Local Weather Tracker

Cool Facts About Total Solar Eclipses

Cool Facts About Total Solar Eclipses

Solar eclipses occur when occultation happens. Occultation is when the Moon moves in its orbit between the Earth and the Sun. During an eclipse, the Moon’s shadow casts across the Earth’s surface. During Annular or Partial eclipses, never look at the sun directly as it can cause damage to your …

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Father and Sons on Camping Trip Rescued From Wildfire

Father and Sons on Camping Trip Rescued From Wildfire

This annual Labor Day weekend outing for one family became dangerous soon after it started. Joe Ebright and his two sons were rescued on their camping trip from a California wildfire.  It was not clear exactly how major and threatening it was until his family was out of harm’s way.   The father of the two teens said on Wednesday that …

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Oregon Family Runs Out of Gas Fleeing Wildfire

Oregon Family Runs Out of Gas Fleeing Wildfire

A family camping trip was cut short in Oregon early Tuesday morning as flames and thick smoke surrounded campgrounds.  Allison Hargett, her husband Tyler, and their 6-year-old daughter Lilly were camping at Detroit Lake State Park with friends.    The Hargett‘s arrived at the campgrounds on Monday with their boat. They received evacuation orders …

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Are you Prepared? September is National Preparedness Month

Are you Prepared? September is National Preparedness Month

National preparedness month, or NPM, is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our country continues its response to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved.  The 2020 NPM theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”  “Week 1, 9/1-9/5: Make A Plan; Talk to your friends and family about how …

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Weather Forecaster Dies Suddenly

Weather Forecaster Dies Suddenly

Weekend weather forecaster for NBC’s Lubbock, Texas affiliate, Kelly Plasker, died suddenly over the weekend. The station paid tribute to her on Sunday.  KCBD NewsChannel 11 anchor Kase Wilbanks told viewers in a somber moment, “In her three years on air, she showed us her passion for weather, which came through in her forecasts that kept us all …

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Daily Weather Report By Filmmaker David Lynch

Daily Weather Report By Filmmaker David Lynch

Twin Peaks co-creator David Lynch is doing the world a service by giving us a break from pandemic news and politics by uploading a daily weather report on YouTube. He has been uploading his weather reports since mid-May to his David Lynch Theater YouTube channel. The filmmaker sits in what looks like a basement, or a …

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Woman Trapped in Vehicle Dies From Heat

Woman Trapped in Vehicle Dies From Heat

The wife of a Miami police officer was found dead in her husband’s patrol car after she became locked in the back seat during a sweltering summer afternoon.  56-year-old Clara Paulino was found dead on Friday by her husband and son just after 5 p.m. on a day when temps were 92 degrees, according …

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Lesser-Known Terms for Weather Phenomena

Lesser-Known Terms for Weather Phenomena

Right now, we hear more about weather than ever before. Here are some little-known terms to help you with your next Zoom trivia or scrabble night. Derecho:  Derecho means straight. Straight-line wind damage is a defining characteristic of this weather event. Derechos accompany massive thunderstorms. These storms are usually preceded by the low dark shelf clouds.  A derecho is defined as a wind-damage …

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Thousands in Michigan Ordered to Evacuate After Dams Fail

Thousands in Michigan Ordered to Evacuate After Dams Fail

Thousands in Michigan ordered to evacuate after dams fail, causing life-threatening floods. Evacuation orders are being made more difficult as the state continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The risk of dangerous flooding from two failed dams in the central part of the state has initiated an evacuation order for thousands of people.  Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency …

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Fun Weather Tidbits You May Not Know

Fun Weather Tidbits You May Not Know

Here is some fun weather information you may not have known! Everyone likes weather facts at a party… right?! You can tell the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit by counting cricket chirps. Just count the number of chirps for 15 seconds and add 37 to that number to get an approximate temperature.  Sandstorms can swallow …

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Prominent Climate Change Scientist Dies

Prominent Climate Change Scientist Dies

Konrad “Koni” Steffen, a prominent climate change scientist, died Monday in an accident near a weather station he founded in 1990 on the Greenland ice sheet.  Steffen, 68, spent 40 years conducting research in the Arctic and Antarctic and was considered one of the world’s leading authorities on climate change.  He had been the …

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11 Penguin Colonies Discovered From Satellite Imaging

11 Penguin Colonies Discovered From Satellite Imaging

Through satellite imaging, scientists have discovered 20% more Emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica. There are now 61 colonies across the continent overall. The discovery is welcomed, but the previously undiscovered critters will act as “canaries in the coalmine” when it comes to studying the impact of global warming, experts said.  The study used satellite mapping technology to help the study to “provide an …

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Weather Forecasts Less Accurate Due to COVID-19

Weather Forecasts Less Accurate Due to COVID-19

The U.S. is in hurricane season, and a reduction in commercial airline flights due to the pandemic has significantly impacted the ability to accurately forecast the weather.  A study by Dr. Ying Chen found that the “accuracy of surface meteorology forecast in March-May 2020 decreases remarkably” as flight density drops.  The research looked at weather forecasts from March of this year and compared them to actual observed weather …

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