On Wednesday, parts of southeast Louisiana dealt with an unusual combination of extreme heat and tropical storm conditions at the same time, something that has not been documented before in reliable records going back to 2005.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, the heat index hit 121 degrees in Lake Charles, 115 in Morgan City and 113 in New Roads. Those readings triggered an extreme heat warning across south Louisiana.

At the same time, due to Bertha, tropical storm warnings were also in place along the immediate coastline.

According to The Storm Station, reliable records of warnings going back to 2005 show this is the first time those two types of warnings have overlapped.

Highs in the mid to upper 90s are expected to continue through the middle of next week. Low chances of rain are in the forecast from Friday through that same stretch.

Get the latest 7-day forecast and real-time weather updates HERE.

Watch live news HERE.

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A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of southern Mexico Friday morning, shaking communities across the region and into neighboring Guatemala. The earthquake was centered about 30 miles southwest of Aquiles Serdán, near the Pacific coast.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, millions of people likely felt the earthquake, with some areas experiencing very strong shaking. Cities including Tapachula, Huixtla, Huehuetán, Ciudad Hidalgo, and Acapetahua were among the communities closest to the strongest shaking.

There are no official reports of widespread damage or casualties yet, but emergency officials are continuing to assess the situation. The USGS says earthquakes in this part of Mexico have also been known to trigger landslides, which could create additional hazards in mountainous areas. Residents are being urged to stay alert for possible aftershocks as crews work to determine the full impact of the quake.

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BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health now reports four heat-related deaths statewide, all of which occurred in June. Two of those fatalities were reported in northeast Louisiana, with the other two in the Acadiana and Northshore regions. The department releases heat-related fatality statistics every Thursday.

The Storm Station expects more heat heading into the weekend, with highs in the mid-90s likely. Factoring in the humidity, the heat index will likely be 10-15° warmer.

With hotter temperatures in the forecast, understanding the signs and symptoms of heat illness will be important. Heat exhaustion can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, and a weak but fast pulse. When noticing these symptoms, it’s time to find some A/C to cool off before the situation becomes a medical emergency.

If heat exhaustion is ignored, it can turn into heatstroke, when the body overheats as its self-cooling mechanisms stop. Signs include a throbbing headache, no more sweating, a strong and more rapid pulse, and even unconsciousness. Anyone experiencing heatstroke symptoms must call 9-1-1 immediately.

Drinking plenty of water and taking breaks from the intense summer heat go a long way in preventing heat illness. Nationwide, heat is the number one weather-related killer over a 30-year average.

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.

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A weakly organized system in the eastern Gulf is being watched, but the chances of tropical development remain low.

Out of 175 computer model simulations, only 14 show any tropical development. Most of those 14 come from artificial intelligence-based guidance, which meteorologist Malcolm Byron said has shown promising signs of success in recent years.

"If you see things online that worry you about this system, hold your horses," Byron said. "I don't think it's anything to be concerned about just yet."

The National Hurricane Center says no development is expected over the next week, and development odds for the disturbance in the eastern Gulf are too low to be introduced at this time.

Beyond that, the local forecast looks much drier. Rain coverage has dropped from 30 percent down to 10 percent, with highs in the mid-90s and lows in the middle 70s expected over the next several days.

A large pocket of dry air wrapping around the system is one reason for the quiet stretch, as tropical moisture stays concentrated over the eastern Gulf away from the local area.

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UPDATE - July 8, 2026: Colorado State University researchers have released another update to their Atlantic hurricane season forecast, once again lowering their projected storm numbers. The forecast now calls for 9 named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane. That's down from the June forecast of 11 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

The further drop in numbers is primarily related to a high likelihood of strong El Niño around peak season. This will increase upper-level winds across the Atlantic basin, creating hostile conditions for tropical formation and intensification. While Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently sending mixed signals, with a combination of warm and cool regions, the strengthening El Niño remains the dominant factor that will likely limit overall activity.

