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☆ Beethoven’s hair reveals lead poisoning
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” is one of the first songs I learned to play on the violin. While his doctor’s notes were lost to time, scientists sequenced Beethoven’s genome from locks of his hair last year. Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA new analysis of Beethoven’s hair has shown the composer experienced lead poisoning toward the end of his life. Tests revealed incredibly elevated levels of lead, as well as arsenic and mercury, in two of his locks, likely from drinking wine that was sweetened with lead. Researchers don’t believe lead poisoning would have been enough to kill him, but it could have contributed to the composer’s well-known gastrointestinal issues and deafness.

Persons: CNN — Ludwig van Beethoven’s, Joy ”, I’ll, Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven, don’t, ”, William Meredith, Umm Jirsan, Lady Elliot, Rebecca Wright, Kate Quigley, “ We’re, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Symphony, Hulton, “, Arabia, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Minderoo, Energy, CNN Space, Science Locations: Alabama, Saudi Arabia, Umm Jirsan, Lady, Australia

☆ Missed the dazzling northern lights show? You might get another chance Saturday night
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Ramon Sanchez | Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images The northern lights shine in the night sky above the Molenviergang in Aarlanderveen, the Netherlands, early May 11. Alexey Malgavko/Reuters The northern lights are seen in a rural area west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, May 10. Courtesy Luke Culver People photograph the northern lights from Whitley Bay, England, on May 10. Courtesy Jan Reed The northern lights glow in the night sky in Brandenburg, Germany, on May 10. Increased solar activity causes auroras that dance around Earth’s poles, known as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, and southern lights, or aurora australis.

Persons: Chad Myers, it’ll, Alastair Johnstone, Andrew Chin, Sanka Vidanagama, Carlos Avila Gonzalez, Josh Walet, Robert Nemeti, Jean, Christophe Bott, Max Slovencik, Alexey Malgavko, Luke Culver, Ian Forsyth, Robert F, Geoff Robins, Rich, Jan Reed, Patrick Pleul, Jenny Kane, Adam Vaughan, Jacob Anderson, Peter Byrne, Biden, it’s, Dr, Hakeem Oluseyi, Bill Nye, Guy, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Prediction, Midwest, Getty, San Francisco Chronicle, Keystone, AFP, Luke Culver People, Rockies, National Weather Service Locations: Alabama, Ohio, Pacific Northwest, North America, Gulf, ”, Sheffield, England, Manning, British Columbia, Christchurch , New Zealand, AFP, Berryessa , California, Aarlanderveen, Netherlands, Debrad, Slovakia, Anadolu, Le, Dessous, Switzerland, Vienna, Siberian, Tara, Russia's Omsk, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Whitley Bay, Brunswick , Maine, London , Ontario, Ontario, Tennessee, Washington, Memphis , Tennessee, Rich Hill , Missouri, Brandenburg, Germany, Estacada , Oregon, Cumming , Georgia, Crosby , England, Edinburgh, Scotland, Crosby Beach, Liverpool, Texas, Coast, Sweden, South Africa, United States

☆ A 'severe' geomagnetic storm is forecast for Earth for the first time in years — here's what to know about these storms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFor the first time in nearly 20 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted a "severe" G4 geomagnetic storm to hit this Friday, dazzling states across the northern US with aurora. G4 storms are the second-strongest type of geomagnetic storm. "If geomagnetic storms were hurricanes, 'severe' would be category 4," according to SpaceWeather.com. Solar storms happen when the sun shoots powerful explosions of highly-energized and magnetic plasma called coronal mass ejections toward Earth. Also, a severe storm might disrupt GPS, so it's best to have a written record and directions to important locations, like hospitals.

