Accessing the least-crowded section of New York’s Lido Beach requires either money or insider knowledge. Anyone staying at one of the hotels on the beach can walk through the lobby, and those living in the adjoining town can waltz in through a separate gate using a residents-only electronic access code. Everyone else, though, has to …
In November 1886, King David Kalākaua showcased a unique and exquisite object at a royal jubilee in Honolulu. The object in question was a smooth, oblong calabash made of koa and kou woods, adorned with decorative brass. Known as the Wind Gourd of La‘amaomao, this calabash was believed to contain all the winds of Hawaii, …
The National Weather Service reports that approximately 200 million people in the United States, which accounts for 60% of the population, are currently under a heat advisory or flood warning or watch. This alarming situation has been in effect since Thursday. Extreme temperatures are expected to affect the eastern half of the country on Friday, …
A few weeks ago, I embarked on a road trip from Charlottesville, Virginia to my hometown in Rogers, Arkansas. As I drove west, hoping to escape the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, I realized it was following me all the way to Arkansas. This smoke, much like the extreme weather we’ve been experiencing in the …
Amidst the haze caused by Canada’s wildfires, millions of Americans have been seeking information on the severity of the situation. However, understanding the terms “unhealthy” or “hazardous” air quality can be challenging. That’s where the Air Quality Index comes in. What is the Air Quality Index? The Air Quality Index is a nationwide measurement system …
Social media users have discovered an innovative way to protect themselves from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke indoors: using a box fan, four air filters, and duct tape. As people search for “air purifiers” on Google, platforms like TikTok and Facebook are buzzing with tutorials on how to create a DIY air purifier. This …
Late last night, residents of New York City received familiar yet unusual advice from city officials. They were urged to wear high-quality masks, such as N95 or KN95, if they were older adults or had heart or breathing problems and needed to be outside. However, this time the recommendation was not related to viral infections …
Wildfire smoke from Canada is continuing to wreak havoc on parts of the United States, with air quality not expected to improve significantly for a few more days. According to Jen Carfagno, a Weather Channel meteorologist, a blocked pattern across North America has kept an area of upper-level low pressure stuck over the Northeast, guiding …
An unyielding and pernicious smog brought on by raging wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia is disrupting the lives of millions of people across the United States and Canada. The dense haze, which has been described as dystopian in nature, has forced players from ballfields and actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights, and …
Over the last six weeks, Canada has been plagued by hundreds of out-of-control wildfires, resulting in mass evacuations and the destruction of millions of acres. While the wildfire season in Canada typically spans from May through October, the scale of devastation in the early stages of the season is unprecedented. Experts have attributed this crisis …