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  • Sturgeon Moon arrives this weekend with planetary conjunction soon after

    Our next full moon, popularly called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise in the night sky the evening of Friday, August 8th, across the U.S.

    What You Need To Know

    • August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon Moon
    • It is also called the Corn Moon
    • Venus, Neptune and the moon will be close to each other in the sky days after the full moon


    The full moon this month, our eighth of the year, will rise after sunset Friday evening across the east coast of the U.S. and fully peak overnight. 

    According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because it occurs around the time the sturgeon fish were most easily caught by Native Americans around the Great Lakes. It is also called the Corn Moon and Harvest Moon by other Native American tribes. 

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Friday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    Smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires could make the rising full moon appear more orange.

    Potential cloud coverage across the U.S. Friday night. (weathermodels.com)

    A celestial gathering

    The full moon won’t be the only celestial event going on early in August. On August 12th, a few days after the Sturgeon Moon, the planets Venus and Neptune will share the sky in proximity with the moon.

    The beautiful twilight sky (Nov 28, 2019) after sunset with the planets conjuction of Moon (with earth shine), Venus and Jupiter. (Getty)

    This event, called a planetary conjunction, will be a good one for night sky watchers. Venus will be easily seen with the naked eye, but you will need a telescope or binoculars to see Neptune as well. 

    The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on September 7th, 2025. This is a special full moon as it will appear closest to the autumnal equinox.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

     

     

     

     

     

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

    Source link

  • Sturgeon Moon arrives this weekend with planetary conjunction soon after

    Our next full moon, popularly called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise in the night sky the evening of Friday, August 8th, across the U.S.

    What You Need To Know

    • August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon Moon
    • It is also called the Corn Moon
    • Venus, Neptune and the moon will be close to each other in the sky days after the full moon


    The full moon this month, our eighth of the year, will rise after sunset Friday evening across the east coast of the U.S. and fully peak overnight. 

    According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because it occurs around the time the sturgeon fish were most easily caught by Native Americans around the Great Lakes. It is also called the Corn Moon and Harvest Moon by other Native American tribes. 

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Friday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    Smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires could make the rising full moon appear more orange.

    Potential cloud coverage across the U.S. Friday night. (weathermodels.com)

    A celestial gathering

    The full moon won’t be the only celestial event going on early in August. On August 12th, a few days after the Sturgeon Moon, the planets Venus and Neptune will share the sky in proximity with the moon.

    The beautiful twilight sky (Nov 28, 2019) after sunset with the planets conjuction of Moon (with earth shine), Venus and Jupiter. (Getty)

    This event, called a planetary conjunction, will be a good one for night sky watchers. Venus will be easily seen with the naked eye, but you will need a telescope or binoculars to see Neptune as well. 

    The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on September 7th, 2025. This is a special full moon as it will appear closest to the autumnal equinox.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

     

     

     

     

     

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

    Source link

  • How lightning can help your garden grow

    The classic summer thunderstorm is doing more for your lawn and garden than you might realize. That extra bit of green and growth after a storm isn’t just because it rained.

    There is a science behind why that is the case, and I’m here to explain it. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Lightning plays a big role in the nitrogen cycle

    • Nitrates are considered a “super fertilizer” that helps plants green up faster

    • Most plants receive usable nitrogen through bacteria in soil


    Understanding what the nitrogen cycle does is important to know before diving into lightning’s role in the cycle. Simply put, plants need nutrients to grow. 

    About 78% of Earth’s atmosphere is made up of “free” nitrogen (N2) gas. All living things need nitrogen to build amino acids, essential proteins, as well as DNA and RNA. 

    Nitrogen in its “free” form cannot be used by living things. That is where the nitrogen cycle comes in. For nitrogen to be used, it must be changed into different states like nitrates (NO3), nitrites (NO2), and ammonium (NH3). 

    Nitrogen is mostly brought into the living world by way of bacteria in the soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into the nitrates. Once in any of those usable states, plants can take up these molecules and grow. 

    Lightning’s role in the nitrogen cycle

    While most of the free nitrogen is converted through bacteria, lightning also plays a meaningful role. 

    During a storm, the explosive heat of lightning tears the nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the air apart. The free molecules then recombine, forming nitrogen oxides, which fall down to earth in the rain. 

    Given that most rain doesn’t carry many nutrients, nitrogen oxide-filled raindrops can bring abundant free fertilizer to your yard and garden during a storm. A storm or two may not make a big difference, but multiple rounds of storms over the course of a week or two can bring lush green and vivid colors to your garden.

    So when you hear cracks of thunder outside, just know that your plants are thankful!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

    Source link

  • How lightning can help your garden grow

    The classic summer thunderstorm is doing more for your lawn and garden than you might realize. That extra bit of green and growth after a storm isn’t just because it rained.

    There is a science behind why that is the case, and I’m here to explain it. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Lightning plays a big role in the nitrogen cycle

    • Nitrates are considered a “super fertilizer” that helps plants green up faster

    • Most plants receive usable nitrogen through bacteria in soil


    Understanding what the nitrogen cycle does is important to know before diving into lightning’s role in the cycle. Simply put, plants need nutrients to grow. 

    About 78% of Earth’s atmosphere is made up of “free” nitrogen (N2) gas. All living things need nitrogen to build amino acids, essential proteins, as well as DNA and RNA. 

    Nitrogen in its “free” form cannot be used by living things. That is where the nitrogen cycle comes in. For nitrogen to be used, it must be changed into different states like nitrates (NO3), nitrites (NO2), and ammonium (NH3). 

    Nitrogen is mostly brought into the living world by way of bacteria in the soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into the nitrates. Once in any of those usable states, plants can take up these molecules and grow. 

