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Rip currents: What are they, how to spot them and how to save yourself from one

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:57:54 -0400

Rip currents can be unsuspecting, and when spending a day at the beach, it's important to be aware of the threats from rip currents, understand how they happen and how to save yourself if you get caught in one.

Rip currents are powerful channels of fast-moving water that flow away from shore.

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They can happen at any beach with breaking waves, including oceans and in the Great Lakes, according to NOAA.

NOAA said rip currents can be very narrow or hundreds of yards wide.

Rip currents most commonly form at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers.

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They form as incoming waves push water toward the shoreline, which creates an imbalance of water piling up in the surf zone, according to NOAA.

To try and create balance, the water seeks the path of least resistance back through the surf.

Often times, this occurs at a break in a sandbar, and is where the rip current is strongest, NOAA said.

NOAA said once the flowing water passes through the gap, it begins to spread out, considerably weakening the velocity and strength of the rip current circulation.

Rip currents can end just beyond the line of breaking waves, but they can also extend hundreds of yards offshore.

Rip currents can sometimes be hard to see, especially when the water is rough.

NOAA recommends going to a higher vantage point from the water's edge to get a good look at the waves.

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There are a few things to look for when trying to find a rip current.

Rip currents can appear as a narrow channel of calmer, dark-colored water that is flanked by breaking waves or whitewater on either side.

They can also appear as churning or choppy water that looks different from the water around it or water could appear a different color or muddy.

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Rip currents can also look like a consistent area of foam or chunks of seaweed/debris being carried through the surf.

Always pay attention to signs posted on beaches warning of rip currents.

If there's a lifeguard present, swim near the lifeguard and stay close to shore.

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Assume that rip currents are present at every beach you go to.

Take the time to learn the signs of rip currents and evaluate the water before you enter.

Teach your family how to swim and make sure they know how to escape a rip current if caught in one.

It's estimated that 100 people die in rip currents each year, according to data obtained by NOAA. Thousands of people are rescued from rip currents every year.

Even the strongest swimmers can be pulled away from shore by a rip current.

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Rip currents themselves don't pull people underwater, so relax if you ever feel yourself pulled out by a rip current.

Don't fight the current. Panic and exhaustion are often the reason people are unable to escape a rip current.

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If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore toward more breaking waves or until you feel the current isn't pulling you away any longer. Once out of the current, change angles and swim directly to shore.

If you feel you're unable to escape the current by swimming parallel to shore, float on your back and try and draw attention to yourself by yelling or waving.

Visit NOAA's website and the U.S. Lifesaving Association website to learn more about rip currents.

Scientists use new methods to map Yellowstone's hidden underground plumbing system

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:01:20 -0400

Underneath Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming lies a complex plumbing system of hot water, steam and rock that fuels the park’s magnificent geysers and hot springs.

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For decades, scientists have tried to better understand this underground system. Until recently, they were unaware what the subsurface actually looked like.

In the past, geoscientists relied on drilling boreholes to study Yellowstone’s underground environment. But, this method triggered eruptions of steam and boiling water, making the work both dangerous and difficult.

Many of these boreholes have since been sealed, leaving scientists to depend on archival drilling logs and rock core that were extracted.

According to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, researchers are now using a new technique to map Yellowstone’s subsurface. The method is geophysics, a subfield of geology that studies the physical properties of rock and fluids in the subsurface to map out the system beneath the national park.

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This approach is noninvasive, meaning the techniques do not significantly disturb the ground in order to learn about the hydrothermal system.

In 2018, a team from the University of Wyoming used these techniques to create images of Yellowstone’s underground plumbing system.

The researchers collected multiple datasets beneath Sentinel Meadows, a hydrothermally active drainage area in the Lower Geyser Basin. As well as focusing on the plumbing system beneath Rosette Spring.

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The team utilized a technique called Electrical Resistivity Tomography to identify areas that contain less hydrothermal water, since the water is electrically conductive.

By using this approach, the researchers were able to measure the underground hydrothermal waters without drilling or causing damage to the environment.

They discovered that hydrothermal water lies about 16 to 33 feet below the surface, but there is no clear pipe or conduit leading directly to the spring.

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Scientists assume the water travels through a dense network of tiny pathways within glacial deposits to reach the surface. These pathways are so small that they are difficult to detect with the current field equipment.

Despite these findings, researchers still do not fully understand how water travels from deep underground to the surface.

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As technology improves, new geophysical data will continue to provide insights into how Yellowstone’s underground hot water plumbing system works.

NOAA launches new weather forecast system to improve air travel safety

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:36:02 -0400

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is utilizing a new weather forecasting system to improve the prediction of aviation hazards that pose risks to flight safety, including airplane icing and turbulence.

The new Domestic Aviation Forecast System (DAFS) will generate more detailed forecasts of icing and turbulence, giving pilots real-time information about the changing weather conditions while in the air.

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"This is the culmination of extensive research and years of work that gets right to the heart of our aviation forecast mission: supporting passenger safety and the aviation industry," Terra Ladwig, acting chief of NOAA Global Systems Laboratory’s Assimilation, Verification, and Innovation Division, said.

The tool will not only forecast the likelihood of icing and its severity, but also enhance turbulence predictions, including low-level turbulence near the ground, clear air turbulence that is difficult to detect, mountain wave turbulence and turbulence within clouds and storms.

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"Improving prediction of turbulence and icing will strengthen NOAA's ability to provide critical flight safety information to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aviation community," Joshua Scheck, aviation support branch chief for NOAA's Aviation Weather Center, said.

According to NOAA, the new DAFS was developed with funding from the FAA Aviation Weather Research Program.

The tool is based on an advanced operational regional forecast model, the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR), which was designed to track severe weather events.

"The DAFS is another example of how NOAA continuously works with the FAA to deliver the most accurate, timely, and useful aviation forecasts," Scheck said.

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The system updates its forecast every hour on a 1.8-mile surface grid and divides the atmosphere into 50 layers from the ground to high altitude. It also ingests three-dimensional radar data every 15 minutes to improve its predictions.

Previously, icing and turbulence guidance were generated by numerical weather models that updated hourly on an 8-mile surface grid. Now, icing and turbulence forecast updates will be more precise.

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"The enhanced horizontal and vertical resolution provides more detailed forecasts, which potentially gives pilots more options to navigate around hazards," Curtis Alexander, GSL’s deputy director, said.

How often do meteorites crash in the US?

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:07:52 -0400

With Americans already having experienced four meteor sightings this month, it makes you wonder how common such space phenomena are.

Many people do not realize that there is a difference between the characterization of meteors and meteorites.

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According to NASA, meteors are bits of rocks and ice ejected from comets as they move in their orbits around the sun. A meteor that reaches the ground is called a meteorite.

An example showcasing the key difference would be the recent meteor streaking across California on Sunday. This never made the cut as a meteorite because the space rock disintegrated in the sky, never reaching the ground.

"Most space rocks smaller than a football field will break apart in Earth’s atmosphere," a statement from NASA reads. "Traveling at tens of thousands of miles per hour, the object disintegrates as pressure exceeds the strength of the object, resulting in a bright flare."

The main question is, how often do these occur every year?

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According to data collected by the Meteoritical Society at Washington University in St. Louis, since 1807, 1,924 meteorites have been found and verified in the U.S., and the society has determined that roughly nine meteorites crash onto Earth every year.

Studies show that the top states with the most frequent meteorites are Texas, California and New Mexico.

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According to NASA experts, more than 50,000 meteorites have been found on Earth, and 99.8% of them come from asteroids. The remaining few (0.2%) meteorites are split almost equally between meteorites from Mars and the moon.

The 50 known Martian meteorites were blasted off Mars by meteoroid impacts.

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If you have witnessed a meteor event, the American Meteor Society has an online page where the public can report large fireballs.

