News / Weather
Fourth of July 2010 Weather and Fire Risk
While many people will be partaking in fireworks activities for the Fourth of July weekend, there are more than the obvious dangers to be aware of.
Legal vs. Illegal
First and foremost, due to safety concerns, the use or possession of fireworks is illegal in some states. Some states have restrictions on types of fireworks.
Many people are injured by improper or illegal use of backyard fireworks every year.
If you are caught, you may face heavy fines or could even go to jail.
Be sure to check local ordinances on what is legal in your community. What you bought in one area may not be legal for use or possession in another.
Rainy Locations
As is usually the case, the weather will cooperate for all of or at least part of the weekend over much of the nation this holiday. However, there are some exceptions.
The most troublesome areas will lie along the Gulf of Mexico coast, interior Texas, part of the Four Corners and the northern Plains.
In the Deep South, tropical moisture will produce frequent showers and thunderstorms.
From interior Texas to New Mexico and Colorado, the part of the remnants from Alex drifting slowly northward could lead not only to spotty thunderstorm activity, but also to a period of steady, drenching rain.
Over the northern Plains, thunderstorms firing on the building rim of heat to the south and east and cooler air to the north and west can lead to problems on a daily basis.
Most of the showers and thunderstorms in the Deep South and Plains will take place during the late afternoon and evening hours, unfortunately when most outdoor activities take place.
Brush Fire Risk
The heat of July and unusual dryness will lead to high risk of brush fires this weekend in some areas.
For example, a building heat wave can lead to fast-changing, dry conditions in parts of the Northeast.
Portions of the mid-Atlantic, northern Great Lakes, interior lower Mississippi Valley and the West have become abnormally dry or are in some sort of drought condition.
Be sure to have the means to extinguish any fire that gets started from camping or fireworks quickly.
Local weather conditions have already led or will lead to tinder dry brush in some areas. Even the action of parking vehicles on a dry, grassy area can start a fire. In this case, the hot exhaust can be enough to ignite tall grass.
Falling, burning ambers from fireworks and sparklers are the main concern.
Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com
If you have questions or want to speak to a meteorologist, contact:
Or call our 24-hour press hotline:
814-235-8710
