Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a>

Rob Bradley

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Chances for additional aurora viewing will continue into Saturday night and Sunday night as multiple CMEs expected to hit Earth over the next 24 hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot 2023-12-02 163536-1701560191027.jpg">The Aurora could again be visible near the Canadian border Saturday night, including many areas in Canada (above). According to the Aurora Prediction Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks "Auroral activity will be moderate. Weather permitting, moderate displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin, and Iqaluit to as far south as Whitehorse, Ft. McMurray, James Bay and visible low on the horizon as far south as Prince Rupert, Calgary, Minot, Bemidji, Stevens Point, Traverse City and Quebec City, Canada."<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot 2023-12-02 163614-1701560295981.jpg">There remains a waning gibbous moon which could contribute to light pollution in viewing the aurora. Additionally, widespread clouds again will be present for much of the area with the opportunity for the aurora, but we could see some peaks of the sky and the northern lights, particularly across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest - don't get discouraged!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/12/11-1701560411780.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>So what is the aurora? The Aurora Borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun as a result of coronal mass ejections hit Earth's Magnetic field and interact with the natural gasses, creating ribbons of light. Auroras are not uncommon near the poles, but depending on the strength of the solar storm can make it down to lower latitudes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/what is auroar-1701365727741.png">Another Aurora looks likely Monday and Tuesday of next week, so stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Taban Sharifi

Aurora Viewing Possible Again Tonight

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<div>Lucy is originally from the Boston area but has spent the last four years forecasting and living in Colorado! She stayed in the northeast for her education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Meteorology. Just a few days after graduation, she made the cross country move to Colorado Springs, CO to begin her career at KKTV, the CBS affiliate. Lucy has covered historic blizzards, tornadoes, windstorms, the largest wildfires in Colorado state history and dust storms ... they truly "get it all" in Colorado! Lucy is excited to forecast on a national level and continue her passion of explaining the science behind the weather!</div>
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Lucy Bergemann

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<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_3cjjvg1aHg" start="0"></iframe></div>The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season comes to a close officially on November 30th and the season ended up being above average for the number of named storms, with 19 total. NOAA is calling a sub-tropical storm that formed back in January and had no alerts or track with it the 20th storm of the 2023 season. We had 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes which was average for the season.After 3 consecutive years of La Nina, 2023 brought changes to the Atlantic hurricane season. It was a fight between El Nino which traditionally suppresses hurricane activity and historically high sea surface temperatures that fuel storms. The season will be remembered for landfalls in the U.S., Caribbean, and even the Canadian Maritimes. The season was a great example that just because it is an El Nino year doesn’t mean the Atlantic tropics will be quiet.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/2023 Storm Tracks.mp4_snapshot_00.01.602-1701107993115.jpg">For the 7th year in a row, the U.S. Gulf Coast was hit by a major hurricane … Idalia made landfall as a category 3 at Keaton Beach in late August, the strongest in the Big Bend of Florida in over 70 years. Storm surge reversed the flow of rivers and inundated the Tampa area.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just weeks prior on the opposite side of the Gulf, Tropical Storm Harold was the first U.S. landfalling storm of the season on August 19th at Padre Island, Texas. The storm formed quickly in the warm waters of the Gulf before moving onshore.&nbsp;Once again, the East Coast was a topic of tropical conversation …&nbsp;Ophelia was another short-lived tropical storm that developed off the coast of the Carolinas before making landfall at Emerald Isle and bringing surge to coastal North Carolina.&nbsp;The strongest storm of the season, Hurricane Lee managed to reach CAT 5 status over the open waters of the Atlantic in early September. Lee will be remembered though for its extremely close pass to New England creating huge swells and coastal flooding in the Northeast. Lee went on to make landfall as a post-tropical cyclone in Nova Scotia.&nbsp;But Lee wasn’t the only system to travel north of the border… in October Phillipe made a similar trek from the Caribbean to maritime Canada.&nbsp;Multiple storms brought international impacts too.&nbsp;In the Caribbean, our first landfalling system was Tropical Storm Bret in late June,&nbsp; in late August Tropical Storm Franklin made landfall in D.R. before rapidly intensifying into a CAT4 passing by Bermuda.&nbsp;When we look at the amount of energy consumed by storms this year, we can see that the Accumulated Cyclone Energy, or "ACE" for short, is the number of days where we had a tropical cyclone in the basin. The average is between 74-126 days per season. This year was slightly above average with an ACE of 145.6. Most storms had an ACE of less than 10, but Hurricanes Lee and Franklin were long-lived storms, over 25 days each, that contributed to an above-average season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/ACE-1701191523613.png">