    Lightning’s role in the nitrogen cycle

    While most of the free nitrogen is converted through bacteria, lightning also plays a meaningful role. 

    During a storm, the explosive heat of lightning tears the nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the air apart. The free molecules then recombine, forming nitrogen oxides, which fall down to earth in the rain. 

    Given that most rain doesn’t carry many nutrients, nitrogen oxide-filled raindrops can bring abundant free fertilizer to your yard and garden during a storm. A storm or two may not make a big difference, but multiple rounds of storms over the course of a week or two can bring lush green and vivid colors to your garden.

    So when you hear cracks of thunder outside, just know that your plants are thankful!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

    Source link

  • The Perseid meteor shower begins, lasts through late August

    The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Perseid meteor shower has up to 75 meteors per hour

    • The best time for viewing will fall in the pre-dawn hours

    • A full moon may get in the way of peak viewing

    The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.

    As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteors appear to originate­ — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.

    Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour. 

    The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.

    In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

    In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

    We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.

    The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers.

    The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)

    There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.

    This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12. 

    No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • The Perseid meteor shower begins, lasts through late August

    The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Perseid meteor shower has up to 75 meteors per hour

    • The best time for viewing will fall in the pre-dawn hours

    • A full moon may get in the way of peak viewing

    The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.

    As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteors appear to originate­ — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.

    Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour. 

    The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.

    In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

    In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

    We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.

    The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers.

    The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)

    There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.

    This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12. 

    No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • How the weather could impact tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby

    When you think of a baseball player hitting a home run, there are lots of variables that come into play. Who is the batter? Who is the pitcher? What stadium are they playing at? But what about the weather? 

    Wind, rain and snow may come to mind first, but temperature and humidity can influence how far a baseball travels and be a deciding factor in if the ball makes it out of the park.

    What You Need To Know

    • The temperature can influence how far a baseball travels

    • Warm and humid air is less dense than cold and dry air

    • Lower density allows the baseball to travel further

    Warm air is less dense than cold air. Air expands when it’s heated, so the molecules are more spread out. This means there is less air for the ball to travel through, giving it less resistance. 

    Now factoring in humidity, warmer air can hold more moisture. Water vapor is light compared to nitrogen and oxygen molecules, so humid air is less dense than dry air at the same temperature.

    When it’s hot and humid, the air is lighter, and the baseball can travel further.

    A 2023 study claims that “a 1° C increase in the daily high temperature on the day of a baseball game played in a stadium without a dome increases the number of home runs in that game by 1.96%.” A bigger difference in home runs was observed for games played during the early afternoon versus night games because of the larger difference in temperature.

    How about cold air? Cold air is more dense than warm air, so the ball has to travel through more air. Molecules move closer together when the air contracts as temperature lowers. 

    If it’s cold and dry out, the drier air will have fewer water vapor molecules, so the nitrogen and oxygen comprising the air will be heavier than the humid air would be. 

    Ideally, outdoor games in hot and humid climates are most favorable for seeing your favorite team or player hit a home run.

    Tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby is in Atlanta, and the forecast calls for no rain and temperatures near 90 degrees with heat index values in the mid-90s. Get ready to watch the ball fly! 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

    Source link

  • 5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer

    Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.

    What You Need To Know

    • Your ceiling fan should spin a certain way to create a breeze

    • Limit the amount of sunlight coming into your home

    • Raise the thermostat, especially when you’re away

    • Maintain your air conditioning system



    Look at your ceiling fans

    Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.

    This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.

    (Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)

    Open up

    Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.

    Block the sun

    Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.

    Turn the dial

    Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!

    (Photo by Olivia Levada)

    Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.

    If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.

    Keep it clean

    Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.

    (Spectrum News)

    You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.

    Extra credit

    Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.

    • Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
    • Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
    • Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Justin Gehrts

    Source link

  • 5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer

    Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.

    What You Need To Know

    • Your ceiling fan should spin a certain way to create a breeze

    • Limit the amount of sunlight coming into your home

    • Raise the thermostat, especially when you’re away

    • Maintain your air conditioning system



    Look at your ceiling fans

    Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.

    This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.

    (Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)

    Open up

    Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.

    Block the sun

    Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.

    Turn the dial

    Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!

    (Photo by Olivia Levada)

    Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.

    If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.

    Keep it clean

    Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.

    (Spectrum News)

    You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.

    Extra credit

    Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.

    • Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
    • Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
    • Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Justin Gehrts

    Source link

  • 5 simple ways to run your A/C less this summer

    Help your air conditioner help you stay cool this summer. Check out these things that you can do today to take some pressure off your A/C and save you some money on your electric bill.

    What You Need To Know

    • Your ceiling fan should spin a certain way to create a breeze

    • Limit the amount of sunlight coming into your home

    • Raise the thermostat, especially when you’re away

    • Maintain your air conditioning system



    Look at your ceiling fans

    Turn on your ceiling fans and see which way they’re spinning. Having them go counterclockwise circulates the air around the room, creating a small breeze that’ll help keep you cool.

    This can especially become helpful if you have a second floor, since warm air rises and you might need a little extra “oomph” to keep things cool there.

    (Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)

    Open up

    Don’t close doors to rooms or walk-in closets. Keeping them open lets air circulate. One exception to this rule is the bathroom while showering, beyond obviously wanting privacy. You don’t want your air conditioner working hard to counteract the warm, humid air, so close that door while you’re in there and turn on the ceiling vent fan.

    Block the sun

    Okay, you can’t completely blot out the sun’s light to keep it from heating up your house. But you can close your blinds or curtains. Bright sunlight shining through the windows adds unwanted heat… well, maybe not unwanted by everyone.

    Turn the dial

    Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. There’s a good reason it’s repeated so often. Every degree of cooling increases energy usage by as much as 8%!

