Latest news with #JenniferGray
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather Words: Invest
Every named tropical system has to start somewhere, and for many, the early days before a name is even given, it starts as an 'invest.' Short for 'investigation,' an invest is a designated zone in the ocean that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or other weather agencies are watching for potential tropical development. Once a cluster of thunderstorms shows signs of organization or poses a long-range threat to land or shipping routes, it can be labeled as an invest and assigned a number 90-99 and either the letter L or E (like Invest 92L in the Atlantic or 99E in the eastern Pacific). Assigning an invest doesn't mean a storm will form, but it does signal a shift in attention. It allows computer models to start running dedicated forecasts on that specific area and triggers more frequent satellite analysis and, in some cases, reconnaissance flights - when the hurricane hunters are called in to fly through the storm and collect data. It's basically the meteorological world's way of saying, 'Let's keep a close eye on this one.' While not all invests will become named storms, many are the early chapters of hurricanes that will later dominate the news. For forecasters and weather watchers alike, seeing a new invest pop up is a reminder that hurricane season is here, and preparation may be needed down the road. Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tropical Or Subtropical Depression Could Form Near Florida Or Off Southeast Coast Over Holiday Weekend
The National Hurricane Center continues to track possible tropical or subtropical development this weekend or early next week from near Florida to off the Southeast coast. Regardless of whether or not that happens, stormy weather will impact areas from Florida to southeast Georgia and the coastal Carolinas. The first step in any development chance is for low pressure to spin up in association with a dissipating front over water off the Southeast coast. If that happens and the low becomes better defined, then a subtropical or tropical depression could form this weekend into early next week. Atmospheric conditions are only marginally conducive, so only slow development of a subtropical or tropical depression is possible, the National Hurricane Center says. We don't expect any system to become well-organized or strong if development did occur. If this system somehow strengthened into a tropical storm, it would be named Chantal. (MORE: 5 Ways Tropical Storms Can Form) The large-scale weather pattern in association with this setup will allow showers and storms and gusty winds to impact Florida, southeast Georgia and the coastal Carolinas over the next several days. Much of the stormy weather will be focused on Florida initially, including Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Miami, but then it will spread to the Southeast coast over the weekend. These thunderstorms will come in several rounds or bands and could be more persistent than the typical afternoon and evening thunderstorms. As a result, localized flash flooding is possible in spots. The beach forecast this holiday weekend will be touch and go, so be sure to have a plan B and a way to shelter from lightning. Rip currents will also be possible over the holiday weekend along the Southeast coast. Take note of flags warning about this danger at beaches and stay out of the water if the flags are red. (MORE: What Flags Mean For Ocean Conditions At Beaches) Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The National Hurricane Center Is Watching A New Area Off The Florida, Carolina Coasts
The National Hurricane Center has highlighted an area around Florida that includes both the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean, for potential tropical development later this week. While odds of development are low at the moment, there's a chance for conditions to become more favorable later in the week. If something tropical does develop, it will be from the remnants of a cold front that is expected to slide southeast this week and stall over northern Florida by the end of the week. What to expect: Keep in mind that regardless of development, there will be numerous showers and storms in and around Florida and the Southeast this week. The beach forecast this holiday weekend will be touch and go, with off and on showers and storms lingering across much of the state. Northern portions of the state, around the Big Bend and eastward, could see nearly a foot of rain this week. This means many Fourth of July barbeques and outdoor activities in this region may need a plan B just in case. With many people heading to the beach for the 4th of July weekend, check back often for forecast updates as we continue to track this area of possible development. Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Universal Orlando's ‘Epic Universe' Is Opening – Here Are Our Top Weather Survival Tips For Any Theme Park Visit
