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Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Timeline Sees 'Highly Unusual' Pattern: Meteorologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Three tropical storms have formed in the first three weeks of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, with one strengthening into a hurricane. The fact that three named storms have already formed by early June is "highly unusual," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek, considering that the first named storm doesn't typically form until June 10 and the first hurricane not until late June. Why It Matters As of Monday afternoon, Hurricane Barbara and Tropical Storm Cosme were churning in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico. Barbara is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained windspeeds of 75 miles per hour, and Cosme has maximum sustained windspeeds of 70 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later today. Both storms formed over the weekend and follow Tropical Storm Alvin, which kicked off the Eastern Pacific hurricane season when it formed in late May. The season starts on May 15 and runs through November 30. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows the locations of Tropical Storm Cosme, Hurricane Barbara, and an unnamed disturbance that has a chance at becoming a tropical storm later this week. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows the locations of Tropical Storm Cosme, Hurricane Barbara, and an unnamed disturbance that has a chance at becoming a tropical storm later this week. National Hurricane Center What to Know Whereas so far, the Atlantic hurricane season has seen a quiet start, this year's Eastern Pacific season is quite active. If Cosme strengthens into a hurricane on Monday night, that would make two hurricanes before the average date for the first tropical storm. It's not unusual to have a tropical storm form before the average first storm date of June 10, but three storms before that date is unheard of. Although remnants of Alvin brought heavy rain across the Southwest, Barbara and Cosme aren't expected to cause impacts to the United States. Cosme likely won't cause any land impacts in U.S. or Mexico, but Barbara could cause some rough surf, dangerous rip currents, and gusty winds along the southwestern coast of Mexico. Barbara and Cosme are expected to weaken later this week. In addition to the two named storms, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a disturbance southeast of Barbara that has a 60 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm within the next seven days. AccuWeather meteorologists are anticipating 14 to 18 tropical storms and seven to 10 hurricanes for the Eastern Pacific this season. An average season produces 15 tropical storms and four hurricanes, according to AccuWeather. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a below-normal hurricane season for the Eastern Pacific, with 12 to 18 named storms. Of those, five to 10 will likely become hurricanes, and two to five could develop into major hurricanes. What People Are Saying AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek: "There's no doubt three named storms so early is highly unusual. The first hurricane doesn't usually occur until last week of June." NHC in a public advisory about Hurricane Barbara: "Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. A weakening trend should begin tonight, and the system is forecast to become a remnant low by Wednesday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km)." What Happens Next? Another NHC update about Cosme and Barbara will be issued at 8 p.m. MST. More updates will likely be issued as the storms weaken throughout the week.
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Hurricane Barbara: Live Tracker Maps
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hurricane Barbara is causing large waves, unsettled seas, and strong winds off the southwest coast of Mexico on Monday afternoon, according to animated weather footage from Barbara is expected to be short-lived, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek, and will likely weaken into a tropical depression by Wednesday. Why It Matters Barbara formed as a tropical storm over the weekend and further strengthened into a hurricane on Monday. As of the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Barbara is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained windspeeds of 75 mph. Tropical Storm Cosme also is churning in the Eastern Pacific. Barbara is expected to weaken back to tropical storm strength by early Tuesday morning, although some land impacts can be expected in Mexico before the storm dissolves. What to Know Animated weather footage from shows Barbara churning about 155 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. As of the most recent update from the NHC, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect related to the hurricane. The storm is expected to remain offshore, although it could cause some impacts such as rough surf and gusty winds in southwestern Mexico over the next few days. A hurricane tracker from shows the forecast path of Hurricane Barbara. A hurricane tracker from shows the forecast path of Hurricane Barbara. Wind Most of the winds related to the storm are around 50 mph, footage showed, although maximum sustained gusts measured by the NHC exceed Category 1 hurricane strength at 75 mph. Waves The strong winds are causing some unsettled waves around the storm, with some waves reaching as high as 18 feet. footage also shows waves associated with Tropical Storm Cosme to the southwest of Hurricane Barbara. Wind Gusts Footage from shows some winds are gusting as high as 89 