Extreme heat safety: How to prepare and stay cool during a heat wave

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:47 -0400

Walking into a heat wave without proper knowledge of keeping yourself safe can have deadly consequences.

A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather that lasts for two days or more, according to the National Weather Service. Heat waves can occur with or without high humidity and they can cover a large area.

Staying cool can be challenging when out in the elements during a period of extreme heat.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to how to prepare yourself for a heat wave.

Keep lots of water and hydrating fluids on hand. Regularly consuming hydrating liquids is one of the best ways to avoid heat illness.

Have sun protection in the form of head coverings and sunscreen at the ready. Wearing sunscreen can protect you from the sun's rays. Head coverings can help avoid sunburn and keep the face and neck cooler.

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Make a plan to stay cool. If you need to be outside for a job or activity, is there shade nearby? Is there somewhere with air conditioning to cool down?

Know the signs of heat illness. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious conditions. If not treated, heat stroke can lead to death.

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Check the weather forecasts. Stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts on FOX Weather and the National Weather Service to better understand the impacts of excessive high temperatures.

If you have a medical condition that could be impacted by a prolonged period of heat, talk to your doctor about how to prepare.

Know what to do in case of a power outage. Have a plan if the power goes out. Keep a cooler and ice at the ready for any refrigerated medications and necessary food and water.

Keep windows closed and covered to keep the home cool during a period of extreme heat. As tempting as it can be to open the blinds and windows during a hot, sunny day, it can drastically increase the temperature inside a home.

Try to limit using the oven during a heat wave to reduce the temperature inside the home. Ovens can also raise the temperature.

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Use air conditioning as much as possible. The National Weather Service said electric fans only work if the temperature is lower than the 90s.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration during extreme heat is very dangerous. Stay hydrated by drinking water and electrolyte drinks to help replace the water and minerals lost while sweating, the American Red Cross said. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

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Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light clothing doesn't absorb sunlight as easily as dark colors do. Lightweight, breathable materials like linen, cotton and muslin are all great for hot temperatures.

Avoid high-energy activities during the day. Exercise indoors or before the sun comes up or wait until after it goes down to consider an outdoor workout.

Keep a close eye on your pets. Dogs and cats can overheat easily. Make sure you avoid long periods of outdoor exposure without shade or water and try to avoid asphalt and dark-colored pavement, so their paws don't burn.

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Never leave anyone or any pet inside a hot car. Even with a window open, a vehicle's interior temperature can rise very quickly. In 2024, 39 children died from heat stroke after being left in a hot car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Take cool showers or baths to help cool down.

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke should always be taken seriously. Know the signs and symptoms and seek medical attention if experiencing them.

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No matter the circumstances, it's important to take heat waves seriously. Though they may be short-lived sometimes, heat waves can also last for several days, sometimes up to a week.

For more safety tips and resources, visit heat.gov.

What is a medicane and how does it form?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:11:51 -0400

We have heard of hurricanes and know about how they form, but what about medicanes? It's a new term you may or may not have heard of — here's why it's important.

The American Meteorological Society said the term medicane is short for Mediterranean hurricane, and it has been used for more than two decades to identify storms that develop over the Mediterranean, yet appear similar to tropical cyclones.

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They aren't typically as strong as the hurricanes you might see in the Atlantic, like Hurricane Melissa, which was a Category 5 storm that ripped through Jamaica and caused catastrophic damage.

That's because medicines form in a smaller body of water, meaning the storms have less time to intensify.

Medicane Ianos was the most intense ever recorded, comparable to a Category 2 hurricane. The storm reached one-minute wind speeds of 44 meters per second, or roughly 98 mph.

A medicane also made landfall in Libya on Tuesday. The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies with the University of Wisconsin-Madison said the large storm forced a significant amount of dust from the Sahara to the Mediterranean.

Medicanes exhibit similar characteristics of a tropical storm, including a warm core and an eye, the institute said. With it being March, water temperatures are cooler, making it harder for a traditional tropical system to form.

Medicanes form from a mix of atmospheric processes and interactions between the ocean and the air. When the ocean–air interaction is stronger, they can develop more like hurricanes and become just as intense and damaging, according to the American Meteorological Society.

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These storms are hard to predict because models don't fully capture how the ocean and atmosphere interact during very strong winds, and they can miss smaller weather features that could still have a big impact, depending on how the storm develops.

That was the case with Storm Daniel — a medicane that intensified unexpectedly just before landfall and caused catastrophic flooding in Libya. Buildings were swept away and thousands of people died as a result of that storm.

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Another factor that contributes to the lower intensity of medicanes is Saharan dust, which can suppress the development of these storms in the Mediterranean, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

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The bigger concern with medicanes is that they make landfall on very dry land, which could result in a big dust storm, or haboob.

Extreme heat safety: Recognizing signs of heat illness and how to treat it

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:05 -0400

Heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and many don't realize how quickly heat illness can set in during periods of extreme heat.

Extreme heat is defined as temperatures of 90 degrees or higher combined with high humidity and lasting for two to three days, according to heat.gov.

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Additionally, extreme heat is anything that is much hotter than average for a specific location at a given time of year.

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When it is extremely hot outside, our bodies have a more difficult time staying cool and adapting to the weather. This can result in heat illness.

There are three types of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat cramps are often the first sign of heat illness. They often present as painful muscle cramps or spasms in the arms, legs or stomach, accompanied by extreme sweating.

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To treat heat cramps, apply firm pressure or gently massage the cramping muscles to relieve the spasms.

Try to get to a cooler environment as soon as you can, shed excess layers and sip water slowly unless nauseous, then stop drinking.

If the cramping lasts for longer than an hour, seek immediate medical attention.

A more severe form of heat illness is heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion presents as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness, along with cool, pale clammy skin and a fast, weak pulse.

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Muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting and headaches are often also symptoms of heat exhaustion.

To treat heat exhaustion, move to a cooler environment, preferably an air-conditioned room, and loosen or remove excess clothing as quickly as possible.

Apply cool, wet cloths and sit in a cool bath, if possible. Sip cool water.

Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting begins or symptoms persist or worsen for an hour or longer.

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and requires immediate medical attention.

Signs include a throbbing headache, confusion and slurred speech, nausea, dizziness and a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher.

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Additional signs of heat stroke can be red, hot, dry or damp skin, fainting or loss of consciousness and a rapid or strong pulse.

If presenting with any of these signs, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.

"Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal," the National Weather Service said.

While waiting for medical help, immediately get to a cooler place. Get into a cool bath and place cool cloths over the body.

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If the temperature is lower than the high 90s, use a fan to help cool down. The NWS said if temperatures are higher than the 90s, do not use a fan as it can make things hotter.

Under no circumstances should any fluids be consumed when experiencing heat stroke.

Everyone can be affected by heat.

People with chronic medical conditions, limited mobility or taking certain medications can be subject to heat illness more quickly.

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Babies and small children are at an increased risk for heat illness, along with pregnant women.

Older adults can also be at higher risk for heat illness.

To protect yourself from heat illness, limit outdoor exposure as much as possible.

Try to stay in the shade as much as possible when outside during the day during extreme heat or a heat wave.

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Wear hats or sun protection to keep your head cool and drink lots of water or hydrating fluids.

If outdoor activities can't be avoided, do them in the coolest parts of the day.

Here are the different ashfall alerts that could be issued during volcanic activity

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:27:09 -0500

Hawaii Island’s Kīlauea Volcano erupted for the 43rd time on March 10, spewing lava up to 1,300 feet into the air and sending plumes of smoke more than 30,000 feet above sea level.

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The explosion was so significant that tephra, a general term for fragments of volcanic rock, was reported falling across the park and in nearby communities. Some of the tephra measured up to five inches in size.

By the end of the eruption episode, about 16 million cubic yards of lava had covered half of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

During the volcanic activity, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Ashfall Warning due to the ashfall accumulation and light winds spreading tephra through nearby communities.

