Athena Masson, PhD

#Venezuela is no stranger to strong earthquakes given its proximity to the Caribbean plate. Since 1641 it has experienced six quakes measuring at least magnitude 7. The strongest #earthquake on record for Venezuela occurred on March 26, 1812 (7.7M). Estimated 20,000 lives lost.

Back-to-back powerful #earthquakes (7.1 and 7.5 magnitude) hammered Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital of #Caracas. https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-earthquake-caracas-7179acaee70a9c543f953852f15d4814

Strong tectonic activity today. 7.1 magnitude #earthquake in #Venezuela and a 6.9 magnitude off the coast of Kuji #Japan.

Wow. Very intense radar signature. Confirmed large and extremely dangerous #tornado located 8 miles southwest of #Martinsville, #Indiana or 10 miles north of #Bloomington, moving east at 45 mph. Seek shelter if you are in this area. #wx

Convection is on fire across portions of #Illinois and #Indiana. Moderate risk (4/5) for parts of these areas as a strengthening low pressure moves across the Great Lakes region. Tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds will be possible. Have multiple ways to receive alerts. #wx

Tropical Storm #Arthur has formed near the Texas coastline. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding to be the main concerns for southern and coastal areas of #Louisiana, #Mississippi, and the #Florida Panhandle. On average, the first named storm typically forms in mid to late June. #wx

Tropical Storm Watches issued for coastal parts of east #Texas, and western through central coastlines of #Louisiana. If this system reaches tropical storm status it will be given the name #Arthur. Main concerns expected to be heavy rainfall which could lead to flash flooding. #wx

Moderate (50%) chance for development this week. Moisture moving into the Gulf could form into a system. Land interaction combined with moderate upper level wind shear will give this system a challenge though. Parts of the western #Gulf Coast can anticipate some rain at least.#wx

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for North central #Flagler County and Southeastern St. Johns County until 330 PM EDT. Strong winds, heavy rainfall (which is needed), and lightning possible. #flwx #wx #SaintAugustine.

Cumulus clouds boiling up into cumulonimbus clouds this afternoon. Gorgeous structure. A few scattered storms will be possible today across Northeast Florida but most will be dry and hot to end the work week. Better chance for showers this weekend and into next week. #flwx #wx

Monitoring the Gulf this week. A small chance of development possible, but this will depend on if ample moisture from Tropical Storm #Cristina (in the Pacific) makes its way eastward. The Gulf is generally where tropical development takes place during the month of #June. #wx

Magnitude 6.1 #Earthquake 104 km WNW of Mantua, #Cuba. Light shaking reported in parts of Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and as far as Jacksonville, #Florida. No #tsunami threat expected.

An #earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.2, revised to 7.8, occurred at 938 AM ChST in Mindanao, #Philippines.

Saw #Pressure today. On the anniversary of D-Day even. Highly recommend for the #meteorology community. “How can the weather be boring? It feeds us. The weather can destroy us. It controls our daily life. I don't think that's boring.” - James Stagg. https://youtu.be/zdM4tdLQBg0?si=fvOogD04s8qMe2ax

The first tropical storm of the 2026 Eastern Pacific #Hurricane Season has formed #Amanda. No threat to land - Fish Storm. 🐠 #wx

#June is a relatively quiet month for tropical systems in the Atlantic. The Gulf, which usually maintains prime sea surface temps, is generally where systems form during this month. #Hurricane Beryl is the strongest June hurricane on record: reaching Cat 4 on June 30, 2024. #wx

June 1st marks the opening of the Atlantic #Hurricane Season. Multiple agencies are forecasting a below average season thanks to an intensifying El Niño. An average season sees 14 named storms, with 7 becoming hurricanes & 3 reaching major status. It only takes one though. #wx

Typhoon #Jangmi (#6) is forecast to strengthen significantly as it approaches southwestern #Japan. The typhoon is expected to pass close to the main island of #Okinawa late June 1st. #Typhoon season in Japan runs May through October. The peak month is August. #wx

Researchers have found that the 2025 #tsunami, which took place in Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, was the second largest recorded natural disaster of its kind in history, with a wave that reached up to 1,578 feet high. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/alaskas-1-578-foot-tsunami-181840627.html

