One of the driest places on Earth has become a canvas of color after uncharacteristically heavy rainfall brought millions of dormant seeds and bulbs to life in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Vast stretches of the normally barren landscape are now coated in violet and white wildflowers. Tourists normally flocking to sprawling stretches of amber landscape are…
An already strong El Niño continues to intensify across the tropical Pacific, and forecasters say it could become the most powerful event on record since 1950. You may also hear it called a “super El Niño.” That, however, is not an official scientific category. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) classifies events as weak, moderate, strong,…
The first drops of rain can send people dashing for the nearest cover. In contrast, one good rainstorm can make it seem as though a whole population of frogs moved into your yard overnight. Suddenly, there they are, hopping through the grass, sitting near puddles and singing their froggy hearts out when the sun goes…
Annapolis residents were still clearing trees, broken limbs, and storm debris from Friday night’s severe weather when another round of storms moved toward the city Sunday night. WMAR reported that western Annapolis and the Admiral Heights neighborhood were among the areas hit hardest by heavy rain and high winds. Residents were cleaning up damaged yards,…
NOAA says El Niño has developed, giving homeowners in flood-prone areas time to check the problems that usually become expensive only after heavy rain arrives. Realtor.com reported that federal forecasters expect El Niño to strengthen later this year, with possible weather impacts for homeowners across several parts of the country. Heavier rain, higher coastal water…
A Midwest storm outbreak left roofs torn, streets blocked, power lines down, and at least one death tied to a falling tree. A WBIR video report showed damage across parts of Iowa and Illinois after severe storms moved through the region. The Associated Press reported that a 54-year-old man died in Des Moines after a…
Raleigh homeowners with sprinklers still running through the drought are facing more enforcement as water demand climbs across the city’s system. ABC11 reported that average daily water use has risen to more than 76 million gallons, up more than 10 million gallons from the previous week. Raleigh Water officials tied much of the increase to…
A Bay Area Red Flag Warning that covered the East Bay Hills and North Bay mountains turned a familiar homeowner checklist into a same-day fire-prevention priority: roofs, gutters, dry grass, deck corners, yard debris, phones, alerts, and evacuation plans. ABC7 Bay Area reported Thursday that the warning had firefighters and residents preparing for dangerous fire…
Sunny Spain is not living up to its reputation this year, as a giant low-pressure system lays waste to the Iberian Peninsula. The Western European country and neighboring Portugal have been lashed by heavy rain and wind all winter, bringing disruption beyond anything experienced before in some regions. It means the country is facing unprecedented…