Changes Coming This Hurricane Season From NHC "What category is it?" "What's the wind speed?" Those are the basic elements asked about when it comes to hurricane forecasts But last year's destructive season provided several reminders that we must pull back the curtains even more when getting informed about a storm Those reminders and more were presented recently by National Hurricane Center warning coordination meteorologist Robbie Berg in a hurricane awareness webinar on these six lessons learned from the 2024 season: -85%: That's the percentage of deaths from tropical cyclones in the U.S -Last year followed suit: Water accounted for 127 U.S deaths that were directly tied to last year's hurricanes which is about 59% of the total for all hazards last year Hurricane Helene's flooding rainfall caused 95 of those deaths -Deadliest water threats can happen far from landfall: Helene made a Category 4 landfall in Florida's Big Bend region but all nine storm surge deaths were much farther south in Pinellas County And a majority of its rainfall flood fatalities happened hundreds of miles inland in North Carolina and Tennessee “That’s a lesson to keep in mind – both the water from rainfall and the water from storm surge does not have a direct linkage to exactly where landfall occurs," Berg said -Last season had the third-most on record: Tropical storms and hurricanes can vary greatly when it comes to how many tornadoes they produce, so this threat is sometimes overlooked. Last year's hurricanes were prolific, with a combined 185 tornadoes from Beryl Only the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons had more The death toll from those tornadoes was 10, which was the second-most behind 2004 -Several intense twisters: Most tornadoes from tropical storms and hurricanes are on the weaker end of the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF0 to EF1) but last year was unusual with six that were rated EF3 from four different storms with Milton accounting for three of those in Florida Berg said these tornadoes can sometimes arrive long before a hurricane makes landfall so those making last-minute preparations sometimes have to contend with this threat -79 U.S. wind fatalities: That was the combined toll from Beryl, Debby, Helene and Milton, which is the most in a year since at least 1963. Helene accounted for 62 of those deaths with a majority of them in Georgia and South Carolina (50 total) -Forward speed matters: Helene's winds were so damaging and deadly because the hurricane was moving inland at 28 mph which is about double what's typically seen in storms making landfall on the Gulf Coast the farther inland its damaging wind gusts can spread That's especially the case when a hurricane makes landfall at high-end intensity like Category 4 Helene since it takes those winds longer to wind down Wind gusts reached 80 to 100 mph in the Augusta and gusts hit 100-plus mph in western North Carolina's mountains -34: That's how many times rapid intensification happened in Atlantic storms last year nearly twice the number of an average season This at least 35 mph increase in wind intensity in 24 hours or less can happen multiple times in the same storm especially when it happens close to the U.S Reinforcing this is the fact that the nation's 10 strongest hurricane strikes were all tropical storms three days before landfall -Improvement In Recent Years: "Rapid intensification is and will likely continue to be a problem but there’s at least hope that we’re getting better at forecasting these events," Berg said in reference to improved intensity forecast statistics over the past five years when compared to 15 years ago That was the case in 2024 with Hurricane Oscar, which hit Grand Turk Island as a Category 1 less than 24 hours after it was first deemed a tropical storm It then struck Cuba as a hurricane a day later Oscar never had a high chance of development given there was very little signal in the model guidance. Its tiny size likely played a role in the tepid development signals, which provides another example of how small storms are notoriously difficult to forecast. Berg emphasized the NHC's continued philosophy of not lurching the forecast path from one direction to another based on model changes that can happen run-to-run multiple times a day or what he called the "windshield wiper effect." NHC’s forecasts are more accurate and more consistent than the models we use to make the forecasts," he added He mentioned that flip-flopping the forecast with each model run "causes people to lose faith and trust in the forecast itself." the better approach is to follow longer-term trends in the models and massage the direction of the forecast path as those trends evolve Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with weather.com for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview \\\"What category is it?\\\" \\\"What's the wind speed?\\\" But last year's destructive season provided several reminders that we must pull back the curtains even more when getting informed about a storm Those reminders and more were presented recently by National Hurricane Center warning coordination meteorologist Robbie Berg in a hurricane awareness webinar on these six lessons learned from the 2024 season: -85%: That's the percentage of deaths from tropical cyclones in the U.S deaths that were directly tied to last year's hurricanes Hurricane Helene's flooding rainfall caused 95 of those deaths -Deadliest water threats can happen far from landfall: Helene made a Category 4 landfall in Florida's Big Bend region “That’s a lesson to keep in mind – both the water from rainfall and the water from storm surge does not have a direct linkage to exactly where landfall occurs,\\\" Berg said -Last season had the third-most on record: Tropical storms and hurricanes can vary greatly when it comes to how many tornadoes they produce, so this threat is sometimes overlooked. Last year's hurricanes were prolific, with a combined 185 tornadoes from Beryl The death toll from those tornadoes was 10, which was the second-most behind 2004 -79 U.S. wind fatalities: That was the combined toll from Beryl, Debby, Helene and Milton, which is the most in a year since at least 1963. Helene accounted for 62 of those deaths -Forward speed matters: Helene's winds were so damaging and deadly because the hurricane was moving inland at 28 mph which is about double what's typically seen in storms making landfall on the Gulf Coast That's especially the case when a hurricane makes landfall at high-end intensity like Category 4 Helene Wind gusts reached 80 to 100 mph in the Augusta and gusts hit 100-plus mph in western North Carolina's mountains -34: That's how many times rapid intensification happened in Atlantic storms last year Reinforcing this is the fact that the nation's 10 strongest hurricane strikes were all tropical storms three days before landfall -Improvement In Recent Years: \\\"Rapid intensification is and will likely continue to be a problem but there’s at least hope that we’re getting better at forecasting these events,\\\" Berg said in reference to improved intensity forecast statistics over the past five years when compared to 15 years ago That was the case in 2024 with Hurricane Oscar, which hit Grand Turk Island as a Category 1 less than 24 hours after it was first deemed a tropical storm Oscar never had a high chance of development given there was very little signal in the model guidance. Its tiny size likely played a role in the tepid development signals, which provides another example of how small storms are notoriously difficult to forecast. Berg emphasized the NHC's continued philosophy of not lurching the forecast path from one direction to another based on model changes that can happen run-to-run multiple times a day or what he called the \\\"windshield wiper effect.\\\" NHC’s forecasts are more accurate and more consistent than the models we use to make the forecasts,\\\" he added He mentioned that flip-flopping the forecast with each model run \\\"causes people to lose faith and trust in the forecast itself.\\\" Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with weather.com for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s \\nChanges Coming This Hurricane Season From NHC The start of the Atlantic hurricane season is less than a month away and for the third straight year, early indications are pointing to an active summer and fall but not as intense as last year which saw somewhat erratic tropical cyclone activity Studying the sea-surface and atmospheric conditions, it’s looking like the Atlantic will produce 15 to 17 named storms, which is down from the 18 we saw last year and I‘m also predicting that eight will develop into hurricanes — five of which will intensify into major Category 3 storms or higher The season typically runs from June 1 to Nov having a formidable El Niño or La Niña is like tipping your hand in cards; you can better predict what’s coming Every so often we’ll get tropical activity before the start of the official season Eight of the past 10 hurricane seasons have spawned a storm before the start of the season it’s important to remember that even though the season may not have as much pop as we saw last year it only takes one landfalling hurricane to make a season memorable Simply put, last year was hyperactive but very sporadic A weak La Niña and very warm sea surface temperatures produced 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes five of which intensified into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength and higher Five also made landfall on the mainland United States The season, though, wasn’t consistent by any means. We saw an aggressive start to the season with the historic arrival of Hurricane Beryl in June which became the earliest Category 5 storm in Atlantic hurricane season history That was soon followed by a nearly monthlong lull in activity due in large part to the influx of Saharan dust which can travel thousands of miles and often stifle storm development because the dust is just so dry After some activity in early August with Hurricanes Debby and Ernesto the peak weeks of hurricane season were an absolute ghost town But the oceans reawakened in monster form in mid-September, producing 13 storms in the second half of the season, including the devastating Helene and Milton, whose names have since been retired I had predicted a low chance of New England seeing a landfalling tropical storm or hurricane last year, and luckily, our region was able to evade a hurricane for the 33rd straight year. We did feel the impacts from the remnants of Debby and Ernesto thankfully stayed out to sea in the Northern Atlantic many thanks to a well-timed pocket of high pressure pushing Ernesto away from the region Slightly north Ernesto could have turned towards us to have a favorable environment for tropical storm and hurricane development you only need two ingredients: consistently warm sea surface temperatures of 80 degrees or higher and minimal wind shear the faster the evaporation rate or fuel supply Slower wind speeds aloft will help keep storm structure in place essentially allowing the developing tropical system to form columns and clusters of storms to circulate around a center point there have been noticeable changes in sea surface temperatures and in the atmosphere ahead of the hurricane season that may limit the number of storms we see compared to the past two seasons This is a good thing because at this time last year sea surface temperatures were record-setting which explains why Beryl exploded to the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic the stretch of sea from Africa to the Caribbean islands where most Atlantic hurricanes are born is about 2 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than this same time last year we are still running warmer than the short- and long-term temperature averages the Gulf and the Caribbean are both above normal though not as hot as last year at this time This could mean a calm start to the hurricane season but an active finish without the presence of El Niño or La Niña to influence hurricane development we could be in for a different hurricane season El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of naturally occurring patterns across the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean that oscillate back and forth every two to seven years and that can significantly influence the tropics with higher or lower wind speeds in the atmosphere that either cool or heat the ocean a weak La Niña put us in a cool phase in the eastern Pacific which typically means warmer water in the Atlantic the last time there were neutral conditions — neither El Niño or La Niña — it took much longer for the season to get underway with 17 named storms erupting from mid-August through November There ended up being 18 named storms that year two more if you want to add subtropical storms Chances are that we’ll be in a similar situation this hurricane season The Bermuda high lives predominantly over the Northern Atlantic this area of high pressure can steer storms toward the continental United States then storms may very well curve to the north and stay out to sea and avoid landfall The Bermuda high has been notably strong as of late and the winds have helped keep sea surface temperatures a touch cooler If the pattern stays strong into hurricane season any storms that do survive elevated wind shear would then be directed toward the East Coast thus increasing New England’s chance of seeing a landfalling tropical storm or hurricane New England’s chances of seeing a storm track depend on whether the pocket of high pressure shifts near Eastern Canada over Quebec The southern edge would hold an easterly flow toward the Northeast coast This is something to watch as the season progresses Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information Chris Vagasky is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association University of Wisconsin–Madison provides funding as a member of The Conversation US View all partners The National Hurricane Center’s forecasts in 2024 were its most accurate on record to its forecasts five days into the future when storms were only beginning to come together Thanks to federally funded research, forecasts of tropical cyclone tracks today are up to 75% more accurate than they were in 1990 A National Hurricane Center forecast three days out today is about as accurate as a one-day forecast in 2002 giving people in the storm’s path more time to prepare and reducing the size of evacuations Accuracy will be crucial again in 2025, as meteorologists predict another active Atlantic hurricane season Yet, cuts in staffing and threats to funding at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – which includes the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service – are diminishing operations that forecasters rely on I am a meteorologist who studies lightning in hurricanes and helps train other meteorologists to monitor and forecast tropical cyclones Here are three of the essential components of weather forecasting that have been targeted for cuts to funding and staff at NOAA To understand how a hurricane is likely to behave forecasters need to know what’s going on in the atmosphere far from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts Hurricanes are steered by the winds around them Wind patterns detected today over the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains – places like Colorado Nebraska and South Dakota – give forecasters clues to the winds that will be