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  • History of Inauguration Day weather

    Inauguration Day 2025 is shaping up to be a cold one in our nation’s capital. However, more notable weather has occurred, as we swear in our nation’s leaders.

    What You Need To Know

    • Inauguration Day used to be in March

    • Only a handful have seen temps below freezing

    • Rain is historically more common than winter weather



    While the presidential inauguration dates back to 1789, official weather records for Washington, D.C. go as far back as Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration in 1873. That still gives us weather information for 38 inaugurations.

    Weather history

    The inauguration also used to happen on March 4, but changed to January 20 in 1937, with the second inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

    Snow isn’t usually a big concern, for the most part. Six inaugurations had measurable snow, and the last one was in 2001. Measurable precipitation in general – snow or rain – has happened on 15 of the 38 inaugurations since 1873. Just a trace of rain was measured on Inauguration Day for Joe Biden in 2021.

    Five inaugurals had a high of 32 degrees or colder, while 10 had a high of 50 degrees or warmer. It’s worth noting that four of those mild ones happened since the inauguration date changed to January 20.

    Since weather is an important part of daily life, there are unofficial weather records for earlier inaugurations, as compiled by the National Weather Service toward the bottom of this page.

    Inauguration weather records

     

    Noteworthy inauguration weather

    One of the earliest and most tragic instances of inaugural weather is the swearing in of William Henry Harrison. It was a cold and blustery day, with the new president giving a 100 minute address, and riding a horse without a hat or overcoat. While history can’t confirm the cause, this may have contributed to the shortest presidency on record.

    In a story just as tragic, President Franklin Pierce was also sworn in on a wintry day, with continual snow for most of the day. It came down so heavily that the crowd gathered for the festivities dispersed. Abigail Fillmore, first lady to the outgoing president Millard Fillmore, caught a cold because of the weather. This developed into pneumonia and she died at the end of March.

    John F. Kennedy’s inauguration day in 1961 was a cold one, but that wasn’t the only issue. A snowstorm blanketed the nation’s capital with eight inches of snow the day before through the morning of.

    The snowy weather for William Howard Taft’s inauguration in 1909 forced the event to be moved to the Senate chambers of the U.S. Capitol, rather than the usual spot on the East Portico.

    Taft and Roosevelt make their way to the Capitol through the snowy streets of Washington, D.C. in 1909. (Library of Congress)

    Taft and Roosevelt make their way to the Capitol through the snowy streets of Washington, D.C. in 1909. (Library of Congress)

    It wasn’t snow, but a washout that put a damper on FDR’s second inauguration. Sleet and freezing rain was recorded in the morning, switching to all rain in the afternoon. The president rode in an open car with a half-inch of water on the floorboards. During the inaugural parade, the rain continued, contributing to the wettest inauguration on record. 

    This year’s forecast

    While a historic weather day isn’t in the cards for this year, colder-than-average temperatures are expected with the possibility of some light snow in the pre-dawn hours of Monday. Temperatures will only be in the 20s during the afternoon.


    President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to forecasts of intense cold 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.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Here comes the polar vortex, but what exactly is it?

    January usually brings the coldest air of the season to much of the country, and this year has seen its fair share.  

    What You Need To Know

    • A polar vortex is not always responsible for the cold

    • Satellites can recognize a polar vortex event before the cold arrives

    • Climate change could enhance polar vortex events


    Whenever that mercury dips, the term “polar vortex” gets thrown around and inserted into conversations.

    But what is this phenomenon, and is this the reason for the chill this month?

    Polar vortex explained

    “The polar vortex is a core of extremely cold air that typically remains near the poles,” explains Spectrum News NY 1’s Chief Meteorologist John Davitt. “During the winter, shifts in the jet stream can send this arctic air spilling far to the south, bringing dangerously cold conditions.”

    Although it is not a new term, the media propelled it into the mainstream. “The polar vortex exists all year, but it’s winter when it gets stronger and larger. The lack of daylight during the winter months helps to build the pool of extremely cold air that makes up the polar vortex.” He adds the reason for the name has to do with the word vortex itself. “The word vortex refers to the counter-clockwise flow of the air.” 

    Within this area, frigid surface air typically remains near the pole throughout the winter. However, every few years, these fast westerlies weaken. The protective barrier around the cold air collapses, allowing warmer air to move north into the polar region and cold air to be pushed south into the mid-latitudes–places like the United States.

    This cold air can situate itself in the mid-latitudes for an extended period and that’s what is expected to happen Friday through midweek next week. 

    Polar vortex event of Feb. 2021

    Remember the extreme cold that unfolded in Feb. 2021? That was because of the polar vortex. 

    Several weeks before the cold ushered into the U.S., satellites tracked the warming in the stratosphere, showing the weakening in the vortex. 

    This cold air ushered as far south as Mexico and broke records all over the United States in February. Parts of Texas recorded their lowest readings in over 100 years, and with this cold came an immense strain on the power grid. 

    The polar vortex and climate change

    “The impacts of climate change on the polar vortex are complicated,” says Davitt. Climate change usually indicates a warming world; however, a warming world could enhance the polar vortex, thus pushing colder air south. But, experts expect a gradual easing in the intensity of the cold.

     Here’s the thinking… “The arctic air that makes up the polar vortex typically remains locked in place near the poles by fast-moving jet stream winds. When the jet stream winds weaken, this is when the polar vortex and its bitter cold surge south.”

    He adds that it is climate change that causes the jet stream to weaken. “The strength of the jet stream winds is related to the difference in temperatures between the air at the equator and the air at the poles. The larger the temperature difference, the faster the winds.”

    In a warming world, the temperature difference between the poles and the equator becomes less, giving way to weaker jet streams. “Weaker jet streams mean that the polar vortex is more likely to slide south at times, bringing arctic air and dangerous conditions.” With a warming Arctic region, more extreme and unusual weather patterns are in the realm of possibility. 

    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 Stacy Lynn

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  • Prescribed burns: Fighting fire with fire

    Have you ever heard the expression “fighting fire with fire?” In its most literal sense, it can describe the practice of igniting prescribed fires to prevent future wildfires.

    We rarely think of fire as a good thing, but in this case, it is.

    What You Need To Know

    • Prescribed fires help maintain healthy forests and prevent future wildfires

    • The U.S. Forest Service ignites about 4,500 prescribed fires each year

    • Firefighters use natural barriers, control lines and pretreatments to control the flames


    A prescribed fire is a planned, low-intensity fire conducted by a team of trained professionals under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire.

    Not only do prescribed fires reduce hazardous fuels that destructive wildfires feed on, but they could slow large wildfires and diminish their severity in the future.

    The goal? To restore and maintain healthy forests across the U.S.

    The U.S. Forest Service established a 10-year Wildlife Crisis Strategy to increase forest health treatments across the country. The Forest Service conducts these burns nationwide. While most of the focus is on treatment in the Western U.S., the plan includes forests in the South, Midwest and Northeast.   

    According to U.S. Forest Service Spokesperson Shayne Martin, “a healthy forecast is capable of self-renewal following drought, wildfire, beetle outbreaks, and other forest stresses and disturbances—much as a healthy person stands a good chance of recovering from a disease or injury.”

