WeatherNation Meteorologists

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At 7:24 pm ET on Tuesday, July 29th, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia’s Far East, prompting tsunami alerts for Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast. Most of the U.S. West Coast still remains under an advisory.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 094506-1753890322791.png">A part of the Northern California coast line remained under a Tsunami Warning Wednesday morning as tsunami waves continued to come ashore. Below you can see the observations from Crescent City, CA where wave heights measured 3.7 ft.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 052229-1753874561022.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1950396558660554830" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1950396558660554830"></div>Sirens sounded in Hawaii Tuesday evening every hour from when the Tsunami Warning was issued until the first waves impacted around 7:17 pm local time. Maximum amplitude of the waves reached nearly six feet in Kahului. Counties are slowly lifting evacuation orders but still urging caution in and around the coastline. For more on evacuation zones in Hawaii, see this<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://static.pdc.org/tsunami/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawL2Uj5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjZTTPWnQRd1wGqZ9g_HvYaTOt4HLmXa7dBAhOLV9sKEfw84BLS7cE7CgrJn_aem_92Fax-jvYytTZm5riEe0ig"> website.</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 053532-1753875378018.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 053800-1753875555241.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1950483958728438027" src="https://x.com/CivilDefenseHI/status/1950483958728438027"></div><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tsunami.gov/">The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center</a> said the impacts would be on a global scale, with waves of nearly 3 meters (~12 feet) possible along some coasts of Russia and Ecuador.&nbsp;The Tsunami Warning Center has broken down the potential hazards and public action needed to take based on the level of alerts. When a Tsunami warning is issued, you must move to higher ground or inland, as dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents are possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/ea9d0de5-6816-43ff-b872-1f6a923e9edd-1753846260455.jpg">The quake’s preliminary rating of 8.0 was later bumped up to an 8.8, making it one of the highest magnitude earthquakes in recorded history.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/ezgif-4fd1f2bd3d959c-1753893497771.gif">Russia’s Tass news agency reported that many ran into the streets as damage started to occur to homes and other buildings, as they noticeably swayed under the earthquake's power. &nbsp;Earlier in July, five power quakes – the largest with a magnitude of 7.4 -- struck in the same area near Kamchatka. &nbsp;

Alana Cameron

Tsunami Impacts Hawaii, Alaska, West Coast After Russia Earthquake

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Kevin Schneider

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Severe storms ripped through the plains Tuesday afternoon, and the storms will continue through today. Wind gusts in Iowa reached from 58 mph to 74 mph in portions of Iowa.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/iowa wind reporsssss -1753831869482.png"><h3>WAS THIS A DERECHO?</h3>The Storm Prediction Center has stated, preliminarily, that the complex that tracked through South Dakota and Iowa meets the definition for a derecho. There is still assessment being done if the northern complex through portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, was also a derecho. WeatherNation will bring you the latest updates as they become available.A derecho is a long-lived severe wind event, defined by specific criteria regarding the length and width of the damaging wind swath. The SPC has a<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm"> detailed page </a>dedicated to these destructive windstorms. Did Monday night's event satisfy the criteria? It looks like it, but we await official word after the wind reports are examined a little closer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-28 132243-1753730569032.png"><h2>Wednesday</h2>Storms are expected to move east through Thursday, so the SPC has issued a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms for the Midwest and Ohio Valley.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 110224-1753895059158.png">Here's a look at the timing. Storms are expected to complex together overnight, holding their strength across the Plains and Midwest. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/08-30 rnc-1753895068308.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flooding</h1>Watch for isolated to scattered flooding threats over the next few days as these storms continue to move through the region. The Weather Prediction Center has this region under a level 2 (SLIGHT) risk for flooding for at least the next two days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 110231-1753895082247.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 110515-1753895120124.png">

