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A sudden stratospheric warming event reversed the winds that make up the northern polar vortex on March 9. A new animation shows the vortex also moved away from the Arctic towards Europe. Between March 1 and March 20, the polar vortex traveled from above the Arctic to above Northern Europe. (Image credit: NOAA Climate) A major disruption to the Arctic polar vortex has bumped the ring of wind that circles the North Pole off its perch and towards Europe, a new animation shows. The migration could trigger colder-than-average temperatures in parts of the continent and across the eastern U.S. over...

The Atlantic hurricane season is fast approaching, and early indications have forecasters worried that it will have similarities to the 2024 season, which was one of the most devastating and costliest on record. "Super-charged" encapsulates the ferocity of last year's deadly hurricane season. Beryl entered the record books as the earliest Category 5 on record, Helene pummeled the Southeast with biblical rain and flooding, and Milton tore across Florida with deadly flooding and dozens of tornadoes. AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warns it could be another year with volatile hurricanes, with the season officially starting on Sunday, June 1.

(NEXSTAR) — It may be hard to think about sweltering temperatures in early March, but the National Weather Service (NWS) is already rolling out changes to the weather alerts used to inform the public of the dangers of impending heat. Americans may be familiar with “Excessive Heat Watches” and “Excessive Heat Warnings,” issued when potentially dangerous heat conditions are in the forecast. Starting this month, those alerts will be no more — sort of. Like it did with wind chill alerts in fall, the NWS is adjusting the names of its heat watch and warning alert. Instead, dangerous heat conditions...

As a powerful storm takes shape just east of the Rockies by the middle of the week, AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting a vast eruption of severe weather, including the potential for tornadoes, Friday and Saturday in the zone from the Great Plains to the Mississippi Valley. Should the storm develop to its full potential, it could be one of the strongest on record for the region in terms of low pressure. The more intense the storm, the greater the amount of energy will be available for severe weather, rain, snow and winds in general. Even a more moderate, typical storm...

Tens of millions of people across the U.S. from the Plains to the Southeast are preparing for a potential multi-day severe weather outbreak this week, with forecasters warning of threats of large hail, damaging wind gusts and even some strong tornadoes. Strong thunderstorms rolled across Oklahoma and Texas to end the weekend on Sunday, but the FOX Forecast Center said the more significant severe weather threat will begin late Monday and last through at least Wednesday. The FOX Forecast Center said computer forecast models are highly confident that ingredients will come together to produce a widespread severe weather event. This...

Five months after Hurricane Helene severed a critical Appalachian freight corridor, a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 40 through North Carolina’s Pigeon River Gorge reopened Saturday. Though still a construction zone, the highway is mostly operational. Its four lanes have been reduced to two, with the roadway held together by nails drilled deep into the mountainside. Tractor-trailers now thread between 9-inch concrete barriers as engineers continue their work. Reopening that stretch of I-40 restores a vital freight corridor that supports both regional industries and national supply chains. Before Hurricane Helene washed out a 4-mile stretch of I-40 connecting North Carolina and...

A California weather expert is one of many issuing a dire warning after reported firings within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which also includes the National Weather Service. In a post on X Friday, Daniel Swain, a former UCLA climate scientist who now works at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the firings are alarming. “If there were to be large staffing reductions at NOAA and NWS—[as] appears is now indeed underway, with credible reports of much larger further cuts on the horizon—there will be people who die in extreme weather events and weather-related disasters who...

Hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees on probationary status were fired Thursday, lawmakers and weather experts said. Federal workers who were not let go said the afternoon layoffs included meteorologists who do crucial local forecasts in National Weather Service offices across the country

Around 600 workers laid off by NOAA, including workers from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center - NBC

Federal workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are on high alert as they monitor signs of a potential Trump administration overhaul of one of the government's main scientific agencies. Many employees are bracing for potential staff cuts, as well as slashes to the funding that supports science within the agency and by many research partners across the country. In particular, NOAA staffers are concerned about how President Trump's executive orders, including one targeting climate change programs, could affect the agency's research and operations. Agency officials have received a list, which NPR has viewed, of terms that could run...

