Breezy conditions will create dangerous rip currents along Gulf Coast beaches in Alabama and Florida through at least Friday. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. 

Those planning a trip to Alabama and Florida Panhandle beaches—including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola, and Destin—a High Rip Current Risk will be in effect through Friday night, with the potential for extensions into Saturday and Sunday.

Further east and south along the Florida Peninsula, the risk will be more prolonged. In areas like Miami and Palm Beach, the high risk is slated to last through Sunday evening, accompanied by a High Surf Advisory with breaking waves as high as 7 to 11 feet.

Beachgoers should swim near a lifeguard whenever possible and not swim alone. If caught in a rip current, experts advise not to swim against the current and to relax and float. Swimmers may be able to escape by swimming parallel to the shoreline or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. Those unable to escape should face the shore and wave or call for help.

Rip currents don't pull swimmers under. They are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. These currents often occur near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. Swimmers should stay at least 100 feet away from these structures.

Anyone who sees someone in trouble should get help from a lifeguard or call 911. Never enter the water without a flotation device when attempting a rescue.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

The Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University (CSU) has officially released its highly anticipated annual outlook for the 2026 Atlantic Basin hurricane season. While the historical average (1991–2020) sits at 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes, CSU’s 2026 outlook calls for 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.

This year, Dr. Philip Klotzbach and the research team point to an emerging El Niño as a driver for lower tropical cyclone activity. However, there is still a level of uncertainty when forecasting the strength of El Niño several months in advance. 

Additionally, the outlook mentions above average sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean, but below average temperatures in the Atlantic. This pattern provides mixed signals in relation to an above average or below average season. Meanwhile, a strengthening El Niño could lead to increasing wind shear across the Atlantic Basin, which ultimately impedes the development of tropical systems. 

El Niño typically reduces the amount of storm activity in the Atlantic basin because it increases the amount of vertical wind shear. Vertical wind shear is strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere that typically prevents circulations like tropical systems from becoming fully formed. The opposite is true for La Niña, which typically reduces the amount of vertical wind shear.

As defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific—the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or “ENSO” for short. Keep in mind that El Niño and La Niña do not “cause” any one specific weather event; rather the two phases of ENSO influence changes in global climate patterns that then increase the likelihood of specific weather events. Once again, ENSO is not “to blame” for any one storm system, temperature anomaly, or hurricane.

As of April, ENSO was in the La Niña phase. A quick transition to El Niño, possibly a strong one, is expected over the next couple of months. Exactly when El Niño emerges and at what strength is still somewhat unclear. However, current projections do show El Niño taking hold late summer or early fall, near the peak of hurricane season. 

CSU's forecast is based on an extended-range early April statistical prediction scheme that was developed using over three decades of past data. These seasonal forecasts were originally developed by the late Dr. William Gray, who was the lead author on these predictions for over 20 years and continued as a co-author until his death in 2018. You can review the entire prediction, the scientific explanation, and the reason such a forecast is made, RIGHT HERE. In-season updates are issued in June, July, and August as basin conditions continue to evolve. 

Since 2002, pre-season predictions have shown modest accuracy. CSU outlooks fall within a reasonable margin of error (3 for named storms, 2 for hurricanes, 1 for majors) about 60% of the time. Those from NOAA have been only slightly better than a coin flip. In fact, simply using the expected state of ENSO (El Niño or La Niña) has historically, more accurately predicted above (La Niña) or below (El Niño) average activity than the aforementioned outlooks. 

The team at CSU Colorado State University and the Storm Station remind that “it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for you,” so prepare accordingly. NOAA’s official outlook is expected in Late May. For more on the season ahead and preparedness, visit wbrz.com/weather and click on the hurricane center.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

New mobile weather radars from NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory are expected to improve severe weather forecasting and public safety across the United States. NOAA researchers can now bring advanced radar technology directly to the front lines of tornadoes, hail storms, flash flooding, and severe wind events. These mobile radars give scientists a closer and clearer look at dangerous storms, helping them spot threats faster and with more detail than before.

DaNa Carlis, director of NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory, said the new radars are a major upgrade for forecasters and decision makers. The technology allows researchers to see the lowest parts of storms, where tornadoes and other hazards often form.

Each radar truck carries two X-band radars, which are sensitive to small particles, and one C-band radar, which works well in heavy rain. By using multiple radars at once, scientists can better measure wind speed and direction inside storms.

