Latest news with #Minar
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane help: Atlantic hurricane season maps explained
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has started issuing its daily tropical weather outlooks to provide crucial information on potential tropical activity, but what does all of that information mean? FOX Weather is here to help break down the information and present it in a way that's easier to understand, so you and your family can prepare and stay safe. 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Guide: Here's What To Know About The Tropics This Year Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 in the Atlantic Basin, which is where most hurricanes that affect the U.s. originate. However, the U.S. can also be impacted by tropical storms and hurricanes from the Eastern Pacific, where hurricane season begins May 15 and runs until Nov. 30. Live Hurricane Tracker Maps A tropical weather outlook that's issued by the NHC is simply an update that monitors tropical areas of interest for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins. "You'll probably see a lot of these outlooks pretty much every day going forward here," FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said. How Are Hurricanes Rated? The Saffir-simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Explained The NHC issues its tropical weather outlook several times a day: 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT. When we change to standard time in November, those outlooks are issued at 1 a.m., 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST. Why Is The Right Side Of A Hurricane More Dangerous? A tropical weather outlook map shows a broad view of the Atlantic and Pacific basins and will highlight two things: the current positions of any active storms and any areas of interest with their chances of development. "When there's an area that the (NHC) is monitoring, we call that a disturbance," Minar continued. "We are going to highlight that, and then you'll see the percentages put on them. And we'll be looking at this over the next five to seven days, right? The possible development of these (systems)." How To Watch Fox Weather As soon as forecasters believe there could be trouble brewing, they will provide more in-depth information about where the potential tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane could form and where that could happen. "Notice the color coding," FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres said. "You'll start to see this. And that 'X' marking where we have a disturbance." Download The Free Fox Weather App The NHC notes when a tropical disturbance has a low (less than 40%), medium (40-60%) and high (more than 60%) chance of developing over the next two to seven days. "So, before it becomes anything fully formed, it's really just an area of disturbed weather," Torres continued. "That's where 'X' marks the spot. And then that little jelly bean of yellow, which will eventually become orange, the color change has to do with the odds going up of it developing into a tropical system." And within that shaded area, that's where it would likely develop. "And it could be anything from a tropical depression to a tropical storm to a hurricane," Minar said. "And oftentimes, once we get into the red colors, that means, 'Okay, we mean business.'" From there, an "invest" would be designated. What Is Storm Surge? The term "invest" is simply a naming convention used by the NHC to identify areas forecasters are investigating for possible development into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next seven days. It's used every hurricane season in the Atlantic and the Eastern and Central Pacific basins, accompanied by a number from 90 to 99 and either the suffix "L" (Atlantic), "E" (Eastern Pacific) or "C" (Central Pacific). Once we reach 99, we'll return back to 90. On the map, details about the invest are included, like the maximum sustained winds, the central pressure and the chances of development over the next two to seven article source: Hurricane help: Atlantic hurricane season maps explained
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
A look at the omega blocking pattern that will lead to flooding concerns
A rather unusual weather pattern for early May is setting up across the United States, one that meteorologists warn will lead to a stagnant pattern with prolonged periods of warmth in some areas and steady rain in others. The pattern, known as the "omega block," is named after the Greek letter omega and disrupts the usual zonal flow of weather systems. As a result, two distinct regions of precipitation are expected to dominate the workweek: one stretching from the Southern Plains to the Gulf Coast, and another affecting the Northeast. "Plenty of moisture will be underneath those lows. It's a slow-moving pattern that will kind of keep us locked in place with rain," said FOX Weather meteorologist Jane Minar. What Is An Omega Block? Forecast models indicate a widespread 3 to 6 inches of rainfall across the South, with isolated areas possibly receiving even more. The rain may also be accompanied by strong thunderstorms, some of which could reach severe levels. Cities such as New Orleans, Jackson, Mississippi, and Alexandria, Louisiana are either