Persons: —, Matt Owens, Owens, George Lepp, Alex Young, NASA Goddard's, it's, Young Organizations: Service, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Business, University of Reading, NASA, NOAA, Northern, NASA Goddard's Heliophysics Locations: Sweden, South Africa, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania

☆ Why tonight’s massive solar storm could disrupt communications and GPS systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

NOAA’s severe space weather watch suggests the storm could trigger numerous effects for life on Earth, possibly affecting the power grid as well as satellite and high frequency radio communications. Moreover, the changes to the ionosphere can block or degrade radio transmissions trying to pass through the atmosphere to reach satellites. And they can also prevent radio transmissions from successfully bouncing off the ionosphere — which some radio operators normally do to increase the range of their signals. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency outlined a similar report in a 2021 presentation on space weather, finding that line-of-sight radio transmissions are generally not affected by space weather except in specific situations. The largest known geomagnetic storm in history, known as the Carrington Event of 1859, caused telegraph stations to spark and catch fire.

Persons: Washington CNN — Buckle, “ SWPC, Ashley Strickland Organizations: Washington CNN, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Communications, NOAA, Prediction, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Infrastructure Security Agency Locations: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, Quebec, Canada, Sweden, South Africa

☆ Solar storms could create rare aurora displays, impact communications on Earth this weekend
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

When the energized particles from coronal mass ejections reach Earth’s magnetic field, they interact with gases in the atmosphere to create different colored light in the sky. The Space Weather Prediction Center tracked multiple strong flares emitting from a large cluster of sunspots on the solar surface since Wednesday. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune/Getty ImagesThe effects of geomagnetic stormsWhen directed at Earth, these ejections can cause geomagnetic storms, or major disturbances of Earth’s magnetic field. So far, researchers have obseverd only three severe geomagnetic storms during the current solar cycle, which began in December 2019, according to the center. The storms also affect flight patterns of commercial airlines, which are instructed to stay away from Earth’s poles during geomagnetic storms due to loss of communication or navigation capabilities.

Persons: Wolf, Alex Kormann Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Prediction, National Weather Service, Star Tribune, Getty Locations: Alabama, Northern California, New Mexico , Missouri, North Carolina, California, United States, England, United Kingdom, Cloquet, Minnesota, Sweden, South Africa, Quebec

☆ Tornadoes Are Coming in Bunches. Scientists Are Trying to Figure Out Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Delger Erdenesanaa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Tornadoes tend to travel in packs these days, often with a dozen or more forming in the same region on the same day. On the worst days, hundreds can form at once. More than a dozen tornadoes were reported on both Monday and Tuesday this week across the Great Plains and the Midwest, according to the Storm Prediction Center run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Two weeks ago, on the most active day in April, 105 tornadoes were reported. While outbreaks like these happened have always happened, they have become more common in recent decades.

Organizations: Storm, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration

At least one person was killed on Wednesday as strong storms moved through Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee on Wednesday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and hail in some areas. The severe weather arrived a day after widespread storms pummeled the Midwest, with tornadoes that tore through Michigan. As storms continued to move through a swath of the Midwest and the Eastern United States on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a string of tornado warnings in cities across Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. More severe storms were expected through the evening, according to forecasters. About 18 million people were under either an enhanced or moderate risk of severe weather — the third and fourth levels of intensity, out of five — on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.

Organizations: Midwest, Eastern, National Weather Service, Prediction Locations: Missouri , Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Claiborne County, Eastern United States, Missouri , Kentucky

☆ Evacuations ordered, homes damaged in Texas as rivers surge to Hurricane Harvey levels. And more rain is on the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Mary Gilbert | Joe Sutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A total of 1,000 homes are in a mandatory evacuation zone in the county, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy told CNN. “Due to continuous rainfall across East Texas and rising levels in creeks and rivers, flood levels may increase. Please remain aware of changing flood levels along the Trinity River and ALL low-lying levels. Greg Abbott expanded the storm-related declarations in response to the flooding, according to a news release. The repeated bouts of heavy rainfall soaked soils, making many areas extremely prone to both flash and river flooding.

