We originally posted this before the 800 job cuts at the NOAA but it has been updated with the weather community speaking out to the disaster this could pose. 11 out of 38 NWS offices in central U.S. are now “critically” understaffed Latest Update: The Trump administration has decided to cancel leases for two pivotal … Read more
Here’s a glimpse into the celestial calendar for 2025 – those gorgeous full moons that’ll grace our skies! Let’s plan some family adventures around these lunar events. ✨ Mark your calendars, space lovers! 🌌 Here are the upcoming space events you won’t want to miss:💫 February 20-28: Grand Planetary AlignmentAll seven planets will be visible … Read more
Arctic Blast Continues with Freezing Rain/Ice, Then Back to Normal for Texas A bone-chilling Arctic blast continues to grip Texas, bringing a prolonged period of frigid temperatures and the potential for ice and freezing rain. This deep freeze rivals some of the most intense winter weather events in recent years, with some areas facing a … Read more
Virginia Beach and Norfolk were hit with a significant snowfall this week, with over 10 inches blanketing the coastal cities and some areas of Virginia Beach seeing up to 12.5 inches. This winter storm, the strongest of the season, was a major snow event for the region, disrupting daily life, snarling traffic, forcing closures, and … Read more
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
Storm chasing can be dangerous. While no license is required in the US, taking a storm spotting class with your local National Weather Service is highly recommended to help you understand the risks and stay safe. Oklahoma Proposes Licensing for Storm Chasers A new bill in Oklahoma, Senate Bill 158, aims to regulate storm chasing … Read more
If you’re a weather enthusiast or student, you’ve likely noticed a surge in dramatic, almost cinematic terms popping up in forecasts and climate discussions. Words like Firenado, Polar Vortex, Heat Dome, and Thundersnow aren’t just buzzwords—they’re critical tools for understanding the increasingly complex and extreme behavior of our atmosphere. These terms reflect the evolving science of meteorology and the urgent … Read more
The devastating wildfires that recently scorched Southern California caused an estimated $250 billion to $275 billion in damages. In the face of such destruction, two teens from Mountain View, California, have developed a nontoxic fire retardant that could help protect homes from future wildfires. Barrett Deng and Sebastien Burkhardt were inspired to create Clore after … Read more
2025 Spring Equinox Thursday, March 20 at 4:01 A.M. CST So how many days are left until Spring? Spring 2025 Begins In [ujicountdown id=”Spring Equinox” expire=”2025/03/20 21:24 utc” hide=”” url=”” subscr=”Spring Equinox”] When is the first day of spring 2025? Spring starts on Tuesday, March 20, 2025. The last day of spring is Thursday, June … Read more
Florida has broken their all-time recorded state snowfall record of 4″, set back on March 6, 1954. Six inches (and counting) of snow has been reported south of Pensacola, Florida. What an incredible and historic event! Gulf Coast Record Snowfall Florida declared a state of emergency ahead of winter storm system moving across the “Gulf … Read more
Some are calling it Winter Storm Enzo (not official) or as the newly renamed Gulf of Mexico maybe we should just call this the Winter Storm “Gulf America”. This winter storm is poised to deliver an uncommon weather event across the southeastern United States, bringing snow and ice from Texas through the Carolinas. This storm, … Read more
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
DFW record for single day snowfall is 11.2”, just over 12” for a single winter storm. Below are details of the January 9, 2025 snowstorm in North Texas. You may be interested in these related pages: Read more here about the winter storm and past record snowfalls in the DFW metroplex.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, a mesmerizing dance of light across the night sky, have captivated humanity for centuries. For many, witnessing this celestial spectacle is a bucket-list dream. In 2025, the sun’s activity remains high, offering potentially spectacular displays. This can be your guide to planning a Northern Lights adventure, with a special … Read more
Five people have now been confirmed dead due to the raging Eaton Fire, which has scorched more than 10,800 acres in Pasadena. Winds near Los Angeles fires will increase tonight to over 100mph! The worst has yet to come. LA Wildfires Update Wednesday Evening0% CONTAINED It’s like a HURRICANE WITH FLAME💨 SoCal Wind Gusts over … Read more
