Tropical Storm Philippe soaks northeast Caribbean on a path toward Bermuda, New England and Canada
Tropical Storm Philippe is drenching the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as it spins away from the northeast Caribbean on a path that would take it toward Bermuda and later New England and Atlantic Canada.
Elsa strengthens into season's 1st hurricane in Caribbean
Elsa has strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season and it's blowing off roofs, snapping trees and destroying crops in the eastern Caribbean, where officials closed schools, businesses and airports under the threat of flash flooding and landslides.
General: China's Africa outreach poses threat from Atlantic
The top U.S. general for Africa says a growing military threat from China may well come from Americaโs east, as Beijing looks to establish a large navy port capable of hosting submarines or aircraft carriers on the Atlantic coast of Africa.
Bye Alpha, Eta: Greek alphabet ditched for hurricane names
(NOAA via AP)With named storms coming earlier and more often in warmer waters, the Atlantic hurricane season is going through some changes with meteorologists ditching the Greek alphabet during busy years. The Greek alphabet had only been used twice in 2005 and nine times last year in a record-shattering hurricane season. AdMeanwhile, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is recalculating just what constitutes an average hurricane season. STARTING EARLIERMIT hurricane researcher Kerry Emanuel said โthis whole idea of hurricane season should be revisited." So a warming world means the new normal is busy hurricane seasons just like the last 30 years.
EU, US agree to suspend tariffs over Airbus-Boeing dispute
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 file photo, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference in Brussels. After U.S. President Joe Biden and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke, both sides decided to suspend tariffs used in the longstanding Airbus-Boeing dispute for the next four months. Von der Leyen called it โa very positive signal for our economic cooperation in the years to come.โAd"This is excellent news for businesses and industries on both sides of the Atlantic,โ she said. In the aircraft dispute, the U.S. was allowed to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU exports to the U.S and as a result of the deal, EU tariffs will be suspended on $4 billion of U.S. exports. The move came only a few weeks after international arbitrators gave the EU the green light for such punitive action.
Tropical cyclones are nearing land more, except in Atlantic
A study released on Thursday, Jan, 28, 2021, finds that tropical cyclones around the globe are getting closer to land than they used to, except for Atlantic hurricanes. (NASA/NOAA via AP)Tropical cyclones across the globe, except Atlantic hurricanes, are moving closer to land in recent decades, a new study found. Also called typhoons, tropical cyclones generally have been moving westward by about 18 miles per decade (30 kilometers) since 1982, putting them closer to land and making them more dangerous, a study in Thursdayโs journal Science said. Storms that form just west of land, such as in the Pacific off the California and Mexican coasts, are usually moving away from land already, so this shift doesnโt spare more land. All these strange shifts are taking cyclones out of their preferred environment of warm tropical waters away from land, University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy said.
EU invites Biden to usher in new era for trans-Atlantic ties
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday Dec. 7, 2020. European Union foreign ministers were meeting to discuss making a fresh start to relations with the United States under President-elect Joe Biden, the fallout from weekend elections in Venezuela and tense ties with Turkey. At talks in Brussels, EU foreign ministers said that Europeโs shared interests and historic ties with America make up โthe worldโs foremost and closest relationship,โ and are a solid foundation for cooperating on economic, foreign policy and human rights challenges. โA strong trans-Atlantic partnership is vital to ensure and to contribute to our common security, stability and prosperity,โ the ministers said in a statement. There is no replacement for trans-Atlantic relations,โ Linkevicius said.
30 named storms: Record hurricane season comes to a close
MONTGOMERY, Ala. โ A record-setting Atlantic hurricane season that saw the highest number of named storms officially came to a close Monday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season set multiple records while producing a record 30 named storms. NOAA said an average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three become major hurricanes. The prior record for named storms hitting Louisiana in a single hurricane season is 4 set in 2002,โ Klotzbach said. NOAA said this was the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 18 above-normal seasons out of the past 26.
EU invites Biden to patch up trans-Atlantic ties
BRUSSELS โ European Union chief Charles Michel is inviting Joe Biden once he is U.S. president to come visit and patch up trans-Atlantic relations that have suffered over the past four years under President Donald Trump. โThe EU and the U.S. will always have more impact when taking steps together,โ Michel said. The 27-nation bloc has often complained about a worsening relationship under Trump, and hope that with Biden, trans-Atlantic ties can be rekindled like they were under President Barack Obama. Over the past years, both sides disagreed over key topics from trade and security to the fight against climate change. Now, Michel said Biden should come over next year for a meeting with EU leaders.