likely along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts in the days ahead Satellites can’t take direct measurements, so to measure these winds, scientists rely on weather balloons. That data is essential both for forecasts and to calibrate the complicated formulas forecasters use to make estimates from satellite data That move and other cuts and threatened cuts at NOAA have raised red flags for forecasters across the country and around the world Much of that data would be extremely expensive if not impossible to replicate Under normal circumstances, weather balloons are released from around 900 locations around the world at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time every day. While the loss of just 12 of these profiles may not seem significant, small amounts of missing data can lead to big forecast errors. This is an example of chaos theory more popularly known as the butterfly effect The balloons carry a small instrument called a radiosonde which records data as it rises from the surface of the Earth to around 120,000 feet above ground The radiosonde acts like an all-in-one weather station and air pressure every 15 feet through its flight Together, all these measurements help meteorologists interpret the atmosphere overhead and feed into computer models used to help forecast weather around the country For more than 80 years, scientists have been flying planes into hurricanes to measure each storm’s strength and help forecast its path and potential for damage Known as “Hurricane Hunters,” these crews from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and NOAA routinely conduct reconnaissance missions throughout hurricane season using a variety of instruments these flights are making measurements that satellites can’t Hurricane Hunters use Doppler radar to gauge how the wind is blowing and LiDAR to measure temperature and humidity changes They drop probes to measure the ocean temperature down several hundred feet to tell how much warm water might be there to fuel the storm They also release 20 to 30 dropsondes wind speed and direction and air pressure every 15 feet or so from the plane to the ocean Dropsondes from Hurricane Hunter flights are the only way to directly measure what is occurring inside the storm Although satellites and radars can see inside hurricanes these are indirect measurements that do not have the fine-scale resolution of dropsonde data That data tells National Hurricane Center forecasters how intense the storm is and whether the atmosphere around the storm is favorable for strengthening Dropsonde data also helps computer models forecast the track and intensity of storms days into the future Two NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight directors were laid off in February 2025 Directors are the flight meteorologists aboard each flight who oversee operations and ensure the planes stay away from the most dangerous conditions Having fewer directors limits the number of flights that can be sent out during busy times when Hurricane Hunters are monitoring multiple storms And that would limit the accurate data the National Hurricane Center would have for forecasting storms Weather satellites that monitor tropical storms from space provide continuous views of each storm’s track and intensity changes The equipment on these satellites and software used to analyze it make increasingly accurate hurricane forecasts possible Much of that equipment is developed by federally funded researchers Forecasting rapid intensification is one of the great challenges for hurricane scientists It’s the dangerous shift when a tropical cyclone’s wind speeds jump by at least 35 mph (56 kilometers per hour) in 24 hours The passback budget also cut funding for some technology from future satellites, including lightning mappers that are used in hurricane intensity forecasting and to warn airplanes of risks Tropical storms and hurricanes can have devastating effects, as Hurricanes Helene and Milton reminded the country in 2024 resulted in billions of dollars of damage and hundreds of fatalities The U.S. has been facing more intense storms, and the coastal population and value of property in harm’s way are growing. As five former directors of the National Weather Service wrote in an open letter cutting funding and staff from NOAA’s work that is improving forecasting and warnings ultimately threatens to leave more lives at risk and meteorologists say cooler spring temperatures in the ocean where storms often form could mean we're in for a less punishing hurricane season Meteorologists keeping a close watch on ocean temperatures in the Atlantic say it isn't as hot as it's been in recent years: "A large patch of the eastern Atlantic Ocean isn’t quite keeping up to the typical rate of warming for this time of year and that has experts questioning what, if any, impacts there might be this hurricane season," said Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Belles in an online forecast Another expert, Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach told USA TODAY that "Tropical sea-surface temperatures are thankfully much cooler than they were last year at this time." sea-surface temperatures are almost 2 degrees cooler than this time in 2024 it's a significant difference that can affect hurricane formation "That's obviously good news for Atlantic hurricane potential sea-surface temperatures are still a bit above normal overall," Klotzbach said Klotzbach said ocean temperatures are a bit warmer than normal in the Caribbean Sea and eastern subtropical Atlantic and a bit cooler than normal in the eastern tropical Atlantic sea-surface temperature anomalies are WAY cooler than they were last year at this time They were downright scary in late April of 2024." The preseason predictions in 2024 called for a hyperactive season with dozens of storms possible it wasn't quite as active as had been foreseen This is because other factors also influence hurricane formation, such as dry air or dust in the atmosphere, the presence of El Niño or La Niña along with long periods of sinking air or strong wind shear All of these "can change the path that hurricane season takes each year," he said Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1. According to the most recent forecast from Colorado State University released in early April, another active season is likely with as many as 17 storms expected researchers forecast that nine will become hurricanes A typical year averages about 14 tropical storms with seven of them spinning into hurricanes based on weather records from 1991 to 2020 Colorado State will provide an updated forecast in early June. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast comes out later in May El Niño is a seasonal shift in Pacific Ocean temperatures that can suppress hurricanes change rainfall patterns and bend the jet stream tends to do the opposite: feed Atlantic hurricanes and elevate wildfire risk in the West they form the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) ENSO refers to seasonal climate shifts rooted in Pacific Ocean surface temperature changes Changes in wind patterns and currents can draw cold water from the deep ocean where it interacts with the atmosphere in complex ways Even small deviations in sea surface temperatures can tilt global weather over the coming months toward hot and dry — or rainy and cool — depending on the region \"It's an incredibly powerful system,\" said Emily Becker, a University of Miami research professor and co-author of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ENSO blog \"El Niño and La Niña conditions affect rainfall They've been tied to fluctuations in the financial markets we care about it because it's really cool,\" she told Live Science we care because it gives us this early idea about the next six to 12 months.\" Scientists monitor a narrow strip in the Pacific Ocean near the equator A 0.9-degree-Fahrenheit (0.5-degree Celsius) rise or fall in average surface temperature there sustained for five overlapping three-month periods can signal the onset of El Niño or La Niña However, the \"average\" is a moving target, based on a 30-year baseline, from 1991 to 2020, which is becoming outdated as the climate warms. \"We're always playing catch-up,\" Tom Di Liberto a former NOAA meteorologist and ENSO blog contributor ENSO-neutral patterns occur when surface temperatures hover near the long-term norm But neutral doesn't mean benign — it may just mean the forecast is trickier Instead of asking why La Niña was short-lived the better question might be whether it happened at all While ocean surface temperatures this winter dipped below average, they didn't stay that way long enough: By mid-April, NOAA forecasters revealed that a full-fledged La Niña event had failed to develop \"Trade winds play a big role,\" Muhammad Azhar Ehsan a climate scientist at Columbia Climate School's Center for Climate Systems Research He explained that weakening trade winds in the eastern Pacific likely kept cold water from rising to the surface — a key step in forming a robust La Niña When the 30-year temperature baseline is revised to include more recent future analysts might reclassify this winter's La Niña in the historical record Without El Niño or La Niña tipping the scale These patterns sharpen the blur of seasonal predictions adding crucial information about how the weather might drift from the usual script they're left squinting into the future with little more than historical averages and climate trends \"Without an El Niño or a La Niña, a range of other factors drive seasonal weather,\" James Done a project scientist at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research and the strength of the relationships is weaker forecasters generally agree that this summer will likely be hotter than normal El Niño usually suppresses hurricanes whereas La Niña and neutral conditions let them run wild With a warm Atlantic and ENSO expected to stay neutral \"El Niño tends to increase vertical wind shear, and vertical wind shear tears apart hurricanes,\" Phil Klotzbach a research scientist and hurricane forecast expert at Colorado State University we anticipate relatively hurricane-favorable wind shear patterns this summer and fall.\" Ehsan said a cooling trend in the Atlantic from February to March could signal a quieter Atlantic hurricane season scientists say old rules of thumb become less reliable as background conditions change \"Last year was a weird one,\" Di Liberto said \"All signs pointed toward a horrible hurricane season but it wasn't the worst-case scenario it could have been.\" \"We had an El Niño in 2023 but still saw more storms than usual,\" Done said there's a big debate: Does El Niño still kill off hurricanes or are oceans now so warm that it changes the relationship In an April 10 statement, NOAA representatives wrote that El Niño or La Niña conditions likely won't turn up this summer and that ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to last through October but the most likely scenario is still ENSO-neutral scientists caution against putting too much stock into springtime ENSO forecasts \"Spring is a messy time for forecasting,\" Di Liberto said That's because ENSO conditions primarily form during winter and fade into the spring \"June is usually when things get more confident,\" he added Graph showing the ENSO possibilities for the three month periods through to November Graph showing the observed and predicted temperatures that will indicate whether El Niño La Niña or neutral conditions will appear through to fall Scientists thought La Niña was coming What could that mean for this year's hurricane season and how might long-term climate change affect El Niño and La Niña patterns So what happened — and how might that impact this summer's weather and the coming Atlantic hurricane season El Niño is a seasonal shift in Pacific Ocean temperatures that can suppress hurricanes ENSO refers to seasonal climate shifts rooted in Pacific Ocean surface temperature changes "El Niño and La Niña conditions affect rainfall we care about it because it's really cool," she told Live Science we care because it gives us this early idea about the next six to 12 months." However, the "average" is a moving target, based on a 30-year baseline, from 1991 to 2020, which is becoming outdated as the climate warms. "We're always playing catch-up," Tom Di Liberto While ocean surface temperatures this winter dipped below average, they didn't stay that way long enough: By mid-April, NOAA forecasters revealed that a full-fledged La Niña event had failed to develop "Trade winds play a big role," Muhammad Azhar Ehsan "Without an El Niño or a La Niña, a range of other factors drive seasonal weather," James Done "El Niño tends to increase vertical wind shear, and vertical wind shear tears apart hurricanes," Phil Klotzbach we anticipate relatively hurricane-favorable wind shear patterns this summer and fall." "Last year was a weird one," Di Liberto said "All signs pointed toward a horrible hurricane season but it wasn't the worst-case scenario it could have been." "We had an El Niño in 2023 but still saw more storms than usual," Done said In an April 10 statement, NOAA representatives wrote that El Niño or La Niña conditions likely won't turn up this summer and that ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to last through October "Spring is a messy time for forecasting," Di Liberto said "June is usually when things get more confident," he added No one knows how climate change will affect ENSO patterns but scientists are concerned about the warming oceans and atmosphere "That's a factor in why we're seeing some hurricanes deposit unbelievable amounts of rain — it's partly due to the higher moisture capacity of the atmosphere." —How strong can hurricanes get? —Here's why storm surge during hurricanes can be so catastrophic Warm waters can extend a hurricane season or fuel storms farther north Hurricane Helene devastated Appalachian communities hundreds of miles from the sea in 2024 and it gets wrung out somewhere," Di Liberto said "And communities have to deal with incomprehensible amounts of rainfall and flooding." Scientists who have studied the geologic record of ancient cyclones have found evidence of stronger hurricanes making landfall in the distant past the past nods back: Earth has seen worse — and with oceans warming fast scientists warn it may only be a matter of time before historically unprecedented storms strike again Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox Evan HowellLive Science ContributorEvan Howell is a Colorado-based science journalist contributing to Live Science with a focus on Earth science His work has appeared in Science, Scientific American, Eos Magazine Evan holds a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and a master’s in Geology from Northern Arizona University he spent over a decade working as a Senior Geologist you will then be prompted to enter your display name Conspiracy theory that Hurricane Milton was 'engineered' explained by psychologists Hurricane Milton is tied for the fastest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record May's full 'Flower Moon' will be a micromoon Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is less than one month away National Hurricane Preparedness Week began on May 4 and runs through May 10.  