Pam Heinselman, deputy director of the lab, said this detailed data helps protect people by showing exactly where and how storms are changing. Kurt Hondl, associate director, explained that having more than one radar on a storm gives a much better picture of what is happening, which can lead to more accurate warnings.

OTHER FORECASTING BENEFITS

The new radars will also help track wildfires, monitor smoke and fire-driven winds, and pinpoint where the heaviest rain is falling during flash floods. This information can help communities prepare for sudden weather threats.

The project is part of the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment-United States, or VORTEX-USA, which brings together experts to study tornadoes and severe storms.

NOAA says the data from these mobile radars will be used to improve weather forecasts and give people more time to get to safety when severe weather is coming.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

For the first time in more than 50 years, NASA has launched humans back toward the Moon. Following the success of the unmanned Artemis I flight in 2022, the Artemis II mission marks a historic leap forward in an effort to pave the way for mankind to return to the Moon while also preparing for an eventual Mars landing. WATCH the Live Mission Coverage below:

Space Launch System (SLS) Program Manager John Honeycutt and Chief Engineer Dr. John Blevins describe the mission as “a practice run that will set the stage for future Artemis missions – humans once again landing on the lunar surface, exploring areas the Apollo astronauts did not, staying longer, learning more, and making new discoveries. It is the next step to establishing our presence on a strategically important piece of solar system real estate.”

The mission serves as a critical stress test of the Orion spacecraft’s life support system and will confirm that the ship can sustain a crew on future missions. The astronauts will practice operations essential to the success of Artemis III and beyond.

The mission will take place aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by the SLS rocket that will generate more than 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

The crew features a team of veteran astronauts who will become the first to see the side of the Moon opposite Earth since the Apollo era. Three Americans, Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and one Canadian, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, will board the flight.

From left to right, Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Jeremy Hansen

Weather played a critical role in launch operations. NASA has established strict weather guidelines to safely roll the rocket out to the pad and launch the rocket. Such criteria are very specific and consider temperature, precipitation, wind, solar activity, cloud type, lightning, and proximity to nearby thunderstorms.

The Artemis II mission launched at 5:35 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. The launch window spanned two hours, beginning at 5:24 p.m. local time (6:24 p.m. EDT). Should the launch have been scrubbed, there were five other two-hour launch windows from April 2-6, and another on April 30.

Before launching to the Moon, the crew will orbit Earth twice to ensure systems are functioning properly in a deep space environment, while still close to home. During that time, the crew will take manual control of Orion to test the human skill of maneuvering the spacecraft. This will be essential in future missions in order to dock with the lunar lander in orbit.

The next phase of the mission involves Orion propelling toward the Moon, during which the crew will evaluate the spacecraft’s systems, practice emergency procedures, and take part in science experiments. Eventually, the Moon’s gravity will catch Orion and take the ship around the far side of the Moon, where the crew will lose communication with Earth for about 30 to 50 minutes. From their vantage point, the Moon will appear around the size of a basketball held at arm’s length at that time.

The Moon will then “slingshot” Orion back around toward Earth for the final leg of the journey. Upon re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the spacecraft and crew will be recovered with the help of the U.S. Navy.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

As the 2026 hurricane season approaches, coastal communities will notice significant changes to the maps and tools they rely on during a tropical weather system. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is rolling out several updates designed to provide more accurate and easier-to-understand forecast information.

 

CHANGES TO THE CONE

Perhaps the most recognizable graphic in weather, known as the “cone of uncertainty”, is getting a permanent makeover. Starting this year, the cone will now include color-coded watches and warnings for inland areas, not just the coastline. For years, the cone only showed alerts for the immediate beach and bay areas. If you lived in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, or Gonzales, you often had to look at a separate map to see if your parish was under a Hurricane Warning or a Tropical Storm Warning. Now, those alerts will be layered directly onto the cone graphic from NHC.

This change is meant as a reminder that a tropical system isn't just a coastal event. Think of the cone like a flashlight beam; the center of the storm is expected to stay within that beam, but the "light" (the wind and rain) often spills out much further than the beam itself. By showing inland warnings, the NHC wants to make it clear that dangerous winds can travel far from the center of the storm.

With each passing season, the NHC seeks to capitalize on improved weather forecasting and computer modeling by gradually shrinking the cone. For 2026, it will be about 4% to 8% smaller than it was last year. Cone changes are determined by how well forecasts performed over the last five years. Because technology and tracking have improved, the margin of error has decreased. A smaller cone means forecasters are more confident in the storm’s path, though occasionally, a storm may still venture outside of the cone.

