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Weather Explainers

Why The Drought In the Southeast
April 30, 2026, 8:34 am EDT
The Southeast has been under brutal drought conditions. Warm temperatures and no rainfall are the main culprits, and a stubborn high pressure was to blame. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down why.
Here’s What A Bomb Cyclone Is And Why It Matters
April 29, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
You may have heard the term “bomb cyclone” during the winter months, but do you really know what it is? We will break down what the term is and what you should do if you hear a bomb cyclone is headed your way.
West Finally Sees Sustained Mountain Snow, Here’s Why
April 29, 2026, 11:47 am EDT
The West is finally seeing a sustained pattern of valley rain and more importantly, mountain snowfall. This region is experiencing a favorable upper level pattern that is bringing the relief. Meteorologist Jennifer Gray breaks down this pattern and how long it will last.
South Georgia, Florida Wildfires Fueling Smoke For Southeast
April 29, 2026, 11:45 am EDT
The metro Atlanta area woke up to smoky, hazy conditions Wednesday morning after a high pressure system drew smoke from wildfires in south Georgia and Florida northward into the region. The rest of the week is facing more of the same as the stable air mass continues to feed waves of smoke into the interior Southeast and as drought conditions continue to provide fuel for the fires.
After The Storm: The Science Behind Tornado Damage Surveys
April 29, 2026, 10:26 pm EDT
After severe weather moves out, a different kind of investigation begins as trained tornado survey teams head into damaged communities to determine exactly what happened. By analyzing official damage indicators, studying how trees and buildings fell, and even reviewing radar data afterward, meteorologists can tell whether a tornado struck or if powerful straight-line winds caused destruction that is just as intense.
When Are The Average Last Freezes In The US?
April 28, 2026, 4:24 am EDT
Although spring is beginning, millions across the country could continue to see freezes in the coming months. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down what the averages are per region, when the last freeze is on average and why.
Fish Rain From Sky Every Year In Honduras Town Since 1860s
April 27, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
In the farming town of Yoro, located in north-central Honduras, an extraordinary weather phenomenon known as "Lluvia De Peces" (Rain of Fish) has occurred at least once annually since the 1860s. According to local legend, the miraculous fish rain began when a Catholic missionary, Father Jose Manuel Subirana, prayed for divine intervention during a period of severe hunger, and fish began falling from the sky shortly after. Unlike isolated animal rain events reported worldwide – including snake showers in Memphis, Tennessee in 1877, rat hail in Algeria in 1902, spangled perch falling in Australia in 2010, and fish rain in Telangana, India in 2022 – the Yoro phenomenon stands out for its remarkable frequency and consistency. The scientific explanation typically points to tornadic waterspouts that sweep up animals from bodies of water and deposit them miles away. However, Yoro's case defies this theory: The ocean lies 45 miles away, yet the fish are freshwater species, not saltwater. Even stranger, the fish are all from the same blind species that don't inhabit local waterways. A team from National Geographic proposed an alternative theory – the fish emerge from underground during heavy rains rather than falling from above, though eyewitness accounts of fish striking rooftops challenge this explanation.
What Are Drylines And How Do They Cause Severe Weather?
April 23, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
Drylines serve as a powerful creator for severe weather across the Southern Plains in spring and summer. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down why, and what makes these boundaries create powerful storms.
The Science Behind March’s Midwest Severe Storms
April 23, 2026, 10:14 am EDT
March was not kind to the Midwest, which saw round after round of severe storms, including tornadoes, gusty winds and large hail. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down the science behind why this happened.
‘Wuthering Heights’ & Weather: Why The Moors Are So ‘Moody’
April 23, 2026, 10:14 am EDT
The biggest star of the new adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ is not who you may think it is. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi get the top billing, when it should be the weather instead. The tumultuous weather of the Yorkshire moors in northern England sets the scene for the equally tumultuous plot line. The dark, ominous clouds, lingering fog and bone-chilling temperatures play the leading role in this classic tale.

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