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Tag: weather

  • Lawmakers Seek Quieter Ads and Less … Free Speech?

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    State lawmakers are telling streamers to shhhhhh their ads. Online gamblers are flooding Florida help lines now that sports betting is legal. Some Sunshine State lawmakers want to target people based on their speech. The mighty state of Vermont steps up to help snowbound neighbors.

    As we mention here regularly, Decision Points primarily focuses on national and international news. But we also occasionally deliver a roundup of local, regional or under-the-radar news with a political dimension – something unusual or interesting, or that may illustrate a broader trend.

    Our guiding principle is that the definition of politics includes how a society organizes itself to allocate finite or scarce resources, manage internal disagreements and blunt external threats.

    Here’s this week’s look ‘round.

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    Netflix and Chill, Meet Hulu and Hush?

    Federal law stipulates that broadcast, cable and satellite advertisements can’t be louder than the programming they interrupt. Streamers are not subject to the same rules … for now. Via the always amazing Pluribus News, I learned this week that several states are trying to make the same rule apply across the board.

    “The bills in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia follow the passage of a first-in-the-nation California law last year,” Pluribus reported. “There is also federal legislation.”

    Not a lot is getting through Congress these days, so states are stepping in on a range of policy issues. Streaming ad volume may not seem like an emergency, but it is a quality of life issue.

    Florida Bets on Gambling Help

    Via the Tampa Bay Times, we learn that calls to Florida’s problem gambling help line have more than doubled since the state legalized sports wagers in 2023.

    Last year, more than 2,400 Floridians sought help from the service provided by the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, 1,400 for help with online gambling, making that the top reason for reaching out.

    In previous years, electronic machines like slots were the main cause of calls, the Tampa Bay Times said.

    • Sports betting is the primary problem, 73% of online gamblers told the council.
    • Callers are getting younger. Two-thirds are under 30, and the number under 21 has soared since sports betting was legalized.
    • “Almost half of those calling about sports betting reported having lost more than $25,000. Nearly 1 in 4 reported losing more than $100,000,” the newspaper said.

    Legalizing betting from basically anywhere, especially on sports, appears to be fueling a boom in gambling. And gambling creates a winner and a loser. Is this a public policy problem yet?

    Targeting Speech in ‘Free’ Florida?

    Via WGCU News comes word of sweeping state legislation that, at least at first blush, would seem to target people for surveillance based on their speech.

    HB 945 aims to create a new counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit inside the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

    What’s raising eyebrows is that the list of potential targets of new surveillance and other law enforcement activity includes people “whose demonstrated actions, views, or opinions are a threat or are inimical to the interests of this state and the United States of America.”

    Actions? OK. “Views or opinions”?

    Green Mighty State

    Permit me a little Vermont pride: My home state, never a stranger to blizzards, has sent snow-clearing equipment and crews to Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

    “Having Vermont come in to help out with their crews is really, really pivotal, and it just shows that we’re able to work across state lines,” said Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, according to WJAR.

    The state’s Agency of Transportation “sent over 30 pieces of equipment and 33 employees to its neighbor to the south Tuesday to aid with snow removal, according to Greg Smith, the agency’s district transportation administrator for the capital region,” VTDigger reported.

    “The fleet included dump trucks, bucket loaders for scooping snow and, of course, plows,” the outlet said.

    It’s nice to see this kind of interstate cooperation. A blizzard is snow laughing matter.

    The Week in Cartoons Feb. 23-27

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    Olivier Knox

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  • NorCal forecast: A few showers linger this Wednesday morning

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    Northern California forecast: A few showers linger this Wednesday morning

    Roads will be damp this morning, and a couple of showers are possible during the commute as we begin to dry out for the rest of the day.

    SEASON IS DONE. YEAH, KELLY NOW GETS A LITTLE HARDER TO COME BY, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE’RE GOING TO BE SHIFTING INTO MARCH BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND AND INTO, OF COURSE, NEXT WEEK. BUT IT’D BE NICE IF MOTHER NATURE WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE, BECAUSE WE CAN CERTAINLY USE EVERY DROP AND EVERY FLAKE IN THE MOUNTAINS. HERE’S A VIEW OF RADAR SWEEP, WHERE YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RAIN IS CLEARLY STILL COMING DOWN, ESPECIALLY AS WE’RE BRINGING OUT MORE MOISTURE HERE ALONG THE WEST SLOPE. INTERSTATE 80 HERE ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN, IT’S ALL RAIN, AND IT’S GOING TO PRODUCE THOSE SLICK CONDITIONS THERE FROM RIGHT ABOUT AUBURN, ALL THE WAY UP THE HILL TOWARDS DONNER SUMMIT ALONG HIGHWAY 50, YOU’RE GOING TO SEE THOSE BANDS OF RAIN. THEY’VE BEEN ON THE LIGHTER SCALE AROUND PLACERVILLE. THEY PICK UP A BIT MORE AS YOU TRAVEL ACROSS MEYERS AND UP INTO THE SOUTH SHORE, AND THEN ALSO EYEING AREAS HERE OF HIGHWAY FOUR, HIGHWAY 108. IT’S BEEN A SOGGY MORNING SO FAR AROUND SONORA AND THEN AROUND MIWOK VILLAGE AND THEN AROUND ARNOLD. YOU’VE HAD SOME VERY LIGHT BANDS OF RAIN. LIVE. LOOK OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW FROM RANCHO CORDOVA, WHERE THE TRACK IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DAMP THERE ALONG HIGHWAY 50. WE’VE HAD SOME SHOWERS IN THE OVERNIGHT, BUT NOW IN AREAS LIKE RANCHO SACRAMENTO, STOCKTON AND MODESTO, THINGS HAVE REALLY FADED IN TERMS OF THE SHOWER ACTIVITY. IT’S A MILD MORNING, TEMPERATURES IN THE 50S. DAYBREAK IS OFFICIALLY AT 643, AND TODAY WE’LL GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY 11 HOURS AND 12 MINUTES OF DAYLIGHT. AND IF YOU’RE CURIOUS, I WAS LOOKING AT THE MOON THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE NEXT FULL MOON IS ARRIVING EARLY NEXT WEEK, MARCH 3RD TO BE EXACT. BIG PICTURE VIEW. WE’RE STILL KIND OF SEEING THIS TROPICAL MOISTURE STEER ONSHORE, BUT WE HAVEN’T SEEN A LOT OF THE MOMENTUM OR THE ENERGY TO GET IT SQUEEZED OUT IN AREAS HERE IN THE VALLEY OR THE DELTA. NOW, BY 8:00 THIS MORNING, WE’RE STILL SEEING AGAIN SOME GOOD STEADY RAIN OUT ALONG THE WEST OR THE WEST SLOPE. AND THEN AS WE GET INTO THE AFTERNOON, I THINK BEYOND LUNCHTIME, IT’S EVEN GOING TO DRY OUT FOR YOU IN THE FOOTHILLS AND THE SIERRA. AND THEN WE’RE HEADING INTO A WARMING TREND AS HIGH PRESSURE GAINS SOME STEAM GOING INTO YOUR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, WE GET INTO SATURDAY, A PIECE OF ENERGY OFF THE COAST MAY BRING SOME SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY TO THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE AROUND MOUNT SHASTA REDDING AREA. BUT WILL THOSE SHOWERS DIP DOWN CLOSE ENOUGH TO SACRAMENTO AT THIS POINT? I’VE ACTUALLY LEFT THE FORECAST DRY AS THIS SYSTEM CONTINUES TO WOBBLE OFFSHORE, AND I THINK THAT AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR WEEKEND, WE’RE LOOKING AT A MILD STRETCH UPPER 60S TO LOW 70S TO BE EXPECTED. WARMEST PART OF YOUR WEEK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FRIDAY. FRIDAY’S HIGH 72 DEGREES. AND BECAUSE OF THE CLOUD COVER THAT’S GOING TO BE AROUND, GUYS WILL NOT ONLY SEE SOME FILTERED SUN, BUT IT ALSO MAY FEEL A TOUCH HUMID OR MUGGY THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. SO IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE TAKEN A TRIP TO HAWAII

    Northern California forecast: A few showers linger this Wednesday morning

    Roads will be damp this morning, and a couple of showers are possible during the commute as we begin to dry out for the rest of the day.