Steve Glazier

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends Above Average

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Above - Wrangell, AK landslide from U.S. Coast GuardThere has been a major landslide in Alaska on Monday night at 8:51 PM local time (12:51 AM EST) that has resulting in a fatality along Zimovia Highway in the rural community of Wrangell. The town is located about 90 miles north of Ketchikan and 200 miles south of Juneau in far eastern Alaska on the Pacific Coast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/landslide1png-1700597020696.png">Three homes were in the path of the landslide and it is believed that residents were home at the time of the slide and could be trapped. Sadly, officials have already reported three fatalities with the search continuing for three more individuals missing. The Coast Guard found one survivor early in the search process. The landslide occurred at mile markers 10-12 on Zimovia Highway blocking and closing the road. There are ongoing search and rescue missions at the 11-mile landslide site. Alaska State Troopers, United States Coast Guard, USFS, local contractors and DOT were working to clear debris and continue search and rescue efforts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/landsldie 2-1700597076501.png">Heavy rainfall and strong winds were being felt in this part of Alaska on Monday night and continuing into Tuesday which could have contributed to the landslide occurrence. Over 2.5" of rain fell in the past 48 hours (Sunday AM - Tuesday AM local time).According to officials though the search and rescue operations were temporarily paused on Tuesday morning (local time) for a state geologist to assess the situation and determine the additional risk. More landslides are possible and officials are encouraging residents to avoid traveling in the area.We will continue to bring you updates on the situation as we get them.

Three Dead Following Landslide in Alaska

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Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State College in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.

Steven Glazier

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Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow) is saying goodbye to its daylight for the rest of 2023. Saturday marks the city's final sunset until late January 2024. Here's how it looked on Friday (above).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot 2023-11-18 124042-1700336481124.jpg">Compare Utqiagvik's length of day to other Lower 48 cities and how much more sunlight these cities receive!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot 2023-11-18 124056-1700336487568.jpg">On Saturday, Utqiagvik will enter what is known as "polar night". That means the sun will set for the final time and won't rise again for another 65 days! Set your calendar reminder for January 23, 2024 because that's when Utqiagvik will see the sun again (pending cloud cover!) Why does this happen? We have to look at Earth's tilt in order to fully understand this long, dark winter.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot 2023-11-17 125002-1700250683257.jpg">Right now, we are about two-thirds of the way between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. In this image above, note the Northern Hemisphere, where Utqiagvik is, and how the location tilts away from the sun at this point of the year. The tilt is so great that, relative to ground level in northern Alaska, the sun never lifts above the horizon during parts of the winter.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/13-1700250687284.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The image above shows the visible satellite Friday, November 17 across the Pacific Ocean / Alaska region. If you look very closely toward the top part of this image, you'll see the shape of Alaska and how that area looks just slightly darker than the bottom 90% of this image. The darkness you see at the top is the lack of sunlight reaching those far northern locations as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot 2023-11-17 125050-1700250669818.jpg">So it's a goodnight to the folks in Utqiagvik until next year. Conversely, northern Alaska experiences non-stop daylight around the Summer Solstice where the sun never sets for weeks on end.

