Today's Weather News on Fox Weather

Severe storms to reignite threats of damaging hail, wind, possible tornadoes across Central Plains next week

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:34:46 -0500

Just as a multi-day of severe storms is moving through the Southern Plains, another round is already taking shape, continuing the start of severe weather season.

TORNADO THREAT INCREASES FOR MILLIONS ACROSS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA, AS SEVERE STORM SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring a renewed threat targeting the Central and Southern Plains early next week, bringing the potential for more damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes.

Currently, severe storms are engulfing the Southern Plains with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and damaging hail, as tornado threats increase.

With the potential rising, forecasters upgraded Thursday’s severe weather outlook to a Level 3 of 5 across parts of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, where EF-2 or stronger tornadoes are possible.

LIVE UPDATES: SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK TO HAMMER THE HEARTLAND WITH DANGEROUS TORNADOES

States are working to stay ahead and prepared, as Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated emergency response ahead of the severe weather. Meanwhile, City Utilities in Springfield, Missouri, is urging residents to prepare for potential power outages.

The Storm Prediction Center continues to highlight Friday as having the greatest risk of large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.

RARE BACK-TO-BACK SANTA ANA WIND EVENTS POSE POWER OUTAGE, HAZARDOUS TRAVEL RISK TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

This next round of severe storms is expected to move in Tuesday through Wednesday, as another significant dip in the jet stream is expected to move out of the Rockies and into the Central Plains.

PARADE OF STORMS TO EASE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DROUGHT AS FLASH FLOODING THREAT POTENTIAL RISES

Accompanying this will be a mid-level jet moving northeast ahead of the system, where abundant Gulf moisture will surge northward, increasing instability and allowing storms to develop.

This puts the Central Plains right in bullseye for hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes.

A level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk is already in place for portions of the southern and central Plains eastward into the Ozarks for Tuesday.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Severe storms pose a risk across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, with more likely to redevelop Wednesday afternoon as the air mass ahead of it becomes increasingly unstable.

The FOX Forecast Center will continue to monitor the threat as it's still early, and uncertainty remains regarding the exact timing and intensity of the storms.

Person dies after going in closed-off area of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii national park

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:08:40 -0500

HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — A person has died after reportedly entering a closed-off area near the Kilauea volcano within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The National Park Service (NPS) said they responded to an incident on Feb. 26 in a closed area on the east side of Kilauea caldera within the national park.

WATCH: HAWAII'S KĪLAUEA VOLCANO ERUPTS, SENDING RAGING LAVA FOUNTAIN 1,500 FEET INTO THE AIR

Officials said the volcano wasn't erupting at the time. Search and rescue crews conducted overnight operations in steep, hazardous terrain.

The next day, authorities found the individual and airlifted him from the area. He was pronounced dead at a nearby medical center, according to NPS.

The person who died is a 33-year-old Hawaii resident, but their identity is being withheld pending privacy considerations.

The Kilauea caldera has hazardous terrain, including unstable cliff edges and volcanic features. This area is closed to the public due to extreme danger, including potential landslides and cracks from tremor, especially near the Halemaʻumaʻu crater rim, according to the USGS.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The last Kilauea eruption happened on Feb. 15, 2026. It marked the 42nd time the volcano has erupted since Dec. 23, 2024. During that eruption, the south vent dropped rapidly, then jetted back up for about 30 seconds.

Volcanic activity is episodic, with eruptions separated by pauses lasting several days or more, and they can last as short as a few hours. The next eruption is expected to take place anytime between March 10 and 16, but the forecast window could change depending on the circumstances.

WATCH AS LAVA FLOW ERUPTS FROM KILAUEA CRATER IN HAWAII

Visitors are being reminded to remain in designated open areas and comply with all closures for their safety. The incident remains under investigation.

'Melissa' officially retired from future hurricane names following deadly destruction in Jamaica

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:34:30 -0500

The World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee has retired the name "Melissa" after the deadly hurricane, which is tied for the strongest hurricane to ever hit the Atlantic.

"Melissa" will not be used for another tropical cyclone again, being replaced on the rotation with "Molly," according to the committee.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28, 2025, after several days of monitoring by the National Hurricane Center.

Melissa was officially classified as the strongest and costliest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, causing millions of dollars in damage and killing at least 45 people in the country.

HURRICANE MELISSA TIES RECORD FOR STRONGEST HURRICANE IN ATLANTIC HISTORY

The NHC's Tropical Cyclone Report on Melissa shows that at least 95 people died between Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries.

The report showed that the storm's landfalling maximum sustained winds of 185 mph are now tied with Hurricane Dorian in 2018 and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, as the strongest hurricane in Atlantic history.

BEFORE AND AFTER SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWCASES EXTENSIVE HURRICANE MELISSA DESTRUCTION IN JAMAICA

Hurricane Melissa caused at least $8.8 billion in damage in Jamaica alone, according to the report.

"The risks associated with tropical cyclones are both real and increasing. It only takes one landfalling tropical cyclone to roll back years of development. And this was unfortunately the case with Hurricane Melissa," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

During a Hurricane Hunters mission into Melissa, a dropsonde recorded a 252 mph wind gust inside the storm.

RECORD-BREAKING 252 MPH WIND READING VERIFIED FROM HISTORIC HURRICANE MELISSA

This broke a record set in 2010 by Typhoon Megi as the strongest wind gust ever reported with a tropical system, according to the NHC report.

"Every forecast and warning is a lifeline for real people, and a constant reminder that our work is not just about science, but about saving lives," said Michael Brennan, chair of the Hurricane Committee, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, and director of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre Miami.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

"Molly" will first appear on the alphabetical hurricane name list in 2031, the WMO Hurricane Committee said.

Melissa is the first hurricane name to be retired since the deadly hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

Rare back-to-back Santa Ana wind events pose power outage, hazardous travel risk to Southern California

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:34:46 -0500

Southern California is set to see two back-to-back Santa Ana wind events this week, with the first round expected Wednesday and a more significant event starting on Friday.

The first event begins late Wednesday, when a trough swings through the region, allowing offshore winds to develop. These winds will peak late Wednesday into Thursday morning, with gusts up to 50 mph in most places and winds up to 65 mph in the higher elevations, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

The FOX Forecast Center said Santa Ana winds can last up to five days on their own, but seeing two distinct events so close together is unusual.

WHAT ARE THE SANTA ANA AND DIABLO WINDS?

Santa Ana winds happen when air from a region of high pressure over the dry, desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward towards low pressure located off the California coast, creating dry winds that flow east to west over the mountain passages in southern California, according to the National Weather Service.

These winds typically happen in the cooler months of the year, and can often bring along extreme fire danger risk if California is experiencing a dry season.

Fortunately, there is no wildfire risk associated with either of these Santa Ana wind events due to California's wetter-than-usual winter this year.

Santa Ana winds have elevated fire risks in the past, namely in January 2025, when the deadly Palisades and Eaton Fires erupted, fueled by strong winds.

RECOUNTING THE HEARTBREAKING LOSS CAUSED BY THE DEADLY PALISADES AND EATON FIRES 1 YEAR LATER

High Wind Warnings are in effect across southern California beginning Wednesday evening through at least Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles said residents should be on alert for the potential of localized downed trees and power outages.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH WIND WARNINGS

Hazardous driving conditions due to extreme wind and road debris are also possible.

NWS Los Angeles said the strongest winds will occur from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday.

The second and more significant Santa Ana event begins on Friday.