    Updated: 6:32 AM PST Feb 25, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Roads will be damp this Wednesday morning, and a couple of showers are possible during the commute as we begin to dry out for the rest of the day.The warm rain will leave Northern California with relatively mild temperatures today and for the rest of the week. Valley highs Wednesday will be in the upper 60s, with Foothill highs in the low 60s. Showers in the Foothills and Sierra should largely fizzle out by noon, and highs in the Sierra will be in the upper 40s.An occasional drizzle is possible. Skies will be mostly cloudy, but winds will remain light.The rest of the week will start to warm, with highs climbing into the low 70s through Saturday under partly cloudy skies. The normal high for late February is 64 degrees.The next weather system arrives Sunday but will bring showers mainly to the Foothills and Sierra. A few light showers are possible in the Valley into the start of next week.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Roads will be damp this Wednesday morning, and a couple of showers are possible during the commute as we begin to dry out for the rest of the day.

    The warm rain will leave Northern California with relatively mild temperatures today and for the rest of the week. Valley highs Wednesday will be in the upper 60s, with Foothill highs in the low 60s. Showers in the Foothills and Sierra should largely fizzle out by noon, and highs in the Sierra will be in the upper 40s.

    An occasional drizzle is possible. Skies will be mostly cloudy, but winds will remain light.

    The rest of the week will start to warm, with highs climbing into the low 70s through Saturday under partly cloudy skies. The normal high for late February is 64 degrees.

    The next weather system arrives Sunday but will bring showers mainly to the Foothills and Sierra. A few light showers are possible in the Valley into the start of next week.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Could a retractable wall in Tampa Bay prevent storm surge flooding?

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The immediate past president of the Shore Acres Civic Association, Kevin Batdorf, has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay to protect against storm surge flooding from hurricanes.  

    Batdorf lives in the lowest lying neighborhood in St. Petersburg, Shore Acres, which has experienced repeated flooding from storms in the past five  years. Batdorf said he’s constantly looking for solutions to mitigate the rising problem.

    “Create a floodgate system that crosses from Pinellas County to Manatee or Hillsborough County at the narrowest point that rises 12-to-15 feet high when a storm is coming,” he said. “It would prevent the water from coming into Tampa Bay and save billions of dollars of damage.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Kevin Batdorf has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay

    • Batdorf wants the 14 mile long wall to be 12-to-15 feet high to prevent storm surge flooding from hurricanes  

    • State Senator Nick DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical it could actually be implemented

    • Sen. DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions which include stormwater and seawall infrastructure improvements


    “In the Netherlands, they had a similar situation to us,” he said. “Meaning they were inundated by rising tides, changing climate. So they had their engineers come up with a solution.”

    State Senator Nick DeCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, represents District 18, which covers most of Pinellas County. Senator DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical a 14 mile long retractable wall in Tampa Bay could actually be implemented.

    “Something like this would be billions and billions of dollars,” he said. “My question is immediately, what about the coastal communities? How does the water interacting with a dam, essentially, how does that impact areas North of the Bay? South of the Bay? That water has to go somewhere.”

    DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions and has been working on a permitting bill this session to make it easier for homeowners to install flood barriers.

    “What we can actually accomplish in the near mid and long term is infrastructure improvements,” he said. “Whether that be stormwater, whether that be seawalls.”

    Batdorf said he realizes there are big challenges with his idea from jurisdictional, funding and environmental.

    “I think it’s going to be the State of Florida and the federal government that are going to have to come in and do the engineering and frankly, pay for it,” he said. “FEMA’s paying out billions of dollars in claims, there’s money available to stop paying those claims.”

    “There are going to be environmental concerns and I get that it’s going to disturb the environment by installing it,” he added. “But I think it’s going to enhance the environment for sea life. Once it’s built, becomes a natural reef.”

    Batdorf points out Tampa General Hospital and the City of St. Petersburg have purchased an Aqua Fence to prevent flooding and he wants to do the same for residents on a much larger scale.

    “This idea is just common sense. If there’s a wall of water coming in, you put something up to stop it from coming in,” he said. “You see all these other entities putting up barriers to keep water out. Here’s a barrier to keep it out of everybody’s home.”

    Batdorf has announced he’s going to run in the St. Petersburg mayor’s race but has not yet officially filed.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Northern California rain forecast: Recent low snow to melt, avalanche risk may also increase

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    A warmer weather system will bring widespread rain back to Northern California on Tuesday, which will likely lead to snow at lower elevations melting. Existing snow combined with rain could lead to localized street flooding on the west slope, making Tuesday a KCRA 3 weather Impact Day.Impact Days are issued when weather conditions could be a nuisance for travel or outdoor activities. This system will tap into moisture from a weakening atmospheric river with roots in the tropics. Because of this warmer setup, the snow level will stay well above the Tahoe area passes.Flooding in communities that have seen several feet of snow is possible as warm rain is expected to melt snow and lead to poor drainage flooding. Rain will also add significant weight to piles of snow on rooftops.The Sierra Avalanche Center warned that there is a high avalanche danger on Tuesday. The incoming rain will add a lot of weight to the upper layers of the snowpack, making it even more unstable.”Blowing and drifting snow has led to unstable wind slabs in areas that have filled in with drifted snow,” the center said. “Weak layers deep in the snowpack remain unstable in some areas. Consider avoiding avalanche terrain in areas where wind slabs exist, near any areas where you have triggered any snowpack collapses or audible whumpfing, or where recent avalanches have occurred.”Below is a breakdown of what the KCRA 3 weather team is expecting:RainScattered showers arrive late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. Rainfall will turn steady as the busiest part of the morning commute is starting in the Valley, Foothills and Sierra. Showers will continue on and off throughout the day and into the overnight hours before tapering off quickly Wednesday morning. The heaviest rain is forecast in higher terrain and areas along and north of Interstate 80.Below are forecast amounts for Tuesday and Wednesday:Valley: 0.25 to 0.70 inches of rainFoothills: 1 to 3 inchesSierra: All rain, with totals up to 2 inches on the west slopeSnowSnow is not in the forecast with this weather system. The snow level will begin above 10,000 feet and then drop to 9,000 feet as precipitation tapers off Wednesday morning. WindBreezy conditions are expected at times Tuesday, strongest in the Sierra.Mountain areas can expect sustained winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, especially Tuesday morning.Winds will be lighter and less impactful in the foothills and lower elevations.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    A warmer weather system will bring widespread rain back to Northern California on Tuesday, which will likely lead to snow at lower elevations melting.

    Existing snow combined with rain could lead to localized street flooding on the west slope, making Tuesday a KCRA 3 weather Impact Day.

    Impact Days are issued when weather conditions could be a nuisance for travel or outdoor activities.

