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Tag: Weather Stories

  • Hurricane Humberto is quickly weakening

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    Hurricane Humberto continues to weaken quickly . It’s going to become post-tropical soon.

    Humberto formed on Wednesday, Sept. 24. It’s the eighth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Humberto is becoming disorganized as it battles strong wind shear

    • No direct impacts to the U.S. are expected

    • It’s bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to Bermuda


    Humberto is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum winds of 80 mph. It’s moving north-northwest at 18 mph across the western Atlantic. 

    It’s turning northeastward as it combats strong westerly wind shear, becoming more disorganized. It should weaken and turn post-tropical by Wednesday or Thursday.

    It’s not a threat to the U.S. other than rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the east coast. 


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.

    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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  • Can two tropical systems collide? The Fujiwhara Effect explained

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    Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto are churning in the western Atlantic. As of Tuesday morning, they are located a little over 400 miles from one another.

    Initially, it could appear that the two storms will merge to generate a mega-hurricane, but this is not the case, due to the Fujiwhara Effect. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Fujiwhara effect is when two storms orbit around a common point

    • It’s an unusual circumstance, especially among tropical systems

    • It usually takes place in the spacious Pacific Ocean, but can occur in any ocean


    So why does this happen? In short, the two low pressure systems rotate around a common center point. 

    What is the Fujiwhara Effect?

    Named for Sakuhei Fujiwhara, a Japanese meteorologist who first noticed storms’ interactions in the 1920s. He theorized that two storms could rotate around a common point and influence tracks of the storms. Fujiwhara was proven correct.

    In some instances these storms look like they are “dancing” with one another. 

    Bay News 9’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay says we should not be concerned about these storms colliding and forming a mega-hurricane. “In the Atlantic, if two tropical systems are close enough, they can ruin the environment for both, just like we are seeing right now with Humberto and Imelda. There just isn’t enough ocean space.”

    The smaller or weaker storm will usually circle around the bigger one, as the larger storm will eventually dominate or potentially even fully absorb the smaller system.

    Imelda, in this case, is the larger storm and is expected to fully absorb Humberto over the next day or so. Wind shear, or the change in wind speed and direction with height, is usually created from the interaction, killing one or both storms.

    2023 Atlantic Ocean Fujiwhara Effect

    Clay says this effect is rare and commonly occurs in the Pacific Ocean because it is the larger ocean, but it can happen in any ocean. 

    Nearly two years ago, a similar occurrence was taking place in the Atlantic Ocean, albeit with weaker storms. Tropical Storms Philippe and Tropical Storm Rina were both located east of the Leeward Islands. 

    They began to do the “dance” of the Fujiwhara Effect and eventually, the stronger storm – Philippe weakened Rina. 

    On Sept. 28, 2023, Tropical Storms Philippe and Rina east of the Leeward Islands, began the Fujiwhara Effect “dance.” (NOAA)

    For interests in the tropics, here is what we are currently tracking. 

    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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  • Tropical Depression Nine expected to become a tropical storm soon

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    Tropical Depression Nine is moving toward the Bahamas and expected to become a tropical storm soon. The next name on the list is Imelda.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical Depression Nine is moving toward the Bahamas

    • It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda

    • It will bring impacts to the southeastern U.S. early next week


    Tropical Depression Nine has maximum winds of 35 mph. The storm is almost stationary, moving northwest at 2 mph toward the Bahamas. The depression this evening remains fairly disorganized, with convection mainly oriented in a north-south fashion with only a hint of banding on the northern side.

    It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda and then eventually into a hurricane as it heads north toward the southeastern coast. There is still above-average uncertainty in the details of the long-range forecast. It is notable to point out the system has been moving slower than anticipated over the last 12-24 hours, and this could have significant implications on its ultimate track.

    In general, models agree that the presence of Hurricane Humberto to the east will result in a weakening of steering currents, causing the system to slow down and meander near the southeast U.S. coast on Tuesday. The offical NHC track now favors a slower storm and a track that turns sharper to the east, keeping it farther away from the U.S. coast. Fewer models are showing a landfalling tropical cyclone.

    Even with a high degree of uncertainty, there is a threat of heavy rainfall early next week from portions of the east coast of Florida northward into the Carolinas, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding.