    The process

    The U.S. Forest Service conducts prescribed fires during the fall, winter and early spring. The weather has to be suitable for a prescribed fire, to ensure the safety of the crew and surroundings.

    Since dangerous fire weather is low humidity and gusty winds, the ideal conditions for a prescribed burn include high humidity and calm winds to lessen the threat for a prescribed fire going out of control. 


    During the prescribed fire, firefighters will use natural barriers, control lines and pretreatments to control the flames. The U.S. Forest Service says they routinely coordinate prescribed burning with the state or local air quality regulatory agency or state forestry agency to ensure that the smoke remains manageable.

    Along with the protection that prescribed fires provide for the land and people who live around it, it can also provide benefits for animals.

    Prescribed fires can provide forage for game and remove unwanted species that threaten the native species. It can also improve the habitat for threatened and endangered species.

    When things go wrong

    The benefits of prescribed fires far outweigh the negatives.

    On average, the U.S. Forest Service says that about 4,500 prescribed fires are lit every year, treating about 1.3 million acres across the National Forest System.

    Shayne Martin said, “almost all prescribed fires—99.84%—go according to plan. However, we cannot underestimate how destructive prescribed fire escapes can be.”

    Last spring, an escaped prescribed fire in New Mexico ended up becoming the largest and most destructive wildfire in state history.

    Satellite imagery of smoke plumes from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire (right) and the Cerro Pelado Fire moving east during a wind event on April 29, 2022. (NOAA/GOES 16)

    The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burned more than 341,000 acres in New Mexico after two separate wildfires merged.

    The Hermits Peak fire began when the U.S. Forest Service lost control of a prescribed burn on April 6, 2022. Later in April, it merged with a holdover fire from prescribed pile burn in January in Calf Canyon.

    The two fires burned into each other during a time of dangerous fire weather with strong winds a low humidity, allowing them to combine into one. 

    This case was an extreme outlier, and the U.S. Forest Service strives to continue to use prescribed fires as a key management tool that is necessary to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve the resiliency of forests.

    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

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  • The ways wildfire smoke affects your health

    Wildfires do a great deal of damage not only to the environment but also to our health.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs

    • It can even get into your circulatory system

    • The smoke can also affect our pets

    • There are a few things you can do to protect your health

    What’s in wildfire smoke?

    Wildfire smoke isn’t just a mix of gases. It also contains burnt material from plants, building material, and anything else the fire burns.

    (Pixabay)

    Some particles are so small, they can penetrate deep into the lungs, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency states they can even get into our circulatory system.

    Wildfire smoke affects the entire body

    Smoke from wildfires can affect your health in many ways.

    The CDC says it can cause:

    • Coughing
    • Trouble breathing
    • Asthma attacks

    And wildfires don’t just affect the lungs. It can also cause:

    • Headaches
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Stinging eyes
    • Chest pains
    • Tiredness

    The people most prone to these effects are older adults, children, pregnant women and people with respiratory and heart conditions.

    (Pexels/Vlada Karpovich)

    However, everyone should be cautious, especially when Air Quality Alerts go into effect for your area.

    Pet risks

    Smoke affects not only people. It can also harm your pets.

    According to Dr. Colleen Lambo, a veterinarian with The Vets, your furry friend can also experience the same respiratory issues.

    Smoke can lead to coughing, difficulty breathing and even wheezing, so take care of your pets just as you would yourself. 

    What you can do to protect your health

    There are a few things you can do to help protect yourself. 

    Pay attention to your local weather and alerts that go into effect.

    Stay indoors as much as possible if the smoke is thick in your area and use an air filter to make sure the air in your home stays clean. 

    Wearing a mask will protect your lungs if you have to go outside, filtering out harmful wildfire smoke particles.

    Don’t use a vacuum as it can stir up dust in your house, and avoid burning anything that could pollute the air more, such as candles.

    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

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  • January’s full moon has a unique name

    Every month of the year has a full moon, and some even have more than one full moon, since the lunar cycle is 28 days.

    Various groups, including Native American tribes and early Colonial Americans, have nicknamed these celestial events.

    January’s name might surprise you.

    What You Need To Know

    • The first full moon of the year is Monday, Jan. 13

    • Each full moon has a unique name

    • Names have been passed on for generations


    The first full moon of the new year will happen Monday at 5:27 p.m. ET. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first full moon of the year is the Full Wolf Moon.

    The name comes from various sources, including Native American tribes, early Colonial Americans and even some Europeans. 

    The thought is that during January, wolves howl loudly due to the lack of food in the heart of winter. 

    Alternative names

    Alternative full moon names include the Center Moon, used by the Assiniboine people of the Northern Great Plains. This name refers to the idea that this moon marked the middle of the cold season.

    Other traditional full moon names that emphasize the cold season include the Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Freeze Up Moon, Severe Moon and Hard Moon. 

    Canada Goose Moon, Great Moon, Greetings Moon and Spirit Moon have also been names for the January full moon.

    Moon phases

    There are eight different phases of the moon. What phase follows a full moon?

    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 Stacy Lynn

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  • Heating vs. cooling: Which one is costing you more?

    Now that it’s winter, it’s time to prepare yourself to fork out some extra money each month on your energy bill. When it gets cold outside, turning on the heat is necessary, but it can become costly.

    It depends where you live, but most people see a spike in their energy bill during winter and summer when it’s time to heat and cool your home. But which is more expensive?

    What You Need To Know

    • Heating uses more energy than cooling


    • There is a bigger temperature difference between inside and outside during winter


    • There are various ways to help conserve energy and save money on your utility bill


    According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home, making up almost 1/3 of your winter utility bill. Heating homes in the U.S. also uses more than four times as much energy as cooling.

    There are a few reasons for this. One of them? The temperature difference between the inside and the outside of your home during winter and summer. The bigger the temperature difference, the harder your HVAC system has to work.

    In the summer, that temperature difference in a warm-weather city between the inside and outside can be as high as 15 to 25 degrees on average, even higher in extreme cases. In the winter, the temperature difference in a cold-weather city between the inside and outside is much more significant than that.

    Take Louisville, Ky., for example, a city that sees cold winters and warm summers. You can see the average temperature difference between the inside and outside during winter and summer is a significant difference.

    Another reason is the process of heating versus cooling. Air conditioners remove heat from your home using electricity. It’s not creating cooler air, just displacing the excess heat from inside to outside.

    Electric heating systems have to create heat for your home, which takes more work to convert electrical energy to heat. Depending on your home, heating systems can also run on natural gas, fuel oil or propane. Those fuel options can become more expensive than the price of electricity.

    Everyone has a preference on what to set the thermostat at. It’s usually a balance between comfort inside your home versus conserving energy and saving money. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that the ideal thermostat setting in the winter is around the upper 60s, and the mid-to-upper 70s during the summer.

    One of the best ways to conserve energy and save money is to minimize the temperature difference between the inside and outside. In the winter, it may mean putting on some additional layers inside or lighting the fireplace. In the summer, it could mean turning on some fans to stay cool. 

    Here are some other tips on how to conserve energy and save some money on your utility bill during the winter and summer.

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

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • High-impact events highlighted a busy year in weather

    This past year featured many significant weather events that won’t be forgotten by those who had to live through them. The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) estimates that 24 separate weather events this year caused at least a billion dollars in damage. 