there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family You can assemble a hurricane kit including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today. Colorado State University released its outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season in April and their researchers are forecasting slightly above normal activity this season This year’s forecast includes several factors primarily the relatively warm Atlantic and likely the absence of El Niño CSU researchers state that the biggest question marks with this season’s prediction is if the anomalous warmth in the Atlantic and Caribbean persists and expands to the Main Development Region or begins to weaken As always, it only takes one storm to make it a bad season. Here is a full breakdown of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season forecast. The National Hurricane Center is introducing some fresh changes to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season you can expect to see One new names is on the list this year after Dorian was retired after the 2019 season. The new name replacing it will be Dexter. Here is what to know about the 2025 Atlantic hurricane names. Along with the new names, the National Hurricane Center will be making changes to to potential tropical cyclone (PTC) forecasts Here is a full breakdown of the changes you can expect to see this hurricane season. Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) have announced the start of Hurricane Preparedness Week FDEM says now is the time for residents to check on their hurricane supplies update and finalize emergency plans and make sure they understand what weather hazards their homes may be vulnerable to How to prepare for hurricane season: Hurricane season starts next month, are you prepared? Here's what you can do right now "I want residents to use Hurricane Preparedness Week as their wakeup call to get their plans ready," said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie "Last year's active hurricane season demonstrated that hurricanes bring far more hazards than just wind and rain don't wait to update your disaster plans — preparedness today means resiliency tomorrow," he continued Hurricane Preparedness Week will focus on informing residents about information crucial to preparing them for hurricane season NHC updates: NHC is updating its cone graphic for the 2025 hurricane season Every household should have a disaster plan specific to the needs of everyone in their household Plans should also consider where to go and what to do in the event of evacuation residents only need to evacuate tens of miles Residents should keep their vehicle's gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible without worrying about long lines at gas stations and to avoid gas shortages prior to a storm it's recommended that the battery be maintained between 50% - 80% capacity at all times depending on the type of vehicle and what the vehicle's manual recommends When does hurricane season start?The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will start on June 1 and run through Nov More pressing than the potential of hot summer days is the approaching Atlantic hurricane season "The Gulf is warm and will lead to intense severe weather events into summer," said AccuWeather's lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok who warned of the possibilities that intense groups of thunderstorms called derechos could threaten several parts of the country this summer Those same warm waters in the Gulf also mean the risk of thunderstorms that could fuel tropical storms and hurricanes Hurricanes form when sea surface temperatures reach at least 80 degrees and evaporates which pumps moisture into the lower atmosphere that water vapor condenses into clouds and rain which releases heat that warms the surrounding air That air then starts to rise as it warms up creating a vacuum of new air to replace it along the surface Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic were already recorded between 78.8 to 82.4 degrees on April 7 according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration AccuWeather alluded to the chance of a storm happening before the start of hurricane season on June 1 Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach and WeatherTiger's Ryan Truchelut said we don't have the model skill to predict that just yet there aren't any model signals for tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic in the next two weeks we just don't have the model skill to anticipate May development." "With the historical threat (such as it is) more than two weeks away there's no day-to-day forecast skill to say anything about pre-season potential tropical activity at this lead time," said Truchelut The CSU's prediction for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season proposes a slightly above-normal number of storms Here's a look and how the numbers compare to an average season How bad will the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season be?The number of hurricanes and their combined destructive power don't often correlate to a full picture of a single storm's impacts on an area battered Alabama and Florida coastlines for more than six hours with sustained winds of 105 mph and devastating storm surge On paper, Hurricane Sally wouldn't have registered in most Floridian's minds as a threat, but it caused major structural damage to more than 290 structures in Escambia County alone, approximately 61 more structures than Hurricane Ivan, which wrecked the area in 2004. It resulted in $7.2 billion in damages and ranked as the No. 1 costliest hurricane with a non-retired name AccuWeather described this season as volatile because right now it is hard to gauge exactly how storms may play out this year but there are some caveats that could limit activity compared to previous years "Current La Niña conditions are likely to transition to ENSO neutral conditions in the next couple of months; however there remains considerable uncertainty as to what the phase of ENSO will be this summer and fall," CSU wrote in its forecast El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) describes a weather pattern involving how water temperatures change in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean It plays a big role in how much wind shear is present in the area More wind shear can inhibit hurricane development while less wind shear leads to a more conducive environment for strengthening "Sea surface temperatures across the eastern and central Atlantic are generally warmer than normal but not as warm as they were last year at this time," CSU wrote Water temperatures play a huge role in storm development by providing budding tropical cyclones with fuel to strengthen and intensify The combination of ENSO neutral conditions and warm sea surface temperatures still makes for a storm-friendly environment but not quite as much as La Niña conditions What are the chances Florida will see a hurricane in 2025?Well, they don't call Florida the hurricane capital for nothing. While the nickname is technically not true when you consider the Caribbean, more than 41% of hurricanes that have made landfall in the U.S. since 1851 have struck Florida CSU's prediction that Florida has a 92% chance of being impacted by a named storm in 2025 isn't as outlandish as it seems When measuring if the Sunshine State will see a hurricane or major hurricane landfall this year so CSU also broke down those percentages a bit encompassing the Florida Panhandle to Brownsville will have a 33% chance of seeing a major hurricane The Florida Peninsula and the rest of the U.S (WCTV) - The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season is just weeks away so now is the right time to start preparing The 2024 season brought even more destruction to Florida and the Big Bend as both Debby and Helene crashed into the Taylor County coast while Milton slammed into the Sarasota/Tampa area there were no deaths reported in the Big Bend from Debby or Helene That is a testament to how seriously residents take preparedness ahead of the season the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have designated this week as Hurricane Preparedness Week each day will highlight important information to help make sure you are ready well before a storm even forms “I want residents to use Hurricane Preparedness Week as their wake-up call to get their plans ready,” said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie “Last year’s active hurricane season demonstrated that hurricanes bring far more hazards than just wind and rain don’t wait to update your disaster plans—preparedness today means resiliency tomorrow.” The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. https://www.noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means. noaa.gov/understand-forecast-information Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence. noaa.gov/get-moving-when-storm-threatens Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials. noaa.gov/stay-protected-during-storms A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm. noaa.gov/use-caution-after-storms Are you ready for hurricane season? Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. Even if you feel ready, there may be additional things you could do or learn. noaa.gov/take-action-today To stay updated on all the latest forecasts and weather, follow WCTV First Alert Weather on Facebook and X (Twitter) Click here to see all the latest weather headlines and here to view the First Alert Radar. Receive push alerts and watch the latest forecast anytime on the free WCTV First Alert Weather app. Click here to download it now Interested in becoming a WCTV First Alert Weather Watcher? Click here to join the team some MUSC Health leaders are helping other hospitals do it by the book – literally chief operating officer for the MUSC Health System system executive director of Emergency Management for MUSC Health have written a comprehensive guide for other organizations to use as a reference “Emergency Management for Healthcare Leaders” came out earlier this year “What we're really trying to do is to take a very pragmatic approach,” Crawford said “This is how you can dovetail what works well for these larger events into something that's going to work very well for your organization and not put people in a position where they're set to fail but to put people in a position where they're set up to do what they were trained to do.”  Bailey said they’ve seen that the ability to anticipate monitor and act on real-time information differentiates reactive organizations from resilient ones “That philosophy is deeply embedded in how we approach storm readiness across the health system Whether we’re monitoring tropical weather systems or responding to a rapidly evolving infrastructure challenge every decision must be grounded in a full understanding of the risks resources and relationships in play.” She and Crawford have plenty of experience to inform their writing They not only deal with the types of emergency management issues that all hospitals try to prepare for; they’re also put to the test every hurricane season in the Lowcountry.  You’d have to read their whole book to get a big-picture perspective from their examples and advice here’s what you could call a case study from Bailey and Crawford on managing one kind of emergency: the threat of a potentially catastrophic storm.  Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov And according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources the state ranks fifth in the country when it comes to hurricane impacts But preparing for such storms doesn’t just take place once bad weather is on the horizon “We train relentlessly. Checklists and exercises aren’t just about compliance – they’re about readiness.” She called MUSC’s response model methodical “Mitigation is more than a buzzword; it’s a strategy that begins months before an event and continues into recovery That means prepositioning high-water vehicles validating patient transportation routes and maintaining continuity of care through comprehensive planning.” It also means spotting vulnerabilities such as fuel supply chain issues staffing challenges and patient transport barriers and resolving them before they escalate into crises Crawford and their Emergency Management colleagues don’t monitor the forecast along with everyone else They just do it with an extra sense of urgency knowing that their decisions may affect thousands of patients So Crawford said they view weather forecasts early and often “I watch for anything brewing that's going to impact the East Coast I'll immediately start getting once-a-day weather updates then up to three-times-a-day weather updates so I know exactly what we're dealing with.” Bailey said the updates come from the MUSC Emergency Management team and contain official information from weather resource partners such as the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center If forecasters are predicting that a tropical storm or hurricane will hit the state Crawford sends word to hospital employees in the affected areas “I need to be able to get enough people in the hospitals build our teams A so that we can do shift work – generally 12 hours on But need to have enough people in the house to continue the great care that we provide,” he said That includes not only doctors and nurses but also everyone from patient care techs to cleaners to food delivery specialists Crawford and other hospital system leaders come prepared to stay for a few days.  very best to make sure that all of our employees are comfortably accommodated you should probably bring in comfortable clothes to sleep at night so we can make it as comfortable as possible,” Crawford said While employees plan for extra hours at work “If we have patients that are no longer severely injured or dangerously ill and they're cleared to go home and they feel they feel like they can go home safely then we will try and reduce our census,” Crawford said The census is the total number of patients too injured – that's what we're here for “To keep patients safe through a storm We also need to have three to four days of fuel in the ground and make sure they have enough food to last through what could be a prolonged event,” Crawford said “Situational awareness allows us not only to respond effectively but to anticipate needs shift resources and protect the continuity of care across the system.” That system includes multiple hospitals that Bailey and Crawford stay in close touch with involves monitoring all four of our health system divisions – Charleston Pee Dee and the Midlands – using tools field reports and established communication channels,” Bailey said They all use what Crawford called the PIP model: “What's the Problem “Each chief operating officer for the divisions is going to report back to us on their plans and they're going to tell me their checklists are done and they're prepared to ride out the storm And if I have two or more divisions that are in emergency operations we put the health system in emergency operations.” Bailey said emergency leaders also work with county emergency managers emergency medical services and state-level officials to align priorities and ensure they’re not just reacting but proactively addressing gaps in service delivery and resource availability but Bailey and Crawford said their team has it down to a science and we lean into the strengths of our Emergency Management team and the structure we’ve built the public and our care team members are looking to us for confidence and clarity that awareness becomes our most powerful tool – not just to protect life and infrastructure but to lead with clarity and calm,” she said “I think the biggest thing to know is that if you find yourself in an MUSC Health facility We will have enough provisions to last the duration of the storm we always have other contingency plans.” Courtesy National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4-10 and the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this hurricane safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents.  now is the time to prepare for hurricane season.  