    Tropical Depression 9 is expected to be at or near hurricane intensity when it is closest to the southeast U.S. coast early next week, where there is a risk of storm surge and wind impacts. Although it is too soon to be specific about track and intensity, residents should closely monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.

    Models show the system approaching the coast of Georgia and South Carolina and slowing down. It could make landfall or turn back out into the Atlantic before moving inland.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these models.

    Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Bahamas. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect up Florida’s East Coast.


    The threat for significant rainfall and flash flooding is expected across parts of the Southeast throughout early next week regardless of where Tropical Depression Nine goes. 


    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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  • Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 could impact the Southeast next week

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    Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 has formed in the western Atlantic near the Bahamas. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 has formed

    • It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda

    • It could make landfall along the southeastern coast next week


    It is a Potential Tropical Cyclone with maximum winds of 35 mph. It is moving northwest at 9 mph across the western Atlantic. 

    It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda and then eventually into a hurricane as it moves north toward the southeastern coast. It could make landfall anywhere from Georgia to the Carolinas early next week.

    The forecast for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 still has a lot of uncertainty, as it should interact with Tropical Storm Humberto, making the long-term track and intensity forecast more difficult than usual. The entire southeastern U.S. coast should be monitoring it closely.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these models.

    Heavy rainfall and flooding is expected across parts of the Southeast throughout early next week. 


    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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  • Historic Anna Maria church shines bright despite hurricane damage

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    ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Nearly one year after Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of Anna Maria Island, the three cities that make up the barrier island are still working to recover. 

    In the heart of Anna Maria, the City Pier still sits closed. The state budget has allocated more than $1.5 million to rebuild the pier, which will cost anywhere from $6 million to $9 million.

    What You Need To Know

    • The chapel at Roser Church was closed for nearly eight months after sustaining water damage

    • Church leaders and parishioners worked together to restore historic church

    • The chapel was built in 1913 and has a long history 

    • Anna Maria City Pier will likely be closed until late 2026


    The city’s mayor says they are working with FEMA and Manatee County to secure additional funding to finish the project. Their goal is to reopen the pier by fall 2026.

    In Bradenton Beach, the large yellow house that sits facing the beach on Gulf Drive that was infamously blown over during Hurricane Milton still sits in the same spot. While power has been disconnected and fencing erected on the property, the house itself sits almost untouched, pulling the eyes of drivers and pedestrians.


    Roser Church, which sits on Pine Ave in Anna Maria, is back open following months of renovations.

    Parishioner and church leader Bill Marini says that as soon as the bridges reopened following the hurricanes, he rushed to the church before checking on his own home.

    “I just had to get here… and my wife said, ‘That’s fine – we’ll go!’” he recalled. “God was just leading me to come… he wanted me to come here to see.”

    Marini says he discovered water had come up through the original wood floors of the chapel, and much of the electrical system had fried. He worked quickly to get contractors and a remediation company to the church, which saved some of the century-old wood and fixtures.

    While Marini re-painted each of the church’s 17 rooms, a team of church leaders and congregation members assisted with other projects to help bring the historic building back to life.

    Pastor Dirk Rodgers also felt the responsibility that comes with leading such a historic church. Pastor Dirk says the church has always been non-denominational, long before that was a popular term. So after the hurricanes, he knew he had to keep the spirit of his community strong.

    “Really my burden was… how can we continue to give people hope?,” he said.

    In the days following the storm, Pastor Dirk led a church service outside for hundreds of people.

    “It’s just great to be a part of that organization that refuses to go down… we’re gonna be here,” he said.


     

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    Angie Angers

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  • Raising Hope: A record number of homeowners are elevating

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    Pinellas County, Fla. — The look and feel of hurricane recovery and rebuilding started changing dramatically in 2005 after the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Hurricane recovery and rebuilding has changed dramatically since 2005 after Hurricane Katrina

    •  After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homeowners on the coast are opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers

    • St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee

    • The entire process of lifting a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors


    The house lifting industry gained national visibility in the years that followed and expanded further following other major storms, including Superstorm Sandy, that devastated the northeast in 2012, and the historic flooding in Texas after Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in 2017.

    “Once Katrina hit, we started learning about the whole industry, and there really wasn’t an industry before that hurricane,” said JAS Builders Co-owner and CEO Jeff Trosclair.

