Weather

Your first freeze is coming: average dates across US by regionYour first fall freeze is coming, but when it arrives depends a lot on where you live. For most of us, it ranges from September through November. First freezeThis is when the temperature drops to 32 degrees or lower for the first time in the colder months of the year. It signals the end of the growing season — the threshold when unprotected plants can become damaged if temperatures remain at or below freezing for multiple hours. Most vegetation is destroyed when temperatures reach 28 degrees or colder, which is called a hard freeze, according to NOAA.(Winter outlook: El Niño could fuel Southern snow threat into early 2027)The map below shows the average date of the first fall freeze, using the latest 30-year data (1991-2020) from NOAA. Different weather patterns each year can make the first freeze occur earlier or later than the average shown for a given city or region. In fact, the earliest freeze on record for the selection of cities below occurred nearly a month or more before the average date.

A Florida family thought their father’s memorial bench, swept away during Hurricane Helene, was lost forever — until they received a Facebook message from a woman in Bermuda. THE TAKEAWAYA memorial bench honoring a Florida woman’s late father was swept away during Hurricane Helene in 2024. Nearly two years later, the bench was discovered on a beach over 1,000 miles away. The family is trying to determine whether they can bring the bench back to Dunedin or leave it in Bermuda. TAMPA, Florida – A memorial bench dedicated to a Florida father was thought to be lost forever after Hurricane Helene battered Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2024 — until it resurfaced on a beach in Bermuda nearly two years later. Amanda Sadiku’s father, Medhat "Mike" Sadiku, passed away September 3, 2012, and in 2018, a memorial bench dedicated to her late father was installed on the Dunedin Causeway on the waterfront of Florida's Gulf Coast.  A memorial bench swept away from Florida’s Gulf Coast during Hurricane Helene has resurfaced on a Bermuda beach nearly two years later.

Watch drivers fight through dangerous New Mexico flash floodsHundreds of people from at least five communities in southern New Mexico were ordered to evacuate their homes as flash floods pushed the McLeod Dam to the brink of failure. People in Salem, Garfield, Hatch and Placitas were able to return to their homes late Tuesday night, but officials in Doña Ana County said Rincon remains evacuated. The National Weather Service issued an urgent warning for people to seek higher ground Tuesday afternoon, as operators of the dam reported its imminent failure and potentially life threatening flooding downstream. Stunning video showed the floodwaters overtopping the dam on Tuesday afternoon. (MORE: Flood threat expands into Texas)Local news reports showed washed out roads across Doña Ana County, and officials begged residents to avoid driving if possible. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Gavin Smith, a Garfield resident, told The Associated Press that he and others had initially left the area before returning to assess conditions.

You're probably aware by now that we're expecting an El Niño to shape the next few seasons here in Canada, but you may still be wondering how this will impact your day-to-day life. So, let's explore some of the possibilities, starting with your utility bill. If you have a furnace heating your home, El Niño may actually bring some cost relief, as it tends to bring warmer-than-normal weather in the cooler months. We see this across much of the country with El Niños, but especially in Western Canada. In fact, during the 2015/2016 El Niño, winter on the Prairies was over five degrees above average. Officials in Saskatchewan estimated that the warm winter lowered heating bills by as much as $50. Even a super El Niño can't completely hold off our classic deep-freeze Canadian winters, though, so experts still recommend that you get your furnaces and HVAC systems inspected ahead of the colder months. RELATED: How to winterize your furnace with tips from a professional On the other hand, El Niño can also create more costs for those relying on hydro power.

