Insider Blog

You may have heard more talk of expensive natural disasters in recent headlines as large-scale disasters are increasing year by year. In Missouri, 2023 has already been a notable severe weather year, tying for our highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a year. With several months left, this could be one of the most expensive

You may notice more foggy mornings as conditions cool and we head into the new season. This is typically the time of year with the best setup for fog overnight, especially near bodies of water. On a calm fall night heat is able to rise from the ground quickly, leaving behind cooler, moist air at

Recent years have seen somewhat duller autumn colors, and this trend may return again this fall. Drought has cropped up across Mid-Missouri periodically in past summers, which can have an impact on tree health and eventual leaf changes. This year has seen an exceptional round of drought, with effects still yet to be seen into

Temperatures are coming down after the peak of summer, but last month was record-setting in several ways. High temperature records were set across the state, and the humidity was especially historic. Columbia recorded its highest heat index ever at 117 degrees on August 20th, and St. Louis saw its longest stretch of dew points at

While conditions have been much better to head back outside, that also means more danger from the sun. The UV Index still reaches very high levels into September on clear afternoons, which can mean sunburn in less than a half hour. The sun angle is still very high this time of year, allowing more direct

The forecast has been centered on heat and dry conditions for much of recent memory, and something that may have been literally lost in the weeds is our allergens. Pollen count is still very high across Mid-Missouri, but the specific pollinators are changing heading into the new season. Tree pollen season has been behind us

Currently, the state of Florida is preparing for a severe weather event, as Hurricane Idalia is rapidly strengthening and approaching parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast. This specific area is where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect, with some areas seeing chances for Storm Surge inundation of 10-15 feet above ground level, and devastating waves.

This mid-August heatwave has been extreme, bringing the feels-like conditions to near or above 115 degrees in parts of Mid-MO. But this already unbearable heat can be even worse in urban areas full of concrete, cars, and people. https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=3fdbffcdd4c94879bae23051a42843df&locale=en In Columbia, you can expect temperatures to be up to 6 degrees higher on average just

Heat and humidity are back in full force this week as the peak of summer comes to an end. This combo can spell out hazardous conditions especially for those outside for a prolonged time. Farmers that are out in the field can face extra risks, not just from time outdoors, but from the crops themselves

With these dangerous heat indexes being recorded almost daily this week, you may have noticed it’s a bit harder to cool off outside. That’s because your body’s cooling process, sweating, is not able to perform as well as it should. This is because of how humid it has been this week. We’ve been tracking dewpoints