    “When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey and Long Island, the industry started migrating in that direction and lifting homes up there, but it really has not been something we’ve seen in these numbers here in Florida until recently,” Trosclair continued.

    Over the past 12 months since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Bay Area homeowners in coastal communities and beyond have been opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers, according to building officials.

    “Before the hurricanes, we may have only received calls for a few houses a year, but following Helene and Milton, we received thousands of calls for help from homeowners wanting to protect their property from future storms,” said JAS Builders Founder and Co-Owner Albert Jasuan.

    “Now, we’re transforming communities. It’s not just one or two houses per neighborhood. We’re transforming whole neighborhoods and whole streets. Everyone is calling us because they see what their neighbors are doing to stay connected to their communities, and they want to do it as well,” Jasuan added.

    Currently, St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee. The entire process to lift a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors, including the size of the home, structural upgrades and plumbing and electrical modifications.

    “Some of these homes have flooded multiple times, and people are tired of dealing with extensive damage and ready to get them up to mitigate their risks,” said Jasuan standing in front of a Treasure Island home where JAS crews are almost done elevating the structure 14-feet high.

    “We don’t just lift the home. We get it out of harm’s way forever for the lifetime of the home and the lifetime of the person that wants to be there,” Jasuan continued.

    Every project is deeply personal for his co-owner, whose childhood home in New Orleans, where his mother still lives, flooded four times and was eventually elevated with help from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina in 2006.

    “Each storm left scars: favorite toys that were lost, family treasures ruined, and my parents shouldering the crushing stress of starting over again. So, this type of work really hits home for me,” said Trosclair.

    With a mission of building community resiliency, the co-owners of JAS Builders, along with nearly 200 employees, strive to bring safety, peace of mind and hope to hurricane-damaged communities.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • South Pasadena couple gives update one year after Hurricane Helene

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hours after Hurricane Helene sent floodwaters and storm surge into homes all over the Bay area, families were clearing out their homes and assessing the damage.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Winkler and his wife, Connie, had a lot of damage in South Pasadena from Hurricane Helene
    • The couple had just finished renovating their South Pasadena home right before Helene. A year later, and their house is a shell
    • They were fortunate to be able to purchase a new home after living in a rental property all year

    Dave Winkler and his wife, Connie, had a lot of damage in South Pasadena. We watched as they washed their shoes that had been floating in floodwater. The couple cleared out everything they owned. A year later, and their house is a shell.

    Dave can still picture the kitchen, then and now. “It looked like the spin cycle on a washing machine, refrigerators upside down, couches floated and displaced themselves,” he said.

    Their bedroom and bathroom on the day of the storm and 12 months later are empty without the water-soaked carpet and bedroom set.

    Then there’s the pool. It was dark green when we were here last; now, crystal clear.

    “I had fish in the pool, and when I tried to drain it a few weeks later we actually had barnacles growing on the side of the pool,” Dave said.

    Dave said he used chemicals to clean and cut drywall to prevent molding. But there’s no real remedy to wash away the pain Hurricane Helene’s storm surge left behind.

    “It’s just sad. All of that effort, time, money and memories,” he said.

    The memories that date back decades in their house.

    “I gave the house to my mother, and she lived here for 20 years,” Dave said. “And when she passed, I came over and of course 20 years had gone by, and it needed a little bit of remodeling again and I decided to really expand the footprint of the house.”

    The couple had just finished renovating their South Pasadena home right before Hurricane Helene.

    “As you can see from my permitting in South Pasadena, my final, final inspection was on Sept. 12, 2024, just weeks before the storm,” he said.

    When they think about what their house looked like one year after the storm, there’s still a flood of emotions. Especially when they think about what was lost.  

    “I don’t care if you’re at Home Depot or out to breakfast; they’re still talking about it. It was absolutely traumatic for mostly everybody. It’s just how you deal with that afterwards,” Dave said.

    They were fortunate to be able to purchase a new home after living in a rental property all year.

    “Our entire lifetime now fits in half of a bedroom. That’s all the stuff we were able to save,” Connie said.

    They’ve tried to sell their South Pasadena home as is — but they want what it’s worth, so they’re going to renovate once again.

