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  • ‘Wolf Moon’: 2026’s first full moon will also be a supermoon

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    The first full moon of 2026 rises this weekend and it just so happens to be one of only three supermoons this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • The ‘Wolf Moon’ rises this weekend

    • It will one of only three supermoons this year

    • Saturday evening will be the best time to see it across the U.S.


    January’s full moon, called the ‘Wolf Moon’, will brighten the night sky throughout this weekend. It technically will peak at 5:03 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but the best time to see it will be after it rises above the horizon that evening. 

    The ‘Wolf Moon’ also happens to be a supermoon this year. This occurs when the moon is closer to earth (parigee) so it appears larger and brighter than normal. You’ll have to wait until November to see the next supermoon.

    Visibility looks good across the Central U.S. Saturday evening, but clouds could be an issue on the opposite coasts.

    Potential cloud coverage Saturday evening across the U.S. (weathermodels.com)

     

     

    According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon gets its name due to it being a time you can hear the call of wolves. Though we know that happens year-round, the vocal calls of wolves can be haunting during the winter months.

    Other names given by various Native American tribes include Cold Moon (Cree), Center Moon (Assiniboin), and Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin).

    The next full moon will be the Full Snow Moon which will occur on Sunday, February 1st.

    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.

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    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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

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    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.

    [ad_2]

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

    Source link

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

    [ad_1]

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson

    Source link

  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • The Ursid meteor shower arrives, the last of 2025

    [ad_1]

    The last meteor shower of 2025, the Ursid meteor shower, arrives each year around the winter solstice. While it isn’t as impressive as the recent Geminid shower, it’s still worth seeing.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Ursid meteor shower peaks in the pre-dawn hours of Dec. 22

    • The average number of meteors per hour is 5-10. On rare occasions, there have been bursts near 100

    • The Ursid meteor shower originates from the debris trail of Comet 8P/Tuttle

    What causes most meteor showers?

    Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through debris left over from a comet or asteroid. This debris material is usually no bigger than a large grain of sand. When these particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, leaving bright, sometimes colorful streaks of light in the night sky.

    In the case of the Ursids, the debris trail is left over from Comet 8P/Tuttle. This comet was first discovered in 1790 by Pierre Mechain from Paris, France. Later, in 1858, Horace Tuttle of Harvard University rediscovered the comet when its orbit took it back through the solar system.

    When and where to meet watch

    The Ursids range from Dec. 13 to 24. The peak arrives on the evening of December 21st through dawn. Make sure you dress warmly and find a dark location, away from lights. A country area is ideal. Allow your eyes to adjust to the night sky, which takes up to 30 minutes. The best time to watch the sky is from around 1 a.m. EST until dawn.

    All annual meteor showers have a radiant point from which they originate. With the Ursids, they radiate from the area of the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. (Big Dipper & Little Dipper). More specifically, from the star Kochab in the Little Dipper constellation. Look for the Big Dipper and the star Kochab well to the north-northeast.

    Keep in mind, you don’t need to look directly at the radiant point (near the star Kochab in the Little Dipper); looking about 30 to 40 degrees away often yields longer, more impressive meteor trails across the sky.

    Here is the cloud forecast across the nation during the peak viewing time:

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Scott Dean

    Source link

  • The Ursid meteor shower arrives, the last of 2025

    [ad_1]

    The last meteor shower of 2025, the Ursid meteor shower, arrives each year around the winter solstice. While it isn’t as impressive as the recent Geminid shower, it’s still worth seeing.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Ursid meteor shower peaks in the pre-dawn hours of Dec. 22

    • The average number of meteors per hour is 5-10. On rare occasions, there have been bursts near 100

    • The Ursid meteor shower originates from the debris trail of Comet 8P/Tuttle

    What causes most meteor showers?

    Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through debris left over from a comet or asteroid. This debris material is usually no bigger than a large grain of sand. When these particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, leaving bright, sometimes colorful streaks of light in the night sky.

    In the case of the Ursids, the debris trail is left over from Comet 8P/Tuttle. This comet was first discovered in 1790 by Pierre Mechain from Paris, France. Later, in 1858, Horace Tuttle of Harvard University rediscovered the comet when its orbit took it back through the solar system.

    When and where to meet watch

    The Ursids range from Dec. 13 to 24. The peak arrives on the evening of December 21st through dawn. Make sure you dress warmly and find a dark location, away from lights. A country area is ideal. Allow your eyes to adjust to the night sky, which takes up to 30 minutes. The best time to watch the sky is from around 1 a.m. EST until dawn.

    All annual meteor showers have a radiant point from which they originate. With the Ursids, they radiate from the area of the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. (Big Dipper & Little Dipper). More specifically, from the star Kochab in the Little Dipper constellation. Look for the Big Dipper and the star Kochab well to the north-northeast.

    Keep in mind, you don’t need to look directly at the radiant point (near the star Kochab in the Little Dipper); looking about 30 to 40 degrees away often yields longer, more impressive meteor trails across the sky.

    Here is the cloud forecast across the nation during the peak viewing time:

    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.

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    Meteorologist Scott Dean

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  • The earliest sunset isn’t on the winter solstice

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    The winter solstice will occur at 10:03 a.m. ET on Dec. 21 this year, and even though the day of the winter solstice is the shortest of the year, the latest sunrise and earliest sunset do not occur on this day.

    What You Need To Know

    • The solar day impacts sunrises and sunsets

    • A solar day is longer near the winter solstice

    • The sun rises later in the winter and sets later



    Understanding a solar day

    Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The time from one solar noon to the next solar noon is called a solar day.

    The length of a solar day changes throughout the year because of the tilt and position of the Earth. Because of this, a solar day can be more than or less than 24 hours depending on the time of the year.

    The problem is that we count our days as exactly 24 hours. So, with the solar day being more than 24 hours near the winter solstice, this means solar noon will occur at a later time each day. The sun will also rise later and set later.

    If the sun is setting later each day before the solstice, that means the earliest sunset has already happened.

    Since the sun also rises later each day, this means the latest sunrise has yet to occur. The latest sunrise will happen a few weeks after the official start of winter.

    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.

     

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • The Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend

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    The Geminid meteor shower peaks heading into this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Geminid meteor shower peaks the night of Dec. 13

    • Up to 150 meteors per hour

    • Known as one of the best meteor showers of the year



    Every year in December, the night sky treats us to one of the best and brightest displays known as the Geminid meteor shower. 

    When to watch

    The Geminids can be viewed in the night sky as early as 9 p.m. The best time to view the Geminid meteor shower will be in the pre-dawn hours between 1 and 3 a.m.

    Tips for viewing

    To see up to 150 meteors in one hour, you will need to be far away from city lights and tall buildings. Ideally, there will be clear skies for viewing on the night of the 13th. 

    After you arrive, avoid bright lights, such as phone screens, for 15–20 minutes so your eyes can adapt to the darkness.

    A waning crescent moon will make viewing conditions even better because there will not be much moonlight to wash out the meteors, which are often bright and vivid.

    Here is the cloud forecast through the weekend across the country. 


    Even though the peak is this weekend, you can still view the Geminid meteor shower through December 21st. 

    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.

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    Meteorologist Ramel Carpenter

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  • December’s ‘Cold Moon’ will be the final supermoon of the year

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    December’s full moon will appear in the sky this week. It’s the final full moon and third supermoon of the year, also known as the ‘Cold Moon.’ The Cold Moon gets its name from being closest to the winter solstice. It is also known as the ‘Moon Before Yule’ and the ‘Long Night Moon.’

    It reached its peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 4, but it will be visible and appear full to the naked eye during the next couple nights.

    What You Need To Know

    • December’s full moon peaks Thursday evening

    • It’s the final full moon and third supermoon of 2025

    • The next full moon will be the ‘Wolf Moon’ on Jan. 3, 2026


    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 in the sky, which means that the moon will be at the opposite. That means that you will be able to see the bright Cold Moon for a longer period in the night sky.

    What is a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the full moon happens at the same time the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. This year’s Cold Moon will be the third supermoon of 2025, joining October’s ‘Harvest Moon’ and November’s ‘Beaver 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.

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • December’s ‘Cold Moon’ will be the final supermoon of the year

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    December’s full moon will appear in the sky this week. It’s the final full moon and third supermoon of the year, also known as the ‘Cold Moon.’ The Cold Moon gets its name from being closest to the winter solstice. It is also known as the ‘Moon Before Yule’ and the ‘Long Night Moon.’

    It reached its peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 4, but it will be visible and appear full to the naked eye during the next couple nights.

    What You Need To Know

    • December’s full moon peaks Thursday evening

    • It’s the final full moon and third supermoon of 2025

    • The next full moon will be the ‘Wolf Moon’ on Jan. 3, 2026


    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 in the sky, which means that the moon will be at the opposite. That means that you will be able to see the bright Cold Moon for a longer period in the night sky.

    What is a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the full moon happens at the same time the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. This year’s Cold Moon will be the third supermoon of 2025, joining October’s ‘Harvest Moon’ and November’s ‘Beaver 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.

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • Decaying leaves: The gift that keeps on giving

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    When you think of autumn, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pumpkin spice? Cooler weather?

    For many, it’s the leaves transforming.

    With most of the country past peak foliage, those leaves have likely fallen and are littering lawns and streets. It’s a great time to think about what to do with the leaves as they fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fall foliage has reached peak or past peak across most of the country

    • Fallen leaves are biodegradable

    • Composting is one of the many options for decaying leaves

    While stepping on a crunchy leaf is extremely satisfying, the leaves take over yards, sidewalks and streets.

    Sometimes when it rains, fallen leaves clog storm drains and can be a hazard while walking. So, it’s no surprise that many want to clean up these dead leaves.

    People commonly bag the fallen leaves and consider the leaves trash.

    But what if there were more environmentally friendly ways to take care of these dying leaves?

    (Pic by Remi Lynn)

    When you bag the dried autumn leaves and put them on the curb, they end up as trash in a landfill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard waste accounts for nearly 20% of all garbage generated in the United States each year. That’s over 31 million tons.

    As the leaves and other yard waste sit in landfills, they produce methane, which can pollute nearby air and soil.

    So what are the alternatives?

    Alternatives to leaf bagging

    Realistically, leaves can remain in the yard where they fall. You can chop them with a mulching mower or even a regular lawnmower.

    Leaves are biodegradable, meaning that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose them. While whole leaves take a longer time to break down (about two to three years), cut-up leaves decompose faster (about one year) and can provide plenty of nutrients for the soil.

    (Photo by Chris Thompson)

    You can use whole and/or chopped leaves in gardens and flower beds as mulch.

    If you still don’t want leaves scattered all across the lawn, composting is a great way to beautify your lawn and garden in multiple ways.

    To compost decaying leaves, chop them with a mower and combine them with green material (grass clippings work great here). Keep the combination moist and well mixed. It will probably take until spring to break down, but the result is a nutrient-rich fertilizer for any plants or crops.

    If DIY composting isn’t your thing, check out local groups that collect leaves for composting. Happy leaf collecting!

    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.

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • Decaying leaves: The gift that keeps on giving

    [ad_1]

    When you think of autumn, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pumpkin spice? Cooler weather?

    For many, it’s the leaves transforming.

    With most of the country past peak foliage, those leaves have likely fallen and are littering lawns and streets. It’s a great time to think about what to do with the leaves as they fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fall foliage has reached peak or past peak across most of the country

    • Fallen leaves are biodegradable

    • Composting is one of the many options for decaying leaves

    While stepping on a crunchy leaf is extremely satisfying, the leaves take over yards, sidewalks and streets.

    Sometimes when it rains, fallen leaves clog storm drains and can be a hazard while walking. So, it’s no surprise that many want to clean up these dead leaves.

    People commonly bag the fallen leaves and consider the leaves trash.

    But what if there were more environmentally friendly ways to take care of these dying leaves?

    (Pic by Remi Lynn)

    When you bag the dried autumn leaves and put them on the curb, they end up as trash in a landfill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard waste accounts for nearly 20% of all garbage generated in the United States each year. That’s over 31 million tons.

    As the leaves and other yard waste sit in landfills, they produce methane, which can pollute nearby air and soil.

    So what are the alternatives?

    Alternatives to leaf bagging

    Realistically, leaves can remain in the yard where they fall. You can chop them with a mulching mower or even a regular lawnmower.

    Leaves are biodegradable, meaning that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose them. While whole leaves take a longer time to break down (about two to three years), cut-up leaves decompose faster (about one year) and can provide plenty of nutrients for the soil.

    (Photo by Chris Thompson)

    You can use whole and/or chopped leaves in gardens and flower beds as mulch.

    If you still don’t want leaves scattered all across the lawn, composting is a great way to beautify your lawn and garden in multiple ways.

    To compost decaying leaves, chop them with a mower and combine them with green material (grass clippings work great here). Keep the combination moist and well mixed. It will probably take until spring to break down, but the result is a nutrient-rich fertilizer for any plants or crops.

    If DIY composting isn’t your thing, check out local groups that collect leaves for composting. Happy leaf collecting!

    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.

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • Catch the dazzling Leonid meteor shower

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    The Leonid meteor shower is one of the most famous and historically significant celestial events, occurring every November, with tons of meteors available to view.

    What You Need To Know

    • Meteors appear to radiate from a point within the constellation Leo

    • Best viewing hours are between midnight and dawn
    • The Leonids are known to feature fast-moving meteors



    We’re lucky enough to witness this celestial show from now until Nov. 20. This meteor shower is caused by Earth’s passage through the dusty trail left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This small comet orbits the Sun roughly every 33 years, creating a river of cosmic stardust in its wake.

    How to see the shower

    The best time to look is typically in the hours after midnight and before dawn when the constellation Leo climbs highest in the eastern sky. The shower is active throughout this month, but its peak usually occurs around Nov. 18. Below is a forecast loop of cloud cover through early morning of the 21st. 

    For optimal viewing, find a location far from city lights, lie flat on your back, and simply look up, allowing about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. 

    Science behind the shower

    The Leonids are renowned for their exceptional speed, clocking in at around 158,000 mph, making them one of the fastest annual meteor showers. This high velocity directly results from the comet’s orbit, going around the Sun in the opposite direction to Earth.

    Because the comet’s debris hits our atmosphere nearly head-on, the resulting flashes are typically bright and leave behind glowing trails or produce colorful fireballs. These meteors appear brighter than the brightest stars and the planet Venus.

    Even in a typical year, when observers might see a modest rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the sheer intensity of the Leonids ensures a captivating display.

    Why this shower is so special

    The Leonids are in a class of their own among other meteor showers for the sheer volume of meteors to see. While most meteor showers are consistent year over year, the Leonids are capable of bursts of activity where the rate of visible meteors skyrockets to over 1,000 per hour.

    This phenomenon occurs approximately every 33 years, coinciding with the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle’s closest approach to the Sun. During these rare events, Earth passes through a particularly dense, fresh debris field. Historically, these storms have been awesome, with the 1833 and 1966 events being among the most famous, where meteors “fell like rain.”

    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.

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    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

    Source link

  • Catch the dazzling Leonid meteor shower

    [ad_1]

    The Leonid meteor shower is one of the most famous and historically significant celestial events, occurring every November, with tons of meteors available to view.

    What You Need To Know

    • Meteors appear to radiate from a point within the constellation Leo

    • Best viewing hours are between midnight and dawn
    • The Leonids are known to feature fast-moving meteors



    We’re lucky enough to witness this celestial show from now until Nov. 20. This meteor shower is caused by Earth’s passage through the dusty trail left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This small comet orbits the Sun roughly every 33 years, creating a river of cosmic stardust in its wake.

    How to see the shower

    The best time to look is typically in the hours after midnight and before dawn when the constellation Leo climbs highest in the eastern sky. The shower is active throughout this month, but its peak usually occurs around Nov. 18. Below is a forecast loop of cloud cover through early morning of the 21st. 

    For optimal viewing, find a location far from city lights, lie flat on your back, and simply look up, allowing about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. 

    Science behind the shower

    The Leonids are renowned for their exceptional speed, clocking in at around 158,000 mph, making them one of the fastest annual meteor showers. This high velocity directly results from the comet’s orbit, going around the Sun in the opposite direction to Earth.

    Because the comet’s debris hits our atmosphere nearly head-on, the resulting flashes are typically bright and leave behind glowing trails or produce colorful fireballs. These meteors appear brighter than the brightest stars and the planet Venus.

    Even in a typical year, when observers might see a modest rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the sheer intensity of the Leonids ensures a captivating display.

    Why this shower is so special

    The Leonids are in a class of their own among other meteor showers for the sheer volume of meteors to see. While most meteor showers are consistent year over year, the Leonids are capable of bursts of activity where the rate of visible meteors skyrockets to over 1,000 per hour.

    This phenomenon occurs approximately every 33 years, coinciding with the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle’s closest approach to the Sun. During these rare events, Earth passes through a particularly dense, fresh debris field. Historically, these storms have been awesome, with the 1833 and 1966 events being among the most famous, where meteors “fell like rain.”

    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.

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    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

    Source link

  • It’s time to spin your ceiling fan the other way

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    If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on and look up at it. Which direction are the blades spinning? If they’re going counterclockwise, it’s time to change direction.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clockwise-turning fans circulate warm air around

    • Counterclockwise-turning fans give a cooling breeze

    • Changing the fan’s spin direction can lower your energy bill

    • Get the most out of your fan with the right size and position

    You may have noticed that your ceiling fan blades have slight angles. There’s a reason for that! They’re designed to move the room’s air a certain way, depending on which direction the fan is spinning.

    Which way?

    In the summer, a counterclockwise-spinning ceiling fan will push air down and out, creating a small cooling breeze.

    In the winter, a clockwise-spinning ceiling fan on low-speed will draw up the air and circulate it so that it mixes. Warm air rises, so it’ll make use of the warmer air that’s hanging above your head.

    To change your fan’s spin direction, check the manual to make sure you do it correctly. Most likely, the switch is on the body of the fan fixture or inside the light globe. If your fan has a remote or wall panel, check for a fan direction button there.

    This little trick of running your ceiling fan the right way can also lower your energy bill. Since your fan is returning warm air down, you may find yourself turning your thermostat down.

    Is your fan doing its best work?

    One other note: make sure your ceiling fan is right for the room.

    Ceiling fan blades work best when they’re 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 7 to 9 feet above the floor and at least 18 inches away from walls.

    Fans with a diameter of 44 inches or less are good for circulating rooms up to 225 square feet. Larger rooms should use larger fans, often 52 inches or bigger.

    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.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

    Source link

  • It’s time to spin your ceiling fan the other way

    [ad_1]

    If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on and look up at it. Which direction are the blades spinning? If they’re going counterclockwise, it’s time to change direction.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clockwise-turning fans circulate warm air around

    • Counterclockwise-turning fans give a cooling breeze

    • Changing the fan’s spin direction can lower your energy bill

    • Get the most out of your fan with the right size and position

    You may have noticed that your ceiling fan blades have slight angles. There’s a reason for that! They’re designed to move the room’s air a certain way, depending on which direction the fan is spinning.

    Which way?

    In the summer, a counterclockwise-spinning ceiling fan will push air down and out, creating a small cooling breeze.

    In the winter, a clockwise-spinning ceiling fan on low-speed will draw up the air and circulate it so that it mixes. Warm air rises, so it’ll make use of the warmer air that’s hanging above your head.

    To change your fan’s spin direction, check the manual to make sure you do it correctly. Most likely, the switch is on the body of the fan fixture or inside the light globe. If your fan has a remote or wall panel, check for a fan direction button there.

    This little trick of running your ceiling fan the right way can also lower your energy bill. Since your fan is returning warm air down, you may find yourself turning your thermostat down.

    Is your fan doing its best work?

    One other note: make sure your ceiling fan is right for the room.

    Ceiling fan blades work best when they’re 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 7 to 9 feet above the floor and at least 18 inches away from walls.

    Fans with a diameter of 44 inches or less are good for circulating rooms up to 225 square feet. Larger rooms should use larger fans, often 52 inches or bigger.

    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.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Slime, Battleship and Trivial Pursuit join the Toy Hall of Fame

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    Slime, that gooey, sticky and often-homemade plaything, was enshrined into the National Toy Hall of Fame on Thursday along with perennial bestselling games Battleship and Trivial Pursuit.

    Each year, the Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have inspired creative play across generations, culling its finalists from among thousands of nominees sent in online. Voting by the public and a panel of experts decides which playthings will be inducted.

    Milton Bradley’s Battleship, a strategy game that challenges players to strike an opponent’s warships, and Trivial Pursuit, which tests players’ knowledge in categories like geography and sports, have each sold more than 100 million copies over several decades, according to the Hall of Fame.

    Battleship started as a pencil-and-paper game in the 1930s, but it was Milton Bradley’s 1967 plastic edition with fold-up stations and model ships that became a hit with the public. Its popularity crested when Universal Pictures and Hasbro, which now owns Milton Bradley, released the 2012 movie, “Battleship,” loosely based on the game. Battleship was also among the first board games to be computerized in 1979, according to the Hall of Fame, and now there are numerous, electronic versions.

    Trivial Pursuit lets players compete alone or in teams as they maneuver around a board answering trivia questions in exchange for wedges in a game piece. Canadian journalists Chris Haney and Scott Abbott came up with the game in 1979 and eventually sold the rights to Hasbro. Frequently updated, specialty versions have emerged for young players, baby boomers and other segments and an online daily quiz keeps players engaged, chief curator Chris Bensch said.

    Slime’s appeal is more about squish than skill.

    It was introduced commercially in 1976 and has been manufactured under various brand names, but it is even more accessible as a do-it-yourself project. The internet offers a variety of recipes using ingredients like baking soda, glue and contact lens solution.

    “Though slime continues to carry icky connotations to slugs and swamps — all part of the fun for some — the toy offers meaningful play,” curator Michelle Parnett-Dwyer said, adding that it’s also used for stress relief and building motor skills.

    The honorees will be on permanent display at the Hall of Fame inside The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

    This year’s inductees were voted in over other nominees including the games Catan and Connect Four, the Spirograph drawing device, the “Star Wars” lightsaber, Furby and Tickle Me Elmo. They also beat out classics including scooters, cornhole and snow.

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  • This November’s ‘Beaver Moon’ will be the biggest seen in several years

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    The second supermoon of the year will appear in the skies this Wednesday. The Beaver Moon, which is always the name of November’s full moon will be the second of three supermoons in 2025.

    The Beaver Moon will reach peak illumination around 8:19 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 5th.

    What You Need To Know

    • November’s full moon is known as the Beaver Moon

    • This is the second and biggest of three supermoons that will occur this year

    • The next supermoon will appear on December 4, 2025

    The Beaver Moon is named for the time of the year when beavers are preparing to take shelter in their dams for the winter months. An earlier sunset will allow many on the east coast to see the full moon for a longer period of time.

    What’s a supermoon?

    A supermoon is when the moon’s orbit is at its closest to Earth. The moon will appear brighter and larger than normal. This year’s Beaver Moon will be the biggest supermoon since 2019. It’s the second of three supermoons that round out 2025.

    Alternative names

    According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.

    The month is a transitional month as we move away from summer toward fall and the alternative names reflect this. 

    • Digging (or Scratching) Moon (Tlingit)
    • Deer Rutting Moon (Dakota and Lakota)
    • Whitefish Moon (Algonquin)

    Check your local forecast here to see how clouds may affect your viewing.

    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.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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