    (Photo by Olivia Levada)

    Try upping it by a degree or two at first and gradually increase it as you get more used to the higher setting. Remember to use fans to your advantage.

    If you’d rather not set your thermostat higher all the time, try doing it when you’re going to be away for a while. Just don’t crank it really low for your return; a colder setting doesn’t make your home cool any faster.

    Keep it clean

    Replace the indoor air filter as necessary (usually every couple of months), since a dirty filter reduces air flow and makes your A/C work harder than it needs to.

    (Spectrum News)

    You also need to keep the actual air conditioning unit that’s outdoors clean. Remove leaves and other debris, then hose off the dust, dirt and other stuff that’s gotten stuck in there.

    Extra credit

    Want to go above and beyond the five simple tips above? Here are three bonus ideas.

    • Seal air leaks around windows. Many kids have heard “we’re not cooling the outside!” as they hold the front door open for longer than necessary. Your house might already be doing that without being as obvious. Closing those leaks keeps warm air out and cool air in.
    • Get an A/C inspection. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having a professional check on your air conditioner each year can save you a lot of trouble… and sweating, if it conks out in the middle of the summer.
    • Plant shade trees. These are most effective on the south and west sides of your house, since that’s where the strongest afternoon sunshine comes from. This can be pricey up front, but is certainly beneficial. If you DIY it, be sure to get underground utilities marked.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Justin Gehrts

    Source link

  • Fireworks and weather: A perfect balance

    Americans look forward to the Fourth of July every year, celebrating with good food, great drinks and even better company. But the celebration always culminates in a star-studded firework display in the sky.

    But did you know, weather can have a major impact on how your firework display looks?

    What You Need To Know

    • Fireworks date back to a tradition from 7th century China

    • Conditions like temperature, rain and wind can affect the display

    • Everything from the visibility to the brightness of the fireworks depend on the weather

    • If you plan to set off fireworks, be mindful of the weather


    Fireworks date back to 7th century China, when the Chinese developed an explosive way to celebrate the victories of war. Since then, modern technology has led to elaborate firework displays across the globe every year.

    But weather has a crucial role in how the display looks to you. Conditions like rain, lightning, wind and temperature all play a role in how visible or even how bright or dim a firework can be. 

    Wind

    One of the most important factors in a firework display is the wind. It can significantly affect how the display goes off. Too much or too little wind can determine how visible the show will be to the spectators below.

    As fireworks explode, they create smoke. That smoke gets pushed around by the wind. 

    Calm winds are not a fireworks friend. During calm wind situations, the firework will explode and the smoke will sit stagnant, limiting the view of the show above. 

    Strong winds, on the other hand, can blow smoke or hot embers onto spectators. Wind must always be monitored closely by those lighting fireworks.

    Temperature and humidity

    Believe it or not, even the temperature and humidity of the air mass can play a role in how a firework show goes off.

    Usually air cools as you head up higher in the sky. But sometimes, on rare occasions, the air actually warms – making it warmer aloft rather than at the surface of the earth. This is called an inversion and when this happens, warm air will trap cooler, more dense air closer to the surface.

    This trapping, also known as a cap, can trap smoke from the exploding fireworks close to the surface as well. This can reduce visibility, making it difficult for spectators to view the show above.

    Humidity also can play a role. When the air becomes humid, there’s a lot more moisture in the air. If the humidity of the air is too high, the colors of the fireworks will dim – becoming less bright as they explode. A drier atmosphere will allow for a brighter, more vivid show.

    You may also find trouble in lightning fireworks if the humidity becomes too high. Use caution if you plan on lightning fireworks on a very humid evening.

    Rain and lightning

    One of the most obvious weather hazards to a firework show is rainfall. Fireworks can be set off in the rain, but they must be located inside a sealed container to be lit. Typically, professional firework shows will have a contingency plan like this in place, in case of rainfall.

    Sealed containers will help to limit the amount of rain and moisture hitting the firework. The less amount of rain and moisture the firework sees, the better chance it has of being lit properly.

    Remember, if you find a fuse won’t light after being lit, discard the firework completely. Place it in a bucket of water and set aside.

    Finally, lightning is considered the most dangerous weather hazard to firework shows. Unlit fireworks that are struck by lightning can become lit and a hazard to those nearby on the ground.

    If lightning is within 10 miles of your area, head inside immediately, bringing all fireworks with you.

    Whatever you do this Fourth of July, celebrate safely. For more firework safety tips, you can visit the National Safety Council.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Zach Covey

    Source link

  • Fireworks and weather: A perfect balance

    Americans look forward to the Fourth of July every year, celebrating with good food, great drinks and even better company. But the celebration always culminates in a star-studded firework display in the sky.

    But did you know, weather can have a major impact on how your firework display looks?

    What You Need To Know

    • Fireworks date back to a tradition from 7th century China

    • Conditions like temperature, rain and wind can affect the display

    • Everything from the visibility to the brightness of the fireworks depend on the weather

    • If you plan to set off fireworks, be mindful of the weather


    Fireworks date back to 7th century China, when the Chinese developed an explosive way to celebrate the victories of war. Since then, modern technology has led to elaborate firework displays across the globe every year.

    But weather has a crucial role in how the display looks to you. Conditions like rain, lightning, wind and temperature all play a role in how visible or even how bright or dim a firework can be. 

    Wind

    One of the most important factors in a firework display is the wind. It can significantly affect how the display goes off. Too much or too little wind can determine how visible the show will be to the spectators below.

    As fireworks explode, they create smoke. That smoke gets pushed around by the wind. 

    Calm winds are not a fireworks friend. During calm wind situations, the firework will explode and the smoke will sit stagnant, limiting the view of the show above. 

    Strong winds, on the other hand, can blow smoke or hot embers onto spectators. Wind must always be monitored closely by those lighting fireworks.

