When a hurricane threatens the United States, a lot of attention is focused on the path and the wind speed. Storm surge can be just as important to monitor, because it can quickly cause extreme destruction and death.

Fair Weather Here While Milton Looms Toward Florida.

When a hurricane threatens the United States, a lot of attention is focused on the path and the wind speed. Storm surge can be just as important to monitor, because it can quickly cause extreme destruction and death.

Forecasters have issued hurricane watches for parts of Cuba and Mexico as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands could strengthen in upcoming days as it moves north toward the U.S. The National Hurricane Center says the disturbance may become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast.

The tropics are still active, and we are right in the path of the next system.

Most of us see calm weather as we head into the weekend, but there are some changes ahead...

As Francine treks north, we start to see local impacts.

A noticeable increase in humidity will happen over the coming days thanks to a shift in the pattern

Francine could have an impact on our weather as we head into the weekend.

The risk of severe weather and flooding can quickly become a concern for our communities.

Here is a look at what we are tracking this week. The pattern shifts big time as we enter the middle of the week!

Showers and storms return this afternoon as a front approaches.

While Thursday features warmer temperatures and higher humidity, there are some big changes coming as we head toward the weekend.

Mostly clear skies last through the morning, but partly cloudy skies try their best to make a return later in the afternoon.

Roanoke county’s swift water rescue team is busy preparing their resources ahead of Tropical Storm Debby.

Tracking impacts from Debby later this week

NOAA is forecasting 17 to 25 named storms in the Atlantic Basin in 2024

Picture perfect weather ahead for your Saturday.

The number one risk to the Commonwealth in these types of severe storms is flooding.

An above average hurricane season is expected

Tropical systems this far inland usually result in flooding or tornadoes.

Ukraine’s intelligence agency has claimed responsibility for a car bombing that killed a member of the Russia-backed authority in the illegally annexed Luhansk region.

The Russian military says a Ukrainian missile strike on a shipyard in annexed Crimea had damaged a Russian ship.

A cold front brings scattered storms and a cool-down while pushing Lee away from us

The rest of Monday is uneventful before scattered storms return mid-week

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a Category 4 storm north of Puerto Rico this weekend

Cleanup is underway after Hurricane Idalia, after the powerful storm pummeled through Georgia and the Carolinas after slamming Florida’s Big Bend Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.

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Humidity levels drop Thursday, setting us up with a beautiful end of the week

The phenomenon is caused by conductors in the middle of an atmospheric electric field

Our weather will feel more like early autumn once Idalia moves offshore later this week

With Hurricane Idalia on the way, there’s a push for volunteers and donations. Disaster relief organizations are on standby, including some here locally.

Localized flooding may occur late Tuesday due to slow-moving thunderstorms

Idalia's most significant impacts will likely miss southwest and central Virginia

Slow-moving rain and storms lead to localized flood potential through Monday

Hilary is set to bring inches of rain to southern California, while the Atlantic hurricane season gets going

A few showers here and there for Tuesday. Dry air moves in overnight, and clear skies expected for the rest of the week.

Forecasters predict more activity in the Atlantic Basin from August through at least October

A U.K.-based tour operator says three British nationals who went missing after a scuba diving boat they were cruising in caught fire in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast have died.

It’s about this time every year where we look for Saharan dust to make its several thousand-mile trip across the Atlantic.

We are not immune to impacts from landfalling tropical systems

Storm names are retired when the storms become so deadly and destructive

Nicole sends rounds of rain and storms into the area through Friday evening

In addition to heavy rain, there is the threat for a tornado or two Friday

Nicole to bring widespread rain and the possibility of a few stronger thunderstorms Veterans Day

Temps return to near-normal levels before Nicole sends widespread rain into the region Veterans Day.

The remnant low of Ian will finally move offshore in the coming days

We'll eventually warm into the 70s this week too!

How can snow or sleet form during a tropical system?

The worst of Ian's rain and wind moves out of here, leaving us cool with periods of light rain showers

President Biden delivered remarks on the federal response to Hurricane Ian at 1:45 p.m.

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Localized flooding and power outages will be possible as Ian gets closer to us

The heaviest rain we see from Ian arrives Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning

Hurricane Ian is currently hitting the Gulf Coast of Florida after strengthening to a Category 4 storm before making landfall, possibly near Port Charlotte.

There are many ways to categorize a hurricane. The storm’s central pressure is one way. The height of its storm surge is another. How much rain it drops is another. And, of course, the strength of its wind is another. But what causes a hurricane to strengthen or weaken? The answer is simple enough, but multifaceted.