    What You Need To Know

    • 24 separate weather events caused at least one billion dollars in damage this past year

    • Most of these events occurred in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast states or the Midwest

    • The costliest and deadliest weather events were hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • The number of billion-dollar weather disasters this year is above the 5-year average



    Included in this number were 17 severe weather outbreaks, four tropical cyclone events, one wildfire and two winter storms.

    Nationwide winter storm kicked off 2024

    From the northwest to the south and then up the east coast, a major winter storm affected much of the country at the start of the year. Snow, sleet, ice and, at times, hurricane-force winds hit areas from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies. The heavy snow also triggered an avalanche warning in Colorado and avalanche warnings in Utah.

    The storm then impacted areas from Texas to Tennessee with snow and rain mixed as far south as Corpus Christi, lake-effect snow in Fort Worth and half a foot of snow in Nashville. 

    Anna Coleman sleds with her daughter C.J. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A snowstorm blanketed the area with up to eight inches of snow and frigid temperatures. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

    The storm strengthened over the northeast, blanketing Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York City with their first snowfall of an inch or more in 700 days. 

    Numerous severe weather outbreaks led to record tornado counts

    This past year featured one of the highest tornado counts in recent memory, as six major tornado outbreaks struck the country. As of the start of November, the preliminary tornado count for 2024 is over 1,700, and if that number is verified, it would be the most on record up to that point of the year.

    One state hit hardest by the uptick in tornadoes is Ohio. 2024 was a record year with at least 73 confirmed tornadoes. This is, unfortunately, a trend as 2023 tallied the third-most confirmed tornadoes with 60.

    A reported tornado near Melrose, Ohio, on May 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Polanski Photography)

    Almost a dozen more severe weather outbreaks ranging from late winter to early summer brought damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall.  

    A record-breaking hailstone was recovered in the panhandle of Texas in early June that measured over 7 inches long. The pineapple-sized hailstone is most likely the largest in Texas history!

    2024 hurricane season rewrote the record books

    Before the start of the 2024 hurricane season, forecasters were calling for one of the busiest on record, calling for up to 24 named storms and possibly as many as seven major hurricanes. While those extremes weren’t realized, it was still an above-average season, with 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. 

    Hurricane Beryl was an omen of things to come as it became the earliest-forming category five on record and left widespread damage from the Caribbean into the southern and central U.S.

    A vehicle is stranded in high waters on a flooded highway in Houston, on Monday, July 8, 2024, after Beryl came ashore in Texas as a hurricane and dumped heavy rains along the coast. (AP Photo/Juan A. Lozano)

    After a relative lull in activity from mid-July to late September, the hurricane season turned devastating as Hurricane Helene formed in the Caribbean, moved through the Gulf of Mexico as a category four, and left its mark on the southeast from Florida to the Carolinas. It was the strongest storm to make landfall in the Big Bend of Florida and the deadliest storm to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

    Helene brought record-breaking storm-surge flooding to Tampa Bay, triggered tornado outbreaks and caused catastrophic inland flooding in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and western Virginia. As of publication, more than 200 people died because of Helene with almost 90 billion dollars in damage.

    Men walk down a street flooded by Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Sept. 27, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson, File)

    Less than two weeks after Helene, Hurricane Milton struck the west coast of Florida, bringing deadly flooding and one of the worst tornado outbreaks in Florida’s history. At its peak, Milton was the second-strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, behind Rita in 2005, with winds of 180 mph. At least 30 people died because of Milton, and over 85 billion dollars in damage has been attributed to the storm.

    Glenn Frazier paddles around his Sumter County neighborhood in his kayak after Hurricane Milton brought intense flood waters to the area. (Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

    How this year stacks up

    (Spectrum News Photo)

    As the year came to a close, a string of powerful winter storms led to feet of lake-effect snow along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in northern New York from late November to early December. Also, western wildfires raged in Southern California that threatened homes and businesses. 

    As for the 24 separate billion-dollar weather disasters this year, that number is just above the five-year average, but almost triple the average since this data was collected by the National Centers for Environmental Information in 1980.

    The NCEI says the two overarching reasons for the increase in billion-dollar disasters are the increased population in vulnerable areas like the coasts, river floodplains, or the urban-wildland interface, and the ever-changing climate.

    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

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  • Your trees in the winter: Dead or dormant?

    There is a different type of beauty during the winter. After months of seeing the luscious summer greenery and vibrant fall foliage, the colors fade and snow blankets the landscape in white.

    But what happens to trees after shedding their leaves and becoming covered in snow or ice for the winter? Are they dead or dormant?

    What You Need To Know

    • Not all trees are equally resistant to cold


    • Shedding leaves for the winter is a survival tactic


    • Trees’ dormancy is like an animal hibernating

    Trees have survival instincts just like people and animals. Depending on the type of tree, it will either shed its leaves or have protective measures to survive the winter without losing any of its greenery.

    Deciduous trees

    In the fall, deciduous trees shed their leaves as a protective measure to prepare for the upcoming winter cold. Deciduous trees include oaks, maples, birches and willows, and any other tree you see losing leaves during autumn.

    Losing leaves allows the tree to spend less energy in the winter. Instead of spending energy protecting its leaves during a cold and dry winter, it can protect itself, conserving moisture in the tree’s trunk, which keeps it from drying out.

    A person stands by a frozen pond during snow fall on in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

    Winter also produces powerful storms with strong winds. Without leaves, wind can blow through trees and branches easier without drag, meaning less stress on the tree.

    Even though trees can look dead in the winter, they’re probably just dormant. The dormancy period begins in the fall when leaves changes colors and fall off the trees and lasts through all of winter. 

    In the spring, trees come out of dormancy, reverse the internal processes, and begin growing leaves again.

    Evergreen trees

    Evergreen trees don’t shed their leaves or needles every winter like deciduous trees, hence the name ‘evergreen’. Instead, the leaves and needles have a waxy coating called cutin that helps protect the tree during the winter.

    Evergreen trees include fir, spruce and pine trees, which also make up the most popular Christmas tree types.

    Christmas trees laden with freshly fallen snow are displayed for sale at Boston Hill Farm, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in North Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    Christmas trees laden with freshly fallen snow are displayed for sale at Boston Hill Farm, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in North Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    The ground freezes in the winter in colder climates and trees can’t draw water through their roots anymore. The cutin helps prevent water loss during winter, which allows the tree to survive cold temperatures more easily.

    So, instead of the leaves acting as a liability and strain on the tree, evergreen leaves are their biggest assets. Evergreen trees don’t go completely dormant because of their natural protection.

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

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • How some of Santa’s little reindeer relate to the weather

    We all know that Santa travels the world on Christmas Eve on a sleigh pulled by eight… no, nine, reindeer! But are you aware of the weather tie-ins with Santa and his reindeer?

    What You Need To Know

    • Two reindeer are named after weather phenomena

    • Rudolph saved the day one Christmas Eve when fog covered most of the Earth

    • Santa uses forecasts from local meteorologists to plan his Christmas Eve flight

    (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    We’ve all heard the tale of Rudolph, and we’ll cover that part of the story in a moment, but first, let’s start with two of Santa’s original reindeer.

    The original eight

    You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen, but did you know that two of the reindeer are named after weather phenomena?