    Temperature and humidity

    Believe it or not, even the temperature and humidity of the air mass can play a role in how a firework show goes off.

    Usually air cools as you head up higher in the sky. But sometimes, on rare occasions, the air actually warms – making it warmer aloft rather than at the surface of the earth. This is called an inversion and when this happens, warm air will trap cooler, more dense air closer to the surface.

    This trapping, also known as a cap, can trap smoke from the exploding fireworks close to the surface as well. This can reduce visibility, making it difficult for spectators to view the show above.

    Humidity also can play a role. When the air becomes humid, there’s a lot more moisture in the air. If the humidity of the air is too high, the colors of the fireworks will dim – becoming less bright as they explode. A drier atmosphere will allow for a brighter, more vivid show.

    You may also find trouble in lightning fireworks if the humidity becomes too high. Use caution if you plan on lightning fireworks on a very humid evening.

    Rain and lightning

    One of the most obvious weather hazards to a firework show is rainfall. Fireworks can be set off in the rain, but they must be located inside a sealed container to be lit. Typically, professional firework shows will have a contingency plan like this in place, in case of rainfall.

    Sealed containers will help to limit the amount of rain and moisture hitting the firework. The less amount of rain and moisture the firework sees, the better chance it has of being lit properly.

    Remember, if you find a fuse won’t light after being lit, discard the firework completely. Place it in a bucket of water and set aside.

    Finally, lightning is considered the most dangerous weather hazard to firework shows. Unlit fireworks that are struck by lightning can become lit and a hazard to those nearby on the ground.

    If lightning is within 10 miles of your area, head inside immediately, bringing all fireworks with you.

    Whatever you do this Fourth of July, celebrate safely. For more firework safety tips, you can visit the National Safety Council.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Zach Covey

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  • How boaters can keep safe this summer

    Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s boating season. However, with warmer weather, comes the threat of dangerous thunderstorms.

    Seasoned boaters know all too well how quickly conditions can change on the water but knowing what to do in every situation can save lives.

    How do you know what weather to expect? Is it better to hurry to shore or stick it out? These are a few of the questions we will answer for you ahead.

    What You Need To Know

    • Most boating accidents happen during the summer months

    • Knowing the forecast is the most important step

    • Having a safety plan can help boaters caught in a storm


    Understanding the dangers of weather on the water

    Thousands of boating accidents happen every year leading to injuries and death. Most of these accidents happen during the summer months of June, July and August. 

    Of those accidents, roughly 3-5% of them are caused by weather. Overall, weather was the 8th leading cause of boating accidents in a 2023 study done by USCG. 

    While on the water, there are many hazards to be aware of: lightning, heavy rain and strong winds that can create dangerous waves. Together, these dangers can make the water the worst place to be during a thunderstorm.

    TIP #1: Know before you go

    The first step to safety is taking the right steps to prepare. Before you even hit the waters, knowing the forecast for the day is paramount.

    Checking the forecast through your local National Weather Service office is a great start. If you can, it’s suggested to research the buoy observations to understand current conditions.

    If there is any chance of thunderstorms, it is strongly advised to rethink heading out. Ultimately, it is your choice to decide whether to head out, so as to ensure you are confident in the forecast.

    Weather apps, like the Spectrum News App, can help you make that decision. Additionally, having a NOAA weather radio is a great option.

    TIP #2: Staying weather aware

    Once the decision has been made for a day of boating, the job doesn’t end there. Some days may be tranquil, but other days the weather can be unpredictable and full of unwelcome surprises.

    Keeping an eye out for a few key signs could make all the difference. If you notice skies darkening, winds changing direction, pressure dropping, or simply hearing thunder in the distance, heading back to port is the best decision to make.

    If you think conditions can improve, hanging by a landing until it looks safe will allow you the option to head back out. If conditions get worse, seek dry land.

    TIP #3: Keeping safe during a storm

    If you unfortunately can’t get to land before a storm hits, having a safety plan to protect yourself and guests is essential.

    Thunderstorms are the worst nightmare for boaters. They can create many hazardous conditions like frequent lightning, strong winds, large waves, waterspouts and blinding rain.

    While getting off the water is always the goal if a thunderstorm is about to hit, sometimes that isn’t an option right away. 

    The National Weather Service and U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you:

    In addition to the life jackets, you should have a safety kit available, especially for larger boats. For more on what you should have in your kit, visit here.

    Making the call

    Deciding whether to set sail or stay on land is your decision. Being prepared for the worst every time you are on the water is a must. Remember to always check the forecast, be aware of changing weather conditions, and enact the thunderstorm safety plan when necessary. Doing so will help keep you safe and enjoy boating all season long.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • 2025 severe weather season more active than average

    There is no doubt, 2025 has been busy in the severe weather department. From damaging winds, to large hail, to hundreds of tornadoes, this year has been more active than normal.

    What You Need To Know

    • There have been over 850 tornadoes in the U.S. this year so far

    • The average through May is around 650 tornadoes.

    • Severe weather season continues into June


    The severe weather season quickly ramped up in March in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. It was also active in the south.

    The severe weather didn’t stop there. Virtually the same areas were hit hard in April and May. 

    On the 16th of May, an outbreak of tornadoes impacted Missouri, southern Illinois and Kentucky with several strong tornadoes. In fact, an EF4 tornado hit London, Kentucky. 19 people were killed from severe weather in Kentucky that day. 

    2025 tornadoes by EF scale

    EFU (Undefined): 68

    EF0: 245

    EF1: 406

    EF2: 117

    EF3: 32

    EF4: 5

    EF5: 0

    A path of destroyed homes is seen, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in London, Ky., after a severe storm passed through the area. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

    The severe weather continued into June. Two major metro areas were hit by tornadoes early in the month. The Kansas City region was hit by two tornadoes on the 3rd of the month. The day after, the western suburbs of St. Louis were hit by an EF1 tornado.

