Flood risk, severe storms threat from California to Colorado

A meteor streaks across the sky over a desert in China during the Orionid meteor shower on Oct. 22, 2023.(VCG/VCG via Getty Images)The Orionid meteor shower is peaking this week, and it promises to be one of the most dazzling displays of the year. And while some of you will have clear skies, rain and clouds could impact the view for others. Here's what you need to know about the Orionids and your forecast:Fast factsPeak day: The meteor shower peaks Wednesday night, Oct. 21, into the early hours of Thursday morning, Oct. 22. Peak time: From midnight to dawn are the best hours to catch the meteors streaking through the sky, so plan on a late night or really early morning. What the Orionids are known for: The Orionid meteors are known for their brightness and their speed. As they streak across the sky at around 41 miles per second, the meteors leave behind a glowing "train" that can last several seconds to minutes. While you can make the perfect plan to catch the Orionids, the key to stellar viewing is still in Mother Nature's hands. The good news is that many of you should have good meteor shower-watching conditions. Much of the central and eastern U. S.

Large hail, tornadoes, flooding possible on Wednesday for SouthwestTropical moisture and favorable atmospheric conditions will fuel a multiday flood risk this week across seven states from California to Colorado. Severe storms are also likely, especially across Arizona. Millions are under a flood watch as days of rain will bring a threat of debris flows and landslides, especially across burn scars. Happening nowSevere storms and bands of heavy rainfall are hitting parts of California and the Four Corners region. Any ongoing tornado watches and warnings as well as any flash flood warnings are on the map below: Timing out this week’s rainfallWednesday overnight: The highest risk of flooding covers much of Arizona and New Mexico, and portions of Colorado and Utah, as well as Southern California. There will be an abundance of moisture available to support heavy downpours and training storms. This means storms will produce heavy rain over the same areas for long periods of time. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting rainfall rates as high as 2 inches per hour. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value

An October nor'easter is still hugging the Atlantic coast, and the National Hurricane Center just officially named the system Subtropical Storm Josephine. Even though the storm has been named Josephine, the impacts will be the same as if it were only a nor'easter. (MORE: What is a subtropical storm?|Josephine tracker)Here's the latestSubtropical Storm Josephine has winds of 65 mph and is located about 265 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, moving north at 10 mph. Josephine is expected to stay well offshore and will turn to the east. It actually will strengthen slightly, potentially reaching sustained winds of 80 mph on Friday. The heaviest winds and rain will stay off shore, but rip currents could be life-threatening the rest of the week. (MORE: 'This job can kill you': Meet the people on the wildfire frontlines)ImpactsWhile we do not expect Josephine to be as impactful as the late September nor'easter, there will still be some. They are broken down below: Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

An October nor'easter received the name Subtropical Storm Josephine. The storm is swirling off the East Coast, bringing gusty winds, coastal flooding and rip currents to much of the region. Track the storm here with all the maps you need. (MORE: Subtropical Storm Josephine in the Atlantic)Current informationCurrent wind gustsCoastal flood alertsImpact forecastTrackGet More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Wave heightsRiver gauge forecast

An October nor'easter is still hugging the Atlantic coast, and the National Hurricane Center just officially named the system Subtropical Storm Josephine. Even though the storm has been named Josephine, the impacts will be the same as if it were only a nor'easter. (MORE: What is a subtropical storm?|Josephine tracker)Where will it go? Josephine is expected to stay well offshore and will head to the northeast over the next few days. It actually will strengthen slightly, potentially reaching sustained winds of 80 mph on Friday. The heaviest winds and rain will stay off shore, but rip currents could be life-threatening the rest of the week. (MORE: 'This job can kill you': Meet the people on the wildfire frontlines)ImpactsWhile we do not expect this storm to be as strong as the late September nor'easter, there will still be some impacts. They are broken down below: Coastal floodingGet More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. The area most likely to be impacted the longest appears to stretch from the Delmarva Peninsula to eastern North Carolina.

It's not often you see a tornado watch issued in Arizona, but that's the alert parts of the U. S. desert state is facing on Wednesday. In fact, the southwestern U. S. state hasn't seen a tornado watch issued since 2010. On Wednesday, the U. S. National Weather Service's (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a tornado watch for northern and central Arizona, warning of the chance of twisters until the evening. NWSSPC says the tornado watch area is approximately along and 112 kilometres north and south of a line from 152 kilometres west of Grand Canyon, Ariz., to 72 kilometres east of Winslow, Ariz. This is Arizona's first enhanced risk since 2019, and the first-ever issued for Flagstaff and Prescott, Ariz. Listed below are documented tornadoes in Arizona between 1950 and 2025. There have been a total of 302 twisters. Content continues belowEF-3: FourEF-2: 16EF-1: 76EF-0: 196EF-U (unknown rating): 10However, the risk of severe weather extends into parts of Nevada and Southern California. The U. S. weather agency says thunderstorm development is expected to increase across northern and central Arizona this afternoon.