WEATHERAmerica Newsletter, Sunday, August 9, 2026; TODAY's FUN LINKS And CURRENT WEATHER HAZARDS

[Larry Cosgrove]

TODAY'S FUN LINKS:

What Drives Derechos? The First Derecho Archive Could Help Meteorologists Figure It Out. Eos - 28 July 2026 A new BAMS study presents the first archive of derechos in the contiguous United States, offering scientists a better opportunity to understand the drivers behind these destructive storms. Research Reveals How a Changing Climate Reshapes Cooling Efficiency and Energy Demand University of Hawai'i at Manoa - 22 July 2026 The study found that the century-old yardstick used to estimate air-conditioning and refrigeration energy demand—called cooling degree days—is missing something fundamental. Reps. Flood (R-Neb.) and Sorensen (D-Ill.) Launch Caucus Focused on Weather Industry WJAG - 23 July 2026 The bipartisan Weather Enterprise Caucus aims to educate members of Congress about all things weather forecasting and research. Guest speakers at the caucus launch included AMS Executive Director Amanda Staudt. Urban Firestorm Devastates Spokane as Dense Smoke Envelops the Northwest Yale Climate Connections - 3 August 2026 The most destructive wildfire in Washington state history roared into Spokane on Saturday, creating a horrific urban firestorm that forced nearly 65,000 people to evacuate. Predicting Hurricane Rapid Intensification Further in Advance NCAR - 30 July 2026 As highlighted in a new Weather and Forecasting article, researchers have developed a method to predict which hurricanes are likely to intensify rapidly as far as five days in advance—potentially providing local officials with vital time to make lifesaving preparations. "Rivers in the Sky" Influence Marine Heat Waves Duke University - 27 July 2026 A new study is the first to analyze the association between atmospheric rivers and marine heat waves, paving the way for future research on the mechanisms at play and how climate change factors in. An Extreme Solar Storm May Be Even More Devastating than Previously Imagined (may require subscription) Wired - 28 July 2026 Scientists have long assumed that there’s an upper limit to the intensity of the solar winds that reach Earth, but new research suggests there’s not—and the implications are alarming. "Tremendously Grave": The First US City Is on Track to Run Out of Water ScienceAlert - 25 July 2026 In Corpus Christi, Texas, a city of more than 300,000 people, difficulties with water scarcity are now coming to a head after years of concerns over shortages. Wildfires Are More Extreme in Europe and North America, but Global Burning Is Oddly Decreasing The Associated Press - 29 July 2026 Even as wildfires in Europe and North America grow more extreme, key worldwide burning statistics are at a record low, largely because Africa and Asia are controlling fire more. Unravelling the Climate behind the Collapse of Bronze Age Civilizations Stockholm University - 24 July 2026 Recent research shows that the most severe droughts in the ancient eastern Mediterranean arose when multiple natural climate cycles coincided. How Do Scientists Know if Climate Change Made a Heat Wave, Extreme Storm, or Wildfire Worse? The Conversation - 24 July 2026 Today, researchers can provide a scientifically grounded answer that assesses whether climate change made an extreme event more severe, but the answers are not always straightforward, and they are not equally certain for every type of event.

 

WEATHER HAZARDS (During The Next 24 Hours)

 

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
(potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail within the next 24 hours)

 

ISOLATED Severe Thunderstorms

(Microbursts, Large Hail, Microbursts)

ND....SD....N NE....N MO....IA....C, S MN....C, S WI....N, C IL....N, C IN....N OH....S Lower MI

Some Thunderstorms May APPROACH Severe Limits

AZ

 

HEAVY RAINFALL OUTLOOK
(potential for an inch or more total rainfall within the next 24 hours)

 

Isolated Locations In

AZ

(QPF 1 - 3")

Isolated Locations In

E TX....LA....AR....TN....MS....AL....FL....GA....SC....NC....VA....S KY....S WV

(QPF 1 - 3")

Isolated Locations In

ND....SD....N NE....N MO....IA....C, S MN....C, S WI....N, C IL....N, C IN....N OH....S Lower MI

(QPF 1 - 3")

 

EXCESSIVE HEAT RISK

(Potential For Temperature To Exceed 95 deg F)

 

Scattered Locations In

CA....NV....AZ....UT....S, E CO....NM....TX....NW LA....AR....MO....S IA....S NE....KS....OK

Isolated Locations In

WY, MT