Latest news with #heatadvisory
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tracking heat, humidity, and sunshine
The hottest days of 2025 so far lie ahead for Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas as a heat wave builds into the region starting Friday and continuing through the weekend. A Heat Advisory has been posted area wide from 1 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. Heat index values of 100 to 106 degrees are expected both Friday and Saturday afternoon, increasing the risk for heat related illness. A sunny and toasty Thursday afternoon will give way to a pleasant evening, with temperatures falling into the 70s after sunset and clear skies through the overnight hours. Sunshine will continue on Friday with afternoon highs reaching the mid to upper 90s, and southerly winds of 10 to 15 mph. High humidity will result in triple digit heat indices Friday afternoon. Saturday will bring a repeat performance, with highs in the mid to upper 90s, abundant sunshine, and heat indices in the triple digits. Southerly winds will pick-up Saturday, at 15 to 25 mph with gusts occasionally over 30mph.
CNET
3 days ago
- Climate
- CNET
Alaska Issued Its First Heat Advisory, and Only 2% of Homes Have AC
Alaska got its first-ever heat advisory over the weekend, which is in effect until June 17. Over the last few days, temperatures in central Alaska have reached 86 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 30 Celsius). It's not as if Alaska never gets hot in the summer. However, as Jason Laney, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, Alaska, told CNET, "The frequency with which the heat is coming up is starting to be a bit of a concern." This heat advisory seems pretty big, especially for an area where most people don't have air conditioners. But there's an important caveat to keep in mind. While this is the first heat advisory for Alaska issued by the National Weather Service, it's not the first time that Alaska has seen high temperatures. This is simply the first time heat advisories were an option for offices in Fairbanks and Alaska's capital city of Juneau. Before a change that took effect on June 2, the National Weather Service announced heat risks through special weather statements. According to a statement, this change will allow offices in Fairbanks and Juneau to communicate heat information more effectively. Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, has opted out for now. Residents of Fairbanks and surrounding areas need to prepare for these temperatures because this is a significant jump in heat, around 15 degrees above the area's average. How hot is it going to get? The average temperature for Fairbanks, central Alaska, is in the low 70s through the bulk of the summer. The forecast for the next few days predicts temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s. While some parts of the US may not bat an eye at the mid-80s (stop laughing, Arizona), Alaska is different. Many places don't have air conditioners, and many buildings are designed to trap heat to get through cold winters. That means serious heat-related risks are associated with these temperatures, even indoors The criteria for a heat advisory in Alaska range between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the location. Fairbanks's limit is 85 degrees, and the forecast exceeds that limit. That number was picked intentionally. Laney and the National Weather Service team worked with the state climatologist in Alaska to look at the last 10 to 20 years of temperatures, noting how frequently temperatures rose. Laney told me that it was important that the criteria temperature was met no more than three times a year. "We wanted it to come out when it meant something," Laney said. Although the criteria are final, Laney said it has the potential to change. "If we end up issuing too many of these things this year, then we know we set our criteria too low," he said. A flood watch was also issued on June 12 to warn people about river flooding from rapid snow melting. Despite the heat advisory, these are not Alaska's highest temperatures. In June 1969, Fairbanks' record high was 96 degrees. Temperatures in Fairbanks generally rise to the mid-80s two to three times each year, though depending on how many days temperatures remain in the 80s, it could be one of the longest hot streaks on record for the area. The longest consecutive streak for the area was in 1991 with 14 days. Alaskan weather deals in extremes Alaska is an area of extremes. Winter is six months of snow on the ground with subfreezing temperatures but spring hits just as hard -- and fast. According to Laney, it only takes four to six weeks to melt about three feet of snow. Trees turn green in 48 to 72 hours. "The issue is that the body takes a while to acclimate to this," Laney said. "Because the swing is so rapid, most people who spend a winter in Alaska aren't used to the heat just yet." Another thing to remember is that official temperatures are reported in the shade, not the sunlight. This brings us to a unique quirk of Alaska: the sunshine lasts 20 to 21 hours a day at this time of year. Only about 2% of houses have AC, Laney told me, and many have larger windows that let in as much sunlight as possible in the winter. This can backfire in the summer when they let in that sunlight, and the six- to eight-inch-thick walls that accommodate extra insulation trap in the heat. Alaska is warming faster than other places The climate is warming because of emissions from fossil fuels and extreme heat is becoming more common. The World Meteorological Organization predicts that global heat will only worsen over the next five years. There's roughly an 80% chance that in the next five years, we'll surpass 2024, the hottest year ever recorded. The effects of climate change are felt everywhere. Alaska, however, is warming two to three times faster than the rest of the globe, resulting in permafrost thawing, glaciers shrinking and transformations in Alaska's ecosystems. "Alaska is actually ranked as the fastest warming state in the United States due to its high latitude," said Sara Tonks, meteorologist for The Weather Company. "So far, the state has warmed by 4.3 degrees since 1970, and it is expected to continue to warm according to projections from NOAA's U.S. Climate Resistance Toolkit," Tonks said. The statewide average air temperature has increased by 3 degrees in the past 60 years, and winter temperatures are up 6 degrees. If global emissions continue at the current rate, annual precipitation is also expected to grow 15% to 30%. It's challenging to quantify Alaska's rapid warming's impacts because they affect everything from people to roads to biodiversity in wildlife. For example, the permafrost soil under about 85% of Alaska's surface could shift or shrink as it thaws because of continued extreme temperatures. In the long run, this