What is a subtropical storm, and why are they dangerous?

THE TAKEAWAYA nor’easter is expected to begin to form off the Carolina coast late Sunday. The system’s track and intensity remain highly uncertain but showers, gusty winds, high surf and coastal flooding could impact areas from Florida through the Carolinas to New Jersey. Mandatory evacuation issued for all visitors on Hatteras Island along the North Carolina Outer Banks. This storm could take on subtropical characteristics later next week. A nor’easter is expected to form off the Carolina coast late Sunday, bringing gusty winds and coastal flooding to millions from the Jersey Shore to the Outer Banks early next week. The National Hurricane Center said Saturday afternoon that this storm could take on some subtropical characteristics over the next seven days as it stalls off the Southeast coast. WHAT IS A NOR'EASTER? Nor'easter could take on subtropical characteristics this week. (FOX Weather / FOX Weather)"If the system were to meander near North Carolina or Virginia, where the ocean is unusually warm, there is a slight chance that the front could dissipate and the system could become somewhat tropical," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said.

A nor’easter lumbering far off the East Coast in the Atlantic strengthened late Wednesday afternoon, emerging as Subtropical Storm Josephine, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, and there’s a chance for Josephine’s powerful winds to intensify to hurricane force by Thursday afternoon. Sustained winds need to clock at 74 mph for a storm to reach Category 1 hurricane status, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which measures hurricane strength. Forecasters said the storm had become better organized as “the system has continued to acquire subtropical characteristics.” This essentially means that the storm is self-sustaining without any help from surface fronts, which sparked the storm to materialize in the first place. Subtropical storm Josephine will continue on a northeast track as it is forecast to strengthen through Friday. Boston GlobeJosephine is considered subtropical because the core of the storm is not considered warm enough to be a tropical storm — but honestly, aside from the textbook definition, it sure looks and is behaving like a tropical storm.

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.

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 are ramping up across parts of Arizona while bands of rain are also hitting parts of California and the Four Corners region. Here's the latest as the situation unfolds: A tornado watch has been issued across parts of central and northern Arizona until 6 p.m. MST. There have already been tornado warnings across the greater Flagstaff area Wednesday morning and early afternoon. A flash flood warning is in place that includes Zion National Park. The warning states that "National Park Service employees reported muddy flows across SR 9 in Springdale.

This microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper was selected as the winning photo of the 2026 Nikon Small World competition. (Ole Bielfeldt via Nikon Small World)Colossal tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms get plenty of attention. It's time to honor the tiniest phenomena among us. The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has just announced its winner for 2026 — it's the picture above. Taken by Ole Bielfeldt in Cologne, Germany, it shows a printer dropping ink onto paper like raindrops falling on the flat ground. The annual competition honors the best of the best in photography under the light microscope. Simply put, it's some of the most awe-inspiring and downright coolest photography you'll see all year. Below, you can see a few of our favorite finalists. For the full top 20 and to see previous winners, head to the competition's website.(MORE: Video winners take us into worlds the eyes can't see)Second place — John-Oliver DumExtreme macro close-up of a jumping spider's face with large black eyes, white scales and pollen grains.(John-Oliver Dum via Nikon Small World)Third place — Kaelin Wulf and Ms.