Weather News
We watch the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NIFC and the Storm Prediction Center around the clock. When a significant event develops, a live tracker goes up here — official numbers, the affected area, and how it stacks up against 139M+ historical NOAA records.
Developing Now
Flood Watches Across 6 States — 19 Watches, 4 Flash Flood Warnings Active
Flood Watches for excessive rainfall are in effect across AZ, CA, CO, ID, NM, UT, with 4 Flash Flood Warnings and 3 Flood Warnings active. Live counts from the NOAA National Weather Service.
Tropical Storm Josephine
Tropical Storm Josephine is active. Live position, intensity and advisories from the NOAA National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Vance
Tropical Storm Vance is active. Live position, intensity and advisories from the NOAA National Hurricane Center.
Aspen Acres Fire
The Aspen Acres Fire has burned 102,007 acres in CO. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Kaiser Canyon Fire
The Kaiser Canyon Fire has burned 138,293 acres in WA. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Second Flat Fire
The Second Flat Fire has burned 105,854 acres in OR. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Hagen Fire
The Hagen Fire has burned 61,380 acres in OR. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Bench Fire
The Bench Fire has burned 67,071 acres in OR. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Little Giant Fire
The Little Giant Fire has burned 172,912 acres in WA. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Modrite Fire
The Modrite Fire has burned 57,594 acres in WA. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Grasshopper Fire
The Grasshopper Fire has burned 93,972 acres in OR. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Wrights Spring Fire
The Wrights Spring Fire has burned 55,134 acres in OR. Live size and containment from NIFC/WFIGS.
Forecasts & Analysis
Southwest Flooding, October 2026: A Near-Record Wet Month
October is the Desert Southwest’s driest month — yet Las Vegas set its wettest October day on record and five of nine cities have already beaten a normal full October, with more flooding rain due Oct 21–22 from Hurricane Trudy’s moisture. DB-grounded October climatology from NOAA data.
How Accurate Is Punxsutawney Phil? We Scored Him
NOAA ranks Punxsutawney Phil 17th of 19 groundhogs at 35% accuracy. He calls “six more weeks of winter” in about 85% of years (109 of 129 on record), and our check of the last five Groundhog Days against the NOAA temperature record puts him at 2-for-5 as late winter keeps running warm.
Thanksgiving Weather by Region: Travel Odds for 25 Hubs
We checked 30 years of NOAA data for 25 US travel hubs: Portland and Seattle see measurable precip on 6 of every 10 Thanksgiving-week days — the wettest in the country — while the Upper Midwest is the snow-delay belt and the Sun Belt flies easy. All 25 hubs ranked.
Is the Farmers’ Almanac Accurate? What the Record Shows
Independent studies put the Farmers’ Almanac and Old Farmer’s Almanac near 52% accuracy — a coin flip — despite a famous 80% claim the publishers score on themselves. The evidence, how the almanacs forecast, and a NOAA-data check of the last two winters.
NC Tornado Outbreak: 13 Tornadoes From Isaias, Oct 2026
The remnants of Hurricane Isaias produced 13 confirmed tornadoes across North Carolina on October 11, 2026, including at least three EF-2s, with no deaths. The state’s worst single tornado day since the 2020 Isaias — but short of a record. Ranked against NC’s biggest outbreaks with NOAA data.
Does El Niño Mean More Snow? What the Data Says for Your City
Does El Niño mean more snow? Mostly less, if you live up north. Across the strong El Niño winters since 1970, Buffalo averaged 33% less DJF snow and Boston 34% less, while Washington, DC got 38% more — a 30-city NOAA-data breakdown ahead of the 2026-27 Super El Niño.
Oklahoma City’s Wettest October Day on Record: 5.59″
Tropical moisture from Hurricane Simon dropped a record 5.59 inches on Oklahoma City on October 14, 2026 — its wettest October day ever, above the 5.45 inches of 1983 — onto ground that had been nearly dry all month. Final storm totals for 9 Plains cities vs the record, from NOAA data.
Hurricane Isaias: 2026’s First Atlantic Hurricane Ties a 121-Year Record
Isaias reached hurricane strength at 3:30 UTC on Oct. 8, 2026 — the season’s first hurricane — tying the Oct. 8, 1905 record for the latest a season’s first Atlantic hurricane has ever formed, then made landfall near Destin, Florida as a Category 2. Its heaviest rain hit a bullseye near landfall (about 21 inches at Eglin AFB), and its remnants spun up 13 tornadoes in North Carolina. We rank it against every October on record in the warning zone.