    The St. Louis area so far this year has experienced 43 tornadoes. That doubles their annual average, which is around 22 tornadoes. Additionally, 28% of these tornadoes have been strong to violent (EF2+).

    De Soto, Missouri tornado on June 8, 2025. Photo by Noah Belleville

    Average number of tornadoes

    Spring is the most active season for tornadoes in the United States, but this year has been more active than average. So far, there have been over 870 tornadoes across the country. On average, 650 tornadoes hit the country into the beginning of June. Here is the average number or tornadoes broken down by month.

    A shift in “tornado alley”

    The tornadoes in 2025 have been most prevalent east of the typical “tornado alley” region, which is in the plains. This year, tornadoes have been focused in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys.

    Tornadoes this year have shifted 400 to 600 miles east of the “typical” tornado alley.

    Will this continue to be a trend due to climate change? Time will tell over the next several years. In the meantime, thunderstorms will continue into the summer and so does the risk for severe weather.

    Best to have your notifications enabled so you can plan for the incoming inclement weather

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Alan Auglis

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  • June’s strawberry moon will be a rare sight

    Our next full moon will rise above the horizon Tuesday night. The June full moon, often called the strawberry moon, will be a special occasion in the night sky.

    What You Need To Know

    • June’s full moon is often called the strawberry moon

    • It will be the lowest full moon in decades

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    The full moon this month, our sixth of the year, will rise notably low above the horizon Tuesday night. This is normally the case with June full moons, but the 2025 strawberry moon will be more dramatic than usual.

    In fact, according to Earth Sky, it will be the lowest full moon in decades thanks to something called a Lunar Standstill. This is a 18.6-year lunar cycle that affects how high the moon is in the sky.

    This is because the light must pass through more of the atmosphere at a lower angle. That results in mostly reds and oranges being visible because of other colors being scattered out. 

    The strawberry moon is expected to peak in the late hours of Tuesday night, but to the naked eye it will look all the same as it arises out of the western sky.

    Possible cloud coverage Tuesday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is Native American, relating to the peak season of the fruit. In Europe, it has other names like the Honey or Mead moon.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Tuesday.  To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    The next full moon will be the Buck Moon, which occurs on July 10, 2025.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • June’s strawberry moon will be a rare sight

    Our next full moon will rise above the horizon Tuesday night. The June full moon, often called the strawberry moon, will be a special occasion in the night sky.

    What You Need To Know

    • June’s full moon is often called the strawberry moon

    • It will be the lowest full moon in decades

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    The full moon this month, our sixth of the year, will rise notably low above the horizon Tuesday night. This is normally the case with June full moons, but the 2025 strawberry moon will be more dramatic than usual.

    In fact, according to Earth Sky, it will be the lowest full moon in decades thanks to something called a Lunar Standstill. This is a 18.6-year lunar cycle that affects how high the moon is in the sky.

    This is because the light must pass through more of the atmosphere at a lower angle. That results in mostly reds and oranges being visible because of other colors being scattered out. 

    The strawberry moon is expected to peak in the late hours of Tuesday night, but to the naked eye it will look all the same as it arises out of the western sky.

    Possible cloud coverage Tuesday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is Native American, relating to the peak season of the fruit. In Europe, it has other names like the Honey or Mead moon.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Tuesday.  To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    The next full moon will be the Buck Moon, which occurs on July 10, 2025.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • Breaking down the North American Monsoon season

    You’ve all heard the term “monsoon season”, usually applied to a particularly wet period of weather for a region. But, did you know there is a specific cause to a true monsoon season, and it has everything to do with the wind. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Traders off the Indian and Arabia coasts were the first to notice the monsoon pattern

    • Monsoons are large-scale wind shifts that occur in the spring and summer months

    • In the 90s, studies were done to determine if a monsoon existed in North America

    • Rain during a monsoon is not continuous and can vary in intensity year to year



    Monsoons occur in many parts of the globe. Besides the first monsoons observed in India and the Arabian peninsula, areas in Southeast Asia, Australia, North America, Africa and South America feature the annual weather phenomenon.

    How do monsoons form?

    Most of the time, wind in dry areas blows from the land toward the sea. However, by late spring, land areas begin to heat up.

    The heat creates an area of low pressure know as a ‘thermal low’. Nearby bodies of water are also warmed, but not as quickly, so air pressure remains high relative to the land.

    Eventually, the pressure differences get to where the cooler, more humid air over the water is drawn toward the hot, dry air over land, creating the perfect environment for areas of heavy rain to form.

    The North American Monsoon

    Not much was known or studied regarding a monsoon season in North America until the 1990s. The Southwest Arizona Monsoon Project, or SWAMP for short, more or less proved the existence of a monsoon season similar to those studied in other parts of the world.

    While not as strong or persistent as the Indian monsoon, it checks all the boxes of a bona fide monsoon. The wind shift in summer as Mexico and the southwest U.S. warm up starts the process. Flow from dry land areas to moist ocean areas switches and low-level moisture is transported primarily from the Gulf of California and eastern Pacific.

    Monsoon progression

    Like snowflakes or fingerprints, no two monsoon season are ever alike. However, they all follow a fairly predictable cycle with five phases. 

    • Ramp- Up: (June through Early July)

    • Onset: (Late June through Mid July)

    • Peak: (Mid July through Mid August)

    • Late Monsoon: (Mid August through early September)

    • Decay: (Late August through Late September)

    Each phase can differ year-to-year depending on where the subtropical, or monsoon, ridge is located. A stronger ridge can lead to hotter temperatures underneath this dome of high pressure and can result in more moisture transport in from the east.

