Tracking the Tropics: Katia Sails Away, TS Maria's Next Move, Plus Nate Eyes Mexico!

Well, here we are. In the height of hurricane season. And we can sure tell that it's an active time of year. Just take a look at the map above. We currently have three active storms between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. 

These Atlantic and Gulf storms are the ones we typically watch out for as they have a much better shot of impacting weather here in the United States as opposed to any storms that develop in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. 

Speaking of the Pacific, I'll quickly mention that the Eastern Pacific Ocean remains clear of any tropical cyclones, you can see the map below from the National Hurricane Center for added proof! 

So, from Katia to Maria to Nate there's a lot going on and now is my time to explain to you whether or not the US will be threatened by these storms. Let's get started!

Tracking the Tropics: Irene Recovery Continues, But All Eyes Turn Towards Katia...and Lee?

East Setauket, NY supermarket
still without water AFTER Irene
8/29/2011

Stores ran out of the essentials. Trees toppled. Power lines fell. Beaches eroded. All thanks to Irene. And she could have been even stronger. Now, it's time to continue gassing up the chainsaws and cleaning up the damage while simultaneously keeping an eye on what storm could be next.

Hurricane Irene spared many her full force, but left many others under water or without power, and in some cases, especially in North Carolina, left families without a home to come back to. And hundreds of thousands of people in several East coast states remain without power all thanks to Hurricane Irene.

Irene could have been a much stronger storm, but even as a category two storm over the Carolinas and then a category one/tropical storm over the New York tri-state area Irene caused extensive damage, even leaving roughly 25% of Long Island in New York without power.

East Setauket, NY street blocked by toppled tree - Hurricane Irene - 8/28/2011| Photo by Matt Hammer

Weather Video: A Face in Storm Clouds, Plus a Texas River Turns Red?!

Whenever I come across interesting, shocking, cool or funny weather video I like to pass it along. Here are two examples that fit into the interesting and cool categories. 

This first video is of a river in drought stricken Texas that, according to area scientists, has turned red thanks to a unique form of algae. As you may or may not know, parts of Texas are seeing one of the worst droughts in history with some places seeing temperatures at or above 100 degrees for more than 30 consecutive days and extremely little to no rainfall. I don't know how they're dealing with it.

This next video is simply crazy and cool. This almost looks too good to be true. Basically, it's a face in a storm cloud. And boy, does it ever look like a face! Check it out below the page break!