THE TAKEAWAYFlood Watches have been issued across nine states this week across the Four Corners, Southwest and Plains, as moisture from Hurricane Polo and Tropical Storm Rachel surge north. Many areas throughout the week could receive 6 to 8 inches of rain, or more.80 million people are in the path of Thursday's flood threat from Texas to the Upper Midwest. A dangerous multiday flood event is developing across the Four Corners, Southwest and Plains this week as tropical moisture from the remnants of Polo, which made landfall in Baja California late Monday, and Hurricane Rachel spread northward through the week. According to the FOX Forecast Center, up to 25 states could see impacts from this weather system this week. OVER 150M FACE DANGEROUS, WEEKLONG FLOOD THREAT ACROSS 30+ STATES FUELED BY POWERFUL PACIFIC TROPICAL SYSTEMS next Monsoon thunderstorms trigger flash flooding washing out part of Highway 491 in Newcomb, New Mexico, on Sep. 16, 2026.

THE TAKEAWAYEl Niño impacts will be felt across the Lower 48 this October. The Southeast will likely be wetter and stormier than average, while the Northwest and Upper Midwest is expected to stay dry and warmer than average. A brief summer-like sizzle across the eastern part of the country this week before fall temperatures return. As the calendar turns to October, a rapidly strengthening El Niño climate pattern will make its presence felt across the Lower 48, most notably bringing more storms and rain to the Gulf Coast while the Northwest and Upper Midwest stay dry. Average fall temperatures to slightly above-average conditions are expected across most of the country through October, with the Rockies and Northern Plains most likely to experience unseasonable warmth. TEXAS IN BULL'S-EYE OF DANGEROUS, TROPICALLY ENHANCED 1,500-MILE FLOOD THREAT COVERING 11 STATES FILE - Heavy rain and dark, heavy clouds cover homes in the Kissimmee area of Florida on Thursday afternoon, August 31.  ((Photo by Ronaldo Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images) / Getty Images)Rainy start and summer's last gaspSummer will try to stick around for another week.

How to spot more stars in a light-polluted city skyA bright nighttime sky — whether lit by a full moon, streetlights or city light pollution — is a skywatcher's worst enemy. So, what can you do about it? Here are a few tips for looking up when viewing conditions are less than ideal. Use a light pollution mapA light pollution map can help you find pockets in your area with darker skies. This interactive global map uses VIIRS satellite data to show exact light pollution levels in any neighborhood. DarkSky also has a list of urban night sky locations — maybe one on that list is near you. Look for specific celestial targetsSome objects in the sky are easier to see than others when the sky is brighter. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. These online resources from The Astronomical League’s Urban Observing Program can help: One focuses on deep-sky objects and another on double and variable stars.(MORE: Wishing on a star: the best way to watch a meteor shower)These curated lists of celestial targets are specifically chosen because they can be spotted even under bright suburban skies.

Watch drivers fight through dangerous New Mexico flash floodsA surge of tropical moisture is turning parts of the Four Corners into a flash-flood zone, with heavy rain, flooding and water rescues reported across Arizona and New Mexico. Arizona impactsIn and around Phoenix, flooded roads caused major problems Tuesday morning, including several water rescues by Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies. Officials initially received reports that two box trucks had been swept away by floodwaters. When deputies arrived, they found one truck had been carried into a wash. The driver managed to escape safely and was not injured. Deputies also responded to a 911 call from a driver who attempted to cross a flooded roadway and became stuck. The driver was safely led out of the vehicle. Later, authorities rescued a man who had climbed onto the roof of his vehicle after becoming trapped in a wash.(MORE: Elderly couple rescued from flooding by helicopter)Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

Here's the winner of the 2026 Fat Bear Week championshipMake way for the king of the river! After a week of fierce competition, thousands of votes and more than a few packed-on pounds, Bear 89, also known as "Backpack," has been crowned the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion. As one of the largest adult males in the competition this year, 89 outlasted his rivals, including adult female 910 in the final matchup. Fat Bear Week followers won't be too surprised, as 89 has some serious championship pedigree. His mother is Holly, the 2019 Fat Bear Week champion. "Backpack" was known for riding on his mom's back whenever they swam, resulting in his adorable nickname. (MORE: Fat Bear Week 2026 Recap)After suffering a leg injury in his youth, park officials and visitors wondered if Backpack would survive, but with his mom’s care and some time to heal, he bounced back. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Since then, he has grown into a gentle giant, using his size and quiet confidence to claim his spot without brawling, unlike many other adult bears in Katmai National Park.