    This system will tap into moisture from a weakening atmospheric river with roots in the tropics. Because of this warmer setup, the snow level will stay well above the Tahoe area passes.

    Flooding in communities that have seen several feet of snow is possible as warm rain is expected to melt snow and lead to poor drainage flooding. Rain will also add significant weight to piles of snow on rooftops.

    The Sierra Avalanche Center warned that there is a high avalanche danger on Tuesday. The incoming rain will add a lot of weight to the upper layers of the snowpack, making it even more unstable.

    “Blowing and drifting snow has led to unstable wind slabs in areas that have filled in with drifted snow,” the center said. “Weak layers deep in the snowpack remain unstable in some areas. Consider avoiding avalanche terrain in areas where wind slabs exist, near any areas where you have triggered any snowpack collapses or audible whumpfing, or where recent avalanches have occurred.”

    Below is a breakdown of what the KCRA 3 weather team is expecting:

    Rain

    Scattered showers arrive late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.

    Rainfall will turn steady as the busiest part of the morning commute is starting in the Valley, Foothills and Sierra. Showers will continue on and off throughout the day and into the overnight hours before tapering off quickly Wednesday morning.

    The heaviest rain is forecast in higher terrain and areas along and north of Interstate 80.

    Hearst Owned

    Tuesday’s weather system is tapping into moisture from a weakening atmopsheric river with roots in the tropics.

    Below are forecast amounts for Tuesday and Wednesday:

    rainfall

    Hearst Owned

    Rain will accumulate from the Valley all the way up to the highest points of the Sierra passes on Tuesday.
    • Valley: 0.25 to 0.70 inches of rain
    • Foothills: 1 to 3 inches
    • Sierra: All rain, with totals up to 2 inches on the west slope

    Snow

    Snow is not in the forecast with this weather system.

    The snow level will begin above 10,000 feet and then drop to 9,000 feet as precipitation tapers off Wednesday morning.

    Wind

    Breezy conditions are expected at times Tuesday, strongest in the Sierra.

    Mountain areas can expect sustained winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, especially Tuesday morning.

    Winds will be lighter and less impactful in the foothills and lower elevations.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • How much snow did we get? See totals from around the tri-state

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    The forecasts all promised big snow totals, and they didn’t disappoint.

    The snowstorm was the ninth biggest ever for Central Park, which saw 19.7 inches. Totals were piling up all day. Here are some of the biggest accumulations around the tri-state area.

    According to the National Weather Service, a handful of spots on Long Island and in New Jersey saw 30 inches or more. The Long Island town of Islip may have gotten the most of anywhere in the region, with 31 inches overall. That’s its biggest snowstorm since 1963.

    Use the map below to see updated totals from your area:

    Here are some of the highest totals from around the tri-state:

    • Central Islip, Long Island: 31 in.
    • Lyndhurst, New Jersey: 30.7 in.
    • Carlstadt, New Jersey: 30.2 in.
    • East Islip, Long Island: 30 in.
    • Patchogue, Long Island: 30 in.
    • Babylon, Long Island: 29.5 in.
    • Leonia, New Jersey: 29.7 in.
    • Grasmere, Staten Island: 29 in.
    • Holbrook, Long Island: 29 in.
    • Nesconset, Long Island: 28.8 in.
    • Todt Hill, Staten Island: 27.8 in.
    • Haworth, New Jersey: 27.6 in
    • Englewood, New Jersey: 27.5 in.
    • Newark Airport: 27.1 in.
    • Ridgefield, New Jersey: 27.1 in.
    • Dongan Hills, Staten Island: 27 in.
    • North Merrick, Long Island: 25.4 in.
    • Greenville, Westchester County: 24.1 in.
    • Hartsdale, Westchester County: 24 in.
    • Valhalla, Westchester County: 24 in.
    • Mott Haven, Bronx: 23.4 in.
    • Whitestone, Queens: 23 in.
    • Washington Heights, Manhattan: 22.8 in.
    • Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn: 22.5 in.

    Here’s a look at snow totals from around New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut (updated as of 3 p.m. Monday):

    New York City

    Suffolk County, Long Island

    Nassau County, Long Island

    North Jersey

    Central Jersey

    Ocean County, New Jersey

    Hudson Valley

    Fairfield County

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    Storm Team 4

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  • Blizzard ’26 among top 10 biggest snowstorms in Central Park history — could make top 5!

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    The tri-state area was pummeled with a massive blizzard the likes of which we haven’t seen in years!

    The total snowfall as of 1 p.m. Monday for Central Park is 19.7 inches — which puts the Blizzard of 2026 at 9th place among the biggest snowstorms in Central Park history!

    And, it is not out of the realm of possibility, as data continues to come in, that this storm cracks the top 5!

    The National Weather Service compiled the biggest snowstorms — which it describes as being 1 foot or more — registered in Central Park.

    The data was compiled from 1869 up to Jan. 1 of this year — with the exception of the data from the Blizzard of 2026.

    Among the biggest snowstorms registered is the Blizzard of 96, 30 years ago. That snowstorm, which took place Jan. 7 and 8 in 1996, wreaked havoc across the tri-state when it dumped more than 20 inches of snow, paralyzing transit systems and closing down schools for days.

    While the National Weather Service’s list includes the top 28 biggest snowstorms, here are the top 10 as of this afternoon.

    Amount (in inches) Date(s)
    1. 27.5 Jan. 22-24, 2016
    2. 26.9 Feb.11-12, 2006
    3 26.4 Dec.26-27, 1947
    4 21.0 March 12-14, 1888
    5 20.9 Feb. 25-26, 2010
    6 20.2 Jan. 7-8, 1996
    7 20.0 Dec. 26-27, 2010
    8 19.8 Feb. 16-17, 2003
    9 19.7 Feb. 22-23, 2026
    10 19.0 Jan. 26-27, 2011

    The last spot on the National Weather Service list is No. 28 — a tie between a snowstorm that fell Dec. 30, 2000 and one that took place on Feb. 9-10, 1926.

    So, will Blizzard of 2026 crack the top 5? Stay tuned for an updated list as the snow totals come in!

    For the complete list of biggest snowstorms registered in Central Park, click here.

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    Jennifer Vazquez and Storm Team 4

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  • Latest airport delays and cancellations due to winter storm

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    TAMPA, Fla. — If you have a flight out of Tampa International Airport today, it could be affected by winter weather up north. The airport is showing more than 100 cancellations this morning and multiple delays. The airport says if you have a flight, check with your airline for the latest information.

    Check below to see the status of all the flights at Tampa International Airport.

    **Be sure to double check your flight status on the airport website as information could be delayed**

    Tampa International Arrivals

    Tampa International Departures

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  • WATCH LIVE: With winter storm set to slam Boston, Mayor Wu giving update

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    Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu are both set to join state and city leaders at separate press conferences today to provide a winter storm update.

    Our latest forecast shows snow accumulation between 12″ to 18″ is likely for most, with amounts approaching two feet for some. Travel Monday is expected to be extremely difficult to nearly impossible, and schools in Massachusetts have already started announcing they’ll be closed.

    This will likely be Boston’s first blizzard since January 2022.

    Wu has declared a snow emergency and parking ban in Boston effective at 2 p.m. Sunday. The mayor will be at Boston City Hall at 10:30 a.m. to share information about the city’s preparations ahead of the storm’s arrival. It will be livestreamed in the video player above.

    Tevin Wooten and Pamela Gardner have the details on our approaching weather system, which could likely be our first blizzard since January 2022..