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Ashfall Warnings are extremely rare and are typically issued only when a volcano is undergoing a major eruption that could significantly impact the public. This includes situations where ashfall accumulation reaches one-quarter inch or more, or when significant volcanic debris, lava flows or lahar flows pose a hazard.

This most recent episode was the second time that an Ashfall Warning was issued for the Kilauea Volcano. The first one was issued this past January.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, there are other ashfall alerts that may also be issued when volcanic eruptions pose danger to residents.

One alert is an Ashfall Advisory, which is issued when a volcano is undergoing a minor eruption where the public will be affected by a limited hazard extent, such as less than one quarter inch of ashfall accumulation.

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Ashfall advisories are more common, with one being issued in February, two being issued in January and before that, in November 2022 and May 2018 for Kilauea activity.

Another alert is an Ashfall Statement. This alert is issued when the ash plume from an eruption rapidly diminishes and only trace amounts of ashfall are expected to affect the public.

Ashfall statements are also very rare and have been issued only a few times in modern records.

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Overall, these alerts are issued to protect the public from any danger that volcanic activity may cause.

Tornado safety: The safest areas to protect yourself and why to avoid overpasses

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:34:09 -0500

When a tornado occurs while driving, you need to think and act quickly. Many people believe stopping under a highway overpass is safe because it’s a sturdy concrete structure—a misconception reinforced by scenes in Hollywood movies as well.

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But in reality, the common misconception, in fact, is very dangerous.

Seeking shelter under an overpass is possibly one of the worst things you can do.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), hiding out under a highway overpass during a tornado actually puts you at greater risk of harm.

You can get seriously injured by flying debris from the strong tornadic winds or even worse, killed.

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"Flying debris becomes dangerous missiles in the tornado airflow," Ground Zero Storm Shelters said.

Flying debris can hurtle at incredible speeds, ranging in size, capable of penetrating clothing and skin, posing a serious risk of life-threatening injury or death.

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One can even get blown or carried away in the intense tornadic winds, the NWS said.

And being under the narrow space beneath an overpass can actually increase wind speeds under the bridge.

According to Ground Zero Storm Shelters, "If an overpass is directly in the path of a tornado, the wind could change direction by nearly 180 degrees as the vortex passes."

Instead of driving to the closest overpass, it's safer to remain inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened.

Ground Zero Storm Shelters said to keep your head below the windows and protect it with your hands and a blanket if available.

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If there’s a lower area nearby, such as a ditch or depression, carefully leave the car and lie down there, shielding your head with your hands.

If you can safely make it out of your car to a shelter, it is even better, as being in the car during a tornado is unsafe.

The NWS highlights how important it is to be proactive as well, like keeping up with the local weather news and alerts.

If you're in your house, you should go to the basement, safe room or any room away from windows and use blankets, mattresses or helmets to protect your head from flying debris.

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With over 30 confirmed tornadoes ripping through the Heartland in March in less than a week, the severe weather season is already ramping up, and it's important to know these tips and stay prepared.

From sea to land: NOAA satellites saved 300 people in 2025

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:36:12 -0500

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Tuesday that its satellites helped rescue 300 people in 2025 from life-threatening situations across the U.S.

Whether it was an injured hiker or a stranded boater, NOAA’s satellite tools assisted law enforcement and rescue teams during these operations.

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According to NOAA, 183 people were pulled from the water, 47 were saved from aviation incidents and 70 were rescued on land.

Florida had the most rescues with 71 people, followed by Alaska with 28 and Wyoming with 21.

One of the most notable rescues occurred in March 2025, when a stranded skier who was immobilized by frostbite issued a distress signal in Ridgway, Colorado.

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The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received the alert and contacted the Colorado Search and Rescue Association, which dispatched a rescue team to the skier’s coordinates.

NOAA utilizes the same polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites that meteorologists use to issue lifesaving weather forecasts.

These satellites are part of the global Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system, or COSPAS-SARSAT.

COSPAS-SARSAT began in 1982 and has helped rescue more than 63,000 people worldwide. This includes more than 11,190 rescues throughout the U.S. and its surrounding waters, which is part of the U.S. Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system (SARSAT).

SARSAT uses a network of U.S. and international spacecrafts to detect aircrafts, boats and personnel.

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Information collected at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility is immediately sent to rescue coordination centers operated by the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard.

The satellite data also supports rescue missions worldwide by relaying distress signals to international partners.

What is the difference between hail and graupel?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:44:38 -0500

After a harsh winter, many Americans are ready for warmer weather. But as the country transitions from cooler temperatures to warmer air, the threat of severe weather increases.

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With severe weather, many just think of thunderstorms or tornadoes. However, graupel and hail can also be present during severe storms.

So what is hail and graupel, and how are they different?

Hail is frozen precipitation that can occur during thunderstorms and tornadoes. At times, this is the hallmark of a strong thunderstorm.

Hail forms when drafts of air carry water droplets up into clouds high in the atmosphere where the air is below freezing. The water droplets collide with other droplets right before they freeze into ice, creating hailstones.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail can grow in different shapes and sizes. Typically, less than 1 to 4.5 inches.

In some cases, large hail can cause damage to aircraft, cars and homes.

While graupel is soft, small pellets formed when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snow crystals, a process called riming per NOAA.

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Most of the time, graupel is fragile and disintegrates when handled. If the rimming process is so intense, the snow crystal can grow to a semi-large size, but will remain less than 0.2 inches.

This makes graupel a lot less destructive than hail.

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In many cases, graupel needs temperatures to be 45 degrees or cooler at the surface in order to form.

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center debuts revamp to severe weather outlooks this season

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:25:52 -0500

As the severe weather season gets underway, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center is adding additional types of severe weather outlooks to their forecasts this year — designed to help people better prepare for expected tornadoes, wind gusts and hail.

Debuted on March 3, 2026, the revamped outlook marks a major milestone in how the risk of dangerous storms is communicated to the public before they happen.

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The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is a part of the National Weather Service (NWS) operating under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization (NOAA) and provides forecasts for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the U.S.

Currently, the SPC uses a five-level scale to communicate the severe weather threat for a particular area: "Marginal," "Slight," "Enhanced," "Moderate" and "High."

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While those categories will remain, the SPC is adding new "Conditional Intensity Groups" to highlight exactly how intense hazards like tornadoes, wind and hail will be.

Currently, the SPC draws a "hatched area" on outlooks to describe where particularly nasty hazards should be expected based on the environmental conditions and types of storms that are forecast.

In the image below, the hatched area is indicated by a black shape filled with small black lines, which indicate a significant threat of a particular type of severe weather.

Inside the hatched area signifies the potential for EF-2+ tornadoes, 75+ mph winds and hail greater than 2".

Whether it meant extreme straight-lined winds, destructive hail or catastrophic tornadoes, the old system hatching was the same whether the SPC was expecting a strong EF-2 or a dangerous EF-5 tornado.

The new CIG levels aim to better communicate the storm intensity the SPC expects in a certain area for a particular type of severe weather.

Going forward, in accordance with the SPC's Convective Outlook maps, CIG intensity groups will look like this in future FOX Weather graphics.

TORNADO INTENSITY

HOW ARE TORNADOES RATED? THE ENHANCED FUJITA (EF) SCALE EXPLAINED

At each intensity, there will be a small chance for a stronger tornado than the max rating shown. For that reason, FOX Weather graphics will feature a "+" sign.

WIND INTENSITY

WHAT IS A DERECHO?

HAIL SIZE

For over a decade, the "Marginal to High" risk scale has been the gold standard for severe weather preparedness, but the introduction of CIG marks the most significant evolution in SPC history since 2014.

If you’ve looked at the SPC maps issued today and noticed new hatching patterns or extra numbers, don't worry. The system hasn't become more dangerous, it’s just become much more precise.