    On the other hand, a weaker ridge can lead to cooler temperatures and a drier westerly wind influence.

    Results of the North American Monsoon

    Since no two monsoon seasons are ever the same, we can’t always rely on this four-month period to bring the desert southwest much needed rainfall. However, an average monsoon season in a place like Tucson, AZ can net about six inches of rain. This would account for more than half of their annual rainfall. 

    For 2025, the Climate Prediction Center is calling for a better that 50/50 chance at above-average monsoon rain totals. This will help Arizona, where half the state is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

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  • UH astronomers discover new kind of cosmic explosion

    While the rock ‘n’ roll world endlessly debates whether it’s better to burn out than to fade away, a team of scientists from the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy have discovered what it’s like to both burn out in specular fashion and not fade away for a long, long time.

    What You Need To Know

    • The IfA team discovered a previously unrecognized, undefined type of cosmic explosion far rarer and far more energetic than supernovae — an explosion second only to the Big Bang itself. Dubbed ‘extreme nuclear transients,’ these powerful explosions occur when stars at least three times the mass of our sun are shredded by supermassive black holes
    • Millions of times rarer than supernovae (the explosive final phase of a star’s existence), ENTs produce an extreme brightness that can be seen in extremely distant galaxies, providing scientists a new way to study black holes in the early universe
    • Among the ENTs the team studied was Gaia18cdj, which released 25 times more energy than the most powerful supernova on record. In just one year, it radiated energy equal to the lifetime output of 100 suns
    • The team’s findings were published in the journal Science Advances

    Specifically, the team discovered a previously unrecognized, undefined type of cosmic explosion far rarer and far more energetic than supernovae — an explosion second only to the Big Bang itself. Dubbed “extreme nuclear transients,” these unfathomably powerful explosions occur when stars at least three times the mass of our sun are shredded by supermassive black holes.

    “We’ve observed stars getting ripped apart as tidal disruption events for over a decade, but these ENTs are different beasts, reaching brightnesses nearly 10 times greater than what we typically see,” said Jason Hinkle, who led the study as the final piece of his doctoral research at IfA. “Not only are ENTs far brighter than normal tidal disruption events, but they remain luminous for years, far surpassing the energy output of even the brightest known supernova explosions.”

    Millions of times rarer than supernovae (the explosive final phase of a star’s existence), ENTs produce an extreme brightness that can be seen in extremely distant galaxies, providing scientists a new way to study black holes in the early universe. Unlike more common cosmic explosions that fade over several weeks, ENTs glow steadily for years, according to the researchers.

    Among the ENTs the team studied was Gaia18cdj, which released 25 times more energy than the most powerful supernova on record. In just one year, it radiated energy equal to the lifetime output of 100 suns. Most supernovae, in comparison, produce only one sun’s lifetime output over a similar timescale.

    Hinkle said he first spotted the unique flares that mark an ENT while reviewing publicly available data from the Gaia space telescope.

    “Gaia observations don’t tell you what a transient is, just that something changed in how bright it appears to us,” Hinkle said. “But when I saw these smooth, long-lived flares from the centers of distant galaxies, I knew we were looking at something unusual.”

    Hinkle used years of observations from UH’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System with telescopes on Haleakala and Mauna Loa, the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, and other telescopes on and orbiting the Earth to characterize these events. Researchers confirmed these weren’t supernovae or normal black hole activity. Instead, ENTs appear to be caused by a smoother, more drawn-out process, as stars multiple times as massive as our sun are slowly consumed by black holes.

    ENTs provide a valuable new tool for studying massive black holes in distant galaxies,” said Benjamin Shappee, an associate professor at IfA who co-authored the study. “Because they’re so bright, we can see them across vast cosmic distances — and in astronomy, looking far away means looking back in time. By observing these prolonged flares, we gain insights into black hole growth when the universe was half its current age and galaxies were busy places — forming stars and feeding their supermassive black holes 10 times more vigorously than they do today.”

    Astronomers hope to spot more ENTs and, with them, further glimpses into the powerful forces shaping galaxies across cosmic time. It is hoped that future observatories such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA’s Roman Space Telescope could uncover many more of these events.

    “These ENTs don’t just mark the dramatic end of a massive star’s life. They illuminate the processes responsible for growing the largest black holes in the universe,” said Hinkle.

    The team’s findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

    Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.

    Michael Tsai

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  • Message in bottle from Hawaii found on Bradenton Beach

    BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — A tiny bottle with a message inside traveled from Hawaii in ocean currents before being washed ashore in Bradenton Beach on Sunday and found by a girl visiting from Michigan.

    What You Need To Know

    • Payton Hollenbeck said she tossed the bottle into the ocean 8 years ago in Oahu

    • Josie Law, 11, found the bottle on Sunday in the water off Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island

    • The message inside the bottle had a phone number, which the family texted and got a response 

    • The family plans to release their own message in a bottle before returning to Michigan


    “It was in this tiny little glass bottle with cute little origami birds,” said Paris Hoisington, 31. “She was so surprised. Came running right towards me on the beach.”

    Hoisington said it’s every kid’s dream to find a message in a bottle at the beach. Her daughter, Josie Law, 11, said at first she thought it was a piece of trash floating in the water.

    “Then I saw the note inside,” she said. “I was like, let me grab this. This is cool.”

    The note inside the tiny bottle reads: ‘Hello people who found this, you will be happy that you found this. Why? Cause you will know me with this number.’

    Hoisington said she texted the phone number and got a response.

    “’My brother and I made that when I was younger,’” she said the text read. “’We actually live in Hawaii.’ And I said, ‘You’re kidding.’”

