A tropical weather system (as yet unnamed) is heading toward southwest Florida. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect the system to become better organized and become a tropical storm later today (Friday, June 3, 2022). Once named, Alex (click here for information about naming tropical storms and hurricanes) will
Read DetailsAbout 10 days ago, a major brush fire (linked to a growing drought) erupted to the east of Naples, along I75. The fire eventually grew to more than 8,000 acres. Today, the same area is under a Flood Watch (Fig. 1) meaning that some two to four inches rainfall could
Read DetailsWhile February was quite mild and wet across much of the eastern U.S. (except south Florida which was warm and dry), March has taken a turn for the colder [thanks to three “nor’easters” (so-called due to their location, strength, and impact)] and associated strong cold fronts that reach well to
Read DetailsWhile ex-hurricane Franklin dissipated quickly over Mexico yesterday, a much weaker tropical system began affecting Florida (Fig. 1). On Wednesday, the system was located over the Bahamas and all its storminess remained well east of Florida. In fact, thanks to the dynamics of these “tropical waves,” places west of the
Read DetailsThe focus during tropical cyclone events is typically on high winds, coastal storm surge, heavy coastal and inland rainfall, and possible flooding. However, if one is located far enough away from the storm’s circulation, atmospheric processes may lead to less rainfall. Such is the case for southwest Florida during the
Read DetailsA few days ago, I noted that southwest Florida “rainfall for June 2017 (now almost only half over) was at rarified levels.” Since I’ve had a chance to compare observed rainfall to longer-term records (using the NOAA Regional Climate Center data base), it is clear that the deluge so far
Read DetailsRainfall for June (now almost only half over) is already at rarified levels. Many locations across southwest Florida have logged 15 to 20 inch values. And more rainfall is anticipated. In fact, for the Naples area (my home base), the official National Weather Service (NWS) forecast is calling for 50
Read DetailsBatten down the hatches (and be prepared to take shelter today and tonight) if you live or are traveling across the southeast U.S. The Storm Prediction has issued a highly unusual severe weather outlook for the region – calling for a moderate to high severe weather risk for South Carolina,
Read DetailsThroughout 2016, we heard a lot about California’s long-term drought and a short-term, evolving, drought across the southeast U.S. There were also a few heavy rainfall events. Now, as we approach year’s end, annual precipitation (and other weather) records are going to be making the news. One of the first
Read DetailsOvernight, hurricane hunter aircraft and satellite imagery intensity estimates placed Hurricane Matthew in a Category 5 status. A category 5 hurricane is one with sustained winds of 157 miles per hour (137 knots) or more. At 8:00 a.m. E.D.T., on Oct. 1, 2016, Matthew’s winds were estimated to be just
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