The biggest takeaway is that the 1-to-5 Categorical Risk scale is not changing. You will still see Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 risks from FOX Weather. These still represent the probability and coverage of severe weather.

"It's a smarter way to be prepared and stay safe," SPC Meteorologist Evan Bentley said in a post on X.

Simply put, the introduction of Conditional Intensity Groups further communicate the specific threat of severe weather.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Level 1 shows that significant severe weather is possible.

Level 2 shows a dangerous environment with the potential for intense (EF-3+) tornadoes or extremely large hail.

Level 3 shows rare, historic outbreak-level intensity with violent (EF-4+) tornadoes or derechos.

What is quicksand and what to do if you become stuck?

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:27:06 -0500

Quicksand can be deadly if encountered, but how does it even form in the first place?

Quick sand is often portrayed in Hollywood as a very slow but deadly threat, where someone usually has to pull you out from your impending doom.

When in reality, real quicksand doesn’t suck people in the same way it does in the movies.

Quicksand is a mixture of sand and water, or sand and air, that looks solid but becomes unstable when disturbed by any stress or pressure, according to a study from scientificamerican.com.

"At higher stresses, quicksand liquefies very quickly, and the higher the stress, the more fluid it becomes," read a statement from the National Geographic.

This sort of traction causes a trapped body to sink when it starts to move atop the sand.

Most people do not realize that a person moving around in quicksand will never sink all the way to the bottom. The reason is that humans are not dense enough.

Most recently, a man in Florida was rescued by police after they found him up to his shoulders in quicksand.

On Wednesday, officials found a man shoulder deep in mud close to a borrow pit. He was able to talk to a rescuer as they began the tough task of saving the individual.

Initially, the first three responders used a rope to try to pull the man out of the thick quicksand, but were met with painful screams when they attempted to drag him out the old-fashioned way.

Eventually, after nearly two hours, rescuers dug the man out using ladders and other supplies, but he was lucky to be found by officials, as he was virtually camouflaged by his surroundings and nearly submerged.

Most quicksand occurrences occur in areas such as natural springs, riverbanks, and beaches at low tide, according to ScientificAmerican.com.

VIDEO: TWO RESCUED AFTER HOT AIR BALLOON CRASHES INTO 920-FOOT CELL TOWER IN TEXAS

According to a study by Daniel Bonn, a Physics Professor at the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute at the University of Amsterdam, the best course of action if you become stuck in quicksand is to wiggle your legs around to create space in the sand where water can flow through and loosen things up.

Water must be added to the sand to help reduce the flow resistance.

Slowly and progressively, by doing this technique, you can eventually escape from quicksand. Experts don’t recommend pulling a victim out, as this can be painful.

VIDEO: MISSING MAN RESCUED AFTER BEING BURIED TO HIS SHOULDERS IN QUICK SAND IN FLORIDA

Be sure to contact local authorities and first responders if you encounter quicksand while exploring nature.

What is thundersnow?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:07:06 -0500

Most people associate thunder and lightning with thunderstorms, but you shouldn't be surprised if you hear a rumble or two coming from the sky during heavy snow.

What is thundersnow? Thundersnow is exactly what it sounds like. It occurs when a thunderstorm meets winter weather, producing snow instead of rain, a rare weather phenomenon that's as hazardous as it is fascinating.

Though thundersnow is rare, it does happen, and it recently did during the historic '26 blizzard that brought a record amount of snow to various locations along the East Coast after hammering the Northeast.

HISTORIC BLIZZARD OF 2026 SMASHES SNOW RECORDS AS MILLIONS BEGIN TO DIG OUT FROM VICIOUS BOMB CYCLONE

Thundersnow occurs when a cold, dry air mass sits over a warmer, moist layer of air, which creates enough instability and upward motion, also known as convention, for electrical charges to build up within the storm clouds.

The recipe for thundersnow has three key ingredients: moisture, instability and lift.

During the historic nor'easter that slammed the Northeast, one New Yorker observed thundersnow lighting up the New York City skyline from their building.

While the rumble of thunder can be enough to make you jump, the lightning that accompanies thundersnow can illuminate the sky in a stunning natural display that is best enjoyed from the safety of indoors.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney said, "If we see thundersnow, that lightning as well as the thunder is just another indication that you have a really strong system."

DRONE CAPTURES INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF THUNDERSNOW OVER BUFFALO SKYLINE AMID HISTORIC SNOWSTORM

While it's exciting and rare to see lightning and hear thunder during a snowstorm – it's still just as dangerous as it would be during severe weather.

If you're outdoors during winter weather, and you see lightning or hear thunder, it's best to head back inside, where you can enjoy the snow from the comfort of your home.

Thundersnow can occur anywhere heavy snow is falling, and the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory said it can also be observed downstream of the Great Salt Lake and Great Lakes during lake-effect snowstorms.

One of Lake Michigan’s most sought-after missing ships, the Lac La Belle, discovered after nearly 150 Years

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:39:48 -0500

One of Lake Michigan’s most sought-after missing ships, the Lac La Belle, has been discovered by Pioneer Illinois Shipwreck Hunter and Scuba Diver Paul Ehorn, according to Shipwreck World.

The passenger steamer had vanished into the depths of Lake Michigan during a stormy night in October 1872.

Nearly 150 years later, Ehorn discovered the ship with its hull upright and remarkably intact.

Built in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lac La Belle was one of the most popular passenger steamers on Lake Michigan.

The ship spent its early years running routes from Cleveland to Lake Superior.

After an unfortunate collision in 1866, it sank in 25 feet of water in the St. Clair River but was raised three years later and fully refurbished.

SEE IT: DIVERS 'STUMBLE' UPON A 200-YEAR-OLD SHIPWRECK BENEATH LAKE ONTARIO

Milwaukee’s Englemann Transportation Company then purchased the Lac La Belle, which operated it on passenger routes to Grand Haven, Michigan, and ultimately led to its downfall.

On the night of October 13, 1872, the ship departed Milwaukee during a moderate gale carrying 53 passengers and crew, along with a cargo that included 19,000 bushels of barley, 1,200 barrels of flour, 50 barrels of pork, and 25 barrels of whiskey.

About two hours into the voyage, the ship began leaking uncontrollably from an unknown source. The captain attempted to return to Milwaukee, but the weather worsened, and large waves flooded the vessel, extinguishing the boiler fires.

The gale drove the ship south while it continued to sink. Around 5 a.m., the captain ordered the lifeboats lowered, and passengers and crew watched as the ship sank stern first.

WRECKAGE OF 2 BOATS THAT SANK DURING TERRIBLE STORM 100 YEARS AGO DISCOVERED IN LAKE SUPERIOR

As the lifeboats headed to shore, one capsized, leaving eight people to their death, while other lifeboats reached land from Racine to Kenosha, recounting the harrowing events of the sinking to reporters.

When Ehorn became a certified scuba diver in 1960 at the age of 15, he began taking an interest in Great Lakes shipwrecks, according to Shipwreck World, and started searching for wrecks in 1965.

He eventually found some of the Great Lakes' most interesting shipwrecks, with one being the Senator, a big steel automobile carrier, in 2005.

Ehorn has a love for old wooden steamers, which drew his interest to the Lac La Belle. He said via Shipwreck World, "As a woodworker myself, I appreciate the hand craftsmanship that went into these early vessels. The Lac La Belle was close to home for me and is a wreck that’s always been on my radar."

With the location of the sinking poorly known, many other wreck hunters had searched for it without success.

In 2022, wreck hunter and maritime historian Ross Richardson discovered a historical clue that narrowed the grid down significantly, according to Shipwreck World.

Ehorn and his partner Bruce Bittner embarked with Ehorn’s Klein sidescan sonar, prepared for an extensive search.

