Weather Realness

Two Stream gages have shut down in St. Joseph. We learn how this will affect how scientists and communities monitor flooding data.

After a tornado’s destruction, scientists determine how strong a tornado was. How do scientists measure the strength of a tornado and why is it important? 

September is typically the most active time for hurricanes in the Atlantic. So why did it take so long for a hurricane to develop in the Atlantic?

We learn how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prepares for severe weather.

Whenever severe weather is approaching, we often get notifications about tornadoes or thunderstorms. But why do some of us ignore these warnings? 

Derechos are strong wind storms coupled with a band of thunderstorms. We’re breaking what makes them destroyed and what caused the extreme derecho event in August.

We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall. 

How did Canada’s wildfire smoke travel hundreds of miles to Illinois and is climate change making things worse? We learn the meteorological side of wildfire smoke and what this means for Illinois.

Thousands of miles away, the Pacific Ocean is warming which can affect weather patterns worldwide. But how can this affect Illinois?

You may have heard about a potential “Super” El Niño, but what does that mean? We learn how the warming in the pacific ocean can impact global weather patterns.

You’ve heard of forensic scientists from crime shows. But what about forensic meteorologists? These experts reconstruct past weather events and help settle insurance and legal disputes connected with the weather.

You’ve heard of forensic scientists from crime shows. But what about forensic meteorologists? These experts reconstruct past weather events and help settle insurance and legal disputes connected with the weather.

Illinois has around 60 species of mosquitoes. Learn how climate and weather impacts them and if they pose a risk to public health. 

He’s back! Ed Kieser, former chief meteorologist at WILL radio returns to Illinois airways. We learn more about his career and his 1996 tornado forecast.

Weather shapes our daily lives in numerous ways, but what about its effect on baseball? Explore the science behind how rising temperatures can boost home runs.

The Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District has driven passengers from stop to stop for decades. But how do they continue their services under severe weather?

The midwest can’t seem to take a break from severe weather. In June, tornadoes and thunderstorms left a trail of damage in Illinois.

The Trump administration's proposal changes how scientific research is funded. We learn how this could affect the future of science and the public.

It’s summer time and that means warmer temperatures. Learn how to stay safe during extreme heat.

Garden Hills has experienced chronic flooding for decades. We discuss how flooding affects communities and the engineering behind the Garden Hills Neighborhood drainage project.

“Pressure” is a war film about D-Day that spotlights the importance of weather forecasting in military decisions. We break down the weather science behind the film how weather forecasting has evolved.

 The FIFA World Cup is just days away. But weather hazards like extreme heat and storms can pose a risk to players and fans. We talk about how the National Weather Service manages weather safety for sporting events like this one.

Summer isn’t always just hot. From thunderstorms and flash floods, summer can bring a variety of hazards. We talk about what Illinois residents can expect for the months ahead.

Weather forecasts are a part of everyday life, but predicting the weather was once considered impossible. Learn how meteorology evolved from early observations and hand calculations into the modern science we rely on today.

While wildfires aren’t common in Illinois, they do occur twice every year. We take a deeper look at the wildfire season in our state and how they’re changing under climate change.