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
Today’s earthquake near New York City was a startling event for residents of the tri-state area as hundreds of thousands of people called in to find out what caused the buildings to shake. Though infrequent, earthquakes do occur in this region, reminding us that these forces of nature aren’t limited to typical earthquake zones like … Read more
Los Angeles has recently experienced an exceptional amount of rainfall. The last two water years (October 1st to September 30th) have been the wettest back-to-back years since the late 1800s! This includes record-breaking storms bringing above-normal rainfall across several months. These intense storms are a welcome change after a prolonged period of drought. While it’s … Read more
When severe weather threatens, knowing where to seek shelter saves lives. The safest place depends on the type of storm. For thunderstorms, staying inside your home is usually best. Avoid activities like showering or using wired electronics, as lightning and flash flooding pose risks. Tornadoes, however, demand the most secure shelter possible. In Oklahoma City, … Read more
Knowing where to find designated public shelters ahead of a severe storm is essential, especially if your home doesn’t offer sufficient protection. These shelters are often located in schools, community centers, or other reinforced buildings. Don’t wait until the last minute to seek this vital information. Start by checking your local government’s website or emergency … Read more
Keeping You Informed and Safe: The Challenge We understand the importance of providing you with free, high-quality maps with detailed zoom levels and various data layers. These maps are crucial for staying informed about weather patterns, navigating unfamiliar areas, and even ensuring safety. However, there’s a hidden cost behind these maps – the price of … Read more
As we anticipate the 2024 solar eclipse, weather considerations become a crucial part of planning for the best viewing experience. The eclipse’s path of totality, stretching from Texas to Maine, promises a spectacular view, but only if the weather cooperates. Temperature fluctuations are common during an eclipse, with the sun’s warmth being momentarily blocked by … Read more
Got our first *5 foot* snow report (61.5″) from the March 2024 snowstorm in Colorado. Now three different 50″+ reports. Solidifies this as the biggest foothills storm since 2003. The recent Colorado snowstorm delivered extraordinary snowfall totals, with some areas exceeding four feet of accumulation. As skies clear and temperatures rise, the National Weather Service … Read more
In Indiana, the town of Winchester was severely impacted by a tornado with a preliminary EF3 rating (winds of 136-165 mph). This storm caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, including the complete destruction of a Taco Bell. Thankfully, early reports of fatalities were incorrect, but 38 people were injured, with 12 requiring hospitalization. Three … Read more
Did you bundle up for a brutal winter like the Farmer’s Almanac predicted for 2023-2024? Their forecast promised bone-chilling temperatures and above-average snowfall across most of the US. But how did it stack up against the predictions from meteorologists who rely on scientific data? The Farmer’s Almanac boasts an 80% accuracy rate for their long-range … Read more
2024 Spring Equinox Tuesday, March 19, at 11:06 P.M. EDT So how many days are left until Spring? Spring 2024 Begins In When is the first day of spring 2024? Spring starts on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The last day of spring is Thursday, June 20, 2024. What is the first full day of spring … Read more
Texas Wildfire Season: A Call for Vigilance As spring approaches, the risk of wildfires in Texas intensifies. Prolonged drought conditions, dry vegetation, and unpredictable wind patterns create a dangerous environment for fires. The recent wildfire season has already seen concerning blazes, including the still-burning Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Panhandle. It’s crucial to be aware … Read more
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
The Big One Looms While recent disruptions are concerning, the USGS says Popocatépetl could unleash way more power. Its last huge blowout was in 800 A.D., and a similar blast today would put hundreds of thousands of people in immediate danger. Popocatépetl: A Looming Concern for Travelers to Mexico City Mexico City, a vibrant metropolis … Read more
Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF) Totals Next 24 Hours Rainfall Totals Next 5 days QPF Totals Next 7 Days Rainfall Totals
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
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
The 2024 lunar calendar promises a captivating journey through the phases of our moon, each offering celestial splendor and potential impacts on the ocean’s rhythm. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect from each full moon: January 25 – Wolf Moon: Rising at 12:54 p.m. EST, the Wolf Moon marks the first full moon … Read more
The United States government is working in collaboration with local communities to provide expeditious financial assistance to victims of weather disasters in support of damage recovery. Financial aid is provided through a variety of means including disaster loans, grants, and casualty tax deductions for losses resulting from the destruction of property or unexpected calamities, such … Read more
Weather disruptions are a fact of life when it comes to travel. Flights can be delayed or cancelled for a variety of reasons, including bad weather. If you’re a traveler who frequently gets stuck due to weather, the Venture X card can be a valuable asset. Get Comfortable During Weather Disruptions at the Airport … Read more
While it’s true that Oklahoma experienced a significant decrease in earthquake activity after stricter wastewater disposal regulations were implemented in 2015, it’s not entirely accurate to say the quakes have “stopped” or activity isn’t significant. Here’s a more nuanced picture: Decrease in Overall Activity: Recent Uptick and Reasons: Current Activity: Recent significant events occurred last … Read more
We understand your frustration – you’ve encountered a temporary interruption in your map access. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. This downtime is due to a recent increase in mapping service costs and the need to compensate our dedicated developers for their ongoing work on maintaining and improving this valuable resource on the map. Keeping … Read more
Determining the type of supercells that may occur within a given severe weather environment is important for a multitude of reasons. A supercell is a thunderstorm that rotates. There are three types of supercells: low-precipitation (LP), classic, and high-precipitation (HP). The configuration of the wind shear profiles within a severe weather environment is critical in diagnosing … Read more
Those of us who live around Atlanta, Georgia or Dallas, Texas, who only see around 2 or 3 inches of snow per year on average, can be heard complaining during the winter when a snow event occurs. There are, however, many cities around the nation where considerably more snow falls and it becomes part of the … Read more
We often see fronts on weather maps on television or the internet. In this blog, we’ll discuss the formation and intensification of fronts, known as frontogenesis. Strictly speaking, frontogenesis is defined as an increase in the magnitude of a horizontal density gradient. To explain the dynamics of frontogenesis, we begin by looking at the frontogenetical … Read more
How to Recognize, Treat and Avoid Hypothermia It’s a fact of life that our kids still have to stand in the bitterly cold temperatures while they wait for their bus. Fortunately, they aren’t exposed to the cold for too long; assuming the bus driver is on time, they will soon be on the warm bus … Read more
Now more than ever, many people find themselves wrestling with anxiety. Having anxiety issues is more than just feeling a little nervous or anxious. Anxiety and panic attacks can make a person feel like the world will crush them, or like they might implode. For many, simply calming down is not an option. Learning to … Read more
As the winter months approach, many people with chronic pain experience a worsening of their symptoms. Science offers some explanations for this phenomenon. One reason is the decrease in blood flow that occurs when your body tries to conserve heat in cold weather. This reduced blood flow to joints and muscles can lead to stiffness … Read more
Introduction The title is a question that is frequently asked of meteorologists, especially in the wake of an abnormally warm or cool season; it is a topic of interest among atmospheric scientists and the general public alike. In this article, we will attempt to answer this question using climatology, casting aside gut feelings and old … Read more