Phil Klotzbach, the lead author of the forecast report, also notes that the 2026 Atlantic seasonal forecast is exhibiting characteristics similar to the 1965, 1982, 1987, 1997, 2009, and 2015 seasons. All of these seasons had below-average Atlantic hurricane activity, with most not even seeing over 10 named storms, boosting their confidence in the prediction.

However, the Storm Station likes to remind everyone that even in a quieter season, it only takes one storm to change everything. For instance, 1992 was one of those below-average seasons, but it was also the year Category 5 Hurricane Andrew struck Florida, and also eventually made landfall in Louisiana. The time to prepare is now, well before a storm threatens.

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.

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As America gears up to celebrate its historic 250th birthday, many will head outdoors to enjoy spectacular fireworks displays, including WBRZ’s Annual Fireworks on the Mississippi. These colorful shows captivate crowds, young and old, but every single blast is actually an incredible feat of chemistry.

Shortly after a firework is lit, tightly-packed black powder explodes, launching it high into the sky. As the firework climbs, a time-delay fuse burns slowly inside. After just a few seconds, that fuse sparks the core, triggering a second explosion that blasts tiny chemical pellets called “stars” outward.

These stars can be packed into different patterns to create a variety of shapes in the sky, while the specific chemicals within them determine their vibrant colors.

A variety of metal salts are used to paint the sky, which include strontium for red, calcium for orange, sodium for yellow, barium for green, and copper for blue. Purple fireworks are typically a mix of strontium and copper compounds, whereas white fireworks combine magnesium and aluminum compounds. These chemicals must burn to give off color, so oxidizers are added to fuel the combustion process. Additional binding chemicals hold everything together.

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Whether it’s a quick trip down to Grand Isle or a road trip to the white sands in Florida or Alabama, summer beach season has arrived. While the beach comes with fun and memories, it can also come with dangerous elements if not careful. Keep your family safe this summer by keeping these quick safety tips in mind.

Rip Currents – Arguably one of the most dangerous beach hazards, rip currents are narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from the shore. Often catching swimmers off guard, rip currents draw people away from land even on perfectly sunny days.

According to the United States Lifesaving Association, rip currents are responsible for over 100 deaths per year and 80% of lifeguard rescues.

Most rip currents flow at a speed of 1 to 2 feet per second, but have been measured up to 8 feet per second — faster than the pace of an Olympic swimmer.

Rip currents can be challenging to spot, but not impossible. Look for a break in the incoming wave pattern, or a patch of water that looks unusually choppy, or a line of foam and debris moving steadily out to sea. The following video from NOAA shows a real-world example of a rip current:

If caught in one, it’s important not to panic. Don’t fight the current, as trying to do so will lead to exhaustion. Instead, float and swim parallel to the shoreline until free of the current’s pull. Once free, swim at an angle back to the beach. If escaping becomes difficult, try to draw the attention of lifeguards by floating on your back, waving your arms, and yelling for help.

Rough Surf – Crashing waves might look pretty, but they pack an incredible force. Even the smallest waves can hit with the force of a car. Getting knocked down or pinned to the sand can cause serious injury or even result in drowning.

Protect the head and neck by keeping your hands in front of your body. Never turn your back on the ocean. Keep an eye on incoming waves so you are never blindsided. Also, be sure to keep children within arm’s reach. A sudden wave or undertow can pull a child into deep water in the blink of an eye.

Sometimes, waves pack a little more punch. “High surf” describes larger waves that have the power to erode beaches, move large logs, or wash over exposed rocks. Swimming in these choppy waters is dangerous. Before diving in, check the beach flags or ask a lifeguard about conditions.

While exact definitions may vary from beach to beach, the color of the flag is generally a good indicator of ocean conditions.

• Green: Calm conditions, but still exercise caution

• Yellow: Moderate surf and/or currents. Weak swimmers should stay close to shore.

• Red: High surf and/or strong currents. All swimmers should stay out of the water

• Double Red: Ocean strictly closed to the public due to extreme danger.

• Purple: Dangerous marine life is present, such as jellyfish or stingrays

Sunburn & Heat – The southern summer sun is already intense, but it packs an even bigger punch at the beach. Because sunlight reflects off both the sand and the water, UV rays are amplified, making it much easier to catch a bad burn.