mph. The NHC said some winds could gust higher than the maximum sustained speeds of 75 mph. Thunderstorms A few thunderstorms are associated with the hurricane, although widespread severe thunderstorms do not currently pose a threat to southwestern Mexico. What People Are Saying Kines told Newsweek: "I don't think it will have any effect on the U.S. mainland, whether it's rough surf or even throwing some moisture up into the Southwest. It wasn't a strong enough system for long enough to cause any issues." NHC forecast about Hurricane Barbara: "Some slight additional strengthening is possible today, but a weakening trend is forecast to begin on Tuesday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles." What Happens Next The NHC will issue another public advisory about Hurricane Barbara at 2 p.m. MST. As of the most recent update, the storm is expected to remain at hurricane strength until early Tuesday morning.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Cosme Spaghetti Models Show Potential Paths
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tropical Storm Cosme is expected to become a hurricane later today, and so far, it looks like the storm system will remain offshore, according to spaghetti computer models. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek that Cosme is expected to weaken quickly after becoming a hurricane. Why It Matters Cosme is the third named tropical system to form during the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which began May 15. The season runs through November 30. The first storm, Tropical Storm Alvin, formed in late May. The second, Hurricane Barbara, formed over the weekend. Since Cosme will likely remain offshore, National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts aren't expecting any hazards to nearby land masses. Cosme is the third tropical storm to form in the 2025 Eastern Pacific season. What to Know Cosme formed on Sunday. As of the NHC's most recent update, the storm has maximum sustained wind speeds of 65 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Monday. Most spaghetti models, or computer models illustrating potential tropical cyclone paths with tangled lines of data, show Cosme moving northwest further into the Pacific Ocean. The NHC path shows the storm taking a northern turn to trek closer to Mexico before it weakens into a tropical depression southwest of Baja California by Thursday morning. A forecast from the National Hurricane Center shows the path for Tropical Storm Cosme. A forecast from the National Hurricane Center shows the path for Tropical Storm Cosme. National Hurricane Center If the storm becomes a hurricane later on Monday, NHC forecasters anticipate it will remain at hurricane strength into Tuesday morning before weakening into a tropical storm once more. "Cosme is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the north with a [decrease] in forward speed is expected tonight, followed by a faster north-northeast motion Tuesday through Wednesday," the NHC said in a public advisory. Tropical-storm-force winds can be felt up to 60 miles from Cosme's center. Kines said "it doesn't look like" Cosme will cause any U.S. impacts, as the storm won't be active for long enough to do so. What People Are Saying Kines told Newsweek: "Cosme will probably stay a hurricane for a good chunk of today, but then I think this evening and overnight it fades back into a tropical storm. Probably sometime Wednesday or Wednesday night, it becomes a depression and is no longer noteworthy." NHC in a public advisory: "Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast, and Cosme is expected to become a hurricane later today. Rapid weakening is expected Tuesday night and Wednesday." What Happens Next The NHC will release the next advisory about Tropical Storm Cosme at 2 p.m. MST.
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Six States Where Wildfire Smoke Set To 'Dim The Sun'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wildfire smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires will begin drifting into the United States later this week, AccuWeather meteorologists report. The atmospheric haze may be so thick it "dims the sun" for residents in the six states it impacts, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Potentially reduced air quality is also expected in major cities such as Minneapolis, Duluth, Green Bay, Fargo, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Why It Matters This event marks the first sizable influx of Canadian wildfire smoke into the U.S. since 2023 when air quality reached dangerous levels for millions in the Northeast. The phenomenon is a growing concern due to the recurrence and intensity of North American wildfires, which scientists link to continued dry and hot conditions. Atmospheric smoke and pollutants pose particular risks for those with respiratory issues and may also exacerbate ozone levels during heatwaves, amplifying public health risks as the U.S. heads into summer. What To Know According to AccuWeather, smoke will be most apparent during the upcoming dry and sunny weekend as steering winds direct plumes of smoke from wildfires burning across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba into the northern Plains and Midwest regions. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek the most obvious impact from the smoke would be hazy skies, which could contribute to visually beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the affected areas. A stock photo of a hazy sun seen through wildfire smoke in Colorado. A stock photo of a hazy sun seen through wildfire smoke in Colorado. lightphoto/Getty However, if the smoke falls lower in the atmosphere, it could contribute to air quality concerns, Kines said. People who are sensitive to poor air quality should monitor local guidance. AccuWeather meteorologists said concentrations of smoke would reach the northern Plains—including North Dakota and Minnesota—before spreading southeast into Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan late this week, continuing into the weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) has already corroborated reports of campfire-like smells and sun-dimming effects in affected regions, especially across the Great Lakes, on Thursday. The NWS advised the public to monitor real-time air quality using available online tools, noting that air pollution risks increase substantially when smoke drops to lower elevations. Separately, meteorologists have noted that Saharan dust—fine particles blown across the Atlantic from Africa—may also enter southern parts of the U.S. later this week. While not directly tied to the current wildfire-smoke episode, Saharan dust events can contribute to hazy conditions and vivid sunsets, similar to wildfire smoke, but are not expected to directly impact the same Midwest states in the coming days. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in a report: "Most of the time, the smoke will be high-flying and dim the sun, leading to vivid sunrises and sunsets and causing a hazy appearance to the sky overhead." AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said in a report: "Most of these areas in the Midwest will have days where there is little or no rain around and the sun is out over the weekend. So the smoke will be more noticeable. The smoke may reach into the Northeast as well, but with extensive clouds and showers this weekend, the smoky haze may be mixed in and not so obvious." What Happens Next Forecasts indicate that the affected states will experience hazy, sun-dimmed conditions through the weekend, with real-time air-quality monitoring recommended for residents.
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows Where Storms Could Disrupt Memorial Day Celebrations, Travel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Many travelers could face dangerous weather conditions as thunderstorms are expected to plague a wide swath of the U.S. during Memorial Day weekend. Newsweek reached out to AccuWeather by email for comment. Why It Matters This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is anticipating that more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home from May 22 to 26 to celebrate Memorial Day. It's expected to set a new Memorial Day weekend travel record. Severe weather could disrupt plans or pose dangers to travelers on Monday as AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting thunderstorms from Montana and North Dakota south through Texas and east through South Carolina. A map from AccuWeather shows the weather forecast for Memorial Day. A map from AccuWeather shows the weather forecast for Memorial Day. AccuWeather What To Know Thunderstorms are expected across much of the nation on Monday, potentially disrupting Memorial Day parades and celebrations and any day-of travel. In addition to the widespread thunderstorms across the Central and Southern U.S., rain is expected in the Northeast, with cool temperatures across much of the Midwest. Storms and rain also are expected in Oregon, but the rest of the West is expected to be warm. Heavy rain has occurred in parts of the Southern Plains this week leading to the travel-heavy weekend. Saturated ground could be more at risk for flash flooding in the more severely affected areas. On Friday, flood watches remain in place for southeast Kansas, northeast Nebraska, southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Some of the watches are expected to remain in place through Memorial Day evening. "Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will occur Friday night through Monday. Current total rainfall amounts of 2-5 inches will occur across the area with localized amounts up to 8 inches," the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Springfield, Missouri, said in a flood watch. "The highest rainfall amounts look to occur across southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri." Meanwhile, hail, lightning, damaging winds and excessive rain continue to pose a risk in the area for Friday night. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek that the area of greatest concern for weekend travel is western Kansas and western Texas to western Tennessee and parts of Alabama. "That's a zone where I think if you're traveling in the upcoming days, that's probably where you're going to have the most severe weather [on Saturday and Sunday]," he said. Kines also warned that heavy rain is expected around the Ozarks that could pose a "life-threatening" flood risk to any campers or people enjoying outdoor activities in the area this weekend. What People Are Saying AccuWeather, in a report: "Rounds of showers and thunderstorms that ramp up early during the extended holiday weekend from the central and southern Plains to the lower part of the Mississippi Valley will continue on Memorial Day. "Most of the severe thunderstorm threat will be on the southern and eastern edge of the persistent downpour zone and will extend from central Texas to Georgia and South Carolina." NWS, in a Friday morning forecast: "Severe thunderstorms are expected across portions of the central into southern Plains into Sunday, with large hail and severe gusts the main threats. The threat for heavy to excessive rainfall and possible flash flooding will return to the south-central U.S. Friday into this weekend." What Happens Next Many states will remain under a flood watch through the holiday. More storms are expected over the weekend and on Monday.