Severe Storms From the Plains to Ohio Valley

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After monitoring a weak low-pressure system in the Gulf all of last week, the Atlantic Basin is quiet for now. Tropical waves moving off of Africa may have a slim chance to develop next week. The coast near the Carolinas is another area we may need to monitor in the mid-range forecast (6-10 day window).The Pacific is looking more active. Iona has now become a major hurricane, and Tropical Storm Keli formed Monday.<h1>Pacific Basins</h1>Iona strengthened to a Category 3 Hurricane Tuesday morning, with sustained winds to 125 mph, and has since weakened to a category 1. Since the storm formed west of 140° longitude, it got a name from the seldom-used Central Pacific Region. Another tropical wave just behind it has a high chance to develop right on Iona's heels.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 103434-1753893283687.png">Iona is expected to move west and not expected to bring any direct impacts to the Hawaiian Islands.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 103010-1753893306642.png">Tropical Storm Keli formed in the Central Pacific on Monday. Keli has held fairly steady since formation, with winds at 40 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 103023-1753893312633.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 102954-1753893324553.png">The NHC is also watching THREE other tropical waves in the Eastern Pacific. It is still too early to determine it there will be any potential impacts to Mexico or the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 102801-1753893331555.png"><h1>Why Has the Atlantic Been So "Quiet"?</h1>There are several factors contributing to the quieter tropics. Wind shear is a significant one, along with other large-scale disruptions, such as the displacement of a Hadley cell, which leads to additional sinking air closer to the tropics rather than farther north. Saharan dust and less robust warming of the ocean in some areas are also contributing factors.<h2>Saharan Dust</h2>Forecast models keep dust plumes from Africa from traveling across the Atlantic. This can suppress tropical activity since tropical systems favor moisture. You can see the Saharan Dust trailing behind the area of low pressure moving into the Gulf.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/07-30 saharan dust-1753893401568.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Ocean Temperatures</h2>In what is known as the Main Development Region (MDR), sea surface temperatures have been a little cooler than the record-breaking pace they've been on the last two seasons (23' &amp; 24'). Tropical systems typically need sea surface temperatures of 80° at a depth of 150 ft for tropical formation. Currently, in the MDR, our temperatures are in the high 70s. We are slowly seeing some SSTs climbing to around 80°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-28 082413-1753712658733.png">In fact, a lot of the season, in comparison to last year and the year before, has been a bit cooler. However, if you look at the numbers, it's been hovering around normal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-22 142616-1753216233169.png">So what is actually normal? If we look only at the number of storms, it appears we're ahead of schedule. However, accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) in the Atlantic is less than 20% of normal for this point in the season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-22 143043-1753216287218.png"><h1>Looking Ahead</h1>This early in the season, we're still trend spotting. Without a persistent El Niño setup to bring additional shear, we watch the water temperatures. In the Main Development Region, waters had been trending cooler - not anymore. Over the past few weeks, a noticeable spike in Ocean Heat Content has caused those temperatures through the column to average. Will this lead to a tropical wave developing into an organized system this week? It might, but the hostile conditions in the Atlantic won't give it much time, so the odds are not looking great.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 135539-1753819091494.png">

TROPICS: Iona Becomes Major Hurricane Tuesday Morning

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Taban Sharifi grew up in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. She is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) with the American Meteorological Society (AMS). She has a B.S. in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Go Bruins! While in school, Taban was a meteorology intern with NBC LA. There she helped forecast daily weather for the greater Los Angeles region and created a playbook to deploy weather sensors for NBC owned-and-operated stations across the country. Her first on-air job took her to San Angelo, Texas, where she was a morning meteorologist and co-anchor. Working in West Texas gave her knowledge and experience covering severe storms. From there, she moved to Palm Springs, California. People think forecasting in California is sunshine all the time, but with temperatures in the 120’s, wildfires, damaging winds, floodings, and earthquakes, the forecasting kept her very busy! She also worked there as a general assignment reporter and told community stories. Taban is excited for the challenge and opportunity to forecast nationally with WeatherNation. She also looks forward to exploring all that Colorado has to offer!

