WEATHER ALERT
Small metal savior: NOAA’s DART buoy system enhances tsunami detection and forecasting
Read full article: Small metal savior: NOAA’s DART buoy system enhances tsunami detection and forecastingThe Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) system is a critical tool in the detection and real-time reporting of tsunamis.
US congressman sends letter urging NOAA to reconsider ‘draconian’ closures for South Atlantic red snapper seasons
Read full article: US congressman sends letter urging NOAA to reconsider ‘draconian’ closures for South Atlantic red snapper seasonsU.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford, along with 22 fellow members of the House, sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Thursday to oppose the consideration of area closures and other decisions that would impact the red snapper seasons for recreational anglers in the South Atlantic.
How one company and News4JAX are helping to save the North Atlantic right whales using a high-tech solution
Read full article: How one company and News4JAX are helping to save the North Atlantic right whales using a high-tech solutionNEWS4JAX anchor and reporter John Asebes recently went to great heights—700 feet, to be exact—to see the technology in action.
It‘s 3 weeks before Thanksgiving and it feels like spring. What is going on?
Read full article: It‘s 3 weeks before Thanksgiving and it feels like spring. What is going on?While Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia don’t typically fall into the seasons pattern of leaves changing into bright reds, golden yellows, and glowing orange, we should at least be feeling more like Fall.
Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean
Read full article: Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific OceanForecasters say Hurricane Kristy has strengthened into a Category 4 storm and is expected to remain away from land as it churns in the Pacific Ocean.
‘Well, damn!’ Video shows Milton jostling Hurricane Hunter aircraft
Read full article: ‘Well, damn!’ Video shows Milton jostling Hurricane Hunter aircraftOne shouldn’t expect a smooth ride through a hurricane, but Milton knocked the Hurricane Hunter crew around a bit as they entered the storm’s eye Tuesday.
Hurricane Kirk strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic
Read full article: Hurricane Kirk strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the AtlanticForecasters say Hurricane Kirk has strengthened into a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean and waves caused by it could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions this weekend.
Hurricane Kirk strengthens into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic
Read full article: Hurricane Kirk strengthens into a Category 3 storm in the AtlanticForecasters say Hurricane Kirk has strengthened into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to grow rapidly into a major hurricane.
Hurricane Helene temporarily knocked out severe weather radars in Jacksonville, NWS had to go to backup
Read full article: Hurricane Helene temporarily knocked out severe weather radars in Jacksonville, NWS had to go to backupHurricane Helene knocked out power to 4.5 million Americans across the lower South Eastern U.S., leaving the National Weather Service stranded.
La Niña expected to persist through 2025, which could mean stronger storms
Read full article: La Niña expected to persist through 2025, which could mean stronger stormsJuly and August were quiet months for hurricane season, especially August 13 through September 8, the quietest it has been since 1968, but now it may seem like the tropics might be waking up.
City of St. Augustine asking for public input to address flooding concerns
Read full article: City of St. Augustine asking for public input to address flooding concernsThe city of St. Augustine is looking for public input for its citywide vulnerability assessment. This assessment helps the area measure potential impacts from flooding and sea level rise as well as find out who and what might be affected.
Large whale group spotted off New England includes orca eating a tuna, dozens of endangered species
Read full article: Large whale group spotted off New England includes orca eating a tuna, dozens of endangered speciesScientists say a large number of whales visiting the waters off New England included an uncommon sighting of an orca eating a tuna and an unusually large group of an endangered species of whale.
JEA trims trees ahead of hurricane season to reduce risk of branches falling on powerlines
Read full article: JEA trims trees ahead of hurricane season to reduce risk of branches falling on powerlinesJEA trimmed trees ahead of hurricane season to reduce the risk of branches falling on powerlines and causing power outages.
Jacksonville doctor urges people with pre-existing conditions to prepare for hurricane season
Read full article: Jacksonville doctor urges people with pre-existing conditions to prepare for hurricane seasonWith hurricane season quickly approaching, it is important that everybody is prepared, especially people with preexisting conditions and health-related illnesses.