Wind gusts of up to 70 mph at higher elevations are possible.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Localized power outages, travel delays and downed trees could happen with this wind event as well.

The FOX Forecast Center said winds are expected to peak on Saturday afternoon, and diminish by Sunday.

North Carolina, Kentucky conduct statewide tornado drills, part of Severe Weather Awareness Week

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:01:56 -0500

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina and Kentucky conducted statewide tornado drills Wednesday, as part of the National Weather Service's (NWS) Severe Weather Awareness Week.

NOAA'S STORM PREDICTION CENTER DEBUTS REVAMP TO SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOKS THIS SEASON

Local NWS offices across the country choose different weeks out of the year to educate and refresh the public about various weather hazards.

Many offices in the Central US and the South will typically hold Severe Weather Awareness Week in March, which typically marks the beginning of the spring severe weather season in those parts of the country.

2025 SEVERE WEATHER SEASON STILL BUSIEST IN MORE THAN A DECADE

March is often characterized by a transition in seasons, where warm, moist air from the Gulf clashes with dry, cold air from Canada — resulting in severe thunderstorms.

According to the FOX Forecast center, March also often sees the first major regional tornado outbreaks, particularly across the Deep South and Southern Plains; the frequency and intensity of these events typically peak in May.

TORNADO SAFETY: HOW TO IDENTIFY THE SAFEST PLACES INSIDE YOUR HOME

In North Carolina, the state activated its State Emergency Alert System to transmit the drill on NOAA weather radio as well as local stations.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety also encouraged people to download its emergency preparedness app on ReadyNC.gov.

Kentucky conducted a similar statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning. Tornado warning sirens would be activated at the discretion of local county emergency management offices, as part of the test, the NWS office in Louisville said.

MULTIDAY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT, INCLUDING TORNADOES, TARGETS MILLIONS ACROSS TEXAS, PLAINS AND MIDWEST

Missouri and parts of western Kansas canceled their tornado drills that were originally scheduled for Wednesday due to the threat of actual severe weather in the area.

Virginia, Iowa and Nebraska are set to hold their statewide tornado drills next week.

According to the NWS, the safest places inside a home during a tornado is on the lowest floor possible and away from any windows or doors connected to the outside — typically a basement, bathroom or closet.

Soaking rain to slam I-95 corridor through the end of the week as temperatures warm up in the Northeast

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:00:39 -0500

The weather might be warming up, but don’t put those umbrellas away just yet! As one system exits, another will bring more rain to the I-95 corridor, with a widespread 1 to 2 inches possible from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts Thursday through Friday morning.

Some interior snow is also likely, with higher elevations in New England expected to see 3 to 5 inches.

LIVE UPDATES: DANGEROUS STORMS TARGET THE PLAINS IN FIRST POTENTIAL SEVERE STORM OUTBREAK OF 2026

After Tuesday’s system brought reports of ice and snow across parts of the region, there will be a brief lull before heading into Thursday as a warm front extending from a low-pressure system over the Midwest will advance into the Northeast.

Precipitation will transition mainly to rain — heavy at times — as warmer air surges northward along the I-95 corridor.

Rain is expected to move into Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the morning before expanding northward through the afternoon, with cities like Philadelphia, New York City and Boston expected to see steady rainfall as temperatures climb into the 40s.

The warmer temperatures allow for the chance of more rain.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO MARCH

Meanwhile, cold air will linger farther inland, especially across New England, likely allowing snow and freezing rain to develop into Thursday night, including portions of the Adirondacks in upstate New York, the Green and White Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, and eventually parts of Maine.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Upstate New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

PARADE OF STORMS TO EASE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DROUGHT AS FLASH FLOODING THREAT POTENTIAL RISES

Ice is also a concern with this storm system. Parts of the Northeast could see up to 0.25" of ice Thursday night into Friday morning.

Before conditions gradually improve Friday morning, these areas could experience travel disruptions.

Altogether through Friday, widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are possible from Pennsylvania through New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, with snowfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches expected in higher elevations across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

According to the FOX Forecast Center, more rain could be on the horizon for the weekend as a cold front approaches. However, most areas are likely to see rain due to southerly flow and much warmer temperatures rising into the 50s and 60s.

Tornado threat increases for millions across Texas and Oklahoma, as severe storm season gets underway

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:31:02 -0500

Millions across Texas, the Plains and Midwest are in the path of a multi-day severe weather threat as rounds of thunderstorms are expected to develop over the central U.S.

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has highlighted Friday as having the greatest risk of large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.

PARADE OF STORMS TO EASE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DROUGHT AS FLASH FLOODING THREAT POTENTIAL RISES

This stormy weather pattern across the middle of the country comes right on cue, as March marks the typical beginning of the spring severe weather season.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The multiday severe storm threat will continue through the end of the week. Storm chances later in the week will not be fueled by a sprawling cold front, but by a dryline that is forecasted to develop across west Texas and Oklahoma.

A dryline is a boundary between dry air moving out of the Rockies and extremely humid air pouring north from the Gulf.

WHAT IS A DRYLINE AND WHY IS ITS LOCATION IMPORTANT IN SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTING?

A level 3 out of 5 severe storm threat is now in place on Thursday for a narrow area in Western Oklahoma and portions of Northern Texas.

An upper-level trough will swing into the Southern Plains and a sharp dryline is expected to develop across West Texas by mid-Thursday morning. Ahead of the dryline, warm, moist air will become more plentiful with afternoon heating, allowing severe storms to develop.

Plenty of instability, moisture and shear will support the chances for large, damaging hail. Within the stronger storms, there will be enough spin — or wind shear — to produce a few tornadoes.

The main line of storms will start in West Texas and gradually move through parts of central Kansas and Oklahoma into the evening and overnight period.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, forecasters are warning of a significant tornado threat, with the potential for storms to reach EF-2 strength or even stronger. Using the NWS Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) new Conditional Intensity (CIG) tools, the SPC is able to differentiate these high-intensity threats, even when storm coverage remains scattered.

The severe storm threat continues to be a 3 out of 5 for Friday, as the dryline swings further east. However, winds will heighten the risk. Lower-level winds, approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, are expected to strengthen both to the north near Kansas City and to the south toward Oklahoma City and Dallas. This will give more support for more intense storms.

These features will significantly increase the potential for a severe storm outbreak. A more favorable area of wind shear will develop, creating an environment for supercells and an increased tornado threat.

WHAT IS A SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORM?

During the early evening hours, strong tornadoes are possible from Kansas City to Wichita to Oklahoma CIty as the best atmospheric conditions will be in place.

"Any storm that develops ahead of the main line of storms will have the best chance to produce a tornado," says the FOX Forecast Center.

Outside the threat of tornadoes, all other severe hazards are likely to emerge by midday Friday, continuing through the overnight hours and into early Saturday morning. Very large to monster-sized hail, greater than 3 inches in diameter, is a major concern on the northern side of the storm system.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the bottom line is a very active period of severe weather is beginning to take shape and will last into Saturday morning, impacting much of the Central and Southern Plains into the Mississippi Valley.

Video: Missing man rescued after being buried to his shoulders in quick sand in Florida

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:23:50 -0500

JACKSONVILLE, Flo. - A missing man was brought to safety in a harrowing rescue after being found shoulders deep in quick sand in Florida.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, it all started when a man was reported missing from Jacksonville. His last known contact was with his father on Feb. 14, and authorities later found his car abandoned on Feb. 23.

Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and requested a welfare check at his home after a search by plane yielded no findings.

