Heatwave

Hot weather is slowing down Wisconsin’s potato harvest. Around 70 percent of the state’s potato crop has already been harvested, but some producers are now delaying their work out of fear the unseasonable heat could cause the harvested potatoes to rot. Kevin Schleicher, sales director for Wysocki Family of Companies, said his Portage County farm…

When Jeff Goodell walked about 15 blocks on a 115-degree day in Phoenix, the longtime climate change writer realized first-hand the dangers of rising global temperatures. By the time he reached the other side of town, he felt lightheaded. His heart pounded. He knew the heat was “an immediate risk to people’s lives.” “I am…

Milwaukee’s temperature hit 101 degrees Wednesday. This high beat the previous record of 98 degrees, which was set on the same date in 1947. The Midwest is currently covered by a heat dome stretching from Texas to Wisconsin. Record-breaking temperatures sitting high in the atmosphere have Wisconsinites in the southern half of the state under…

As Wisconsinites have been bracing for extreme heat ahead of Wednesday and Thursday, so too have the state’s utilities as the Midwest electric grid could see electricity demand reach record levels. Ahead of the heatwave, the Midwest grid operator called on utilities to “prepare every available resource” to prevent outages. That’s as much of Wisconsin…

A heatwave is hitting Wisconsin this week, with much of the state expecting heat indexes above 100 on Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service said an excessive heat watch is in effect for the entire state during those days. Meanwhile, an excessive heat warning is in effect for western portions of the state on…

A heatwave is hitting Wisconsin this week. But the state’s climatologist says it’s not a sign that Wisconsin is seeing more extreme highs like other parts of the United States. Much of Wisconsin is expected to see temperatures at least 90 degrees and above on Thursday, with heat indices reaching the 100s. A heat advisory…

While much of the southern United States has been suffering through a record heat wave, temperatures in Wisconsin have been below average this month despite a statewide drought. But those mild temperatures in the state may be coming to an end as the hottest conditions of the summer are expected to move in next week.…

Cooler nights can offer a reprieve from summertime heat. But in Wisconsin and across the country, overnight temperatures have been warming at a faster rate than daytime temperatures. The shift has climate scientists worried, and could increase the risks of heat stress on humans, animals and plants. Nationally, average summertime lows have climbed 2.6 degrees…

Some growers say they’ve been increasingly forced to turn to irrigation to avoid stress on fruit and vegetable crops as the state faces drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest data shows more than 90 percent of the state is abnormally dry. About half of Wisconsin is experiencing moderate drought conditions, including parts of northwestern…

In three years, Wisconsin is set to join dozens of other states with statewide networks of weather stations that aim to provide faster and better reports to farmers. Thanks to more than $3 million in grant funding, the University of Wisconsin-Madison now plans to establish 90 sites to monitor weather and soil conditions throughout the…