Radar technology can help determine between what's rain and what's not

The cool air ahead of Ian's remnants should lessen the threat for damaging thunderstorms

When a hurricane threatens the United States, a lot of attention is focused on the path and the wind speed. Storm surge can be just as important to monitor, because it can quickly cause extreme destruction and death.

We are fully into Hurricane season, and the first big storm to hit the United States will soon make landfall.

The forecast cone for Ian comes up into Virginia. So, what does that cone mean?

Spend some time outdoors before the remnant rain from Ian arrives

Hundreds of miles away, crews in Virginia are preparing to deploy to Florida ahead of Hurricane Ian’s landfall.

Much of this week will get us in the fall spirit prior to remnant rain from Ian

Where Ian goes beyond Florida next week is still up for speculation

The Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University cites warmer than average waters for its predicted active season

For the second year in a row, we’ve exhausted the list of names allocated for the Atlantic hurricane season.

When there’s a tropical storm or hurricane moving across the ocean, part of what’s so intimidating about it is that it’s so unpredictable. We really never know where it might make landfall, or how powerful it might be when it does.

Summer-like warmth returns for at least the first half of the week

As we round out the first weekend of fall, temperatures are running a little bit warmer to begin the day.

Hurricane Ida may not pack the strong winds it once had when it hit Louisiana, but it’s still dumping an insane amount of rain in its path, including on New York City.

Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday, wreaking havoc on the Louisiana coast, and leaving major cities like New Orleans without power.

Ida's remnants could bring about a month's worth of rain to areas north of 460 Wednesday

Tropical Storm Ida formed early Thursday afternoon in the Western Caribbean, and as of midday Friday, it was projected that the storm would track into the Gulf eventually as a hurricane of at least Category 2 strength.

Two years later and in some ways, Texas is still reeling from the historic and catastrophic Hurricane Harvey.

Meteorologists often refer to the right side of a hurricane as the “dirty side” of the storm.

Given its location next to the Gulf of Mexico, one would think that the Tampa Bay region would have an extensive history with hurricanes. On the contrary, that's not the case.

It’s great that summer is here, but that means another major season has arrived, too: Hurricane season.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center has warned of life-threatening storm surges, flooding and isolated tornadoes.

We thought we’d ask: What storm-related advice do you wish you had received sooner?

Whether you’re stocking up for hurricane season or replenishing canned food or pantry items just to keep on hand, sometimes it’s hard to know what to buy.

Whether you’ve experienced a bad storm yourself, or maybe it was your friends or relatives who had to survive the ordeal, it’s better to ask these questions before we’re in the midst of a disaster: Have you ever received advice about how to prepare for a hurricane that really stuck with you?

Clean water is essential to a person's health and well-being.

It’s quite a daunting task, to ready yourself for a severe weather situation when you have a new baby in tow.

Hurricanes are a strong force of nature. Many have seen the toll they can take on people, homes and land, but there are a few things you may not know about the storms, and they’re pretty intriguing.

Meteorologists are likely to be busy with hurricanes again after a hyperactive 2020 season.

With any major storm, winds and heavy rainfall have the power to create massive power outages.

When weather teams issue forecasts, they come with certain specifics to help people understand what’s happening.

Experts at Colorado State University released their first outlook for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season

ROANOKE, Va. – The Atlantic hurricane season traditionally ends on November 30th, and this is usually the time of year when we see tropical activity dwindling. That’s the 29th named storm of the season, which breaks the record of 28 set back in 2005. Subtropical Storm #Theta has formed in the subtropical Atlantic - the record-setting 29th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic #hurricane season to date. List of storm names using the Greek alphabet in 2020Iota (if it were to form) would make the 30th named storm during the 2020 season. Even though the 2020 season has broken the record for most named storms, it’s important to note that the 2005 season was more intense.

Dew point trends for the next four daysThis is when moisture from Eta meets up with a front coming in from the west. Rain may start light in the morning Wednesday, but it will become heavy at times in the afternoon and evening as the front sits nearby. FutureTracker showing moisture from Eta and a cold frontOur rainfall forecast indicates that most of the area will see 1-3″ of rain between Wednesday and Thursday. If the front stalls over the area, however, we’ll see continuing rounds of heavy rain throughout the day Thursday too. That would add to rain totals and the flood threat.