If each North Carolina resident took a few moments this week to learn about hurricane safety and implement a hurricane safety plan we would all be better off when hurricanes threaten our area.  Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength Know if you live in an area prone to flooding and identify any structural weaknesses in your home While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property tropical storms and tropical depressions also can be devastating The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by winds swirling around the storm and historically has caused the largest loss of life in hurricanes This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas Storm surge can travel several miles inland Flooding from the extreme amounts of rain a hurricane can bring has also proven to be very deadly both over an extended period of time as well as very short-term flash flooding and flooded roads could make travel and evacuations difficult as well as being a potentially deadly hazard to those in vehicles or on foot Floodwaters can also contain harmful bacteria Extreme rain from hurricanes can even flood areas that aren’t normally prone to flooding Flooding can happen hundreds of miles inland and can persist for several days after a storm Hurricane-force winds can cause damage to homes and other buildings ranging from moderate to catastrophic depending on both wind speed and structural integrity Wind damage can lead to large areas with power and communications outages as well as uproot trees and make roads impassable due to debris and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage Why Should I Not Focus On The Category Alone The Saffir-Simpson Scale is a wind scale that uses WIND only to estimate potential damage.  Unfortunately this scale does not tell you about ALL of the impacts that a hurricane can produce.  It does not tell you how much rain will fall or how high the storm surge may be.  It does not tell you anything about potential impacts from tornadoes or rip currents.  It also does not give you information on how large the storm may be or anything about the storm’s movement.  In fact water accounts for 90% of direct deaths from tropical systems Please keep this in mind this upcoming season.  Pay attention TO ALL of the impacts from a storm and not just the category.  Remember that Hurricane Florence was “just” a category 1 when it made landfall along our coast.  Determine if you live in a flood-prone area Anyone living in a flood-prone area is especially vulnerable to hurricane impacts Find out today the flood risk for your area and plan accordingly that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe – extreme rain from hurricanes can bring floods even to areas that aren’t prone to flooding Find out if you live in an evacuation zone Determine if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone This can tell you about your vulnerability to storm surge and will be imperative when it comes time to develop an evacuation plan Find out if your home has any weaknesses that could prove deadly in a hurricane Are your exterior doors and garage door hurricane proof Some aspects of your home can be strengthened to help withstand hurricane impacts Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to hurricane-force winds and basements are especially vulnerable to storm surge and flooding The most active months for tropical systems in North Carolina are August hurricanes have impacted our state as early as May and as late as November!  The peak tropical activity usually occurs in a six week period from mid-August to late September during which time our state can experience multiple hurricanes or tropical storms within weeks of each other.  Log in to leave a comment © 2025 Island Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Website Design & Marketing by GCP Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsChristian Terry HOUSTON – This week and the National Weather Service wants to help you be ready before the next tropical system strikes the weather service will be focusing on different topics to help people know their risks and how to be ready for them the weather service wants you to consider risks to yourself and your property from wind and water “While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property and high surf and rip currents,” the NWS says One of the first things you can do to gauge your threat level is to determine if you live in a flood-prone area as that means you are particularly vulnerable to impacts from hurricanes find out if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone “This can tell you about your vulnerability to storm surge and will be imperative when it comes time to develop an evacuation plan,” the weather service said work to determine your home’s structural risk “Are your exterior doors and garage door hurricane proof and basements are especially vulnerable to storm surge and flooding,” the weather service said The National Weather Service will be putting out information all week for National Hurricane Preparedness Week. You can learn more here. KPRC 2 also has different resources to help you prepare for hurricane season. Click here for more. Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Meet the Team Careers at KPRC Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Chatham Emergency Services Director Dennis Jones said they are expecting an above-average hurricane season for Coastal Georgia this year as has been the case for the last several years ‘above average’ is really becoming the norm the City of Pooler held a hurricane preparation workshop early last week Pooler Mayor Karen Williams said that they wanted people to have access to those resources early on and to know they were trying to get that information out there as the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season approaches starting June 1 Last hurricane season brought 18 named storms with 11 becoming hurricanes and five of those becoming major hurricanes hurricane-force winds toppling trees and no power in back-to-back Tropical Storms Debby and Helene and rounding out the season with high winds from Hurricane Milton Pooler is located about 30 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean but drainage problems have plagued some of the residents for as long as they can remember Barrington Estates off Quacco Road in Pooler was just one of the many neighborhoods in the area left with detrimental flooding Sara Hartley said in an interview at the time than the flooding they experienced during Tropical Storm Debby seemed worse than Hurricane Matthew in 2016 She believed they experienced 11 inches of rain in a day-and-a-half "Our lot specifically backs up to one of the branches of the canal system that then links into a branch of the system along 95 into the Ogeechee," Hartley said in an interview in August part of it is because it's all linked to that and eventually it just gets inundated with all the stormwater runoff and can't go anywhere fast enough They did do work to improve our drainage after Matthew but we haven't had any significant flooding until now." just days after Tropical Storm Debby dissipated said one of the first things he heard coming into the city was the localized flooding residents were experiencing in Kelly Drive and Barrington Estates Pooler has a collection of detention ponds where water is held and slowly released into the canals the city initiated a contract with Coleman Engineering to do surveys to figure out how to improve the drainage in Kelly Drive they received the results and are now trying to move forward with a three-phase project The first phase will be to restore the drainage pattern on Kelly Drive and Lloyd said the city will try to move forward with that project sometime in the second quarter of the year but probably not before the beginning of hurricane season involves working with the developer to create “essentially a nine acre lake.” Lloyd said that project is moving slower than they wanted it to This project would not only help those in Barrington Estates but everyone who is impacted by the canal.In December Pooler City Council approved the widening of the Piper Makers Canal from Pooler Parkway to I-95 which will be finished up right before hurricane season starts Lloyd mentioned that the city had a bit of a setback in developing a city-wide stormwater master plan, like Savannah when the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an end to its Building Infrastructure and Communities (GRANT) program Pooler would have received half a million dollars to look at drainage improvements needed for large waterways and local flooding Another thing that could help with any local flooding would be for Homeowner Associations to clean out their detention ponds which Williams said many associations did not know they were responsible for The city has begun having monthly meetings with Pooler HOA’s to explain that they may not be holding the water that they should be and are required to hold “We made it perfectly clear to them that they are responsible for getting that sludge cleaned out periodically,” Williams said More: For one Pooler neighborhood, the waters of Tropical Storm Debby have yet to recede More: Savannah's location made it more susceptible to Helene's hurricane-force winds Williams said the biggest takeaway from last hurricane season is that they always have to be prepared because you never know what direction the storms are coming “We did an excellent job as a city and staff to prepare,” Williams said and those are the types of things we’ll continue to do.” was how the city responded in the aftermath of a storm event two things expected to come up in council will be the recommendation of a contract for Pooler to have its own debris management and an emergency response contractor Pooler piggybacked off the county's debris management contract “Piggybacking doesn’t give you that priority level of service though “[The emergency response contractors] have what they call a 72-hour window where you can have a contractor clear your roadways and allow you to begin to restore your city So what I’m looking at is having multiple options to respond to storms and restore our city.” Williams emphasized that the city is being proactive to try and handle any issues that may arise “I think it's important for the residents to understand that we're not going to be able to solve it all overnight try to improve drainage for the entire city,” Lloyd said Jones' presentation on how residents can personally prepare for hurricane season can be found on the Pooler website He encouraged residents to start defining an emergency plan for their families and putting together an emergency kit Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@gannett.com by Abigail Quinn (WCIV) — In advance of the 2025 hurricane season the South Carolina Department of Public Health is observing National Hurricane Preparedness Week and South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month “South Carolina is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and their impacts no matter where you live in South Carolina hurricanes can pose a serious threat to your safety,” said Dr interim DPH director in a prepared statement “We encourage all South Carolinians to update their plans and make the necessary preparations in advance of each hurricane season to ensure they are not caught off guard if or when we experience severe weather events.” The DPH is taking this time to advise residents on how to be best prepared for hurricane season when it officially begins on June 1 They recommend that families do the following Additionally for resources that cannot necessarily be prepared ahead of time such as resources for those with medical equipment requiring electricity or who need space for a hospital bed the DPH offers Medical Equipment Power Shelters The DPH also assists with pre-storm evacuation support and active monitoring of health care facilities during severe weather events and post-event recovery operations More information on hurricane preparedness, including steps to take before, during and after a hurricane, can be found at the DPH’s Hurricanes and Floods webpage The National Weather Service said its hurricane safety campaign The goal of the campaign is to encourage people to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season as soon as possible NWS said to remember: you should prepare EACH and EVERY YEAR Each day this week will be dedicated to a different topic of preparedness Meteorologist Greg Dee has daily updates for Hurricane Preparedness Week on his Facebook page To learn more about each topic from the National Weather Service, click here. and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Report a typo Carteret County is taking proactive steps to ensure residents are prepared for potential storms The county's Emergency Management team in collaboration with the National Weather Service hosted a Hurricane Preparedness Expo today at the Crystal Coast Civic Center aimed to familiarize both new and long-time residents with the services available before Carteret County Emergency Management Coordinator we've seen a lot of people that have not encountered or experienced hurricanes," said Stryker it provides the public with information and resources that are available to them." Attendees had the opportunity to engage with hurricane experts including Storm Track 12 Meteorologist Les Still as well as emergency services personnel and representatives from power companies and the National Weather Service The expo served as a crucial resource for those looking to better understand hurricane preparedness and response Sarasota County will offer residents a primer on preparation for the 2025 hurricane season, starting at 6 p.m. with a “Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness,” at Riverview High School the Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center predicted an extremely active 2025 season including 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes – with five of those considered major hurricanes rated Category 3 or higher The May 8 community conversation includes speakers from local state and federal agencies sharing information on disaster preparedness recovery resources and insights from the 2024 hurricane season Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins will moderate a panel discussion that includes: Sandra Tapfumaneyi Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief; Kevin Guthrie Florida Division of Emergency Management Director; Ileana M Small Business Administration Public Affairs Specialist; Jennifer Hubbard National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist; John Brogan Federal Emergency Management Association Federal Coordinating Officer Doors open for the Community Conversations at 5 p.m Attendees should arrive early to pass through the school security system “This event is a great opportunity for residents to learn more and hear directly from experts about where we are in the long-term recovery process from the 2024 hurricane season,” Tapfumaneyi said in a prepared statement “There will be a lot of