Hurricane Polo’s Remnants: 2–8" of Rain for Texas & the Southwest
Polo’s remnants will drop 2–4 inches, locally up to 8, on Texas and the Southwest through Oct 3. It’s not a record on paper — but Albuquerque’s last two weeks already out-rained its wettest October ever, which is what makes it dangerous.
The Worst Hurricanes to Hit Hawaii, Ranked
A CPHC/NOAA-sourced ranking of the worst hurricanes in Hawaii history — Iniki (1992, Cat 4, $3.1B), Iwa, Lane’s record 52-inch rains — and why the islands are almost never hit head-on. Published as a Hurricane Watch flies for Tropical Storm Nolo.
The Worst October Hurricanes in US History, Ranked
Two of the worst hurricanes in American history struck in October: the 1893 Chenière Caminada storm (~2,000 dead) and Sandy (2012, $70B). A NOAA/NHC-sourced ranking of the deadliest and costliest late-season US hurricanes — and why October storms are so dangerous.
Hottest Summer on Record: Where Summer 2026 Was Most Extreme
NOAA confirmed summer 2026 as the hottest on record for the contiguous US (74.4°F, 132-year record). But our NOAA station analysis of 31 cities shows the record was built in the West: Albuquerque set an all-time summer record while Dallas, Memphis and St. Louis never came close to theirs.
Nashville Hit 100°F in Mid-September: Mid-South Heat Dome Records
Nashville hit 100°F on September 15, 2026, breaking a record from 1927, as NASA mapped the largest heat dome on Earth over Tennessee. Memphis logged its hottest September day on record (102.9°F), and 7 of 8 Mid-South cities set or tied their warmest September night ever — from 56 years of NOAA data.
Tornadoes in Illinois: 243 in 2026 Set a US State Record
Illinois recorded 243 preliminary tornadoes in 2026 (SPC data) — the most any US state has reported in a single year, passing Texas’s 229 from 2015. Plus 75 years of NOAA SPC data: 2,973 tornadoes since 1950 and the only August F5 in US history.
Latest First Atlantic Hurricane on Record: 2026 Set the Mark
The 2026 Atlantic season beat the old satellite-era mark of Sept. 11 (Gustav 2002, Humberto 2013) by nearly a month before Isaias became its first hurricane on Oct. 8 — tying the all-time 1905 record for the latest first Atlantic hurricane. A ranked history of the slowest starts and why a strengthening El Niño is to blame.
El Niño Winter 2026-2027: What a Super El Niño Really Does
A very strong El Niño is the most likely winter 2026-2027 outcome. Our NOAA-data analysis of the three strongest El Niño winters on record shows Minneapolis ran 5.4°F warm, Chicago 4.6°F, and Miami got nearly 2.5× its normal rain.
Labor Day 2026 Heat Wave: Every Record It Broke, by City
A heat dome over the Plains held 21 cities in the 90s and low 100s through Labor Day weekend 2026, producing 1,331 US daily record highs. Against 56 years of NOAA records, 11 of 21 cities broke or tied a daily record, Fort Smith hit 105.9°F, and Joplin tied its hottest Labor Day ever (100.9°F). The all-time record — 111°F at Dallas–Fort Worth on Sept 4, 2000 — held.
Hurricane Lala and Hawaii's 155-Year Hurricane Drought
Hurricane Lala raked Hawaii's Big Island with 80 mph winds and up to 25 inches of rain on August 16, 2026, but avoided landfall. Hawaii's rare hurricane history — Iniki, Iselle, Lane — plus our NOAA rainfall data from Hilo.
When Is Peak Hurricane Season? The September 10 Peak, Explained
The Atlantic hurricane season peaks on September 10, with roughly 85% of major-hurricane activity between August 20 and October 10. Five of the six costliest US hurricanes in our database struck inside that window — and here is how the 2026 El Niño changes this year.
When Is the First Frost? America's Fall Freeze Is Arriving Later
The first fall freeze is arriving later in every one of the 21 major US cities we measured — up to 17 days later than the 1970s in Chicago and Minneapolis, and about nine days later on average. See the first-frost date for each city and what a longer growing season means.
July's Hottest Blast Came Last: 449 Records Fell as Phoenix Hit 116.9°F
A late-July heat surge sent 449 daily record highs tumbling across the West and northern Plains between July 24 and 26, 2026 — July 25 was the busiest heat day of the month (266 records), Phoenix hit 116.9°F beating its own 2023 mark, and many Montana stations re-broke records they had set only in 2024. Days earlier a record cold snap gripped the northern US.
