What are some characteristics of storms?

Thunder, lightning and heavy rains. Sometimes heavy winds like we had with Matthew. Our North coast was roaring. read more

Slow moving storms usually result in greater flooding inside bays and estuaries, with smaller values along the open coast. Larger storms affect longer stretches of the coastline. A larger storm is defined as a storm having a greater radius of maximum wind. Storms with larger eyes create larger surges, up to an eye diameter of about 30 miles. read more

You'll hear them throw out some of these terms: tropical system, tropical feature, tropical activity, tropical disturbance, tropical wave. These descriptions all refer to a weather formation that has potential to strengthen and organize into a substantial tropical storm, or even a hurricane. read more

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, a thunderstorm is a rain shower that is accompanied by thunder and lightning, and it may also involve string winds, sleet, or hail. A thunderstorm becomes severe when it develops hail larger than an inch in diameter, wind gusts in excess of 57.5 mph, or a tornado. read more