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
Rumors of potential budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2025 have sparked concerns among meteorologists, storm chasers, and scientists. While some remain silent, many within the weather community are voicing their worries about the potential impacts. Why is NOAA essential? NOAA is the foundation of our nation’s weather enterprise. They … 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
2025 Summer Solstice Friday, June 20, 2025 at 9:41 p.m. CST. Strawberry Moon to follow earliest summer solstice in 228 years The June solstice occurs at 4:50 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 20, 2024, the earliest solstice in 228 years. The solstice varies slightly from year to year, but the last time it happened this … Read more
Tornadoes are a powerful and destructive force of nature, capable of causing significant damage and loss of life. The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country, with an average of over 1,200 tornadoes occurring annually. This comprehensive guide will provide information on historical tornado data, predictions for the 2025 tornado season, and real-time … 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
January 29-30 Heavy Rain Event Totals were as high as 4-7″ from North Central into Northeast Texas. The 24-hour tally at Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW) Airport was among the highest on record for January. January 2025 Deluge Sets Records: DFW Airport tallied 4.13″ for the entire event, which spanned 31 hours Dallas experienced a remarkably … 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 When is the first day of spring 2025? Spring starts on Tuesday, March 20, 2025. The last day of spring is Thursday, June 20, 2025. What is the first full day of spring … 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
Seven Inch sized Hail-stone To Break Texas Record June 2, 2024 a supercell thunderstorm developed and intensified near Happy, Texas in northern Swisher County with strong mid-level rotation rapidly developing. The cyclonic rotation strengthened and lowered as the storm began its track east-southeast towards the Vigo Park community. The extreme lift with the storm’s updraft … 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
As a meteorologist, I’m passionate about our planet and its future. While I can’t control the weather, I can make informed choices that contribute to a more sustainable world. One such choice is selecting a credit card that aligns with my values. Storm the System: Your Spending Power for a Better Climate Let’s face 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