 

CHANGES TO TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOKS

When you check the Tropical Weather Outlook, the map that shows "X" marks over the oceans where storms might form, you might see a new colored “X” that will be gray. Previously, any system with a low, 0 – 30%, chance of developing had an “X” marked in yellow. Starting this year, if a system has a zero percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm, it will have an “X” colored in gray. NHC still wants to highlight these systems because they could have the potential to cause heavy rain. However, the gray “X” will provide clarity that the systems will not also become a wind or storm surge threat.

 

MOBILE-FRIENDLY UPDATES

Recognizing that most people check the weather on their smartphones, the NHC is launching a redesigned, mobile-friendly front page for its website, hurricanes.gov. The new layout is designed to load faster and be easier to navigate on smaller screens during power outages or evacuations.

 

AN “EXPERIMENTAL” ELLIPSE

In addition to the official changes, the NHC will be testing a new "experimental" cone in 2026. Instead of using circles to build the cone, they will use "ellipses" (oval shapes).

This is a technical change to better account for "along-track" and "cross-track" errors. In simpler terms, it will help NHC forecasts better show if a storm is likely to be fast or slow, rather than just whether it will turn left or right. This experimental version will also cover 90% of the likely path, providing a much wider guardrail than the standard 67% cone.

 

REMINDER ABOUT POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONES

Recently, NHC began designating Potential Tropical Cyclones (PTCs) to give people more preparation time for developing systems that haven’t technically reached storm or hurricane status. Before this, NHC could not issue alerts for undeveloped systems. Forecasters can now issue official advisories for a PTC up to 72 hours before it arrives. The change gives emergency officials and residents extra notice when there is high confidence that a system will bring dangerous winds or storm surge to the coast.

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins June 1. The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your tropical weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

The Pacific Ocean is heating up, and El Niño appears ready to take the driver’s seat as the peak of hurricane season kicks into high gear. If this pattern develops fully, it may pump the brakes on the number and intensity of hurricanes in the Atlantic during the upcoming season.

La Niña Phasing Out, El Niño Building

For the last two hurricane seasons, La Niña has been the dominant force. During La Niñas, strong easterly trade winds push warm surface water toward Asia, allowing cooler water to well up along the South American coast. This reshapes the global atmospheric circulation, effectively weakening the upper-level winds that typically guard the Atlantic. This works in favor of tropical systems. As it turns out, La Niña was one of the key contributors to the active 2024 and 2025 Atlantic hurricane seasons.

Now it appears La Niña's time is up. A massive pool of warm water has been traveling from the West Pacific toward the east over the past couple of months, hiding a few hundred feet beneath the water surface. Now, the warmth is beginning to emerge at the sea surface off the coast of South America.

Water temperatures compared to average along the Equator for the first 1,500 feet beneath the surface. The belt of deeper reds and oranges corresponds to an expansive pocket of warm water migrating toward the East Pacific.

In the coming months, that pool of warm water will continue expanding toward the surface in the East Pacific, swinging the pendulum toward El Niño. Such a transition would trigger a chain reaction that strengthens upper-level winds across the Atlantic — opposite of La Niña. These winds work to shred apart developing tropical cyclones before they get organized. Historically, El Niño years see fewer named storms and, crucially, fewer major hurricanes. Current projections indicate a 80% chance of El Niño by the peak of hurricane season.

Probabilities of El Niño vs. La Niña by season. 'ASO' describes the probabilities for the August-September-October season, which coincides with the peak of hurricane season.

Still Remain Vigilant

While El Niño is an ally that promotes below-average activity, it isn't a perfect "off" switch. For instance, if the enhanced upper-level winds over the Atlantic take a break and a storm finds a patch of warm water, a hurricane can still quickly spin up.

The timing of the transition to El Niño also matters. There's a gap between the exit of La Niña and the arrival of El Niño that may overlap with the start of hurricane season. Early-season storms in June and July often form before the wind shear “shield” of El Niño takes hold.

Also, remember that it only takes one storm to cause big problems, even during "quieter" peaks in August and September. 1992 was an incredibly quiet year — until Hurricane Andrew hit. That's a sobering reminder that a "slow" year on paper can still be a catastrophic year on the ground.

Most Likely Outcome

The upcoming hurricane season appears likely to be notably quieter than the last few seasons. As El Niño tries to take control, the most probable result is a below-average season. Such seasons tend to feature at least one or two high-end hurricanes, but they often recurve out to sea and avoid the Caribbean/Gulf.