Alaska Getting its Final Sunlight of 2023

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A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., gets deiced prior to a mission from Ketchikan, Alaska, Dec. 16, 2021. The mission consists of dropping weather buoys into areas of the Pacific Ocean designated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, who will use the data collected from the buoys to study atmospheric rivers. Credit: US Air Force 403rd Wing &amp; Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Hurricane Hunter aircraft is being used in a new way! The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew their first mission into an Atmospheric River on the west coast of the United States on November 15th, dropping 12 "dropsondes" to observe atmospheric moisture, temperatures and wind. The mission is the first of the 2023-24 winter season and is a partnership between the USAF and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUdkRXlIqh14T7-2BV-2FJrYV4bI-3D08h3_1vB-2F7ymZbyDWcYaqcEWiPtFLdRgnBFGP-2Bvx58mXR-2F82AqhgXfhCIGPfbBxXyktJ0KFwxT8xnkXOY7LBqCt0jzjU9iSnUhKwcxP70ye7IUbCJm4UBzOYFts45llQUWrtSeCSGLMTxm4zCtapojUYI9jGxKeSmUKDu-2FRc5hjUUYsmfOjl8BZJPLIv-2BsK-2Bc8vvCE8oSSgQzRpfH6Y6ZzPZ0zzAwH52H2I5CHGoGNQ5TqosPfzIWyQEK5LwX6iMo7rWlZh812k1jacjsyu-2B6gC2YSWyoI38GCjDtLBQFmfFHyMmcSh-2BxWg9-2FndhMwJChGtsysVtJKoNiEImkRfQh0csyJvwBHMsgrzPITRTCoeKGmvY-3D">Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes [CW3E] </a>which creates the atmospheric river forecast and scale.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1724883398312005713" src="https://twitter.com/CW3E_Scripps/status/1724883398312005713"></div>According to CW3E, "The Atmospheric River Reconnaissance <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUQPn6pr0mWIUDe2pjyyC97ghcDMjZw-2BLZBFxZ9kkUWShPx4W_1vB-2F7ymZbyDWcYaqcEWiPtFLdRgnBFGP-2Bvx58mXR-2F82AqhgXfhCIGPfbBxXyktJ0KFwxT8xnkXOY7LBqCt0jzjU9iSnUhKwcxP70ye7IUbCJm4UBzOYFts45llQUWrtSeCSGLMTxm4zCtapojUYI9jGxKeSmUKDu-2FRc5hjUUYsmfOjl8BZJPLIv-2BsK-2Bc8vvCE8oSSgQzRpfH6Y6ZzPZ0zzEA69P0EG55qOICzEB6nAHEpjE2xkFc8dp57hUxGShiF-2BJC-2BAx2FiVCvcJvC-2Fvai4FuSYwbVegvbGdxMzFj8FsL6RmhOFVu2VdiYyPJgOAQNXEKp4WlInFbOzTidZrFKhXqtwN7yX4DdZsJ2Xm8pWM-3D">“AR Recon”</a> program collects key data on the storms as they form over the Pacific Ocean in order to improve forecasts of where they will hit landfall and how much precipitation they will bring. It also informs reservoir management in a changing climate so reservoir operators can prepare for and mitigate flooding or take advantage of the water supplied by atmospheric rivers." Last year (2022-23) the Hurricane Hunters flew 39 days, 13 of which were consecutive, during California's extremely wet winter season, helping to improve accuracy and understanding of Atmospheric river events. This year the partnership features new sensors on the aircraft along with ground observation buoys and weather balloon launches. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is based out of Kessler AFB in Biloxi, MS. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/7586391-1700258496666.jpg">Maj. Peyton Eustis and 1st Lt. Zach McDermott, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilots, fly the WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during an Atmospheric Rivers missions out of Mather Air Field, Calif., Jan. 11. The 53rd WRS fly ARs in the Pacific Ocean Basin from 1 January through 31 March as a specific part of the National Winter Season Operations Plan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek). Credit: US Air Force 403rd Wing &amp; Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Atmospheric Rivers are "rivers in the sky" that transport huge amounts of water from the oceans into the atmosphere. While they are not storms themselves, the AR's provide moisture necessary to create huge rain and snow totals in winter storm systems, especially on the U.S. West Coast. In the last 40 years, 84% of all flood claims in the western U.S. according to research with FEMA were a result of Atmospheric River events. Understanding of these storm systems especially where observation of conditions over the ocean is essential for better prediction. The hurricane hunters mission gathers valuable information for models and researchers at CW3E to work with in better predicting AR events.

