Chris Robbins

Chris is a professional meteorologist and holds an advanced degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in atmospheric science/meteorology, along with a minor in mathematics.

Super El Niño Watch: Why 2026 Hurricane Forecasts Don’t Agree

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Early outlooks for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season are already split, and the main culprit is a brewing Super El Niño that could collide with a very warm Atlantic. Colorado State University (CSU) is leaning toward a somewhat below‑normal season, while the University of Arizona is solidly in “above average” territory. AccuWeather lands in the middle, with … Read more

Lightning Stats for Injuries & Fatalities since 1940

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Since the 1940s, the annual number of fatalities from lightning has been decreasing. In 1940, lightning was the #1 weather-related killer. In 2023, the National Weather Service reported only 14 lightning-related fatalities. This downward trend highlights improved safety awareness and underscores the importance of seeking shelter during thunderstorms. Total Fatalities Annually Injuries AND Fatalities 1940-2026 … Read more

Texas Rainfall Amounts 24 to 72 Hours

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Severe Weather Map | Dallas Forecast Texas Mesonet data for 24 to 72 hour precipitation: Texas rainfall maps for 24 to 72 hours are a valuable tool for anyone who wants to stay informed about upcoming weather conditions and make informed decisions about their activities. Areas in Texas with the Most Rain: Areas in Texas … Read more

Mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) over southern Alabama

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What is an MCV (Mesoscale Convective Vortex)? An MCV is an area of low pressure that develops aloft within a large, organized, and long-duration complex of thunderstorms known as a mesoscale convective complex (MCC).  The low pressure is a result of the tremendous amount of latent heat released through vapor condensation and ice nucleation which … Read more

Snow Accumulation (Current): Snow Depth & Percent Coverage

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Our high-resolution maps of accumulated snowfall are updated several times a day for the United States and much of Canada. ● Today’s Snow Cover Stats ● Interactive Map Snow Cover Map (Current – High-Resolution) Note: Refresh the browser if data fail to load   Today’s Snow-Cover Percent, Depth, & Liquid Equivalent (SWE) These stats include … Read more

2026 Tropical Storm and Hurricane Names

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Did you know your next big storm might be called “Hurricane Karen” or “Tropical Storm Wendy”? Hurricane names aren’t just random – they follow a carefully planned system designed to make communication about these dangerous storms easier. For example, it’s much simpler for meteorologists and newscasters to say “Hurricane Hector” rather than trying to remember … Read more

When does the time change? DST in 2026

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Daylight saving time (DST) begins:  Sunday, March 8th, 2026. Sunday March 8th we will spring forward one hour. As a reminder check the batteries in your safety devices such as smoke detectors. When will DST end (return to standard time)? 2026 Countdown to Spring A few interesting DST tidbits Brief history of daylight saving time … Read more

When does DST return to standard time in 2026?

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DST ends and clocks return to standard time (“fall back”) at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2026. States that do not observe the time change: Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii. How did DST get started? We have compiled an brief, but very interesting, history of daylight saving time When does DST … Read more

Blizzard of 2026: Major Nor’easter explodes off East Coast, slams Northeast with “white‑out hurricane” conditions

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Some may call it the Great Blizzard of 2026 some may call it Hernando. What began as a run‑of‑the‑mill coastal low off the Mid‑Atlantic on February 22 turned into a classic meteorological overachiever, rapidly bombing out over the Gulf Stream and lashing the Northeast with hurricane‑force gusts, white‑out visibility, and waist‑deep drifts. By Monday, February … Read more

How Many Days Until Spring 2026?

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2026 Spring Equinox Friday, March 20, 2026 at 9:46:00 am So how many days are left until Spring? Spring 2026 Begins In When is the first day of spring 2026? Spring starts on Friday, March 20, 2026. The LAST day of spring is Sunday, June 21, 2026. What is the first full day of spring … Read more

How Many Days Until Fall 2026?