Every now and again, a hurricane can sneak through — rest assured, the Storm Station will be keeping close tabs on any system that threatens. The first official outlook for hurricane season from Colorado State University will be released in April.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

After a night of stormy weather, the Capital Region is waking up to a dramatic temperature drop and frozen precipitation. Monday morning, many Storm Station viewers sent in pictures of ice pellets, which were a mixture of sleet and graupel. 

While hail typically falls in spring and summer thunderstorms, sleet and graupel are more common with cold precipitation events. There is a difference in how the two types form.

Sleet occurs when snowflakes melt into raindrops as they fall through a thin layer of warmer air, but then hit a much deeper layer of freezing air near the ground. This causes the droplets to refreeze into tiny, clear ice pellets before they hit the surface. Hail is jagged and spiky as it is pushed up and down in a storm cloud via turbulent winds. Sleet is smooth and rounded formed in a more straightforward process of "melting and refreezing" on the way down.

Sleet is often clear or translucent. In some cases the frozen pellets may be opaque or white which would be graupel. This forms when snowflakes falling well above ground are coated with water in a warm layer of the atmosphere and then it all freezes in a colder layer on the way down.  

A final check may be the sound and texture. Graupel is a softer, slush that would make less noise hitting surfaces and would more easily mush between your fingers. Sleet is more of a solid ice pebble that would make a distinct ticking sound when hitting hard surfaces and be hard to crush between your fingers, and that was a sound familiar to many of the videos taken on Monday morning. 

The Storm Station expects a blustery and much colder Monday. Temperatures will fall well below average before a gradual warmup later this week. A FREEZE WATCH is in effect for Monday night, with temperatures expected to plummet into the low 30s.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go. 

Permalink| Comments

BATON ROUGE — The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the entire Capital region on Monday

Going into effect at 1 p.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. on Monday, the warning emphasizes how the combination of very dry air and gusty winds could lead to rapid wildfire spread should one ignite.

Officials ask that residents refrain from burning while these conditions are present, as any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly.

Affected parishes include East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Assumption, Iberville, East Feliciana, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana Parishes, as well as Amite and Wilkinson Counties.

Storm Station Meteorologist Malcom Byron says that the reasons for the warning are gusty winds following a cold front coming to the area and low humidity.

"Whenever you have really dry conditions, that would be low relative humidities and breezy conditions, with low relative humidities, the air is so dry that it has a tendency to suck up the moisture out of dry vegetation a little bit faster. That promotes better fire fuels,” Byron said.

If fires were to ignite, then the gusty winds would help the fire spread easier.

"If you take a tissue paper and you drop it outside and it blows two feet, if that would have been a fire. It would've been four feet. So just keep that in mind. If you got something that's going to deliver ash, it can land on top of a dead pine tree or it can go a mile and catch something else on fire,” Husser Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dale Vernon said.

Byron says despite recent heavy rains, the soil is dry.

"While Baton Rouge is not technically under a drought, areas just north of the Metro area and south of the metro area, even despite all the added rain recently, they're still under a drought,” Byron said.

Fire officials recommend against burning Monday and say even something as small as flicking a cigarette can be problematic.

"Avoid burning anything outdoors. Anything that can create sparks in dry vegetation, you want to avoid that. A small spark can get away from somebody really quickly before they're able to control it,” Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Billy Zachary said. 

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

Permalink| Comments

UPDATE: The U.S. Geological Survey has upgraded the magnitude of the earthquake near Edgefield, LA to 4.4. While the new upgrade is stronger, new data reveal a deeper earthquake with a depth of around 7.3 miles. A separate 4.0 magnitude quake occurred one minute prior.

COUSHATTA — Another 4.0+ magnitude earthquake has struck north Louisiana.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 4.0 earthquake hit just north of Coushatta, Louisiana, at 4:41 a.m. on Monday. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 5 km (around 3 miles).

This appears to be an aftershock following last week’s rare magnitude 4.9 earthquake in the same area — the strongest recorded on land in Louisiana. Four smaller, and likely unnoticeable aftershocks, were also reported in the 24 hours leading up to the recent 4.0. 

No damage or injuries have been reported. Residents across parts of north Louisiana may have felt brief shaking.

Permalink| Comments

North Louisiana was shaken with an unexpected wake-up call early Thursday morning as a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the town of Edgefield. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at 5:30 a.m., centered approximately 4.4 miles northwest of Edgefield and roughly 29 miles northwest of Natchitoches. While the epicenter was located about 173 miles from Baton Rouge, the tremor was felt across a wide swath of the state and into East Texas.