    Payton Hollenbeck, 21, said she and her younger brother Elias, tossed that message in a bottle into the ocean at Kaena Point in Oahu 8 years ago. It travelled more than 4,600 miles before reaching the Florida shoreline.

    “To think of how many bodies of water it went through,” said Hoisington. “It’s truly amazing what little tiny objects can go places in the world and connect to people from each other side of the world.” 

    The Michigan mom said the family had already planned to release 3 bottles before returning home and hope to get a response someday.

    “We left our phone number on one,” Hoisington said. “We can’t wait to see what happens.”

    Hollenbeck said she’s familiar with that cycle because the only reason she threw a message in a bottle into the ocean is because she had previously found one as a kid.

     

     

     

    Josh Rojas

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  • What to know about Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s new theme park

    ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida residents and visitors will be flocking to Orlando beginning Thursday for Universal Orlando’s highly-anticipated grand opening of its fourth park, Epic Universe.

    💫 MORE EPIC UNIVERSE COVERAGE:

    The park will feature five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.

    If you’re one of the many thrill-seekers about to experience Universal’s latest installment, here’s what to know before heading out.

    • Plan ahead
      There are bound to be large crowds with the park’s opening, as well as long wait times for rides and attractions. Map out everything you want to experience first before heading out, and take advantage of Universal’s Express Pass option.
    • Hydrate!
      The park is opening just before the summer break season gets underway for Florida. Be sure to drink water so that heat exhaustion and dehydration don’t ruin your day.
    • Wear comfortable clothing
      Epic Universe is built on 750 acres of land, so be prepared to do a lot of walking!
    • Establish meeting places
      Cell phone service may be limited due to the number of people at the park, or if you and your group split up on wanting to do different activities, it’s important to have a place where you can all meet back up at afterward.
    • Be courteous
      Many people are looking forward to experience Epic Universe for the first time. Be respectful to other attendees, as well as the Universal Orlando Team Members, to ensure a good time for all. 
       

    Staying Cool at the Park

    Here are a list of items that will help you beat the heat! Spectrum News did not receive any compensation for the mentioning of these items below. We put together the list to give visitors ideas on what they might want to bring to the park during the hot summer months.

     

    “Beyond this gate, find gardens green

    And epic worlds to fill your dreams…”


     

     

    The Five Worlds

    Celestial Park 🌌✨☄️

    Adventurers will begin their journey at Celestial Park. At the entrance of the gate stands The Chronos, a device that is keeping the portals to the other four worlds open. Directly across from the entrance stands Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a resort that’s inside of Epic Universe. It has a dedicated entrance into the park itself and can be seen throughout all areas of Celestial Park. With an interstellar theme and orchestral music heard throughout the area, guests will be able to enjoy a serene environment before they explore the worlds. For those looking to dive into some excitement beforehand, Stardust Racers is a dual-track roller coaster that emulates the movement of a comet zooming through the cosmos. For more of a relaxed atmosphere, guests can ride on Constellation Carousel, or cool off from the Florida heat in Astronomica, an interactive water play area.

    READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Celestial Park

    Highlights of Celestial Park at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park include Constellation Carousel, Stardust Racers and Pizza Moon. (Spectrum News)

    SUPER NINTENDO WORLD 🍄⭐🎮

    Another world of Epic Universe includes a widely-known video game franchise. Super Nintendo World is filled with vibrant colors and loads of nostalgia. If you’re a fan of the Super Mario World series, you’ll be able to spot notable landmarks from the games, such as Princess Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Castle. Guests will be able to roam around the Mushroom Kingdom, interacting with the yellow “?” Blocks while listening to the iconic game audio tracks playing in the background, almost as if they were in a video game themselves.

    Fans of the Mario Kart racing games team up with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to face off against Team Bowser in “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” With the help of special goggles, guests can collect coins and launch shells as they navigate through different landscapes. Guests can compete either individually or as a team member, interacting with their favorite Super Mario characters on the ride. If you’re looking for a more leisurely ride, you can hop on the back of Yoshi and search for glowing eggs throughout the Mushroom Kingdom aboard “Yoshi’s Adventure.”

    Super Nintendo World also brings the world of Donkey Kong to life with a lush, jungle theme and its own interactive experiences. Guests will be able to join Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong on a quest to protect the golden banana on “Mine Cart Madness.” Riders will board a coaster designed like a mine cart and zip through the track at high speeds with motifs from the video game.

    And staying true to its theme, Super Nintendo World offers opportunities for guests to play interactive games in the form of Power-Up bands, which are available for purchase at various retail spots in Universal Studios Hollywood as well as inside Super Nintendo World at the 1-UP Factory store. Wear a Power-Up band featuring your favorite Super Ninendo character while playing games and collecting digital keys to defeat Bowser Jr. to recover the stolen Golden Mushroom for Princess Peach. And just like in your favorite video games, you can also use your Power-Up band to collect digital coins.

    READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Super Nintendo World

    Highlights of Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park include Princess Peach’s Castle, themed merchandise and Mine Cart Madness. (Spectrum News)

    Dark Universe 🌕🦇🧛

    Discover a world of myth and mystery as classic Universal Monsters such as Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, and the Werewolf come to life in Dark Universe. With gothic designs throughout the area, guests can venture into the village of Darkmoor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s monstrous experiments roam freely. In “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment,” guests can venture into Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues her family’s experiments. The ride gets you up close to iconic monsters in the form of animatronics, like The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula, and more.  As she attempts to control the power of these monsters, Dracula breaks free, enraged and seeking vengeance.

    If you survive the manor, you can learn about the origin of The Wolf Man on “Curse of the Werewolf.” Guests will enter the wagon camp of The Guild of Mystics, where they will be greeted by the guild’s all-knowing seer. She warns that you carry the mark of the werewolf, and after boarding a wagon, the ride then takes guests on a high-speed adventure through a forested track as you try escaping other werewolves lurking around. 