    “We just recently signed an agreement to hire a contractor because I didn’t want to go through it again. It was just too difficult,” Dave said.

    The only work they’re doing this time around is keeping their spirits up and remaining optimistic.

    “Let’s hope it’s a onetime thing and that we can put this behind us,” Dave said.

    They’re putting it behind them and on the market for someone else to enjoy.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Tropical Storm Humberto forms in the Atlantic

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    Tropical Storm Humberto has formed in the central Atlantic. It’s the eighth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Humberto has formed in the Atlantic

    • It’s a tropical storm with max winds of 40 mph

    • It’s expected to become a hurricane


    Humberto is a tropical storm with maximum winds of 40 mph. It is currently moving west-northwest at 15 mph toward the western Atlantic. 

    It’s expected to continue its track toward the northwest or west-northwest during the next couple of days, staying well north of the Leeward Islands. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend. 

    The forecast for Humberto still has a lot of uncertainty, as it could interact with another tropical wave near the Caribbean, making the long-term track and intensity forecast more difficult than usual. It’s not a threat to the U.S. at this time.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these 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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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Gabrielle accelerates into the northern Atlantic

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    Hurricane Gabrielle is still a major hurricane as it pulls away from Bermuda. It rapidly intensified Monday, and remains a powerful storm.

    It formed Atlantic on Wednesday, Sept. 17. It’s the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gabrielle is moving away from Bermuda

    • It’s still a major hurricane

    • A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Azores


    Gabrielle is now a Category 3 hurricane with maximum winds of 115 mph. It is currently moving east-northeast at 25 mph over the open Atlantic. 

    Gabrielle will continue to move east out into the open waters of the Atlantic for the rest of the week as it transitions into a post-tropical cyclone. It will stay far enough from Bermuda to avoid any significant impacts, but it will bring large swells to Bermuda and the East Coast of the U.S.

    Vertical wind shear continues to slowly increase over the hurricane, and shear will increase further while Gabrielle moves over cooler ocean
    waters, and the latest guidance shows a slightly faster rate of weakening than earlier. The NHC intensity forecast follows suit, showing steady weakening through the next 2-3 days, though Gabrielle should still be a hurricane when it moves across the Azores late this week as a hurricane with Hurricane Warnings in effect.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these 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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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Fall officially arrives with the autumnal equinox

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    Fall has officially arrived. Summer has come to an end, meaning cooler and shorter days are on the horizon. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Fall begins Monday, Sept. 22

    • The 2025 autumnal equinox happens at 2:19 p.m. ET

    • The largest daily loss of daylight occurs in September



    The change in seasons occurs with the solstice or the equinox determined by the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun. 

    What is the equinox?

    The Earth is tilted at a 23.5-degree angle, and as it travels around the sun, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward or away from the sun.

    During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up, allowing the sun’s rays to shine directly on the equator. This means that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight.

    Meteorological Fall vs. Astronomical Fall

     

    The meteorological seasons are calendar-based, whereas the astronomical seasons rely on the Earh’s position to the sun. 

    Meteorological fall occurs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. The meteorological seasons are broken down evenly into 3-month periods based on temperature and weather cycles. 

    Astronomical fall typically starts between Sept. 21 and Sept. 23. This varies because of leap years, which can shift the start date by a day or two. 

    Why do we lose so much daylight?

    We have been slowly losing more and more daylight since the summer solstice in June, and will continue to lose more daylight until the winter solstice in December. The largest daily loss of daylight occurs in September, especially as the autumnal equinox approaches.

    The Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt is the main reason we see daylight changes throughout the year. Your latitude also plays a role as well.

    This time of year, the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun, leading to a decrease in daylight. Areas located closer to the equator will see less variation in daylight hours as opposed to areas located closer to the North Pole.

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

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    Meteorologist Ramel Carpenter

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  • When will you see the first freeze this fall?

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    Leaves are changing, and the first day of astronomical fall is next Monday, Sept. 22. Most of the country will begin to see cooler temperatures in the coming weeks, and some won’t have to wait long.