    At 1 p.m., Healey will be at the state emergency operations center in Framingham. She’s expected to be joined by a host of other leaders including Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon, Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Transportation Undersecretary and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Colohan, MEMA Director Dawn Brantley, and Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble.

    That press conference will also be livestreamed in the video player above.

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    Kaitlin McKinley Becker

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  • Live updates: Nor’easter looks to dump more than a foot of snow on NYC area

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    What to Know

    • A blizzard warning has been issued for all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and much of NJ, as a classic nor’easter threatens to dump heavy snow and strong winds on our area.
    • A blizzard warning is issued when snow accumulations are expected between 13 and 18 inches and winds are expected to gust as high as 55 mph. Whiteout conditions are expected.
    • Forecasts show 12-18 inches of snow expected for the five boroughs, along with central Jersey and Nassau County. Some on Long Island may get as much as two feet.
    • States of emergency are in effect for both New York and New Jersey
    • Major transit changes are likely. MTA and NJ Transit officials are expected to give an update on potential transit totals later today

    What was, as of Thursday, looking like a storm that would bring 1-3 inches of snow for much of the tri-state has escalated to up to 2 feet for some, triggering the first blizzard warnings in nearly a decade.

    The timing of the winter storm is expected to wreak havoc on roads and impact mass transit service, potentially shutting down school systems amid snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. Travel may be life-threatening.

    Track all the latest developments here.

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  • El Niño is set to reappear in time for hurricane season

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — We’re just 100 days away from the start of the Atlantic hurricane season and while the Atlantic remains quiet right now, it could be quieter later this year for a whole different reason.

    To understand why this year could be a quieter hurricane season, you must first understand ENSO – or the El Niño Southern Oscillation. It’s a climate index that monitors fluctuations of water temperatures in key areas of the Pacific basin.

    What You Need To Know

    • La Niña continues in the Pacific with an expected end by this Spring

    • NOAA forecasts El Niño could develop by the peak of hurricane season

    • This could become the first strong El Niño since 2023 to develop

    • El Niño typically makes the Atlantic more hostile for hurricane development

    There are three key states of ENSO – El Niño, La Niña and Neutral. They all signal a different temperature pattern in the Pacific basin, which can influence not only tropical patterns in the Atlantic, but globally.

    It works like this: things that are warm like to rise, while things that are cold like to sink. And this rising and sinking motion works in tandem between the atmosphere and ocean.

    So, when the Pacific basin warms up more than it should, it helps to promote rising air over the Pacific Ocean. Rising air helps to develop clouds and thunderstorms, which, if conditions are right, can further develop into a tropical system. This is known as El Niño.

    Conversely, when the Pacific is colder than it should be, it promotes sinking motions. This sinking motion in the atmosphere helps to suppress rising motion, making it tougher for clouds and thunderstorms to form, and consequently harder for tropical systems to develop. This is known as La Niña.

    When the Pacific basin is near its normal temperature state, we call this ENSO Neutral. Neutral states don’t typically have a big push one way or the other in supporting or suppressing tropical development.

    How does this Pacific index drive Atlantic development?

    ENSO may be measured in the Pacific Basin, but it has impacts across the global tropical pattern. When rising or sinking motions are set up in the Pacific basin, the opposite sets up in adjacent basins.

    It’s just like the saying: what goes up, must come down.

    So, when La Niña gets declared in the Pacific basin, that typically means rising motion is supported in the Atlantic basin, allowing for more clouds and thunderstorm development. While this doesn’t solely mean hurricane development is more likely, it is a key factor in helping to enhance the total storm count for the season.

    Conversely, when El Niño gets declared in the Pacific – like we expect to happen this year – the rising motion moves to the Pacific basin. This should lead to sinking air across the Atlantic basin, which not only causes enhanced wind shear, but limits upward movement, which can reduce cloud and thunderstorm development. We typically see reduced storm count in these years as a result.

    When does El Niño arrive?

    According to the February report put out by the Climate Prediction Center last week, NOAA suspects the ongoing La Niña will come to an end by March or April. As the Pacific basin returns to a neutral state.

    A growing pool of very warm water near Papua New Guinea and the Philippines should continue its trek eastward over the late Spring and early Summer months, gradually warming the east Pacific waters up further. The waters should reach a state of El Niño by the peak of hurricane season – which is between the middle of August to the middle of October.

    This means while the start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season isn’t expected to see much of an influence from ENSO, the back half of the season might. Remember, ENSO patterns alone do not drive how a hurricane season could go. It’s just one piece of the puzzle, but it can be a big piece.

    As we near the upcoming hurricane season, your Weather Experts will share tips and tricks to getting you hurricane ready. Remember, it only takes one storm to make it a bad season.

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    Meteorologist Zach Covey

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  • Heard about a chance for a big snowstorm Sunday? We break down the models

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    Parts of the Northeast will contend with a coastal storm that could deliver some impressive snow totals to some areas this weekend. It’s just hard to poinpoint which parts.

    Through Friday morning, the forecast uncertainty remains high in terms of exactly how this storm will play out. Current long-range forecast models indicating very different narratives. 

    That said, there are a few things that are starting to become clearer. And we’re putting out our first potential snow map. It calls for a widespread 1 to 3 inches for the New York City area, with parts of the region, and Long Island, potentially getting up to 5 inches. Expect changes in the days to come.

    What we know:

    We know that an area of low pressure currently over California will traverse the country and move off the North Carolina coast on Sunday. As it moves into the Atlantic, the low will strengthen and the tri-state area will pick up light to moderate snow and gusty northeast winds beginning Sunday afternoon.

    The American and European forecast models – two of the long-range models we rely on heavily for extended outlooks – are pretty consistent up to that point, with the low pressure area setting just off the Carolina Coast by early Sunday afternoon.

    Snow will be light to moderate initially, with a dusting to no more than three inches of accumulation likely for the tri-state through Sunday afternoon.

    What we don’t know:

    How the storm plays out Sunday night into Monday becomes a much bigger question. The long-range models deviate at this point. 

    The American model solution keeps the initial low pressure system on a track well offshore. However, as that low pulls away from the coast it predicts a secondary low will develop just off the Jersey Shore.  That secondary low would produce a band of heavy snow Sunday night into Monday morning for the Delmarva Peninsula, South Jersey and possibly Long Island.  Under this scenario, hardest-hit areas could pick up a total of 6 to 12 inches.

    Conversely, the European forecast model keeps the main low moving on a track offshore but does not develop the same secondary low.  Without that, there’s very little snow for Sunday night into Monday. The European model also shows snow totals for most areas would likely stay under three inches.

    The bottom line:

    The forecast for Sunday and Monday continues to be very fluid. Do expect snow this weekend – light to moderate Sunday afternoon, with the possibility of additional heavy snow Sunday night into early Monday. 

    Areas most likely to see over six inches of snow would be South Jersey and Long Island, with lighter amounts to the north and farther inland. Also, expect gusty northeast winds, especially along the coast as this storm system moves by. Gusts could reach 40 mph at times.

    By Friday afternoon, our forecast confidence should improve considerably. Because the storm system is now onshore over the West Coast, we have a much better assessment of the current state of the atmosphere there, which translates to much more precise and accurate forecast modeling going forward.

    Stay with Storm Team 4 through the weekend as we fine-tune the forecast for you.

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    Eric Braate l Storm Team 4

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  • Deadly California avalanche highlights inherent risks in the backcountry

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    The recovery of skiers killed in the deadliest U.S. avalanche in almost 45 years is dragging out because of what experts say is a prime rule for rescuers: Don’t make yourself a victim.