To stay sun-safe, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly, reapplying after every two hours or immediately after swimming. Also consider bringing a beach umbrella to stay out of direct sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the peak UV hours.

Don’t let the heat catch you off guard, either. Staying properly hydrated isn’t just about comfort; it’s crucial. Know how to spot the warning signs of heat exhaustion before it escalates into a dangerous heatstroke.

• Heat Exhaustion (take steps to cool down): Heavy sweating, cold/clammy skin, fast/weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness.

• Heatstroke (medical emergency – call 911): No sweating, body temperature over 103°, fast/strong pulse, loss of consciousness, throbbing headache.

Lightning – Gulf Coast beaches are no strangers to sudden afternoon downpours. Since water conducts electricity, standing on an open beach makes you a relatively tall target for lightning.

The same safety rule at home applies at the beach: when thunder roars, go indoors. If thunder is within earshot, lightning can strike at any time, even if it isn’t raining yet. Once a rumble is heard, pack up and head to an enclosed building or vehicle. Once inside, wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back out to the sand.

General Safety Tips – Before traveling, check the local weather, surf, and tide forecasts. Look specifically for warnings regarding high waves, rip currents, or other local hazards.

Always swim with a friend, and choose a beach with a lifeguard on duty. According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, chances of drowning at a lifeguarded beach drop to just 1 in 18 million.

Before setting up on the sand, note the beach's physical address in case of an emergency and locate the nearest public life stations equipped with emergency life rings.

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.

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Early risers across southeast Louisiana were treated to quite a sight on Sunday morning when a brilliant flash of light streaked across the pre-dawn sky. Around 5:00 a.m., Storm Station viewers reported seeing what looked like a large, vibrant green ball with fire trailing behind it followed by a bright flash.

When small space rocks (meteoroids) slam into Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, they create the light streaks we call "shooting stars" or meteors. However, when the incoming object is larger—often over three feet wide—it creates an exceptionally bright streak known as a fireball.

If that fireball ends with a dramatic explosion in the sky, scientists technically call it a bolide, though the two terms are often used interchangeably. These displays are so bright they can be seen across massive areas at night, and on rare occasions, even during the day.

As a space rock plunges toward Earth, extreme friction slows it down and heats it up. This intense heat melts away the rock's outer layers, causing it to fragment. Ultimately, the unequal pressure squeezing the front and back of the rock becomes too much for it to handle, causing it to violently explode. Most fireballs completely vaporize in the air, though occasional fragments (meteorites) manage to survive the plunge and hit ground.

Astronomical experts will review data to determine if any fragments survived the plunge. Additionally, they will make the final classification as to what was seen streaking through skies on Sunday morning. 

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.

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As temperatures climb toward one of the hottest weekends of the summer season, there is a simple rule to keep in mind: look before you lock. That reminder applies to children and pets left inside hot vehicles, where temperatures can rise fast and become life-threatening.

On a day where the outside temperature reaches 94 degrees, the inside of a parked car can hit 113 degrees in just 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, that climbs to 128 degrees and after an hour, it reaches 137 degrees.

According to doctors, children heat up three to five times faster than adults. That means heat puts significantly more stress on a child's body.

Louisiana has a Good Samaritan law that protects people from property damage liability if they break into a vehicle to rescue a pet in danger. However, there are necessary steps that have to be followed under the law.

A person must first make a good-faith attempt to find the vehicle's owner before entering. They must also contact local law enforcement, the fire department, animal control or a 911 operator before forcing entry. The person must also confirm the vehicle is locked, believe there is no other reasonable way to remove the animal and use only the force necessary to get inside. After entering, the person is required to leave a notice on the windshield with their contact information, the reason for entry, the location of the animal, and confirmation that authorities have been notified.

The person must then stay with the animal in a safe location near the vehicle until emergency responders arrive. If they cannot stay, they must notify the appropriate authorities and take the animal to the nearest shelter.

The law covers cats and dogs kept for companionship or pleasure. An animal is defined as being "in distress" when conditions such as heat, cold, or poor ventilation could reasonably cause suffering or death.