    Even though winter doesn’t begin until December, cold air and freezing temperatures arrive well before then for most of the U.S.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Northern Plains and Intermountain West usually dip down below freezing before September is over

    • Interior New England  and the Great Lakes also see freezing temperatures before most of the country

    • Cold air arrives in Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Desert Southwest last



    Winter arrives at the time time every year on the calendar, but not on your thermometer. Every year is different. The maps below give a good idea of when you can expect the first freeze where you live based on the 1991-2020 U.S. climate normals.

    The maps below show the ‘median,’ or average date of the first freeze. This is when you could expect the first freeze to arrive during a ‘normal’ year. The next one shows the ‘earliest 10%’ which shows a scenario of when colder air arrives early, about once every 10 years. And the last map shows the ‘latest 10%,’ so during a warm year when cold air arrives late.

    Northeast

    Most of the Northeast and New England see the first freeze before or during early fall, in September or early October. The mountains and high elevations across interior New England and the Adirondacks average freezing temperatures sometime in September, with the rest of the Northeast getting freezing cold sometime during October or early November.

    Midwest

    The Upper Midwest and Northern Plains also get in on the cold early. Around the Great Lakes and Dakotas, the first freeze typically arrives during September or early October. Further south the wait isn’t much longer. Freezing air usually arrives to the rest of the Midwest sometime before Halloween.

    Northwest

    There are many microclimates across the Northwest, so the arrival of cold air varies. Across the Rockies and Intermountain West, some areas experience cold year-round and as early as August and early September. The Pacific Northwest might not see freezing temperatures arrive until late October or November thanks to the maritime influence. 

    Southwest

    The Southwest has a variety of climates as well, so the temperatures differ greatly during the fall and winter. The Desert Southwest and coastal California don’t see the arrival of cold air until late in the season, sometimes not until December. Once you get into the high desert and Southern Plains, it arrives much earlier, around October or early November.

    Southeast

    If you live in the Southeast, it still gets cold, especially away from the large bodies of water. In the Appalachians and areas away from the Gulf and Atlantic coast, freezing temperatures usually begin before Thanksgiving in late October or early November. The Gulf Coast and Florida, however, wait much longer, with freezing temperatures not arriving until late November or December. In South and Central Florida and southern Texas, freezing temperatures may never even arrive.

    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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  • Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms in the Atlantic

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    Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic. It’s the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic

    • It’s expected to become a hurricane this weekend or early next week

    • It’s not a threat to the U.S. at this time


    Gabrielle has maximum winds of 45 mph and is currently moving north-northwest at 22 mph. It’s not expected to strengthen much in the next 48 hours as it moves through unfavorable conditions with strong upper-level winds keeping Gabrielle disorganized.

    This weekend, Gabrielle should enter a more favorable environment for strengthening, and it’s forecast to become a hurricane by this weekend or early next week.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.

    Gabrielle is out in the central Atlantic, far from land. Although it’s moving north-northwestward, the motion is uncertain during the next several days until a better defined center forms. 

    As of now, it doesn’t look like a threat to the Caribbean or the U.S., but it could move near Bermuda next week.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these 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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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • When to expect the best fall foliage

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    Every fall, people travel far and wide to go ‘leaf-peeping.’ The goal is to catch the leaves at peak color to see all the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows that Mother Nature has to offer.

    Weather plays a primary role in knowing when and where to go.

    What You Need To Know

    • Weather plays a significant role in fall foliage


    • Heat and soil moisture determine foliage timing and intensity


    • Stressed trees will lose leaves earlier or later than normal


    Right place at the right time

    The first step of successful leaf-peeping is being at the right place at the right time. All other factors aside, this is the average time of the year around the U.S. that you can see peak fall colors according to Explore Fall.

    (Explore Fall)

    Aside from the Florida peninsula, the Gulf Coast and parts of the desert Southwest, most of the continental U.S. sees color change during fall.

    Weather’s role

    The weather determines whether the fall foliage comes out early, on time or late every year, but what role does it play?

    Heat and moisture are the biggest factors that influence fall foliage. The summer weather helps give an idea of when colors will pop, but the weather during September and October are the biggest influencers.

    Here is how soil moisture and air temperature affect fall foliage.

    Weather impacts on fall foliage

    (Explore Fall)

    A prolonged late-spring or severe summer drought that leads to dry soils in the fall not only affects the timing, but the quality of the colors. Drought and drier soil puts a higher stress on the trees, dulling down the colors and forcing them to lose their leaves sooner.