Taban Sharifi

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Unusual and intense heat and humidity have settled over the Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and are expected to persist. The Heat Risk for much of the country is red, which is a major level of heat risk. There are even many areas of purple, which is the highest level of heat danger: Extreme. These locations need to limit time outdoors, stay hydrated, and check on your neighbors.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 134308-1753818201812.png"><h1>Southeast</h1>Tampa, Florida, broke an all-time record high on Sunday, July 27th. Reaching 100° beats out the old record of 99° set on June 26, 2020. Tuesday, Tampa broke the all-time record for the highest heat index recorded by hitting 119°. When you're breaking all-time records in FLORIDA, that's how you know how hot it truly is.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 161143-1753827107280.png">Heat alerts continue across the Southeast, with Heat Risk levels at their highest in the country. Most of the southeast is at extreme Heat Risk through Wednesday afternoon, with heat index values still expected to be near 110°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/high vsss-1753893583733.png">These conditions are particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those without access to reliable air conditioning or hydration.&nbsp;<h1>Mid South</h1>Heat alerts are expected to continue across parts of the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River Valley. Just like parts of the Southeast, heat index values are going to climb to over dangerous levels near 115 degrees. There is likely to be some relief from the heat in these areas as thunderstorm chances increase mid-week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/heattttt -1753893455049.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/todayaaaa-1753893518399.png"><h1>Northeast</h1>We even have heat advisories in the northeastern U.S, in particular, New England. Feels like temperatures here are likely to rise to 95-100°F through Wednesday before our next trough moves in.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/toddsss-1753893647902.png">Several records were broken on Tuesday, and there will likely be more records to add to the list before the day is over.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 161427-1753827291973.png">The heat index values will be in the triple digits for cities like Philadelphia and New York.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/todayshshshs-1753893718276.png">Tune into WeatherNation for more top weather headlines.

Jackie Brown

Millions of American Under Heat Alerts

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

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NORTHEAST - Temperatures and dew points are expected to rise, leading to intense heat index values. When heat indices are forecast between 95–100° in the Northeast, heat alerts are typically issued. In fact, extreme heat alerts are in effect for some areas, expected to feel more like 105°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 104208-1753893733906.png">Several records were broken across the Northeast on Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 161427-1753828829443.png">Forecast highs today are expected to reach the 90s, with "feels like" temperatures will likely break the century mark.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 104227-1753893754040.png">Today, a cold front will move into this hot and unstable air mass, bringing the threat of thunderstorms. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a MARGINAL risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe weather.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 103935-1753893784703.png">On Thursday, the SPC has issued a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms for Washington DC, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 103939-1753893805668.png">The timing of these storms will follow the front, but as surface temperatures rise in the afternoon, the threat for strong thunderstorms will be greatest.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/07-30_rne-1753893964504.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Heat Builds in the Northeast Ahead of Midweek Storms

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The Dog Days of Summer might get told to heel by the end of the week. If your eyes lit up reading that sentence, I'm with you. Each one of these stretches of heat seems to take longer than the last to subside. Cities will see a dramatic jump in temperatures! On Tuesday, Omaha hit 97° with a heat index of 111°, and for the rest of the week, a high of the upper 70s. Omaha normally averages a high of 88°. Chicago will go from the upper 80s to the 70s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-29 072507-1753795517861.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 105140-1753894312601.png">A strong cold front delivers a 20-degree temperature drop! Not to mention a massive drop in humidity. Dewpoints drop from the 70s into the 40s.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/07-30 rnc dews-1753894357149.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The August temperature outlook looks to warm back up across the central U.S. But for the West, confidence in below average temperatures remains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-30 105247-1753894380502.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Who's Ready for a Cold Front?