Tropical Storm Pilar dumps heavy rains on Central America leaving at least 2 dead
Read full article: Tropical Storm Pilar dumps heavy rains on Central America leaving at least 2 deadTropical Storm Pilar is lashing Central America with heavy rains that have already been blamed for two deaths in El Salvador as it meanders off the Pacific coast.
Tropical Storm Pilar leaves 2 dead in El Salvador as it wanders off Central America's Pacific coast
Read full article: Tropical Storm Pilar leaves 2 dead in El Salvador as it wanders off Central America's Pacific coastHeavy rain from Tropical Storm Pilar has already caused two deaths in El Salvador as it meanders off the Pacific coast.
Hurricanes can be dangerous, but cleaning up after a storm can be even more deadly, NOAA says
Read full article: Hurricanes can be dangerous, but cleaning up after a storm can be even more deadly, NOAA saysStorm surge, strong winds, lightning and downed powerlines are all things that have taken lives during a storm, but once the storm has passed there’s another threat.
Lidia dissipates after killing 1 person, injuring 2 near Mexico's Puerto Vallarta resort
Read full article: Lidia dissipates after killing 1 person, injuring 2 near Mexico's Puerto Vallarta resortLidia has dissipated after hitting land as a Category 4 hurricane near the resort of Puerta Vallarta, where one person was killed by a falling tree and two others were injured.
Tropical Storm Philippe chugs toward Bermuda on a path to Atlantic Canada and New England
Read full article: Tropical Storm Philippe chugs toward Bermuda on a path to Atlantic Canada and New EnglandTropical Storm Philippe is aiming for Bermuda on a path that would eventually take it to Atlantic Canada and eastern New England.
Tropical Storm Philippe soaks northeast Caribbean on a path toward Bermuda, New England and Canada
Read full article: Tropical Storm Philippe soaks northeast Caribbean on a path toward Bermuda, New England and CanadaTropical Storm Philippe is drenching the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as it spins away from the northeast Caribbean on a path that would take it toward Bermuda and later New England and Atlantic Canada.
Tropical Storm Philippe makes landfall in Barbuda as heavy rains drench northeast Caribbean
Read full article: Tropical Storm Philippe makes landfall in Barbuda as heavy rains drench northeast CaribbeanTropical Storm Philippe has made landfall in the tiny island of Barbuda as it unleashes heavy rains and flash floods in the northeast Caribbean.
Sperm whale calf euthanized after stranding on beach near Marineland in Flagler County
Read full article: Sperm whale calf euthanized after stranding on beach near Marineland in Flagler CountyA sperm whale calf that was found stranded on the beach near Marineland in Flagler County on Wednesday had to be euthanized, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Photo showing person holding dolphin several feet out of water prompts outrage, investigations
Read full article: Photo showing person holding dolphin several feet out of water prompts outrage, investigationsA photo of a North Florida angler holding a dolphin several feet out of the water is prompting outrage online and investigations by state and federal agencies. A marine biologist told News4JAX his first reaction to seeing that picture was horror. It’s not clear exactly where that photo was taken but harassing or feeding wild dolphins is against federal law.
Looking back, sub tourist calls himself 'naive' for taking 2021 dive to the Titanic
Read full article: Looking back, sub tourist calls himself 'naive' for taking 2021 dive to the TitanicAs an international search determined the implosion of a vessel that disappeared on its way to the underwater wreckage of the Titanic, a man who was one of the submersible company's first customers says a dive he made to the site two years ago was like a suicide mission.
What to do when a hurricane threatens
Read full article: What to do when a hurricane threatensWhen a tropical storm or hurricane threatens Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, it is important to take action quickly long before the storm arrives. While long-term planning is important, there are some key things that need to be accomplished in the short-term.
US's largest public utility names panel to study blackouts
Read full article: US's largest public utility names panel to study blackoutsThe nation's largest public utility has appointed an independent panel to look into power failures that spurred the decision to implement rolling blackouts during dangerously cold conditions late last year.
Power failures amplify calls for utility to rethink gas
Read full article: Power failures amplify calls for utility to rethink gasA federal utility’s decision to resort to rolling blackouts after coal and natural gas units went offline during dangerously cold conditions has intensified questions about the Tennessee Valley Authority’s recent decision to double down on fossil fuels.