In today’s forecast, we’re tracking a huge winter storm this weekend, followed by what could be the coldest weather in years next week! This weekend’s storm will bring heavy snow from the Central Plains to the Northeast, while the South faces a severe weather outbreak, with the risk of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Meanwhile, flooding rain will impact parts of the Ohio Valley and Southeast, adding to the widespread impacts. But the real shock comes next week—an Arctic blast could bring the coldest temperatures in years, plunging much of the U.S. into a deep freeze with dangerously low...

If you spent much of last month shivering in the United States, you were not alone. A preliminary look at temperature data shows that the U.S. is likely to have experienced its coldest January average mean temperature since at least 2011, with records going back to 1895. Climate Central's preliminary report for January showed that 166 out of 191 analyzed cities (87 percent) were cooler than normal. That included Alaska, where the warmest city, Fairbanks, was an astounding 14.6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. They put the January departure from the historical average number for the nation at minus 2.9 F....

[Video] Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied Gov. Josh Green’s allegation that he caused many deaths in Samoa by discouraging the measles vaccine. HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -- Gov. Josh Green was in the U.S. Capitol hearing room Wednesday while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied Green’s allegation that he caused many deaths in Samoa by discouraging the measles vaccine. Green responded with profanity on national television. Speaking on CNN and MSNBC cable outlets after the hearing, the governor was clearly angry. It was understandable because during his confirmation hearing, RFK Jr. basically called Green a liar. Kennedy, who was nominated by President Donald...

Dozens of US states will endure the lowest temperatures they have felt in years as a polar vortex brings 'life-threatening' cold next week The National Weather Service (NWS) said that much of the Lower 48 should brace for 'the coldest air-mass of the season to date' from Friday to January 24. Meteorologists predict temperatures could plunge up to 45 degrees below average, engulfing at least 20 states across the Plains, the Great Lakes and the interior Northeast in below-zero temperatures. States in the polar vortex path include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin,...

TUPELO – WTVA in Tupelo may be facing a third round of layoffs that includes its entire meteorology team, according to sources with knowledge of the situation that asked to remain anonymous. The layoffs will be in phases and completed by the end of the first quarter, sources said. Station manager Luke Stanford declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Journal. WTVA's parent company Allen Media Group in May announced a restructuring move that affected about 12%, or some 2,500 employees. In October AMG laid off several station employees.

Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. His inauguration is expected to be attended by over 200,000 people, The Washington Post reported, citing local and federal officials—and it looks like they need to bundle up for the ceremony held outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. On January 20, the temperature in Washington, D.C., will be roughly 21 degrees Fahrenheit but feel like 11 degrees around noon, when the inauguration proceedings begin, according to WJLA. Temperatures will increase later in the afternoon to 25 degrees, but it will feel like 14...

Southern California is about to be blasted by one of its most powerful Santa Ana windstorm in recorded history. It may not be #1, but the combination of high population, drought conditions, abundant fuel, and mountain wave strength may create world-record high fire danger.

Winter Storm Blair is headed to impact much of the central and eastern United States late Sunday. Blizzard conditions are likely for some areas and ice storms and heavy snow are expected in others, The Weather Channel predicts. Winter storm warnings have been issued for Washington, D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Travel conditions are expected to be dangerous and some icing could be heavy enough that it could knock out power for some. Freezing rain is falling in parts of Kansas and Missouri, where icing is already an issue on some...

A powerful winter storm system is set to impact much of the country, bringing multiple hazards including heavy snow, dangerous ice, and severe thunderstorms. This system will be accompanied by an intense cold blast that could send wind chills plummeting below -20°F in some areas. What makes this storm different: Multiple precipitation types creating hazardous conditions Significant temperature drops of 10-20 degrees below normal Potential for heavy snow accumulation Dangerous wind chills Risk of severe thunderstorms in warmer sectors Stay tuned for updates as this system develops. While timing and exact impacts may change, this storm system has the potential...

Meteorologists are raising alarms over worsening polar vortex conditions that could bring extreme cold and widespread disruptions.Why It MattersSo far, this winter has seen one of the warmest Decembers on record in much of the northern United States. Though many residents experienced snow around the holidays, snow coverage was still at or near 20-year lows.However, the polar vortex could bring severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, that could affect travel conditions or prompt school closures.What To KnowAccording to temperature outlook data, mapped by Pivotal Weather, North Dakota could see temperatures as low as 8 degrees on New...