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Forecasting Our Future: Severe weather impacts

Forecasting Our Future: Severe weather impacts
Forecasting Our Future: Severe weather impacts

The impact of weather can be felt every day. From the simple things, like what to wear, to the more critical moments when severe weather strikes our community.

Stronger hurricanes, stubborn wildfires and what seems like frequent flooding in many places have some asking -- is the threat and impact from our weather growing?

That question led to "Forecasting Our Future" — an initiative this year at KETV and all Hearst Television stations across the country. The goal is to take a deeper look at how local weather impacts by analyzing facts and data to understand any changing patterns.

Scientists largely agree that the Earth's climate is experiencing changes.

Watch the videos below to get an in-depth look at how these changes are affecting the climate.


Inside Offutt's Weather Wing

How the Air Force is predicting weather impacts in areas where the U.S. and its allies conduct operations.

FEMA releases new flood maps for Nebraska

After a years-long process, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is releasing new flood maps for the Omaha area this year.

What can we learn from tornadoes, hurricanes?

Tornadoes and hurricanes are two of the most violent and damaging storms.

In a matter of minutes, they destroy lives, demolish homes and scar the landscape. The scenes of devastation are repeated year after year.

Take a look back at some of the most recent severe storms and how they're changing.


How severe weather impacts communities across the U.S.

Severe weather can happen anywhere, any time -- even if you're not in an area prone to hurricanes and tornadoes.

From searing heat to storms that can pack a punch, take a look at how "typical weather" is changing.

    Here's how fluctuating weather affects ski areas

    Snow is a vital element of the ecosystem and economy, but average winter temperatures are creeping up due to warming from heat-trapping pollutants, scientists say.

    That means North American ski areas could see a 50% decline in days that are favorable enough to make snow by the middle of the century, according to a new study from the University of New Hampshire

    Rising sea levels could have dire consequences

    Surging water and waves from powerful storms can leave coastal areas battered.

    Experts say sea level rise is elevating that impact -- even during daily high tides, and they're predicting a dire scenario over the next few decades.

    GO DEEPER: See the full investigative report


    As wildfire season stretches in length, focus turns to health

    Wildfires may be most visible on the West Coast, but each year, they're burning in different sizes and severity in every state in the nation.

    While the overall number of wildfires fluctuates, the number of acres burned across the U.S. has been steadily growing over nearly four decades. The marks these fires leave go far beyond the property in their paths.

    Meteorologists explain what drew them to a career in weather

    For many people, their most common interaction with the science of weather comes through the meteorologists on their favorite TV stations.

    In all, more than 100 weather experts across the country work every day at Hearst Television stations to keep communities informed and safe.

    Inside America's 'forest census'

    Just like the once-a-decade U.S. census that goes door to door, the forest census goes trunk to trunk and bark to bark, measuring a portion of trees on 171,000 plots across the country, whose precise locations are kept secret.

    Measurement by measurement, from below and above, the Forest Inventory and Analysis crew is on the vanguard of tracking how a changing climate - from intensifying drought to hotter temperatures to more ferocious wildfires - is affecting a crucial part of Earth's ecosystem.


    Rossen Reports: These 'green' dryer balls will save you cash

    A lot of us think "going green" means spending a lot of money. But that's not always the case! It might mean paying more upfront, but there are eco-friendly products out there that save you money in the long run.

    If you swap something you use every day with something more sustainable, you could help save the environment and save yourself some cash.

    How some are pitching in to combat severe weather

    Several states and the federal government are focusing on how to get ahead of the changes with the environment and the fallout from severe weather.

    A United Nations climate panel recently said it's "now or never" to get a handle on warming and the damaging results. Experts say it needs to be a collective effort.

    forecasting our future
    Hearst Television

    Climate and weather tell two different stories. What is the difference between them?

    Earth's climate is changing, and scientists agree that it's largely because of increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane produced by the extraction and use of fossil fuels.

    Temperature readings from the past 140 years show that global temperatures are on the rise. The chart below shows how much temperatures have been above or below the average set from 1961-1990.

    CLICK HERE to see interactive charts detailing trends with global temperatures and expected changes with sea levels, agriculture and more.