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.

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AVOYELLES PARISH, LA — A historic and catastrophic weather event has shattered Louisiana’s all-time 24-hour rainfall record. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, part of the slow-moving remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur unleashed an unprecedented deluge on Avoyelles Parish.

According to data released by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Lake Charles, a volunteer observer with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) measured a staggering 29.06 inches of rain just three miles southeast of Cottonport, Louisiana.

What makes the total particularly astonishing is the timeframe. The state's previous 24-hour record was 22 inches on August 29, 1962, in Hackberry from a non-tropical storm. This new historic standard of nearly 30 inches fell in less than 12 hours.

Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) estimated precipitation maps from the NWS illustrate a tightly packed, intense bullseye of precipitation centered directly over the Cottonport, Mansura, and Simmesport areas. The data confirms a highly localized but devastating meteorological event.

While the NWS has emphasized that the 29.06-inch record is technically considered "preliminary" until it undergoes a final, formal review by the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). The mind-boggling total has already been analyzed and verified by both NWS meteorologists and the Louisiana State Climatologist.

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BATON ROUGE — A large Saharan dust plume is moving across the Atlantic Basin and could reach the Gulf Coast by next week. Multiple impacts could be noted across the region. 

The Storm Station Team says no tropical development is expected over the next seven days because of the dry air mass coming off the African continent. Saharan dust marks hot and dry desert air and can be associated with bursts of wind shear. It also shields sunlight, cooling the ocean surface, which makes it difficult for tropical systems to develop.

The tan shades visible on tracking maps show the dust keeping the basin dry. Storms struggle to develop in that type of atmosphere.

As the plume moves closer to the United States, it could bring hazy skies and colorful sunrises and sunsets to the Gulf Coast. It could also potentially lower air quality in the region.

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.

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SLIDELL — The National Weather Service has now confirmed eight tornadoes touched down in southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi on Wednesday night into Thursday morning as Tropical Storm Arthur made its way through the region. 

The first tornado, an EF1, hit Houma around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday and lasted roughly one minute. It recorded a peak wind speed of around 95 mph.

A second tornado, an  EF0 hit Terrebonne Parish at at 3:02am.

Another tornado was in Terrebonne Parish at 3:47am, an EF0.

The storm, a tropical disturbance that blanketed southern Louisiana in heavy rain and caused flooding, scattered debris across several yards. No fatalities have been reported as a result of the possible tornado in Houma. 

The fourth tornado, another EF1, hit Avondale in Jefferson Parish around 12:32 a.m. on Thursday. This one lasted around two minutes and recorded a peak wind speed of 90 mph. 

A fifth tornado, also an EF1, hit Bridge City in Jefferson Parish around 2:42 a.m. and lasted 16 minutes. This system recorded a peak wind speed of around 95 mph. 

The sixth was in St. Tammany parish, an EF1 that was on the ground for over 12 miles.  Winds are estimated to be over 105mph.

The other two tornadoes were reported in Mississippi.

No injuries were reported in any of the tornadoes. 

Learn more about the storm and flooding across the state from WBRZ's Storm Station Meteorologists. 

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A consistent atmospheric pattern is behind some of the Gulf Coast's most significant heavy rain events in May and June, according to an analysis by the Storm Station.

The team of meteorologists at WBRZ reviewed every May and June since 2003, when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began archiving daily weather maps. The top three-day rainfall totals at Metro Airport in Baton Rouge were compared to surface and upper-level maps to identify key weather features during each event. The top eight events all shared a similar setup: a stationary (or slow-moving) front stalled along the Gulf Coast and/or an upper-level trough positioned to the west.

A stationary front is a boundary between two different air masses that has lost its momentum and stopped moving. Because it is stalled, storms that form along it repeatedly track over the same areas.

An upper-level trough is an area of low pressure in the atmosphere, typically between 18,000 and 30,000 feet overhead. Troughs to the west act like atmospheric vacuums, pulling moist, tropical air upward from the surface and providing continuous lift to create stormy weather.

