NASA astronauts have captured rare space-based images of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), such as blue jets and red tentacles, occurring above thunderstorms at high altitudes, providing new insights into atmospheric electrical phenomena and their impact on Earth's chemistry.
A rare high-risk flood alert is in effect across California, southern Nevada, and northwest Arizona, with heavy rain expected to cause widespread roadway flooding, mudslides, and potential power outages over several days, especially impacting major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A tornado confirmed by radar touched down in Central Massachusetts, prompting warnings of severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and potential flash flooding across the region, with ongoing alerts and safety advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
A haboob, a type of dust storm caused by outflowing winds from a thunderstorm, recently hit the Phoenix area, disrupting travel and causing power outages. These storms are common in arid regions and are characterized by rapid dust and debris movement, significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous conditions. They originate from strong downdrafts in thunderstorms over dry soils, especially during drought conditions, and are most frequent in the southwestern United States.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect across most of Minnesota until 4 a.m. Saturday, with potential for 80 mph winds, tornadoes, and large hail, as storms are expected to develop into a line or cluster, increasing the risk of damaging winds and embedded tornadoes.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight for the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, with storms capable of producing 70 mph winds, tornadoes, and large hail, as they move east-southeast at around 50 mph, prompting residents to stay alert as the weather develops.
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a rare image of a giant red sprite, a type of transient luminous event, over North America during a thunderstorm, providing valuable data for understanding these mysterious upper-atmosphere phenomena.
Six people died and two are missing after a boat capsized during a thunderstorm on Lake Tahoe, California, with high waves and strong winds contributing to the accident, prompting rescue efforts that recovered some victims and rescued others.
During a Club World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, the game was temporarily halted and spectators were asked to leave due to severe thunderstorms forecasted, leading to an unusually empty stadium until the match resumed about 50 minutes later when the weather cleared.
A Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan made an emergency landing in Memmingen, Germany, due to turbulence from a thunderstorm, resulting in nine injuries among passengers, with some requiring hospital treatment. The airline provided assistance and a replacement flight for affected passengers.
Pocono Raceway CEO Nick Igdalsky has vowed that the unprecedented traffic issues caused by a severe thunderstorm and lightning delay, which led to hourslong traffic jams and fans missing the Great American Getaway 400, will never happen again. Igdalsky assured that future emergency plans will be put in place to prevent such chaos, even in extreme weather conditions.
A severe thunderstorm in western Nebraska brought torrential rain, baseball-sized hail, and hurricane-force winds, creating a surreal scene in Scottsbluff where hail flowed like lava. A video of the phenomenon went viral, amassing over 300,000 views.
Suzanne Michael Wilson, a woman in her 70s, was killed when a tree fell on her townhome during a thunderstorm in Mountain Brook, Alabama. The Mountain Brook Fire Department, with assistance from the Homewood Fire Department, faced challenges accessing the site due to parked cars. No one else was injured, but some residents have been displaced. The area remains taped off for safety, and the Mountain Brook Police Department will continue the investigation.
The severe weather threat for Middle Tennessee has expired. Earlier, the region faced multiple warnings, including Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, with risks of damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and hail. The National Weather Service had issued a Tornado Watch for the entire area, expecting intense storms with potential EF2 or greater tornadoes.
Severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings in the Pittsburgh area expired on Saturday, but Memorial Day is expected to be an Impact Day with periods of rain and potential thunderstorms. While most of Sunday will be dry, widespread rain and storms are anticipated Sunday night into Monday morning, with additional storms possible Monday afternoon.