Persons: Hurricane Harvey, ” Emmitt Eldridge, Eldridge, ”, •, ” Sherri Pegoda, Walker, Pegoda, ” Pegoda, “, Sydney Murphy, Harvey, ” Harris, Lina Hidalgo, Greg Abbott, Hawley –, Bret Hendrickson, Brad Wilson, Hawley, CNN’s Allison Chinchar, Sara Tonks, Ray Sanchez, Andy Rose, Joe Sutton, Paradise Afshar Organizations: CNN, Panhandle, The Coast Guard, Texas Emergency Hospital, Coast Guard, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas, Gov, San, Harvey, Storm Prediction, Hawley Police, Hawley Independent School, LSM, National Weather Service Locations: Texas, Houston, Gulf, East Texas, Hurricane, South Texas, San Jacinto County, Dallas, • Walker County, Walker County, • Polk County, Polk County, • Harris, San Jacinto, Hidalgo, Harris County, Crosby, Liberty County, Cleveland , Texas, Montgomery County, Livingston , Texas, Trinity, –, Abilene, Hodges, Hawley, Hawley , Texas, Hodges , Texas, Louisiana, Groveton , Texas, Paradise

☆ Philippine dam: A 300-year-old settlement resurfaces as severe drought dries up a reservoir
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Emily Blumenthal | Monica Garrett | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A nearly 300-year-old settlement once submerged beneath a major dam in the Philippines has reemerged as sweltering heat and drought dry up the reservoir. Ezra Acayan/Getty ImagesSome visitors brave the extreme heat to see the dam, where parts of damaged structures still stand. But a drought currently affecting about half of the country’s provinces has pushed the dam’s water levels down, according to AFP. The town of Muñoz near the dam has seen heat index over 41 degrees (106 degrees Fahrenheit) the last five days. On Sunday the temperature felt like 47 degrees (117 degrees Fahrenheit) because of other contributing factors.

Persons: Marlon Paladin, Ezra Acayan, Paladin, climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, ” Organizations: CNN, National Irrigation Administration, PAGASA, AFP, Prediction Locations: Philippines, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippine, Southeast Asia, Muñoz, Luzon, El

A preliminary 79 tornadoes were reported Friday across six states, most occurring in Nebraska and Iowa, where homes were leveled and buildings collapsed. Kim Reynolds declared a disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County after video posted on social media showed parts of Minden, about 30 miles northeast of Omaha, Nebraska, completely flattened. In nearby Shelby County about 40 homes were damaged, said county emergency coordinator Alex Londo. National Weather Service offices are surveying the damage ahead of more severe weather expected Saturday. More than 30 million people in Oklahoma City; Dallas; Wichita, Kansas; Omaha; Milwaukee; and Madison, Wisconsin, are in the path of severe weather.

Persons: Jean Stothert, Neal Bonacci, Bonacci, Kathy Bossman, Bossman, Pat Woods, Kim Woods, Kim Reynolds, Jeff Theulen, We've, Alex Londo Organizations: Police, Omaha Fire, Associated Press, AP Iowa Gov, Weather Service, National Weather Service, Prediction Center Locations: Nebraska, Iowa, Omaha , Nebraska, Omaha, Elkhorn, Bennington, Neb, Pottawattamie, Minden, Shelby County, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Wichita , Kansas, Omaha ; Milwaukee, Madison , Wisconsin, Northwestern Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma , Kansas, North Texas

☆ Devastating tornadoes rip through Nebraska and Iowa, sending crews searching flattened homes as storm threat continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The severe weather threat is expected to continue through Sunday, with Saturday possibly being the most dangerous day. Strong tornadoes are possible from Michigan to Texas, including in Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas, Milwaukee, Chicago and Austin. What to expect SaturdayMore than 50 million people are under the threat of severe weather Saturday from the Southern Plains into the Great Lakes region. “A complex but potentially significant severe weather episode is expected on Saturday,” the Weather Prediction Center said Friday. The tornado threat could ramp up considerably through the late afternoon and evening hours with “multiple strong tornadoes” possible, according to the prediction center.