    Heavy rainfall and wet soils in the summer and fall can delay the colors’ arrival by a few days, or even weeks. The later arrival time can produce better fall colors.

    Colder and below-normal temperatures bring out fall colors early, while prolonged summer heat and above normal temperatures delay the colors.

    According to the USDA Forest Service, “a succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays.” In other words… typical fall weather.

    Current fall foliage

    Here is a map of the current fall foliage around the U.S.


    In some parts of the country, leaves have already started turning. The first areas to see color are typically further north and at higher elevations, including parts of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, the Mountain West and interior Northeast.

    Parts of New England are in a severe drought, with much of the mountain west under an extreme or exceptional drought, which could cause the trees to lose leaves early and mute the colors.

    7-Day foliage outlook

    Here is a look at Explore Fall’s 7-day foliage forecast and what the foliage is expected to look like in a week from now.


    You can submit your fall foliage photos here.

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

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    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • The peak of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is here

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    Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean spans June through November, and this year was forecasted to be near to above average.

    What You Need To Know

    • The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season was forecasted to be near to above average

    • Through early Sept. 2025, there have only been six named storms

    • The climatological peak of hurricane season is on Sept. 10


    However, as we approach the climatological peak of the season, we’ve only had six named storms. 

    2025 Atlantic Season predictions

    Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University (CSU) made their seasonal forecasts back in May and updated them in August. The latest outlooks predict an above-average season: 13 to 18 tropical cyclones (down from 13 to 19 named storms) for NOAA and 16 named storms for CSU (down from 17 to 24 named storms).

    The new predictions include the six named storms we’ve already seen. The average number of named storms is around 14 per season.

    How the season began

    Tropical Storm Andrea formed on June 23, 2025. This marked the latest start to a season since 2014. 

    Next, Tropical Storm Barry formed toward the end of June and made landfall in Veracruz, Mexico. 

    After Barry, Tropical Storm Chantal impacted the southeastern U.S. The storm made landfall in South Carolina on July 6, bringing tropical storm force-winds and flooding rainfall to the Carolinas. 

    Flooding from Chantal at Cooper Road at the Haw River canoe access in Graham, North Carolina. (Graham Police Department)

    Tropical Storm Dexter followed, and next, Hurricane Erin. Erin became a large and powerful Category 5 storm. The storm stayed well off the coast of the U.S., but it brought dangerous rip currents to most of the eastern seaboard.

    Tropical Storm Fernand formed in mid-August and stayed offshore. Here’s a look at the 2025 hurricane season so far. 

    Since then, there has been a lull in tropical activity. 

    Still a lot of the season to go

    In September and early October, storms are most likely to form in the central Atlantic and the Caribbean. However, as more frontal boundaries move through the U.S. at this time, it’s possible for tropical cyclones to develop along old fronts in the Gulf of Mexico and off of the southeast coast. 

    “We are just coming up on the halfway mark of the hurricane season, usually the time of peak activity,” says Dr. Frank Marks, a meteorologist in the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. 

    Don’t let the lull in the Atlantic lull you to sleep. As we approach the peak with quiet conditions, there’s still plenty of time for more storms to develop.

    Notable September and October tropical cyclones

    Even though many may be focused on fall, hurricane season is ongoing! There have been many tropical cyclones that have formed and made landfall in September and October. 

    Just last year, Hurricane Milton formed in October and rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm in the Gulf of America. This was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded over the Gulf since Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, FL.

    While the outlook over the next seven days looks quiet in the Atlantic, make sure you’re focusing on the forecast as conditions in the open waters can change. Tracking the Tropics.

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

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • St. Pete family displaced by sewage flooding face homelessness

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg family, whose house was flooded twice last year when the sewer system in their Disston Heights neighborhood backed up and overflowed from their toilet, received a notice on Thursday from Pinellas County to vacate the Seminole RV they’ve been temporarily living in.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pennington’s home was flooded twice in 2024 by raw sewage overflowing from their toilet

    • Public Works said the toilet is the lowest point in the system and acts as a relief valve when over pressurized 

    • The city declined to purchase the Pennington’s home in May and instead Public Works installed a backflow preventer on the lateral line 

    • Pinellas County has given the Penningtons 20 days to vacate the RV the family of five has been temporarily living in since November


    “We don’t know where we’re going to go. We don’t know what we’re going to do,” said Jim Pennington, 53. “This is kind of a last resort for us. We feel honestly…we might be homeless if we’re kicked out of this location.”