The earthquake occurred at a depth approximately 3.1 miles below ground level which is relatively shallow and makes shaking more noticeable to those nearby. Cities such as Coushatta and Mansfield may have notified moderate shaking while some weaker activity may have been felt in Shreveport, Bossier City and Natchitoches. According to USGS estimates, over 670,000 people live within the region that may have felt at least light shaking.

Damage from this level of shaking is unlikely but experts say older unreinforced brick masonry buildings could be vulnerable to minor cracking. No major infrastructure damage has been reported.

Earthquakes of this magnitude are uncommon for the Pelican State. Historically, Louisiana sits in a relatively quiet seismic zone compared to neighbors like Arkansas or the New Madrid Fault zone further north. The last comparable events in the broader region occurred in 1982 and 2001, both registering at a 4.7 magnitude.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Hurricane Committee announced this week that Hurricane Melissa has been officially retired following the "death and destruction" the storm unleashed across the Caribbean last October. In its place, the name Molly will join the rotating list of storm names starting in 2031.

A Record-Breaking Monster

Hurricane Melissa wasn't just another storm; it was a historic powerhouse. At its peak, it reached Category 5 status—the highest level on the scale—with terrifying winds hitting 185 mph.

The storm’s impact was staggering:

• A Historic Hit: Melissa is now the strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in Jamaica.

• All-Time Records: Its wind speeds at landfall tied the infamous Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane for the strongest ever seen in the Atlantic basin.

• The Human Toll: The storm was responsible for more than 90 deaths across Jamaica, Haiti, and neighboring island nations.

"Years of Development Rolled Back"

The storm brought a "triple threat" of disasters: devastating storm surges (ocean water pushed onto land), extreme winds, and massive flooding from historic rainfall.

"It only takes one landfalling tropical cyclone to roll back years of development," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. "And this was unfortunately the case with Hurricane Melissa."

Evan Thompson, head of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, noted that the trauma remains fresh. "Melissa has now been engraved in the collective memory of the nation," he said, adding that retiring the name helps ensure the country doesn't have to constantly face that traumatic reminder in future forecasts.

Why Do We Retire Names?

The WMO uses a rotating list of names to make it easier for the public to communicate about storms and stay safe. These names repeat every six years. However, when a storm is so deadly or costly that using its name again would be insensitive or confusing, the committee "retires" it out of respect for the victims.

2025: Quality Over Quantity

Interestingly, the 2025 hurricane season actually had fewer storms than a typical year, but the ones that did form were exceptionally powerful.

Forecasts Saved Thousands

While the loss of 90 lives is a tragedy, experts say it could have been much worse.

Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, credited the "lifeline" of early warnings and close cooperation between countries for preventing a much higher death toll. These warnings allowed for massive evacuations and the closure of airports before the wind even started to pick up.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

It’s about time to look up again; a night sky wonder will soon be visible in the Capital Area. In the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will sweep across the sky, turning the moon a dusty red in what is famously known as a “Blood Moon.”

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, casting the Moon into Earth’s shadow. During a total eclipse, the Moon moves into the umbra, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. However, it doesn't go pitch black. Instead, sunlight filters through the edges of Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the Moon to give off the iconic crimson glow. Essentially, the light of every sunrise and sunset on Earth gets projected onto the lunar surface.

Tuesday will also feature a rare selenelion, a unique eclipse where the Sun and eclipsed Moon are visible at the same time. This sight is only possible near moonrise or moonset. In this instance, the selenelion will occur after totality. The partially eclipsed moon will set at 6:31 a.m., while sunrise will occur at 6:29 a.m., leaving a brief window to catch both at once. Success for observers will depend on having a perfectly clear, unobstructed view of both the eastern and western horizons.

Viewing the eclipse in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In Baton Rouge, the eclipse will begin in the predawn hours on March 3. The Moon will only glow red during totality between 5 and 6 a.m. It will be sitting quite low on the horizon, so for the best view, look toward the western sky closer to 5 a.m., well before moonset and sunrise.