in or near the bullseye for where the heaviest rain is expected to fall through the week. Some communities in the region are especially vulnerable, as many have already experienced torrential rainfall in recent weeks. The FOX Forecast Center warns that saturated ground and elevated river levels will increase the risk of flooding, especially in low-lying or poorly drained areas. The highest flood risk is expected from Tuesday evening through early Wednesday, when over 50 million people across the southern U.S. will be under Level 1 to Level 3 flash flood risks, according to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center. In contrast, the Northeast stands to benefit from the incoming precipitation. Forecast models predict 1 to 3 inches of rain across the I-95 corridor, with locally higher amounts possible. The rainfall could provide welcome relief to regions experiencing moderate to severe drought along the eastern seaboard. This type of pattern is not known to produce extensive severe weather outbreaks, as the dynamics aren't in place, but localized bouts with hail and gusty winds are possible. Something A Bit Unusual Is Happening In The Tropics With Less Than A Month To Go Before Hurricane Season Meanwhile, regions outside the influence of the low-pressure systems will experience drier air and temperatures that will vary significantly. The Northern Plains are expected to see highs climb into the 70s and 80s, while parts of the Southwest, including cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, may struggle to reach seasonal norms. "It'll feel more like Christmas in Los Angeles and the Fourth of July in Fargo," Minar noted. Looking ahead, forecasters anticipate that the jet stream will begin to shift by the upcoming weekend, allowing a return to a more typical springtime weather pattern across a large section of the article source: A look at the omega blocking pattern that will lead to flooding concerns
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
With heavy downpours finally ending, fears of river flooding rise in Mississippi, Ohio valleys
As a record rain event comes to an end for the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, flooding impacts will continue this week as floodwaters flow into streams and rivers, likely causing more flooding in previously spared areas. The FOX Forecast Center said the storm system that brought six Flash Flood Emergencies and a deadly tornado outbreak across multiple states since last week will finally exit off the East Coast by Tuesday. Over a foot of rain fell in Kentucky, western Tennessee and Arkansas throughout this event. Now, all this water needs to go somewhere. Catastrophic Rain Triggers Flood Emergencies, Evacuations On Fourth Straight Day Of Relentless Storms Saturday Meanwhile, more than 50 river locations are currently experiencing or expected to reach major flood stage over the next few days, and another 90 river locations are forecast to reach moderate flood stage. Water rescues were underway throughout the weekend along rivers, including in Columbus, Indiana. Columbus Fire Rescue completed a 12-person rescue along the White River near East Fork on Sunday when flooding stranded a group of unhoused individuals. The White River is forecast to crest at a major flood stage of nearly 16.96 feet on Sunday, according to NOAA's National Water Prediction Service. The Kentucky River in Woodford County is forecast to reach a potential record 49.5 feet on Monday. Over the weekend, emergency management officials ordered evacuations. "If you're near the river, and you have any proximity to water, you need to leave," Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay said on Sunday. FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said all this rain will eventually flow into major rivers, including the Ohio River and Mississippi River. Why Is This Relentless Severe Weather Pattern Stuck Over Eastern Half Of The Us? "So that means other tributary streams and creeks downstream of where all of this heavy rain has fallen is going to start to flow in, and that big flow into our major rivers is what is going to ultimately lead to more water rises, and we are expecting significant river flooding over the next several days for this upcoming week," Minar said. "That means areas that might not see flooding right now will and could definitely be in a dangerous situation with that flooding potential." Paducah, Kentucky, along the Ohio River, and Memphis, Tennessee, along the Mississippi River, are areas of concern for flooding early this week. This flooding concern will last through most of April. According to the FOX Forecast Center, in more than two and a half weeks, rainfall water on the Mississippi River is forecast to reach Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where water levels could rise to the highest level in four years. "That's the biggest threat here with communities that live along the river expected to see that water rise," Minar said. "We can expect to see some concerns for businesses and buildings, just driving along the way as well. You don't ever want to drive through floodwaters, but this is gonna be a really difficult task."Original article source: With heavy downpours finally ending, fears of river flooding rise in Mississippi, Ohio valleys