Persons: “, Todd Schmaderer, ”, Douglas, Margery A, Beck, Kim Reynolds Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, Saturday, Omaha Police, Minden , Iowa Gov, Prediction, Oklahoma City, Tulsa Locations: Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Texas, Elkhorn, Omaha , Nebraska, South, Minden, Oklahoma City , Kansas City, Dallas, Milwaukee, Chicago, Austin, Omaha, City, Douglas County, Nebraska’s Shelby, Lincoln , Nebraska, Waverly, Minden , Iowa, Pottawattamie County, •, Waco, Southern, Plains, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Lower Mississippi Valley

Although the heaviest snow has ended, several more inches of snow are expected across large swaths of Maine and New Hampshire, according to the National Weather Service. “Low pressure in the Gulf of Maine will continue to bring accumulating snow through this evening along with gusty northeast winds,” the National Weather Service said. “Winds will also remain gusty and may result in additional downed branches and limbs due to the weight of freshly fallen snow,” the weather service added. Winter storm warnings and advisories have been extended for parts of New England through Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. “Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the weather service notes.

Persons: nor’easter, Janet Mills, “, Thursday’s, ”, Ed Warren, “ Frost Organizations: CNN, ”, National Weather Service, Westbrook School Department, Gorham School, WMUR, East, East Kingston Fire Department, Southern and, Storm Prediction, Colorado ., Storm Prediction Center Locations: Maine, New Hampshire, ” Maine, New England, Moretown , Vermont, Shapleigh , Maine, Gulf, Gulf of Maine, York County, State, Gorham, East Kingston , New Hampshire, East Kingston, East Coast, Vermont, New York, Central Plains , Ohio, Central Plains, Ohio, Missouri, Jefferson City , Columbia, Hannibal, Kansas, Arkansas, Springfield, Branson, Indiana, Kentucky, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Southern, Central, Southern and Central High Plains, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Colorado . Cities, Denver, Amarillo, Roswell

☆ Total solar eclipse weather: Severe storms could threaten viewers in the path of totality
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Severe thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, including in the path of totality. Millions more are expected to travel for Monday’s eclipse as the path of totality will be 40 to 50 miles wider than 2017’s path. This could potentially lead to an increase in cloud cover in both regions and could obstruct totality views. CNN Weather CNN Weather Two forecast models show where clouds could be during the eclipse Monday afternoon. More precise cloud cover forecasts with higher confidence levels should be possible by this weekend.

Organizations: CNN, Dallas, Storm Prediction, CNN Weather CNN Locations: Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi, Texas, Maine, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo , New York, Dallas – Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Gulf, Mexico, Tennessee, Ohio, Plains

☆ Nor’easter to Bring Springtime Snow to New England This Week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Christine Hauser | More About Christine Hauser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A nor’easter is forecast to bring an April onslaught of snow, rain, high winds and coastal flooding to the Northeastern United States this week, the National Weather Service said. Rain will lash areas of New York, Southern Connecticut and Northern New Jersey starting on Tuesday. Heavy, wet snow is expected to blanket mainly parts of inland New England starting on Wednesday before tapering off into a light dusting on Friday, the weather prediction center said. “The biggest impact we are worried about from this storm is the heavy, wet nature of the snowfall” in northern New England, said Donald Dumont, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. “All of New England is going to get it, but probably more rain in southern New England.”Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey could all, to varying degrees, feel the brunt of the stormy weather.

Persons: “, Donald Dumont Organizations: Northeastern, National Weather Service Locations: Northeastern United States, New York, Southern Connecticut, Northern New Jersey, New England, Gray , Maine, England, ” Maine, New Hampshire , Connecticut , Vermont , Massachusetts, New Jersey

The potential for damaging weather is ramping up Monday, with more than 50 million people at risk for severe storms from Texas to Virginia. Damaging thunderstorms will reach their peak in the late afternoon and evening in the Plains, but this won’t be the case for areas farther east. A Level 2 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms includes portions of the Midwest and Ohio Valley Monday. Tuesday: Severe storm system shifts eastCNN WeatherThe severe thunderstorm threat will march east on Tuesday and include areas from the Gulf Coast through the Ohio Valley. A Level 3 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms is in place Tuesday from northern Alabama to southern Ohio.

