Destructive dust and Trump cuts: five things to know about latest US storms and tornadoes | US weather
During the weekend, more than 120 hurricanes were looted across at least 11 states in a The outbreak of harsh weather for three days That killed more than 40 people. In addition to hurricanes, the storms system brought very strong winds to parts of dehydration plains, kicking dirt storms and forest fires from Texas to Kansas. The common effect is now One of the most deadly disasters in the weather for decades In the United States.
At the National Exploitation Center for Oceanic and Atmospheric Walls (NOAA) – the nerve center to predict harsh weather in the United States – scientists have worked around the clock for several days to anticipate storms and give a great warning to those on their way. The center now includes five vacancies for employees, including two of its three upper roles in fire prediction. However, high meteorologists have passed one of the largest tests so far from I recently shrinked National weather service.
She said Elizabeth Litman, who is predicted at the Storm Prediction Center in NOAA Oklahoma.
Although the weather forecast was frighteningly accurate this week, there are signs that traces Climate crisis It is rapidly catching to amplify the effects of these types of storms.
-
1. The outbreak of this hurricane was a preview of the future
With the high climatic temperatures, the annual Tornado season was East Away from the plains, countries towards the southern United States. This style is held this weekend.
No one hurricane was reported in Texas, Oklahoma, or Kansas – the three states associated with hurricanes historically. Instead, hurricanes Parts covered by Alabama It was registered in the far east, such as Pennsylvania.
The root cause of this transformation is complex, but a large part is the Gulf of Mexico, warming. Water in the Gulf More than 10F warmer than usual At this time of the year, which helps to provide additional moisture in the atmosphere and helps to maintain temperatures overnightly high. As many hurricanes occurred at the end of this week at night – which makes it more difficult for those who were affected by the search for shelter – another documented effect of global heating.
-
2. Dirt storms are a growing concern
Although hurricanes were, it may be surprising how The destructive, widespread and deadly became dirt storms this week.
So far, this spring appeared A perfect mix of conditions for dust and fires In the middle plains. The broad area of Arizona has received less than 10 % of regular rains over the past few months, Drought scale is the maximum In parts of West Texas.
Last Friday was The slowest day in decades in OklahomaGive more than 70 miles per hour across most of the state for hours Help with the wildfire fan. The strong winds transferred dust Far like Wisconsin. In Kansas, Hofour reduced dust from vision to nearly zero and led to the accumulation of the huge highway that includes more than 70 vehicles.
The latest in a A series of severe dust storms Throughout the region this spring, the frequency of dust storms is rapidly increasing in recent years with the continued drought that has lasted for decades in the southwest.
The common effect of dust and hurricanes made storms at the end of this week one of the most harsh weather outbreaks since it greatly improved from weather weather with the appearance of Doppler radar in the eighties.
-
3. The most vulnerable are the most affected
The effect of the general health of bad air quality due to severe dust storms. Air pollution, including air -mobile dust, is the most bloody air phenomenon around the world and More than 8 million people are killed A year worldwide.
At some point this weekend, air quality was all over the Middle West to us Outside Because of the blown dust, one blogging six times higher than “dangerous” levels in St. Louis – beyond the level at which the Environmental Protection Agency recommends the extent of outdoor exposure.
Storms at the end of this week strengthened the trend, which is likely to be damaged by people with pre -existing health conditions, or those that live with a few resources, due to the harsh weather. More than half of those who die in hurricanes Living in unlimited housing – This was also true this week.
-
The skill of weather has evolved rapidly over the past ten years, but the expectations of the hurricane this week were exceptionally accurate and were given with a longer prior notice than usual.
This was only the third time in the history of the 30 -year -old prediction center at the Storm Prediction Center, as the predictors gave more than 24 hours of “high risk” to the main hurricane outbreaks. In fact, the predictors there reached the possibility of a hurricane to spread the disease six days ago. particularly, One of the prophets is called Tornado on Saturday, “Practically Perfect”.
“Knowing where it ended with the high risks to the deep south and compare them with [six days in advance] “It is very cool,” said Litman.
Additional and God’s time led to people in Alabama Eliminate today in their arches Because they knew the storms were coming.
-
5. The employees/employees/employees/NOAA staff of the Trump and NOAA administration are struck
Employment and financing discounts from Trump administration It makes it difficult for Americans to deal with them increasingly Hald weather.
“I have transformed contracts for investing in weather science previously sudden disasters into expected events that we can prepare for and save an endless life,” said Greg Carein, who held the position of head of the operations branch expected to the NWS weather center. “When it comes to preparing and protecting the United States from nature, reducing financing is not just reckless – it’s a dangerous thing. You get what you pay for.”