    But which ones?

    If you guessed Donner and Blitzen, you are correct!

    Donner, also sometimes called Donder or Dunder, is named after thunder. The name comes from the Dutch word for thunder.

    Blitzen, also spelled Blixen and Blixem, is named after lightning. The name also comes from a Dutch word meaning lightning.

    Santa’s reindeer were never officially named until the 1823 release of the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” also known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement C. Moore.

    (AP Photo/Malin Moberg)

    Here’s an interesting reindeer fact.

    In the story “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum, the author listed ten reindeer. Flossie and Glossie are Santa’s lead reindeer, while Racer and Pacer, Fearless and Peerless, Ready and Steady, and Feckless and Speckless are the rest of the team. 

    None of these names are weather-related terms.

    No offense to L. Frank Baum, but I’m glad we stuck with Clement C. Moore’s names for Santa’s reindeer.

    Rudolph leads the way

    I think we all know the story of Rudolph.

    This iconic reindeer showed up in 1939. Looked upon as a misfit (aren’t we all in some way), the other reindeer rejected Rudolph and made fun of him because of his red, glowing nose. Though that “little” abnormality came in handy “one foggy Christmas Eve.”

    In an unprecedented weather event, one never seen before or seen since, an “outbreak” of fog blanketed most of the planet, and it became impossible for Santa to make his flight on Christmas Eve around the world. 

    All was lost until Santa realized that Rudolph and his incredible nose could lead the way.

    This was Rudolph’s time to shine. (Pun intended.)

    (File Photo)

    And the rest is history. From that time on, Rudolph has been Santa’s lead reindeer.

    Santa’s Christmas Eve forecast

    Something you may not know is Santa Claus has a weather forecasting team at the North Pole.

    Some elves specialize in forecasting the weather around the world. These meteorologists give Santa an overview of the weather around the globe on Christmas Eve, but Santa depends on local National Weather Service and TV meteorologists to provide him forecasts for cities along his flight path.

    My daughter found out about this during a visit with Santa when she was about six years old.

    I had taken her and her younger brother to see Santa a few days before Christmas. As we were next in line, Santa saw us, stood up, walked over to me and asked, “Gary, what kind of weather am I looking at on Christmas Eve?”

    I gave him a quick forecast, he thanked me, walked back over to his chair and sat down as the next child climbed on his lap.

    The expression on my daughter’s face was priceless.

    “Santa knows you?” she asked as she looked up at me with a look of shock, confusion and pride. “Well, of course he does. Who do you think he gets his forecast from for this area? I’m a pilot, and he’s a pilot. I’m the perfect person to give him a ‘flight weather briefing.’”

    Talk about a priceless memory that I will always remember.

    (Gary Stephenson)

    In the Christmas Eve sky

    So on Christmas Eve night, if your skies are clear, look to the sky. You might see a red light moving across the sky. More than likely, it’s the beacon on an airplane, but it might, just might, be the glow of Rudolph’s red nose.

    And if the weather is not so clear, rest well knowing that Santa’s got a well-trained team of reindeer pulling the sleigh and an accurate forecast so he can safely complete his Christmas Eve journey around the Earth.

    I’ll finish my story with these final words.

    My wish for all of you is to have a safe and Merry Christmas. And to Santa and the reindeer, have a good flight!

    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.

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

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  • Christmas trees need good weather to ‘stand in splendid beauty’

    O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches… as long as the weather stays off the naughty list.

    What You Need To Know

    • Christmas trees do well in moderate weather

    • Trees are more susceptible to drought early on

    • Harmful fungi grow in very wet conditions

    • Tree farmers may have to adjust their practices as climate changes

    Farmers grow Christmas trees in all 50 states. Unlike most crops, they’re not planted and harvested all in one season. It takes years for a tree to become ready, which can help fend off the problems of damaging weather.

    Growing trees

    Christmas trees are often spruces, pines or firs. Not surprisingly, farmers grow them in places where the climate allows them to have their best chance at becoming mature.

    The details vary from place to place, but trees generally do best with moderate temperatures, plentiful (but not excessive) rainfall and no extreme cold or heat.

    Damaging weather

    Like most crops, Christmas trees don’t like drought. Farmers who grow seedlings typically have to do quite a bit of irrigation, according to Doug Hundley from the National Christmas Tree Association.

    Irrigation isn’t as necessary once they’re about 12 inches tall and transplanted into fields, he adds, although they’re still vulnerable for the first year or two and will need some help during dry spells.

    In this photo taken Nov. 8, 2011, David Barfield checks one of his saplings at his Christmas tree farm in New Caney, Texas. Only a handful of the 500 saplings planted survived the drought. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

    Because these trees are a crop that can take ten years or longer to become ready for harvest, losses from drought usually don’t take as much of a toll as they would for single-season crops like corn or soybeans. Instead of losing 20% of an entire crop, farmers could confine their losses to just 20% of the younger trees, while the established trees survive.

    Excessive rainfall can harm any tree, though. “We always think that drought is the great enemy. But in all agriculture, rain and flooding and oversaturation of the soil does just as much damage as droughts do,” says Hundley.

    Wet conditions are good for fungi–which are bad for trees. They can kill the roots of a tree or cause needle cast, which is a disease that makes the older inner needles turn brown and fall off.

    Needle cast on a spruce tree. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

    These trees can face damage from out-of-season frosts and freezes. Those can damage or kill new growth, sometimes putting those trees back a year, even when farmers can prune the problem spots.

    Extreme heat can ruin new growth, too. Hundley says the Pacific Northwest lost 5% to 10% of marketable trees after its heat wave in June 2021.

    Climate change

    Farming practices are adapting as conditions change over the years. To deal with the increase in precipitation in the eastern U.S., Hundley says some farmers are planting trees farther apart or pruning them differently to allow better airflow.

    He also gives a specific example. “We grow a fir that’s native to only about a dozen mountain tops in the southern Appalachians. They grow naturally at about 6,000 feet. We can grow them on production farms, but only down to about 3,000 feet elevation. If you go lower than that, it becomes too warm, and the soil does not drain as well in flat land and they’re very susceptible to root rot.

    “So, as the planet warms, we’re going to have to move up the hill, possibly, or we’re going to have to use alternative conifers that are used to warmer climates.”

    Be green

    Hundley says that farmers replace the trees as they come out and make an effort to disturb the soil as little as possible. Integrated pest management also lets them avoid using pesticides.

    He also encourages people who buy real Christmas trees to recycle them if their community offers such a service. Often, the trees are chipped into mulch.

    This Jan. 14, 2013 photo shows free mulch strewn in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, N.Y., available for residents to take home and use in urban backyards. The mulch comes from Christmas trees that are collected and recycled in a program run by the New York City Department of Sanitation and the New York City Parks Department. The city collects about 150,000 trees each year and uses the mulch in parks, playing fields and community gardens in addition to making some of it available for personal use. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)

    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

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  • Final full moon of the year to be December’s ‘Cold Moon’

    The final full moon of the year will appear in the night sky this week. The December full moon, commonly known as the “Cold Moon”, appears during the longest periods of darkness just before the Winter Solstice. It is also known as the “Moon Before Yule” and the “Long Night Moon”. 