Hurricane Hunters do Double Duty: Flying into Atmospheric Rivers

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TUE UPDATE: Reports of increased sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere have been noted in the Rekyjanes Peninsula, which could mean that magma is getting closer to the surface. An eruption is still likely at this time but unknown of the exact placement of where the fissure will open ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Numerous earthquakes shook the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland on Saturday prompting evacuations of entire towns due to the threat of volcanic eruption set off by the earthquake. Since last Saturday's evacuations, residents have been allowed to return to the town of Grindavík to retrieve personal belongings and animals, and to evacuate livestock<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/11-12 Icy Heads-1699794648991.png">All 3,000 residents in the town of Grindavík, Iceland were successfully evacuated Saturday. The evacuation follows a swarm of earthquakes in the Reykjanes Peninsula, just south of the capital city of Reykjavík, which scientists say is due to an emerging magma tunnel running under the town of Grindavík. This is close to the popular Blue Lagoon hot springs, which announced a week-long closure until November 16th.Thousands of earthquakes have swarmed the region since Friday, with more than a dozen earthquakes over 4.5 in magnitude. This has displaced the ground 3-4 feet in some places near the town of Grindavík, but up to 10-12 feet underground. Geophysicists in the country say there is still a lot of uncertainty about how much magma will reach the surface and where.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/11-12 ICy Quakes-1699794588726.png">On Saturday afternoon, scientists at a status meeting said the probability of an eruption had increased. They say the extent of the magma tunnel is significant and it is approaching the surface. The most recent information can be found <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ruv.is/english/2023-11-10-magma-tunnel-lies-under-grindavik-live-396249">here</a>. This region has seen several eruptions from the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in the last few years, as several magma tunnels formed under the peninsula. This system lies just to the west of that Volcano.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/VO_111123_INT'L_GRINDAVIK, ICELAND_ROADS CLOSED IN ICELAND AFTER INCREASED TECTONIC ACTIVITY DAMAGED THEM_STORYFUL_ICELANDIC ROAD ADMINISTRATION_DW_E111223-1699888020506.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> You can follow along to the latest updates on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ruv.is/english/2023-11-10-magma-tunnel-lies-under-grindavik-live-396249">Icelandic Notional Broadcast Service blog</a>.

Earthquakes Shake Iceland as Volcanic Eruption Threat Increases

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Above - The Horsehead Nebula also known as Barnard 33 and part of the constellation Orion. In Euclid’s new observation of this stellar nursery, scientists hope to find many dim and previously unseen Jupiter-mass planets in their celestial infancy, as well as young brown dwarfs and baby stars. Credit: ESA<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=715072570654832&amp;set=pcb.715073467321409" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=715072570654832&amp;set=pcb.715073467321409" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>The European Space Agency (ESA) has released the first images from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/Euclid_s_first_images_the_dazzling_edge_of_darkness">Euclid telescope</a> revealing "razor-sharp" images of distance galaxies. This is part of Euclid's 6 year mission to create a "3D-map of the Universe (with time as the third dimension) by observing billions of galaxies out to 10 billion light-years, across more than a third of the sky."According to the European Space Agency, "Euclid will take images in optical and near-infrared light; these images will eventually cover more than one-third of the extragalactic sky outside the Milky Way, and depict billions of cosmic targets out to a distance where light has taken up to 10 billion years to reach us." This mission will help scientists to understand dark matter, dark energy and gravity along with how the universe has expanded overtime.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/11/Euclid_spacecraft-1699369906708.gif">Animation of Euclid Telescope. Credit: ESAEuclid launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, FL on July 1, 2023. It quickly got into its orbit 932k miles from Earth orbiting at the same pace as Earth around the sun. The Webb space telescope (launched by NASA in 2022) is also in this orbit. The telescope takes images in 4x more details compared to Earth based telescopes!The first five images of Euclid reveal stunning full color images of the universe - the telescope is designed to see light up to 10 billion light-years away!