Biden's beach hideaway has political sun shining on Rehoboth
People enjoy the boardwalk, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Rehoboth Beach, Del. This resort town known for Atlantic waves that are sometimes surfable, fresh-cut French fries and a 1-mile wooden boardwalk that dates back to the 1870s has long prided itself on being the Nation's Summer Capital. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Hurricane Iota heads for already battered Central America
Iota became a Category 2 hurricane late Sunday afternoon, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center warned it would likely be an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm when it approached the Central America mainland late Monday. It was already a record-breaking system, being the 30th named storm of this yearโs extraordinarily busy Atlantic hurricane season. It hit Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane, killing at least 120 people as torrential rains caused flash floods and mudslides in parts of Central America and Mexico. Eta was the 28th named storm of this yearโs hurricane season, tying the 2005 record for named storms. The official end of hurricane season is Nov. 30.
Spain searches for answer to migrants eyeing Canary Islands
MADRID โ Spainโs government is stepping up its response to a surge in the number of migrants crossing the Atlantic from Africa to the Canary Islands, though there was little new in the measures announced Friday. More than 16,000 migrants have arrived in the Spanish islands off northwest Africa this year, hoping to ensure a better life on European soil. In the whole of last year, around 1,500 arrived in the archipelago better known as a European vacation destination. The Spanish foreign ministry, meanwhile, is to spend an additional 500 million euros ($590 million) on cooperation programs with those countries. The new migrant focus on the perilous Canary Islands route, first seen in 2006, has come as authorities crack down on previously popular passages across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to European Union countries.
Turn off the faucet! Rain *slowly* exits the region Thursday
ROANOKE, Va. โ Some places, including Hillsville and Lynchburg, have seen more than a monthโs worth of rain within the past 24 to 30 hours. A relentless connection to the Atlantic continues to feed us with moisture Thursday morning, resulting in rounds of rain through about midday (see above). While we may not be completely dry Thursday afternoon, any rain or drizzle wonโt be nearly as intense as what weโve seen the past day or so. The Roanoke River will be in minor flood stage through Thursday afternoon, flooding portions of the Greenway and Wasena Park. River flooding impacts - 11/12 to 11/13/2020As our front continues to move off the East Coast, high pressure takes its place.
AP Interview: France wants Biden to calm trade disputes
In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, French Trade Minister Franck Riester accused the U.S. under Trump of threatening global commerce by blocking the appointment of the World Trade Organizationโs next director, and urged Biden to break the logjam. โI hope we are going to be able to rebuild the trans-Atlantic relationship with the Biden administration,โ Riester said. He said France is โoptimisticโ about the Biden presidency, and welcomed Bidenโs pledges to re-join the 2015 Paris climate accord and other multilateral organizations that Trump snubbed. U.S. officials have argued that the French tax unfairly targets U.S. companies, though France says it is aimed at all big tech companies that make money online. Riester had another request of Biden: to approve the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the WTOโs next director-general.
RECORD BROKEN: 2020 breaks record for most named storms in a tropical season
ROANOKE, Va. โ The Atlantic hurricane season traditionally ends on November 30th, and this is usually the time of year when we see tropical activity dwindling. Thatโs the 29th named storm of the season, which breaks the record of 28 set back in 2005. Subtropical Storm #Theta has formed in the subtropical Atlantic - the record-setting 29th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic #hurricane season to date. List of storm names using the Greek alphabet in 2020Iota (if it were to form) would make the 30th named storm during the 2020 season. Even though the 2020 season has broken the record for most named storms, itโs important to note that the 2005 season was more intense.