    The Moon will appear fullest at 4:02 a.m. ET on Dec. 15, but it will be visible on both the night of the 14th and 15th.

    What You Need To Know

    • The final full moon of the year rises Saturday night

    • Will appear with the Geminid Meteor Shower

    • Next full moon will be the Wolf Moon on Jan. 13, 2025


    The “Cold Moon” will notably be the highest full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun will be at its lowest point of the sky, which means that the moon will be the opposite. That means that you will be able to see the bright “Cold Moon” for a longer period of time in the night sky.

    Other events in the night sky

    The Geminids, one of the more reliable meteor showers of the year, will be peaking around December 12th and 13th this year. While the shower is best viewed during the night and pre-dawn hours, activity typically begins around 9 or 10 p.m., according to NASA. It is important to note that the timing of the “Cold Moon” will make visibility of the meteor shower lower due to the brightness of the full moon.

    Moon phases

    There are eight different phases of the moon. What phase follows a full moon?

    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • Cold weather alerts are changing

    The National Weather Service is simplifying cold weather messaging and alerts this winter to make watches and warnings easier to understand.

    What You Need To Know

    • NWS is consolidating cold weather alerts

    • Cold is cold and can be dangerous with or without wind

    • The changes are already in effect


    Hard Freeze and Wind Chill alerts will no longer be used and instead merged into existing alerts.

    Hard Freeze Watches and Warnings will now be combined with Freeze Watches and Warnings.

    Wind Chill Advisories, Watches and Warnings will be combined with Extreme Cold Advisories, Watches and Warnings.

    According to the National Weather Service, “cold is cold.” It can be dangerous with or without wind.

    It doesn’t matter whether it’s the wind chill or temperature that makes the cold particularly dangerous, so they don’t want to overshadow that messaging. This change will simplify and improve communication.

    Combining these products will also make maps easier to understand with fewer types of alerts in effect at the same time. These changes have already taken effect.

    It’s part of the National Weather Service’s hazard simplification initiative.

    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

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  • Hurricane Season 2024: a look at how well the models performed

    The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season was expected to be one for the record books. Early forecasts had a record number of storms developing in the Atlantic basin because of favorable environmental conditions.

    What You Need To Know

    • The GFS model did well with several tropical systems this season from formation to dissipation

    • Hurricane Hunters happen to be at the right place to survey Hurricane Oscar

    • Models don’t do well with precursor small-scale tropical systems


    But no one could have predicted how the actual season would pan out, with five storms making landfall in the United States, three of them in Florida, with these storms causing fatalities and massive destruction.

    The forecast in May predicted “the highest number of named storms NOAA had ever issued” in its pre-season outlook.” Thanks to a waning El Niño transitioning to a La Niña during peak season, environmental conditions were expected to become conducive for development, and that it did.

    First half of the season

    The season officially began on June 19 with Tropical Storm Alberto. It was followed by Beryl, Chris, Debby and Ernesto.

    Beryl and Debby became the most notable storms during the first half of the season, as both made landfall in the U.S. Beryl made the history books, reaching Category 5 status earlier in the season than any other storm.

    Late summer lull

    After Ernesto dissipated on Aug. 20, there seemed to be a quiet period. With hurricane activity in the Atlantic subsiding near the peak of hurricane season, the validity of seasonal forecasts was in doubt. 

    It’s important to note that it’s not that there wasn’t any activity. Hurricane Francine developed in the Caribbean Sea and moved into the Gulf of Mexico before landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11.

    “As is often the case with seasonal hurricane activity, there isn’t usually just one cause for it being active or quiet,” says Meteorologist Craig Setzer, a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and Hurricane Preparedness Specialist.

    He adds, “This year, it appeared to be a combination of very dry air and an increase in Saharan dust outbreaks along with warmer than normal air temperatures in the middle-and-upper parts of the atmosphere that created the mid-seasonal lull.” Less unstable conditions existed and tropical cyclones need instability for development.

    “The long range forecast tended to be right for all of the wrong reasons,” says Spectrum Bay News 9’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay. “A very active Cape Verde season was expected, which didn’t happen. Instead, the Central American Gyre was very active late in the season giving us several significant hurricanes.”

    Mid-September activity increases

    As soon as the climatological peak of hurricane season was reached (Sept. 10), tropical activity seemed to awaken. Tropical Storm Gordon formed on Sept. 13 in the central-eastern Atlantic, but remained over the open Atlantic and never surpassed tropical strom strength.

    Mid-Sept. also brought the formation of Helene, one of the costliest and deadliest storms this season. Helene would make landfall near Perry, Florida on Sept. 26.

    Models and forecast track cones

    From tropical storm to landfall was only a matter of days for Hurricane Helene, and knowing the track of the storm was vital to protect lives and property. Various data models assist meteorologists in forecasting, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) uses these models to create a forecast track cone.

    “The National Hurricane Center relies heavily on global and regional (hurricane) models, which they call ‘guidance’ or ‘aides’ to help create a forecast track,” says Setzer.

    National Hurricane Center

    One specific model did relatively well with several storms this season, from development to landfall. “The Global Forecast System or GFS is a global model which has shown improved skill in predicting tropical cyclone development well ahead of other models.” 

    However, just because it does well with one storm, doesn’t mean it will accurately predict all storms. Setzer says, “It has a high false alarm bias, so it also tends to overpredict development that ends up not happening.”

    In this age of social media, where folks might be heightened aware of tropical development, this bias could create a panic with the model showing a land-falling hurricane ten days out only for the storm to not develop or dissipate well before land.

    Regional forecasting models

    Another type of model the NHC uses to refine its forecast tracks is the regional hurricane model. Referred to as regional because, as Setzer says, “They don’t cover the whole globe, just the region of a hurricane.” This model became vital during Hurricane Milton.

    Adding, “The Hurricane Analysis Forecast System (HAFS) version B did a good job not only predicting Milton’s intensity but also predicting when it would strengthen and weaken based on internal storm dynamics.”

    However, that was after Milton had already formed. Before development, the models struggle. This was the case with both Hurricanes Milton and Oscar.

    Models aren’t exact

    The NHC releases outlooks every six hours during the season for the tropical basins, including the Atlantic. Those include both a two-day graphical tropical weather outlook and a seven-day graphical tropical weather outlook. This year, both Hurricanes Milton and Oscar precursor storms were given low odds of development, only to then form within 12 to 24 hours.

    An area of disturbed weather that would eventually become Milton was given low odds to develop two days before Milton formed. (NHC)

    “Milton was fairly well predicted after the area of convection started to consolidate in the western Gulf of Mexico. Prior to that, there were several areas the models seemed to focus on for development, but it didn’t occur,” explains Setzer.

    Adding, “Oscar was such a small system, it likely was underrepresented in the data going into the model, and then the model has difficulty in the handling of a very small atmospheric feature.”

    Oscar ended up being the smallest hurricane on record, with a hurricane wind field of five or six miles. The Hurricane Hunters, scientists and pilots who fly into tropical systems to investigate conditions happened to be at the right place at the right time. Due to its Oscar’s proximity to land, they flew into the storm.  

    Would the same designation have been given if the storm was in the far eastern Atlantic?

    “It’s a good question.”