Distant Galaxies Captured by "Euclid" Space Telescope

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A team of researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have recovered incredible data from a weather station in Acapulco Bay, after it survived an encounter with category 5 hurricane Otis last week. This includes one of the highest wind gusts ever recorded on earth, topping out at 204.9 mph (329.76 km/h)!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1719121190453944677" src="https://twitter.com/SMareograficoN/status/1719121190453944677"></div> Data from the two weather stations (pictured above) operated by UNAM was cut off due to the loss of power during Otis's landfall, but a team of researchers visited the site in person to recover this incredible information.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1719117506999464447" src="https://twitter.com/SMareograficoN/status/1719117506999464447"></div>Few records exist with gusts topping 200 mph, partly due to the destruction of equipment during such intense storms. The research team highlighted the sturdy construction of their station in the thread. Only a few records exist of stronger gusts, including the Mt. Washington, NH, which measured a gust of 231 mph in 1934. It held the record for strongest gust until Cyclone Olivia hit Barrow Island, Australia in 1996 with a gust topping 254 mph!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1719119819885470063" src="https://twitter.com/SMareograficoN/status/1719119819885470063"></div>The research team posted a thread to X, highlighting some other interesting data from the storm, including an impressive pressure drop of more than 50 mb. Strom surge measured was thankfully quite low at this location, only about 17 inches and it occurred during a low tide. Otis's strong winds have left the city in almost complete destruction, where the death toll has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="">topped 45 with many still missing.</a>

Hurricane Otis Produced One of the Strongest Wind Gusts Ever Recorded, Over 200 mph

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ABOVE - Evolution of the Solar Cycle 24. Credit: Dan Seaton/European Space Agency (Collage by NOAA/JPL-Caltech)The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has revised its predictions for Solar Cycle 25 calling for "solar activity to increase more quickly and peak at a higher level than previously predicted".The forecasted peak of Solar Cycle 25 is now expected between January and October 2024 with 137-173 sunspots. This is a change from the original forecast released in 2019 which called for the peak in July 2025 with 115 sunspots. The average number of sunspots over the 100-year monitoring history is 179, meaning solar cycle 25 is expected to be weaker than normal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/solar-cycle_2010-2020.en-1698677823813.jpg">Evolution of the Sun in extreme ultraviolet light from 2010 through 2020, as seen from the telescope aboard Europe's PROBA2 spacecraft. Credit: Dan Seaton/European Space Agency (Collage by NOAA/JPL-Caltech)According to NASA, a solar cycle is "the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years ... when the magnetic field flips poles"! NASA continues, "The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots which are caused by the Sun's magnetic fields".Sunspots can interfere with the electrical grid, GPS signals, and satellites along with radiation threats to astronauts &amp; airlines. For example, according to NOAA, "even minor space weather events can have major impacts. After a successful launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida in early February 2022, minor geomagnetic storming <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=8dVHgYh7GDK85HGQJ1OkInZJrEEtP5ioPnpLCLrL7cOVOAK9dCaerN8IFcp16bunRV6NKXHsOJqFJlkxAUndHA-3D-3DYQcl_4Fi74Jjg84ycRiIrSAw19Yg5XEQtwAtzvMUwUbj9BJQstHdrUaAMq5G1cjGdKkm532M72x-2FzJC8KZ0iPUOxDQoeVhqfGNlB06YclayTmCwVF-2FFm4WwbHiCI1UQ8H65LtWA7fZ0Mn3eLiMtIge4ANBhYu1C0LcKcm0qFRMhEAX9WG2QcIJ6My40DGdqfWLBpYDq2V06BuDdiooILsmkmnG6gUdIvS1oOw0SrPTn585ktMys4DJ6Wajwfargl46zz0I8AnRVq-2FBQQLNH9D2RDu5l81UXUmgIuWf7iYZ23PioAK8vgcsudDcmmUhRJP6AysMB3Io2PJyE2ayo367Qq59S-2BQXihuBtDkXeBsM6m4Vtj00bOfpK7KvAB7fDkgoXXT7yNbzK-2FSwi8Wt05M9gs7LA-3D-3D">caused 38 of 49 SpaceX Starlink satellites to fail to reach their final orbit</a>, instead burning up during unplanned reentry into Earth’s atmosphere."In addition to impacting the magnetic field of Earth and radiation the Peak of Solar Cycle 25 will occur around the same time as the total solar eclipse over the United States on April 8, 2024. This means we could see a more impressive corona (outer atmosphere of the sun only visible in an eclipse) due to enhanced solar activity.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/solar-cycle-25-prediction-2023-1698677870099.png">The last time the Solar Cycle forecast was updated was in 2019 when it was released, but new forecasts will be updated monthly to improve accuracy. This is thanks to better observations of sunspots &amp; solar flares that give real-time data of sun activity.

