heightening

Some National Weather Service offices in California are among those hit hardest by meteorologist vacancies, heightening concerns as the state contends with the threat of extreme weather.

A long-feared monster earthquake off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington could cause some areas to sink by more than 6 feet, dramatically heightening the risk of flooding.

Because bats have small teeth, their bites typically go unnoticed, heightening the risk of infection.

This week the group announced plans to launch a parallel government in the parts of Sudan in controls, heightening fears Sudan could ultimately split in two.

And right now, millions of Americans are facing monumental financial uncertainty, heightening the odds that some of them get stuck in the cycle.