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Glenn Zimmerman’s 2023 long-range fall weather outlook

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Over the last three years, we entered fall with the same La Niña pattern. It has meant some dry time for us, and a delay in the onset of the deeper fall chill. But that pattern is now changing to an El Niño flavor, and we have already seen what that has meant to our weather. It’s been a more active pattern through the summer.While the start of September has been mostly uneventful, fall is a transition season, and sometimes, it proves to be a second severe weather season. Here's what to watch for as St. Louis turns the page to fall this weekend: SeptemberSeptember has started pretty quiet and mostly warm. In fact, September is never as cool as you think it should be. The first couple of weeks of the month have felt more like summer. We’ve had a nice stretch of great temps, but as we enter the second half of the month, we see more warm air building. Overall, this September is shaping up like most other Septembers. Last year, our September had some heat in th...

Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival kicks off with three days of cultural celebration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival is underway in Soulard. It's a three-day event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with dancing, food, crafts and much more. This marks the 24th year of the festival, which aims to increase regional awareness cultural contributions from Hispanic musicians, dancers, artisans and chefs. Organizers are hoping to bring together people from different social, economic, and political backgrounds. Officers no longer employed in aftermath of inmate escape from Mercy Hospital “It’s three days filled with live music like salsa, Latin rock, Mexican music and Banda music,” said Elisa Bender, board member of the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival. “Then authentic foods from all over, Latin and South America, Puerto Rico and Mexico.” Over the years, this festival has grown from other locations like Faust Park to its current home in Soulard Park. From food to vendor to musical performances, the three-day event promises something for everyone. ...

Jet stream positioning affected St. Louis summer weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Fall colors will soon be on full display. Taking a look back at summer, it started off quiet, but the weather really ramped up in July.The active weather was thanks to our position under the jet stream. A ridge of high pressure to our west brought big-time heat to places like Phoenix and Death Valley in Arizona, but it was a much different weather pattern for us in the form of thunderstorms.“But that put us on the periphery of that ridge. So when we’re in that type of pattern. It allows these systems to come down out of the northwest, down to the southeast, and right along the stalled frontal boundary that we had right over our area,” meteorologist Kevin Deitsch, National Weather Service St. Louis, said. “Day after day after day, creating rounds of thunderstorms.”The numbers are even more impressive when it comes to storm reports from the public.“During that period in July and August, we had about 400 reports of severe weather,” Deitsch said. “That includes damaging wind...

Weather station ensures plant performance, sustainability at Missouri Botanical Garden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Metal, wire, and solar panels might not be what you expect to see right in the middle of a plot at the Missouri Botanical Garden.“I’ve likened it to a recently landed spacecraft. It can kind of look strange to guests,” said horticulturist Justine Kandra. She is talking about a weather station, permanently installed in the Kemper Center for Home Gardening in 2010.“Having a weather station here allows us to have really accurate data related to conditions here at the garden,” she said.Precipitation, temperature, and humidity all affect how the plants grow.“The weather station also tracks things you might not expect to find in your local weather report, like soil moisture level, soil temperature, wet bulb temperature even, which is sort of like heat index, but measured in the sun,” Kandra said.This data directly influences everything from the selection of plants on display down to the locations where they are planted. It also helps researchers who look longer term.“Right beh...

How zombie fires contribute more carbon to the atmosphere

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Wildfires and smoke from Canada proved a persistent problem over the summer, not only in our region but across the northern plains, upper Midwest, and Northeast. The smoke created pretty sunsets aloft, but there are lasting effects that are not so welcome here.In fact, some of these fires continue to burn in the permafrost through the winter under the snow. These are called zombie fires. And in the warmer months, these underground fires expand.However, we can’t blame global warming on naturally-started wildfires. According to the National Park Service, humans are responsible for starting 85% to 90% of wildfires.Nonetheless, the emissions of greenhouse CO2 gases from wildfires and burning fossil fuels are key components of the global temperature balance. But there are other natural contributors to global warming.