Here is how that dual setup played out across the top eight events:

These patterns often occur during May and June because of a seasonal shift in global wind currents. The jet stream, which pushes weather systems across the country, weakens and migrates northward toward Canada during late spring.

As the jet stream moves north, steering currents over the southern United States slow down. Cold fronts that easily sweep through Louisiana in January, February, and March lose their forward momentum and stall right over the Gulf Coast states for days at a time. A stalled front in May or June causes significantly more flooding than one in winter for two reasons.

First, humidity starts surging northward during these months as the seasonal warming process begins in the Gulf. Winter air masses typically struggle to have a lot of moisture.

Second, the combination of a stalled front and a slow-moving upper-level trough creates a prolonged triggering mechanism. The upper trough continuously pumps energy over the stalled front, forcing moisture-rich air to lift and condense into storms. Because steering winds are practically nonexistent, storms repeatedly pass over the same areas in a process known as training, dropping relentless rain over the same streets and bayous for hours or even days.

While severe weather draws significant attention in the spring and tropical systems steal the show in late summer, seemingly boring weather features in the transition period can be just as impactful. Recognizing this recurring pattern allows the Storm Station to predict weather events that can lead to heavy rain and flooding.

For the upcoming days (June 15-18, 2026), a stalled front will be parked between I-20 and I-10 in Louisiana and Mississippi. Not only will a broad upper-level trough be positioned across the central United States, but a tropical disturbance over Mexico and Texas may serve as an additional upper-level trough to complete the pattern identified as a heavy rain setup. 

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.

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It’s official: El Niño has formed in the central Pacific, according to the Climate Prediction Center. This is just the beginning, as El Niño is projected to intensify over the coming months, likely impacting hurricane season and altering global weather patterns.

Forecasts indicate a high probability of a strong event, with a 68% chance of it materializing by the peak of hurricane season, followed by a 63% chance of a very strong, potentially record-breaking event by early winter.

How El Niño Tames The Tropics:

This is a story the Storm Station has been tracking for months. As a quick refresher, El Niño is a massive pool of abnormally warm water that sits right along the equator in the eastern Pacific. This creates a hotspot of stormy weather in the Pacific that kicks off a massive global chain reaction. The process enhances the subtropical jet stream, a band of high-speed winds in the upper atmosphere that blows into the Atlantic, ramping up the wind shear that rips apart developing tropical systems. The subtropical jet also has a tendency to sink over the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, working against thunderstorms required to feed a hurricane.

History Agrees: Citing El Niño as the dominant factor, Colorado State University lowered its 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast with its June update. The updated report notes that current ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions closely resemble those of 1957, 1965, 1987, 1997, 2009, and 2015.

Average sea surface temperatures relative to average from August-October in 1957, 1965, 1987, 1997, 2009, and 2015

El Niño had fully developed in each of those years by the peak of hurricane season, and each season brought below-average hurricane season activity:

Still, It Only Takes One Storm: While forecast data, current observations, and historical analogs provide a clear outlook for lower overall storm numbers in 2026, these seasonal predictions say nothing about where individual tracks will lead or who they will ultimately impact.

There have been many significant storms even in the “quiet” years of 1957, 1965, 1987, 1997, 2009, and 2015, including some in Louisiana:

• 1957 – Hurricane Audrey made landfall in southwest Louisiana as a strong Category 3 storm, causing $150 million in damage and killing 416. Four other tropical storms made landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast that year.

• 1965 – Hurricane Betsy unleashed fury in Louisiana, making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. Storm surge from Betsy inundated New Orleans’ levee system, flooding much of the city. Betsy had a death toll of 81 with economic damages exceeding $1 billion. Three other tropical storms made landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast that year.

• 1987 – No major hurricanes made landfall in 1987, though Hurricane Emily did make landfall in the Dominican Republic and Bermuda as a Category 2 and 1, respectively. One other weak tropical storm made landfall in Texas early in the season.

• 1997 – Hurricane Danny made landfall near Buras as a Category 1 hurricane in July, then continued northeast to make further landfalls in Alabama as a weak hurricane. Danny is remembered for extreme rainfall totals and a tornado outbreak across the Southeast U.S.