Authorities learned that the man was depressed due to a recent break-up, and that's when a missing persons report was filed.

On Wednesday, the man was located shoulder deep in mud close to a borrow pit, which is a pit resulting from the excavation of material for use in embankments.

EARTH SWALLOWS WOMAN IN FEET OF QUICKSAND DURING MAINE BEACH WALK: 'I JUST FELL IN'

He was able to talk to an employee who couldn't reach him due to the unstable nature of the surrounding ground.

Video released from the sheriff's office shows the man covered up to his shoulders in mud, and he had sunk below the level of the grass surrounding the borrow pit, making him virtually camouflaged, according to officials.

Several fire and rescue crews tried to drag the man out of the mud using ropes, but were unsuccessful. Then, rescuers brought in ladders and other supplies to safely dig him out.

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

Because of the quick sand, crews had to work slowly so they wouldn't sink. Ladders, backboards and pallets were placed on the ground to provide a safe workspace to conduct the rescue.

He was eventually freed around 8:30 p.m. and he was flown by air ambulance to a trauma center in critical condition.

The sheriff's office said charges aren't being filed due to his mental health.

VIDEOS CAPTURE GIANT SINKHOLE OPENING UP IN MIDDLE OF ILLINOIS SOCCER FIELD

"We hope that he is able to recover from this ordeal both physically and mentally," the sheriff's office said on social media.

He was previously known to law enforcement due to a trespassing incident in 2023.

If you or a loved one is in need of help, you can contact the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by calling 988.

Storms easing Mississippi, Ohio Valley drought as flash flood threats increase, prompting water rescues

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:16:02 -0500

Heavy rain continues to move through the drought-stricken Mississippi and Ohio River Valley as a stretch of storms brings beneficial rounds of precipitation to the area through Tuesday, with the changing weather pattern bringing a wet start to spring.

These storms do come with a "but," however, as rainfall totals in some areas have already exceeded 2 inches and could reach up to 8 inches in some locations.

This poses a significant threat: after a prolonged drought, parched ground can act like a hard surface, causing more runoff and flash flooding rather than letting the water soak in like a sponge.

RARE SPLIT IN POLAR VORTEX TO USHER IN WARM WEATHER ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EASTERN US NEAR BEGINNING OF MARCH

With the persistent heavy rain, multiple states continue to be in the zone for flash flooding concerns through Sunday.

Portions of the region have been issued a level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat for Friday — except portions of Ark-La-Tex, where a level 2 out of 4 exists.

But the levels could increase as soils become more saturated and rainfall continues.

LARGE HAIL, POWERFUL WINDS BLAST ALABAMA, AS SEVERE STORMS PROVIDE NEEDED RAIN FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN SOUTHEAST

A series of upper-level disturbances will continue to emerge from the Rockies and track into the Southern Plains later this week, triggering more storm development as they enter a more moisture-rich environment.

The FOX Forecast Center said combined with an area of high pressure anchored along the East Coast, this pattern will help funnel deep Gulf moisture into the central United States.

Flood Watches continue through Thursday midday for Central and Southern Indiana and Ohio.

Just so far this week, Indianapolis, the city, the parade of storms, has almost completely erased its yearly deficit.

In fact, Tuesday marked the state's 7th wettest March day on record, with a staggering 2.59 inches of rainfall.

Springfield, Illinois, reached its 5th wettest March day on record with 2.32 inches, as well.

FLORIDA DROUGHT FUELS FIRE POTENTIAL AMID EXTREME DRY SPELL

One after another, rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain led to a Flash Flood Warning for Dallas, TX on Wednesday night, where inches of rain were reported and caused numerous roads to be shut down due to flooding, mainly in northeastern Dallas.

This has also promoted a few water rescues around the area due to high water levels.

Additional rounds of storms are expected Friday into Saturday across the Southern Plains, where the flood threat will persist and could even increase, with major cities, including Austin, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, and St. Louis potentially seeing heavy rain into Saturday.

That said, the drought's grip on Arkansas remains severe, affecting nearly the entire state.

Currently, extreme to exceptional drought covers about 29% of the region, and Little Rock is entering March with a 6-inch rainfall deficit from the winter season.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The projected "parade of storms" offers a chance to erase those recent losses in a single week. However, because the drought is a long-term issue, this rainfall is viewed as a significant first step toward recovery rather than a total solution.

As the weather pattern flips, the result is a setup producing multiple rounds of widespread rain, providing much-needed relief from serious drought.

Final round of storms delivers messy mix of snow and ice to Mid-Atlantic, Northeast

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:21:31 -0500

The winter-weary Northeast is seeing snow and ice on Tuesday as part of the final round of a three-storm sequence that has brought wintry conditions to much of the eastern half of the country.

As the first wave brought snow across the Northern Tier, followed by a second system, starting in the Midwest and impacting the Mid-Atlantic on Monday, the final wave on Tuesday primarily will focus on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Winter Weather Alerts are in effect for parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and into New England through Wednesday morning.

While major impacts are unlikely, the system may cause minor travel disruptions as far east as Washington, D.C., before delivering a final round of snow and ice to New England.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

While the majority of the precipitation will be rain, the air should remain just cold enough across parts of the Northeast to trigger the development of ice and snow, with the best chance for accumulating snow remaining north of I-90.

HOW HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER

While below-freezing air will stay trapped in the valleys, icing will be a concern across Pennsylvania, with some cold air damming possibly making freezing rain a concern in Virginia.

This round has the potential to produce up to 0.10 inches of ice.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, depending on how strong the southerly push of "warmer" air aloft will be, it will determine the threat across the North.

A stronger surge will allow for less snow, and an even greater coverage of freezing rain.

Currently, snow threats look to be in Upstate New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and northward.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

Totals from this round could be between 3–5 inches through Wednesday with the highest totals would likely be at higher elevations in New England.

For bigger I-95 cities, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC would be on the fringe of snow, ice and rain, with Boston having the greatest chance of being in a longer stretch of snow.

As the day progresses on Wednesday, any remaining snow chances will shift to rain from Washington, D.C. to Maine.

Crippling Florida freezes cost over $3 billion in estimated losses to agriculture

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:53:41 -0500

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Crippling freezes from the harsh winter have dealt a costly blow to Florida's booming agriculture industry, which thrives on the Sunshine State’s postcard-perfect ‘snowbird’ winters.

According to a report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, preliminary estimates reveal the recent freezes cost more than $3 billion in total estimated losses across the state’s agricultural sectors.

"Our preliminary estimate of over $3 billion in agricultural losses makes clear what we already knew: This was one of the most damaging freeze events for Florida agriculture in history. It is also clear that our state's farmers, ranchers, and growers – who we rely on daily to feed and nourish our communities – need timely and substantial support," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Freezing temperatures can kill plants entirely, spoiling plants for good or significantly damaging them. Florida's agriculture industry annually grosses billions thanks to favorable weather conditions that draw millions of tourists to the state every year. When prolonged cold stretches and severe winter weather dips into the Sunshine State, the results are devastating to many of the plants that aren't adapted to the cold.

The report details two winter weather events that brought unexpected, widespread damage across Florida, affecting many of the state’s most productive agricultural regions during peak seasonal growth and planting periods.

VIDEO: FIRST RESPONDERS RESCUE INJURED MANATEE MOTHER AND CALF IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Florida, like many parts of the Eastern U.S., has suffered a brutally cold winter. While it is detrimental to vacationers and "snowbirds" seeking refuge in the Sunshine State to get away from the cold, the prolonged cold spells ruin much more than a vacation.