• Penumbral eclipse begins: 2:44 a.m. CST*

• Partial eclipse begins: 3:50 a.m. CST

• Totality begins: 5:03 a.m. CST

• Totality ends: 6:02 a.m. CST

• Moon sets below horizon: 6:31 a.m. CST

*The penumbra is the faint outer shadow of Earth. The Moon dims only by a slight amount as it enters the penumbra. This would be difficult to spot with the naked eye. The real “show” begins once the partial phase starts

Courtesy: NASA

As the Moon dims during an eclipse, surrounding stars will appear brighter than usual, offering a great opportunity for stargazing. No special equipment is needed to observe this event, but binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experience. Of course, clear skies will be needed for optimal viewing, so stick with the Storm Station for the latest forecast.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) released its post-storm analysis of Hurricane Melissa, a storm that rewrote record books during its devastating trek across the Caribbean last October. The report validates multiple records, notably confirming that the storm now shares the title for the strongest sustained wind speed in an Atlantic hurricane. Such records include:

• Peak Intensity: At 190 mph, Melissa’s maximum sustained winds tie it with Hurricane Allen (1980) for the strongest ever recorded in an Atlantic hurricane.

• Landfall Power: Making landfall with winds of 185 mph, it ties the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Dorian (2019) for the most powerful Atlantic landfall in recorded history.

• Atmospheric Pressure: With a minimum central pressure of 892 mb, Melissa ties the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane for the third-lowest pressure ever measured in the basin.

• Landfall Intensity: Its 897 mb pressure at the time of landfall stands as the second-lowest on record, surpassed only by the 892 mb mark of the 1935 Labor Day storm.

Even more staggering was a wind gust captured by the NOAA Hurricane Hunters as the storm’s eyewall approached the Jamaican coast. The instrument, known as a dropsonde, recorded a gust of 252 mph a few hundred feet above the surface. After months of quality control, this figure has been officially verified, marking the strongest wind gust ever recorded in a tropical cyclone worldwide. This surpassed the 248-mph dropsonde measurement record set by Typhoon Megi in 2010.

The report also details the catastrophic toll of the storm. Ninety-five known people are confirmed dead across the Caribbean. The estimated damage across Jamaica has been placed at $8.8 billion, encompassing 41% of Jamaica’s GDP in 2024. The report notes that “scale of destruction has been estimated as among the worst ever recorded for Jamaica. Infrastructure damage, collapsed homes, ruined hospitals, disrupted roads, flooding, and power outages combined to generate a nationwide humanitarian crisis with recovery and relief operations still ongoing as of this writing.”

Permalink| Comments

Earth just experienced its first Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone of 2026. In the southwestern Indian Ocean, Intense Tropical Cyclone Horacio underwent a period of rapid intensification over the weekend. By Monday, Horacio had maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph, with gusts up to 195 mph, making it the strongest tropical cyclone on Earth so far this year.

The storm’s rapid ascent from a struggling tropical depression to a top-tier system is noteworthy. The system first appeared on Thursday as a disorganized low-pressure area in the southern Indian Ocean. After being named on Friday, the storm initially struggled to gain traction despite favorable conditions. Horacio’s hesitation abruptly ended over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, the storm was a modest tropical storm packing 65 mph winds. Just 24 hours later, it had undergone a 95-mph surge in intensity — nearly triple the threshold for "rapid intensification." On Monday, satellite imagery revealed a classic symmetric eye at Horacio’s center, the hallmark of an intense system.

While Horacio would be called a “hurricane” in the Atlantic or “typhoon” near Japan, these storms are officially classified as tropical cyclones in the southwest Indian Ocean. Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, tropical cyclones rotate in a clockwise fashion, opposite to the spiral seen in the Northern Hemisphere. The region’s cyclone season officially runs from November 15 to April 30, which captures the warmest months of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer and fall.

Horacio has since begun a rapid weakening trend as it moved into cooler water and encounters a harsher environment. Fortunately, the storm remained largely over open water, sparing major landmasses from a direct hit. Horacio will lose its tropical characteristics and transition into a post-tropical system by the end of the week.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

Additional survey crews assessed damage across southern Louisiana on Tuesday that was left behind by weekend storms. Officials determined that two tornadoes tracked through portions of Ascension and St. James Parish. This brings the total number of tornadoes within the Storm Station coverage area to four, after two tornadoes were confirmed in Amite and Wilkinson Counties on Monday.

Donaldsonville/Union, LA: EF-1 Tornado

• Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph

• Path Length: 17.3 miles

• Maximum Path Width: 200 yards

• Start: 2 miles SW Donaldsonville (Ascension Parish, LA)

• End: 6 miles NNW Lutcher (St. James Parish, LA)