    He explains. “While our satellites are very good, they currently cannot resolve small-scale storm intensity. It is likely Oscar would have been only designated a tropical storm had it remained in the open ocean away from aircraft reconnaissance. “

    Overall, the models did well with all 18 named storms this season. “I’m hopeful this trend in model improvement will bring us better predictions, resulting in more specific warnings and storm preparation areas in the near future,” says Setzer.

    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 Stacy Lynn

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  • Thanksgiving weather we were not thankful for

    Thanksgiving is a time for the gathering of family and friends, for great food, football, and for some, shopping. Most of the time, the weather around the Thanksgiving holiday centers on travel impacts.

    Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and a little bit of “not so nice weather” can cause a lot of travel headaches.

    Many times, the weather is just an inconvenience, but sometimes around Thanksgiving, the weather has been dangerous and even deadly.

    What You Need To Know

    • Thanksgiving storms are not all about wintry weather

    • The transition in seasons can allow for active weather in late November

    • Thanksgiving storms can affect even more people due to holiday travel

    Though Thanksgiving is celebrated in the later part of fall, we’re still in a time of year with the clash of air masses, we can see some pretty big storm systems. And we’re not just taking snow and wintry precipitation.

    November can see some late season severe weather outbreaks. Not to mention, the hurricane season is still underway in November, not ending until the end of the month.

    Here are a few of the major Thanksgiving storms that have impacted the United States in the last 100 years.

    Nov. 25, 1926: Thanksgiving Day tornado outbreak

    The Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1926 is a perfect example of a late season severe weather outbreak for the Deep South. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1926, there were 14 reported tornadoes across central and eastern Arkansas.

    Four of the tornadoes were rated at F3 and F4 on the old Fujita Scale of tornado intensity.

    This was the deadliest tornado outbreak in the state of Arkansas until a severe weather outbreak in Jan. 1949.

    Arkansas was not the only state hit by this Thanksgiving Day weather system. Louisiana had 11 fatalities, as several tornadoes made their way through that area, as well.

    Nov. 24-25, 1950: The Great Appalachian Storm

    On the day after Thanksgiving in 1950, an area of low pressure developed along a cold front in southeastern North Carolina. That low would become the storm that would be called The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950.

    As the system moved northward, it rapidly strengthened near Washington, D.C. on the morning of Nov. 25. Over time, the storm moved more northwest, more inland, into the Ohio Valley.

    The strong low pressure system pulled frigid air down across the eastern U.S. With moisture wrapping into this cold air, snow was reported as far south as Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. The bulk of the snow occurred across the Ohio Valley, with many locations seeing over two feet of snow in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

    Coburn Creek, West Virginia reported 62 inches of snow from the storm. Farther north, the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast also saw some snowfall from the storm.

    Units of the 112th Engineers of the Ohio National Guard use shovels to help free snow bound streets of Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 28, 1950. Weekend storm caused one of the worst traffic jams in Cleveland’s history. (AP Photo)

    And speaking of the cold air, many reporting stations saw all time record low temperatures for November during this weather event.

    As far south as Florida, Pensacola had a low of 22 degrees. It was 16 degrees in Wilmington, North Carolina; 5 degrees in Birmingham, Alabama; 3 degrees in Atlanta and 1 degree in Asheville, North Carolina. The temperature in Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee dropped below zero to -1 degrees.

    Looking toward downtown Pittsburgh, Webster Avenue is buried in snow, Nov. 26, 1950, after a record snowfall. The Mellon skyscraper is under construction at left in background. (AP Photo/Walter Stein)

    Looking toward downtown Pittsburgh, Webster Avenue is buried in snow, Nov. 26, 1950, after a record snowfall. The Mellon skyscraper is under construction at left in background. (AP Photo/Walter Stein)

    Strong wind was another factor in the storm. Winds at Mount Washington reached 160 mph. A wind gust of 110 mph was reported at Concord, New Hampshire. A gust to 94 mph was recorded in New York City.

    These strong winds cause wide spread tree damage and power outages. Along the coast, the strong winds produced coastal flooding. Runways at LaGuardia Airport in New York were flooded when coastal flooding overwashed dikes in the area.

    Overall, 22 states were affected by the Storm of 1950. 383 people lost their lives in the storm and it caused over 65 million dollars in damages (almost $1 billion today).

    Nov. 24-25, 1971: Thanksgiving snowstorm

    21 years later, another early season winter storm would affect some of the same areas as The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950.

    On the Thanksgiving Eve, snow started falling across parts of the Northeast U.S. As the snow continued to fall through the night, the precipitation increased and by Thanksgiving afternoon, snowfall totals of 20 to 30 inches of snow were reported across parts of the Catskills and Upper Hudson River Valley.

    Pennsylvania saw the most snow from the storm. Albany, New York recorded just under two feet of snow. The storm stranded travelers in the region as they tried to make their way to their Thanksgiving destinations.

    Because the air temperature was near the freezing mark during the storm, the system produced a heavy, wet snow. This caused roofs to collapse, tree damage and widespread power outages across the region.

    Nov. 25, 1982: Hawaii hurricane

    From severe weather and winter storms, we switch to a tropical system. November is still tropical season in the Atlantic and the Pacific, and in Nov. 1982, Hurricane Iwa found its way to Hawaii. It was the first significant hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands since the island was made a U.S. state in 1959.

    Hurricane Iwa at peak intensity just north of Kauaʻi, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1982. (NOAA)

    Hurricane Iwa at peak intensity just north of Kauaʻi, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1982. (NOAA)

    The strong Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph struck the islands of Ni’ihau, Kaua’i and O’ahu on Thanksgiving Day 1982. Those areas reported wind gusts of over 100 mph during the storm.

    A few gusts up to 120 mph were reported. Coastal locations saw about eight feet of storm surge. In those areas, the ocean waters pushed over 900 feet inland during the surge. One reporting station received over 20 inches of rain during the hurricane.

    A clean-up crew picks up tree branches knocked down by Hurricane Iwa. (U.S. National Archive)

    A clean-up crew picks up tree branches knocked down by Hurricane Iwa. (U.S. National Archives)

    Almost 2,000 homes were destroyed. Hundreds were left homeless and four people were killed, either directly or indirectly because of the storm.

    Nov. 26-27, 1983: The Great Thanksgiving Weekend Blizzard

    In 1983, it was the central and western parts of the country that dealt with a winter storm at Thanksgiving.

    The blizzard hit on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving and affected Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wyoming and Nebraska.

    One of the hardest hit locations was Denver. The city received almost two feet of snow in 36 hours. The storm shut down Stapleton Airport for 24 hours. Several thousand passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport.

    It was not much better on the roads around Denver. Thousands of people were stranded on local interstate highways.

    Eight to nine-foot snow drifts were reported in Nebraska and Kansas. Major highways were closed in all states affected by the storm.

    An interesting fact about the Great Thanksgiving Weekend Blizzard of 1983. Snow from the storm stayed on the ground in Denver for over two months, not melting until late January the following year.

    Nov. 26, 1987: Thanksgiving Day Storm

    On Thanksgiving Day 1987, a significant winter system hit the northeastern United States.

    A winter storm dumped anywhere from 1 to almost two feet of snow from Upstate New York through the New England states. In New Hampshire, parts of the state received 18 inches of snow. In Maine, there were stations that saw just under two feet of snow accumulation.

