Ready to climb? Here’s a list of rock climbing centers in Central Florida
Orlando is full of more fun things to do than just going to theme parks; for those looking for a more ‘hands-on’ kind of thrill, the City Beautiful has an assortment of rock-climbing centers where visitors can scratch that bouldering, belaying or scrambling itch.
Forecasting Change: Summers are getting hotter in Central Florida
The start of the summer season got lost last week with the threat of tropical weather. This week on Forecasting Change, I want to focus on the warming of the summer season. Our media partners at Climate Central have analyzed the summer data from the last five decades at 246 locations in the United States. Here is some of what they found.
Central Florida organizations offering free creative arts summer camps for children
The Central Florida Urban League — a group that promotes educational training and entrepreneurship in Central Florida — announced it will be partnering with Central Florida Community Arts to put together free summer camps for local youth in grades K - 8.
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5 things that happened this summer that you probably already forgot about
Somehow, summer 2021 has come to a close (hello, sad girl fall!), so we’re going to take a look back at all the major things that happened this summer that you probably already forgot about, because this summer went by way too fast.
Missing the heat? Staying chilly Sunday, but the first 90s of the year likely later in the week
Most of Central Florida will stay locked in the clouds and chilly weather Sunday, but sunshine will try to inch back in from east to west. Highs will be in the 50s ad 60s near the 75 corridor and closer to the low-to-mid 60s near Orlando. Brevard temperaturesThere will likely be a sharp divide in temperatures over a short distance as sunshine tries to march inland from the Atlantic Ocean. A few showers will still be around, mainly north and west of Orlando, but most stay dry Sunday afternoon. No matter how you slice it, beach weather returns for the middle of next week and lasts through the weekend.
Forecasting Change: Summer extending into fall
ORLANDO, Fla. – Here we are in the second week of October and our daytime highs are above normal again. 50% of those cities have extended the 90s up to a week longer. Last 90 degree dayIt’s not just Orlando. Miami has extended its summer heat even more. Last 90 degree dayAs we continue to warm, the impacts of longer summer temperatures mean a longer growing season, more pest - think mosquitos and ticks - and increased need for power to keep you cool and water to keep you hydrated.
Summer 2020 is one of the hottest in the U.S. and Central Florida on record
Summer 2020 Rankings NationallyNOAA: National Average Temperature SummerThe average temperature and precipitation for the last three months across the contiguous U.S. ranked as the fourth hottest and the third driest summer on record. National Average Precipitation Summer 2020The close of summer 2020 was certainly an unforgettable one. Summer 2020 Rankings LocallyThe national recap looks very similar to what we experienced here in Central Florida. Summer 2020 Local Temperature RankingsDaytona Beach: 83.2 (0.5 above average)Leesburg: 5th warmest Summer 83.0 (0.5 above average)Orlando: 5th warmest Summer 83.5 (1.2 above average)Sanford: 4th warmest Summer 83.9 (1.2 above average)Melbourne: 5th warmest Summer 82.2 (0.9 above average)Rainfall totals for the summer were generally near to above normal for much of the area. Summer 2020 Rainfall Totals
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From heat to snow: Rocky Mountains see 60-degree plunge
Heat and strong winds also hit California and parts of the Pacific Northwest over the holiday weekend, triggering destructive wildfires. Snow fell in Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, where portions of Interstate 80 closed and forecasters predicted up to a foot (30 centimeters) in the mountains and temperatures in the teens (-7 Celsius) overnight. Several northern Utah school districts canceled classes, and officials warned people to stay inside if possible to avoid flying debris, downed power lines and other dangers. Several semitrailer trucks blew over on northern Utah highways. Freeze and frost warnings also were posted for parts of Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota and Minnesota.
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Forecasting Change: More warming means more ticks and poison ivy
Ticks are emerging faster and earlierOver the last 20 years the number of Lyme disease cases has doubled to 30,000. Lyme disease cases increasingAs if ticks werent enough, the change in climate is also leading to stronger poison ivy! If you are also one who suffers be aware that higher levels of carbon dioxide stimulate larger, stronger and more damaging growth of poison ivy. While some plants struggle with the higher temps and increase CO2 levels, poison ivy takes to it like Popeye eating spinach. In those same years the surface area of the average poison ivy plant has more than doubled.
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Trust Index: Can we count on summer heat to beat the COVID-19 pandemic?
A few months ago, when the virus had just hit the state, health experts speculated that summer heat may slow the spread of the virus. As Florida finds itself further into the summer months, cases of COVID-19 continue to skyrocket. These numbers seem to indicate that despite hot weather, the COVID-19 pandemic continues with force. Although there are many illnesses that destruct with heat and humidity, this usually occurs in ideal situations. The medical community needs much more research and data to definitively determine the effects of heat and humidity on the virus.
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This virtual camp includes 1,200 videos and experiences -- and they’re all free
Summer camp might not be an option this year, but YouTube has created a free #CampYouTube, so as to re-create common camp experiences through YouTube videos. These include arts and crafts, sports, writing workshops, photography tutorials, mental health exercises, exploring the outdoors and SO much more — seriously, there are about 1,200 videos in total. Any interest in learning how to make a ping pong ball float? Plus, YouTube uses resources for its videos from partners like the BBC, Imagination Library, Code.org, Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Google Arts and Culture, National Geographic Society, Sesame Street and others. “These resources are not meant to replace homework assigned by teachers, but meant to complement that work,” YouTube states on its camp website.
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Have plans to travel this summer despite the pandemic? A new study shows youre not alone
A study by auto club group AAA has found that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of Americans will hit the roads and take to the skies this summer. AAA used key economic indicators to determine total number of trips, not actual traveler totals for their study. AAA reported that air travel will be off by about 74%, while rail, cruise ship and bus travel will plummet by 86%. Were it not for the pandemic, AAA would be projecting 857 million trips during the third quarter, a 3.6% increase over last year. By this analysis, the pandemic wiped out nearly 150 million trips this summer, AAA researchers said in a news release.
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Create Disney’s famous Dole Whip at home in less than 10 minutes
If you’re like us and are no longer following your quarantine diet, Disney’s favorite frozen snack can be yours to make at home. Dole Whip has become a must-eat for families and Disney fans alike. The theme parks remain closed, however, you can bring the park magic home by creating your own Dole Whip treats. There are two ways to create a Dole Whip: Dole’s recipe and Disney’s recipe. Share your Dole Whip creations with us in the comments below!
Feels like temperature to hit 105 in Orlando as tropics stay active
ORLANDO, Fla. Summer doesnt officially start for another 11 days, but its going to be sizzling Tuesday in Central Florida. Orlando will reach a high near 92 degrees, but the feels like temperature will be close to 105. We will continue to see afternoon storms, mainly because of the east and west coast sea breezes, News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said. "The east coast sea breeze will be dominant, pushing storms inland by the afternoon. Most storms dont fire up until after 2 p.m."Expect a 60% coverage of rain Tuesday and a 50% coverage Wednesday and Thursday.
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Goose attacks Texas girl, pictures go viral
HOUSTON – Photos of a 5-year-old Houston girl being attacked by a goose are going viral. Summer is recovering from a few scratches after an unpleasant encounter with a goose. Her sister, Stevie Gidden, shared photos of the goose attack on Twitter, which have received more than 45,000 retweets and 59,000 likes. "Summer got attacked by a duck today & the pictures our neighbor got of it happening make me laugh so hard," Gidden tweeted. "Summer knows she's famous and she's eating it up," Gidden said.