information on disaster recovery resources and how to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season.” attendees will be able to speak with representatives from municipalities state and federal organizations at various booths before Sarasota County will also host a stormwater preparedness workshop for Lemon Bay from 5 to 7 p.m. Venice Hurricane Expo set for May 30Venice’s annual Hurricane Expo is scheduled for 9 a.m The revamped expo will include Venice city staff presentations and a review of lessons learned from the 2024 hurricane season as well as stormwater preparedness information for the Dona and Roberts Bay watershed Videos of Venice city staff presentations made at the expo should also be made available on the city website North Port Hurricane Expo set for May 31North Port’s Hurricane Expo is scheduled for 10 a.m The expo will include information on stormwater preparation for the Myakka River watershed The city of Sarasota does not plan an expo of its own but is using its social media during Hurricane Preparedness Week to offer tips and technique for storm preparation “While our community faced many hardships with the 2024 hurricane season we have learned much about readiness,” Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert said in a prepared statement “We all need to be as prepared as possible going into hurricane season on June 1 and ensure you’re as ready as you can be for a tropical weather event.” Basics include storing at least seven days worth of non-perishable food water and prescriptions for everyone in the household and creating a hurricane kit for essentials such as flashlights Residents everywhere in Sarasota County had learn their evacuation level at :https://bit.ly/3GGCupV.City of Sarasota specific information can be found at https://www.SarasotaFL.gov while an alerts messaging page can be found at https://www.SarasotaFl.gov/Alerts 2025 at 9:45 AM EDT|Updated: 18 hours agoEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSARASOTA (WWSB) - The City of Sarasota is encouraging residents to begin their preparation for hurricane season that starts on June 1 The City will mark Hurricane Preparedness Week the City will share messaging on its social media channels that includes preparation tips and techniques for before as well as additional information and resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration we have learned much about readiness,” said Mayor Liz Alpert Residents are encouraged to store at least seven days’ worth of non-perishable food and prescriptions for each member of their household in case of a weather-related emergency They should also put together a hurricane kit containing essential items like flashlights The National Hurricane Center is introducing a slate of updates ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season kickoff on June 1 Forecasters work to improve their forecasting and warning products every year. The updates for the 2025 hurricane season include a depiction of inland tropical storms and hurricane alerts in effect on its “cone” graphic the debut of a national rip current risk map for active tropical storms and earlier warnings for potential storms Here’s a breakdown of the NHC’s new changes for hurricane season The NHC says it will continue using its experimental cone graphic which is frequently referred to as the cone of uncertainty The graphic is meant to track the probable path of a tropical cyclone’s center which is one reason the NHC consistently updates the product New symbols: The cone of uncertainty legend will now contain symbology for areas where a hurricane watch and tropical storm are in effect at the same time marked by diagonal pink and blue lines.Narrower cone of uncertainty: The size of the tropical cyclone track forecast error cone will be about 3-5% smaller compared to last year.What does the NHC's cone graphic mean?The cone graphic is meant to inform people about the center of a hurricane's probable track nor does it indicate the full area of its impact The cone's size is based on how accurate or inaccurate the NHC's forecasts have been over the past five years The center of the storm tends to stay within the cone for roughly two out of every three forecasts It shouldn't be used to determine your storm risk or whether you should evacuate you should use it to determine where the center of the storm is likely to go and to see what watches and warnings are in effect the National Weather Service (NWS) will implement some significant changes to its Potential Tropical Cyclone advisory (PTC) system Due to an increase in surf and rip current fatalities in the United States the NHC will provide current risk information from distant hurricanes and provide a national rip current risk map Rip current risk map: To highlight the risk of dangerous conditions NHC will provide rip current risk information from local National Weather Service and Weather Force Cast Offices in the form of a map.Current day next day and a composite showing the highest risk over both days will be available for areas along the East and Gulf coasts of the U.S in one page Last year's hurricane season was one for the records with Florida seeing three landfalls from major hurricanes and Hurricane Beryl becoming the earliest Atlantic basin Category 5 hurricane on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane season predictions this year are slightly below last year's 18 named storms but AccuWeather warned that we could see a quick ramp-up this season in its summer forecast Having a hurricane kit is arguably one of the most important aspects of preparing for hurricane season They're essentially kits you would take with you in the event that you need to evacuate Proper hurricane kits include things like: Now is a great time to take inventory of what you have in your hurricane kit and determine whether anything needs to be replaced or updated due to new circumstances Doing all of this ahead of time rather than in the face of a hurricane when store shelves are empty can make all the difference And with the impacts and uncertainty surrounding tariffs it's all the more important to prepare now rather than later Run through your emergency plan with your family to spot what needs updatingNow is the perfect time to run through your emergency plan with your family for a couple of reasons it's better to have an emergency plan ingrained in muscle memory rather than relying on actual memory Running through the plan will also bring up opportunities to update it Did someone's phone number change since last year Do you need to include someone new in the plan It's also a good opportunity to make sure that external details like evacuation routes shelters and evacuation zones haven't changed since last year do you have an inventory of your personal property Most Florida homeowners have their personal property insured at replacement cost rather than actual cash value This means that you'll receive the full amount of money required to purchase a new version of any lost personal property Actual cash value only covers the item's depreciated value Having a home inventory with photos can ensure you're getting the most from a potential claim so be sure to document any items that you would want to be replaced Valuable items should be insured separately or scheduled on your home insurance The National Hurricane Center is always updating its products and there are new things to learn every season Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with what is new and what has changed for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season The NHC has already announced more than a few changes it's making for the upcoming hurricane season like updating its "cone of uncertainty" and providing an earlier window to send alerts about potential tropical activity Take steps to secure your home nowA pine cone seems innocent enough until it's launched at a window at hurricane-force speeds If you haven't already taken advantage of springtime weather to get out into the yard and start whipping it into shape You'll still need to clear your yard of debris before every potential hurricane but it's a much quicker job when it hasn't been left to pile up beforehand chances are high that you'll be out of power for some time Without access to power or an internet connection It's good to start putting away a set amount of cash every month starting now until you have enough to last you at least a few days It's best to get small increments so you don't have to worry about breaking larger bills We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at nikki@thenewstimes.com or call us at 252-726-7081 The body of one of the final two missing people who died during Hurricane Helene was found and identified last week The body of Steve Cloyd was found in a debris pile along the Nolichucky River in Washington County “Crews clearing debris located the remains and our investigators worked with the medical examiner to identify Steve,” Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said in a statement “WCSO continues to pray for the Cloyd family and we hope this brings them some closure.” Eighteen people died in East Tennessee last fall in the aftermath of Helene almost all due to raging floodwaters from streams and rivers that exploded past previous highs when Tennessee and North Carolina were saturated with rain Sept It was one of the worst natural disasters in the region's history The state already included Cloyd and Tucker in its death total This is how many people died in East Tennessee counties in Helene floods: East Tennessee floods: Everything to know, from rescues to recovery to Helene resources Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Connect with Tyler by emailing him at tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tyler_whetstone UF/IFAS last week launched “Images of Recovery,” a photo-centric research study funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Floridians are asked to answer a survey and submit photos that illustrate how they have recovered following a hurricane experienced during the last three years While organizers hope to reach the state’s hardest-hit agricultural communities youth and community sciences (FYCS) associate professor Her research and Extension work focuses on disaster preparedness and recovery and she is the point of contact for the UF/IFAS Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) but pavement-pounding journalism is not free Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible Lindsey’s team chose a photovoice methodology for the project Photovoice is a community-based research method that empowers participants to share their perspectives with researchers by taking and sharing photographs “We know recovery from disasters like hurricanes takes a long time,” Lindsey said “We wanted to explore a project like this to understand what recovery looks like months and even years after the actual event We also wanted to know how recovery is perceived in communities that have been severely impacted.” “The data we collect will help us better understand the unique needs of each community and the most effective tools to help them bounce back,” Lindsey said The survey asks participants about their recent experiences with hurricanes and whether their needs and the needs of their community were addressed afterward participants may upload up to three photos with captions Photography tips are provided for anyone who wants to capture new images The survey text is intentionally vague about the kind of photos people should share “We left it open for interpretation because recovery looks different for each person affected,” Lindsey said Project organizers will accept photos through August They plan to publish the photos online and possibly within a printed book Learn more by visiting piecenter.com/partner-programs/images-of-recovery Join your neighbors who make this work possible you may want to prepare your landscape and trees for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season – and the sooner the better “Best management practices include supporting soil health through appropriate fertilization, monitoring landscapes and trees for pests and disease, managing tree roots for health and structure etc.,” said Alyssa Vinson urban forestry agent for UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County “All management that leads to a healthier plant leads to a landscape that’s more resilient to disturbance That doesn’t mean that a once-in-a-lifetime storm isn’t going to knock down a perfectly healthy tree just that in normal circumstances a healthy tree is going to fare better.”  Home and business owners can take steps to make sure the trees can withstand tropical storm- and hurricane-force winds and rain “Well-established and mature trees are often very resilient,” Vinson said. “If you monitor them for concerns and have them structurally pruned by a certified arborist you will maximize their ability to withstand storms.” In addition to pruning your trees, property owners should trim their landscapes, said Lynn Barber the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) agent with UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Cutting back one-third of the plant will improve the aesthetics and health of the plant FFL Director Claire Lewis also offered a few suggestions for getting your outdoor space ready for hurricanes: “A little prep now can save big headaches later,” Lewis said you probably see a few plants such as grass New University of Florida research shows far more plant species in urban landscapes than meet the eye and this makes scientists more interested in learning about […] — As a soil biologist and agent for UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County David Hébert teaches everything from selecting compostable food items to identifying microorganisms he’s done so from within a bustling Fernandina Beach shopping center Hébert’s affiliation with Amelia Plaza began in 2023 when Matt Klabacka contacted the Extension office and […] — Therapeutic horticulture may offer noticeable benefits to patients with chronic lower back pain according to a recent study from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the UF College of Medicine The interdisciplinary study encouraged chronic lower back pain sufferers to participate in a one-hour therapeutic horticulture […] — Seed Your Future is excited to announce the release of the 2024 Seed to STEM lessons designed to inspire high school science educators and students with the wonders of horticulture and its diverse career pathways standards-aligned lessons are now available for free download on the Seed Your Future website Florida Forest Service Remind Floridians to Report Suspicious Fires During Arson Awareness Week Improve Vegetable System Weed Management with Tarping Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again Generac's Hurricane Preparedness Guide Can Help Ensure Power Outages Leave Life Uninterrupted for Homeowners WAUKESHA, Wis., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) manufacturer and provider of energy technology solutions and other power products, is urging Americans to prepare for another long and general chaos brought on by predictions for an above-average 2025 hurricane season According to Colorado State University's annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast the 2025 seasonal outlook is anything but calm and four forecasted to reach major hurricane strength (Category 3 or higher) with hurricane activity tracking 130% above normal Widespread power outages left