    A storm that continued lashing California’s remote Sierra Nevada wilderness Thursday meant more avalanches were possible in the backcountry area where authorities said eight people died and one was still missing two days after their group was caught in the deadly slide. Six people survived.

    Rescuers faced the same potential perils that killed the backcountry skiers and professional guides, as they pursued a sport with inherent risks that were compounded by several feet of new snow. Recovery efforts were set to resume Friday.

    Backcountry winter travelers from skiers and snowboarders to snowmobilers and mountaineers lean on avalanche forecasts to help them gauge the danger. Yet conditions quickly shift because of turbulent mountain weather.

    To supplement forecasts or if none is available, experienced skiers and guides will dig a pit in the snow to test how stable it is. They can also search out less-hazardous terrain, such as slopes that are not as steep or that are sheltered from known avalanche routes.

    As the snow from the storm system hitting the Sierras this week piled up, the group of 15 skiers caught in Tuesday’s avalanche were on the last day of a multiday trip and heading for the trailhead.

    “It was, quite likely, very necessary for them to leave the backcountry so their hazard wasn’t increased further,” said Anthony Pavlantos of Utah-based Prival USA, who makes avalanche safety equipment and runs mountain safety programs.

    “What’s really hard to say is like ‘why were they moving?’ You can’t ever start placing blame on events like this because we can all be there.”

    It’s not uncommon for people to venture into the backcountry to ski or snowboard during times of heightened danger: A dangerous storm also means lots of fresh snow that many skiers crave.

    And because fatal accidents are rare, the risk takers most often survive, said Dale Atkins, who has been involved in mountain rescues and avalanche forecasting and research in Colorado for five decades.

    “It’s not about not going; it’s about where and when you go,” Atkins said.

    But Atkins added that coming out of the backcountry unscathed can create a false sense of security in a pursuit where luck – or not enough of it – also plays a role.

    “It’s really easy to be fooled by the snow and avalanches,” he said. “We keep going out even in the worst of storms because that’s what we did last time, and then our luck runs out.”

    Typically the best hope for someone to survive burial in an avalanche is to dig themselves out or be rescued by a companion. That is because slides often occur in remote areas.

    It took rescuers six hours to reach the victims of Tuesday’s avalanche after the first report came in. By comparison, the chances of survival for someone buried for an hour is only about one in 10, Atkins said.

    The surviving skiers in California found three of the victims while they awaited rescue. Authorities haven’t given a detailed account about how they located the other victims.

    A debris field from a major avalanche like the fatal one in California will stretch over a huge area, making it difficult to figure out where someone ends up if they are caught and dragged beneath the surface.

    The first thing to look for is clues such as a glove or ski pole that could reveal a victim’s location, said Anthony Stevens, chief adviser for the search and rescue team in Teton County, Wyoming, home to Grand Teton National Park.

    Skiers in guided groups typically carry transceivers, known as avalanche beacons, that send out signals showing where they are. The devices can also receive other signals, displaying the direction and approximate distance to a victim.

    If that doesn’t work, rescuers can line up and use long, slender poles to probe into the snow in hopes of finding someone, said Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

    Time is of the essence throughout a rescue, and once someone is found they have to be dug out. The average depth of burial is roughly a meter, or just over 3 feet, Atkins said. And because snow and ice in an avalanche get heavily compacted, digging out someone from that depth requires moving at least a ton of material, he said.

    Rarely will people survive being buried for long. Atkins said he knew of two people who survived being buried 22 and 24 hours respectively following an avalanche in the 1990s in Washington state. A third member of their party did not survive.

    “It’s very unusual for a rescue team to find a buried person alive. But it happens, and that gives us hope,” he said.

    ____

    Associated Press writer Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this report.

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  • NorCal forecast: Freeze Warning Thursday night as the weather dries out

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    NorCal forecast: Freeze Warning Thursday night as the weather dries out

    A few days of dry weather will give crews in in the mountains some much-needed time to plow and restore power.

