
System Over Florida Has Potential to Develop Into Tropical Depression, Weather Service Says
The National Weather Service said the area of low pressure off Florida's east coast was becoming better defined and moving west across the Florida Peninsula on Tuesday. The system was drenching the peninsula with heavy rains, and the weather service warned of the potential for flash flooding in parts of the state through the middle of the week. Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development, and a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf, the National Weather Service said.
How many storms have we had so far? Just six weeks into the start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, three tropical storms have developed – Andrea, Barry, and Chantal. Dexter would be the fourth if it develops that way. Andrea dissipated in the Atlantic after forming at sea last month. Barry dumped rain on eastern Mexico at the end of last month. Chantal made landfall in South Carolina last week, and its remnants caused flooding in North Carolina that killed an 83-year-old woman when her car was swept off a rural road. Floodwaters also forced dozens of people to flee their homes in North Carolina.
How many Atlantic storms are predicted this season? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May forecast 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes and three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph). A normal season has 14 named storms, seven of which strengthen to hurricanes and three power up further to major hurricanes. Colorado State University researchers last month estimated there would be 17 named storms this year, with nine of them becoming hurricanes. Of the predicted hurricanes, the researchers said four could become major hurricanes.
With hurricane season on Floridians' minds, state Attorney General James Uthmeier this week sent a letter to the state's airports telling them that they must report the presence of any aircraft used for the purposes of weather modification starting in October to comply with a new Florida law. After flash floods killed scores of Texas residents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users spread false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding, and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in precipitation of this magnitude.
Uthmeier said at a news conference on Tuesday that 'this stuff sounds pretty scary to me. My letter was to put airports on notice that they do have obligations and could face penalties, including some criminal penalties if they don't comply,' Uthmeier said.
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2 days ago
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Heavy storms in northern Vietnam leave 1 dead, as Wipha weakens into a tropical depression
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Al Arabiya
6 days ago
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Tropical storm Wipha threatens southern China
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Al Arabiya
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Steve Miller Band Cancels Tour, Saying Extreme Weather Is A Safety Concern
Classic rocker Steve Miller has canceled his US tour because he said severe weather, including extreme heat and unpredictable flooding, poses a danger to his band, its fans, and crew. The tour was set to kick off in August and run through early November, with nearly three dozen stops across the US, including cities in New York, Tennessee, Florida, and California. 'The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and massive forest fires make these risks for you, our audience, the band, and the crew unacceptable,' Miller, 81, said in a statement posted on the band's social media accounts Wednesday. 'You can blame it on the weather. … The tour is canceled.' The Steve Miller Band, formed in California in the 1960s, has hits including 'The Joker' (1973) and 'Abracadabra' (1982). A band spokesperson declined to provide additional details about the cancellation. Miller's decision comes as a stretch of extreme weather in the US has made headlines. A sweltering heat dome that baked much of the eastern half of the nation in June and deadly flash flooding in Texas are some of the recent rounds of extreme weather. Scientists say climate change is fueling extreme weather, causing storms to unleash more rain and sending temperatures soaring to dangerous heights, making it harder to plan outdoor summer events. The atmosphere can hold higher amounts of moisture as it warms, resulting in storms dumping heavier amounts of rain compared to storms of the past. Music festivals have recently encountered extreme weather, resulting in cancellations or causing concertgoers to become ill. In June, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee was canceled partway through due to heavy rainfall. Last week, hundreds of people were treated for heat-related illnesses at the Rock the Country music festival in Kentucky, according to local officials. A study published in 2020 reported climate change will increase the likelihood of extreme heat stress during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. Tropical storms and hurricanes will soon contribute to the turbulent weather as activity peaks between August and October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.