An early-season nor'easter hammered the Northeast and mid-Atlantic for several days in late September, with coastal flooding, high winds and soaking rain from parts of the Carolinas to New England. (RECAP: Deadly nor'easter deluges millions)The SetupBefore low pressure gained strength off the East Coast, the difference between high pressure over eastern Canada and lower pressure off the Eastern Seaboard set up persistent northeast winds from the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina northward as soon as Sept. 22. (NEWS AS IT HAPPENED: Sept. 25 | Sept. 26 | Sept. 27) Three days later, low pressure intensified offshore and instead of kicking out to sea quickly, it was trapped near Long Island and New Jersey for three days Sept. 26-28, before finally inching into the Gulf of Maine and Canadian Maritimes on Sept. 29. Coastal inundationThis stubborn pattern, common in fall, pushed ocean water to the coast, leading to coastal flooding at high tide as early as the evening of Sept. 22 in the Virginia Tidewater, Delmarva and Jersey shore. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

This Day In Weather History is a daily podcast by Chris Mei from The Weather Network, featuring stories about people, communities and events and how weather impacted them.--On Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, a strong and slow-moving system flooded areas of southern Ontario. More than 1,700 homes across Windsor, Tecumseh and Lakeshore were flooded due to a storm that started Wednesday night. Areas in Tecumseh and Windsor were most severely impacted. The communities received more than 190 mm of rain, flooding their streets and basements. Both Tecumseh and Windsor were under a state of emergency. Tecumseh, Ont. Courtesy of TWN"Heavy rainfall which occurred over the Windsor area has diminished considerably in strength. However, rain showers and a few thunderstorms continue to spin around a slow-moving, low-pressure system currently situated over the Ohio valley," said Environment Canada. Content continues below"This low-pressure system is expected to gradually move northward to Lake Erie by Sunday morning. As a result significant rainfall amounts remain possible over the weekend with amounts of 15 to 30 mm likely by Sunday evening. "

September ends hurricane-free in the Atlantic for first time in 32 years amid strengthening El Niño September has come to a close without a hurricane forming in the Atlantic for just the second time in the satellite era (1996), despite being the climatological peak of the season as El Niño-driven winds have suppressed activity this year. Tropical Storm Hanna is on its last legs in the open waters of the Central Subtropical Atlantic after forming Monday morning, becoming just the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Updated at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026In a typical October, a large area of low-pressure spans from the Pacific to the western Caribbean to the southwestern Gulf – the so-called Central American Gyre. Occasionally, deep dips in the jet stream interact with the gyre and an independent disturbance gets pulled north. Sometimes, a tropical disturbance that originated over Africa gets absorbed into the gyre, energized, and deflected into the Gulf. During the fall, fronts can dip south leaving behind a nascent disturbance that can become a tropical system. Stalled upper lows are occasionally a seed from which a storm develops. Windy day at the beach.

September ends hurricane-free in the Atlantic for first time in 32 years amid strengthening El Niño September has come to a close without a hurricane forming in the Atlantic for just the second time in the satellite era (1996), despite being the climatological peak of the season as El Niño-driven winds have suppressed activity this year. Tropical Storm Hanna is on its last legs in the open waters of the Central Subtropical Atlantic after forming Monday morning, becoming just the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. THE TAKEAWAYTropical Storm Hanna is on its last legs in the open Atlantic, becoming just the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. This would be just the eighth September without a hurricane since the 1850s, and only the second since the start of the satellite era in 1966. September is climatologically the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season but hostile El Niño-driven winds have suppressed activity this year.

