Intense downpours like those in Texas are more frequent, but there's no telling where they'll happen
More than 100 people died in Texas Hill Country over the weekend after 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain fell in just hours. The deluge was driven by warm, moist air left over from Tropical Storm Barry and Hurricane Flossie that created conditions for repeated thunderstorms in the same location, said Texas Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gulf coast braces for flooding as storm system builds into possible tropical depression
The tropical weather system moving across the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday was showing a greater chance of becoming a tropical depression as it moves toward the northern Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The weather system has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression as it moves west toward southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, the federal agency said. The tropical weather will affect Alabama and Mississippi as well. Regardless of whether the system worsens, heavy downpours could cause flooding, officials warned. New Orleans is bracing for three to five inches of rain through Saturday, but some localized areas could see more than eight to 10 inches, especially near the coast, the National Weather Service said. 'While a tropical depression cannot be ruled out near the coast on Thursday, the main focus remains the heavy rain threat,' the agency wrote on X. The looming threat in the southeast comes on the heels of a series of lethal floods this summer. On Monday, flash floods inundated New York City and parts of New Jersey, claiming two lives. And at least 132 people were killed in floodwaters that overwhelmed Texas Hill Country on the Fourth of July. The current system percolating over Florida would be called Tropical Storm Dexter if it becomes a named storm. Just six weeks into the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, there have been three named storms: Andrea, Barry and Chantal. Dexter would be the fourth if it develops that way. Chantal made landfall in South Carolina last week, and its remnants caused flooding in North Carolina that killed an 83-year-old woman when her car was swept off a rural road. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said there was a 60% chance that there will be more named storms this hurricane season than there have been in past years on average. The currently developing weather system is expected to move fully inland by the end of the week. ____ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
System over Florida has potential to develop into tropical depression, weather service says
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A drenching weather system moving across Florida on Tuesday wasn't even a tropical anything but has the potential to develop into a tropical depression as it moves into the northeastern and northern Gulf later in the week, according to National Weather Service forecasters. The system would be called Tropical Storm Dexter if it became a named storm, but it was expected to be far less lethal than the namesake vigilante serial killer of the Showtime crime drama, 'Dexter' which was set in Florida. The National Weather Service said the area of low pressure off Florida's east coast was becoming better defined and moving west across the Florida Peninsula on Tuesday. The system was drenching the peninsula with heavy rains, and the weather service warned of the potential for flash flooding in parts of the state through the middle of the week. 'Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development, and a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf,' the National Weather Service said. How many storms have we had so far? Just six weeks into the start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, three tropical storms have developed — Andrea, Barry and Chantal. Dexter would be the fourth if it develops that way. Andrea dissipated in the Atlantic after forming at sea last month. Barry dumped rain on eastern Mexico at the end of last month. Chantal made landfall in South Carolina last week, and its remnants caused flooding in North Carolina that killed an 83-year-old woman when her car was swept off a rural road. Floodwaters also forced dozens of people to flee their homes in North Carolina. How many Atlantic storms are predicted this season? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May forecast 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes and three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph). A normal season has 14 named storms, seven of which strengthen to hurricanes and three power up further to major hurricanes. Colorado State University researchers last month estimated there would be 17 named storms this year, with nine of them becoming hurricanes. Of the predicted hurricanes, the researchers said four could become major hurricanes. 'Weather modification' reports required in Florida With hurricane season on Floridians' minds, state Attorney General James Uthmeier this week sent a letter to the state's airports telling them that they must report the presence of any aircraft used for the purposes of 'weather modification' starting in October to comply with a new Florida law. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. After flash floods killed scores of Texas residents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users spread false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in precipitation of this magnitude. Uthmeier said at a news conference on Tuesday that 'this stuff sounds pretty scary to me.' 'My letter was to put airports on notice that they do have obligations and could face penalties, including some criminal penalties, if they don't comply,' Uthmeier said. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @
Toronto Star
08-07-2025
- Toronto Star
Intense downpours like those in Texas are more frequent, but there's no telling where they'll happen
It's not just Texas and North Carolina. Intense rain is falling more frequently in many areas of the U.S. — though where it occurs and whether it causes catastrophic flooding is largely a matter of chance, according to experts. More than 100 people died in Texas Hill Country over the weekend after 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain fell in just hours. The deluge was driven by warm, moist air left over from Tropical Storm Barry and Hurricane Flossie that created conditions for repeated thunderstorms in the same location, said Texas Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon.