    Pennington said a member of his church offered up the RV for free last November, which is parked on the side of a home in unincorporated Seminole. State law allows homeowners to put a temporary trailer on their property to live in for 36 months while repairs are being made to their flood-damaged home.

    In Pennington’s case, there was no place to park an RV outside of his St. Petersburg home. He asked Pinellas County for a permit to live in the RV outside his friend’s Seminole home. Pinellas County tried to be flexible and allowed the family to live in the RV, but complaints from neighbors and a change in the primary residence of the Seminole home shifted the stance.

    “The intent of the state law and the language of the permit allows residents to put a temporary RV on their residential property, which is what the single-family home property was when they initially moved into the RV there,” said Brian Pellerin, Pinellas County spokesperson. “Since then, the use of the property has shifted from residential to AirBNB, and the permit is no longer valid.”

    Pellerin said the county worked extensively with the Pennington family over the past six months and will connect them to community resources. The notice from code enforcement gave the Penningtons 20 days to vacate the RV. Rachelle Pennington, 48, said she’s worried about where they’ll end up with their three kids ages 17, 14 and 11, which she homeschools.

    “Now we’re under this ticking time bomb,” she said. “It’s not in our budget to go pay rent for an RV park, if we can even find one.”

    Pennington said he wishes he could move back into his St. Petersburg home, but he doesn’t have any money to repair it and lost 9 months while the city considered purchasing it.

    “They originally were kind of making it out, that they wanted to potentially purchase our home,” he said. “Instead, what they said is, ‘We’re not going to purchase your home because it doesn’t benefit us. It doesn’t benefit the stormwater system, or it doesn’t benefit the wastewater system.’”

    Pennington said the city has known since 2016 that his home had sewage backup problems, which peaked last year. Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley wrote in a letter to Pennington that states:

    “We believe the reason sewage backed up into your plumbing during heavy rain events was because other users of the sewer system had removed the cleanout caps on their laterals.”

    Tankersley said the removal of cleanout caps was likely an attempt to drain stormwater from their properties allowed thousands of gallons to drain into the sanitary sewer pipes.

    “The surge of stormwater completely filled the sanitary sewer pipes until the sewage/stormwater combination found an easy way to escape — through the lowest points in the system,” he stated. “The sanitary sewer manhole and toilet acted as a pressure relief valve, allowing the water to exit the pressurized system at those points.”

    Pennington said he was shocked the city blamed his neighbors for the sewage flooding.

    “I think they’re trying to say, ‘Hey, our system is actually performing as it should, but the neighbors are not doing what they’re supposed to do,’” he said. “’That’s what’s causing your issue in your location.’”

    Tankersley said Public Works notified the users with missing cleanout caps that they must never remove the caps to drain their yards because they risk flooding someone else’s house with sewage. The city also bolted down the manhole cover and installed a backflow preventer on Pennington’s lateral line to prevent future sewer backups.

    “We wish they would have put this in sooner. I asked the city about solutions in 2016,” he said. “The sewage portion, we are hopeful, is maybe solved for the future. It doesn’t help us with recovering from our home the way it is right now and what happened already. And it doesn’t help the stormwater issues.”

    Spectrum Bay News 9 requested an interview with Tankersley, but it was declined. City spokesperson Samantha Bequer said that “given that there is currently an open claim with the City for the Pennington home, we are unable to comment.”

    Pennington said his claim for purchasing the home was denied in May and the claim for their ruined belongings was denied in June.

    “It’s not open anymore,” he said. “We just want a safe place to live in our city…(and) the city is looking out for our back.”

    The Pennington home is located in City Council member Richie Floyd’s District 8 who said he’s going to ask the administration for more information. Floyd said it’s a terrible situation, which shows the need for outreach after storms so people can get connected with resources as soon as possible.