Record Cold in Late July: 117 Low-Temperature Records Fell
A Canadian air mass dropped late-July mornings into the 40s and 30s across the Midwest and Northeast. Between July 22 and 24, 2026, at least 117 daily record lows fell — Sac City, Iowa hit 39°F, 11°F below its 1985 record — in the same region that broke 323 heat records three weeks earlier.
Texas Hurricane History: 18 Storms Since 1970, Ranked by Rain
We pulled the NOAA rain-gauge totals for 18 major Texas tropical landfalls since 1970. Harvey leads at 47.48" — but three of the four wettest never reached hurricane strength, while Category 3 Celia left just 7". The four tropical storms averaged nearly twice the rain of the 14 hurricanes.
When Is the Hottest Day of the Year? Every City's Peak Date
For most of the US the hottest day of the year lands in mid-to-late July, but it ranges from June 26 in Tucson to September 5 on the California coast. We computed the exact peak date for 41 major cities from 55 years of NOAA data — and the geography is stranger than you'd think.
July 2026 Heat Recap: 1,500+ Records Fell as Montana Hit 116°F
More than 1,500 daily temperature records broke in the first half of July 2026. An East Coast heat wave over the July 4th weekend toppled records from 1970; a northern-Plains heat dome a week later pushed eastern Montana to 116°F, breaking records from 2002. Built from our live NOAA records pipeline.
Every State's Hottest July on Record: All 50 States Ranked
Death Valley's 134°F on July 10, 1913 is the hottest July — and hottest any-month — temperature ever recorded on Earth. We ranked all 50 states from NOAA records and found July's book is the opposite of June's: 27 of 50 records predate 1960 and 17 still stand from the Dust Bowl. Includes July 2026's 1,311 broken records.
Western Heat Wave July 2026: Montana Hit 115°F as 350 Records Fell
The July 11—13, 2026 heat dome broke roughly 350 daily high-temperature records across the northern Rockies and Plains. Miles City, MT hit 115°F, Salt Lake City 109°F, and 109 of the records replaced marks set in 2002 — measured from 56 years of NOAA daily records.
US Drought 2026: How Bad It Is and the Driest States
About 40% of the US is in drought this July, but the deepest 2026 rainfall deficits are in the Southeast: Arkansas is down ~12 inches, North Carolina down ~10. We ranked every state's shortfall from 139M NOAA records and checked it against the official US Drought Monitor.
July 2026 East Coast Heat Wave: Every Record It Broke, DC to Boston
The July 2—4, 2026 heat dome broke or tied a daily high-temperature record in every one of the nine East Coast cities we analyzed. Atlantic City hit 105.9°F, Newark 105°F, and New York City reached 100°F for the first time since 2012 — measured from 56 years of NOAA daily records.
June 2026 Was a Top-5 Hottest June for Boston, Philly & DC — But Not Texas
We ranked 27 US cities by how far June 2026 ran above their 56-year average using 139M NOAA records. Boston led at +4.6°F (4th-warmest June in 57 years); Seattle and Portland ran 3°F+ above normal; but San Antonio and Memphis finished below average. The month ended with a record-breaking July 4th heat dome.
UK Heatwave 2026: When Will It End, and Every Record That Fell
The UK's third heatwave of 2026 is under way, forecast to peak near 35–36°C in mid-July before breaking down toward the weekend of 18–19 July. The year's hottest day remains a provisional 37.3°C at Santon Downham, Suffolk (26 June). Here's when this spell ends, plus every record 2026 has already broken.
2026 European Heatwave: Record Temperatures Country-by-Country
A running record of the 2026 European heatwave. Spain peaked at 45.1°C and Germany hit a provisional national-record 41.7°C in late June; a fresh heat dome reloaded over Western Europe in July with the Iberian Peninsula back in the low-to-mid 40s°C. Country-by-country records, the ~9,900 estimated death toll, and how it compares to 2003 and 2022.
The Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Europe (Every Country)
Every European country ranked by its all-time record high — from Sicily's WMO-verified 48.8°C (119.8°F) to the UK's 40.3°C and Ireland's 33.3°C from 1887. Six countries have topped 45°C, all Mediterranean. Plus the June 2026 solstice heatwave breaking records across the continent and why southern Europe keeps climbing.
Arizona Monsoon 2026: Phoenix Rainfall by the Numbers
Phoenix averages just 2.56 inches of monsoon rain, but it has ranged from 9.57 inches (1984) to 0.15 inches (2023, the driest on record). We pulled 70 years of NOAA data on when Arizona's monsoon starts, how much rain to expect, Tucson vs Phoenix, and the wetter-than-normal 2026 outlook.