    ALL RIGHT. NOW TO KCRA 3 WEATHER. IT IS AN IMPACT DAY. BUT LOOK AT THIS. A LIVE LOOK FROM STOCKTON. WE DO HAVE SOME BLUE SKY OUT THERE, ALTHOUGH WE STILL HAVE THE CLOUDS. LET’S GET OVER TO DIRK WITH OUR FORECAST. YEAH, THE BIGGEST IMPACT TODAY HAS BEEN IN THE MOUNTAINS. WE HAVE HAD SOME SHOWERS, WE’VE HAD SOME HAIL AND SOME PRETTY HEAVY DOWNPOURS. BUT THE SIERRA, THAT’S WHERE WE CONTINUE TO SEE A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF SNOW STILL FALLING. NOW WE ARE SEEING SOME SIGNS OF IT BREAKING A BIT AND THAT’S GOOD. LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK HERE. BETWEEN HIGHWAY 50 AND I-80. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE HEAVIEST SNOW FALLING RIGHT NOW IN PLUMAS COUNTY AND EL DORADO COUNTIES, AND I-80, WHERE WE’VE BEEN SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK. ACTUALLY, THE SNOW PLOWS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KIND OF CATCH UP A LITTLE BIT. YOU CAN START SEEING SOME OF THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD HERE FROM THE DONNER SUMMIT SKY CAMERA THAT IS ICE ENCRUSTED WITH SOME OF THOSE SNOWFLAKES. GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A WINDOW TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ACTUAL I-80 DONNER SUMMIT AREA, BUT TEMPERATURE CURRENTLY 18 DEGREES WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 16MPH. SO LET’S GO AHEAD AND TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE RAIN HITTING THESE SPOTS WHERE THERE’S THESE LITTLE HEAVY DOWNPOURS, THESE LITTLE CELLS THAT ARE POPPING UP. THAT’S WHERE WE’RE SEEING HAIL THAT’S BEEN FORMING. AND SO THOSE ARE SPOTS THAT’S BEEN COLD ENOUGH TO WHERE WE’RE SEEING HAIL HAS HAD SEVERAL REPORTS OF HAIL. AND THOSE ARE THE MOST LIKELY SPOTS HERE ALONG HIGHWAY 108. WE’RE SEEING SOME. AND THAT’S GOING TO BE PUSHING IN AND TURNING INTO SOME SNOW AS IT MAKES ITS WAY UP INTO THE FOOTHILLS, UP ABOVE 1500 FEET. ALSO, JUST TO THE SOUTH OF IONE. YOU’RE KIND OF COMING OUT OF THIS AREA OF RAIN AS THIS IS MOVING A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE SOUTH TOWARDS SAN ANDREAS. IN JACKSON, YOU’VE BEEN SEEING SOME OF THAT RAIN. WE HAVE SOME RAIN NEAR CAMERON PARK CURRENTLY, AND AUBURN, WHICH EARLIER HAD SOME SNOW, IS NOW GETTING SOME LIGHT RAIN. SO SNOW THAT’S LAKE TAHOE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE PICTURE HERE SHOWING THE AREA BLANKETED WITH SOME FRESH SNOW. CURRENT TEMPERATURE AND TRUCKEE IS 25 DEGREES MODESTO 5154 IN STOCKTON AND 51 DEGREES CURRENTLY IN SACRAMENTO. SO ONCE WE GOT RID OF THE RAIN AND THINGS ARE DRYING OUT TEMPERATURES, THEY REBOUNDED A LITTLE BIT. EVEN WITH THAT COLD AIR THAT’S BRINGING OUT THOSE LOW SNOW LEVELS, CURRENT WINDS. WE HAVE WINDS 21MPH IN STOCKTON. THAT’S WHERE WE’RE SEEING SOME OF THE STRONGEST WINDS RIGHT NOW. 17 MILE AN HOUR WINDS IN FAIRFIELD, SAN FRANCISCO BEATS THEM ALL WITH A WIND COMING FROM THE WEST NORTHWEST AT 32MPH. SO WE HAVE THIS POCKET OF COLD AIR. IT’S MOVED IN AND WE’VE SEEN THE LOW SNOW LEVELS. AND THIS IS GOING TO MAKE FOR A COLD NIGHT TONIGHT, ESPECIALLY AREAS WHERE WE SEE THE CLOUD COVER STARTING TO CLEAR OUT. THAT’S JUST OPENING THE DOOR, ALLOWING THAT COLD AIR TO JUST SIT IN PLACE. ALTHOUGH ANY WARMTH IS GOING TO ESCAPE. AND WE’RE LOOKING AT A FREEZE WARNING THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT UNTIL 9:00 TOMORROW MORNING WITH SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES. BUT NOT EVERY PLACE IS GOING TO BE THE SAME. WE’RE LOOKING AT THE NORTH END OF THE VALLEY, STRETCHING ALL THE WAY UP INTO SHASTA COUNTY. THIS IS WHERE THE COLDEST AIR IS GOING TO BE. ANYWHERE FROM 23 TO 28 DEGREES. AND THEN YOU GET MORE TOWARDS SACRAMENTO AND ON INTO SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. AND THAT’S WHERE WE’RE EXPECTING TEMPERATURES TO RANGE MORE 29 TO 34 DEGREES. BUT STILL, THOSE ARE SOME PRETTY COLD TEMPERATURES FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE PLANTS OR ANYTHING THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BY THAT KIND OF COLD, TAKE CARE OF IT. TAKE CARE OF THAT BUSINESS SNOW THAT’S GOING TO BE DECREASING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING. WE CAN SEE WE HAVE SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUD COVER. WE’RE GOING TO SEE WIDESPREAD FROST TOMORROW MORNING BECAUSE OF THE RAIN KIND OF ICY CONDITIONS TO WAKE UP TO IN THE MORNING FRIDAY. AS WE GET INTO THE AFTERNOON, WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE THAT WILL BE NICE TO WARM THINGS UP. AND THERE’S ALSO THIS BOUNDARY OUT HERE BRINGING SOME RAIN ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST OF CALIFORNIA. NOW, WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS IT’S GOING TO HANG OUT. WE’RE LOOKING AT DRY SATURDAY AS WELL. SO DRY ON FRIDAY, DRY ON SATURDAY. BUT ALONG THE COAST WE HAVE THESE SHOWERS THAT ARE PICKING UP. IT’S EXPECTED TO SWING IN A LITTLE BIT ON SUNDAY. WE COULD SEE SOME OF THESE SHOWERS BASICALLY PARALLEL WITH I-80. AND SO WE’LL SEE THAT FROM SACRAMENTO NORTH ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY. AND THEN THE BETTER CHANCE FOR RAIN ROLLS IN ON TUESDAY. BUT FOR TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES STARTING OFF AROUND FREEZING, THEN DAYTIME HIGHS LOOKING AT MOSTLY MID TO LOW 50S SEVEN DAY FORECAST. GETTING A NICE BREAK FRIDAY SATURDAY AND FOR SOME EVEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY. IT’S REALLY GOING TO BE TUESDAY THAT WE HAVE THE BETTER SHOT FOR RAIN AND THIS IS GOING TO BE WARMER SYSTEM WITH TEMPERATURES WARMING UP. WE’RE LOOKING AT SNOW LEVELS AROUND 7000FT. SO THOSE AREAS THAT HA


    Meteorologist/Climate Reporter

    NorCal forecast: Freeze Warning Thursday night as the weather dries out

    A few days of dry weather will give crews in in the mountains some much-needed time to plow and restore power.

    Updated: 4:42 PM PST Feb 19, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ


    Meteorologist/Climate Reporter

    The next few days will be dry in the Valley, Foothills and Sierra.

    That will give plow and power crews some much-needed time to clear roads and restore electricity.

    Temperatures will plummet Friday morning with many Valley spots at of below freezing at sunrise. Saturday and Sunday will gradually turn milder.

    A couple showers can’t be ruled out Sunday and Monday, but most places will stay dry both days.

    Rain is likely on Tuesday and the snow level will stay at or even above the Sierra summits.

    Cold Friday morning

    A Freeze Warning is in effect Thursday night into Friday morning across the Valley.

    Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing in some Valley spots Friday morning. The Foothills may have some icy side streets with temperatures in the 20s. Many Sierra roads will be covered in snow and ice.

    Sierra travel outlook

    Snow will stop Thursday night and dry weather is in the forecast Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    It will take plow crews a while to remove all of the snow that’s fallen this week, especially on narrow side streets.

    Drivers should expect chain controls and long travel times on Friday and maybe Saturday even with dry weather.

    Friday’s high temperatures

    Friday afternoon will be dry and chilly with a mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures will be running about 10 degrees cooler than normal.

    Weekend forecast

    The weekend will be warmer and mostly dry.

    The only chance for a shower comes on Sunday. Areas east of I-5 including the Foothills and Sierra will stay dry while the west side of the Valley could see a few hundredths of an inch of rain.

    KCRA 3 weather Impact Day Tuesday

    The next round of widespread precipitation is in the forecast for Tuesday. This will be a much warmer storm system and the snow level will likely stay at or even above the Sierra passes.

    The KCRA 3 weather team has issued a weather Impact Day for Tuesday because of how rain will affect travel and any outdoor plans.

    Valley 7-day forecast

    A few showers are possible Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday is more likely to be wet all day.

    Rain will clear for the rest of next week.

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  • Denver weather: How much snow to expect Friday

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    Light snow is expected to return to Denver this week, with small accumulations forecast across the metro area on the tail-end of a mountain snowstorm, according to the National Weather Service.

    As of Thursday, 1/2 inch of snow was forecast for most of the Denver area by Saturday morning, with up to 1 inch possible, according to the weather service.

    That included Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Commerce City, Denver, Fort Collins, Highlands Ranch, Littleton and Parker, according to the weather service.

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    Lauren Penington

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  • Interactive Map: Track Florida Wildfires

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida dry season usually runs from November through May, and with that comes fire danger. This is usually due to low humidity and reduced rainfall. 

    Due to the enhanced fire danger, burn bans are in effect for the Tampa Bay area. A burn ban prohibits burning outdoors as well as fireworks, sparklers and fire pits. Outdoor grilling is allowed as long as flames are contained within a grill and the fire is constantly attended. 

    Here are some safety tips to prevent fires:

    • Remove fuels that can lead flames to your home or that can be ignited by windblown embers.
    • Clear away dead grass, leaves, twigs, and branches from structures, roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways.
    • Store firewood at least 30 feet from occupied structures.
    • Plant landscaping that retains moisture and resists ignition, such as native, fire-resistant vegetation.
    • Help emergency responders find your home faster by making sure that street numbers are easy to read.
    • Know where the closest firefighting water source is to your home or building.
    • Dispose of cigarette butts properly.
    • Pick up light-refracting metal items, such as soda cans, that can spark a fire.     
    • Don’t park vehicles over high grass that could come into contact with hot engines and other components.