Solar Cycle 25 Expected to Peak Sooner Than Predicted

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The National Hurricane Center called the landfall of Otis a "nightmare scenario" for southern Mexico on Wednesday morning near Acapulco, Mexico. Otis explosively intensified into a Category 5 hurricane after being just a tropical storm the day before, giving the people of southern Mexico only hours to brace for this destruction. There has NEVER been a hurricane anywhere near this strong in this part of Mexico on record.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1717104855788015656" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1717104855788015656"></div>The final advisory on Otis was released Wednesday at 4:00 PM CDT as Otis dissipated on land. Rain reports of 9" were received in Cigua de Benitez according to the National Hurricane Center. Here are some of the frightening scenes as Otis made landfall:<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1717179203123355930" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1717179203123355930"></div>Now that power is being restored for parts of Acapulco we are seeing the extent of the damage in the the city - buildings are completely destroyed or blown in with standing water on the roads and downed trees keeping paths blocked. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/VON_102623_INT'L_ACAPULCO, MEXICO_5 OF 5 HURRICANE OTIS POST STORM DAMAGE_STORYFUl_Nathalia Martinez_KS_E102623-1698346554903.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Otis Damage: "Nightmare Scenario" for Southern Mexico

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Dense fog on Monday morning called "super fog" led to a massive pileup on I-55 in Akers, LA, west of New Orleans. The exact number of cars involved in the pileup is unknown at this time but WeatherNation has received pictures and videos of hundreds of cars parked on I-55 with nowhere to go. The elevated roadway meant drivers had nowhere to go. Our field correspondent Brandon Clement got a birds' eye view of the damage after the fog lifted.<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=855863116080282" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=855863116080282" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>In addition to vehicle crashes, there appear to have been car fires too. I-10 was closed IN BOTH DIRECTIONS from the New Orleans Airport to the intersection with I-55 Southbound was closed over Lake Pontchartrain throughout Monday. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/VON_102323_RSC_NEAR LAPLACE. LA_BURNT UP SEMI IN THE FOGGY ACCIDENT ON 155_FB_ETHAN VIOLA_BH_102323-1698081576366.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>So what caused the fog? This was known as "super fog" which was caused by the combination of dense fog due to more moisture in the atmosphere, as well as wildfire smoke nearby. Stronger winds should keep fog at bay through the overnight hours through Tuesday, but advisories have been issued just in case as the wildfires remain ablaze. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1716481049881162122" src="https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans/status/1716481049881162122"></div>Monday morning, the visibility was down to 0 miles through the greater New Orleans area. Fog can be extremely dangerous during driving conditions as it usually is more dense in certain areas compared to others. At the time of the pileup, visibility was near zero in the Akers area. Earlier Monday morning the causeway bridge was closed over Lake Pontchartrain too because of how dense the fog was and how dangerous it was to drive.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/2023-10-23 11-17-14-1698081536849.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tuesday morning's forecast calls for more fog, but winds will be a bit gustier which should help to clear those conditions quicker. Be cautious on the roads.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/10-23_visibility-1698107892401.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