Every State's Hottest June on Record: All 50 States Ranked
California leads at 125.6°F (Death Valley, 2013). But the real story: 21 states set their hottest June day during the 2012 heat wave, and 37 of 50 records have fallen since 2010. All 50 states ranked with decade trends and city warming data from 139M NOAA records.
El Niño Hurricane Seasons: What 75 Years of Data Actually Show
We analyzed all 25 El Niño Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1950. El Niño cuts named storms by 35% on average — but Hurricane Andrew (Cat 5), Michael (Cat 5), and the devastating 2004 quad-Florida strike all happened during El Niño years. Full table with storm counts, landfalls, and damages.
Kilauea Episode 48: How Wind Patterns Shaped Hawaii’s Record-Breaking Eruption
Kilauea’s 48th eruption episode broke Pu’u’o’o’s all-time record on June 1, 2026. Northeast winds pushed the 25,000-foot ash plume over Hilo, canceling flights. Analysis of wind conditions during the 10 most recent episodes reveals why weather determines eruption impact.
Wildfire Season 2026: What 43 Years of Fire Data Show About El Niño Summers
AccuWeather forecasts 5.5–8 million acres burned in 2026. We cross-referenced 43 years of NIFC wildfire data with every El Niño since 1983. The 4 worst fire seasons? Two were strong El Niño years. Here’s the full analysis.
Southwest Heat Wave 2026: Phoenix Hit 115°F Before Summer Even Started
Phoenix reached 115°F on May 8 — the earliest such reading in Arizona history. Yale called the 2026 Southwest heat wave one of six most astonishing weather events of the century. Historical comparison from 139M NOAA records.
Every State's Hottest May on Record, Ranked — and How 2026 Changed the List
We analyzed 75 years of NOAA temperature records for all 50 states. May 2026 broke or tied monthly records in at least 18 states. Arizona hit 115°F three weeks earlier than ever before.
2026 Is on Track to Be the Hottest Year in US History
Through September, 2026 is the warmest January–September on record for the contiguous US (59.25°F), capped by the hottest September ever (69.4°F) and the hottest month ever measured (July). Our archive logged 13,879 daily heat records to 1,883 cold. Plus the Super El Niño and what to expect next.
May 2026 Super Tornado Outbreak: 206 Tornadoes, 78 Deaths & the First Minnesota EF5
162 tornadoes in 24 hours — the 2nd most ever. 78 dead across 12 states. Rochester’s EF5 was Minnesota’s first and the first US EF5 in 13 years. How NOAA SPC data ranks this against the 2011 and 1974 super outbreaks.
El Niño 2026 Forecast: Could Be the Strongest on Record
CPC issues El Niño Advisory — 63% chance of very strong event by winter. ECMWF projects +3°C SST anomaly, potentially strongest since 1877. Region-by-region analysis from 139M NOAA records.
Hurricane Season 2026: 9 Storms, 1 Hurricane — Latest First on Record
Hurricane season 2026 ran through the slowest start in 60 years — eight weak named storms (Arthur through Hanna) and no hurricane deep into the fall — until Isaias became the ninth named storm and the season’s first hurricane on Oct. 8, tying the all-time Oct. 8, 1905 record for the latest first Atlantic hurricane ever, then making a Category 2 landfall near Destin, Florida on Oct. 9. We pair the record with what strong El Niño seasons have actually delivered over 75 years.
Summer 2026 Forecast: El Niño Confirmed, 36 States Above-Normal Heat
El Niño officially confirmed (CPC Advisory June 11). ECMWF: could be strongest ever recorded. 36 states face above-normal heat. CSU lowers hurricane forecast to 11 storms. Updated June 16.
Tornadoes of 2026: 500+ Tornadoes, 78 Deaths, First Minnesota EF5
500+ tornadoes and 78 deaths in 2026. The May super outbreak produced 162 tornadoes in 24 hours — the 2nd largest single-day count ever. State-by-state data and historical comparison from NOAA SPC records.
March 2026 Heat Wave Shattered Records in 14 States
112°F in mid-March. 7,000+ daily records broken. State-by-state breakdown with city departure tables, cascading impacts on wildfire risk and snowpack, and the climate attribution science.
Winter 2025-26 Was the 2nd Warmest on Record
The winter of 2025-26 was the second warmest in 131 years of US records. Nine states broke all-time records. See city-level data from 55+ years of NOAA observations.
Looking for evergreen rankings and records? Browse all trends & analysis →