    INTERACTIVE MAP: LATEST WILDFIRES

    Click/tap on the fire icons to get more information on that particular fire.


    If the map does not load, try this link

    Florida Wildfire Resource Links:

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Snow drought helped set the stage for deadly California avalanche, leading to unstable conditions

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    A weekslong “snow drought” in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada helped set the stage for Tuesday’s deadly avalanche, after several feet of new snow fell on an earlier layer that had hardened, making it unstable and easily triggered, experts said.

    The new snow did not have time to bond to the earlier layer before the avalanche near Lake Tahoe killed at least eight backcountry skiers, said Craig Clements, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University, who has conducted avalanche research. Six skiers survived and rescuers were still searching for another one who was still missing on Wednesday.

    The group was on a three-day backcountry trek in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning when they were trapped by the avalanche as a winter storm pummeled the West Coast.

    The dangers generally are highest in the first 24 to 48 hours after a very large snowfall, Clements said, and authorities had issued avalanche warnings.

    Here’s what to know.

    When weather is dry and clear, as it had been in the Sierra Nevada since January, snow crystals change and can become angular or round over time, Clements said.

    If heavy new snow falls on the crystals, the layers often can’t bond and the new snow forms what is called a storm slab over a weaker layer.

    “Because it’s on a mountain, it will slide,” when it’s triggered by any change in the tension above or below, sometimes naturally but also because of people traversing the area, Clements said.

    Authorities have not said what triggered Tuesday’s avalanche.

    If there had been more consistent snowfall throughout the winter, different layers could have bonded more easily, Clements said. But even when a snow slab forms, the danger often only lasts a couple of days until the new snow stabilizes, he said.

    Although climate change can lead to weather extremes that include both drought and heavier precipitation, it’s difficult to say how and whether it will affect avalanches or where they occur, scientists say.

    Clements said this week’s avalanche is fairly typical for California’s Sierra Nevada and he doesn’t believe it can be linked to climate change.

    Avalanches are a mechanism of how much snow falls on weak or stable layers, and this one was “a meteorological phenomenon, not a climate phenomenon,” he said.

    About 3 feet to 6 feet of snow has fallen since Sunday, when the group started its trip. The area was also hit by subfreezing temperatures and gale force winds. The Sierra Avalanche Center said the threat of more avalanches remained Wednesday and left the snowpack unstable and unpredictable.

    Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers near California’s Lake Tahoe and were searching for one more following Tuesday’s avalanche, which authorities say was the nation’s deadliest in nearly half a century.

    Six from the guided tour were rescued six hours after the avalanche.

    Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said Wednesday that investigators would look into the decision to proceed with the trip despite the storm forecast.

    The skiers traveled Sunday to remote huts at 7,600 feet (3,415 meters) in Tahoe National Forest, carrying their own food and supplies. At 6:49 that morning, the Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch for the area, indicating that large slides were likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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  • DHS shutdown leaves local emergency responders on their own amid extreme weather, expert warns

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    EXCLUSIVE: The partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could have a critical impact on local disaster response without assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a public safety expert warned.

    In an interview with Fox News Digital, Jeffrey Halstead, the director of strategic accounts at Genasys, a communications hardware and software provider to help communities during disasters, said the DHS shutdown could impact emergency response and recovery efforts now that FEMA support has been restricted.

    “Every time that the government enters into one of these shutdowns, there’s a distinctive part of the federal government that is impacted, both reviewing the grant program or distributing funds from pre-awarded grant programs. This is exactly the area of DHS as well as FEMA that affects emergency managers, emergency response and recovering different cities, counties, and regions should they face a weather and/or disaster-related event,” Halstead said.

    Halstead, also a retired chief of police in Fort Worth, Texas, with more than 30 years in law enforcement, explained that government shutdowns delaying federal funds “drastically impacts” the local response to disasters.

    ICE SHUTDOWN FIGHT MIGHT RESTRICT FEMA, COAST GUARD TO ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ EMERGENCIES

    The Trump administration ordered FEMA to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-torn areas across the country during the DHS shutdown. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

    “I know personally, I was in Arizona for over 21 years, in Texas as chief of police for over seven, and then I was in Nevada for a long time, and I worked directly with a few states in the Western United States,” he said.

    “The last government shutdown pretty much ended their grant application process, meaning the grants would not be approved, not even be assigned and/or funds not released,” he continued. “This drastically impacts their ability to plan and to coordinate a lot of their planned response events. In Arizona, the central UASI region or the Urban Area Security Initiative, they have none of their grants being reviewed, which replaces outdated equipment, vehicles and funds training so that every quarter they can meet the standards and then be ready should something happen.”

    This comes as the Trump administration ordered FEMA to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-torn areas across the country during the DHS shutdown.

    More than 300 FEMA disaster responders were preparing for upcoming assignments, but were told to halt their travel plans. Grant systems are also not fully operational until lawmakers can reach a deal to fund the department.

    “The biggest impact is funding, the grants being distributed and then getting all that equipment and training aligned so that they can actually have a very successful year getting ready for a disaster,” Halstead said.

    DHS SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS WITHOUT PAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO AIRPORTS AND DISASTER RESPONSE

    FEMA SIGN

    More than 300 FEMA disaster responders were preparing for upcoming assignments, but were told to halt their travel plans. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

    “Should there be a traumatic weather event, critical incident or something that would require FEMA support, FEMA staff or FEMA resources, those may not be available,” he added. “This drastically impacts the city, county, state and federal collaboration efforts that literally are immediately engaged, aligned and resources deployed, sometimes within 12 hours. So this greatly inhibits their ability to plan effectively should a critical event, disaster event, or weather-related event come their way. They won’t have all these federal assets and resources that they have come to depend on, rely on, and work with in both their planning as well as training events or previous disasters where they responded and provided support.”

    As part of the move to end FEMA deployments, staffers currently working on major recovery efforts will remain on the sites and cannot return home unless their assignment ends, but no new personnel can join or relieve them without DHS approval.

    Recovery efforts are still ongoing in places like North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene devastated the region in the fall of 2024.

    As Halstead noted, the recovery effort is the “final piece for the emergency management cycle to get back to normalcy for that region.”

    “When that is dramatically impacted, you still see some areas of North Carolina a couple of years later still struggling in the recovery phase being completed,” he said. “That is directly related to all of these stalls and delays in FEMA, FEMA funding and the financial support needed to get the recovery phase completed.” 

    PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON AS DHS FUNDING TALKS STALL

    FEMA computer display

    FEMA staffers working on major recovery efforts will remain on the sites and cannot return home unless their assignment ends, but no new personnel can join or relieve them without DHS approval. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

    Asked about the importance of federal funding given recent extreme weather across the U.S. such as snow on the East Coast, flooding in California and fire disasters in the High Plains that forced evacuations, Halstead said it is “extremely critical” and that the delay in funds can impact the safety of local residents.

    “It’s absolutely extremely critical for emergency managers, your fire departments as well as law enforcement, to utilize not just these partnerships and the resources, but the funding allocations so that they can plan effectively in responding, operational control of the disaster, and then getting into that recovery mode … Then sometimes that delay, it’s going to impact the safety and the welfare of Americans,” Halstead explained.

    Republicans and Democrats in Congress have yet to reach a deal to end the partial shutdown, in large part due to Democrats’ demand for stricter oversight and reforms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shootings last month of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, which the GOP has thus far resisted.

    President Donald Trump argued earlier this week that it is a “Democrat shutdown” and “has nothing to do with Republicans.”

