The Columbian

Weather & Climate

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 file photo, the Caldor Fire burns along both sides of Highway 50 as firefighters work to stop its eastward spread in Eldorado National Forest, Calif.. Last week, managers overseeing the fight against the massive wildfire scorching California's Lake Tahoe region thought they could have it contained by the start of this week. Instead, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, the Caldor Fire crested the Sierra Nevada, forcing the unprecedented evacuation of all 22,000 residents of South Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe wildfire seemed controllable, until winds flared

September 3, 2021, 5:30pm Nation & World

Just last week, managers overseeing the fight against the massive wildfire scorching California’s Lake Tahoe region thought they could have it contained by the start of this week. Read story

Bursts of energy go up in balls of fire after the Caldor Fire moved into the Christmas Valley and began making its way along the the South Tahoe rim towards Heavenly, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 in South Lake Tahoe, Calif .

Huge wildfire near Lake Tahoe slows as weather improves

September 3, 2021, 1:50pm Latest News

Fire crews took advantage of decreasing winds to battle a California wildfire near popular Lake Tahoe and were even able to allow some people back to their homes but dry weather and a weekend warming trend meant the battle was far from over. Read story

Workers pump water from a flooded section of Interstate 676 in Philadelphia Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. The cleanup and mourning has continued as the Northeast U.S. recovers from record-breaking rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

Searches, sorrow in wake of Ida’s destructive, deadly floods

September 3, 2021, 12:50pm Latest News

Police went door to door in search of more possible victims and drew up lists of the missing as the death toll rose to 49 on Friday in the catastrophic flooding set off across the Northeast by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Read story

Viana Chacol, 65, and her dog, Chanel, rest at a cooling shelter at the Treme Recreation Community Center in New Orleans, La., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. The facility features water, charging stations, bathrooms, food, and other basic services to help residents after Hurricane Ida.

Power to be restored to New Orleans by middle of next week

September 3, 2021, 8:35am Nation & World

Power should be restored to New Orleans by the middle of next week, utility officials said Friday, and sheriff's deputies warned people returning to communities outside the city to come equipped like survivalists because of the lack of basic services in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Read story

Traffic is sparse Feb. 15 on Interstate 45 following an overnight snowfall in The Woodlands, Texas, as temperatures plunged into the teens.

Study: Warmer Arctic led to killer cold in Texas, much of U.S.

September 3, 2021, 6:00am Nation & World

Warming of the Arctic caused by climate change has increased the number of polar vortex outbreaks, when frigid air from the far north bathes the central and eastern United States in killer cold, a study finds. Read story

The Caldor Fire burns near homes near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C.

Changing winds provide hope in California wildfire battle

September 2, 2021, 11:50am Latest News

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — Better weather on Thursday helped the battle against a huge California forest fire threatening communities around Lake Tahoe, but commanders warned firefighters to keep their guard up against continuing dangers. Read story

Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Weather Eye: Warm and pleasant through the holiday weekend

September 2, 2021, 6:08am Clark County News

No worries for the long Labor Day weekend weather wise. The chance of showers for Sunday has evaporated. As these weak weather systems slide across Canada, we get clouds and stiff northwest winds after the frontal passage. And overnight lows have dipped into the 30s again around the county. Read story

With the rain falling, a bicyclist dressed in wet weather gear travels along the Great Allegheny Passage near the McKeesport Hostel Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in McKeesport, Pa.

Ida’s not done, Kate persists, Tropical Storm Larry forms

September 1, 2021, 10:58am Nation & World

Hurricane Ida’s remnants caused flash flooding that knocked about 20 homes off their foundations and washed several trailers away in western Virginia. More severe weather was predicted Wednesday, with heavy rains stretching into New England and tornadoes likely in parts of the Appalachians. Read story

People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.

Ida’s sweltering aftermath: No power, no water, no gasoline

August 31, 2021, 1:30pm Nation & World

Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve. Read story

A firefighter monitors the Caldor Fire burning near homes in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. As the winds returned this week, the Caldor Fire roared over the Sierra crest and bore down on the southern end of Lake Tahoe. (AP Photo/Jae C.

California fire approaches Lake Tahoe after mass evacuation

August 31, 2021, 11:20am Latest News

A huge firefighting force gathered Tuesday to defend Lake Tahoe from a raging wildfire that forced the evacuation of California communities on the south end of the alpine resort and put others across the state line in Nevada on notice to be ready to flee. Read story