• 2009 – Tropical Storm Claudette made landfall on Santa Rosa Island in the Florida Panhandle as a tropical storm. Later that November, Hurricane Ida narrowly missed a Louisiana landfall, tracking just east of the mouth of the Mississippi River before pushing toward Alabama. Notably, this 2009 storm is entirely distinct from the catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane Ida that struck southeast Louisiana in 2021.

• 2015 – Tropical Storm Ana and Bill were the only storms to make landfall in the U.S., doing so in May and June, respectively. The only other noteworthy storm is Hurricane Joaquin, which battered the Bahamas over a span of multiple days. Joaquin’s name was retired from use in the list of hurricane names due to the destruction it left behind.

These storms emphasize that even a slow year on paper can still have catastrophic impacts with the right storm placement. For more on the season ahead and preparedness, visit 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.

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A new study suggests that a redesigned hurricane warning scale helps people better understand storm risks and make more informed decisions about whether to evacuate.

Research from the University of South Florida compares the traditional Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS), which ranks hurricanes from 1 to 5 based on maximum sustained wind speed, with a newly developed Tropical Cyclone Severity Scale (TCSS). Researchers say the traditional scale can be misleading because it only accounts for wind, even though storm surge and rainfall are responsible for far more deaths.

“I kept finding time and time again that people would report that they would base their decision to evacuate largely on the category from the Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale,” said Doctor Jennifer Collins, one of the project's researchers.

According to the study, storm surge accounts for 49 percent of U.S. hurricane fatalities and rainfall accounts for 27 percent, compared to just 8 percent from wind. Researchers say classifying a hurricane's threat based on wind speed alone does not capture its full severity.

The study points to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as an example. Katrina ranked as a Category 3 on the SSHWS but caused more than 1,800 casualties and $125 billion in damage due to extreme flooding from storm surge and rainfall.

Researchers also cite Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. Florence made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina and resulted in 55 fatalities from freshwater flooding across the southeastern United States.

“The cat. ones and even tropical storms can have major rainfall, for instance, or storm surge and result in flooding and loss of life. So, I think it is a big mistake. I think people underestimate, especially, those lower categories of storm,” said Collins.

 

Proposed Tropical Cyclone Severity Scale (TCSS)

The new scale would consider the forecast for all three main hurricane hazards – wind, storm surge and rain. Each of those hazards would be assigned a value. The values for each of the three hazards would be added together to get a sum value that corresponds to the Category on the TCSS. With the TCSS, a particularly intense storm that is expected to bring major impacts from two or three of the hazards could lead to a category six.  

 

Proposed Tropical Cyclone Severity Scale (TCSS) Example

To test the new scale, researchers ran a large online experiment with about 4,000 participants in U.S. coastal states prone to hurricanes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive warnings using either the SSHWS or the TCSS, presented as text only or text with a graphic.

Participants using the TCSS were better at identifying the main hazard of a hurricane. Those exposed to TCSS warnings answered an average of 3.7 out of 10 quiz questions correctly, compared to 1.3 correct answers for those who received SSHWS warnings.

Evacuation intent was also higher under the TCSS in scenarios where the TCSS category was at least two categories higher than the SSHWS category. In those cases, average evacuation intent was 4.3 under TCSS versus 4.1 under SSHWS, a statistically significant difference.

On precautionary measures, the TCSS appeared to have a positive effect, though not always at the researchers' stated significance level. Sandbag adoption was higher in the TCSS group, with a mean of 3.24 versus 3.16, but researchers described that difference as inconclusive because it did not reach their preregistered significance threshold.

The study also notes that many people incorrectly assume hurricane damage increases in a straight line as the category number goes up. Researchers say this misunderstanding, combined with a process called "milling" where people delay decisions while searching for more information, can lead to dangerous inaction during a storm.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have been trying to de-emphasize scale in recent years, noting how harmful it can be for users to focus on categories. However, researchers argue that people are used to a scale and so the current one should just be modified and account for rain and storm surge, along with wind.

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.

