weather Archives

Winter-weary East Coast hit with another storm as temperatures plunge elsewhere

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The latest in a long line of winter storms is taking direct aim at the East Coast where heavy snow and some ice is forecast across several states. The storm that dropped snow in the Midwest promised to bring more misery to some places just starting to clean up from deadly weekend floods. The National Weather Service says snow totaling up to 10 inches is possible along the Atlantic Coast in Virginia, and significant ice could accumulate in parts of eastern North Carolina. More snow also is expected in Kentucky, where 14 people died in weekend flooding.… Continue Reading

What is a polar vortex? US gets a taste of the Arctic this week

The term “polar vortex” usually refers to the gigantic circular upper air weather pattern in the Arctic region, enveloping the North Pole. It is a normal pattern that is stronger in the winter and keeps some of the coldest weather bottled up near the North Pole. But at times some of the vortex can break off or move south, bringing unusually cold weather south and permitting warmer weather to creep up north. This week, parts of the U.S. are experiencing the 10th and coldest polar vortex event this season. Weather forces in the Arctic are combining to push the chilly air that usually stays near the North Pole into the U.S. and Europe.… Continue Reading

Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico and could intensify to hurricane threatening Florida

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said early Sunday that Milton was about 355 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 845 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. The storm could strengthen into a hurricane and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the western coast of Florida. Hurricane and storm surge watches are likely to be issued Sunday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the storm’s potential landfall. Many counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and DeSantis has asked Florida state agencies to supplement communities as they expedite debris removal.… Continue Reading

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a hurricane. Florida residents begin evacuating

Florida residents are already evacuating and filling sandbags days ahead of anticipated flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to cross the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into a major hurricane. Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Cuba, Mexico and part of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the Florida Keys. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Wednesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties ahead of the storm’s arrival as soon as late Thursday.… Continue Reading

‘Firehose’ storm hits part of North Carolina and scientists see climate change

The Carolinas braced for a storm that forecasters warned could bring heavy rain — as much as 6 to 8 inches in some spots. But one narrow band got a “firehose” that dumped as much as 20 inches in a so-called 1,000-year flood that shocked many with its intensity. But the storm that left homes flooded, cars submerged and schools closed Tuesday across parts of North Carolina wasn’t really a surprise to scientists who have long said that such rainfalls are one marker of climate change. That’s because a warming atmosphere holds more moisture.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s coast has been deluged by the fifth historic flood in 25 years

Parts of southeastern North Carolina have been deluged by another historic flood. Highways in Brunswick County remained underwater Tuesday, a day after about 18 inches of rain fell at nearby Carolina Beach in 12 hours. Emergency workers brought food and water to people as they waited for the flooding to recede. But the same area has seen four other floods of a lifetime in the past 25 years from Hurricane Floyd in 1999, unnamed storms in 2010 and 2015, and the benchmark flood with 30 inches of rain from Hurricane Florence in 2018. Meteorologists says warmer temperatures from climate change allows the air to hold more moisture and heavier rains to fall.… Continue Reading