    Halstead said he would like lawmakers on Capitol Hill to negotiate in good faith to end the shutdown so that first responders will have “effective means to do our jobs safely and very, very efficiently.”

    north carolinians walks along helene devastation

    Recovery efforts are still ongoing in places like North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene devastated the region in the fall of 2024. (Travis Long/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

    “I know a lot of people are really upset because they leverage a significant political issue over a common funding agreement that should have been approved very quickly,” he said. “This has happened a lot in the last two to three years. We’ve seen shutdown after shutdown after shutdown. What a lot of citizens don’t realize is that when the government is shut down, all of this work — grant reviews, proposals, funding, disbursements — those are all delayed. Then there is a significant lag time getting back to an open government.”

    “They’re still negotiating all these extremely politically sensitive topics that are really divisive within not just Capitol Hill, but really our country,” Halstead added. “Then all of that backlog is now taking even longer to get approved, funded and funds being dispersed. So it’s a compounding effect on all of our emergency managers and our first responders to do their jobs effectively.”

    Halstead highlighted that a deal to reach the shutdown is unlikely before Trump’s State of the Union address next week, in which the president affirmed he would give the speech regardless, and that the ongoing delays in FEMA funding could last weeks.

    “It may be another two weeks at least until we can get this funded and get it back open,” Halstead said. “But then we still have these significant backlogs. It will take a significant amount of time.”

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  • California walloped by winter storm with high winds and heavy rain and snow

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    California was walloped Monday by a powerful winter storm carrying treacherous thunderstorms, high winds and heavy snow in mountain areas.

    Millions of Los Angeles County residents faced flash flood warnings as rain pounded the region and people in some areas scarred by last year’s devastating wildfires were under an evacuation warning through Tuesday because of the potential for mud and debris flows.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered emergency crews and city departments to be ready to respond to any problems.

    The storm wreaked havoc on roadways spanning from Sonoma County to the Sierra Nevada. Traffic was halted temporarily in both directions on I-80 near the Nevada state line due to spinouts and crashes, the California Department of Transportation reported. In Santa Barbara County, a large tree toppled onto US-101, shutting down southbound lanes.

    Forecasters said the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, northern Shasta County — including portions of Interstate 5 — and parts of the state’s Coast Range could see up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow before the storm moves through late Wednesday. The heavy snow, wind and low visibility could also make travel conditions dangerous to near impossible, forecasters added.

    “It has seemed ‘springlike’ for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet,” the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post urging residents to stay aware of the storm.

    California’s Office of Emergency Services said it was placing fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud and debris flows.

    In Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain was closed Monday due to the storm, and Knotts Berry Farm amusement park shut its doors early. But the winter weather was celebrated by local ski resorts that have waited weeks for snow.

    Other states on Monday braced for different threatening weather events. Residents in parts of eastern Colorado received warnings that they could be in fire danger due to a combination of abnormally high temperatures, gusty winds and dry conditions. The risks were expected to continue further into the week as gusts up to 60 mph (96 kph) are likely to hit the Colorado eastern plains on Tuesday. Parts of Texas, New Mexico and Kansas were also under red flag warnings.

    The latest storm comes amid a snow drought across much of the American West, with snow cover and depth measuring at the lowest levels scientists have seen in decades. Most states saw half their average precipitation or less in January, though California fared better others due to heavy rains in December.

    It was the first of several days of stormy weather forecast for California. A coastal flood advisory was in effect for San Francisco until Tuesday afternoon, with cooler showers and a chance of hail on Tuesday, while nearby mountains were expecting snow, the National Weather Service in Monterey reported.

    Kashawna McInerny, a Realtor in the mountain community of Wrightwood, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, on Monday said she was still dealing with several tons of rock and debris on her property from Christmas and New Year’s storms that pummeled the community. After the last one, she said she got help trenching part of her side yard to direct stormwater down the street and placed a barrier of metal and wood by a door in hopes of keeping out mud and debris.

    “We’re not panicking yet. At least I’m not,” she said with a laugh.

    ___

    Associated Press writers Amy Taxin from Santa Ana, California, and Dorany Pineda in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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  • California walloped by winter storm with high winds and heavy rain and snow

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    California was walloped Monday by a powerful winter storm carrying treacherous thunderstorms, high winds and heavy snow in mountain areas.

    Millions of Los Angeles County residents faced flash flood warnings as rain pounded the region and people in some areas scarred by last year’s devastating wildfires were under an evacuation warning through Tuesday because of the potential for mud and debris flows.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered emergency crews and city departments to be ready to respond to any problems.

    The storm wreaked havoc on roadways spanning from Sonoma County to the Sierra Nevada. Traffic was halted temporarily in both directions on I-80 near the Nevada state line due to spinouts and crashes, the California Department of Transportation reported. In Santa Barbara County, a large tree toppled onto US-101, shutting down southbound lanes.

    Forecasters said the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, northern Shasta County — including portions of Interstate 5 — and parts of the state’s Coast Range could see up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow before the storm moves through late Wednesday. The heavy snow, wind and low visibility could also make travel conditions dangerous to near impossible, forecasters added.

    “It has seemed ‘springlike’ for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet,” the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post urging residents to stay aware of the storm.

    California’s Office of Emergency Services said it was placing fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud and debris flows.

    In Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain was closed Monday due to the storm, and Knotts Berry Farm amusement park shut its doors early. But the winter weather was celebrated by local ski resorts that have waited weeks for snow.

    Other states on Monday braced for different threatening weather events. Residents in parts of eastern Colorado received warnings that they could be in fire danger due to a combination of abnormally high temperatures, gusty winds and dry conditions. The risks were expected to continue further into the week as gusts up to 60 mph (96 kph) are likely to hit the Colorado eastern plains on Tuesday. Parts of Texas, New Mexico and Kansas were also under red flag warnings.

    The latest storm comes amid a snow drought across much of the American West, with snow cover and depth measuring at the lowest levels scientists have seen in decades. Most states saw half their average precipitation or less in January, though California fared better others due to heavy rains in December.

    It was the first of several days of stormy weather forecast for California. A coastal flood advisory was in effect for San Francisco until Tuesday afternoon, with cooler showers and a chance of hail on Tuesday, while nearby mountains were expecting snow, the National Weather Service in Monterey reported.

    Kashawna McInerny, a Realtor in the mountain community of Wrightwood, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, on Monday said she was still dealing with several tons of rock and debris on her property from Christmas and New Year’s storms that pummeled the community. After the last one, she said she got help trenching part of her side yard to direct stormwater down the street and placed a barrier of metal and wood by a door in hopes of keeping out mud and debris.

    “We’re not panicking yet. At least I’m not,” she said with a laugh.

    ___

    Associated Press writers Amy Taxin from Santa Ana, California, and Dorany Pineda in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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  • Denver breaks heat record Sunday; temperatures 22 degrees above normal

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    Temperatures at Denver International Airport climbed to record highs on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

    As of 2:28 p.m., temperatures at DIA had reached 68 degrees, according to the weather service. The previous Feb. 15 record of 67 degrees was set in 2017.

    The Sunday record is more than 20 degrees above Denver’s “normal” Feb. 15 high of 45 degrees, weather service records show.

    No other record temperatures are expected in Denver this week, but high winds and low humidity prompted the weather service to issue multiple fire weather watches for the city.

    Fire danger on the Front Range and Eastern Plains may lead to another round of power outages for Colorado, according to Xcel Energy.

    Colorado weather: Power outages possible amid high winds, ‘critical’ fire danger

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    Lauren Penington

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