When Minutes Matter: A 10 News Weather Authority severe weather special
Severe thunderstorms are not as common as they might be in other parts of the country, but they do still happen locally in the spring and summer months.
Last 12 months on Earth were the hottest ever recorded, analysis finds
The 12 months ending in October were the hottest ever recorded on Earth and likely the planetโs hottest 12-month period ever recorded, according to a report from the nonprofit science research group Climate Central.
![New tool estimates solar and wind power production based on weather forecasts](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/-vUx-ZJbpsvPnSSokDhCGLCRF-M=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5BZPJJWDRRBNJP2HUQESFVRXC4.png)
New tool estimates solar and wind power production based on weather forecasts
Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of the Beyond The Forecast newsletter! Weโve been talking a lot about sustainable sources of energy lately, due to Earth Day last week.
![First half of 2020 the second-hottest on record globally; per NOAA, NASA](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/FsJ-6wwAav0ceV4Wb6YZBPIPtOc=/1280x720/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MHXBO6XBJRFBPPOPXFWYLCSTIM.png)
First half of 2020 the second-hottest on record globally; per NOAA, NASA
ROANOKE, Va. New research from NOAA and NASA Monday confirms that the first half of 2020 has been close to the hottest on record across the globe. The average global temperature between January and June was 1.93F above the 20th-century average and just 0.09F from the record set in 2016. This also states that Junes temperatures were tied as the third-hottest on record, marking the 426th consecutive month of warmer-than-average global temperatures. Roanoke is currently in the middle of one of its longest 90 streaks on record. We'll likely extend our 90 streak in the Roanoke Valley today.
![Beyond The Forecast: Why you may have seen some meteorologists showing their stripes last week](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/1HdNX2cw5GWLQAqxNCK7d-qN1gY=/1600x1200/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KXUXE4TB2RBQHBGPDDVBYGNICQ.jpg)
Beyond The Forecast: Why you may have seen some meteorologists showing their stripes last week
Last week, Your Local Weather Authority meteorologist Chris Michaels wore a unique tie to work. It depicted global warming stripes (the average annual global temperature) from 1850 to 2019. Chris wasnt alone in showing his stripes. Many meteorologists around the country came together to spread awareness of our warming climate, including Paul Gross of our sister station (WDIV) in Detroit. (Paul Gross (WDIV))The warming stripes idea was conceived by English climatologist Ed Hawkins. Heres the warming stripes for Virginia.
![Sea levels could rise higher than previously thought, new study says](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2016/04/06/climate%20change%20-%20sea%20levels_22150394.jpg_22263835_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Sea levels could rise higher than previously thought, new study says
7 to 23 inches -- The projected amount sea levels were expected to rise by the end of the century in 2007. Entire coastal cities could be wiped out if there aren't enough sea defenses in place. China's low-lying big cities are particularly vulnerable, according to a Climate Central press release -- think Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. Previous reports had predicted that sea levels could rise by three feet (0.9 meters) -- which Climate Central researchers now say was too conservative an estimate. Rising sea levels contribute to warmer global temperatures, changing what kinds of crops farmers can grow -- meaning millions of people could face food and drinking water scarcity, health crises, and a disrupted global economy.
![Climate crisis could make it more dangerous to play sports outdoors](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2018/12/06/Sun%2C%20heat%2C%20heatwave%2C%20climate%20change.jpg.jpg_21968646_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Climate crisis could make it more dangerous to play sports outdoors
The National Weather Service's heat index measures how hot it feels when you factor in relative humidity with the actual air temperature. The South and Southwest see these high heat index days throughout the summer. Miami had 160.6 days extreme heat days on average over the last five years, for example. A "danger" day is when the combined heat and humidity makes it feel like it's 105 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. For both conditions, "danger" days and "heat index" days, it can be dangerous to exercise outside and can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.