Theta Becomes A Remnant Low
Location 670 miles SE of The Azores Wind 30 mph Heading N at 2 mph Pressure 29.83 Coordinates 18.2W, 31.5NDiscussionAt 300 PM GMT (1500 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Theta was located near latitude 31.5 North, longitude 18.2 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the north near 2 mph (4 km/h) and a faster north or north-northeast motion is forecast for a day or two until the low dissipates. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. The low should gradually decay and dissipate by Tuesday. Tropics Satellite at 8:30 Sunday Morning, November 15thWatches and WarningsThere are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Beyond The Forecast: 2020 could soon be the most active hurricane season on record
Coming into hurricane season, we knew weโd have plenty of storms to talk about. No one could have predicted how many storms weโd end up getting, as weโre right on the doorstep for the record in the Atlantic basin. You might remember that we didnโt get to โEtaโ during 2005, but the National Hurricane Center (NHC) added an unnamed storm to the record books after the season. Weโve said numerous times this hurricane season that we hope the current storm will be the last. As we know, 2020 is anything but typical.
Eta Becomes An Extratropical Low
Location 85 miles SE of Wilmington North Carolina Wind 45 mph Heading ENE at 21 mph Pressure 29.65 Coordinates 76.8W, 33.3NDiscussionAt 400 AM EST (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Eta was located near latitude 33.3 North, longitude 76.8 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the east-northeast near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed through Saturday. On the forecast track, Eta is expected to gradually pull away from the southeast U.S. Coast today. Eta could intensify a little as an non-tropical cyclone during the next day or so before it becomes absorbed by a larger non-tropical cyclone on Saturday or Saturday night. Tropics Models at 2:34 Friday Night, November 13thLand HazardsSURF: Swells generated by Eta will affect portions of the southeastern United States coast today.
Winds and rain whip Yucatan resorts as Hurricane Zeta nears
Clouds gather over Playa Gaviota Azul as Tropical Storm Zeta approaches Cancun, Mexico, early Monday morning, Oct. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Victor Ruiz Garcia)MIAMI โ Hurricane Zeta lashed Mexico's Caribbean coast resorts around Tulum with high winds and rain Monday night as it headed toward the Yucatan Peninsula and then a possible landfall on the central U.S. Gulf Coast at midweek. It was the second time this month that boat captain Francisco Sosa Rosado had to perform the same maneuver, after Hurricane Delta hit the resort in early October. Trees felled by Hurricane Delta barely three weeks earlier still littered parts of Cancun, stacked along roadsides and in parks. There was also a Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005, but that year had 28 storms because meteorologists later went back and found they missed one, which then became an โunnamed named storm."
Delta weakens to a post-tropical cyclone
5:00 a.m. Sunday UpdateROANOKE, Va. โ The National Hurricane Center says Delta has become a post-tropical cyclone, but itโs still a heavy rainfall threat. 5:00 p.m. Friday UpdateHurricane Delta is expected to make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast within the next few hours. Delta is expected to bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surge to portions of the northern gulf coast on Friday. 11:00 p.m. Wednesday UpdateAs of 11 p.m., Hurricane Delta has maximum sustained winds near 90 mph with higher gusts. 5 p.m. Tuesday UpdateCategory 4 Hurricane Delta continues to strengthen as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula.
Beyond The Forecast: With two months left in hurricane season, whatโs next?
Weโre counting down the days until the end of a historic hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. While tropical activity typically slows down over the final two months of the season, strong storms can still occur. Most of our area saw at least two inches of rain as Michael interacted with a cold front to the west to enhance the soaking. So now that Iโve refreshed your memory about Michael, you know that we have to stay vigilant even though the peak of hurricane season has passed. Hurricane season ends November 30.
Tropical Storm Beta spurs hurricane worries for Texas
MIAMI โ An exceptionally busy Atlantic hurricane season was churning along Saturday as the Texas coast prepared for a tropical storm that could strengthen into a hurricane before breaching its shores in the week ahead. Both the city of Galveston and Galveston County on Saturday issued voluntary evacuation orders ahead of Tropical Storm Beta, as did the city of Seabrook to the north of Galveston. Forecasters issued a tropical storm warning from Port Aransas, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana. Beta had maximum sustained winds at 60 mph (95 kph) and was moving north-northeast at 2 mph (4 kph) Saturday night. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Bermuda.
High-tech ship set for launch on 400th Mayflower anniversary
Technicians check the hull and interior of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship at its launch site for it's first outing on water since being built in Turnchapel, Plymouth south west England, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. The ship aims to cross the Atlantic from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Ma, USA, in April 2021, to become be the first totally autonomous ship to cross the ocean without any help from the outside. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)PLYMOUTH โ Dignitaries, seafarers and scientists were gathering in Plymouth, England, on Wednesday to mark the 400th anniversary of the departure of the Mayflower, the ship that carried a group of Puritan settlers to a new life in America. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship, which will get a snappier moniker at Wednesdayโs naming ceremony, is set to follow in its forebearerโs wake by crossing the Atlantic from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, this time on a marine research trip โ and without people aboard. The coronavirus pandemic has scaled back trans-Atlantic Mayflower commemorations, and delayed the shipโs voyage until 2021.
