much to be concerned about. By Sunday evening, the computer forecast models were still not showing much. This is why meteorologists often preach that a computer model isn’t a forecast — forecasters create forecasts, they like to say. On Monday evening, with Otis still a tropical storm, satellite images revealed a little feature that could mean that the storm was about to intensify very quickly.

Persons: Tropical Storm Otis, Otis, Zach Levitt, Tomer, we’re, Eric Blake, Hurricane Otis Organizations: Tropical Storm, National, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Otis, Hurricane Locations: Mexico, Tomer Burg, Florida, @burgwx, Acapulco

Hurricane Otis exploded onto the southwest coast of Mexico early Wednesday, shocking forecasters as it emerged as one of the more powerful Category 5 storms to batter the region and create what one expert called a “nightmare scenario” for a popular tourist coastline. Few meteorologists initially thought the tropical storm would make landfall as a catastrophic hurricane. Most models failed to predict that the storm would intensify over the Pacific Ocean, leading forecasters to believe it would be at most a weak hurricane. But it strengthened with remarkable speed, and by Tuesday evening forecasters and Mexican officials were rushing to warn residents of its potential for destruction. The storm slammed ashore with sustained winds of 165 miles per hour; just a day earlier, Otis brought winds of 65 miles per hour.

Persons: Otis Organizations: Otis Locations: Mexico, Guerrero, Oaxaca

The group chat had been filled with balloon and champagne emojis for days. The clouds have essentially ruined many New Yorkers’ plans. Perhaps Ms. Neilsa, a model in Bushwick, captured the vibe perfectly: “I’m not going to lie, this sucks,” she said. A weekend in August lost to an annoying drizzle, but no problem. Then another weekend lost in September — then again, and again, and again, until finally, it was hard to be outside and soaked this last Saturday and not think that some mysterious force was bent on drenching the city as soon as each workweek ended.

Persons: Candace Neilsa, —, Neilsa, I’m, ” Organizations: New, Yorkers Locations: New York City, Bushwick

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