"Superfog" Leads to Huge Pile-Up near New Orleans

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<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kl9YPXbqJcY" start="0"></iframe></div>The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), has released its winter outlook for the 2023 – 2024 season. The CPC is the official climate branch of the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This outlook forecasts the probability of above/below average temperatures and precipitation. The darker colors indicate the level of confidence in the forecast, not the amount wetter/drier/hotter/colder a region will be. For the temperature outlook (below) there is moderate confidence in a warmer than average winter season in the Northwest and Northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/temp outlook-1697722680203.png">In the precipitation outlook there is high confidence in a wetter than average season for the Southeast U.S. some confidence in another wet winter for the Southwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/ntlprecipoutlookpng-1697722781049.png">In early October the CPC announced that El Niño conditions were expected to continue through the winter months with an 80% chance they continue through March - May 2024. El Niño is characterized by warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and plays a role in the global weather patterns. The impacts are typically most pronounced during the winter months in the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/el nino 2-1697722917988.png">We see a lot of parallels between the typical conditions of an El Niño pattern and this winter’s official outlook from the CPC. El Niño winters are characterized by a southern jet streak, leading to wetter conditions in the southwest U.S. and Gulf Coast. Meanwhile the Northwest and North-Central U.S. tend to be warmer than average under El Niño influence with drier conditions in the Midwest.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/el nino-1697722681811.png">Outlooks are just that, outlooks, and day to day weather conditions will vary leading to short term hazards. Use these outlooks to help you plan ahead. For the most up to date weather information, stay with WeatherNation.

WATCH: Winter Outlook Released - Wet for the South, Warm for the North

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1714834087700263051" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1714834087700263051"></div>This is incredible wave action in southern coastal England as storm "Babet" impacted the region with winds, rain and waves. So why does the U.K. Met Service name storms?The U.K. Met Agency in partnership with the Irish national meteorological agency, Met Éireann and KNMI, the Dutch national weather forecasting service have been naming storms western Europe since 2015. The list of names is used from early September through late August, resetting when Summer turns to Fall and the pattern tends to get more active over the European continent. Each year new names are picked and the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z follow the World Meteorological Organization's avoidance of those letters.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/2023-24-storms_main_graphic-1697652281059.png">The goal of naming storms is to raise awareness of a storm's name and the potential for severe weather that could be potentially damaging or destructive. Usually the impacts of a storm will be from strong winds and heavy rain or flooding. However, they could be named for snow too. The naming system for systems is a bit less clear cut compared to that of naming Tropical Cyclones. However, if the storm impacting the U.K. or Europe is the remnants of a tropical storm or hurricane from the Atlantic Basin, its original tropical name will be unchanged!The reason for naming tropical systems is because they often impact multiple countries and regions. The name helps to "reduce confusion and streamline[s] communication" according to NOAA. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for tropical cyclone names through all the basins around the world: Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific and 7 other regions globally. The WMO also is the governing body on if and when tropical cyclone names are retired due to impact.Other regions in Europe also name weather systems, and countries are grouped by region. The Southwestern storm naming group includes Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. For the northern group, the countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark work together to name storms. Sometimes one agency will name a storm before the other does if it impacts cross-regionally.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/european_storm_naming_groups-1697652279224.jpg">The National Weather Service, official government agency in the U.S. does NOT name fall or winter storms and neither does WeatherNation. There is no official criteria for what makes a winter storm more impactful than another and it is important to seek out realistic, accurate and responsible weather information during the winter season.

WATCH: Storm Babet, Why Does Europe Name Storms?

