Connect with us

Massachusetts

How Many Days Will You Need AC In Milford This Summer?

Published

on

How Many Days Will You Need AC In Milford This Summer?


MILFORD, MA — Milford residents are running their air conditions more often than in the previous two decades to remain comfortable during hot summer days, according to an interactive map and analysis from The Washington Post.

And it’s only going to get worse, according to projections through the year 2060. In Milford, here’s how heat indices and actual air temperatures have changed and are projected to change:

  • 1981-2000: 62 summer days requiring air conditioning, with an average heat index of 68 degrees and average air temperature of 68 degrees.
  • 2001-2022: 68 summer days requiring air conditioning, an increase of six days with an average heat index of 70 degrees and an average air temperature of 70 degrees.
  • Projected for 2060: 83 summer days requiring air conditioning, with a projected average heat index of 77 degrees and air temperature of 75 degrees.

The analysis is based on the heat index, the feel-like temperature that combines the air temperature and relative humidity, rather than air temperature alone. A 65-degree Fahrenheit daily mean temperature was used to capture cooling needs throughout the day in cities nationwide.

The Post cited 2022 research in setting the 65-degree heat index threshold to determine air conditioning requirements. Any day surpassing that threshold was counted as a day requiring air conditioning for all locations annually, The Post said. The news outlet was assisted in the analysis by Colin Raymond, a UCLA research scientist. For the projected 2060 period, The Post used forecast air temperature and specific humidity from the NASA Center for Climate Simulation.

This year has so far been the hottest summer on record for millions of Americans from California to Maine as heat records fall around the country, especially in the U.S. Southwest as the world grows hotter with more greenhouse gasses added to the atmosphere.

Advertisement

Massachusetts residents can expect the rest of the summer to most likely feature above-average temperatures, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

During this week’s heat wave, temperatures should peak on Wednesday — when heat indices could be at 100 or above — before dropping back into the 80s on Thursday.

Since record-keeping began, some of the hottest temperatures worldwide have been seen in the last 10 to 15 years. Randall Cerveny, a professor at Arizona State University, told The Associated Press the heat records are the clearest possible signal that humans are altering the climate.

In addition to the U.S. Southwest, Temperatures in India and the Middle East have been exceedingly hot this year, he said.

“It feels like the air is a blanket of just hotness that is enveloping you,” he said of the heat, which killed at least 37 people in the United States in July, CNN reported.

Advertisement

It’s been the hottest summer on record to date for around 100 US cities from Maine to California. Heat is suspected in the deaths of least 37 people in the United States in July, a number experts said is likely underestimated due to the amount of time it takes to attribute a death to heat, nature’s most prolific weather killer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Massachusetts

4 injured including 1-year-old, following I-91 crash in West Springfield

Published

on

4 injured including 1-year-old, following I-91 crash in West Springfield


WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Authorities have revealed four people have been transported to a hospital after crash on Sunday.

According to Massachusetts State Police, at around 3 p.m. troopers were on scene for reports of a two-vehicle crash on Route 91 at Exit 10B in West Springfield.

The crash occurred between a 2013 Toyota Corolla operated by 29-year-old from Chicopee and a 2019 Toyota Rav4 operated by a 27 year-old from Springfield.

Officials confirmed the Toyota Rav4 had three other passengers including a 1-year-old infant.

Advertisement

All four occupants involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police said charges and cause are not yet listed but it does state a vehicle “went over the guardrail.”

Western Mass News will provide more details as soon as they become available.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Trump could see support grow after assassination attempt, even in blue Massachusetts

Published

on

Trump could see support grow after assassination attempt, even in blue Massachusetts


How will the assassination attempt on Trump affect polls in Massachusetts?

Advertisement


How will the assassination attempt on Trump affect polls in Massachusetts?

02:35

Advertisement

CAMBRIDGE – The image of Donald Trump with his fist in the air after an attempted assassination has already become iconic, even in some parts of traditionally blue Massachusetts. 

“I thought he was tough when he stood up and he gave the little fist-pump afterwards,” Tom Fialkosky said Monday.  