Survey Findings: An NWS storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph, embedded within a line of storms, touched down shortly after midnight on February 14 just north of the Ascension/Assumption Parish line. The tornado began by snapping large branches and uprooting a tree near Te Nom Landry Road and Highway 308 South. It then moved east-northeast across open fields toward the intersection of Highway 3089 and Highway 70. At that location, the tornado strengthened to EF-1 intensity, snapping a power pole and a tree trunk. Maintaining EF-1 strength, the tornado continued east-northeast, snapping a series of power lines along Baxter Road on the south side of the CF Industries complex. It intensified further to peak intensity as it crossed into St. James Parish, moving primarily through open fields before snapping four power lines in another open field. The tornado remained strong as it crossed an additional field near Badger Road and snapped another set of power lines along Highway 18. It then began to weaken as it moved east-northeast across the Mississippi River. Near Highway 3125, it partially snapped and bent another power line. The tornado tracked into marshland north of Highway 3025 before reaching Highway 61, where it uprooted another tree. The final damage point was along Interstate 10, where additional large branches were snapped. This track is preliminary and may be adjusted following further review of high-resolution satellite imagery in the coming weeks.

Hillaryville, LA: EF-1 Tornado

• Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph

• Path Length: 15.3 miles

• Maximum Path Width: 150 yards

• Start: 4 miles ESE White Castle (Ascension Parish, LA)

• End: 4 miles SSE Sorrento (Ascension Parish, LA)

Survey Findings: An NWS storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90 mph, embedded within a line of storms, touched down just after midnight on February 15 along Highway 1 in far western Ascension Parish. The tornado initially snapped large branches and small tree trunks before continuing eastward, causing minor tree damage as it crossed Highway 405 and the Mississippi River. Additional damage to large branches and treetops was observed along River Road north of Darrow. The tornado moved east-southeast across inaccessible areas until reaching Ruffin Martinez Road and Highway 22, where more large branches were snapped as it continued toward Walter Hill Road. It then crossed the Mississippi River a second time, remaining over open fields or a refinery. The tornado reached peak intensity near Highway 70, where a few tree trunks were snapped. It then tracked east of Highway 70 over marshland, likely lifting near the Ascension/St. James Parish line. This track is preliminary and may be adjusted following further review of high-resolution satellite imagery in the coming weeks.

Centreville, MS: EF-1 Tornado

• Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph

• Path Length: 7 miles

• Maximum Path Width: 100 yards

• Start: 6 miles NNW Norwood (Wilkinson County, MS)

• End: 1 mile ESE Centreville (Amite County, MS)

Survey Findings: An EF-1 tornado touched down along Ancil Cox Road on the southwest side of Centerville near Griffin Lane. A few trees were downed, including at least one that brought down a power line. The tornado tracked northeast, roughly paralleling Ancil Cox Road, reaching Old Highway 33. The most significant damage occurred near this intersection, where about a dozen trees were uprooted or snapped, supporting the 90 mph wind rating. Beyond this point, the tornado continued northeast, causing sporadic tree and limb damage. The final accessible point along its path was near Centerville Academy, where minor damage was observed, including a downed light pole, partial roof uplift on a metal building, and a baseball pitching backstop thrown roughly 250 feet into a chain-link fence. The tornado may have continued slightly farther northeast, but confirmation will require further satellite imagery analysis.

Peoria, MS: EF-1 Tornado

• Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph

• Path Length: 2.3 miles

• Maximum Path Width: 100 yards

• Start: 7 E Liberty (Amite County, MS)

• End: 8 ENE Liberty (Amite County, MS)

Survey Findings: An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90 mph touched down along Peoria Road, about 1 mile south of Highway 24. Dozens of trees were snapped and uprooted at the initial damage site. The severity of tree damage suggests the tornado may have first touched down slightly southwest of this location; however, limited access in the rural area prevented confirmation of an extended path. The tornado tracked northeast, crossing Highway 24 and East Fork Road, producing numerous snapped and uprooted trees along this segment. It may have continued beyond the surveyed area, and additional satellite imagery analysis will be conducted to determine the full extent of the path.

Meteorologist Balin Rogers was on-air continuously for several hours on Saturday night, covering multiple Tornado Warnings.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil is said to be predicting six more weeks of wintry weather after he saw his shadow Monday.

His annual prediction was translated by his handlers at Gobbler’s Knob in western Pennsylvania.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club says that when Phil is deemed to have not seen his shadow, that means there will be an early spring. When he does see it, it’s six more weeks of winter.

Phil tends to predict a longer winter far more often than an early spring.

Tens of thousands of people were on hand at Gobbler's Knob for the annual ritual that goes back more than a century, with ties to ancient farming traditions in Europe. Punxsutawney's festivities have grown considerably since the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray.

Lisa Gibson was at her 10th Groundhog Day, wearing a lighted hat that resembled the tree stump from which Phil emerges shortly after daybreak.