Wednesday is the last day of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The storms that left a lasting mark on Florida
Read full article: Wednesday is the last day of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The storms that left a lasting mark on FloridaToday is the last day of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season and what a year it’s been.
Tropical Depression Lisa crosses into southern Mexico
Read full article: Tropical Depression Lisa crosses into southern MexicoTropical Depression Lisa has moved into southern Mexico a day after making landfall as a hurricane in the Central American nation of Belize and heading inland over northern Guatemala.
What dictates a hurricane’s strength?
Read full article: What dictates a hurricane’s strength?There are many ways to categorize a hurricane. The storm’s central pressure is one way. The height of its storm surge is another. How much rain it drops is another. And, of course, the strength of its wind is another. But what causes a hurricane to strengthen or weaken? The answer is simple enough, but multifaceted.
Agatha hits southern Mexico coast as strongest May hurricane
Read full article: Agatha hits southern Mexico coast as strongest May hurricaneHurricane Agatha has become the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in May in the eastern Pacific as it swept ashore on a sparsely populated stretch of tourist beaches and fishing towns in southern Mexico.
1st hurricane of 2022, Agatha heads for Mexico tourist towns
Read full article: 1st hurricane of 2022, Agatha heads for Mexico tourist townsThe first hurricane of the season has formed off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast and it's rapidly growing stronger ahead of an expected strike along a stretch of tourist beaches and fishing towns as a major storm.
Protecting critical habitat: Proposal aims to expand coral reef off Texas coast
Read full article: Protecting critical habitat: Proposal aims to expand coral reef off Texas coastIf you’re familiar with the Texas coast, which isn’t known for having crystal clear water, you probably never would have suspected that a mere 100 miles off of Galveston is a 56 square mile marine sanctuary complete.
NOAA releases updated report on 2021 billion-dollar disasters
Read full article: NOAA releases updated report on 2021 billion-dollar disastersThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Friday released an updated list of the billion-dollar disasters so far for 2021 — which is already tracking well above the historical average of seven events per year.
Hurricane names: What happened to the Greek alphabet?
Read full article: Hurricane names: What happened to the Greek alphabet?The Hurricane Committee of the World Meteorological Organization met virtually back in March to discuss the record-breaking 2020 hurricane season and what changes needed to be made.
Tropical Storm Ida prompts hurricane watch for New Orleans
Read full article: Tropical Storm Ida prompts hurricane watch for New OrleansTropical Storm Ida has formed in the Caribbean and forecasters say it's aimed at the U.S. Gulf Coast, prompting Louisiana’s governor to declare a state of emergency and forecasters to announce a hurricane watch for New Orleans.
New England preps for 1st hurricane in 30 years with Henri
Read full article: New England preps for 1st hurricane in 30 years with HenriNew Englanders bracing for their first hurricane in 30 years are hauling boats out of the water and taking other precautions as Tropical Storm Henri barrels toward the Northeast coast.
Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowing
Read full article: Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowingWe’re two months into the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season, according to the annual mid-season update issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.
DeSantis: ‘Don’t focus on the cone’; Elsa impacts could be widespread
Read full article: DeSantis: ‘Don’t focus on the cone’; Elsa impacts could be widespreadFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday issued an executive order expanding the state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Elsa to include Alachua and Columbia counties.
Tropical Storm Elsa crosses west Cuba and heads for Florida
Read full article: Tropical Storm Elsa crosses west Cuba and heads for FloridaTropical Storm Elsa has swept across a mostly rural section of western Cuba with strong rain and winds, and it is now over the Florida Straits for a possible close brush with the lower Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas on Tuesday.
Tropical weather lashes Gulf Coast with brisk winds, rain
Read full article: Tropical weather lashes Gulf Coast with brisk winds, rainHigh winds and heavy rains are striking coastal Louisiana and Mississippi as a disorganized and unpredictable tropical weather system churns through the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAA predicts active hurricane season with 13-20 named storms
Read full article: NOAA predicts active hurricane season with 13-20 named stormsNOAA released its 2021 hurricane season outlook Thursday, calling for a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and 10% chance of below-normal season in the Atlantic.