Beyond the immediate harm to crops, the prolonged cold temperatures caused significant stress to a wide range of specialty crops, challenging farmers that haven't seen freeze events of this scale in decades.

According to the report, a total of 66 counties across Florida experienced freezing temperatures.

Florida ushered in the New Year and started off 2026 in freezing fashion.

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

The strong winter storm froze Florida to start the New Year and affected nearly the entire state, except for the Florida Keys, across several days during late December and into early January. The significant storm crippled travel and left lasting damage in the Sunshine State. While the unprecedented winter storm caused a significant headache for millions in Florida, the brutal winter was just getting started.

Florida froze again to kick off February, when arctic air locked in a firm grasp of the Sunshine State, setting freezing record-low temperatures across a wide swath of the state.

The freeze struck areas vital to Florida’s production of vegetables and melons, citrus, sugarcane, fruits, horticulture and aquaculture.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

While some producers managed to harvest, many faced challenges such as immature crops, windy conditions, limited labor or storage, and inadequate crop protection, leading to losses.

"I want to thank President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for their unprecedented support for our food producers, especially during times of crisis like this. They know that a strong domestic food supply is critical to our nation’s security, and Florida’s farmers feed America, especially during the winter," Commissioner Wilton Simpson said. "Working hand in hand with producer groups and our congressional delegation, we stand ready to accept and quickly administer federal block grant funding to support our impacted producers to recover, to replant, and to keep our nation fed."

Dozens of heat records broken across Southwest as Midwest, Northeast prepare for more snow

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:03:53 -0500

Multiple cities in the Southwest have seen record high temperatures this week, as the Midwest and Northeast buckle down for snow leading into the first week of March.

At least 20 new record highs were set across California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas on Friday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, high temperatures will remain 15 to 25 degrees above average this weekend.

RARE SPLIT IN POLAR VORTEX TO USHER IN WARM WEATHER ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EASTERN US NEAR BEGINNING OF MARCH

Through Sunday, more than 60 daily record highs could be set.

The West has been no stranger to record warmth this winter. More than 140 locations have recorded their warmest winter on record, while more 290 cities have experienced one of their top 10 warmest winters, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Additionally, a new national record was set in Falcon Dam, Texas, on Thursday at 106 degrees. It's now the hottest winter day ever.

MARCH SKYWATCHING GUIDE: CATCH A BLOOD MOON, PLANET CONJUNCTION, AURORAS AND MORE

The extreme warmth is expected to continue through the weekend for the West and Southwest, while the winter-weary Eastern U.S. readies for more rounds of snow and ice.

Texas has seen record heat since Thursday, when some cities saw their first 100 degrees day in 2026.

Temperatures in Laredo on Thursday topped out at 103, marking the city's hottest February day.

High temperatures continued Friday.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

Cities like Waco and Corsicana broke previous February record highs on Friday.

Waco recorded a high of 86 degrees, breaking its previous record of 84 set in 1918, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Denton tied its record high temp of 81 degrees set in 2007.

Arizona is also seeing record-breaking heat this week, with multiple new record highs and several records tied.

Yuma saw its warmest February day ever at 96 degrees on Friday, breaking the record of 95 set in 1986.

Phoenix's daily and monthly records were tied at 92 degrees.

HEAT KILLS MORE AMERICANS THAN FLOODING, TORNADOES, HURRICANES OR LIGHTNING

The FOX Forecast Center said Phoenix could tie or break its record highs again on Saturday.

In total, Phoenix has only recorded 90-degree temperatures nine times in February, including Friday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Record high temperatures were recorded across southern California on Friday, with multiple cities breaking daily or monthly highs.

San Diego set a daily record of 85, breaking the previous record by 1 degree set in 2020.

Downtown Los Angeles recorded 91 degrees on Friday, marking the first 90-degree February day in 10 years, and breaking the previous record high of 88 set in 2025.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

In Riverside, on Friday, high temperatures reached 93, breaking a record of 87 set in 1972, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.

El Centro tied both its daily and monthly records at 96 degrees on Friday.

Millions of people across 25 states in the winter-weary Midwest and Northeast face three different winter storms that are set to bring more snow and dangerous ice starting this weekend.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, snow will break out along the leading edge of cold air early Saturday across Montana and the Dakotas, before spreading to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes by Saturday evening.

THREE ROUNDS OF WINTER STORMS KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND, TARGETING MILLIONS IN MIDWEST, NORTHEAST WITH SNOW, ICE

The cold air and snow will then reach the interior Northeast early Sunday morning, with the most snow expected in cities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Albany, New York and Manchester, New Hampshire.

Large hail, powerful winds blast Alabama, as severe storms provide needed rain for drought-stricken Southeast

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:18:48 -0500

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Severe thunderstorms rumbled across Alabama beginning Thursday afternoon and lasting through the overnight hours, bringing hail, strong wind gusts and even a tornado to the northern and central parts of the state.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado damaged areas just southwest of Trussville in Jefferson County Thursday afternoon.

SPLIT IN POLAR VORTEX TO USHER IN WARM WEATHER ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EASTERN US NEAR BEGINNING OF MARCH

Social media video showed the tornado tearing across the area behind several stores, as the associated severe thunderstorm dropped large hail.

NWS crews will survey the damage later Friday. There's been no word on any injuries caused by the storms.

Trees were knocked down in nearby Center Point. Photos from the fire department showed large downed trees blocking a local road.

Hail accumulated in piles across backyards giving the appearance of snow.

The NWS received reports of hail 2 inches in diameter in St. Clair County.

Non-severe storms were ongoing Friday morning across southern Alabama as the system shifted east.

While severe storms caused damage, they are also bringing much-needed rain to the drought-stricken Southeast.

MASSIVE FLORIDA WILDFIRE SHUTS DOWN INTERSTATE 75 ALONG PART OF ALLIGATOR ALLEY AMID HISTORIC DROUGHT

Nearly 100 percent of Alabama is experiencing drought conditions, while Georgia and Florida have reached total drought coverage. Florida, in particular, is experiencing its worst dry spell in 25 years.

The cold front responsible for the severe weather will slide south, bringing rain into the Florida Panhandle and the northern and central parts of the state by Friday afternoon, and showers are expected to linger through Saturday morning.

Rain totals will generally be around 1–2 inches across Central Florida, including Orlando, through Saturday. While the rest of the Southeast will accumulate between a half-inch and an inch of rain from these storm systems.

While not drought-busting by any means, the precipitation is a welcome change from the dry conditions.

Three rounds of winter storms kick off this weekend, targeting millions in Midwest, Northeast with snow, ice

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:13:11 -0500

Millions of people across 25 states in the winter-weary Midwest and Northeast face three different winter storms that are set to bring more snow and dangerous ice starting this weekend. The weather setup of each storm is different, reflecting an ongoing battle between lingering cold air digging south from Canada and warmer air from the Gulf being pulled north, as the calendar flips to March.

Due to these complex atmospheric dynamics, exactly how much snow and ice will fall and where still remain something of an open question. But even at the highest end projections, these storms will not be as impactful as the historic blizzard that slammed the Interstate 95 corridor earlier this week.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

HURRICANE MELISSA TIES RECORD FOR STRONGEST HURRICANE IN ATLANTIC HISTORY

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from Montana into Wisconsin.

Accumulation from this fast-moving system should be limited to less than 3 inches.

The cold air and snow will then reach the interior Northeast early Sunday morning, with the most snow expected in cities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Albany, New York and Manchester, New Hampshire.

Snow will also reach New York City, Providence, and Boston by Sunday morning, but accumulations are expected to be an inch or less.

Some forecast models for the snow on Sunday have grown and parts of ski country in New England could see amounts higher than 3 inches. This will need to be monitored closely.

The same forecast models have a burst of snow from Boston to New York close to 12pm-2pm on Sunday. There could be some minor travel issues if there is heavier, wet snow.

Perhaps the bigger story with this first system will be the wild swing in temperatures this weekend into Monday. Highs will soar to near 50 degrees as far north as Manchester, New Hampshire on Saturday, only for a dramatic 20+ degree drop come Sunday.

As the strong front moves offshore early Sunday, temperatures across the Northeast will plummet as arctic air filter southward into the region. By Monday morning, wind chills in the single digits are expected along the I-95 corridor.

Just as the first wave ends in the Northeast, a second storm will develop along the tail end of the passing cold front on Sunday night.

Warmer, moist air from the Gulf will be pulled north by strengthening southerly winds and ride up over the front — a phenomenon meteorologists call "overrunning."

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the region to monitor late Sunday is in the Heartland and parts of the Midwest. Snow and freezing rain will likely begin in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri by 3-6pm CT.

Temperatures here will only be flirting with the freezing mark, and there will be a sharp transition from rain to freezing rain to snow. Cities like St. Louis, Kansas City and then extending east into Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Snow totals have gone drastically down and will now only be in the range of 1-3 inches, which is one of the low-end scenarios being monitored.

There will be some minor disruptions, but nothing major.

The threat of freezing rain has also gone way down, with totals only being near a glaze or up to 0.10 inches of ice accretion. Rain will likely overtake these areas that could see freezing rain, which would quickly melt any ice and likely any snow too.

On Monday, the snow and ice may shift to the Mid-Atlantic. Some models keep a burst of heavy snow in the Virginias and Maryland, while others have no moisture leftover, leading to a mostly calm day.

Even if parts of the Mid-Atlantic do get a round of winter weather, temperatures will quickly warm. If snowfall does occur, the totals could be up to 3 inches for areas like Roanoke and possibly Richmond. Washington, D.C. would be in line for some snow, but very minor.

The third is expected to arrive on Tuesday, as moisture-laden air from the south gets caught between high pressure exiting off the Eastern Seaboard and a developing low-pressure system in the Plains.

This storm is expected to deliver mostly beneficial, snow-melting rain.

However, the air should remain just cold enough across some parts of the Northeast for ice and snow.

"The best chance for accumulating snow will remain north of Interstate 90, while significant icing will be a concern across Pennsylvania, where below-freezing air will stay trapped in the valleys," the FOX Forecast Center said Friday.

Some cold air damming may make for a freezing rain concern in Virginia and North Carolina. This round of storms has potential ice totals in the 0.10-0.25 inch range due to a higher confidence of prolonged, colder air mass at the surface.

Back to the north, a stronger surge will allow for less snow, and an even greater coverage of freezing rain. The snow threat looks to be in Upstate New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and northward.

Totals from this round could be up to 6 inches through Wednesday, but the highest totals will most likely be at the higher elevations.

Bigger cities along the I-95 corridor, like New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., will be on the fringe of snow, ice and rain. Boston has the greatest chance of being in a longer stretch of snow.

Stick with FOX Weather as these systems continue to develop.

Extreme winter: Texas sees hottest winter day in history, while Northeast deals with most snow in years

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:19:22 -0500

LA PUERTA, Texas - This winter will likely be the warmest on record for many places across the Western U.S., as Texas recorded the nation's first-triple digit temperatures this calendar year. Meanwhile, the Northeast is bracing for another round of snow this weekend in what has been that region's snowiest winter in recent years.

A weather station at Falcon Dam in Star County, Texas hit a blistering 106 degrees on Thursday. This preliminarily set a new U.S. record for hottest winter day in recorded history.

RARE SPLIT IN POLAR VORTEX TO USHER IN WARM WEATHER ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EASTERN US NEAR BEGINNING OF MARCH

Other parts of the Rio Grande Valley reached 100 degrees, including Laredo, while San Antonio and Corpus Christi rose to 95 degrees — temperatures not usually seen until late May.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

South Texas is expected to cool slightly in the coming days, but the record heat will expand into other parts of the state and across much of the West through California.

February monthly records are in jeopardy across the region — ensuring that nearly all the Intermountain West will experience its hottest winter on record, as the calendar turns to March and meteorological spring.

Other cities across the Southwest are expected to approach record-high temperatures as well through Sunday, including Phoenix and Las Vegas.

PHOENIX EYES EARLIEST 90-DEGREE DAY IN 40 YEARS AS SOUTHWEST SIZZLES, NORTHEAST GETS SMACKED WITH MORE SNOW

The FOX Forecast Center said in Phoenix's 131 years of record-keeping, Phoenix has reached the 90s in February in only five previous years.

This would mark its earliest 90-degree day since Feb. 26, 1986, which was 40 years ago.

Farther West, Los Angeles could also reach the 90 degree mark.

Meanwhile, the Northeast will have several more opportunities for snow this weekend just days after a historic blizzard walloped the Interstate 95 corridor.

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

The early-week blizzard is now the storm of record for several communities across the Interstate 95 corridor, including in Providence, Rhode Island, where 37.9 inches of snow accumulated — now an all-time record for the city.

Consistent below average temperatures beginning in late November have helped set the stage for increased snowfall, as well as the deep winter feel for even a cold-ready region like the Northeast.

Snow is expected to reach the Interior Northeast and I-95 by Sunday morning, as frigid air from Canada lingers into the start of March.

THREE ROUNDS OF WINTER STORMS KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND, TARGETING MILLIONS IN MIDWEST, NORTHEAST WITH SNOW, ICE

Currently, higher-end computer forecast scenarios show a 3–5 inch swath of snow for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and potentially New York through Monday.

Meanwhile, lower-end scenarios call for 1–3 inches of snow across the same region, with a heavier mix of ice and rain.

Another shot of snow is possible for the Northeast Tuesday night, as an Arctic area of high pressure finally begins to make its exit if enough cold air is able to remain.

Rare split in Polar Vortex to usher in warm weather across winter-weary Eastern US near beginning of March

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:35:07 -0500

The polar vortex is splitting — an exceedingly rare phenomenon for this time of year that will be an unusual driver of warmer temperatures, as the calendar flips to March and meteorological spring.

WHAT IS THE POLAR VORTEX?

The core of the polar vortex contains some of the coldest air on the planet and typically sits over the North and South Poles about 10-30 miles above Earth’s surface in the atmospheric layer known as the stratosphere.

WHY SPRING SHOULD ACTUALLY BEGIN ON MARCH 1

The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring a major warmup within the stratosphere which is currently splitting the polar vortex into two lobes — a phenomenon scientists have termed a "Sudden Stratospheric Warming Event (SSWE)."

Temperatures within this layer can increase by more than 50 degrees in just a matter of days, stretching and weakening the vortex.

While a weaker polar vortex allows that frigid air to spill lower in the atmosphere and drive freezing surface temperatures, current projections through the first week of March keep the core of the coldest air centered over Canada and Alaska.

POLAR VORTEX BACKS OFF AS NEW PATTERN CHANGE FUELS MUCH-NEEDED WINTER OUT WEST, BRIEF RELIEF FOR SNOWY EAST

According to the FOX Forecast Center, this specific positioning will allow milder air from the Pacific Ocean to dominate much of the Lower 48 during the first two weeks of March.

What makes this climate setup truly remarkable is that this appears to be the second SSWE of the season.

"Major warming events typically occur only once every other year. Experiencing two distinct major warming events in a single winter season is relatively rare, happening roughly once every decade," the FOX Forecast Center said.

This first split of the polar vortex happened in late November 2025 and ushered in weeks of Arctic cold across the eastern US and an early start to winter, where a lobe of frigid air parked much closer to the Lower 48.

FIRST BIG FREEZE OF SEASON GRIPS EASTERN US, AS ARCTIC AIR AND SNOW REACH THE SOUTH

Unlike that setup, this time, the polar vortex will shift closer to Alaska and northern Canada.

A weakened Polar Vortex also often promotes atmospheric blocking patterns — in this case, the jet stream will lock in place just south of this lobe of the vortex, acting as a barrier that will keep the coldest air in Canada while allowing for an extended period of warmer, spring-like weather for the vast majority of the country.

This will be a welcome change for the eastern half of the country, in what has been the snowiest winter in recent years for many locales, punctuated by January's historic winter storm. The Northeast, in particular, is also still recovering from a record-setting blizzard this past weekend.

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

Despite this long-awaited reprieve, the FOX Forecast Center is warning against packing away the winter coats just yet, as the weakened polar vortex will create an unstable weather pattern.

Beyond this two-week warm-up, the jet stream, which was a shield, locking in warm air across the Lower 48, will take on a more snake-like pattern that could funnel down shots of late-season Arctic air.

5 injured and local high school evacuated after grass fire erupts in Colorado

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:21:35 -0500

THORNTON, Colo. – Four firefighters and one civilian were injured after a grass fire erupted in Thornton, Colorado, prompting the emergency evacuation of a neighboring high school that sat feet from the burning blaze and the temporary closure of a major highway outside Denver.

A vegetation fire broke out quickly at around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Huron Street and 84th Avenue during red-flag conditions with significant winds and extremely dry conditions that have plagued the Denver metro area, prompting a hefty response of roughly 150 firefighting personnel to the scene that sat on the same plot of land as businesses, homes and a school.

The fire spread rapidly, burning between a neighborhood and businesses, and burned a total of 10 acres before a coalition of regional fire departments and first responders contained the blaze by 2:30 p.m.

"The outcome of this fire, as challenging as it was, I would like to highlight, we lost no residential structures as a result of this fire," Thornton Fire Chief Kelley said in a press conference, adding that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

FLORIDA WILDFIRE EXPLODES TO 25,000 ACRES, WITH SOME RELIEF ON THE WAY FOR HISTORIC DROUGHT

While no residential structures were lost, several businesses sustained damage from the fire, Chief Kelley said, though he said it doesn't appear that any businesses sustained structural damage.

Video footage from the scene captured several cars engulfed in flames in the back parking lot of one of the businesses impacted.

According to Chief Kelley, all five injuries sustained from the fire are not critical.

VICIOUS 70 MPH WINDS, WARM TEMPERATURES FUEL EXPLOSIVE WILDFIRE RISK ACROSS EIGHT STATES IN THE PLAINS

The raging fire threatened Pinnacle Charter High School, a neighboring school that backs up to the vegetation that started. The school was swiftly evacuated when the fire broke out. According to Chief Kelley, students will be returning to the school for classes on Thursday.

While the rapidly spreading blaze burned, law enforcement went door-to-door and evacuated a nearby neighborhood threatened by the fire and several roads in the area were closed.

Due to smoke conditions, the fire caused the temporary closure of Interstate 25.

VIDEO: LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUSES WIND TURBINE FIRE IN TEXAS

"The fire is contained, and crews are continuing to work hotspots to ensure we have the fire completely out. The Fire Department will have crews on scene overnight tonight to ensure that we don't have any rekindles or any change in conditions," Thornton Fire Chief Stephen Kelley said.

A temporary shelter has been established at a local recreation center, and housed residents evacuated by the fire. Chief Kelley said numerous roads will remain closed as suppression efforts continue.

"To the community, I appreciate very much the rapid response from our residents to evacuate the neighborhood, so our crews could get in the area and perform fire suppression operations. This was a dynamic, rapidly spreading event that challenged many of the departments in the North area [near the neighborhood]," Chief Kelley said.

Thorton, and a massive swath covering the Denver-Metro area, is under a Red Flag Fire Weather Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will in the near future, and is issued based on a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures that contribute to extreme fire behavior exhibited in Thornton this morning.

'RED FLAG WARNING': WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

According to the Red Flag Warning advisory issued across much of the Denver-Metro area including Thornton, sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph, are expected throughout the day Wednesday.

"These are conditions that we continue to face on a daily basis here on the front range, the results and this kind of fire spread," Chief Kelley said.

Report highlights new details about deadly avalanche in Sierra Nevada

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:57:07 -0500

TRUCKEE, Cali. — A new report is giving insight into the deadly avalanche that claimed the lives of nine people in the Sierra Nevada last week.

Authorities initially said that eight skiers were killed during the historic avalanche on Castle Peak, but the Sierra Avalanche Center confirmed that a ninth person reported missing was found dead a few days later.

The ninth skier was found buried in the snow prior to nightfall on Friday, Feb. 20, the avalanche center said.

A group of 11 clients and four professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides were on the final leg of their three-day backcountry excursion when the avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. local time.

HISTORIC AVALANCHE VICTIMS' FAMILIES 'DEVASTATED BEYOND WORDS' AS SEARCH FOR FINAL SKIER PUSHES INTO WEEKEND

In their initial report, the avalanche center said a group of 15 backcountry travelers were involved in the avalanche, which happened below Perry's Peak on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Twelve of those people were caught in the avalanche, and the remaining members of the party performed a companion search and were able to rescue three people in their group.

The survivors were able to shelter and contact emergency responders through the SOS function on an iPhone.

YOU CAN FACE JAIL TIME IF YOU VIOLATE THIS TOWN ORDINANCE DURING IMMINENT AVALANCHE DANGER

When search and rescue crews arrived in the late afternoon, they excavated eight of the nine skiers who were buried under snow and confirmed them dead.

Crews worked in the darkness amid high-intensity storm conditions, and they safely recovered six survivors that night.

2 DEAD AFTER AVALANCHE NEAR SITE OF WINTER OLYMPICS IN ITALIAN ALPS

Three days later, when the storm ended, avalanche mitigation was performed on the slope using PG&E helicopters with roughly 5,500-lb, 660 gallon water buckets that were placed and dragged on the slope. The helicopter made full-load water drops on the slope in many areas, according to the avalanche center.

After avalanche mitigation, search and rescue teams were able to remove five of the skiers found dead, and that's also when the ninth skier was found.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Rescue operations concluded on Saturday, Feb. 21, once the final four skiers' bodies were recovered.

The avalanche in the rugged Donner Pass region of California's northern Sierra marks the deadliest U.S. avalanche since the 1981 disaster on Mount Rainier that claimed 11 lives.

Shortly after the avalanche, Tahoe National Forest announced that all national forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area are closed. They expect the closure to remain in effect through mid-March.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, 30 mph gusts were recorded at the time of the avalanche.

In a statement, the ski company said all the guides were either part of the American Mountain Guides Association or certified in backcountry skiing.

Hurricane Melissa ties record for strongest hurricane in Atlantic history

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:53:54 -0500

JAMAICA - Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that ripped through Jamaica and caused catastrophic damage, is now tied for the strongest hurricane to ever form in the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Hurricane Center issued its Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Melissa, which caused deadly destruction in the Caribbean in late October 2025.

Melissa's maximum sustained winds of 185 mph upon landfall in Jamaica broke records, the NHC's report showed.

The NHC's report showed that Hurricane Melissa's landfalling maximum sustained winds are now tied with Hurricane Dorian in 2018 and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, as the strongest hurricane in Atlantic history.

BEFORE AND AFTER SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWCASES EXTENSIVE HURRICANE MELISSA DESTRUCTION IN JAMAICA

Melissa's maximum winds post-landfall were reclassified as 190 mph, up from 185 mph, tying it for no. 1 strongest winds with Hurricane Allen in 1980.

Melissa first hit Jamaica as a strong Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28.

HOW ARE HURRICANES RATED? THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE EXPLAINED

The hurricane was officially classified as the strongest and costliest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, causing millions of dollars in damage and killing at least 45 people in the country.

SEE IT: POWERFUL WINDS RATTLE JAMAICA LIVE CAMERA AS MONSTER CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE MELISSA APPROACHES

FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray was in Jamaica for the landfall of the storm, watching the destruction unfold in real time.

Windows in the home Ray and his crew rented to cover the hurricane shattered prior to the storm's landfall during the extreme conditions.

TOP 5 STRONGEST HURRICANES EVER RECORDED IN ATLANTIC BASIN

Glass, debris and water littered the floor from the shattered windows in the home as Ray showed the damage.

He stayed through the storm and in the days after, showing the damage, talking to Jamaicans impacted and detailing the recovery operations.

"I have never seen a disaster like this in my life," said Ray, who has covered such other disasters as Hurricanes Katrina and Helene, and the Mayfield, Kentucky, tornado. "One community after the next is in total ruin."

SEE PLANES, EQUIPMENT HURRICANE HUNTERS USE WHEN THEY FLY INTO SOME OF WORLD'S WORST STORMS

NOAA's Hurricane Hunters deployed to investigate Melissa and the storm's attributes.

During the mission, a dropsonde was launched from the airplane. A dropsonde is a cylindrical weather instrument used to collect weather data on tropical systems such as pressure, humidity, temperature and wind gusts.

RECORD-BREAKING 252 MPH WIND READING VERIFIED FROM HISTORIC HURRICANE MELISSA

Data from the dropsonde indicated a 252 mph wind gust recorded inside the storm.

This gust breaks the previous record of 240 mph set by Typhoon Megi in 2010.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Hurricane Melissa's destruction was far-reaching, impacting multiple island nations in the Caribbean.

HOW MANY CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES HAVE MADE LANDFALL IN THE US?

The NHC's report shows that at least 95 people died between Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries.

Phoenix eyes earliest 90-degree day in 40 years as Southwest sizzles, Northeast gets smacked with more snow

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:33:40 -0500

As the East struggles to recover from record-breaking snowfall, the Southwest is bracing for record warmth later this week.

The historic blizzard that slammed the I-95 corridor earlier this week dumped feet of snow and brought hurricane-force winds that paralyzed multiple cities.

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

Whiteout conditions swept across the Northeast, leaving thousands without power from the intense wind gusts.

And just as quickly as the Northeast begins digging out of the snowy mess, another winter storm is expected to bring more impactful snow and ice from the Midwest to the Northeast starting Sunday.

ANOTHER 'IMPACTFUL' WINTER STORM TARGETS MIDWEST, NORTHEAST JUST DAYS AFTER HISTORIC BLIZZARD BURIES CITIES

Across the Southwest, the story is quite different as the region braces for the possibility of multiple days of record-high temperatures in cities such as Phoenix.

While the West is no stranger to record warmth this winter — with more than 140 locations recording their warmest winter on record and over 290 experiencing one of their top 10 warmest winters — temperatures will surge back into the Southwest, with high temps expected to climb 15–25 degrees above average.

CALIFORNIA SLAMMED BY MUCH-NEEDED RAIN AND SNOW, AS MAJOR WEATHER PATTERN SHIFTS

From Thursday to Sunday, numerous record highs could be set, including the potential for back-to-back records in cities such as Phoenix, Arizona.

The FOX Forecast Center said the last time Phoenix recorded a temperature in the 90s was this past November, and with highs forecast to reach the low 90s on Thursday and Friday, the city could see its earliest 90-degree day since February 26, 1986, 40 years ago.

In its 131 years of record-keeping, Phoenix has reached the 90s in February in only five previous years.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

Other cities watching for record highs include Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Los Angeles could reach temperatures above 90 degrees on Friday, marking its first 90-degree day since early November and the first in February in a decade.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Las Vegas, along with many other cities in Texas, will experience high temperatures feeling like early May.

Massive Florida wildfire shuts down Interstate 75 along part of Alligator Alley amid historic drought

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:53:37 -0500

NAPLES, Fla. – Florida's Department of Transportation shut down part of Interstate 75 early Thursday due to heavy smoke from a wildfire that has exploded to more than 30,604 acres in South Florida this week amid the state's worst drought in 25 years.

I-75 was closed early Thursday between Exits 80 and 23, part of an 80-mile stretch across the Everglades known as Alligator Alley — a key cross-state artery. The highway reopened around 6:30 a.m. local time.

SEE IT: SOUTH FLORIDA WILDFIRE EXPLODES IN SIZE TO 25,000 ACRES IN EVERGLADES

The National Fire is now 25,780 acres in Big Cypress National Forest near Naples, according to the National Interagency Wildfire Enterprise.

Florida's Department of Transportation warned drivers in Collier County Tuesday about heavy smoke being produced by the blaze, as well as drivers in the nearby Everglades about smoke from brush fires in that region.

The entire state is suffering from bone-dry conditions. More than 650 wildfires have been observed across the state since the beginning of 2026, the Florida Forest Service said earlier in February.

However, some much-needed rain is expected to provide a modicum of relief beginning Thursday and lasting through the first half of the weekend.

FLORIDA FIRE DANGER SPIKES AS 'EXTREME DROUGHT' REACHES 25-YEAR HIGH, AS STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 98 percent of the state is experiencing some level of drought, with over 67 percent in "severe drought", the most since 2001.

Florida has been in a prolonged dry pattern since the 2025 hurricane season.

LA NIÑA NEARLY DEAD, BREWING EL NIÑO TO ARRIVE DURING PEAK HURRICANE SEASON

"Tropical systems, for all the destruction they cause, still produce lots of rain," the FOX Forecast Center said.

2025 was a rare Atlantic hurricane season that saw no landfalling hurricanes in the U.S. That lack of rain continued through the fall and has held through this winter.

Drought conditions are also worsening for other parts of the region, including Georgia, where 100 percent of the state is experiencing drought, although not quite as severe as Florida's.

An area of low pressure will swing out of the Plains and bring a little relief to the Southeast.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

According to the FOX Forecast Center, a cold front associated with this system will begin to drop rain across parts of Tennessee and North Carolina through Thursday morning, before spreading across the South including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina through the day.

The cold front will slide south, bringing rain into the Florida Panhandle and the northern and central parts of the state by Friday afternoon, and showers are expected to linger through Saturday morning.

Naples, Florida is almost over 1.5 inches below their average rain year-to-date and West Palm Beach is 5 inches below its average.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, West Palm Beach has yet to see a single day with rain this year, over a fifteenth of an inch. Parts of South Florida could double their rain total for the year with this one shot of rain.

Rain totals will generally be around 1–2 inches across a corridor from East Tennessee through Georgia and Central Florida, including the Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Orlando metro areas.

While this is a welcome break from the dry conditions, drought conditions are expected to persist through the rest of Florida's dry season, which lasts until May.

Next potential winter storm looms over millions across Midwest, Northeast this weekend

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:54:35 -0500

Just one week after a historic blizzard pummeled New England and other parts of the Interstate 95 corridor, yet another potential multi-day winter storm could impact millions across 25 states in the Northeast, as well as the Midwest beginning Sunday.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

While another complicated atmospheric setup has prevented computer forecast models from determining the exact impacts, two general scenarios have emerged.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEW DETAILS ABOUT DEADLY AVALANCHE IN SIERRA NEVADA

According to the FOX Forecast Center, if key forecast ingredients come together, a swath of 6–8 inches of snow would coat a corridor from the Ohio Valley to portions of the coast along I-95.

Meanwhile, low-end projections favor a swath of 1–3 inches of snow in the same region with more mixing of ice and rain.

The setup begins on Saturday, when a shot of cold air settles across the northern third of the country, which is necessary for significant snowfall.

5 INJURED AND LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL EVACUATED AFTER GRASS FIRE ERUPTS IN COLORADO

By Sunday, a weak disturbance will emerge from the Rockies which will increase southerly winds a few thousand feet above the surface. Those winds will funnel warmer air northward, where it will ride over the cold, dense air already in place.

This will allow for precipitation, which could fall as snow, sleet, freezing rain, or plain rain depending on how much cold air is present — a phenomenon meteorologists call "overrunning."

Exactly where the snow-rain line will set up still remains something of an open question.

Freezing rain and sleet are expected to create dangerous road conditions within that transition zone. Based on current data, the greatest icing concern is centered along the Interstate 70 corridor and through the Ohio River Valley.

HURRICANE MELISSA TIES RECORD FOR STRONGEST HURRICANE IN ATLANTIC HISTORY

According to the latest forecast models, snow and some mixed precipitation will break out across parts of the Midwest Sunday and reach the Ohio Valley sometime Monday before eventually making its way to the Northeast coast.

The exact impact of this system will become clearer through the week.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

March weather outlook: Warmer temperatures, severe storm threats on the horizon as we spring into March

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:35:32 -0500

In like a lion, out like a lamb. Let's take a look at what to expect throughout the month of March as we prepare for the transition to spring.

On the last legs of one of the harshest winters in years, it's not time to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring just yet.

While March marks the transition from winter to spring, it is often volatile and unpredictable, with intrusions of warmer air previewing a hint of summer and an uptick in severe storms.

After a brutal winter where prolonged cold spells and strong winter storms dominated headlines, the long-awaited return of milder temperatures and increased storm activity will likely garner attention.

EVEN MORE ROUNDS OF SNOW THIS WEEK THREATEN NORTHEAST CITIES PUMMELED BY RECORD-BREAKING BLIZZARD

Though it is not time to take the top off the convertible and iron your favorite shorts, as much of the U.S. is not out of the winter weather grasp just yet with snow and shots of cooler air on the horizon.

In the shorter term, through the first week or two of March, the overall pattern is expected to feature a trough (a dip in the jet stream) across the West and a ridge across the East.

WHAT IS THE JET STREAM?

This setup is reflected well in the Climate Prediction Center’s (CPC) 8 to 14 day outlook, which highlights much of the central and eastern U.S. as trending above average for both temperatures and precipitation.

The expected unsettled, cloudy and cooler weather across the West will promote increased flow off the Gulf of America, raising the likelihood of precipitation and even severe storms.

Meanwhile, the primary storm track should remain west of the Appalachians, favoring near-average to potentially below-average precipitation along much of the East Coast.

BLOOD MOON TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE 2026: WHEN AND WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENON

The greatest risk for severe storms in March stretches from the Central Plains eastward into Alabama and Georgia.

Texas, Alabama and Mississippi typically average the highest number of tornadoes during the month of March. Just last year, a tornado outbreak spawned more than 90 twisters across 13 states and left dozens dead.

LOOK BACK: AS RECOVERY CONTINUES, HARROWING STORIES EMERGE FROM DEADLY TORNADO OUTBREAK THAT RAVAGED 13 STATES

The CPC’s 3 to 4-week outlook continues to favor above-average temperatures across much of the central and eastern U.S. That said, an overall monthly trend toward above-average temperatures does not eliminate the possibility of winter weather or brief blasts of colder air.

Snow, ice and chilly conditions are still possible at times through March.

The month marks the arrival of both meteorological and astronomical spring.

There are longer, brighter days ahead.

Finally, as we move into the month, don’t forget the upcoming time change on Sunday, March 8. Clocks will "spring forward" one hour, and combined with the naturally lengthening days, much of the U.S. will gain nearly an hour to an hour and a half of additional daylight by the end of the month.

Video: Large sinkhole swallows two vehicles in Nebraska

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:10:27 -0500

OMAHA, Neb. – Travelers in Omaha, Nebraska, encountered an unusual scene on the road: a gaping hole in the ground.

The Omaha Police Department captured the shocking scene of two vehicles found almost buried in a sinkhole.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), sinkholes are most common in what geologists call "Karst terrain." Karst is a type of landscape where dissolving bedrock creates sinkholes, sinking streams, caves and springs, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

According to experts, sinkholes are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone, carbonate rock, salt beds or rocks that can naturally be dissolved by groundwater circulating through them.

"A sinkhole is a depression or hole formed when the land surface sinks due to underground bedrock dissolution or cave collapse," a statement from the NPS reads.

GIANT SINKHOLES OPEN UP AROUND WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA AFTER HURRICANE MILTON

Florida, for example, is an area largely underlain by limestone and is highly prone to sinkholes. Sinkholes can vary from a few feet to hundreds of acres and from less than 1 to more than 100 feet deep, according to the USGS.

Officers closed three streets while they process the scene.

Video footage shows a large pickup truck sticking headfirst out of a large sinkhole in the middle of the street.

VIDEO: HIKER RESCUED AFTER SUDDENLY FALLING ILL ON APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Thankfully, there are no reported injuries at this time.

See it: South Florida wildfire explodes in size to 25,000 acres in Everglades

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:19:34 -0500

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A wildfire has emerged in South Florida, which has caught the attention of officials as it grows in size to 25,000 acres.

On Sunday, two fires were discovered within the Big Cypress National Preserve, which is in the Everglades, according to the National Park Service.

Coined "The National Fire," it was initially spread across 5,000 acres as ground and aviation crews worked to suppress the flames on Sunday.

HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND AFFECTS WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR

Satellite footage from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows how the wildfire exploded in severity and spread to 25,000 acres, as it's even visible from space.

Enhanced fire behavior is expected to continue with burn bans in effect for Collier, Palm Beach, Hendry, and Glades counties. Officials warned of very dry air and surface winds aiding in the strength of the flames.

"Wind fields in the vicinity of wildland fires can be highly variable or turbulent, exhibiting significant gusts that can lead to erratic fire behavior and enhanced mixing of smoke into the atmosphere," a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service reads.

WHAT TO DO WHEN WILDFIRE SMOKE SMOTHERS YOUR AREA AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME'S AIR CLEAN

Officials reported no immediate threats to residents, but with favorable conditions, that could change instantly.

According to Airnow.gov, the wildfire is man-made.

Stay tuned to FOX Weather for the latest updates as we continue to track this fire.