    Along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, strong winds and waves battered the coastline.

    Nov. 23, 1989: Thanksgiving Day Storm

    Two years later, another Thanksgiving Day storm battered parts of the East Coast and northeastern U.S.

    An unidentified street person huddles with his belongings on the Ellipse in morning on Thursday, Nov. 23, 1989 in Washington Monument after a light snow hit the area late Wednesday night. Some 4-inches of snow hit the Washington area on this Thanksgiving Day. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

    An unidentified street person huddles with his belongings on the Ellipse morning of Thursday, Nov. 23, 1989 in Washington Monument after a light snow hit the area late Wednesday night. Some 4 inches of snow hit the Washington area on this Thanksgiving Day. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

    Developing low pressure brought significant rain to the Carolinas and as it moved northward, the system turned more wintry. Parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast saw snowfall totals that ranged from a few inches to over a foot.

    New York City saw almost 5 inches of snow. Parts of Long Island picked up nine inches of snow. Cape Cod reported over a foot of snow.

    An interesting fact about the snow in New York City. Before the snow accumulation on Thanksgiving Day 1989, the last time snow had accumulated there, on Thanksgiving Day, was over 50 years earlier in 1938.

    Ryan Tuman, 9, of Erdenheim, N.Y. takes a running belly flop onto the snow-covered bleachers during the Penn-Cornell football game in Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

    Ryan Tuman, 9, of Erdenheim, N.Y. takes a running belly flop onto the snow-covered bleachers during the Penn-Cornell football game in Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

    And as bad as the weather was in New York that day, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade went off on schedule. A few of the parade’s big balloons paid the price, however, as they were damaged in the gusty winds caused by the storm.

    So overall, thankfully, we’ve been blessed with “not so bad” weather for most Thanksgivings across the United States in the past decades.

    So here’s to high pressure and a quiet weather pattern to always be with us around Thanksgiving time. Because we all know, even a little bad weather can go a long way in making a big mess of Thanksgiving plans.

    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.

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

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  • Discover the carbon footprint of your Thanksgiving feast

    Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While the cost of your holiday meal may impact your wallet, what you’ll eat at your dining room table could affect the climate too. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The highest producer of carbon dioxide of your meal is macaroni and cheese

    • Potatoes are the most climate friendly option

    • Vegetables also have a low climate impact

    This blog is going to make you hungry.

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for food. My favorite dishes are sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, dressing and macaroni cheese.

    Plus, my favorite holiday desserts are sweet potato pie and mom’s 7UP! pound cake.

    So, I was curious about the impact some of my favorite dishes had on our environment. I looked over data from Our World in Data, a nonprofit that focus on global issues from the environment to agriculture.

    So let’s discuss the environmental impact of your holiday feast.

    Turkey

    The data classifies turkey as poultry meat. The main course of your meal will contribute about 21 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere.

    Raising and the transport of turkeys from farms to processing is factored into the environmental impact of the main dish.

    Mashed Potatoes

    Now to some of your favorite sides during this festive feast.

    Potatoes are climate friendly. I really enjoy mashed potatoes with gravy.

    They produce about 1 lb of greenhouse emissions. Potatoes are the most climate friendly option because they are sustainably grown.

    The starchy vegetable uses less water and land to grow. 

    Macaroni and Cheese

    It’s a different story for macaroni and cheese, which is a popular side dish during this time of year. The cheesy side contributes about 37 lbs of CO2 to the atmosphere.

    Macaroni and cheese has a high climate compact because the milk needed to make the cheese comes from cows, goats and sheep.

    Livestock from these animal groups creates and emits greenhouse gases.

    Vegetables

    Vegetables are also important for the Thanksgiving meal. Whether it’s asparagus, broccoli or peas, all of them have a lower climate impact.

    All three vegetables contribute less than 2 lbs of greenhouse gases.

    Just like potatoes, it takes less natural resources to grow these vegetables.

    Biscuits

    We cannot forget about those Thanksgiving biscuits. The buttery bread has a climate impact of 4 lbs of CO2.

    The ingredients are key in determining the impact of this item. Flour, butter, salt, sugar and milk make up biscuits.

    So, the study is taking in account the ingredients used to determine the impact of this flaky bread. 

    Desserts

    Let’s discuss some deserts. Unfortunately, the study does not include pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie, but they list apple pie and carrot cake.

    Apple pie contributes about 3 lbs of CO2 to the atmosphere, while carrot cake contributes 4 lbs of greenhouse emissions.

    Like biscuits, the study took into account the ingredients to make the desserts.

    No matter what you eat this Thanksgiving, enjoy it and be happy with your friends and family.

    I know I am going to grab 2 to 3 plates myself.

    There’s a lot to be thankful for this year, so enjoy and have a festive and safe holiday.

    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 Keith Bryant

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  • How weather controls what’s on your Thanksgiving table

    Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I’m already looking forward to the moist turkey, the apple pie, the wine and even the cranberry sauce!

    When you think about it, everything that we eat and drink on the holiday is affected by the weather.

    What You Need To Know

    • Weather affects many Thanksgiving Day favorites

    • Turkeys have a higher survival rate in warmer climates

    • Light winds and plenty of sunshine help grow the perfect grapes for wine

    • Farmers must watch apples throughout the entire season to get the best apple


    The centerpiece of your table, the turkey, heavily depends on the weather in which it is raised. The survival rate of turkeys is not as great in colder weather as it is in warmer weather.

    According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), 55-60% of turkeys survive bitter cold and snow. Although that is much less than the 70-100% survival rate in warmer climates, it remains enough to feed us all on Thanksgiving while maintaining a healthy and safe population.

    Leading up to fall, the weather affects apples immensely. In the spring, it is important that the apple farmers monitor temperature, humidity and any precipitation, as the bugs and parasites that can ruin crops depend on those conditions.

    In the summer, if the temperature gets too hot and not enough rain falls, apple crops could be ruined. In the fall, cooler overnight temperatures help apples get their red color and help them ripen up. This, of course, allows for the perfect apple pie.

    A lot of sunshine helps create an better grape and, hence, wine flavor. Light winds help to keep fungus off of grapes and help them dry out. Frost and freeze is generally bad for grapes and wine production. However, ice wine can be created from the frozen fruit.

    Last, cranberries rely on temperature. In fact, they are typically grown in the southern part of our country as the temperature there stays warmer. Lots of sunshine helps keep the fruit sweet, and that means the best-tasting cranberry sauce.

    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 Kaylee Wendt

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  • Colder air can leave your tires feeling deflated

    As we move more into the colder months, it may be time to check the air pressure of your tires.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cold air will cause your tires to lose air pressure

    • Check your tires every winter and again in the spring

    • Not everyone has a warning light to monitor

    Imagine it is a cold morning; you rush outside to start your car. Shortly after getting it warmed up, you back out of the driveway, and you hear a noise: ding.

    A funny light has appeared on your dashboard, something like this:

    (Getty Images)

    What is that?

    It is your TMPS warning light, also known as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. In short, it means your tires need air.

    With the drop in temperatures, the air pressure of your tires will also begin to drop. In general, for every 10 degrees colder it gets, you will lose about one to two PSI (pounds per square inch) from your tires.