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Yep you read that right. The standing water from recent rains along with the water pulled out of the ground by stalks of corn can help make hot afternoons worse. Don't believe us? The National Weather Service follows this closely in the months of July and August, as the corn matures.READ MORE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-exactly-is-corn-sweat">All About Corn Sweat</a><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pyOT3C-_FHY" start="0"></iframe></div>Just tacking on a few degrees on the dew point temperature can make a huge difference! Some localized areas could sneak into the upper 70's and low 80's thanks to the corn. Imagine a 5% increase in the humidity.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-22 104736-1753203165516.png">That can jump the Heat Index by 5° if you're hot enough! It makes a difference after a while.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot 2025-07-22 104925-1753203019827.png">As with any sort of heat-related danger, it comes down to preparation - drinking plenty of water, and taking plenty of breaks. Be sure to check on your neighbors, even if they are a few miles away!

Rob Bradley

"Sweating" Corn Can Ramp Up Humidity in the Midwest

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Where are the hurricanes? The season has turned much quieter after Hurricane Barry hit Louisiana in early July and the 'C' named storm has yet to form.

&nbsp;

https://youtu.be/UjSfrqJ9O2g

So far this 2019 hurricane season, there have been 2 named storms in the Atlantic basin, Barry and Andrea.

<img class="size-full wp-image-111429" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/tor-2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> The 2019 Atlantic tropical season as of Wednesday, August 14.

&nbsp;

On one hand, the average date for the 'C' named storm in the Atlantic is August 13th, so not too long ago. On the other hand, this is the slowest start to hurricane season since 2014. Regardless, while it’s quiet, it’s time to prepare.

<img class="size-full wp-image-111432" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/day-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> The 'C' name climatology for the Atlantic basin as of August 14, 2019

&nbsp;

What is the reason the season has been off to a slower start than recent years?

One reason for this slow(er) start to the hurricane season is a combination of dry air and disruptive winds referred to as shear.

<img class="size-full wp-image-111437" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/tor-pot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Visible satellite imagery on Wednesday, August 14 showing areas of dust and dry air (red circles) limiting thunderstorm development.

&nbsp;

<img class="size-full wp-image-111431" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/day-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Ingredients needed for a tropical cyclone

<div class="mceTemp"></div>
“It only takes one storm to have catastrophic impacts on lives and communities. Coastal and inland residents need to get ready now before a storm threatens.” says Dr. Gerry Bell, Lead Seasonal Forecaster for NOAA/CPC.

 <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-111433" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/fore-3-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Historically, 85% of all hurricanes occur after August 15th in the Atlantic. Concerning those other seasons that started ‘quieter?’ They vary, but put them all together they produced an average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

<img class="size-full wp-image-111434" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/fore-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> 2019 Atlantic season stats as of August 14

It’s still early in the season with several weeks of peak activity still to come.

In fact, we're watching the Gulf of Mexico during the week of August 19-23 because reliable long-term models are hinting at the idea of a tropical wave/disturbance around that time. Confidence is very low in this forecast, however it will be one of the next areas to watch in the upcoming days!

<img class="wp-image-111435 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/hail-pot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Satellite/radar on Wednesday, August 14

<img class="wp-image-111436 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/08/wind-pot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Valid for the week of August 19-23, 2019. Stay up to date, this set-up graphic will likely change as forecasts become more detailed.

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier

Slowest Start to Hurricane Season Since 2014

Tsunami Impacts Hawaii, Alaska, West Coast After Russia Earthquake

At 7:24 pm ET on Tuesday, July 29th, a magnit

Severe Storms From the Plains to Ohio Valley

Severe storms ripped through the plains Tuesd

TROPICS: Iona Becomes Major Hurricane Tuesday Morning

After monitoring a weak low-pressure system i

Millions of American Under Heat Alerts

Unusual and intense heat and humidity have se

Heat Builds in the Northeast Ahead of Midweek Storms

NORTHEAST - Temperatures and dew points are e

Who's Ready for a Cold Front?

The Dog Days of Summer might get told to heel

"Sweating" Corn Can Ramp Up Humidity in the Midwest

Yep you read that right. The standing water f