Persons: Louis, Flood, Sara Smart Organizations: CNN, California's, Caltrans, Storm Prediction, ., . Dallas , Oklahoma, Midwest, Ohio, Research, Maryland, New Locations: United States, Texas, Virginia, California, Sur, Indiana, . Dallas ,, . Dallas , Oklahoma City, St, baseballs, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Gulf, Ohio, Alabama, Nashville, Louisville , Kentucky, Great Lakes, Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin, White, Adirondack, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia

☆ April will bring severe storms, snow and flooding as a wide-reaching storm crosses the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Allison Chinchar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A multi-day system will slide across much of the country and bring the potential for tornadoes, large hail, flooding and even snow. Snow and freezing rain will fall to the north, while heavy rain and severe thunderstorms unfold on the warmer side of the system. By Tuesday, the severe threat shifts east into an area from northern Mississippi to southern Pennsylvania. One of the elements fueling the severe threat is the clash of cold air behind the system with the warm air out ahead. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, along with Corpus Christi and Del Rio, Texas, could see record high temperatures on Monday.

Persons: Nature, Snow Organizations: CNN, Central US, Storm Prediction Center, Corpus Christi, CNN Weather Rapid Locations: Texas, Ohio, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Southern, Baton Rouge , Louisiana, Del Rio , Texas, Laredo , Texas, Upper Midwest, CNN Weather Rapid City , South Dakota, Minneapolis, White, Adirondack, Midwest

☆ Snowstorm across Plains and Midwest brings heavy snow and blizzard conditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Robert Shackelford | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A powerful winter storm is pummeling parts of the Central Plains with blizzard conditions and is set to drop a blanket of snow from Colorado to Minnesota through Tuesday, threatening widespread power outages and treacherous road conditions. Blizzard warnings extend from northern Colorado and Kansas into parts of Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota on Monday. Amy Forliti/APLast week, a storm dumped snow from the northern Plains to the Northeast. Many power lines were grounded across Maine after the storm blew through, according to Central Maine Power. The event increased the likilihood of seeing the Aurora Borealis in parts of the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes and interior Northeast overnight Sunday.

Persons: Amy Forliti, King Salmon, CNN’s, Samantha Beech, Nic F, Anderson Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, Dakotas, Central Maine Power, Geological Survey, Geophysical Institute of Alaska, Prediction Locations: Plains, Colorado, Minnesota, Midwest, Great Lakes, Colorado and Kansas, Minnesota , Nebraska, South Dakota, Upper Midwest, Nebraska, North Platte, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Como, St, Paul , Minnesota, Maine , New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Aurora, Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, Seattle, Chicago , Minneapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Portland, Alaska, Utqiaġvik, Kodiak, King

As of Thursday night, two tornado reports had been made in Indiana and five in Ohio, according to the Storm Prediction Center. More than 10,000 homes and businesses in Indiana and nearly 37,000 in Ohio were without power late Thursday night, according to PowerOutage.us. In Winchester, Indiana, state police were helping with search and rescue efforts after a tornado likely struck the area, and temporary shelters have been set up for residents, agency spokesperson Sgt. State police Superintendent Doug Carter described the storm in Winchester as a “terrible, terrible event” with many reports of significant injuries. The tornado reports in Indiana and Ohio came as a system of strong thunderstorms swept across parts of the central and eastern US on Thursday.