NOAA hikes hurricane season ‘average’ to reflect more storms
Read full article: NOAA hikes hurricane season ‘average’ to reflect more stormsThe numbers 12-6-3 have been ingrained in meteorologists’ minds for a decade as the average numbers for tropical activity each year. Typically 12 tropical storms develop on average, with six becoming hurricanes and three becoming major hurricanes.
Timeline for climate change is moving
Read full article: Timeline for climate change is movingForthcoming new normals for winter temperature are different from the current normals, which cover 1981-2010. NOAA’s database of “climate normals” is being updated with the results expected to be released May 1. Climate normals provide the baseline for comparing U.S weather and climate to the recent past. Rain totals in north Florida will be up to 5% less under the revised climate range. (noaa)New with this update will be additional monthly temperature normals for hundreds of U.S. stations with shorter 15-year averages.
NOAA upgrades US weather forecast model
Read full article: NOAA upgrades US weather forecast modelJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – NOAA is upgrading its Global Forecast System (GFS) weather model to boost weather forecasting capabilities across the U.S. These advancements will improve hurricane genesis forecasting, modeling for snowfall location, heavy rainfall forecasts, and overall model performance. Coupling the GFS and wave models will streamline the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) production suite by consolidating atmospheric and wave forecast data and distributing them together. Ad“This substantial upgrade to the GFS, along with ongoing upgrades to our supercomputing capacity, demonstrates our commitment to advancing weather forecasting to fulfill our mission of protecting life and property,” said Louis W. Uccellini, Ph.D., director, NOAA’s National Weather Service. Learn more about previous GFS upgrades and the history of the FV3 dynamical core at NOAA.
NOAA to test drones that could improve hurricane forecasts
Read full article: NOAA to test drones that could improve hurricane forecastsSnapshot of the drone being released from the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft (NOAA)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We might still be a few months away from the start of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season, but NOAA is working on new ways to gather data within storms. During the 2021 season, NOAA will be testing a new drone that can fly at the surface of the storm and give scientists a batter understanding of the winds before landfall. “We should be able to give a better depiction of what the winds are in that lowest layer that the Hurricane Center could use in its immediate forecast for the public,” said Dr. Joseph Cione, with NOAA. “So far, everything looks really, really good, and we’re pleased with the results,” said NOAA Corps Lt. Cmdr. “There’s actually a couple different ways we can control it,” Abitbol said.
2020 ties 2016 as Earth’s warmest year
Read full article: 2020 ties 2016 as Earth’s warmest yearHigher than normal temperatures are shown in red and lower than normal temperatures in blue. A European climate center revealed that globally 2020 was tied with the previous warmest year -- 2016 -- making it the sixth in a series of exceptionally warm years starting in 2015. In addition, NOAA said Friday the average temperature across the contiguous U.S. in 2020 was 54.4 degrees F (2.4 degrees above the 20th century average), making 2020 the fifth warmest year on record. There were no areas of below-average annual temperatures observed across the lower 48 states during 2020. AdMeanwhile, Europe saw its warmest year on record, 0.4°C warmer than 2019, which was previously the warmest year.
A new whale species discovered in the Gulf of Mexico
Read full article: A new whale species discovered in the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale is listed under the Mammal Protection Act. A new whale species has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA Fisheries scientists published a paper showing that the Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whale is actually a new whale species. The discovery comes after decades of research on endangered Bryde’s species living in the Gulf of Mexico. He was the first researcher to recognize that Bryde’s whales (now Rice’s whales) are present in the Gulf of Mexico,” NOAA said.
NOAA satellites helped save 304 lives last year
Read full article: NOAA satellites helped save 304 lives last yearOf the 304 U.S. rescues last year, 217 were water rescues, 12 were from aviation incidents and 75 were from events on land. Florida had the most SARSAT rescues with 67, followed by Alaska with 29. The record for the most SARSAT U.S. rescues in one year was set in 2019, with 421. (NOAA) (NOAA)When a NOAA satellite pinpoints the location of a distress signal in the U.S., the information is relayed to the SARSAT Mission Control Center at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland. NOAA also supports rescues globally by relaying distress signal information to international SARSAT partners.