“Oh man, it just breaks up the doldrums of winter,” said Gibson, accompanied by her husband — dressed up as Elvis Presley — and teenage daughter. “It’s like Halloween and New Year’s Eve all wrapped up into one holiday.”

Gibson, a resident of Pittsburgh, had been rooting for Phil to not see his shadow and therefore predict an early start to spring.

Rick Siger, Pennsylvania’s secretary of community and economic development, said the outdoor thermometer in his vehicle read 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 15 degrees Celsius) on his way to Gobbler’s Knob.

“I think it’s just fun — folks having a good time,” said Siger, attending his fourth straight Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. “It brings people together at a challenging time. It is a unifying force that showcases the best of Pennsylvania, the best of Punxsutawney, this area.”

Last year’s announcement was six more weeks of winter, by far Phil’s more common assessment and not much of a surprise during the first week of February. His top-hatted handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club insist Phil’s “groundhogese” of winks, purrs, chatters and nods are being interpreted when they relate the meteorological marmot’s muses about the days ahead.

AccuWeather’s chief long-range weather expert, meteorologist Paul Pastelok, said early Monday some clouds moved into Punxsutawney overnight, bringing flurries he called “microflakes.”

Pastelok said the coming week will remain cold, with below-average temperatures in the eastern United States.

Phil isn't the only animal being consulted for long-term weather forecasts Monday. There are formal and informal Groundhog Day events in many places in the U.S., Canada and beyond.

Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, the midpoint between the shortest, darkest day of the year on the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s a time of year that also figures in the Celtic calendar and the Christian holiday of Candlemas.

Permalink| Comments

Among the most dazzling meteor shower displays, the Geminids will peak this weekend (December 13-14) across the globe. Under ideal conditions, skywatchers could see up to 120 meteors per hour.

Luckily, this year’s waning crescent moon won’t wash out the show. Darker skies will make a better viewing experience, unlike the Perseids this past August, when moonlight overshadowed most meteor streaks. The final element to consider is cloud cover. Find the latest forecast updates as the weekend approaches HERE.

Observers in dark, rural locations stand the best chance of seeing over 100 meteors per hour. A typical suburban area should expect fewer meteors per hour, perhaps up to 30. In urban areas with heavy light pollution, like Baton Rouge or New Orleans, that number could drop even more. To maximize the viewing experience:

• Find a rural area, away from city lights.

• View several hours after sunset. The best window will be between 10 p.m. and dawn.

• Look for Jupiter. It will be near the constellation Gemini, where the meteors will appear to originate.

• Be patient! It may take a few minutes or longer to see a meteor.

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through a trail of dust and debris in space. In the case of the Geminids, Earth crosses the debris trail from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This is different from most meteor showers, which result from comets. Tiny particles that make up the debris trail hit the atmosphere at 78,000 miles per hour, burning up and creating bright streaks seen from the ground as meteors.

The Geminid meteor shower is an annual winter event, peaking around December 13-14 with a dazzling show. The name comes from the constellation Gemini, where meteors appear to originate from — otherwise known as the radiant point.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and Twitter for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

It’s confirmed — a 252 mph wind gust measured inside Hurricane Melissa is the strongest ever recorded on Earth by a “dropsonde.” As National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew through the storm in October 2025, they dropped a fleet of dropsondes into the storm. Such devices are parachuted through hurricanes to collect vital pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind information multiple times per second. Though many dropsondes sampled Melissa’s fury, an unprecedented 252 mph gust sampled around 800 feet above sea level particularly captured the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) attention.

Collaborating with the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), scientists took on the task of verifying the measurement. Part of the process included running the data through quality control software and confirming that the data aligned with the laws of physics and the typical behavior of a hurricane. No discrepancies were found. The 252 mph wind gust surpassed the previous record of 248 mph from Typhoon Megi over the Western Pacific in 2010.

Verifying the measurement is important. For instance, even stronger wind data was collected during Hurricane Katrina in 2005; however, substantial issues were found in the data upon further analysis.

Accurate data is crucial when it comes to forecasting hurricanes and issuing emergency alerts. Dropsondes are unique in their ability to look at a slice of a hurricane in great detail, including what’s going on at sea level, where people and property are most affected. In the case of Melissa, powerful winds and storm surge inflicted catastrophic damage in Jamaica and Haiti. Although Melissa ended up claiming nearly 100 lives in the process, without accurate data feeding the forecasts, the death toll almost certainly would have been worse.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.

Permalink| Comments

Permalink| Comments