THE TAKEAWAYNolo weakened to a tropical storm on Wednesday. Rain is expected across Kaua'i through Thursday, with no flooding expected. The system will turn away from Hawaii later in the week. Tropical Storm Nolo is preparing to complete a remarkable journey around Hawaii, set to dump a final round of rain on Kaua'i as it passes about 250 miles west of the state's westernmost island, after sweeping south of the Big Island over the weekend. From there, Nolo is forecast to reintensify later this week and remain a long-lived hurricane for more than two weeks as it crosses into the open Western Pacific.   HURRICANE POLO CHURNS IN THE PACIFIC, FUELING FLOOD THREAT FOR MILLIONS AS TROPICAL STORM RACHEL FORMS next Flooding on Hawaii's Big Island as Hurricane Nolo passed 140 miles to the south on Sep. 26, 2026.

Inside the eye of Hurricane Polo, a 180 mph Category 5 stormThe strongest hurricanes and typhoons on the planet weren't only Category 5 intensity, but had both wind speeds and pressure that are hard to put into context of more ordinary weather. This comes to mind because Hurricane Polo became one of the most intense Eastern Pacific hurricanes on record off the Mexican coast. Hurricane Polo spins off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Sept. 23, 2026.(NASA Earth Observatory)Western Hemisphere recordsData on hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins is the most robust on the planet, given decades of coverage by weather satellites. There are two ways to measure a hurricane's strength — by its maximum sustained winds and by its lowest surface pressure. Highest windsOne hurricane stands above all others on this list. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. In late October 2015, Hurricane Patricia's maximum sustained winds reached an incredible 215 mph as it was about 150 miles off Mexico's Pacific coast.

The remnants of Hurricane Polo, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on the Baja California Peninsula Monday night, are set to bring significant rainfall to parts of southern Ontario. This moisture will travel 3,000 km to reach the Great Lakes region. DON'T MISS: Polo cements status as Pacific’s second-most intense hurricaneThe storm's tropical moisture is merging with a low-pressure system and pulling additional moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Rainfall in southern Ontario is expected to begin Thursday morning and continue into Friday, with the most intense precipitation expected Friday morning. This weather system could provide some relief to the region, which has experienced one of the longest dry stretches of 2026. However, uncertainty remains regarding the heaviest swath of rain. Some models focus on southwestern Ontario, including Essex County, while others suggest that the heaviest precipitation might fall farther north, near the shores of Lake Huron. Flood watches also remain in effect across parts of the U. S. desert states where Polo’s moisture threatens heavy rainfall and flooding.

Hurricane Nolo became the fourth named system to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and large waves to Hawaii this hurricane season. Its lifecycle was more interesting than the others. GenesisHurricane Nolo actually has a more unique story than most tropical systems. It was actually first monitored way back on September 8 as a low area of development. The map below shows the yellow blob that would eventually become Nolo, but we have to a wait a while to see the name. This is the East Pacific just before 8 a.m. on September 8. The yellow area would eventually become Nolo, but a lot of time would have to pass before then. By 2 p.m. PDT on September 13, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E formed in the East Pacific. But the system didn't last long. Just two days later, the tropical depression lost its organization due to moving into higher shear. Shear, or changes in wind speed and direction as you move higher in the atmosphere, hinders tropical development, so this system fell apart and was no longer receiving advisories from the National Hurricane Center on September 15 at 8 p.m. Tropical Depression Fifteen-E first formed on September 13 but then dissipated just two days later.

Officials discovered over two dozen trees, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, have been poisoned since 2022. THE TAKEAWAYOver two dozen trees have been poisoned with diesel fuel since 2022. The trees are cumulatively worth over $300,000. There is a hefty reward being offered for the arrest and prosecution of whoever is responsible. INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Valuable tees continue to die off at Burnt Cedar Beach in Nevada after an unknown person poisoned multiple trees in the area. Officials have discovered over a dozen trees, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, have been poisoned since May 26, according to the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID). Because of this, local officials are resorting to alternative methods to find out who has been poisoning trees at Burnt Cedar Beach in Nevada. FALL HUNTING GUIDE 2026: THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT, WHEN SEASONS BEGIN AND WHAT ANIMALS ARE IN SEASONThe IVGID is offering a $25,000 reward, and an additional $122,000 is being offered from a group of private donors for any information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for destroying these trees.