ROANOKE, Va. – For the past several days, including Thursday, we’ve gone through the confusing combination of chilly mornings and warmer afternoons. High temperatures in the Roanoke Valley will be at or above 70° through Sunday and possibly into next week. The last time we had six straight days of 70° warmth in November was back in 2005. Last six day streak of 70°+ warmth in November2005 was an extremely active tropical season, which can also be said about the 2020 season. The storm will be sandwiched between high pressure off the East Coast and low pressure to the west, causing it to meander somewhere near Florida through next week.

In fact, Wednesday afternoon’s temperatures will be well into the 60s under a sun-kissed sky. Eta made landfall over Nicaragua Tuesday as a Category 4 storm and has since weakened over land. High pressure, which keeps us warm and calm, will suppress Eta to the south. What's guiding Eta through Monday, 11/9/2020The farther west that happens, the wetter we’ll be (probably later next week). Stay tuned for updates, but know that we don’t expect any impacts from the storm for at least the next 5-7 days.

Wind speed and direction for Tuesday, 11/3/2020This breeze out of the west will help to warm things up. Temperatures later this week into next week will stay above average as a result. What we're tracking throughout the weekMeanwhile, a devastating situation is unfolding in parts of Central America (especially Nicaragua and Honduras). As of 1 a.m. Tuesday, its central wind speed went up by 80 mph in a span of 24 hours. This will bring life-threatening wind, storm surge and flooding along with landslides.

ROANOKE, Va. – Zeta made landfall Wednesday as a strong Category 2 hurricane and has been racing through the Deep South ever since. Therefore, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southern half of our region. Tropical storm warning in effect for the southern half of our viewing area ThursdayIn addition to the threat for localized flooding, there’s the potential for wind gusts to reach 50 mph between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in these locations. An additional 1-2″+ is expected from the storm, which could lead to flooding of creeks, streams, poor drainage and low-lying areas. FutureTracker - midday ThursdayAfter about 12 p.m., we’ll watch for some segments of high wind gusts and possible rotation (especially in Southside).

ROANOKE, Va. – Prior to Zeta, our weather remains fairly calm Wednesday. FutureTracker - Wednesday eveningPreceding Zeta, we’ll see a batch of heavy rain overnight into early Thursday morning. FutureTracker - early Thursday morningAs Zeta races up the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, our weather deteriorates with tropical rain moving in after 9 or 10 in the morning Thursday. FutureTracker - Thursday afternoonWhen all is said and done, most of the area is looking to accumulate 1-3 inches of rain. Layman Family Farms trick-or-treat eventColder air lags behind a bit, but makes its way into the area in time for Halloween.

Hourly planner for Tuesday, 10/27/2020We’ll be warmer Wednesday, with Zeta making landfall along the Gulf Coast during the evening. Some pockets may be heavy, but we don’t expect any strong winds at this time. FutureTracker - early Thursday morningWhere Zeta differs from the six previous storms we’ve dealt with is that it will be moving quickly. This means high wind gusts will be a threat between Noon and 6 p.m. Thursday, in addition to tropical downpours. FutureTracker - early Thursday eveningOnce Zeta moves to the east, the wind will stay strong through Friday even though much of the day will be dry.

ROANOKE, Va. – 5 p.m. Wednesday updateA Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for many along and south of U.S. 460. Hurricane Zeta has continued to gain strength this afternoon and it’s now a category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. 5 a.m. Tuesday updateZeta made its first landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula and is now emerging into the Gulf of Mexico as a strong tropical storm. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been posted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and western Cuba ahead of the storm’s arrival. On the forecast track, Zeta will move into the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall late Wednesday along the Gulf Coast.

Clouds gather over Playa Gaviota Azul as Tropical Storm Zeta approaches Cancun, Mexico, early Monday morning, Oct. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Victor Ruiz Garcia)MIAMI – Hurricane Zeta lashed Mexico's Caribbean coast resorts around Tulum with high winds and rain Monday night as it headed toward the Yucatan Peninsula and then a possible landfall on the central U.S. Gulf Coast at midweek. It was the second time this month that boat captain Francisco Sosa Rosado had to perform the same maneuver, after Hurricane Delta hit the resort in early October. Trees felled by Hurricane Delta barely three weeks earlier still littered parts of Cancun, stacked along roadsides and in parks. There was also a Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005, but that year had 28 storms because meteorologists later went back and found they missed one, which then became an “unnamed named storm."

How familiar are you with all the storm terms and hurricane categories? Do you know the difference between a Category 2 storm and a Category 5?