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Fall 2026 Begins: Monday, September 22, 2026 at 18:19 UTC 8:44 am EDT [ujicountdown id=”Fall Equinox” expire=”2026/09/22 18:19 utc” hide=”” url=”” subscr=”Fall Equinox”]   Mountain Time: 6:44 AM MDT Pacific Time: 5:44 AM PDT The autumnal equinox, or fall equinox, is an astronomical event that marks the start of fall. It occurs when the sun … Read more

Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin: Interesting statistics

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This page provides some basic, but very interesting statistics about category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic basin since 1851.  Category 5 storms are extremely rare.  In fact, for the Atlantic Basin (including the Gulf of Mexico and Carribbean Sea) only 34* category 5 storms (~4% of all hurricanes) are found in the historical record.  In … Read more

Days Until Winter 2026 Countdown

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2026 Winter Solstice Sunday, December 21 at 9:02 am EST How many days until winter? Winter 2025 Begins In The winter solstice, or December solstice, will be Sunday, December 21, 2026, marking the first day of winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, winter generally begins on December 21 or 22. This is the winter solstice, the day … Read more

Lightning Map for OKC

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Above is a lightning map of the city of Oklahoma City aka OKC. Oklahoma City Thunder may be a thing but what about the lightning that can kill people?

Hurricane Katrina: The Dire NWS Warning That Saved Lives

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On this, the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s final landfall east of New Orleans, I wanted to share some graphics and the very rare, dire warning issued the National Weather Service in Slidell, Louisiana that likely saved many, many lives. Radar Loop at Landfall    Satellite Loop at Landfall    Location of the NWS Brief … Read more

Weather Strikes Again: I-40 West Shuts Down at NC/TN Border, Disrupting Cross-Country Journeys and Mountain Getaways

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Pigeon River Gorge, NC/TN – For the second time in less than a year, the vital I-40 West corridor near the North Carolina-Tennessee border has succumbed to the relentless power of nature. A substantial rockslide and severe flooding in the picturesque yet precarious Pigeon River Gorge have triggered the indefinite closure of I-40 West at … Read more

A few thoughts on forecast techniques & forecast variance

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For the sake of conversation, I wanted to share some thoughts about forecast variance (i.e., the tendency for forecasts to vary from one meteorologist to another), forecast advancements, and forecast techniques. It goes without saying that atmospheric prediction is *extremely* difficult and time consuming. During an active pattern, a forecast for a 36-hour period can … Read more

Thermodynamics & Ice Microphysics of Lake Effect Snow

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In a previous post, we discussed the basic mechanics of a historic lake-effect snow event.  I wanted to delve into the basic thermodynamics and ice microphysics of that event.  I will first discuss snow-to-liquid ratios, a concept of ice microphysics that applies all snow events, not just lake-effect. Contrary to popular belief, snow does not … Read more

Hurricane Survival: Supplies and a Plan of Action

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Hurricane Readiness

Hurricane season starts on June 1st and runs through November 30.  This time frame was created based on long-term statistics, but hurricanes can certainly occur outside of this range.  In January 2016, for example, Hurricane Alex became the strongest Atlantic hurricane to occur during the northern hemispheric winter. So, irrespective of the date, take some … Read more

100 years later, daylight saving time (DST) is still a thing

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'Daylight Saving' postcard (1918)

Daylight saving time (DST) A Few Interesting Facts and Myths About Daylight Saving Time 1. Terminology: Daylight saving time, not “savings”. 2. Bottling daylight most of the year. In the United States, we spend about 65% of the year (~238 days) in daylight saving time. 3. Two states do not observe DST: Hawaii and Arizona, … Read more

How far away from a thunderstorm can lightning strike?

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While injury from lightning strikes has increased since 1940, fatalities have decreased dramatically. In fact, lightning deaths have become exceedingly rare relative to other weather phenomena, but they still occur. The most dangerous lightning strikes are those that occur when our guard is down; lightning strikes from a sky that appears to be clear and … Read more

Are You Ready for the Next Big Storm? This Could Save You

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States with Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays Important Notes: Alabama Does It Right: Demand a Tax Break for Disaster Supplies Alabama’s got the right idea with their annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. It’s time for other states, especially those prone to tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods, to follow suit! Imagine stocking up on … Read more

Are You Financially Prepared for a Catastrophic Weather Event?

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Disasters can strike anybody at anytime, resulting in catastrophic property damage and loss. Fires in dwellings and natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, mudslides, and wildfires cause significant property damage every year across the United States. Although disasters usually strike without warning, there are measures you can take both before and after … Read more

How to Get Flood Insurance – Purchasing the Best Flood Coverage

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Flood Insurance

What is Flood Insurance? Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage from flooding, you will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to obtain coverage for your home and its contents. Fortunately, flood insurance is widely available from insurance companies that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a partnership between the Federal … Read more