As of 1PM eastern. #Tornado Watch has been extended east to include parts of Northeast #Florida & Southeast #Georgia. Strong squall line moving eastward today. Currently in Panhandle. Isolated tornadoes, strong winds, & small hail likely. Have multiple ways to receive alerts #wx

Small angel echoes near Green Cove Springs this morning. These circle-like echoes can typically indicate a scattering of biological entities such as birds, insects, or airborne particulates. #wx

It’s National Weather Person’s Day! Appreciate the #meteorologist in your life today. We strive to protect lives and inform you about our beautiful atmosphere☀️🌤🌧⛈🌩❄️☃️🌬💦💧☔️🌊💨 #wx

Six more weeks of winter! #PunxsutawneyPhil saw his shadow this morning. Phil has an overall accuracy rate of about 40% since he started forecasting in 1887 😉. #wx #GroundhogDay https://apnews.com/live/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-updates-2-2-2026

Can confirm. It’s freezing 🥶. #flwx

Keep your eyes to the sky Northeast #Florida. Some flurries beginning to fall. #wx

Photo of a bomb cyclone in early 2017. “Bomb cyclone” is a term used to describes a rapid strengthening of a powerful low-pressure system. To be classified as one, central pressure must lower 24mb within 24 hours. Chances increasing for one off the East Coast this weekend. #wx

An arctic front is expected to bring frigid temperatures to the middle and eastern part of the country and many are talking about #ExplodingTrees. Similar to a #FrostQuake with the loud ‘booms’ it can make. But very rare that a tree actually explodes. #wx https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/22/exploding-trees-frost-cracks-severe-cold-weather/88297067007/

Gravity wave clouds this morning in JAX. Nice treat to start off the 1st day of the semester. Formed when stable air is forced up & down. They produce turbulence for aircraft. My meteorology students will have to wait until our Mountain Weather lecture to fully appreciate them.

Magnitude 6.5 #earthquake struck the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, near #Acapulco, this morning. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

Happy New Year! 🥳 First sunrise of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ in beautiful #SaintAugustine. Looking forward to another exciting year and keeping my eyes to the sky. #wx #flwx

Beautiful #sunset this evening in #SaintAugustine. “Pink at night, sailor’s delight.” Dry, plenty of sunshine, & cold temps continue for New Year’s Eve as high pressure builds in from the west delivering cold northerly winds. Cold Weather Advisory & Frost Advisory in effect. #wx

Dec 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM eastern is the #WinterSolstice. The shortest day and longest night of the year and signalling the astronomical start of #Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. After the Winter Solstice the day light starts to get longer.

As meteorologists we value the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Wonderful research facility with brilliant minds who strive to better our understanding of the atmosphere and our environment. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/16/trump-dismantle-national-center-atmospheric-research-climate/87798771007/

7.6 #earthquake strikes off #Japan. #Tsunami warnings have been lifted. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/powerful-7-6-quake-strikes-183126849.html

The 2025 Atlantic #hurricane season ends today. 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, & 4 major: a near-normal season. Three Cat 5 storms: Erin, Humberto, & #Melissa. Melissa producing a world record wind gust (252mph). No hurricanes made landfall in the US for the 1st time since 2015. #wx

Confirmed world record. #Hurricane #Melissa produced a wind gust reading of 252mph. A Hurricane Hunter dropsonde recorded this gust at 657 feet above the sea, breaking the old record of Typhoon Megi (248 mph in 2010). #wx

Cold Weather Advisory in place for much of Northeast #Florida. Not everyday that we see wind chill values in the lower 20s, especially in November. Even wording of hypothermia & frostbite. Bring in all pets and sensitive plants tonight. Gradual warming expected after Tuesday. #wx

Coldest temps of the season arrive Monday & Tuesday for parts of North #Florida. Cold front moving through tonight with high pressure building in behind bringing cold northerly winds. Freeze Watch in place for Monday night & into Tuesday morning. Bring in pets & sensitive plants.

Seven years later and I am still rocking my #hurricane graduation shoes. #wx

While the Atlantic Hurricane Season inches closer to the finish line the Southern Hemisphere is approaching the beginning of their cyclone season. Australia’s Tropical Cyclone Season officially starts Wednesday November 1st. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/cyclones/australia/