could damage everything from pipelines to buildings, sewer systems and the water supply. And the change will be especially tough on groups more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, whether because of socioeconomic or medical conditions. Heat safety tips to keep in mind Per the heat advisory from the National Weather Service, "Individuals and pets not accustomed to these unusually hot temperatures for this region may experience heat-related concerns." It's essential to prepare where you can for the heat, especially because many people won't be able to escape the high temperatures. Small changes can go a long way. Simple tips to use when it's hot outside: Monitor how you're feeling and watch out for cramps or heat-related symptoms Wear loose-fitting clothing Wear sunscreen Take breaks Limit outdoor exercise to the morning or evening Prioritize hydration Draw your blinds or curtains Weather-strip your windows and door Invest in a portable air conditioner If you do have an AC unit in your home, change the filter and check the vents Signs of heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, include confusion, heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, a fast pulse and cold and clammy skin.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
A heat advisory is in effect in Alaska for the first time ever
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (WJW/AP) — When you think of Alaska, you rarely think of heat. But currently, parts of Alaska are under the state's first official heat advisory. Here's why it is technically new, but not necessarily unique in what's considered the nation's coldest state. 1 killed in Canton Township hit-and-run; see the suspect's car Unusually warm weather has been recorded in Alaska before, but previously the National Weather Service would issue 'special weather statements' to alert residents about warm weather conditions, according to the Associated Press. It was only at the start of June 2025 that the National Weather Service permitted heat advisories to be issued in the state. The switch is reportedly meant to change how the public views the information. 'Using the heat advisory label could help people better understand the weather's severity and potential danger, something a nondescript 'special weather statement' didn't convey,' the Associated Press reported. Flash flooding kills 5 in West Virginia, rescue teams searching for missing people According to the National Weather Service, the heat advisory went into effect Sunday, June 15 for Tanana, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon and Eagle, where temperatures are expected to reach between 85 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. The advisory is scheduled to last through Tuesday evening. Far less surprising: Northeast Ohio is also in for a stretch of summer temperatures this week with many days expected to reach the mid 80s. You can see the latest forecast here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's why Alaska just issued its first heat advisory
Parts of Alaska are under heat advisories for the first time in recorded history, following the transition from a previous advisory system, according to officials. The National Weather Service previously issued information about high temperatures using special weather statements. However, starting June 1, the weather service permitted heat advisories to be issued in Alaska, Adam Douty, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, told USA TODAY. The National Weather Service might have implemented the new system "just to better convey the impacts" of the heat, Douty said. Hawaii and the other 48 states in the contiguous United States already use heat advisories, making Alaska the last state to switch to the warning system. Areas across the state are seeing highs in the upper 80s, according to Douty. However, further up north, temperatures dip, with areas of Alaska seeing temperatures in the 60s. The heat advisory in Alaska will be in place from 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 to Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in the Central and Eastern Interior, including Tanana, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon and Eagle, should expect temperatures from 85 to 89 degrees. "It'll definitely be warm, especially for Alaska's standards," said Douty. There are also flood advisories in northern parts of the state, as ice and snow in the area could melt rapidly with the heat, according to Douty. Some areas in Alaska are also under red flag warnings until 11 p.m. local time on Monday, June 16. "A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires," according to the National Weather Service. Areas under red flag warnings are: Dalton Highway Summits Yukon Flats White Mountains High Terrain South of the Yukon River Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Alaska has issued its first heat advisory
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's why Alaska just issued its first heat advisory
Parts of Alaska are under heat advisories for the first time in recorded history, following the transition from a previous advisory system, according to officials. The National Weather Service previously issued information about high temperatures using special weather statements. However, starting June 1, the weather service permitted heat advisories to be issued in Alaska, Adam Douty, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, told USA TODAY. The National Weather Service might have implemented the new system "just to better convey the impacts" of the heat, Douty said. Hawaii and the other 48 states in the contiguous United States already use heat advisories, making Alaska the last state to switch to the warning system. Areas across the state are seeing highs in the upper 80s, according to Douty. However, further up north, temperatures dip, with areas of Alaska seeing temperatures in the 60s. The heat advisory in Alaska will be in place from 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 to Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in the Central and Eastern Interior, including Tanana, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon and Eagle, should expect temperatures from 85 to 89 degrees. "It'll definitely be warm, especially for Alaska's standards," said Douty. There are also flood advisories in northern parts of the state, as ice and snow in the area could melt rapidly with the heat, according to Douty. Some areas in Alaska are also under red flag warnings until 11 p.m. local time on Monday, June 16. "A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires," according to the National Weather Service. Areas under red flag warnings are: Dalton Highway Summits Yukon Flats White Mountains High Terrain South of the Yukon River Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Alaska has issued its first heat advisory