The Latest: Sally's rains pummel western Florida Panhandle
Waters from the Guld of Mexico poor onto a local road, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Waveland, Miss. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbrt)Here are the latest developments on tropical weather (all times local):___The Florida Panhandle is being pummeled by heavy rains from Hurricane Sallyโs outer bands. The powerful, plodding storm was crawling toward the northern Gulf Coast at 3 mph (4.8 kph) early Tuesday. Floridaโs governor declared an emergency in two western Panhandle counties. President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Sally takes aim at the Gulf Coast; two names left for hurricane season
ROANOKE, Va. โ 8 a.m. Monday UpdateThe historic pace of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues, with four named storms in the Atlantic as of 8 a.m. Monday. Sally formed over the weekend and is slowly strengthening over warm Gulf waters. Tracking Sally - 9/14/2020Nothing is around to pull Sally north, so the storm will meander around the Gulf Coast for a few days. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/SAnhkoHKs5 โ Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) September 14, 2020With that, weโre now two names away from running out of names for the Atlantic hurricane season. Storm names used up as of 9/14/2020Once we use those names up, we will switch over to the Greek alphabet.
New Orleans under hurricane watch from Tropical Storm Sally
MIAMI โ Tropical Storm Sally formed Saturday off south Florida, becoming the earliest 18th-named storm on record in an Atlantic hurricane season as it enters the Gulf of Mexico amid signs of strengthening further. In the National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. forecast, meteorologists said a hurricane watch is in effect for metropolitan New Orleans. A tropical storm watch has been extended westward from the Okaloosa/Walton County Line to the Alabama/Florida Border. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Paulette had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was 460 miles (745 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda, where a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect. Tropical Storm Rene weakened in recent hours and was reclassified as a tropical depression.
Itโs the peak of hurricane season, and it looks like it...
ROANOKE, Va. โ Historically speaking, Sept. 10 is the peak of hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. The ocean water is warmer, and this is when more storms typically form off the West Coast of Africa. As storms continue to develop off the West Coast of Africa, however, we will need to keep an eye out. Tropical tracker by next MondayWeโre already on record pace this hurricane season, with only four storm names left on the list. Where we are on the list of storm names as of 9/10/2020Once we run out of names, which looks likely, we shift toward the Greek alphabet.
Humidity and spotty storms round out the week prior to cooler, drizzly Saturday
ROANOKE, Va. Thursday marks the average peak of hurricane season, with two named storms (Paulette and Rene) currently in the open Atlantic. FutureTracker - Friday afternoonAs that front sags south of our area, high pressure toward New England will wedge in some cooler air. We may still have some fog and drizzle in the morning, followed by warmth, humidity and a few late day storms. Once a front passes the area early next week, well say goodbye to the chance for showers and hello to lower humidity. Humidity levels drop by next Tuesday and WednesdayBy that time, Paulette will likely be a hurricane well off the East Coast toward Bermuda.
Yuck! Muggies are back, along with the chance for scattered downpours
The storm system sending that moisture in from the East Coast will give rise to scattered downpours. This is the one part of the area that stands the best chance of heavy rain throughout the day. FutureTracker - Noon WednesdayScattered afternoon downpours will also be possible around Lynchburg and the Roanoke Valley during the afternoon. Chances are lower during the daytime in the New River Valley and Highlands. Its possible that these pockets become targeted more toward parts of the New River Valley and Roanoke Valley.
Tropical Storm Paulette forms over open waters; earliest P storm on record
ROANOKE, Va. The official peak of Atlantic hurricane season isnt until September 10th, but the tropics dont care about normal this year. Tropical Storm Paulette formed over open waters Monday morning, and is thankfully not a threat to the U.S. within the next week. This is the earliest P storm on record, and it beats the old record by 10 days. Both TD 17 (in central tropical Atlantic) & 18 are forecast to get named later today. The only names left to the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season are Sally, Teddy, Wilfred and Vicky.