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BATON ROUGE — Each hurricane season, two specialized teams from the U.S. Air Force and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intentionally fly into hurricanes. It’s far from a thrill-seeking stunt, but rather a vital scientific operation, collecting data critical to accurately forecasting tropical cyclones. With the data, forecast accuracy improves by about 10 to 20 percent, according to National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Michael Brennan.

“The aircraft are really the most valuable direct measurements we have because they can fly right to where the storms are,” Brennan said.

The United States is the only country to fly routine hurricane reconnaissance missions.

The Air Force flies the WC-130J, a military cargo plane fitted with weather instruments. Lt. Col. Jeremy DeHart, an aerial reconnaissance officer who has been flying into storms for 10 years, said the plane is not specially built for hurricane flying.

U.S. Air Force WC-130J Aircraft

"It's not specially outfitted to fly into hurricanes or anything like that," DeHart said. "It's just these things are like tanks, like tanks in the sky."

The plane continuously collects wind speed, wind direction, pressure, temperature, and moisture data from inside the storm. That information is packaged and sent via satellite to the National Hurricane Center to improve forecast models and support watches and warnings.

One of the key tools on board is the dropsonde, a small instrument released from the bottom of the aircraft. DeHart described how it works.

"It's basically a backwards weather balloon," DeHart said. "So all the way down to the sea surface, and they're gathering the same data in the vertical as we're gathering horizontally at flight level."

The Air Force unit focuses primarily on locating the center of the storm and sampling the storm environment, flying what is called an alpha pattern, essentially repeated large X’s through the storm. While NOAA has the same capabilities as the Air Force, it focuses more on the research side of the mission.

NOAA flies a different aircraft, the P-3 Orion.  Flight Director and Meteorologist Joyce Hirai walked the Storm Station through the features on the aircraft, including its tail doppler radar.

NOAA WP-3D Orion Aircraft, "Miss Piggy"

"The tail Doppler radar is more like a 3D scan or an MRI scan that gives a 3D scope of the hurricane as every time we pass through it," Hirai said.

That data recently became operational, meaning the National Hurricane Center can now use it in real time for official forecasts.

NOAA also flies Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft, retrofitted with its own tail Doppler radars to capture the high-altitude environment and conditions around the storm.

NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP Aircraft

More recently, NOAA has been experimenting with launching unmanned drones into the storm, gathering direct measurements closer to sea level. For the first time this hurricane season, data from these drones will be input into computer model simulations.

Flying into hurricanes can be intense. As DeHart puts it, the hours-long missions are usually "90% boredom and 10% terror." He described the 2018 landfall mission of Hurricane Michael as his roughest ride.

"We lost about 2,000 feet of altitude in the eyewall in the last pass," DeHart said. "Stall warnings were going off in the airplane. So all the nightmarish things that we think of were happening."

He also recalled flying a landfall mission during Hurricane Harvey, when the crew received mayday calls from ships near Corpus Christi and relayed them to the Coast Guard while flying up and down the coastline.

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.

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With the continued rainy pattern the Capital Region has been under, the latest drought monitor reveals major improvements area-wide. Baton Rouge Metro Airport has now reported a net surplus of rain for the year. It was not that long ago that the Capital City was falling behind the average for yearly rainfall.

The greatest rainfall totals over the past several weeks have fallen over the Baton Rouge area and along the 10/12 corridor. Given that fact, it is no surprise that most of the area has been eliminated from any drought category. The worst drought conditions were located near the coast and north of Baton Rouge, closer to the state line. Both of these areas have seen full category improvements in the latest monitor. 

There are still some areas of drought remaining, with locations near the coast like Morgan City and Houma still hanging on to moderate and severe drought. Further to the north, portions of Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana parishes, along with Wilkinson County, still have moderate drought.

Storms will stay in the forecast through at least early next week, so it would not be surprising to see more improvements in the next update.

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.

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LAKELAND, Fla. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its 2026 hurricane season outlook. NOAA predicts a below-average season with 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes. This generally aligns with Colorado State University's forecast that was issued in April. 

The development of an El Niño is the primary driver for the slightly below-average prediction. This is all but certain to develop by peak hurricane season per the latest trends and guidance, and there are some signs that the El Niño could be strong. 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.

