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Weather Explainers

What is driving the fire weather in the Southwest this week?
June 25, 2026, 7:08 am EDT
A persistent wildfire and fire weather threat is impacting portions of the Southwest and Central Plains this week due to an upper-level trough in the atmosphere. That trough is allowing the jet stream to cause strong winds across a region with extremely dry air, which could allow a spark to spread quickly into a fire. Meteorologist Sara Tonks explains.
How El Niño brings crazy temperatures for Alaska, Southeast
June 25, 2026, 7:08 am EDT
El Niño is just around the corner, but some impacts are already starting. The warming equatorial region of the Pacific can supercharge the Pacific “Blob”, which are increasing temperatures across southern Alaska. El Niño is also supercharging the subtropical jet, leading to wetter and cooler conditions for the Southeast. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks it all down.
May Is Tornado Month; Where Do They Usually Happen?
June 25, 2026, 8:29 pm EDT
May is the most extreme month for tornadoes, with far more tornadoes seen on average compared to any other month. But this spring has already been extremely active in terms of tornadoes, so will May fare any differently? Meteorologist Jennifer Gray breaks down where tornadoes usually are in May and how recent storms compare.
What is a heat dome, and why it matters to you
June 24, 2026, 7:18 am EDT
An unprecedented heat dome that has set up over parts of Europe. Days of triple-digit heat in places that often don’t have AC could lead to life-threatening conditions. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks it all down.
How the Gulf can spin up tropical storms without much warning
June 22, 2026, 5:02 am EDT
Quick-forming Gulf systems can be surprising. Storms like Hurricane Humberto and tropical storms Imelda and now Arthur have spun up rapidly in recent years. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford shows why storms near the Texas Coast can surprise us.
Central American Gyre: What it is, how it impacts tropics
June 19, 2026, 11:47 am EDT
The Central American Gyre is a unique weather phenomenon that can lead to tropical development in both the East Pacific and the Atlantic. A broad area of rotation with plenty of moisture, tropical systems have formed along this area in years past. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks it down.
Why the Midwest has seen so many tornadoes this year
June 17, 2026, 6:23 am EDT
The Midwest keeps getting hit by round after round of tornado-producing storms. This pattern has actually been going on all year. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down the why.
Relative humidity vs. dew point: Which matters to you?
June 15, 2026, 5:12 am EDT
Spoiler alert: Dew point is really what you want to look at when you're wondering how you'll feel if it is "humid" out.
Sweat bees change color based on humidity levels
June 14, 2026, 8:56 am EDT
In April 2026, scientists confirmed sweat bees change color based on weather. These metallic insects shift from deep blue in dry conditions to copper-green when humidity rises. Microscopic structures on their exoskeletons swell with moisture, altering how they scatter light wavelengths. Unlike chameleons, these bees don't control the transformation—it's pure physics. Their bodies act as living hygrometers, passively responding to atmospheric humidity through nanoscale structural changes.
Could Sharknado Really Happen?
June 14, 2026, 10:25 pm EDT
In July 2013, Hollywood's "Sharknado" asked the outrageous question: What if tornadoes threw sharks at people? The science reveals that the odds are astronomically low, keeping ‘Sharknadoes’ firmly in Hollywood fantasy, and not a realistic weather concern.

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