“Thank God he survived,” another voter in Billerica added.

Billerica is one of the few communities in greater Boston with a history of residents supporting Donald Trump. 

“I just kind of feel bad that happened to him,” said Elizabeth Hill. “I was just glad he got up and he was OK.”

Advertisement

Political effect of assassination attempts

Presidential historians point to Ronald Reagan, who got a bump in political support after an assassination attempt on him in 1981.

“The wave of sympathy that Reagan received when he was recovering from his wounds from John Hinckley, created this political support that translated into major legislation supporting his conservative program,” said Boston University presidential historian Tom Whalen.

Democrats worried about Trump gaining support   

New England voters on the Democratic side of the aisle worry the same kind of sympathy could translate to votes for Trump in four months. 

“I think that people will feel more on his side. I think…he’ll definitely milk the situation,” Mabel Luther said.

Whalen said whether the event will be on the mind of voters in November remains to be seen. Former president Teddy Roosevelt was shot and survived while campaigning for a third term in 1912, but still lost the race.

Advertisement

“[Trump] is going to enjoy a short-term bump,” Whalen said.. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to sustain it given his extreme views … I think that’s kind of wishful thinking if you’re on the Trump side.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Massachusetts branded as most expensive state for child care costs, survey shows

Published

on

Massachusetts branded as most expensive state for child care costs, survey shows


From diapers and formula, to daycare and new clothing, it’s no surprise that the financial costs associated with caring for a child in their first years of life can come at a pretty penny — especially in Massachusetts.

While over half of Americans underestimate their state’s average cost to care for a child in their first year, Massachusetts leads the pack as the most expensive, with average annual day care alone costing $24,472 a year, according to a survey published by CardRates.com.

The survey asked 2,100 participants nationwide to estimate five child care expenses including day care, diapers, formula, food and new clothing. It found that Americans nationwide underestimate the annual costs associated with caring for a child in their first year.

  • Read more: Have thoughts on child care? The state’s Child Care Task Force wants to hear ‘em

For day care costs, Bay Staters estimated an expense of $12,738 annually — reflecting a $11,734 difference from what actual costs are according to CardRates.com.

“Therefore, the annual cost of day care is 63% higher in Massachusetts than residents expect,” the release states.

Advertisement

Trailing behind Massachusetts is Washington, D.C, at $24,417, New York at $21,826, Hawaii at $20,647, and Colorado at $19,573.

Participants from New York underestimated day care costs by $8,368, while Washington, D.C participants underestimated by $8,217, and Hawaii underestimated by $7,488.

  • Read more: Mass. Senate Dems plan vote on bill expanding access to early ed., childcare

Massachusetts ranking as the most expensive in the nation for child care may be less of a surprise to some than others.

Though Massachusetts respondents underestimated day care costs by over $10,00, organizations such as the U.S News & World Reports, reported Massachusetts as the most expensive state for day care costs as early as 2017 — reporting an annual average cost of $17,000 even at that time.

While the Bay State is the most expensive for day care costs and shows the greatest discrepancy between residents expected costs versus reality, the study shows all states underestimated the actual costs of a baby’s first year overall, being 37% more expensive than anticipated.

Respondents underestimated costs of day care, formula and food, while overestimating costs of diapers and clothes.

Advertisement

For day care, the average cost is $13,266 per year whereas the average estimate was $12,055, showing a $1,211 difference, CardRates.com reported.

For formula, the average estimate was $2,287 though the actual annual, average cost is $4,800 — a $2,513 increase from what respondents expected.

  • Read more: Free YMCA memberships available for Boston teens this summer

Overall, the survey showed child care costs are nationally underestimated by $6,934. The national average for caring for a child in their first year is $22,111 according to CardRates.com.

Data used in determining national averages was pulled from organizations such as Child Care Aware of America, BabyCenter, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Gerber Childrens wear, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Respondents from Massachusetts and New Hampshire were closest in their total annual cost estimations, differing less than $3,000, according to CardRates.com.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending