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Tag: San Antonio

  • Weather and safety alerts available in the Spectrum News app

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    Severe weather and safety push alerts are available in the Spectrum News app.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alert options include lightning, precipitation alerts, watches, warnings and advisories

    • You can enable your device location, or you can manually enter a location 

    • Choose the category of alerts you want to receive

    • You can change your selections at any time 

    • Download the Spectrum News App

    The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.

    You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.

    How to choose your alerts

    1. Go to settings and select manage notifications. 

    2. Select the Weather option.

    3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.

    4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.

    The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.

    The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.

    The third option allows you to select all advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Here is a list of alerts with definitions.

    Keep in mind that some alerts could come overnight, so consider that when you make your selection. You can change your selections at any time.  

     

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Weather and safety alerts available in the Spectrum News app

    [ad_1]

    Severe weather and safety push alerts are available in the Spectrum News app.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alert options include lightning, precipitation alerts, watches, warnings and advisories

    • You can enable your device location, or you can manually enter a location 

    • Choose the category of alerts you want to receive

    • You can change your selections at any time 

    • Download the Spectrum News App

    The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.

    You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.

    How to choose your alerts

    1. Go to settings and select manage notifications. 

    2. Select the Weather option.

    3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.

    4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.

    The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.

    The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.

    The third option allows you to select all advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Here is a list of alerts with definitions.

    Keep in mind that some alerts could come overnight, so consider that when you make your selection. You can change your selections at any time.  

     

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • How boaters can keep safe this summer

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

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

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

    What You Need To Know

    • Most boating accidents happen during the summer months

    • Knowing the forecast is the most important step

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


    Understanding the dangers of weather on the water

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

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

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

    TIP #1: Know before you go

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

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

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

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

    TIP #2: Staying weather aware

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

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

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

    TIP #3: Keeping safe during a storm

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

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

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

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

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

    Making the call

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

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

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    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • Google launches new AI-powered weather model to predict hurricanes

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    Google has introduced a new, experimental artificial intelligence (AI) weather model for predicting hurricanes. The new AI-based tropical cyclone model will be another tool for meteorologists and weather enthusiasts alike to predict the track and intensity of future storms this hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Google has launched an experimental AI-based weather model to predict tropical cyclones

    • The new model can predict a cyclone’s track, intensity, size and structure

    • Google is partnering with the National Hurricane Center to support forecasts and warnings


    Google’s new AI-powered tropical cyclone model is the latest addition to its WeatherNext model family, a suite of AI weather models from Google DeepMind and Google Research. According to Google, “this model can predict a cyclone’s formation, track, intensity, size and shape — generating 50 possible scenarios, up to 15 days ahead.”

    Traditional numerical weather prediction (NWP) models that are used to forecast hurricanes, like the GFS and Euro (ECMWF), are physics-based. Simply put, they combine current atmospheric weather conditions with a set of equations that govern our atmosphere, to predict future atmospheric conditions.

    Physics-based models have shown tremendous improvement in the past 50+ years, but there are still omissions, estimations, approximations and compromises in each step of creating the forecast, so it’s far from perfect.

    Google claims that its AI-powered model can overcome the trade-offs of physics-based models. “It’s trained to model two distinct types of data: a vast reanalysis dataset that reconstructs past weather over the entire Earth from millions of observations, and a specialized database containing key information about the track, intensity, size and wind radii of nearly 5,000 observed cyclones from the past 45 years.”


    Google’s internal testing of their model has shown its model’s predictions for track and intensity are as accurate as, and often more accurate than, current physics-based models. Using 2023 and 2024 as test years, Google’s model had a 5-day track prediction, on average, “140 km closer to the true cyclone location than ENS — the leading global physics-based ensemble model from ECMWF.”

    This year, forecasters from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) will be able to use predictions from Google’s experimental AI models, alongside the more traditions physics-based models to create forecasts. “We hope this data can help improve NHC forecasts and provide earlier and more accurate warnings for hazards linked to tropical cyclones.” 

    Despite the early hope and promise shown by new AI-powered weather models, it’s important to note that they’re still experimental and just one tool. These models are still under development, and you should always refer to local officials and the NHC for official watches, warnings and forecasts. 

    You can read Google’s full press release here, and check out Weather Lab, Google’s interactive site for sharing their AI weather models.

    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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  • U.S. measles count nears 1,200 cases as the Texas outbreak continues to slow

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    The U.S. logged fewer than 30 measles cases this week as Ohio health officials confirmed three outbreaks in two counties were over.

    What You Need To Know

    • There are 1,168 confirmed measles cases in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday

    • Health officials in Texas, where the nation’s biggest outbreak raged during the late winter and spring, said they’ll now post case counts only once a week

    • Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs

    • The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine

    There have been 1,197 confirmed measles cases this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Health officials in Texas, where the nation’s biggest outbreak raged during the late winter and spring, confirmed two cases in the last week.

    There are three other major outbreaks in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in 2,083 cases from mid-October through June 10. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions.

    Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 868 as of Thursday. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 2,179 measles cases and four deaths as of Friday, according to data from the state health ministry.

    Other U.S. states with active outbreaks — which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

    In the U.S., two elementary school-aged children in the epicenter in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated.

    Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

    How many measles cases are there in Texas?

    There are a total of 744 cases across 35 counties, most of them in West Texas, state health officials said Tuesday.

    Throughout the outbreak, 96 people have been hospitalized.

    State health officials estimated less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-five percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 411 cases since late January — just under 2% of the county’s residents.

    The April 3 death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6.

    How many measles cases are there in New Mexico?

    New Mexico held steady Friday with a total of 81 cases.

    Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state’s cases are in Lea County. Sandoval County near Albuquerque has six cases, Eddy County has three, Doña Ana County has two. Chaves, Curry and San Juan counties have one each.

    An unvaccinated adult died of measles-related illness March 6. The person did not seek medical care.

    How many cases are there in Oklahoma?

    Oklahoma stayed steady Friday with a total of 16 confirmed and three probable cases.

    The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases.

    How many cases are there in Arizona?

    Arizona has four cases in Navajo County. They are linked to a single source, the county health department said Monday. All four were unvaccinated and had a history of recent international travel.

    How many cases are there in Colorado?

    Colorado has seen a total of 14 measles cases in 2025, which includes one outbreak of eight related cases.

    The outbreak is linked to a Turkish Airlines flight that landed at Denver International Airport in mid-May, and includes four cases in Arapahoe County, three in El Paso County and one in Denver, plus a person who doesn’t live in Colorado.

    Other counties that have seen measles this year include Archuleta and Pueblo.

    How many cases are there in Illinois?

    Illinois health officials confirmed a four-case outbreak on May 5 in the far southern part of the state. It grew to eight cases as of June 6, but no new cases were reported in the following week, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

    The state’s other two cases so far this year were in Cook County, and are unrelated to the southern Illinois outbreak.

    How many cases are there in Kansas?

    Kansas has a total of 76 cases across 11 counties in the southwestern part of the state, with three hospitalizations. All but two of the cases are connected, and most are in Gray County.

    How many cases are there in Montana?

    Montana had 20 measles cases as of Tuesday. Twelve were in Gallatin County, which is where the first cases showed up — Montana’s first in 35 years.

    Flathead and Yellowstone counties had two cases each, and Hill County had four cases.

    There are outbreaks in neighboring North Dakota and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

    How many cases are there in North Dakota?

    North Dakota, which hadn’t seen measles since 2011, was up to 34 cases as of June 6, but has held steady since. Two of the people have been hospitalized, and all of the people with confirmed cases were not vaccinated.

    There were 16 cases in Williams County in western North Dakota on the Montana border. On the eastern side of the state, there were 10 cases in Grand Forks County and seven cases in Cass County. Burke County, in northwest North Dakota on the border of Saskatchewan, Canada, had one case.

    Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

    Measles cases also have been reported this year in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

    Earlier outbreaks in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania were declared over by health officials after six weeks of no new cases. Tennessee’s outbreak also appears to be over.

    Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. The CDC said in May that more than twice as many measles have come from outside of the U.S. compared to May of last year, and most of those are in unvaccinated Americans returning home. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.

    What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?

    The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

    Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

    People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity.”

    Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to “herd immunity.” But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

    What are the symptoms of measles?

    Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

    The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

    Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

    How can you treat measles?

    There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

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    Associated Press

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  • 2025 severe weather season more active than average

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

    What You Need To Know

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

    • The average through May is around 650 tornadoes.

    • Severe weather season continues into June


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

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

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

    2025 tornadoes by EF scale

    EFU (Undefined): 68

    EF0: 245

    EF1: 406

    EF2: 117

    EF3: 32

    EF4: 5

    EF5: 0

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

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

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

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

    Average number of tornadoes

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

    A shift in “tornado alley”

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

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

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

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

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

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    Meteorologist Alan Auglis

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  • June’s strawberry moon will be a rare sight

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

    What You Need To Know

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

    • It will be the lowest full moon in decades

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


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

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

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

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

    Possible cloud coverage Tuesday evening. (weathermodels.com)

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

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

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

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

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    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • June’s strawberry moon will be a rare sight

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

    What You Need To Know

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

    • It will be the lowest full moon in decades

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


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

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

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

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

    Possible cloud coverage Tuesday evening. (weathermodels.com)

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

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

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

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

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    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • Breaking down the North American Monsoon season

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

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



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

    How do monsoons form?

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

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

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

    The North American Monsoon

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

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

    Monsoon progression

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

    • Ramp- Up: (June through Early July)

    • Onset: (Late June through Mid July)

    • Peak: (Mid July through Mid August)

    • Late Monsoon: (Mid August through early September)

    • Decay: (Late August through Late September)

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

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

    Results of the North American Monsoon

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

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

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

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    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

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  • Weather Explained: Understanding the heat index

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    Heat index is the temperature that it feels like to the human body and is also referred to as the feels-like temperature or the apparent temperature.

    Oftentimes, it will feel much hotter than what the thermometer reads.

    This is especially true on hot and humid days because the body can’t cool as efficiently. When the heat index is high, people become more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

    Watch the video above to learn how humidity impacts how you cool down, and learn the math behind the science.

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    Meteorologist Nick Merianos

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  • Weather Explained: Understanding the heat index

    [ad_1]

    Heat index is the temperature that it feels like to the human body and is also referred to as the feels-like temperature or the apparent temperature.

    Oftentimes, it will feel much hotter than what the thermometer reads.

    This is especially true on hot and humid days because the body can’t cool as efficiently. When the heat index is high, people become more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

    Watch the video above to learn how humidity impacts how you cool down, and learn the math behind the science.

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    Meteorologist Nick Merianos

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  • Ask a meteorologist: What to expect this hurricane season?

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    The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and forecasters are expecting another active season. 

    Our Spectrum News Weather experts from around the country answered viewer questions about the upcoming season. Check out their responses.

    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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  • Where to expect tropical activity in June

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    The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1.

    With above normal activity expected, it’s important to know where tropical systems could form.

    What You Need To Know

    • June tropical activity is most likely in the Gulf

    • Storms that develop typically move northeastward

    • Only four June hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. since 1950


    Even though systems can form before hurricane season, June is still very early in hurricane season. Tropical systems typically struggle to develop, and those that do usually only strengthen into a disorganized system or weak hurricane.

    The most favorable areas for tropical development in June are the Gulf, the northern Caribbean Sea and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, just off the southeastern coast.

    Systems that develop typically take a northeastward track. 

    Since 1950, only four hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. during June, all of them along the Gulf Coast. Bonnie and Agnes made landfall as Category 1 hurricanes, while Audrey and Alma strengthened into major hurricanes. 

    Development zones expand and tropical activity increases as we get further into summer. 

    Read More About Hurricanes


    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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  • It’s the first day of Atlantic hurricane season

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    Today is the first day of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Here are some helpful resources to help you and your family prepare.

    How to prepare?

    Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

    You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

    Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

    Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

    This year’s forecast

    NOAA and Colorado State University are both predicting above normal activity this season.

    This year’s forecast includes several factors, primarily continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes.

    More 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.

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • Blue Origin launches New Shepard NS-32 mission

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    TEXAS — Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space exploration company, will launch New Shepard mission 32, or NS-32, on Saturday, May 31.

    What You Need To Know

    • The NS-32 mission will feature six new astronauts
    • The manned mission includes a high school teacher from Galveston, Texas
    • Also included are a number of entrepreneurs and adventurers
    • This mission follows NS-31, which launched pop star Katy Perry and talk show host Gayle King into space, among others

    The mission is set to launch at 8:30 a.m. CDT, and will send six new astronauts into space.

    The passengers on this manned flight include:

    • Aymette (Amy) Medina Jorge – High school and middle school STEM teacher at Odyssey Academy in Galveston, Texas
    • Dr. Gretchen Green – Radiologist specializing in women’s imaging
    • Jaime Alemán –  Panamanian attorney, businessman and former ambassador to the U.S.
    • Jesse Williams – Canadian entrepreneur and adventurer
    • Mark Rocket – Entrepreneur and technology leader from Christchurch, New Zealand

    Blue Origin has also released the mission patch, which includes a nod to each of the travelers. 

    According to the Blue Origin website, a few of the symbols embedded include:

    • The microchip, gears and Pi symbols represent Amy Medina Jorge’s commitment to elevating Hispanic representation in STEM fields. 
    • Dr. Gretchen Green is represented by the caduceus, recognizing her career as a radiologist specializing in women’s imaging. 
    • The planets inside the mission number represent Paul Jeris’ passion for space and exploration. 
    • The kea parrot represents Mark Rocket’s home country of New Zealand.
    • Jesse Williams is represented by the bike gears and Mt. Everest, showcasing his passion for cycling and climbing mountains. 
    • The blue sky represents Jaime Alemán’s philosophy behind pursuing his own goals—and supporting others in reaching theirs.

    Mission NS-32 will mark the first manned mission since Bezos’s company sent pop star Katy Perry and talk show host Gayle King, along with a number of notable women astronauts, into space. 

    The New Shepard spacecraft, named for pioneering Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, is a fully reusable, suborbital rocket system that takes passengers on an 11-minute journey to the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. 

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    Mike D’Alonzo

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  • NHC updates cone of uncertainty and other parameters ahead of hurricane season

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    The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has unveiled updates to the cone of uncertainty for the upcoming hurricane season, as well as refined other parameters. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Inland tropical watches and warnings will be shown on an experimental map with the cone, similar to 2024 experimental map

    • Potential Tropical Cyclones will be issued up to 72 hours out from a storm

    • A new rip current risk map will be provided by NHC during a tropical event


    Thanks to positive feedback from the 2024 hurricane season, the cone of uncertainty graphic will now display inland watches and warnings to better communicate the wind risk away from the coast. 

    The size of the track forecast cone will appear slightly smaller, about 3 to 5% in the Atlantic basin, compared to 2024. According to the NHC, “the cone represents the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone.”

    Here is a look at what the new experimental cone will look like.

    The traditional operational cone of uncertainty, without the inand watches/warnings, will continue to be distributed by the NHC. The new, experimental, graphic will be available on the National Hurricane Center website and usually update approximately 30 minutes after the advisory release.

    This experimental graphic will be released for both full and intermediate advisories. 

    Potential Tropical Cyclones

    Since 2017, the NHC has used potential tropical cyclone (PTC) forecasts to alert the public of threats before a storm has even formed. Beginning this hurricane season, they can alert the public up further in advance, now 72 hours out.

    For more information on PTCs, click here. 

    Rip current risk

    Due to increases in rip current and surf fatalities during a tropical event, the NHC has decided to better highlight the risk during tropical events. 

    “They will now provide rip current risk information that originates from local National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) in a national rip current risk map when at least one active tropical system is present.”

    The map will provide rip current risk information but will not give specific information on the height of the surf. Here’s a prototype. 

    2025 Atlantic names

    Here’s a look at the list of names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. 

    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 Stacy Lynn

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  • May’s Flower Moon lights up the sky this week

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    Spring is in the air in more ways than one this week, as May’s full moon will brighten the skies early this week. The second full moon of the season, called the Flower Moon, will rise above the horizon Monday evening.

    What You Need To Know

    • May’s full moon is named the Flower Moon

    • The full moon will peak Monday afternoon

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    It is no surprise how the Flower Moon got its name with flowers in full bloom during the month of May.

    There are other names for the celestial event. Native American names also have a spring flavor, including Budding Moon and Planting Moon.

    This year’s Flower Moon will appear smaller than normal because of the moon’s farther distance from Earth thanks to its elliptical orbit.

    Best time to see the Flower Moon

    The full moon will come to full peak Monday afternoon but still provide optimal viewings two days before and after peak. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.

    The best viewing will be just after moonrise Monday, May 12. You can find the best time, check out the moonrise calculator.

    • New York: sunset at 8:03 p.m. EDT, moonrise at 8:31 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 12.
    • St. Louis: sunset at 8:03 p.m. CDT, moonrise at 8:31 p.m. CDT on Monday, May 12.
    • Los Angeles: sunset at 7:45 p.m. PDT, moonrise at 8:14 p.m. PDT on Monday, May 12.

    The next full moon will be the Strawberry Moon, which occurs on June 12, 2025.

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

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    Meteorologist Ian Cassette

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  • It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week

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    The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is less than one month away, and the time to prepare is now. National Hurricane Preparedness Week began on May 4 and runs through May 10. 

    What You Need To Know

    • It is National Hurricane Preparedness Week

    • Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1

    • It’s time to review your hurricane preparation plans


    How to prepare?

    Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

    You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

    Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

    Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

    This year’s forecast

    Colorado State University released its outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season in April, and their researchers are forecasting slightly above normal activity this season.

    This year’s forecast includes several factors, primarily the relatively warm Atlantic and likely the absence of El Niño.

    CSU researchers state that the biggest question marks with this season’s prediction is if the anomalous warmth in the Atlantic and Caribbean persists and expands to the Main Development Region or begins to weaken.

    As always, it only takes one storm to make it a bad season. Here is a full breakdown of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season forecast.

    Changes this season

    The National Hurricane Center is introducing some fresh changes to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season you can expect to see.

    One new names is on the list this year after Dorian was retired after the 2019 season. The new name replacing it will be Dexter. Here is what to know about the 2025 Atlantic hurricane names.

    Along with the new names, the National Hurricane Center will be making changes to to potential tropical cyclone (PTC) forecasts, issuing them up to 72 hours out, which is 24 hours greater than before.

    Here is a full breakdown of the changes you can expect to see this hurricane season.

    Learn More About Hurricanes


    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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  • Tornado reports for the year through April 30

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    In recent weeks, top stories have featured violent weather with tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and flooding that injured people and infrastructures, and even caused fatalities.

    How do these values compare to the average? Are we seeing more tornadoes than we used to or is this just par for the course at this time of the year?

    What You Need To Know

    • There have been 689 tornado reports since Jan. 1

    • 2025 ranks second to 2011 for the most tornado reports through the first third of the year

    • Tornado reports are preliminary and these reports are not the same as actual tornadoes numbers



    Tornado reports so far

    If it seems like 2025 has experienced more tornadoes through the first third of the year than normal, the data backs this up. From Jan. 1 through April 30, 2025, the Storm Prediction Center has received 689 tornado reports. 

    However, these are preliminary tornado reports and these reports reports are not the same as actual tornadoes.

    “In realtime, the National Weather Service collects what are called preliminary local storm reports. For tornadoes, these can be thought of as eyewitness reports of the tornado,” explains Matthew Elliot, warning coordination meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center.

    Reports such as damage or video of a tornado are documented, showing the location of the damage and tornado. Each report will count as one tornado preliminary report.  

    However, Elliot mentioned that sometimes there may be multiple reports of the same tornado, especially longer-track ones, leading to overestimated tornado counts.

    “Some preliminary reports end up not being tornadic after a ground survey has been completed while others are surveyed and entered into the official database, but never have a preliminary local storm report issued,” he said, noting that’s rare, but it does happen.

    Take a look at the map and see the path of the individual tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service. Find out the wind speeds, storms reports or check out damage photos by clicking or tapping the tornado or thunderstorm icons on the interactive maps below.

    January tornado reports

     

    February tornado reports

     

    March examples of tornado reports

    March 14, 2025 tornadoes

    April example of tornado reports

    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 Stacy Lynn

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  • Excessive April rainfall led to flooding across the Central US

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    A train of rain and thunderstorms sat over the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys for the beginning of April, bringing historic flooding in the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • A stalled front was the focus of the heavy rainfall

    • Severe thunderstorms with tornadoes also caused additional damage

    • Rainfall totals exceeded one foot in many locations


    The setup brought severe weather with it, including damaging wind gusts, large hail and several tornadoes. In addition, the front that brought that stalled over the region, bringing heavy rainfall for days, leading to flooding of area creeks, streams and large rivers.

    The Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., recorded a crest of nearly 37 feet. That was 20 feet above flood stage. It was the 8th highest level the river has been in recorded history.

    The Ohio River in Owensboro, Ky., recorded a crest of 47.5 feet. That made it the 6th highest level on record.

    The Mississippi River in Osceola, Ark. recorded a crest of 37.6 feet, which is considered major flooding. That’s almost 10 feet above flood stage.

    The Ohio River remained at high levels the morning of April 9, 2025 amid historic flooding in Louisville. (Spectrum News 1/ Mason Brighton)

    Some areas from Kentucky into Tennessee and Arkansas saw over a foot of rainfall.

    Severe weather

    There was also a severe side to the storm with several days of tornadoes, damaging wind, and hail with thunderstorms. Here’s a look at the tornado paths across the Ohio Valley and south over a six-day period.

    This April has been active in terms of tornadoes. So far, there have been 217 tornadoes across the United States. On average, April brings around 200 tornadoes across the country.

    Rainfall compared to average

    With the heavy rain from the severe thunderstorms, some places for the Mid-South and Mississippi River Valley for the month of April are running over a half foot above the average for precipitation.

    It also looks like the active weather pattern will persist into the beginning of May, which will add to the greater than normal precipitation.

    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 Alan Auglis

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