Persons: CNN —, Injuries, wouldn’t, Scott Keegan, Doug Carter, Carter, “, ”, Mary Rutan, David Crissman, Crissman, Alena Roberts, Mike Robbins, Robbins, CNN’s Taylor Ward, Raja Razek, Andy Rose, Jamiel Lynch, Jason Hanna Organizations: CNN, Storm Prediction, Authorities, Emergency Management Agency, Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service, Mary Locations: Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Winchester , Indiana, Winchester, Selma , Indiana, Delaware, Ohio’s Auglaize, Logan, Wilmington , Ohio, Ohio’s Logan County, Indian Lake, Lakeview, Logan County, Bellefontaine, Parts, Mercer, Celina, Indiana and Ohio, Oklahoma , Arkansas, Missouri

CNN —Blizzard conditions continued to slam Northern California over the weekend with damaging winds and heavy snow dumping on mountain ridges down to the valleys. The most extreme conditions are unfolding at the highest elevations in the mountains, with whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds. The weather service has warned of “high to extreme” avalanche danger through Sunday afternoon in the Central Sierra and Greater Lake Tahoe area. “Expect snowy conditions throughout the park,” park officials said. A blizzard warning remains in effect for the park area until 7 p.m. on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford, California.

Persons: “, Whiteouts, Brooke Hess, Mario Tama Organizations: CNN, Blizzard, Prediction, Central Sierra, Intermountain, Weather, West, National Weather Service, California Department of Transportation, Donner Summit, California Highway Patrol, Facebook, Officials Locations: Northern California, Sierra Nevada, Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe, Sierra, California, Tahoe, Twin, Truckee, Truckee , California, Colfax, Yosemite, Hanford , California

CNN —The wildfire in Texas has already killed two people, demolished hundreds of structures and obliterated thousands of cattle as it became the biggest blaze in the state’s history. Some 8 million people across the Central Plains are under “red flag” warnings and temperatures are above normal in the Texas Panhandle. So far, the Smokehouse Creek Fire has spread across more than 1 million acres and has become the biggest Texas wildfire on record. And the fire is just one of five blazes currently scorching the Texas Panhandle, destroying as many as 500 structures. Sunday’s fire weather threat will be greatest for the Texas Panhandle and western Texas, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Persons: Cindy Owen, Jennifer Mitchell, Owen’s, Joyce Blankenship, “, ”, Nathan Blankenship, could’ve, Sid Miller, GoFundMe, Greg Abbott, he’d, Sammy Schafer, Leah Millis, ” Abbott, it’s, there’s, Miller, Shane Pennington, Pennington, “ It’s, they’re, ” Pennington, he’s, “ We’ve, ” Miller, We’ve, ” CNN’s Gene Norman, Rebekah Riess, Sara Tonks, Eric Zerkel, Sarah Davis Organizations: CNN, Texas Panhandle, Storm Prediction Center, Storm Prediction, Texas, M, Service, Texans, Connect, Services, Texas Panhandle Gov, Reuters Locations: Texas, Plains, South Dakota, Denver, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lubbock, Amarillo, Oklahoma, Central, Amarillo , Midland, Odessa, Moore County, Gray County, Oldham County, Hutchinson County, Pampa , Texas, Hemphill County, Fritch, Canadian , Texas

☆ California’s biggest snowstorm of the year will paralyze travel with blizzard conditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —An extremely-dangerous winter storm has arrived in California and will unload feet of snow, powerful winds and rare blizzard conditions in the mountains through the weekend. As snow continues to spread across California, so will strong winds and blizzard conditions. Snowfall rates are expected to reach extreme levels of 3 to 5 inches an hour from Friday through Saturday – especially along the Sierra Nevada. Heavy snow and roaring winds are expected to combine to produce rare and long-lasting blizzard conditions for much of the Sierra and parts of the northern ranges. Storm will provide much-needed boost to critical snowpackCalifornia’s Sierra Nevada snowpack got off to a slow start this winter.

