Severe weather shifts south, threatening the Carolinas and Georgia after week of nasty storms

Hurricane Trudy strengthens into a monster Category 3 storm, while Champi eyes rare Guam landfall Trudy rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane early Friday and is forecast to continue to strengthen as moves toward the Mexican coast. Landfall remains possible, but there is increased uncertainty around Trudy's track beyond this weekend. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Champi still has Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in its sights and is expected to move through the U. S. territories as the equivalent of a category 2 hurricane. A direct landfall on Guam would be rare due to the island's small size. From there the typhoon will continue to intensify. Incredibly, the Google Deepmind model is giving it a 99% chance of becoming a Super Typhoon. Last updated at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2026A strong cold front is going to push off the East Coast by early tomorrow. The coldest air of the year on a brisk north wind will move in behind it. There is a strong consensus in the various computer forecasts that a low-pressure system will form along the front similar to the one that developed into the nor'easter last month. This system will play out very differently, however.

Story byFree Hornets Basketball For Carolinas is Bigger Than You RealizeJan 26, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets fans during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectOwen WattersonThu, Sep 24, 2026·6 min read

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.

(urbanbuzz/shutterstock)Could a cheap roll of duct tape help protect your home from flooding? New research suggests it could make a surprisingly big difference. In controlled tests, correctly applied duct tape on the outside of a household door reduced water leakage by 97-98%. The findings suggest that a simple low-cost measure could substantially reduce the amount of water entering a home during a flood. This is important as one of the key lessons from flood resilience research is that the best time to protect a property is before floodwater arrives. The UK government’s 2025 FloodReady Review called for practical, affordable measures that help households understand their risks and to prepare for flooding. And one potential contribution to this agenda might sound unlikely, at first glance. Duct tape is more commonly associated with household repairs than flood protection. However, tests colleagues and I conducted at the University of Hull demonstrated how much water can enter a property through an unprotected doorway during a flood. Three doors, ready for flood-testing.

Hurricane Trudy will bring flood threat to the Southwest USTrudy is off the Mexican coast, however, its moisture will pour into the Southwestern U. S., helping fuel a multiday flood risk across seven states this week from California to Colorado. A dip in the jet stream will also funnel in moisture from the Pacific as a strong low pressure system moves into the region. Timing out this week’s rainfallWednesday: The highest risk of flooding on Wednesday covers much of Arizona and parts of New Mexico, as well as southern portions of Colorado and Utah. 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. Some of the biggest concern will be the possibility of mudslides over recent burn scar areas as well as slow canyons and arroyos. If you have plans to visit any of the national parks in the West this week, make sure you check the forecast daily and pay attention to any warnings or advisories issued.