Fire Triangle in Southern California Airport Fire burning in Trabuco Canyon grows over 9,000 acres A wildfire that broke out in Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon Monday afternoon exploded by several thousand acres overnight. As of Tuesday, the Airport Fire had scorched approximately 9,000 acres and had forced the evacuation of some homes in Trabuco Canyon … Read more
Like its predecessor, ‘Twister’, the new blockbuster ‘Twisters’ is poised to spark a new generation of meteorologists and storm chasers. With its impressive opening weekend box office numbers, it’s clear that this movie has captured the attention of both weather enthusiasts and the general public. ‘Twisters’ earned $32.2M on the film’s domestic opening day. Same … Read more
“Latest Beryl Devastation was similar to the Solar Eclipse but with a line of Thunderstorms” Hurricane Beryl will be talked about for a long time by many for memorable tropical systems. Over 200 tornado warnings were issued from July 8th to 10th, the most since Hurricane Ivan in 2004! The strongest tornado so far occurred … Read more
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
Texas, a state well-acquainted with tornadoes, is experiencing a particularly active 2024 season. As of June 14, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports a staggering 112 confirmed tornadoes have touched down in the Lone Star State. This number surpasses the previous year’s total and reflects a broader trend of increased tornado activity across … Read more
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Houston were pummeled by powerful thunderstorms on Tuesday, leaving over a million residents without power and triggering widespread damage. Baseball-sized hail, hurricane-force winds, and the threat of tornadoes prompted emergency alerts and outdoor sirens, leaving residents scrambling for safety. Dallas County bore the brunt of the outages, with officials warning … Read more
Hurricane season is fast approaching, and forecasters are predicting a more active season than usual. Now is the perfect time to get your hurricane preparedness kit in order, and Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is here to help! Starting June 1st and running through June 14th, you can save on essential supplies to help … Read more
Highest Gusts:75 mph – Bush Airport67 mph – Galveston67 mph – Huntsville66 mph – Pearland64 mph – Texas A&M – Kyle Field62 mph – Coldspring60 mph – Houston-Hobby58 mph – Sugar Land Houston experienced a fierce line of storms on May 28th, bringing powerful wind gusts, widespread tree damage, and leaving hundreds of thousands without … Read more
Storm chasers are a dedicated group of individuals who brave dangerous conditions to document and study severe weather phenomena like tornadoes, hurricanes, and typhoons. Their work provides invaluable data to scientists, meteorologists, and emergency responders, helping us better understand these powerful storms and improve our ability to predict and warn of their potential threats. In … Read more
The 5 Day Rain Totals so far: 12.12″ Cedar Bayou @ FM 1942, 11.96″ near Tomball, 10.85″ near Kingwood, 12.39″ Bryan, 15.28″ Cotton Bayou (Chambers Co), 21.01″ near Splendora, 20.75″ in Willis, and 23.56″ SW of Groveton, Trinity Co. The Flood Watch has been extended into Sunday for this part of Texas. There will be … Read more
North Texas experienced a record-breaking rainfall on Saturday! Widespread totals of 2″-4″ drenched the Metroplex, with DFW and Love Field setting new daily rain records. Surprisingly, this remarkable April downpour occurred without any severe weather. How much rain was in Dallas today? Areas southeast of the DFW metroplex are still adding to the totals tonight. … Read more
Climate change is a reality, and its effects on weather patterns are becoming increasingly apparent. Scientists warn that severe storms, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and intense thunderstorms, are likely to become more frequent and destructive. Waiting to prepare your home and family for these events is a dangerous gamble. The time to build a safe room, … Read more
Ohio is the new tornado capital (so far in 2024), tornado alley slowly sliding eastward. As we move further into 2024, the United States has experienced a significant number of tornadoes. With 171 confirmed tornadoes nationwide, it’s crucial to stay informed and prepared. Here’s the latest data on tornado occurrences: The Miami Valley, in particular, has seen … Read more
Washington is facing a potential water crisis this summer. The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of the state, with only limited exceptions for Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. This declaration is based on low snowpack, forecasts for a warm and dry summer, and the concerning fact that this is a continuation … Read more
Dubai Floods: The Truth About Cloud Seeding and Climate Change The devastating rains that recently flooded Dubai naturally raised questions about weather modification techniques like cloud seeding. However, social media has been ablaze with unfounded accusations blaming the floods on this technology. Let’s set the record straight and understand the real forces behind the extreme … Read more
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
Think of a hodograph as a visual snapshot of how the wind changes with altitude. It plots wind speed and direction at different heights, creating a line that reveals the atmosphere’s wind shear profile. In mesoanalysis, which focuses on smaller-scale weather, hodographs are essential tools for understanding the winds in a localized area. Why Hodographs … Read more
In the realm of weather forecasting, particularly when it comes to the volatile world of tornadoes, the HRRR (High-Resolution Rapid Refresh) radar model stands as a formidable tool. This advanced piece of technology offers meteorologists and storm chasers an unprecedented level of detail, allowing them to delve into the heart of severe storms and pinpoint … Read more
Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, isn’t just about lava and ash! It has a mesmerizing trick up its sleeve – blowing perfect vortex rings of smoke and volcanic gas into the sky. These rings aren’t just a beautiful sight; they’re a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics of volcanic activity. So, how does it … Read more
When will the next solar eclipse take place? If seeing this years #TotalSolarEclipse gets you addicted do not fear because there are several more coming up in the next decade: On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The eclipse will … Read more
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