Following a Summer of Smoke and Storms: A Conversation with Weather Expert Yaker Biegeleisen

By Y.M. Lowy

As we step into the first week of the new year, with heat still blustering even as summer gives way to autumn, many are reflecting on the season that has just passed. This summer, like the recent ones before it, brought extreme and unusual weather - something most of us don’t recall experiencing in earlier years.

BoroPark24 spoke with weather expert Yaker Biegeleisen to better understand what is behind these changes and what it means for us going forward.

1. This summer, we’ve once again experienced hazy skies due to Canadian wildfires — something that has become a recurring issue each summer for the past three years. But why did we barely hear about this phenomenon before then? What’s happening now, and does this mean we should expect it every summer moving forward?

It has always been very common in western Canada, but in the past few years we are seeing it more in eastern Canada. There have also been more droughts recently in both eastern Canada and the United States. All it takes is one thunderstorm with lightning, or even someone leaving a cigarette or match, and the fire spreads quickly. So the answer to your question isn’t the air that brings it to us, but the new fires on the eastern side of Canada.

2. What are the health concerns during such weather conditions, and what precautions should people with sensitivities take?

The air quality gets very bad. The small ashes in the air, the chemicals from the fire, and the carbon monoxide are all harmful. Young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues are the most vulnerable and will feel the effects first.

In most cases, the general population doesn’t have anything to be concerned about, unless officials or weather experts issue a different warning. For example, three summers ago, harsh smoke made breathing more difficult and caused various mild symptoms experienced by many people. But usually, as in the last two summers, we didn’t experience on such a level or even close to that.

3. How do meteorologists track and predict the movement of wildfire smoke across regions? And how does wildfire smoke differ from regular urban air pollution?

Wind and wind direction are the main tools to see where the fire and smoke will travel.

4. Is there a coordinated effort between the United States and Canada to reduce the impact of these recurring wildfires? And are we investing in new technology or policies to better manage and reduce the health effects of the smoke?

To some extent yes. There is more focus on research and prevention, but also cooperation when it comes to putting out certain fires.

5. There have been reports that President Trump previously reduced funding for weather balloons. If true, how does that affect our ability to forecast and prepare for weather-related events?

There have been general budget cuts for NOAA, which affected the launching of weather balloons. These balloons help make weather models more accurate. It’s not that we won’t receive updates like before, but rather that the agency will find other ways to get results within the remaining budget.

6. In recent summers, our area has experienced a noticeable increase in severe thunderstorms, flooding, and heavy rainfall,  events that weren’t so common in the past. What’s changed?

There is more hot and very humid weather in recent years. When there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, it creates the right conditions for heavy downpours and localized flooding with thunderstorms.

To conclude, it’s very important to emphasize that despite all weather models and expert analysis, time and again I see that only Hashem, the משנה עתים ומחליף את הזמנים, is truly in charge of the weather. No weather expert can ever be one hundred percent certain, and Hashem constantly shows us that what may seem like natural occurrences are, in fact, His wonders.

illustration photo: Shutterstock