millions in the dark as storms battered an already fragile power grid The early forecast for this season is projected to be about 125% above the average of the past decade and communities across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are being urged to prepare early for what could be another relentless stretch of severe weather "These storms don't just knock out power - they knock life off track," said Kyle Raabe "We've come to rely on our homes for everything from work to school That's why planning ahead of this hurricane season isn't just a good idea; it's how you protect against your life being interrupted." To help homeowners get ahead of the storm season, Generac offers a comprehensive annually-updated Hurricane Preparedness Guide Developed by a team of power outage experts the guide includes carefully curated recommendations and proven best practices to help protect the home and family before the skies turn dark—and to help homeowners stay informed as forecasts evolve throughout the season To learn more about Generac's complete line of home backup power solutions, contact your local dealer or visit www.generac.com and provider of a wide range of energy technology solutions The Company provides power generation equipment and other power products serving the residential Generac introduced the first affordable backup generator and later created the automatic home standby generator category. The Company continues to expand its energy technology offerings for homes and businesses in its mission to Power a Smarter World and lead the evolution to more resilient Media Contact: Jonathan Stern[email protected] | (312) 402-7167 commercial-grade turf care manufacturer and a Generac Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC) company manufacturer and provider of energy technology solutions and other power products,.. Oil & Energy Utilities Do not sell or share my personal information: – Given the damaging impacts of hurricanes Debby “Best management practices include supporting soil health through appropriate fertilization monitoring landscapes and trees for pests and disease managing tree roots for health and structure “Home and business owners can take steps to make sure the trees can withstand tropical storm- and hurricane-force winds and rain,” Vinson said “Well-established and mature trees are often very resilient,” Vinson said. “If you monitor them for concerns and have them structurally pruned by a certified arborist property owners should trim their landscapes FFL Director Claire Lewis also offered a few suggestions for getting your outdoor space ready for hurricanes: <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('login_submit_comment') #> <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('commenting_as',ThriveComments.current_user.display_name || ( ThriveComments.social_user && ThriveComments.social_user.name ) ) #> <#= ThriveComments.util.render_label('guest_comment') #> .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Ryan Mancini | RMancini@masslive.comInstead of an internet sensation to be lampooned or commented about the next popular Karen could be a force of nature Hurricane season officially starts on June 1, and the World Meteorological Organization has a list of 21 names chosen names ready in anticipation of these storms Some of the names used by the organization are repeated every six years with the names for 2025 recycled from 2019’s hurricane season Not all of the names used this year were used in 2019. Dexter replaces Dorian after a Category 5 storm devastated Grand Bahama and the Great Abaco Islands, before it shrank and made landfall close to North Carolina, according to The Weather Channel. Two more names that were not used in 2019 or ever before since the naming process was overhauled to include both female and male names Each year’s hurricane name list features 21 instead of 26 because "it is difficult to find six suitable names (one for each of the 6 rotating lists) starting with Q Y and Z," the organization stated on its website the following names have been chosen for the Atlantic hurricane season: the organization opted to switch from Greek letters to a list of supplemental names when more storms take shape during a particular year Names are retired or withdrawn if a previous storm with a particular name causes massive damage and results in human deaths the World Meteorological Organization stated Particular names that have been retired because of catastrophic hurricanes include Katrina Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) is urging homeowners to prepare for an above-average 2025 hurricane season as forecasts predict significant storm activity According to Colorado State University's forecast with 4 reaching major hurricane strength (Category 3+) The 2025 season is projected to be 125% above the past decade's average The company is offering its updated Hurricane Preparedness Guide to help homeowners protect against power outages and disruptions and best practices for home and family protection This initiative follows the intense 2024 hurricane season which tracked 130% above normal activity and left millions without power Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) invita i proprietari di casa a prepararsi per una stagione degli uragani 2025 superiore alla media poiché le previsioni indicano un'attività tempestosa significativa Secondo le previsioni dell'Università dello Stato del Colorado con 4 che raggiungeranno la forza di uragano maggiore (Categoria 3+) La stagione 2025 è prevista essere 125% superiore alla media degli ultimi dieci anni L'azienda offre la sua guida aggiornata alla preparazione agli uragani per aiutare i proprietari a proteggersi da interruzioni di corrente e disagi consigli di sicurezza e le migliori pratiche per la protezione della casa e della famiglia Questa iniziativa segue la intensa stagione degli uragani del 2024 che ha registrato un'attività 130% superiore alla norma lasciando milioni di persone senza elettricità Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) insta a los propietarios a prepararse para una temporada de huracanes 2025 por encima del promedio ya que las previsiones pronostican una actividad tormentosa significativa Según el pronóstico de la Universidad Estatal de Colorado la temporada tendrá 17 tormentas nombradas de los cuales 4 alcanzarán la fuerza de huracán mayor (Categoría 3+) Se proyecta que la temporada 2025 estará 125% por encima del promedio de la última década La compañía ofrece su Guía actualizada de Preparación para Huracanes para ayudar a los propietarios a protegerse contra cortes de energía y interrupciones consejos de seguridad y mejores prácticas para la protección del hogar y la familia Esta iniciativa sigue a la intensa temporada de huracanes de 2024 que registró una actividad 130% por encima de lo normal y dejó a millones sin electricidad Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC)는 2025년 허리케인 시즌이 평균 이상일 것으로 예상됨에 따라 주택 소유자들에게 대비할 것을 촉구하고 있습니다 콜로라도 주립대학교의 예보에 따르면 이번 시즌에는 17개의 명명된 폭풍이 발생하며 그 중 9개가 허리케인이고 4개는 주요 허리케인 강도(3등급 이상)에 이를 것으로 전망됩니다 회사는 정전 및 혼란으로부터 주택 소유자를 보호하기 위해 업데이트된 허리케인 대비 가이드를 제공하고 있습니다 당시 활동은 정상보다 130% 높은 수준으로 수백만 명이 며칠간 전력 공급 중단을 겪었습니다 Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) encourage les propriétaires à se préparer pour une saison des ouragans 2025 supérieure à la moyenne les prévisions annonçant une activité orageuse importante Selon les prévisions de l'Université d'État du Colorado avec 4 atteignant une intensité majeure (Catégorie 3+) La saison 2025 devrait être 125% au-dessus de la moyenne de la dernière décennie L'entreprise propose son Guide de préparation aux ouragans mis à jour pour aider les propriétaires à se protéger contre les coupures de courant et les perturbations des conseils de sécurité et les meilleures pratiques pour la protection du domicile et de la famille Cette initiative fait suite à la saison des ouragans intense de 2024 qui a enregistré une activité 130% supérieure à la normale et laissé des millions de personnes sans électricité Generac Holdings (NYSE: GNRC) fordert Hausbesitzer auf sich auf eine überdurchschnittliche Hurrikansaison 2025 vorzubereiten da die Prognosen eine erhebliche Sturmaktivität vorhersagen Laut der Vorhersage der Colorado State University wird die Saison 17 benannte Stürme umfassen von denen 4 die Stärke eines schweren Hurrikans (Kategorie 3+) erreichen werden Die Saison 2025 wird voraussichtlich 125% über dem Durchschnitt des letzten Jahrzehnts liegen Das Unternehmen bietet seinen aktualisierten Leitfaden zur Hurrikan-Vorbereitung an sich vor Stromausfällen und Störungen zu schützen Sicherheitstipps und bewährte Verfahren zum Schutz von Haus und Familie Diese Initiative folgt auf die intensive Hurrikansaison 2024 die eine 130% über dem Normalwert liegende Aktivität verzeichnete und Millionen von Menschen teilweise tagelang ohne Strom ließ WAUKESHA, Wis., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) manufacturer and provider of energy technology solutions and other power products is urging Americans to prepare for another long According to Colorado State University's annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast To help homeowners get ahead of the storm season, Generac offers a comprehensive annually-updated Hurricane Preparedness Guide Generac introduced the first affordable backup generator and later created the automatic home standby generator category The Company continues to expand its energy technology offerings for homes and businesses in its mission to Power a Smarter World and lead the evolution to more resilient Media Contact: Jonathan SternJonathan.Stern@Generac.com | (312) 402-7167 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/generac-urges-homeowners-to-prepare-as-2025-hurricane-season-forecasts-above-average-storm-activity-302445124.html Already have an account? Login – As Floridians continue to prepare for the upcoming storm season state officials are focusing on safety with Hurricane Preparedness Week This week's Hurricane Preparedness Week 2025 focuses on a different topic each day.  May 5:  Prepare before hurricane season May 6:  Understand forecast information May 7:  Get moving when a storm threatens May 8: Stay Protected during storms May 9: Use caution after storms May 10: Take action today The Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather Experts stress the best time to prepare for hurricanes is before hurricane season starts the Bay News 9 Weather Experts will host hurricane expos throughout the Bay area answering questions and giving a seasonal outlook If you thought that Florida's record-breaking snowfall in January was a sign of cooler temperatures this summer AccuWeather has released its summer 2025 forecast on Wednesday and there is little good news to be found regardless of where in the United States you reside So, what kind of weather can Floridians expect this summer? Frequent heat, severe weather and the possibility that the 2025 hurricane season could quickly ramp up With the exception of a handful of states in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern parts of the U.S. every other state is expected to see temperatures at least 1-3 degrees warmer than normal according to AccuWeather's summer forecast Florida will fall into the lower end of that spectrum which still means Floridians will probably want to make sure their air conditioners are going to hold up this summer How hot does summer get in Florida?Florida is a fairly big state so there are some temperature swings depending on whether you live in the Florida Panhandle or the peninsula and how far south you live Here's a breakdown by region using temperature data between 1991-2000 provided by the Florida Climate Center Northwest and Northeast Florida summer temperatures North central and east central Florida summer temperatures When does it start to get hot in Florida?It can start getting hot in Florida as early as March and as late as June depending on the region The hot season typically starts in late March in Key West the temperature is relatively mild until early June Temperatures in North Florida start to come down in early October and early December in the Florida Keys The start of meteorological summer happens on June 1 and runs through Aug 2025 Atlantic hurricane season could ramp up quicklyMore pressing than the potential of hot summer days is the approaching Atlantic hurricane season Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach and WeatherTiger's Ryan Truchelut say we don't have the model skill to predict that just yet How many hurricanes is the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season predicted to have?The CSU's prediction for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season proposes a slightly above-normal number of storms The number of hurricanes and their combined destructive power don't often correlate to a full picture of a single storm's impacts on an area While a lot of communities in South Carolina are still facing clean-up issues from last fall’s brush with Hurricane Helene it may feel odd to think that the 2025 hurricane season is nearly here May is Hurricane Preparedness Month in South Carolina Hurricane season typically runs from June through November in South Carolina and the Berkeley County Government is preparing with its 2025 Hurricane Guide The Berkeley County Hurricane Guide includes information on hurricane risks It was created and published by Berkeley County Emergency Management Department and the Berkeley County Public Information Office Printed copies will be available for pick up in the front lobby of the Berkeley County Administration Building and all Berkeley County Library branches by June 1 The latest daniel island weather To sign up for breaking news email alerts, Click on the email address below and put "email alerts" in the subject line: sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com by Jennifer Collins It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week here on CBS 12 News Each day this week the CBS 12 StormTrac Weather Team will cover ways you can prepare your home and family for the upcoming season Monday's topic is prepare before hurricane season Start out by learning if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone Remember that evacuation zones are designed for those people in areas most prone to damage from storm surge You can find out if you live in an evacuation zone by clicking here now is a great time to start planning where you would go if ordered to evacuate and how you would get there you don't need to travel hundreds of miles to escape a storm You just need to leave your zone's area You can move inland to a shelter or stay at a house that is not in an evacuation zone If you don't live in an evacuation zone and your home is sturdy stay put and even consider allowing relatives to come and stay with you as they need to be accounted for as part of your evacuation plan make sure it's a shelter that allows pets make sure you are bringing necessary supplies with you like important documents as well as your house The best time to develop a hurricane kit is before the season starts and supplies can quickly become limited and hard to find One of the best times to assemble your hurricane kit is during the yearly sales tax holiday This holiday exempts a sales tax on disaster preparedness items Your kit should have enough nonperishable food and water for everyone in your family for three to seven days While one gallon per person per day is the standard for drinking the other two gallons can also be used for bathroom