Weather - wdbj7.com

Showers and fog continue overnight

Meteorologist Jay Webb — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:39:00 EDT

Most areas (especially near the Blue Ridge) will have a chance of soaking rain tonight. Watch small creeks and streams, especially in Smyth and Grayson counties where a Flash Flood Watch is in effect. We stay humid with areas of fog. Lows near 60°.

All missing residents accounted for after Texas tornadoes

Jana J. Pruet — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:17:02 EDT

GRANBURY, Texas (Reuters) - All seven people listed as missing after a monster Texas tornado that tore homes from their foundations and uprooted trees on Wednesday have now been accounted for, leaving the death toll at six, authorities said on Friday.

Three massive solar flares in 24 hours -- are more on the way?

By Deborah Netburn — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:56:00 EDT

The sun put on another fireworks display Monday evening, releasing a dramatic flash of ultraviolet radiation and sending solar matter hurtling through space.

Climate change may be baring Mount Everest

By Geoffrey Mohan — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:16:00 EDT

A warming climate is melting the glaciers of Mount Everest, shrinking the frozen cloak of Earth’s highest peak by 13% in the last 50 years, researchers have found.

Common plants, animals threatened by climate change, study says

By Neela Banerjee — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:00:00 EDT

WASHINGTON -- Climate change could lead to the widespread loss of common plants and animals around the world, according to a new study released Sunday in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Rain and fire is a 'double jeopardy' situation, scientists say

By Hector Becerra, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

A largely forgettable rainfall provoked a growth in vegetation that, followed by a hot, near-record dry period, simply resulted in more fuel for potential wildfires.

When it comes to Southern California's increasingly perilous fire season, you can blame both the lack of rain and the little rain we did have.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaches record levels

Meteorologist Brent Watts — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:38:00 EDT

On May 9, the daily mean concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since measurements began in 1958.

Forest Service urges camping with caution

Meteorologist Brent Watts — Thu, 9 May 2013 10:21:00 EDT

Roanoke, VA - National forest officials are promoting flash flood awareness for neighboring communities and people who camp outdoors. A flash flood is a serious weather event for forest visitors because rising flood water is extremely dangerous—a sudden surge can claim victims in less than one minute.

May night sky happenings

Meteorologist Brent Watts — Wed, 1 May 2013 07:29:00 EDT

NASA recommends putting your eyes to the sky this month

May is a great month to see a lovely collection of constellations with your own eyes and view objects studied by NASA spacecraft and telecopes. Use the moon to help locate the constellations this month.

Drinking rainwater is nothing new for Roanoke family

Meteorologist Brent Watts — Thu, 2 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

After the well went dry, the Shreeman family turned to the clouds

Rain. Without it, nothing can survive.