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What a day for sky watchers across the western United States! Millions of Americans were able to take in the annular solar eclipse on Saturday, and cloud cover was mostly lacking for people in the path of annularity from Oregon to Texas.NASA provided stunning views of the eclipse, including zoomed in views of the sun, detailed enough to show filament eruptions and solar flares!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1713246857324048406" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1713246857324048406"></div>Meteorologist Steve Glazier was in Capital Reef National Park, Utah to view the eclipse. Here's his reaction!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/LL_101423_TRT 1.28_RSW_CAPITOL REEF NAT'L PARK, UT_STEVE GIVING A RECAP OF THE ECLIPSE_WHATS APP STEVE GLAZIER_MS_E101423-1697335096461.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Now we look ahead to next years total solar eclipse, which will happen on April 8th of 2024!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/10-14 Eclipse-1697305251789.png"> A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun all align where the moon is in the middle. This essentially blocks our view of the sun. We don't get this all the time, because of the differing elliptical paths of the Moon and Earth's orbits. But once in a while, the eclipse comes around. Saturday's eclipse was an "annular" eclipse, meaning the moon is just a tad smaller than the sun (as it appears in our sky). The moon never completely fills out the perimeter of the sun, but rather results in a phenomenon called the "ring of fire." The eclipse in 2024 will completely cover the sun.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Annualr vs Total-1696017313039.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Solar Eclipse Alignment-1696017318118.jpg">Here is the chart of the locations and times of when the eclipse began and ended.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/Eclipse Timing-1697209157709.png">The path of totality will moved from Oregon to Nevada, directly over the Four Corners, and through Texas. Other areas of the country saw a partial solar eclipse.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023 Eclipse Path-1696017350676.jpg">Before you run out and look directly in the sun, stop! Make sure you have proper eyewear. Regular sunglasses won't work to keep your eyes safe. You'll need proper, and legitimate, solar sunglasses. If you can't make it to Saturday, October 14th's eclipse you'll have another chance at a TOTAL solar eclipse April 8, 2024. The total solar eclipse can be a greater phenomenon because of the view of the corona!

Annular Solar Eclipse Provides Stunning Views for Millions of Americans

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NOAA announced on Thursday, October 12th that El Niño is expected to continue through the winter and has a high likelihood of continuing into the Spring of 2024. El Niño is defined as warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that has impacts on global weather patterns, including the U.S.. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/10/el nino-1697122854204.png">According to NOAA, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above average in September and while the anomalies of warmth decreased during the period they were still above average in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño is the warmer than average sea surface temperatures but also must be balanced with atmospheric conditions, which were seen as consistent with El Niño during September. Per NOAA, "in areas of the central Pacific, low-level winds were anomalously westerly, while upper-level winds were anomalously easterly. Convection was enhanced around the International Date Line, stretching into the eastern Pacific, just north of the equator ... Collectively, the coupled ocean-atmosphere system reflected El Niño."Forecast modeling shows a "strong" El Niño event from November through January this year with waters likely to run 1.5°C above average. Within that, there is a 30% chance that it will be a "historically strong" event similar to 2015-16 or 1997-98 according to NOAA. However, the 'strong' nature of an El Niño doesn't necessarily translate to stronger impacts globally. Forecasts also show a likelihood of El Niño continuing into the Spring of 2024. <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=723297683164743&amp;set=a.228512579309925" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=723297683164743&amp;set=a.228512579309925" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>El Niño is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation Pattern (ENSO) that require certain changes in both the ocean and the atmosphere and is a coupled climate phenomenon. Typically, ENSO phases last 1-2 years and oscillate between El Niño, Neutral and La Niña.

Aurora Viewing Possible Again Tonight

Chances for additional aurora viewing will co

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends Above Average

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season comes to a

Three Dead Following Landslide in Alaska

Above - Wrangell, AK landslide from U.S. Coas

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Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow) is saying

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A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to

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Above - The Horsehead Nebula also known as Ba

Hurricane Otis Produced One of the Strongest Wind Gusts Ever Recorded, Over 200 mph

A team of researchers from the National Auton

Solar Cycle 25 Expected to Peak Sooner Than Predicted

ABOVE - Evolution of the Solar Cycle 24. Cred

Otis Damage: "Nightmare Scenario" for Southern Mexico

The National Hurricane Center called the land

"Superfog" Leads to Huge Pile-Up near New Orleans

Dense fog on Monday morning called "super fog

WATCH: Winter Outlook Released - Wet for the South, Warm for the North

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), has rele

WATCH: Storm Babet, Why Does Europe Name Storms?

This is incredible wave action in southern co

Annular Solar Eclipse Provides Stunning Views for Millions of Americans

What a day for sky watchers across the wester

El Niño to Stick Around this Winter & Spring

NOAA announced on Thursday, October 12th that