Texans, especially in Dallas, North and Central Texas, pay close attention! Even if you don’t typically follow the news, this is critical: A potentially historic winter storm is about to hit, with Dallas in the direct path and the impact spreading across the South, all the way to Atlanta. This isn’t just a cold snap—we’re … Read more
Disclaimer: While the provided hypothetical tornado season for 2025 paints a dramatic picture, it’s important to remember that predicting specific weather events, especially on a granular level, is a complex science. While we can identify general trends and potential risks, pinpointing exact locations and intensities of severe weather remains a challenge. That said, the hypothetical … Read more
The tornado outbreak December 28 across the Southeastern United States has become the second most active tornado day of 2024, with 90 tornado reports. The most active day of the year was on April 26th, with 108 tornado reports. 2024 officially had the 2nd most #tornadoes on record, with more than 1735 tornadoes. This beats … Read more
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. How many people were killed by lightning … Read more
Christmas Weather Update: Snow or Travel Hazards? It’s still a bit early to provide a precise forecast for the Christmas holiday. However, we can glean some insights from historical weather data to see which regions might experience a snowy Christmas. Our meteorologists have examined weather data from 1991 to 2020 to identify which areas have … Read more
Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Atlantic basin Category-5 hurricane on record A major part of the story of the 2024 tornado season has been plentiful tornadoes spawned from hurricanes. Hurricane Beryl, Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused a combined 178 tornadoes. Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Atlantic basin Category-5 hurricane on record. It … Read more
The Unexpected Fires in NJ and NY Two weeks ago, a wildfire broke out in the unlikeliest of places: New York City. A 2-acre fire erupted in Prospect Park, close to the geographic center of Brooklyn and probably my favorite park on earth. For the first time in history, the FDNY launched a brush fire … Read more
Landslides from Helene Hurricane Helene Stats Helene was the 8th named storm of the season, the 5th hurricane, and the 2nd major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. It reached a Category 4 status with very high winds up to 140 mph and low pressure at 938 millibars. Highest Gust: 107 mph in West … Read more
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
⚠️Milton is Now a Category 5 Hurricane⚠️If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years. As Monster Hurricane Milton continues to strengthen in the Gulf, the Governor has issued EO 24-214 ahead of potential landfall on Florida’s west coast. This EO … Read more
With Hurricane Milton headed towards Tampa Bay and Florida residents now is the time to start putting up shutters. With a hurricane currently swirling towards Florida, it’s a good reminder for everyone in hurricane-prone areas to brush up on their preparedness plans. One crucial step? Knowing when to install your hurricane shutters. Whether you’re a … Read more
2024 Winter Solstice Thursday, December 21 at 10:57 am EST How many days until winter? Winter 2024 Begins In [ujicountdown id=”Winter Solstice” expire=”2024/12/21 09:20 utc” hide=”” url=”” subscr=”first-day-of-winter”] The winter solstice, or December solstice, will be Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, marking the first day of winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, winter generally begins on December 21 … Read more
Hurricane Helene unleashed catastrophic flooding across western North Carolina, leaving behind heartbreaking stories of loss and survival. The hardest-hit areas witnessed unimaginable scenes: Despite the devastation, stories of resilience and community spirit are also emerging. Volunteers are arriving with mules to deliver supplies to hard-to-reach areas, and first responders are working tirelessly to rescue those … Read more
Hurricane Helene has become the 2nd deadliest hurricane over the past 50 years for the United States. Over 170 deaths and over 600 people remain missing. The recent flooding in Asheville caused by predecessor rain events of Hurricane Helene serves as a chilling reminder of the devastating power of weather systems and the importance of … Read more
If you are within days or hours of a hurricane or winter storm event where you may be in the dark a while. You are going to need some of these handy power outage safety tips. One is stuffing a Ziploc or freezable bag and putting it into the freezer. “I just stuffed my freezer … Read more