Universal Orlando's fourth theme park - Epic Universe - opens Thursday (May 22). It's being called one of the largest, most expensive theme parks in the world. It's also the first new theme park in Florida in more than 20 years, so you can bet crowds will be flocking to check it out. Do you know what else you can bet on? The weather will test your mettle, from scorching heat to drenching thunderstorms. meteorologist Jennifer Gray explains, 'Summer is the rainy season in Florida. You can bet on afternoon thunderstorms to pop up somewhere in the vicinity of the park most days. These not only can drench your Universal crew but there is a risk of lightning as well that you need to be mindful of. Also, keep in mind that temperatures will be extremely hot! Highs will be in the 90s… heat indices in the triple digits aren't uncommon.' (MORE: Scenic Secrets: The Most Vibrant Pink In Nature) So what's the best way to prep for the weather and still wring every moment of enjoyment from your theme park visit? Instead of turning to a single expert, I consulted our team here at to get some tried and true tips from our theme park veterans. Topping everyone's list: Our Senior Product Manager, Michael Cohen, said bring your own reusable water bottle from home. Universal allows you to take empty, reusable bottles that you can fill at water stations throughout the park. You're also allowed a sealed water bottle, once it's under 2 litres. Stephanie Quick, Lead Performance Marketing Manager, added, 'Dehydration is real, especially for those who don't live in the South.' This one may seem obvious, but if you're spending all day at a theme park, the key is to remember to reapply your favorite sunscreen every couple of hours. Don't know which sunscreen is best for you? Stephanie Quick has the ultimate guide and our top 10 picks here. It's tough to make a poncho cute, Kristin Amico, one of our Engagement Editors, shared this memory: 'Somewhere in a pile in my parents' house is a picture of me in a poncho riding Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls. Sad vibes for real.' But, the alternative is trudging around and sitting on a ride in wet clothes after you've been drenched by that pop-up thunderstorm. Although our managing editor, Sean Breslin, said: 'I'd rather be wet than baking in the Florida humidity trapped in a poncho.' Pick your poison, people. Senior Digital Meteorologist Jonathan Belles has this one covered: 'As somebody who has done everything from 100 degrees to a foot of rain in one visit, the best summer advice for a new park goer would be to pick out several dark rides and water rides to take breaks at.' He went on the explain that summer storms usually only last 20 to 60 minutes (outside of hurricanes, of course), so 'that's when you dip into the dark ride or the food break. And something I probably shouldn't advocate, but something I personally do, if you get lucky and get a shower without lightning, some outdoor rides and roller coasters are completely different in the rain and lines are almost always shorter. Just check the lightning app before you jump in line.' Now that you have these insider tips, we wish you all the best at wrangling the excited, then extremely fatigued, kids (and kids at heart) and long lines. No really! Cheers to a great summer filled with some theme park magic. MORE ON - What To Know About Navigating National Parks This Summer - These Travel Hacks Can Help You Navigate Any Weather
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather Words: Saharan Air Layer
It's wild to think that dust from an African desert can not only impact everything from our air quality to sunsets in the U.S., but also suppress hurricane activity across the Atlantic and Gulf. It's called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) and you'll hear meteorologists talk about it quite frequently during hurricane season. SAL is a mass of extremely dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert and travels westward over the tropical Atlantic Ocean, usually during the late spring through early fall. The SAL can extend from about 5,000 to 20,000 feet in altitude and stretch across thousands of miles. It's often carried by strong easterly winds known as the African Easterly Jet, which acts like an atmospheric conveyor belt transporting the dust-laden air far from its desert origins. One of the most striking effects of the Saharan Air Layer is the visible dust it carries across the ocean and sometimes even into the Americas, including the Caribbean and southern U.S. states like Texas and Florida. This dust can lead to hazy skies, vibrant sunrises and sunsets, and degraded air quality. The most significant role this dusty air can play is its ability to suppress tropical systems. The dry air, strong winds, and warm temperatures hinder the development of tropical storms and hurricanes by limiting thunderstorm formation and creating wind shear. This 'tears apart' tropical systems, so that they don't have much of a fighting chance when faced with the warm, desert dust. Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