    Why does this happen?

    As the air cools, it contracts. Colder air also means fewer molecules move around. The air molecules will produce less pressure on the walls of the tires. Thus, you end up with tires that look flat.

    For example, say you last had your tires aired up when it was 75 degrees outside. Now, today, it is 25 degrees. That is a 50-degree change, and it means your tires may have lost upwards of 10 PSI. 

    Now is the time to have your tire’s air pressure checked and, if needed, refilled. How much air do your tires need? Check on the tires themselves or the inside of the driver door.

    A tire pressure label inside the driver door. (Spectrum News/Justin Gehrts)

    Keeping your tires properly inflated can keep you safe on the road. Low tire pressure causes more of the rubber to hit the road. This leads to extra wear on your tires and can also lead to some loss of steering control. 

    What if the light turns off after driving for a while? You should still check your tires. Heat generates on the tire as you drive. That heat is then transferred to the air molecules inside of the tires, increasing the pressure (temporarily).

    Some older model vehicles do not have TMPS sensors. If you notice your tires look a little flat, it is beyond time to have your air pressure checked.

    It’s not just air pressure to keep an eye on–your tires need other care in the winter, too.

    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.

    Chief Meteorologist JD Rudd

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  • Sara dissipates after bringing significant flooding to Central America

    Sara was the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed into a tropical storm on Thursday, Nov. 14 in the western Caribbean Sea and brought heavy rainfall and significant flooding to Central America, specifically parts of Honduras and Belize.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sara was the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

    • It made landfall in Belize as a tropical storm

    • It brought significant rainfall and flooding to Central America

    After forming in the Caribbean Sea, Sara slowly drifted westward toward Central America. As it approached Honduras, it stalled near the northern coast on Nov. 15. 

    As it sat stationary for a day just offshore, it brought extreme rainfall to parts of Honduras with rainfall totals almost up to 40 inches, causing significant flooding.

    Sara moved through the Bay Islands of Honduras, and eventually landfall in Belize on Sunday, Nov. 17 as a tropical storm with max winds of 40 mph.

    Portions of Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua and southern Mexico also saw some locally heavy rainfall and flooding from Sara. It weakened into a tropical depression after landfall, and dissipated as it moved through the Yucatan into the Bay of Campeche.

    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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

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  • Weathering the front: How nature’s fury defined World War I

    The First World War, occurring from 1914 to 1918, remains a testament to the endurance and ultimate sacrifice made by millions.

    Occurring over a century ago, the weather was far less predictable than it is now but was just as brutal as it can be today and made life for soldiers incredibly difficult, whether that was from extreme heat, freezing cold or flooding rainfall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Soldiers endured scorching heat, freezing cold and relentless rainfall during WWI

    • Adverse weather affected warfare strategy, soldier mortality rate and the influenza pandemic

    • There were periods of unchanging weather patterns leading to prolonged moments of heat waves or floods

    Remembrance Day is a memorial holiday that coincides with Veterans Day each year. We honor our American veterans today from all conflicts past and present, but the end of World War 1 is also remembered on this holiday.

    Major hostilities from the Great War were formally ended on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when armistice began. Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, was officially renamed to Veterans Day in 1954.

    The weather had a significant impact on the war and was an enemy for soldiers in the trenches.

    Extreme heat

    As the summer of 1914 unfolded, invasions were occurring and soldiers were traveling in the dog days of summer. Temperatures soared to unprecedented highs in northern Europe. At one point, a heat wave broke out, bringing temperatures above 86 degrees for several days straight early in the month.

    Soldiers wearing wool uniforms and burdened with heavy equipment confronted the scorching heat as they navigated challenging terrains to reach the front lines.

    The extreme heat was then followed by unexpectedly early extreme cold, which made managing resources difficult.

    Freezing cold

    The bitter cold that gripped the Western Front during the winter months was a sharp contrast to the preceding summer of 1914. Temperatures in November of that year became much colder than average, leaving soldiers without winter coats in the harsh conditions.

    Help would come in December when gloves and winter coats would be handed out, but fur-lined boots wouldn’t arrive until January.

    In 1917, a severe winter struck between Jan. 20 and Feb. 9, with temperatures never rising above freezing. In the middle of that arctic blast, one February night saw the overnight low plummet to a bone-chilling nine degrees below zero, rendering limbs and fingers numb.

    The soldiers would try their best to keep warm by building fires in the trenches, but that quickly proved fruitless because the smoke would become trapped and suffocate the men.

    It wasn’t only smoke that became trapped in the trenches, but these long, zig-zag rows, often 12 feet deep, would become small rivers during heavy rain.

    Flooding rainfall

    One of the most pervasive effects of weather on World War I was the relentless onslaught of rain. For 648 days – almost half of the war’s duration – rain and snow battered the Western Front, transforming trenches into mud and misery.

    For over two weeks in Jan. 1915, over four and a half inches of rain fell in northeastern France, which was double what they would normally get during that time of the year.

    Torrential rainfall in 1915, 1916 and 1918 had a decisive role in major battles such as Verdun and the Somme, contributing to the death of over a million soldiers. 

    Many times, large ridges of high pressure over Russia would produce extreme cold in the eastern part of Europe and result in a repetitive pattern of low pressure systems for western Europe, bringing little to no sunshine or heavy rainfall for the area. 

    It’s worth mentioning that the war and the influenza pandemic teamed up with the hazardous weather to make for especially deadly conditions for those fighting.

    Experts have uncovered data showing that the mallard ducks migration, influenced by adverse weather, likely played a role in the flu’s transmission to humans, especially during the fall of 1917 and 1918.

    Nearly 10 million soldiers were killed during World War I, with over 116,000 from the United states. The relationship between extreme weather and the severity of both the war and the influenza pandemic emphasizes the vulnerability of humanity to the forces of nature.

    As we reflect on those who have fought to keep America free and those who continue to serve our country that way today, let us remember the bravery of those who endured such hostile conditions during one of the most deadly conflicts in history.

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

    Meteorologist Thomas Meiners

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  • Hurricane Rafael drifts westward in the Gulf of Mexico

    Category 2 Hurricane Rafael is drifting westward in the Gulf after making landfall in Cuba on Wednesday. Rafael made landfall in the Cuban province of Artemisa as a Category 3 hurricane with max winds of 115 mph.

    Rafael became a tropical storm on Monday, Nov. 4 and strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday, Nov. 6

    • It made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane

    • Rafael will drift across the Gulf of Mexico into the weekend

    Rafael continues to drift westward in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a Category 2 hurricane with max winds of 105 mph. It’s becoming slightly better organized and stronger as it moves over the southeastern Gulf.


    As it moves through the Gulf of Mexico, it should gradually begin to weaken because of high wind shear and cooler waters. We expect further weakening over the Gulf, well west of Florida, through the weekend.

    The track has shifted and will pose no threat to Florida or most of the U.S. Gulf coast. At this time, a Mexico landfall is possible, but it could also dissipate over water.

    Winds and seas will be hazardous in the Gulf of Mexico. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the Eastern Gulf waters through Friday morning with a high risk of rip currents along the Gulf Coast beaches. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect over the open Gulf of Mexico waters.

    Check to see how the rest of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is going so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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

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