2022 volcanic eruption contributes to global extremes in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – There was little doubt that the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga underwater volcano in January 2022 would have at least some impacts on the global climate.Most big volcanic eruptions do.That’s because they inject large amounts of material and gas into the atmosphere. Most eruptions have a cooling effect because of the injection of ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.The sulfur dioxide interacts with water vapor to produce tiny droplets of sulfuric acid. Clouds of sulfuric acid act as a blanket and reflect incoming solar radiation back out into space.The drop-off in incoming solar heat translates to a cooler earth’s surface. Following the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the Earth cooled by an average of half a degree the following year, which was significant on a global scale.The eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga was much different because it was an underwater volcano.“This was the largest volcanic eruption of the 21st century so far,” according to Dr. Michael Wysess...

Broncos offensive struggles in second half one of many issues during 0-2 start: “We have to play cleaner”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

When the Broncos held a 21-3 lead in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, it appeared head coach Sean Payton had exorcized the offensive demons that plagued them in 2022.Quarterback Russell Wilson was throwing the ball efficiently, completing 6 for 8 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. looked like the second coming of Randy Moss, catching a pair of deep balls, including a 60-yard touchdown. And the Broncos had three touchdowns in three possessions.Then, it all fell apart following Wilson’s second-quarter fumble, and the engine that kept Denver’s offense moving stopped. The Broncos had two unsuccessful drives to start the third quarter, while the Commanders outscored them 21-12 in the second half to pull off the comeback victory.Denver’s Jekyll and Hyde offense is one of many reasons it enters Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins with a 0-2 record. If they want to prevent the season from spiraling into the Twilig...

“A horrific tragedy”: Fatal house fire investigation could take months, Aurora chief says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

Determining the cause of an Aurora house fire that killed two young children and sent seven other people to area hospitals late Wednesday could take months and will involve multiple agencies, fire officials said.The fire that broke out at a house in the 2800 block of South Oakland Circle while two adults and seven children were inside was “a horrific tragedy,” Aurora Fire Rescue Chief Alec Oughton said in a written and filmed statement released Friday.“Our hearts go out to the family who suffered such a tremendous loss when the tragic events that unfolded late Wednesday night (occurred), resulting in a 911 call to Aurora Fire Rescue,” Oughton said.“Incidents like this cause incredible pain for families, communities and first responders,” he said. “And it cuts particularly deep for our members, many of whom are parents. I am sure you can imagine the emotional weight of carrying a limp child out of a fire in your arms. Our members did this seven times that night, some resc...

Disneyland could extend its monorail system under expansion proposal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

Disneyland could extend its existing monorail system to include stops at a proposed 17,000-car parking garage and the Toy Story parking structure under the DisneylandForward proposal.As first reported by the Orange County Register, the monorail expansion was listed in the 17,000-page environmental review for DisneylandForward that was recently released.“In addition to an extensive network of landscaped pedestrian thoroughfares, conveyance systems will transport Disneyland Resort guests around the project," the document said. “The monorail/guest transportation systems shall move guests from the Hotel District to the Theme Park District. Future connections may also be provided to the Future Expansion Southeast District.” Disney teases big plans for Anaheim resort The Southeast District references the current Toy Story parking lot, located on Harbor Boulevard, near the Anaheim Convention Center. The Toy Story parking lot is a key component of the Disneyland Forward proposal.Connecti...

Rider Killed after Semi-Truck Collision on Valley Avenue [Puyallup, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:50 GMT

Fatal Motorcycle Crash Involving Semi-Truck Collision on Valley Avenue Ignites BlazePUYALLUP, WA (September 22, 2023) – In the early hours of Sunday morning, a tragic collision between a semi-truck and a motorcyclist on Valley Avenue Northwest claimed the life of the rider.The devastating incident occurred on September 17th, at approximately 3:00 a.m., in the 900 block of Valley Avenue. The accident involved a 34-year-old motorcyclist and a semi-truck.Upon receiving the call, Puyallup Police, along with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, rushed to the scene and were met with a harrowing sight—the semi-truck was engulfed in flames.Initial investigations revealed that the motorcyclist had been traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with the semi. The force of the impact ejected the rider from his motorcycle, and tragically, officials pronounced him deceased at the crash site.Remarkably, the driver of the semi-truck emerged from the collision unscathed. Authorities attri...