Approximately two hours into their second pass, a large object appeared on the sonar screen, and they immediately reversed course to examine it at higher resolution, revealing the unmistakable hogging arches of the Lac La Belle.

Ehorn said via Shipwreck World, "It was a moment of real jubilation. We knew we had done it."

Poor weather and the distance of the wreck prevented Ehorn from investigating the wreck for almost two years.

HOW WEATHER TURNED THE GREAT LAKES INTO A SHIPWRECK GRAVEYARD

Now 80 years old, Ehorn recruited divers John Janzen and John Scoles to dive and film the wreck.

"Although her superstructure is blown off, you can see all of her wooden framing and some of her cargo is visible," stated Ehorn via Shipwreck World.

Ehorn’s plans to create a 3D photogrammetry model, recording the condition and layout of the wreck in detail before revealing the location.

HOW TO WATCH FIX WEATHER

Ehorn will present the discovery in person at the 2026 Ghost Ships Festival, taking place on March 7, 2026, at the Inn on Maritime Bay in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

What is icebreaking and why is it important?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:58:47 -0500

When ice forms on major waterways in the wintertime or in year-round cold climates, it can seize up marine traffic, not allowing boats to pass through, and often even trapping them in ice.

In order to free these boats from the ice, an icebreaker boat is used to help break up the ice surrounding the boat to allow them to move freely through the water.

CARGO SHIP CARRYING THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES SINKS OFF COAST OF ALASKA

The U.S. Coast Guard is one agency that deploys icebreakers in the winter to help keep critical operations along major waterways running.

Icebreaker ships are made with extremely thick steel, which is often reinforced at the bow and waterline, and are equipped with powerful diesel-electric engines which generate enough force to push the ships through ice, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area Public Affairs teams.

The ships are designed to withstand the pressure of breaking through ice and have a sloped or rounded bow which allows the vessel to ride up onto the ice and use its own weight to break it from above, the Coast Guard said.

WATCH: US COAST GUARD ICE BREAKERS PLOW THROUGH CHUNKS OF ICE ON NEW YORK'S HUDSON RIVER AMID EXTREME COLD

There are two types of icebreaking done by the Coast Guard: polar icebreaking and domestic icebreaking.

Polar icebreaking is done using three ships: USCGC HEALY and USCGC STORIS, which are medium icebreakers, and USCGC POLAR STAR, a heavy icebreaker.

WATCH: CRUISE SHIP TRAPPED IN PACKED ICE RESCUED BY US COAST GUARD IN ANTARCTICA

The Coast Guard also operates a fleet of small icebreakers, which include nine Bay-class tugs and the USCGC MACKINAW, which primarily operate on the Great Lakes and Northeast Districts as part of the domestic icebreaking mission.

Additionally, the Coast Guard said it operates five 65’ small harbor tugs that are used to clear shallow water rivers and harbors that are inaccessible to their larger icebreakers.

The Coast Guard’s Juniper Class sea-going Buoy Tender fleet is "ice-capable" and has the ability to break up to 36" of ice through backing and ramming, the agency said.

The Coast Guard said its icebreakers are managed by a series of long-standing operations, each with a certain geographic focus and triggers based on ice conditions and commercial needs.

PHOTOS: CANADIAN COAST GUARD SHIP GLAZED IN THICK ICE FROM INTENSE WINTER WEATHER

The agency said when a commercial shipping vessel is beset by ice, an icebreaking ship assists by cutting a relief track alongside the stuck vessel, which relieves pressure that is holding it in place.

This process continues until the beset vessel is freed, and the icebreaker will generally lead the vessel through the waterway until it can continue unassisted.

Polar icebreaking is done in the ocean and is sent on pre-planned patrols, normally in the higher latitudes or polar regions.

Great Lakes

Icebreaking in the Great Lakes is divided into two main operations: Operation Taconite and Operation Coal Shovel.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Operation Taconite is the largest domestic icebreaking operation in the United States, covering the northern Great Lakes, including Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, the St. Marys River, the Straits of Mackinac and Green Bay, the Coast Guard said.

Operation Taconite's main mission is to keep critical waterways open for the movement of iron ore and other critical cargo.

Operation Coal Shovel covers the southern Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and southern Lake Huron, as well as the St. Clair/Detroit River system.

As its name suggests, Coal Shovel's main mission is to facilitate the transport of coal and other vital resources to industrial centers and communities, the Coast Guard said.

US COAST GUARD FREES SHIPS DURING ICEBREAKING OPERATIONS FROM NEW YORK HARBOR TO GREAT LAKES

In addition to that, the operation also plays a crucial role in flood mitigation by breaking up ice jams and providing emergency assistance to ice-bound communities that need food, heating oil or medical access.

Northeast

In the Northeast, Operation RENEW is one of the Coast Guard's icebreaking missions.

RENEW is focused on keeping ports and waterways, primarily along the Hudson River, accessible for maritime traffic, the Coast Guard said.

SEE IT: COAST GUARD CUTTER FREES NYPD VESSEL FROM ICEBOUND HUDSON RIVER

Other icebreaking missions in the Northeast ensure the delivery of home heating oil and other critical supplies during the winter.

"These icebreaking missions are vital for preventing fuel shortages in communities that rely on maritime transport," the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area public affairs teams said.

The Coast Guard said states in New England use 85% of the United States' home heating oil, 90% of which is delivered by barge.

Crews operating icebreaking boats, particularly in the polar regions, often work in extremely cold and remote conditions.

Ice conditions can change rapidly depending on the weather and water currents, making navigation difficult and even dangerous for a vessel that's underpowered, the Coast Guard said.

US COAST GUARD UNVEILS FIRST POLAR ICEBREAKER IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS

The Coast Guard said the constant impact of ice on the icebreaker ships puts an enormous strain on the ship's hull and machinery, leading to frequent maintenance.

Additionally, some of the Coast Guard's icebreaker ships have been around since the 1960s, the agency said, and as the ships age, even more maintenance is required.

RESTORING HUDSON RIVER ECOSYSTEMS IS ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE DOLPHIN AND WHALE SIGHTINGS

"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides funding for medium and light domestic icebreakers to recap the aging icebreaking fleet," U.S. Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area Public Affairs teams said.

On Wednesday, the Coast Guard announced contracts for 11 new Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling President Trump's directive to rapidly expand the country's icebreaker fleet. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028. Click here for more information.

Here's how this unique ice volcano forms in Upstate New York

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:04:33 -0500

NEW YORK - A unique phenomenon appeared in an Upstate New York park as frigid temperatures consumed the Northern Tier of the U.S. and encased most of the region in snow and ice.

Located in Letchworth State Park, an ice sculpture also informally known as an "ice volcano" has developed during these below-freezing temperature days.

The ice volcano is associated with Letchworth Park, which has grown into one of the park's top winter attractions. So how does it form?

CAUSE AND EFFECT: HERE'S HOW DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES PRODUCE SPECIFIC TYPES OF 'EFFECT SNOW'

The sculpture is a cone formed from thousands of icicles as a result of a gravity-fed fountain system.

Water from a higher-elevation reservoir or tank flows downhill into a chamber that compresses air, which then forces the water vertically through a spout.

This creates a powerful fountain without the need for pumps.

Since the water is being forced upward so quickly and with so much pressure, it doesn’t freeze right away, even during very cold temperatures. But once the water falls back down and hits the surrounding surfaces, it begins to freeze.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Over time, ice builds up as more water sprays and freezes on contact. As this process continues, the accumulating ice gradually grows taller and wider, eventually taking on a cone-shaped appearance. Thus, creating the ice volcano.

Due to the numerous freezing cold temperatures this year, the ice sculpture has grown to record heights. As of Feb. 9, it was reported that the volcano was about 30-feet tall.

HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM DANGEROUS WINTER ICE

The structure will keep on building upward as long as the fountain continues to operate and temperatures remain cold enough for freezing to occur.

Here are the coldest games in NFL Super Bowl history

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:06:15 -0500

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The biggest game in American sports, the Super Bowl, kicks off this weekend as the New England Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Since the merger of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) on June 8, 1966, the Super Bowl has been held every year between the two conferences.

FROM COLDEST TO HOTTEST: HERE ARE THE WILDEST SUPER BOWL WEATHER MOMENTS IN HISTORY

Despite the big game normally taking place in tropical or climate-controlled locations, there have been some instances of cold-weather Super Bowls in its 60-year history.

Let's break down the top five coldest Super Bowls in NFL history, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Super Bowl 19 featured a pair of Hall of Fame QBs battling it out for iconic franchises in NFL history, with Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers matched up against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.

The game, held in Stanford, California, which is generally known for its warm weather, ranks fifth on our list of the coldest Super Bowl games.

HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES IT TAKE TO POWER THE SUPER BOWL? THE ANSWER WILL SHOCK YOU

On Jan. 20, 1985, the temperature was 53 degrees for this game as fans in the stands were seen wearing furry coats and jackets to stay warm.

Montana threw for a then-Super Bowl record 331 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP of the game. This was the second championship for an organization on its way to building a dynasty full of Hall of Famers.

Coming in fourth place is Super Bowl 8, featuring the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 13, 1974, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. Temperatures were recorded at 50 degrees.

In a fairly unexciting game, the Dolphins dominated behind the helm of Hall of Fame Head Coach Don Shula, winning their second consecutive Super Bowl and third straight appearance.

Dolphins legend Larry Csonka set a then-Super Bowl record with 33 carries and 145 rushing yards, along with two touchdowns on the day.

HISTORIC WINTER STORM KILLS OVER 80, IMPACTS MILLIONS ACROSS MORE THAN 40 STATES

On Feb. 2, 2014, the Seattle Seahawks faced off against the Denver Broncos in one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the game’s history. This is the only Super Bowl to take place in a cold-weather city, playing at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This was highly anticipated, as the Broncos had the league’s best-ranked offense going up against the Legion of Boom, the league’s best-ranked defense.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Temperatures for this game were recorded at 49 degrees, which isn’t as bad as expected for an outdoor game taking place in the middle of winter.

The weather didn’t have much impact on either team, as the Seahawks dominated from start to finish, smashing NFL MVP Peyton Manning and the Broncos by a score of 48-8, winning their first-ever Super Bowl.

NOR'EASTER 'BOMBS' OUT AFTER SLAMMING CAROLINAS, VIRGINIA WITH RECORD SNOW, BLIZZARD CONDITIONS

QB Russell Wilson solidified himself as a Seahawks legend, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Marshawn Lynch had 15 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown.

An iconic moment of this game included an 87-yard kick return touchdown from wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Coming in as the second-coldest game in Super Bowl history, we have the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings. This would be Minnesota's second consecutive Super Bowl appearance after losing to the Dolphins the previous season.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, temperatures reached 46 degrees on Jan. 12, 1975, in New Orleans.

DO THE NFL'S COLD WEATHER TEAMS HAVE AN EASIER ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL?

Pittsburgh’s stonewall defense held the Vikings to only 199 yards of total offense in a game the Steelers won 16-6, earning the franchise its first Super Bowl championship.

Running back Franco Harris was unstoppable, running all over the Vikings’ defense, rushing for 158 yards and a touchdown. He earned himself Super Bowl MVP.

The coldest Super Bowl game in NFL history was the Dallas Cowboys versus the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 16, 1972.

Temperatures for this game were 39 degrees in New Orleans, which is normally known for warm-temperate conditions.

WHAT IS FOX WEATHER'S 'ROWI'?

The Cowboys, led by Hall of Fame Head Coach Tom Landry, steamrolled the Vikings’ defense with Roger Staubach at the helm of the offense, throwing for two touchdowns on the day.

Dallas would go on to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history by a score of 24-3.

WATCH: US COAST GUARD ICE BREAKERS PLOW THROUGH CHUNKS OF ICE ON NEW YORK'S HUDSON RIVER AMID EXTREME COLD

Luckily for fans, they will not encounter temperatures anywhere near those of past matchups.

Meteorologists at the FOX Forecast Center expect temperatures to start in the mid 60s and cloudy skies by kick-off at 6 p.m, giving this matchup a low ROWI (risk of weather impact).

Snow melters: What are they and how do they work?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:11:58 -0500

It has been an extremely active winter, with back-to-back snowstorms and below-freezing temperatures causing massive amounts of snow to accumulate and linger.

Snow has covered roadways, sidewalks and driveways, making it difficult to maneuver around cities.

The buildup has become so overwhelming in some cases, that the snow becomes unsanitary.

NORTHEAST BRACES FOR DANGEROUS, COLDEST WEEKEND OF THE WINTER AHEAD OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WARM UP

The persistent winter conditions have made it tough to get rid of pesky snow, but fortunately, there are effective systems designed to help clear it and prevent further buildup.

Snow melt machines are systems that are designed to remove snow by using warm fluid, flame burners or hot water. The melted snow water is then discharged into a storm drain, sewer or onto the ground.

SORE FROM SHOVELING SNOW? HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

This helps prevent the build-up of snow and eliminates winter maintenance labor such as shoveling, plowing and spreading de-icing salt.

There are three types of snow melters: mobile, semi-mobile and stationary.

Mobile snow melters drive down a street or along a rail line, collecting snow and melting it. They often have a holding tank so that the melted snow can be poured out at a designated location.

MEDICAL EXPERTS WARN SHOVELING SNOW CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH

Semi-mobile units have wheels and are moved into a particular position and then loaded with snow by another machine.

Stationary snow melt equipment is built into the ground. The snow is then loaded up into collection trucks or snowplows and brought to the machines.

Cities from Kansas City, Missouri, to Boston, Massachusetts, have been utilizing snow machines to cope with the brutal winter conditions this year.

NEXT ROUND OF SNOW BEGINS ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EAST, LATE-WEEK STORM COULD CAUSE TRAVEL TROUBLE

Some cities, like Baltimore, Maryland, have even borrowed snow melt machines from neighboring municipalities to help manage the heavy snowfall.

In New York City, the Department of Sanitation deployed eight snow melters to assist with removing snow from streets, sidewalks and bus stops that would have otherwise lingered for weeks.

HOW CAN SNOW MELT WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING?

These hot tub snow melters can roughly melt 60 to 120 tons of snow per hour. They are stationed around Lower Manhattan, where large amounts of snow are dumped into the melting tubs. The water is then discharged directly into a sewer.

This was the first time in five years that New York City needed to use snow melters.

Meanwhile, the city of Holland, Michigan, uses an underground snow melt system to manage the harsh Midwest winter weather. They have had snow-free streets since 1988.

Through 190 miles of heated tubing laid underneath the pavement and sidewalks, and connected to Holland’s BW Power Plant, water circulates through the town to melt large amounts of snow.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The system pumps over 4,700 gallons of water per minute at 95 degrees and can melt about one inch of snow per hour.

According to the City Hall of Holland, it is the largest publicly-owned snow melt system in North America.

Cause and effect: Here's how different temperatures produce specific types of 'effect snow'

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:59:28 -0500

The recipe for snow is simple, and it doesn't have anything to do with turning your pajamas inside out or putting a spoon under your pillow.

In some unique scenarios, it comes down to a cause and effect that differs from traditional snowstorms: when cold air interacts with warm water, the temperature difference can produce snow.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BLOWING, DRIFTING SNOW

"Usually we see snow ahead of a cold front like a clipper system, north of a warm front like a nor'easter, but another way is through a temperature gradient between the warmer air near the surface of a water mass and the cooler air above," FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera said.

"The difference in the temperature promotes the upward motion, it leads to the development of clouds and then eventually the snowfall," he continued.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The most popular scenario that triggers this type of set-up is the one you see most: lake-effect snow.

While the lake-effect is the strongest of this kind of snow set-up, it has a number of lesser-known "cousins" that produce snow in unique ways that all stem from the interaction between cold and warm temperatures.

Americans living in proximity to Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes are no stranger to lake-effect snow because of the extremely harsh winter weather conditions it can bring to those communities.

WHAT IS LAKE-EFFECT SNOW?

Feet of snow, whiteout conditions, snow blowers and shovels – these are all commonly used terms when lake-effect snow pummels areas downwind of the Great Lakes during the late-fall and winter months.

Lake-effect snow develops when cold, dry air, often originating from Canada, flows across the relatively warmer waters of the Great Lakes and, in the most intense scenarios, can hammer the Great Lakes region with heavy snow.

WATCH: LAKE-EFFECT SNOWS BRING WHITEOUT CONDITIONS ON I-90 ALONG LAKE ERIE

Chicago is a major city that often falls under the bullseye of lake-effect snowbanks, in addition to smaller suburbs neighboring the Great Lakes.

As that cold air passes over the Lakes, warmth and moisture from the water are picked up and transferred into the lowest portion of the Earth’s atmosphere. This rising air condenses into clouds, which can grow into narrow bands that are capable of producing snowfall rates on the order of 2 to 3 inches per hour or more, according to the National Weather Service.

HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM DANGEROUS WINTER ICE

A recent example of ocean-effect snow happened when a powerful nor'easter charged up the East Coast, and brought snow to the Boston area.

"You have got relatively warm water over the ocean, very cold air above, and we see that move over the ocean and onto the land," Herrera said.

The setup is very similar to that of lake-effect snow, but occurs over the ocean instead of the Great Lakes.

"This was in the wake of a bomb cyclone, and all that cold air that dragged down to the surface was the perfect setup for ocean-effect snow all around portions of Boston," Herrera said.

WHAT IS A BOMB CYCLONE?

On the west coast of Florida, even in the winter, snow is uncommon.

FREEZING IN FLORIDA: ARCTIC CHILL REACHES SUNSHINE STATE, BREAKING RECORDS AND CAUSING POWER DISRUPTIONS

However, in the rare event that frigid temperatures reach the Sunshine State, the interaction between the cold temperatures and warm water could produce a rare snow event.

For the first time since 2010, flurries stemming from gulf-effect snow were seen on Florida's gulf coast.

The extremely rare snow event stemmed from an arctic blast that reached into the Deep South, setting the stage for the infrequent stand-off between freezing temperatures and the warm gulf water, creating a significant enough difference to bring flurries to Florida.

HOW COLD DOES IT NEED TO BE IN FLORIDA FOR IGUANAS TO FALL FROM TREES?

The rare temperature interaction isn't limited to massive bodies of water along a coastline.

River-effect snow can produce light snow when cold winds blow over warm unfrozen winter waters.

An example of river-effect snow can be observed in Nashville, over the Cumberland River, when the interaction produced light snow that was observed on live cameras.

WINTER STORM POWER OUTAGE GUIDE: MUST-HAVE ITEMS TO STAY SAFE AND WARM

"Some frigid winds lined up over the Cumberland River in Nashville just enough for that temperature difference to take effect," Herrera said.

Sometimes you don't even need a body of water to produce a temperature difference strong enough to produce snow.

"This is the wildcard," Herrera said.

Industrial-effect snow occurs when a man-made facility like a steel plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, releases steam into the atmosphere and interacts with an arctic air mass that creates snow showers over the city.

Nor'easter: What causes these powerful storm systems?

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:20:52 -0500

Winter is here and so are nor’easters.

A nor’easter is a powerful low-pressure system that forms along the East Coast of North America.

HOW HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER

Named after the direction in which the strongest winds blow, this powerful coastal storm mainly impacts states along the Eastern Seabord in New England, the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. are especially vulnerable due to its proximity to the coast.

Nor’easters are most frequent from September through April when the jet stream is at its strongest but can occur any time of the year. They cause high wind gusts, snow, rain, rough surf and occasional coastal flooding.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED ROAD

These powerful storms begin to form 100 miles off the coast between Georgia and New Jersey, which is the perfect spot.

There must be a dip in the jet stream that blows cold air southward out of Canada and sends it eastward towards the warm Atlantic Ocean. Once the warm water and the cold arctic air meet, a low-pressure system forms, fueling a nor’easter.

The contrast between the warm water and the cold arctic air provides enough instability and energy that is needed for these storms to develop.

Nor’easters then move northeastward towards New England and Canada in order to reach their maximum intensity.

Wind direction plays a huge factor in defining a nor’easter. During a nor’easter, winds blow from the northeast off the Atlantic Ocean. If winds are coming from the East or Southeast during the storm, then that system is not considered a nor’easter.

This type of storm is also associated with a strong low-pressure system off the East Coast.

As long as the storm has all the right ingredients, a nor’easter can start at any point of the year.

If the systems end up bringing northeasterly winds to the East Coast during the fall and temperatures are in the 50s, then the precipitation would fall as rain. But if the system formed in the winter when temperatures were in the 20s, then the precipitation would turn into snow.

Nor’easters have two types of storms.

First is Miller Type-A. This type of nor'easter is more common during a La Niña pattern and forms in the Gulf of America or southwest Atlantic, and then travels along the coast.

This type of storm happens when a strong polar jet dips southward and meets a low-pressure system.

The NWS says this is considered the classic nor’easter.

The system’s origin point is often a frontal boundary that is draped across the Gulf Coast and Florida.

As the low moves up the Eastern Seaboard, the system usually rapidly intensifies with significant snowfall likely in the mid-Atlantic and into areas of the interior Northeast.

Due to the system’s trajectory, large chunks of the I-95 corridor tend to miss out on the heavy snow, with rainfall that cuts down on accumulation rates.

WHAT IS THE POLAR VORTEX?

The other type of nor’easter is Miller Type-B. This is when the nor’easter starts in the Midwest and moves eastward before falling apart around the Appalachians.

The center later redevelops along the East Coast and produces a more significant storm system than compared to the first area of low pressure.

This type of storm usually occurs in autumn or the winter months and can produce intense blizzard conditions, hurricane-force winds and significant coastal erosion.

Due to the development zone, severe weather across the Southeast is often not a threat, but the risk for significant travel disruptions across the Northeast is usually greater because of less warm air entrained in the nor’easter, which means a greater chance of ice and snow.

A Miller Type-B is rather tricky to forecast due to the center essentially jumping around.

These are the biggest ice storms to ever impact the US

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:25:15 -0500

More than 240 million people across more than 40 states are in the path of a potentially historic winter storm that's expected to deliver crippling snow and ice across the U.S.

Several states, including Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, have declared states of emergency while Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for more than 130 counties as the storm approaches.

WHAT ARE ICE STORMS AND WHY ARE THEY DANGEROUS?

According to the FOX Forecast Center, over 15 states will experience ice accretion, with some regions seeing over 0.50 inches of ice.

State officials are preparing for the worst as the heavy ice will likely take down power lines, freeze pipes and create hazardous driving conditions.

HOW MUCH ICE IS NEEDED TO KNOCK OUT POWER, DAMAGE TREES?

Energy companies are mobilizing additional crews in anticipation of widespread power outages caused by the intense ice accumulation.

Ice buildup poses a serious threat due to its weight. Just half an inch of ice can weigh approximately 281 pounds, while one inch can weigh as much as 749 pounds.

Areas receiving 0.25" of ice or less may experience minor power outages, light icing on trees and coated windshields. Regions seeing between 0.25 and 0.50 inches of ice can expect numerous power outages, some tree damage and dangerously slick roads.

Locations forecast to receive more than 0.50 inches of ice are likely to face widespread power outages, significant tree damage and treacherous travel conditions.

This is not the first time the U.S. has faced severe ice storms. Over the years, several powerful winter systems have impacted the nation, leaving lasting marks on communities and infrastructure.

Here are four of the worst ice storms to ever strike the U.S.

In February 1994, temperatures were around 70 degrees across the Delta, but as a cold front pushed through the area, a moderate rain shower began.

Throughout the night, temperatures began to fall into the low 30s and high 20s, resulting in intense freezing rain and sleet.

SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN AND HAIL: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Most of the Delta was covered in ice, causing widespread damage to power lines and lingering dangerous cold left about 750,000 people in the dark, some for up to a month.

This catastrophic storm, also known as the Great Ice Storm, hit during the first two weeks of 1998 and devastated parts of northern New England, northern New York and parts of Canada.

The heavy rain associated with a warm moist air mass spread a shallow, but dense layer of cold air, producing ice accumulations in excess of three inches.

The Great Ice Storm of 1998 caused massive damage to trees and electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages.

Millions were left in the dark for weeks and, in some instances, for months. At least 34 people died.

A devastating freezing rain/ice storm event struck Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and Southeast Oklahoma on Dec. 25 and 26, 2000.

This storm caused widespread power outages and travel problems. At one point, much of the city of Texarkana, Texas, was without power, phone service and water.

POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM TRACKER: LIVE RADAR, FORECASTS FOR SNOW, ICE WITH ACTIVE WINTER WEATHER ALERTS

Ice accumulations were estimated by observers to be as much as an inch in Southwest Arkansas.

HOW TO MEASURE ICE ACCRETION?

This was one of the worst ice storms to hit central North Carolina. It began in the late afternoon on Dec. 4 and ended in the early hours of Dec. 5.

The precipitation began as a mix of snow and sleet but then turned into freezing rain. A quarter inch of ice or more covered locations south of the 1-95 corridor.

Around 3 to 5 inches if accumulation was reported.

This storm caused damage to large trees and power lines, resulting in a record number of power outages.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

About one million people lost power in Central North Carolina for nearly a week.

Driving with snow on top of your car is illegal in several states across the US

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:15:02 -0500

Drivers that live in cold weather states are used to removing snow and ice off their vehicles after a massive storm.

But what many don't realize is that not only does the removal of ice and snow allow you to see clearly, but it also helps keep you and others safe on the roads.

REMOVING ICE FROM YOUR WINDSHIELD CAN BE EASY — IF YOU DO IT THE RIGHT WAY

In 11 states, including Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee and more, it is illegal to drive with piles of snow or ice on top of cars.

These rules are known as "ice missile" laws, named after the deadly frozen snow piles that could fly off unkept vehicles and cause deadly accidents.

Drivers who violate these laws could face fines as high as $1,500. Some states will even suspend or revoke licenses for those that violate these rules multiple times.

The buildup of ice and snow on a car or truck can obstruct a driver's view, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians or obstructions on the road.

Clearing the snow and ice off a car ensures that other drivers are able to see signals, headlines and taillights clearly.

In some states, if a driver causes an accident due to poor visibility, they may be held liable for damages.

POTENTIAL HISTORIC WINTER STORM TRACKER: LIVE RADAR, FORECASTS FOR SNOW, ICE WITH ACTIVE WINTER WEATHER ALERTS

On top of that, heavy snow can strain your windshield and potentially crack it.

According to Car and Driver, the buildup of frozen snow on a car can pose a serious risk to other drivers, since it is fairly common for heavy ice and snow to go flying through windshields.

In 2025, a truck driver’s dash camera captured a large block of ice smashing his windshield as he was driving during a winter storm in Kansas.

The truck was heading along Highway 50 when a block of ice flew off a passing car and smashed right into the windshield, shattering glass everywhere.

POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC WINTER STORM NOW THREATENS OVER 35 STATES, PROMPTS WINTER STORM WATCHES FOR MILLIONS

Another incident took place in New Hampshire when ice flew off the roof of a truck and smashed the window of a car, injuring the driver. The truck driver was charged with vehicle assault, reckless conduct and negligent driving.

In order to stay safe on the roads and to protect others, it is important to make sure the roof, hood and other areas of your car are cleared of snow.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

What are ice storms and why are they dangerous?

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:28:47 -0500

Winter weather brings a wide range of conditions, from mild inconveniences to severe threats, and with it comes the added hazard of ice storms.

But what exactly is an ice storm?

An ice storm occurs when freezing rain coats roads, trees and other exposed outdoor surfaces with a layer of ice, creating hazardous conditions.

DANGEROUS WINTER STORM BREWING LATE-WEEK ACROSS THE SOUTH, WIDESPREAD SNOW AND ICE POSSIBLE

During freezing rain, damaging ice accretions can make conditions extremely dangerous.

Ice accretion is different than snow accumulation, in the sense that significant ice accretions are a quarter of an inch or greater, and when compared to snow, several inches to a foot could be considered significant.

According to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC), heavy accumulations of ice can topple power and telephone lines, television towers and trees. Highways can also become extremely dangerous and sometimes even impossible to travel on.

MICHIGAN STATE PARKS CLOSE AS OVER 32,000 STILL WITHOUT POWER AFTER HISTORIC ICE STORM

Bridges and overpasses can become dangerous because they freeze before other surfaces.

So why does freezing rain occur? According to the MRCC, when rain forms in a relatively warm layer of air and falls through a shallow layer of subfreezing air, the rain is "supercooled," or still liquid as it falls through the cold layer near Earth’s surface.

When these "supercooled" raindrops strike the ground or objects below freezing, they freeze instantly, forming a layer of ice commonly called glaze.

The MRCC breaks down the severity of an ice storm based on the following factors, noting that urban areas tend to suffer more economic and physical damage than rural areas:

• How much rain falls and how much ice accumulates.
• The strength of the wind.
• Whether the storm hits an urban or rural area.

Other hazards from ice storms could include black ice, which is difficult to see and can typically lead to severe accidents.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

During ice storms, it’s important to be extra cautious on roads and around icy surfaces.

What factors go into a snow day for school districts?

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:31:53 -0500

The winter weather brings plentiful snow for people to enjoy all season long, but what factors go into a snow day for students?

For adults, winter usually means shoveling snow, cleaning off cars or slow commutes. At the same time, children look forward to playing outside in the snow and the chance of a school cancellation.

The safety of children is the top priority for schools, as icy roads for bus and car transportation are taken into account.

Black ice is a constant threat to drivers on the road during the winter.

For many school districts, it all comes down to whether kids can get to and from school safely.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), snow and ice are common causes of school closures, but extreme cold is another factor superintendents must consider.

Dangerous wind chills can be hazardous for kids waiting outside for the bus. Heavy accumulations of snow and ice can bring down trees and topple utility poles and communication towers, areas where kids could be waiting for buses, posing a serious risk.

Intense wind chills, along with the freezing weather, can increase the risk of frostbite, or even hypothermia.

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT IT?

"Exposed skin is especially at risk for frostbite when the air is cold, and winds are strong," a statement from the NWS reads.

But hypothermia can occur even at temperatures above 40 degrees if someone becomes cold and wet, according to the NWS.

Superintendents often refer to the hourly weather graph provided by the NWS, which includes detailed information on conditions for each hour of the day. This can help school officials decide whether to implement a two-hour delay or a full-day school cancellation.

HYPOTHERMIC HIKER RESCUED AFTER STRANDED IN WAIST-DEEP SNOW AMID WIND CHILLS NEAR ZERO

Although there is no magic number for how much snow must fall for schools to cancel, it comes down to the safety of students and faculty, as well as the district’s ability to ensure school parking lots and roadways are cleared and passable for drivers.

A town or city that's more prone to seeing snow might not cancel at the first sign of it, whereas schools in the South might be more apt to cancel due to the rarity of it.