    Pennington said that since they lived on high ground, they did not have flood insurance, the window to apply for an SBA loan has long passed and he’s not sure how they’re going to afford the estimated $150,000 to repair their sewage damaged home.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Tracking powerful hurricane Kiko as it heads towards Hawaii

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    Kiko formed off the coast of southern Mexico from a tropical wave. It became a tropical storm on Aug. 31, making it the eleventh named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season. Kiko intensified into a hurricane on Sept. 2. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Kiko is the eleventh named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season

    • It remains a major, powerful hurricane

    • Models have Hurricane Kiko moving close, but to the north of the Hawaiian Islands next week


    Kiko intensified into a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 3. It weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph during the morning hours on Sept. 5, but by the afternoon it had re-intensified back into a Category 4 hurricane.

    It currently has maximum winds of 140 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 10 mph and is located roughly 1000 miles east-southeast of Hilo, HI.

    It is a much smaller storm than Hurricane Erin. Hurricane-force winds extend only 25 miles out from the center, with tropical storm-force winds extending 70 miles out from the center. 


    Models have Kiko taking a west-northwesterly track over the weekend into next week, coming close to Hawaii. 

    While it’s too soon for impact details, the cooler waters near the Aloha State should weaken Kiko greatly. We’ll continue to monitor the track and provide updates. 


     

    Storms that have come close to Hawaii

    Hurricane Hone passed just to the south of the Big Island of Hawaii in 2024 as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. Here are other cyclones that came close to the islands.

    Eastern North Pacific names

    Central North Pacific differences

    The National Hurricane Center monitors tropical activity in the Atlantic and North Eastern Pacific Ocean. If a storm forms between 140° West longitude and the International Date Line, it is the responsibility of the Central North Pacific Warning Center, located in Honolulu, HI. 

    There is a contrast in the names used in the Central Pacific compared to the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic. One list is composed of twelve names. 

    The names are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is at the top of the next list. Below is the current list. 

    It is interesting to note that if a storm forms in the Eastern North Pacific and is named in that basin, it will retain its name even if it moves into the Central North Pacific. For this reason, we are tracking Hurricane Kiko, since it formed east of 140° West longitude.

    Tropical Storm Akoni and Tropical Storm Ema formed in the Central North Pacific in 2019. Hurricane Hone brushed past Hawaii in 2024.

    This list will continue to be used until there is a storm named Wale. Three other lists have been generated by the World Meteorological Organization and are at the ready if needed. Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli formed in the Central North Pacific in 2025.

    Just like in the Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific, if storms are impactful, they can be retired. Four storms have been retired in the Central North Pacific. 

    • Iwa (1982): Retired after impacting Hawaii.
    • Iniki (1992): Retired after affecting Hawaii.
    • Paka (1997): Retired after affecting various islands in Micronesia.
    • Ioke (2006): Retired after impacting Micronesia.

    You can track the rest of the tropics here. 

    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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  • September’s ‘Corn Moon’ rises this week

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    Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, September 7th.

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon will rise this weekend

    • It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22nd). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on October 6th so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.

    The moon will officially be full at 2:09 pm EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.

    This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.

     

    Potential cloud coverage Sunday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday.  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 Harvest Moon, which occurs on October 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.

    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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  • September’s ‘Corn Moon’ rises this week

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    Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, September 7th.

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon will rise this weekend

    • It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22nd). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on October 6th so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.

    The moon will officially be full at 2:09 pm EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.

    This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.

     

    Potential cloud coverage Sunday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday.  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 Harvest Moon, which occurs on October 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.

    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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  • September’s ‘Corn Moon’ rises this week

    [ad_1]

    Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, September 7th.

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon will rise this weekend

    • It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22nd). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on October 6th so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.

    The moon will officially be full at 2:09 pm EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.

    This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.

     

    Potential cloud coverage Sunday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday.  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 Harvest Moon, which occurs on October 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.

    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

    Source link

  • September’s ‘Corn Moon’ rises this week

    [ad_1]

    Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, Sept. 7.

    What You Need To Know

    • September’s full moon will rise this weekend

    • It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year

    • Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings


    This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (Sept. 22). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on Oct, 6 so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.

    The moon will officially be full at 2:09 p.m. EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.

    This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.

     

    Potential cloud coverage Sunday evening. (weathermodels.com)

    The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.

    The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday. 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 Harvest Moon, which occurs on Oct. 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.

    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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