Persons: ” Snow, We’ve, Edan, Lindaman Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, Pacific Northwest, Sierra, Yosemite, National Park Service, Rockies, Storm, Sierra Nevada snowpack, California’s Department of Water Resources, US Environmental Protection Agency Locations: California, Reno , Nevada, Pacific, Klamath, Sierra Nevada, Northern California, Sierra, Reno

☆ Exceptionally warm weather on the way for central, eastern US due to pattern change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The core of the unseasonable warmth spreads east on Tuesday to encompass much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. A storm forecast to develop near the Great Lakes late Tuesday could unload rain and thunderstorms on much of the East into Thursday. Across the Midwest and Great Lakes, snowfall is a few feet below what’s normal by this point. Ice is also almost nowhere to be found on the Great Lakes. Close to 40% of the Great Lakes are typically covered in ice by late February, but total ice coverage was near a record-low 6% Thursday.

Persons: Louis, Dallas, Paul Organizations: CNN, CNN Weather Omaha, Triple, ., Ohio Locations: Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Gulf of Mexico, St, Chicago, CNN Weather Omaha , Nebraska, Texas, Mexico, Lakes, Ohio, Cleveland, Coast, . Philadelphia, New York City, Gulf, Midwest, Northeast, Great, Syracuse , New York, Erie , Pennsylvania

☆ California weather: Nearly the entire population of the state remains under flood alerts as people are urged to stay off the roads
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Steve Almasy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Nearly the entire population of California remains under flood alerts as the rain-soaked state braces for more precipitation and officials urge people to try to stay off the roads early this week. Officials are concerned about “excessive runoff from moderate to heavy rain,” which may lead to flooding, according to a post from the city on X. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento implored residents to have a means to get weather alerts and said threats on Monday include: brief tornadoes, large amounts of small hail, heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds. The weather service said 3 to 5 feet of snow are possible where altitudes are 9,000 feet or above. With Monday a holiday, forecasters warning travelers of increased traffic, to prepare for longer commutes and possible delays.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, ”, Santa Barbara County, Cindy Von Quednow, Ashley R, Williams, Elliana Hebert, Sara Tonks Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, California Gov, Emergency Services, Santa Barbara, Donner, Echo Summit, Reno Locations: California, Los Angeles, Santa, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara, Nevada, San Francisco, Sacramento, Sierra, Tahoe, Carson

☆ Hurricane season 2024: Unprecedented ocean heat and La Niña could combine with dangerous effect
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Hurricane season is months away, but the waters where hurricanes roam haven’t received the memo. North Atlantic temperatures typically only go up from here, climbing in spring and reaching a maximum in early fall when hurricane season also peaks. The earlier La Niña arrives, the sooner it would influence hurricane season. “If you don’t want an active hurricane season, you would need La Niña to wait as long as possible to begin,” McNoldy said. Forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center believe La Niña could arrive as soon as summer, but more likely by fall.

Persons: haven’t, ” Brian McNoldy, “ We’ll, hasn’t, McNoldy, ” McNoldy, “, ”, Phil Klotzbach, Niña, Klotzbach, Rita, Irene, ” Klotzbach, El, Patrick T, Fallon, It’s, don’t Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, University of Miami, Central America, Colorado State University ., Getty Locations: West Africa, Central, Pacific, percolate, Hurricane, LaPlace, Louisiana, AFP

☆ ‘Super El Niño’ is here, but will it last? What’s in store for the coming months
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The current El Niño is now one of the strongest on record, new data shows, catapulting it into rare “super El Niño” territory. It means a very strong El Niño is ongoing. El Niño influences weather around the globe, so its strength and demise will continue to have an impact on the weather we experience in the coming months. Average conditions during an El Niño winter across the continental US. El Niño has been known to enhance atmospheric river events on the West Coast.

Persons: El, El Niño, Niño, Michelle L’Heureux, ” L’Heureux, L’Heureux, El Niños, Javier Torres, There’s, CNN’s Rachel Ramirez, Brandon Miller Organizations: CNN, El, AFP, Getty Locations: El, California, West Coast, Americas, Chile, Valparaiso, South America, Africa, Australia, Asia

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