However, there is another competing factor that plays a role in the prediction. Atlantic ocean temperatures are expected to be slightly warmer than normal, with trade winds weaker than average. Such conditions would tend to support a more active year. NOAA's National Weather Service Director Ken Graham says, “Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold... that is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”

The Storm Station echoes Graham's reminder, so prepare accordingly. There have been seasons with a lot of storms but few impacts to land and seasons with few storms but a lot of impacts to land. For more on the season ahead and preparedness, visit wbrz.com/weather and click on the hurricane center.

Watch NOAA's 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook announcement here:

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BOGUE CHITTO, Miss. (AP) — Powerful storms that included at least three tornadoes tore through several Mississippi counties, damaging around 500 homes, uprooting trees and injuring at least 17 people, authorities said Thursday.

There were no immediate reports of deaths after storms cut across the state's southwest on Wednesday night, said Scott Simmons, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

He said 12 of those hurt were transported from a hard-hit trailer park in the small community of Bogue Chitto, about an hour's drive south of the state capital in rural Lincoln County.

Most of the two dozen homes at Gene’s Mobile Home Supply were flattened into heaps of splintered boards and twisted metal. People picked through the debris Thursday morning under cloudy skies as a chainsaw buzzed in the background.

“I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room’s gone,” resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV.

He said he wasn't injured, but his grandmother hurt her ankle and some of his neighbors suffered cuts and bruises.

One intact trailer lay flipped on its roof near the tree line. Several cars, some with hazard lights blinking, appeared to have been picked up by the storm.

“We know there were at least three tornadoes,” said Daniel Lamb, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service office in Jackson.

“The same storm produced at least two tornadoes from Franklin, Lincoln into Lawrence counties, and then there was another one from Lamar possibly into Forest County.”

He said there may have been more. “Those are just the ones that we are able to confirm by radar before even having gone down there.”

“Pray for Mississippi,” Gov. Tate Reeves posted online, saying the state Emergency Management Agency was coordinating response efforts.

Many roads were still blocked in Lincoln County and teams from the agency were assessing the damage.

“We ask that you please refrain from sightseeing as crews are working,” the department posted early Thursday.

The governor said a volunteer rescue group was providing a 50-person shelter pod, a high-powered generator and 10 pallets of supplies to the county, which reported at least 200 damaged homes.

Lamar County to the southeast reported about 275 homes damaged, according to the state emergency management agency. Another 10 to 12 homes were damaged in Lawrence County.

More storms were expected Thursday with the possibility of tornadoes across parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, the weather service said. Strong storms also were possible for parts of the Carolinas and Texas.

There were no immediate reports of deaths from the storms that struck several counties on Wednesday night. At least 17 people were injured, according to Scott Simmons, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

He said 12 of those hurt were transported from the Wash Trailer Park in the small community of Bogue Chitto, in Lincoln County.

The park was severely damaged.

“I was just watching TikTok on my bed and thought it was thunder. I went to my living room. I went back to my room, and the room’s gone,” resident Max Mahaffey told WAPT-TV.

He said he wasn't injured, but his grandmother hurt her ankle and some of his neighbors suffered cuts and bruises.

The National Weather Service said “a very large and dangerous tornado” moved from eastern Lincoln County into Lawrence County.

Gov. Tate Reeves said multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the central and western parts of the state and that the state Emergency Management Agency was coordinating response efforts.

“Pray for Mississippi,” he posted online.

Emergency officials in Lincoln County said the severe weather caused major damage and several injuries, but no deaths.

“Damage assessments are ongoing, there are multiple roads blocked in the county we ask that you please refrain from sightseeing as crews are working,” the emergency management department posted early Thursday.

The county reported at least 200 homes were damaged. Lamar County to the southeast reported about 275 homes damaged, according to the state emergency management agency. Another 10 to 12 homes were damaged in Lawrence County.

More storms were expected Thursday with the possibility of tornadoes across parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, the weather service said. Strong storms were also possible for parts of the Carolinas and Texas.

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