and cleanliness purposes you'll also want to make sure your car is filled with gas and don't forget those important documents and other difficult-to-replace documents in a waterproof bag and add them to your kit It's also important to remember to refill all medications and prescriptions prior to the arrival of a storm Having these key things in your kit will help keep you and your family safe and prepared not only during a hurricane but long after it has passed Building codes in South Florida have significantly improved since the early 1990s Most buildings in our area are prepared to withstand up to a category 3 hurricane with only minor damage The best way we can protect our property against this type of wind is by performing preventative maintenance across our property ahead of the storm Go ahead and trim back trees and bushes around your home ahead of landfall you limit any branches or limbs that break off trees becoming debris that can cause damage to your property Plan on how you're going to board up your windows ahead of the storm go ahead and place them up and make sure you have all the necessary components needed to put the shutters up and that you're not missing any nuts get your plywood boards cut out before the season - that way you're set for before a storm arrives and don't have to compete with the rush to your local hardware store ahead of the storm If you're trying to prepare your windows for the storm Tape over your windows does nothing to save your windows from being damaged and can cause more harm than good the tape will force the window to break into smaller pieces Make sure you know how to prepare your home for a flood threat That includes knowing how to properly fill up and place sandbags around your property Know what sections of your property are prone to flooding and know if you live in a flood zone Move all valuable objects out of the flood zones ahead of the arrival of the tropical system to mitigate damage You should also take photos and videos of the inside and the outside of your property before the storm - this way you're covered for any flood insurance claims you'll need to make after the storm has passed It's important to make sure those in mobile or manufactured homes find another safe shelter during a landfalling hurricane mainly because strong winds can easily get underneath the home and can lift it into the air like an evacuation shelter or a well-constructed home from a friend or family member and airborne objects are all factors that cause damage to boats during a hurricane Prepare a hurricane plan ahead of the season make plans now if you are keeping the boat in the water or are going to trailer or dry dock Some marinas have memberships that will secure a spot in a marina or boatyard when a hurricane is imminent Keep up with maintenance on the boat and know that your boat is in good working order Make sure you have sufficient insurance that will protect you from the risks of owning a boat keep electronics and radio systems charged and make sure important information is secured but easy to access Insurance is a necessary tool to protect you and your belongings during hurricane season Now might be a great time to call your insurance company or agent and make sure you have enough coverage to repair your home in case it becomes damaged this season get an insurance checkup on those items as well The standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover flooding You will need to get a separate policy for it You can obtain flood insurance through your homeowner's insurance company or you can find it through the National Flood Insurance Program You can visit floodsmart.gov for more information It's important you perform an insurance checkup prior to hurricane season because obtaining flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period Changes to any existing policies may also require a waiting period before they take effect That means if a hurricane is knocking on your doorstep within the next week it's already too late to update your insurance Preparing for a hurricane can become stressful which is why it’s important to plan now instead of waiting for a tropical system to approach your doorstep By taking the time now to complete a written plan you can avoid mistakes and forgetting certain must-complete items when a tropical system approaches you should have information about your evacuation and what supplies you need make sure important documents are together for quick and easy access This should include information regarding your insurance and anything else important to you and your family's personal life You should also have photo documentation of any valuables within your household New AI innovation, T-Satellite, T-Priority and a powerful fleet boost T‑Mobile’s response to keep communities and first responders connected when disaster strikes T-Priority and a powerful fleet boost T‑Mobile’s response to keep communities and first responders connected when disaster strikes 2025 /CSRwire/ - Hurricane and wildfire seasons are here As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense the Un-carrier has stepped up its preparedness efforts with new advanced technology expanded capabilities and an even more resilient network to keep people connected when it matters most T-Mobile has rolled out next-gen technology and upgrades to support disaster response and recovery staying connected isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline,” said Ulf Ewaldsson “We’re constantly advancing our network’s strong foundation with smarter technology advanced AI and space-based satellite innovation to make it even more responsive and resilient.” Faster Disaster Response with AI and Automation  T-Mobile’s SON enables the network to self-heal and adapt in real time — detecting outages assessing nearby cell sites and optimizing performance automatically to maintain coverage and prevent congestion SON can automatically adjust nearby sites — tilt antennas increase power and reroute signals — to fill coverage gaps It also smartly distributes network traffic to prevent backup sites from becoming overloaded helping preserve reliable service even when strained SON conserves energy by shifting spectrum use to extend generator and battery life T-Mobile’s SON performed over 121,000 antenna adjustments And during the Southern California wildfires it executed more than 12,000 — all to keep people connected With T-Satellite’s satellite-to-mobile service family and 911 — regardless of wireless provider when cell towers are down T-Satellite is the first and only space-based mobile network in the country that connects your phone automatically when traditional cell service isn’t available — no action needed Dataminr: Preparedness Starts with Visibility and Innovation  T-Mobile has boosted the speed and accuracy of its disaster response by integrating Dataminr’s real-time AI-powered alert system into its Everbridge Visual Command Center — the company’s centralized hub for threat monitoring This integration scans vast amounts of public data — from expert sources to news sites—to detect emerging events and provide early alerts for severe weather infrastructure risks and emergencies across the U.S This gives T-Mobile faster threat visibility than before enabling quicker risk assessment and resource mobilization to respond more effectively to protect network operations Hybrid Tech and Hardened Network Enable Rapid Emergency Response  T-Mobile has expanded its emergency fleet with new XL Satellite assets — XL SatCOWs (Satellite Cell on Wheels) and XL SatCOLTs (Satellite Cell on Large Trucks) — featuring automated deployment 80 to 100-feet masts and remote monitoring These additions bolster a nationwide fleet of satellite-enabled vehicles Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in October 2024 T-Mobile restored 99% of customer connectivity within 72 hours of landfall for each hurricane deploying 600 emergency crew members and over 800 generators 99% of network sites were restored within nine days of the ongoing emergency T-Mobile also provided critical equipment to first responders and free charging packs hotspots and home internet to anyone in need — regardless of their provider Priority Connectivity for First Responders T-Priority T-Mobile’s innovative solution for first responders not only provides priority but better network performance through a dedicated 5G slice that provides up to five times the network resources available to the average user This ensures that first responders on eligible plans get lower latency and faster 5G speeds more consistently for data-intensive communications tools along with the highest priority connectivity even in the most congested conditions See more on T-Mobile’s disaster preparedness and response efforts at https://www.t-mobile.com/news/emergency-response. Visit T-Mobile.com/news and follow @TMobileNews on X to stay up to date with the latest company news Anyone with a compatible device is eligible for T-Satellite Beta trial; limited spots available Developing technology available in most areas most of the time; ultimately available in most outdoor areas where you can see the sky More from T-Mobile Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you Meteorological summer starts on June 1 and runs through the end of August, and AccuWeather's 90-day forecast is calling for a mixed bag when it comes to weather in Massachusetts and the rest of the Northeast For clarification, what is called "Astrological summer," the more traditional day for the start of the season "In the Northeast...the summer will be full of ups and downs as heat waves are broken by showers and thunderstorms," the long-range forecast states. "The tradeoff will be higher humidity," which can ultimately boost temperatures While most of the country is expected to experience sweltering heat, Massachusetts might escape the worst of that, the forecast noted, but added that a "dynamic Atlantic hurricane season" is in store for late summer and fall Here's what to know about the 90-day forecast. According to the forecast "Overall temperatures from June through August are forecast to be above the historical average across most of the nation with the more intense heat expected in the northern Rockies How many 90-degree days are expected in Massachusetts?An AccuWeather graphic shows that in 2025 In 2024, the area experienced 12 days where temperatures were in the 90s The 30-year historical average for 90-degree days in the region is 14, according to AccuWeather. "The only area we expect normal to below-historical-average temperatures this summer is across parts of the interior Northeast, (and) interior mid-Atlantic," the forecast states we’ll still have some hot and humid stretches in this region from time to time.”   The forecast added that "areas of the eastern U.S that avoid the worst of the heat may face an uptick in showers and thunderstorms AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok stated in a release that the demand for electricity is expected to climb above historical average levels across parts of 33 states this summer to power millions of air conditioners fans and other cooling equipment inside homes Massachusetts is not among those states at the moment central and northwestern parts of the country are the ones in the most danger of spending the most money on electricity “The moist and saturated soil will prevent drought conditions from developing this summer and help hold down daytime high temperatures,” Pastelok said of the Northeast area of the country "The evening and overnight hours will be warm and muggy across this region so air conditioning will be needed during the hottest weeks of summer." "Water in the Gulf is very warm and can fuel intense severe weather events into summer," Pastelok said in a written statement “Storms could be more frequent in June and July than in August including the potential for intense groups of thunderstorms known as derechos." snap trees like twigs and cause widespread power outages that last over a week." the forecast noted that the Northeast isn't necessarily facing the most danger when it comes to these storms "The zone that faces the highest risk of derechos this summer includes the northern Plains the Ohio Valley and the Tennessee Valley," AccuWeather stated in a release People should remain vigilant when outdoors any time thunderstorms are in the forecast July and August account for the highest number of lightning-related fatalities Every thunderstorm poses a risk of lightning and it only takes one strike to abruptly end a day at the beach on the golf course or hiking in the mountains "The same warm waters in the Gulf that will promote thunderstorms across the East could also fuel tropical storms or even hurricanes in the Gulf especially in July and August," the forecast states The passage added "There is a chance for a subtropical or tropical storm to develop before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1." After causing devastation in parts of the Caribbean Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 before generating more than 60 tornadoes along its path inland from Texas to upstate New York impacts during the Atlantic hurricane season this year "Similar to last year, northern and eastern portions of the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas are at a higher-than-average risk of direct impacts this season," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva stated in a release The trend of higher summer temperatures, more intense droughts and extreme heat waves in the U.S But the drought situation in Massachusetts is getting better At that time, the Drought Management Task Force in Massachusetts downgraded the western southeast and Connecticut Valley regions of Massachusetts to "mild" droughts Only the northeast and Cape Cod regionals were still in a states of "significant" droughts "Above-average precipitation over the last couple of months has helped improve streamflow and raise groundwater levels in several regions," an explanation said at the time At the beginning of March, the western, southeast, and Cape Cod regions of the state were in "significant drought" situations, according to the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force. The AccuWeather 90-day forecast doesn't expect droughts in the Northeast to get worse an AccuWeather graphic describes the next 90 days as "turning wetter" in Massachusetts and the rest of the region Monday, May 5, is day two of Hurricane Preparedness Week and focuses on what you can do now to prepare before hurricane season begins The beginning of the 2025 hurricane season is less than a month away To raise awareness about the dangers posed by hurricanes and tropical storms — it's not just about the wind — and encourage people to prepare early for storms the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service have established May 4-10 as Hurricane Preparedness Week ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location providing valuable information for those new to hurricanes and good reminders to seasoned Florida residents Early predictions are for a "volatile hurricane" season in 2025 Colorado State University forecasters ranked Florida No. 1 when it comes to the probability of a named storm coming within 50 miles, at 92%. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing tropical outlooks on May 15 highlighting any tropical disturbances showing potential for development Hurricane Preparedness Week: See topics by dayHurricane Preparedness Week 2025 is scheduled for May 4-10 "Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period." NOAA provided five tips to help you prepare for hurricane season even before the season begins or before a storm is approaching: Develop an evacuation planAssemble disaster suppliesGet an insurance checkup and document your possessionsCreate a communication planStrengthen your homeHere are more details on following through on the recommendations on how you can prepare for storms If you live in an area threatened by hurricanes — which is pretty much the entire state of Florida — you need to have an evacuation plan "Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there You do not need to travel hundreds of miles Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well-built home outside flood-prone areas Be sure to account for your pets," NOAA said Determine now if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone Zone A is the most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last Whether you're evacuating, going to a shelter, or you plan to weather the storm at home, you'll need some supplies. Now is the time to gather those emergency items while shelves are stocked and you're not battling thousands of others trying to grab things at the last minute "You’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath," NOAA said water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days; store a longer than three-day supply of water "Electricity and water could be out for weeks You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones Here are a few sites offering disaster supply checklists: ➤ Homeowners' insurance in Florida: What to know ahead of 2025 hurricane season Take the time before hurricane season begins to document your possessions or and be ready with anything else you may need to provide your insurance company when filing a claim "Home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it," NOAA said. Flood insurance is available through your insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period Here's how to find outIf you live in a flood-prone area you're especially vulnerable to hurricane impacts remember that even it you don't live in a flood-prone area you're not necessarily safe since extreme rain can flood even those areas Here's how to find out now the flood risk for your area so you can plan accordingly You can also check NOAA's Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper at coast.noaa.gov. Zoom in on the map to see a coastal flood hazard composite showing zones 1 to 11 Trying to decide what to do and who should do what when a hurricane is literally on the horizon is difficult not to mention having to do a lot of other things at the same time What should a communication plan have Tip 5: Strengthen your homeNow is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts ➤ More tips from FEMA on preparing your home for hurricane season The National Hurricane Center will release its predictions for the 2025 hurricane season later this month AccuWeather: Predicting 2025 could be a year with "volatile hurricanes" and warns storms could rapidly intensify shortly before making landfall WeatherTiger: Dr said 2025 has a "50-50 shot of landing in the ranges of": 16-21 tropical storms7-9 hurricanes3-4 major hurricanesHurricane season 2025 namesHere are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season Stay informed. Get weather alerts via textWhat's next?We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage as conditions warrant and daily beginning May 15. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And subscribe here The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 for the Atlantic basin and from May 15 to November 30 for the Eastern Pacific Science matters. Wonder matters. You matter. Join our 2025 Donation Campaign today. It’s important to know what your biggest risks are when it comes to tropical weather Tropical storms and hurricanes don’t just impact coastal areas And while some of the most severe impacts are felt along the coast people who reside inland also have to contend with the effects of a tropical storm The main threats from tropical storms and hurricanes are storm surge flooding Storm surge is when strong winds of a tropical storm or hurricane push ocean water onto land The surge can be high enough to wash out roads and cause extreme flooding for coastal areas Storm surge can also travel miles inland through bays Storm surge typically results in the most deaths from hurricanes flooding due to heavy rain is also dangerous and deadly flooding can also damage roads and infrastructure even well-inland from where the storm makes landfall Flood waters can also be dangerous due to containing harmful bacteria Read more: Hurricane Helene deadliest since Katrina, most deaths due to flooding Hurricane-force winds can also cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure Strong winds can lead to widespread power and communication outages All these risks make it more vital to have a hurricane kit and evacuation plan Having a hurricane kit with supplies you’ll need following a tropical storm or hurricane is a crucial part of staying safe during hurricane season But you should assemble these supplies before the season starts so you’re not rushing around in the days before a storm hits Remember that if you are called to evacuate listen to all local officials and follow their guidance During a tropical storm or hurricane, there’s a lot of information floating around. But don’t get your information from just anywhere. The number one place you should receive your forecast information from is the National Hurricane Center, followed by your local National Weather Service (NWS) office The NHC provides the official hurricane track forecast And your local NWS office provides watches and warnings that are vital to your location trusted media partners also help communicate storm risks (but be careful of what you believe on social media) People often misunderstand the forecast cone. The cone is simply a forecast of where the center of the tropical storm or hurricane will go. Significant impacts are often felt well outside the cone. To better communicate this, the National Hurricane Center is experimenting with overlaying watches and warnings for inland areas on the forecast cone graphic While a major hurricane can cause major impacts, even a “weaker” storm can still be devastating. It is important that you focus on the impacts a storm will bring, and not necessarily on its strength. You can learn more about how to best understand valuable forecast information here In addition to having a hurricane kit and knowing if you’re in an evacuation zone an important part of being prepared for hurricane season is how to protect your home and check if your neighbors need help evacuating it is still important to stay up to date with the forecast and local agencies While flooding is a major concern during hurricanes and tropical storms The best protection from wind is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible Nearly half of hurricane deaths occur after the storm is gone Standing water is also a danger: as mentioned above bacteria and wildlife can be hidden dangers in flood waters after a storm Also use caution when checking for damage around your home If you hear an unusual noise or notice shifting of your home If you are without power and have a portable generator NEVER bring the generator inside your home or garage as carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant threat Always use your portable generator outside only return home when you are told it is safe to do so This is a lot of information, but if you take it all in now, you will be able to evacuate calmly and quickly, or be prepared for whatever a hurricane may bring. While this is a thorough list, you can find even more information as well as more safety tips here Bottom line: Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4 to 10 Get tips on how to stay safe during hurricane season here Via NHC We invite you to visit our campaign page to discover why we need your contributions now more than ever to preview an illustration from Guy Ottewell’s great book that we're helping finalize and to learn more about EarthSky’s history “Things are always so much more peaceful when looking up.” We couldn’t agree more we apologize for the popup and greatly appreciate your support A large patch of the eastern Atlantic Ocean isn’t quite keeping up to the typical rate of warming for this time of year and that has us questioning what impacts there might be this hurricane season There are months ahead of us before these water temperatures will have any direct impacts on the tropics Even as we start the hurricane season on June 1 we won’t be looking into the distant eastern Atlantic for a couple more months thunderstorm clusters and other swirls in the atmosphere closer to home – the western Atlantic western Caribbean and the Gulf – for tropical systems early in the season (MORE: Notable Storms That Developed Early) the conveyor belt of tropical waves in Africa is increasing production These are the seeds for many of the hurricanes across the Atlantic These seeds are often duds in June and July since other atmospheric and oceanic conditions aren’t quite right yet But that conveyor belt continues to crank out waves as conditions improve Water temperatures are typically the first condition that becomes favorable for tropical systems in the stretch of water between the Lesser Antilles and Africa if the rate of warming continues at this sluggish pace this benchmark for water temperatures may be delayed this could knock the number of tropical storms or hurricanes down a tad The Bottom Line: We'll need to see what water temperatures look like after July to see how the number of tropical storms or hurricanes might shake out in the end (MORE: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.) - Water temperatures are not the only factor that can dictate the activity of a hurricane season long periods of sinking air or strong wind shear can change the path that hurricane season takes each year - Water temperatures can become cooler or warmer during a hurricane season Redundant activity over the same areas and even dust can change how a patch of water warms or cools - We continue to expect a slightly more active than average hurricane season. You can read the latest outlook here Jonathan Belles has been a graphics meteorologist and writer for weather.com for nearly 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St A large patch of the eastern Atlantic Ocean isn’t quite keeping up to the typical rate of warming for this time of year and that has us questioning what we won’t be looking into the distant eastern Atlantic for a couple more months thunderstorm clusters and other swirls in the atmosphere closer to home – the western Atlantic western Caribbean and the Gulf – for tropical systems early in the season (MORE: Notable Storms That Developed Early) These seeds are often duds in June and July since other atmospheric and oceanic conditions aren’t quite right yet The Bottom Line: We'll need to see what water temperatures look like after July to see how the number of tropical storms or hurricanes might shake out in the end (MORE: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.) the presence of El Niño or La Niña - We continue to expect a slightly more active than average hurricane season. You can read the latest outlook here Jonathan Belles has been a graphics meteorologist and writer for weather.com for nearly 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St 05-05-2025IMPACT The instrument uses the Doppler effect to create real-time 3D maps of wind patterns above the Earth’s surface which historically has been difficult to capture [Image: NASA/Scientific Visualization Studio] BY Grace Snelling This fall, NASA scientist Kris Bedka flew into Hurricane Helene to test a device that uses lasers to create ultradetailed wind measurements It could be the key to unlocking better storm predictions The new device is called the Aerosol Wind Profiler (AWP), and it’s been in the works at NASA for about four years The AWP uses the Doppler effect to create real-time 3D maps of wind patterns above the Earth’s surface—data that To create predictions for severe weather phenomena agencies like the NWS collate a vast swath of data including atmospheric temperature are another piece of assembling the overall puzzle But when it comes to fitting wind patterns into the model If forecasters need wind measurements close to the Earth it’s fairly simple to take readings using sensors that can be mounted on the ground But what’s most important for weather forecasting is “having a sense of the three-dimensional picture of the wind—so winds not just at the ground which all combine to drive the weather that we experience at the ground,” he says scientists need to understand two main factors: how fast wind currents are moving and in what direction The AWP does that by tracking the movement of particulates—including tiny pieces of cloud matter and sea salt that are all floating in the atmosphere—to see how wind is buffeting them at a given moment in time “You’ve probably heard of the Doppler effect before and you’ve experienced it yourself,” Bedka says and then as it comes by you and then goes away from you you hear the pitch change—that’s due to the Doppler effect A Doppler wind lidar kind of behaves in an analogous way.” the altered “frequencies” of laser light that bounce back from particulates give the AWP the information needed to calculate wind speed and direction even measuring conditions at different altitudes in the atmosphere simultaneously All of those details can then be stitched together to create a complete 3D wind map NOAA solicited new technologies for accurate wind measurement which had been an ongoing challenge for the agency when trying to predict severe weather Since Bedka’s team had just wrapped up their AWP prototype they proposed an aircraft flight campaign that would validate the tool’s effectiveness Because Helene was a relatively well-predicted storm Bedka’s team had time to plan a flight route that would allow the AWP to measure “as close to the storm center and the highest winds that were available to us.” Given the plane’s limited six-hour flight range Bedka and the crew flew through the edges of the hurricane in several legs on September 26 traveling down the western edge of the storm going around the eye in the Gulf of Mexico who has flown in several NASA aircrafts through intense thunderstorms says the conditions were choppy but not too severe his team was able to collect a rich database of wind measurements that proved the AWP’s potential effectiveness during severe weather but NASA is currently working to make it more widely available NASA would be able to create a “constellation” of AWP’s orbiting the Earth that could measure winds simultaneously all across the globe prediction models for extreme weather would become significantly more accurate “Severe storms don’t just pop up just out of the clear blue sky on a random day,” Bedka says “They form because all the ingredients align in order to make them become as intense as they are What we’re trying to do with this technology is to measure the winds with as much spatial and vertical detail as permitted by laser technology We’ve already found that when this data is put into weather prediction models The final deadline for Fast Company’s Brands That Matter Awards is Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. 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