    If you feel that the rides might be too intense for small children, kids can still get in on the monstrous fun with the “Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.” Guests will have the opportunity to transform into their favorite Universal Monster with the help of special effects artists. You can also opt for temporary tattoos instead of full makeup. You can book a makeup appointment on Universal Orlando’s website. Prices start at $45 for the “Experiment” ticket, which features face makeup, and $169 for the “Transformation” ticket, which includes face makeup and matching accessories.

    READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Dark Universe

    Highlights of Dark Universe at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park include Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and The Manor Storehouse. (Spectrum News)

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic 🧙‍♂️🦉🪄

    This world brings the third installment of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas featured in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The world at Epic Universe brings themes from the “Fantastic Beasts” films and the British Ministry of Magic from the “Harry Potter” series through a shopping district called Place Cachée in 1920s Paris.

    Guests will be able to use the Métro-Floo to travel from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the featured attraction, “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.” You can explore the departments within the ministry while the trial of Dolores Umbridge is about to get underway. The trial doesn’t go exactly as planned, however, as Umbridge plots to escape before being brought to justice. Guests will team up with the series’ beloved main characters — Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger — to stop Umbridge aboard an omnidirectional lift while also avoiding Death Eaters and other evil creatures.

    And don’t forget to get your wands ready! Like Universal Orlando’s wizarding worlds in its other theme parks, this world features numerous new interactive wand experiences throughout the area, where guests can cast spells in various locations and witness the magic come to life. You can also use your wands to interact with fantastic beasts and enchanted objects. Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique offers wands available for purchase, designed by esteemed artisan wandmaker, Cosme Acajor.

    After an action-packed wizardly adventure, guests can unwind and enjoy a live stage show at Le Cirque Arcanus, a circus featured in “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” Ringmaster Skender steals Newt Scamander’s suitcase — which contains fantastic beasts from around the globe — in an attempt to restore the circus to its former glory. It’s up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue the creatures from Skender in a mix of live performances, puppetry and special effects.

    Tip: Le Cirque Arcanus contains a preshow, which is standing room in a circus tent. This can tend to get hot and crowded, especially during the summer months.

    READ MORE: Everything you need to know about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic

    Highlights of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park include Le Cirque Arcanus, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique and K. Rammelle. (Spectrum News)

    How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk 🐲🪓🗡️

    Explore a world filled with Vikings and dragons alike from the “How to Train Your Dragon” movie series. The Isle of Berk features iconic characters such as Hiccup and Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and more. The world features many family-friendly rides, such as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. Guests can experience what it’s like to fly on a dragon with the help of a winged contraption created by Hiccup. The ride reaches speeds of up to 45 mph and heights of 50 feet through the air as you soar alongside Hiccup and Toothless.

    There are also opportunities to hang out with Hiccup and Toothless during a meet-and-greet at the Haddock Paddock. Visitors can pet and interact with Toothless, and see him respond in a friendly manner.

    Park goers can also expect to see other Vikings and dragons roaming around Berk.

    At Fyre Drill, guests can join in on some playful competition with Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut on an interactive boat ride. Families can use water cannons aboard their boat to shoot at flame-like targets — and other boats.

    Guests can also do mid-air acrobatics and barrel rolls on Dragon Racer’s Rally. The ride elevates guests in the air up to 67 feet with the help of Viking-crafted, dragon-riding trainers to practice the abilities of a champion dragon racer.

    And Berk isn’t short of live entertainment — The Untrainable Dragon is a heart-warming, family-friendly show that features characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber and Astrid as they solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. It’s filled with numerous musical performances, elaborate sets and larger-than-life dragons – including the fan-favorite Toothless who soars over the audience, spanning nearly 27 feet.

    Little Vikings can hone their skills in an interactive play area called Viking Training Camp. The area includes an agility course, musical drums and chimes, an interactive sheep launcher game and multiple towers to climb and explore.

    READ MORE: Everything you need to know about How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk

    Highlights of How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park include a meet-and-greet with Hiccup and Toothless, as well as rides such as Dragon Racer’s Rally. (Spectrum News)

    New Epic Universe Hotels 🏨🛎️🌴

    Universal Orlando opened three new hotels adjacent to its Epic Universe park — Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Stella Nova Resort.

    Universal Helios Grand Hotel, the “crown jewel” of Universal’s hotels, is the newest hotel to open. The 500-room hotel overlooks Epic Universe, and has a Mediterranean-inspired feel. It offers rooms with views of the theme park, as well as a dedicated entrance to the park for ticket holders — which is just steps away.

    The new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, located at Epic Universe in Orlando, Fla. (Spectrum News)


    READ MORE:     New Universal Helios Grand Hotel welcomes its first guests

    Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Stella Nova Resort offer space-themed rooms and proximity to Epic Universe as well, at an affordable price point. Both hotels feature a variety of cosmic-themed dining options and numerous amenities.

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    You can plan your vacation, purchase Express Passes, shop for merchandise and get additional information on Universal Orlando’s website.

    Whether you’re attending the park’s grand opening or going on a later date, Epic Universe features interactive experiences that are bound to immerse guests into their own epic adventures.

     

    “You wonder next which path to chart

    The answer lies within your heart.”

     

    Meet the Insiders

    DeJanae Phillips

    DeJanae Phillips is a Digital Producer with Spectrum Bay News 9. A born and raised Tampa native, she joined the company in 2022 and covers Florida attractions. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

    Anna Wronka

    Anna Wronka is a Digital Producer with Spectrum Bay News 9. She joined the company in 2022, and currently focuses on coverage of Florida attractions. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

    DeJanae Phillips, Anna Wronka

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