First Alert Weather Extra

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Join KLTV Meteorologist Andrew Tate on the First Alert Weather Extra Podcast.

  1. 3d ago

    Burn Bans Return as Risk for Drought Onset Increases Across East Texas | August 4, 2026

    Hot and mostly sunny conditions will generally prevail for the foreseeable future. There are daily chances for rain in the forecast, but they're all low-end (only 10-20%) each day. Given the time of year, this is not unusual; however, the concern for rapid onset drought will increase through the end of the month. Through the first half of the summer, there was enough rainfall off and on to actually alleviate drought across a large part of East Texas. Now that conditions have mostly been dry for the last couple of weeks, we'll need to be vigilant for drought conditions to return. New today, two East Texas counties (Morris and Panola) issued burn bans, and multiple counties have dealt with wildfires over the last week to two weeks. While there are the already mentioned chances for rain over the next 7 to 10 days, the forecast totals are not high enough to make a significant difference in the realm of drought and fire danger. The Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day outlooks for temperatures and precipitation place East Texas in an area trending warmer and drier than normal for August 12 -18. Additionally, their 8-14 hazards outlook outlines a risk for drought onset in areas of East Texas where 30-day precipitation totals are running 2 or more inches below normal.   Today in weather history... On August 4, 2008, a potent derecho tracked through the Midwest. The squall line tore through the Chicago metro while a Cubs game was ongoing, forcing fans to be evacuated. Winds over 90 mph downed hundreds of trees and several tornadoes (up to EF2) were confirmed. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Also on today's show, details on severe weather impacting air travel and a story covering how one Texas zoo is keeping animals cool during the summer heat. Finally, our satellite imagery of the day showing smoky and haze-filled skies over the Pacific Northwest, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Burn Bans Return as Risk for Drought Onset Increases Across East Texas | August 4, 2026

  2. 4d ago

    Typical Summer Pattern Takes Hold: Hot, Mostly Sunny, Low Chances for Rain | August 3, 2026

    Hot and sunny/mostly sunny conditions will prevail through this week as a typical summertime weather pattern sets up for East Texas. Daily highs and lows will generally be close to normal , if not slightly warmer than normal, for the next 7 to 10 days. The normal low and high temperatures for today are 75° and 96°. Low-end chances for rain will also be in the forecast this week as south winds return moisture from the Gulf to the skies overhead. Daily chances will be low for the most part, but the chance for rain does appear somewhat higher for the end of the week and weekend. In the long-range, the Climate Prediction Center 8-14 temperature and precipitation outlooks place East Texas in an area trending warmer and drier than normal for August 1 through August 17.   Today in weather history... On August 3, 1864, A Union fleet experienced a waterspout in Albemarle Sound on the coast of North Carolina. No ships were impacted by the vortex. One report in a newspaper said that "it struck out for the land, the water boiling and foaming beneath it". The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Also on today's show, an update on the wildfires that continue to burn in the Pacific Northwest and our weekly Forecast Accuracy Report. Finally, our satellite imagery of the day shows the previously covered wildfires across the Pacific Northwest that have exploded and grown in size, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Typical Summer Pattern Takes Hold: Hot, Mostly Sunny, Low Chances for Rain | August 3, 2026

  3. Jul 21

    Continuing to track Bertha as NOAA warns of Excessive Heat through the end of July | July 21, 2026

    The two weather headlines of the week continue to dominate our local forecast: heat and Tropical Storm Bertha. What was Tropical Depression Two this time yesterday, strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha last night. Bertha will continue moving west along the northern Gulf Coast, towards Texas. The impacts from Bertha in East Texas will be minimal. That said, a few showers and isolated thunderstorms will be possible later this week thanks to Bertha. That chance for rain will be the only relief from the other "headline" of the week, the heat. High temperatures climbed into the 100s for many locations across East Texas this afternoon for the first time this year. We'll likely see even more triple digit readings tomorrow. A weak front moving through the area will help to lower the humidity and temps some, but it will not be a significant cooldown by any means. Highs look to remain in the upper 90s and 100s through the end of July. The Climate Prediction Center is warning of a "High Risk" for excessive/extreme heat into early August for all of East Texas.    Today in history... On July 21, 1987, a massive F4 struck in northwestern Wyoming. The 1.5-mile wide wedge occurred at an elevation of >8000 ft, making this event the highest altitude violent tornado in US history. Around a million trees were snapped, uprooted, or debarked/denuded. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Also on today's show, updates on severe weather and summer heat that continue across the country. Finally, our satellite imagery of the day showing Tropical Storm Bertha from space, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Continuing to track Bertha as NOAA warns of Excessive Heat through the end of July | July 21, 2026

  4. Jul 20

    Triple-Digit Heat and a Tropical Storm in the Gulf | July 20, 2026

    The hottest days of the summer so far are upon us as the forecast calls for highs around 100-degrees for the foreseeable future. Of course, other than the heat, a brewing tropical storm in the Gulf will be the other top weather story this week. Over the weekend, Tropical Depression Two formed and is likely to become Tropical Storm Bertha by Tuesday morning. At this time, any impacts from this tropical system look to be minimal for East Texas. That said, parts of the area are included in the cone of uncertainty. Please remain weather alert this week and check the forecast at least once a day for any changes that may occur. This does not look to be a significant weather event for East Texas, but the First Alert Weather Team will let you know if that changes. Back to the heat... Highs will be in the upper 90s and 100s for the rest of this week and into the weekend. The only relief from the heat would come from any stray afternoon showers and thunderstorms, which we do have some low-end chances for in the forecast off and on over the next week. Even still, most of East Texas will stay dry.   Today in history... On July 20, 2005, Hurricane Emily made a final landfall in northern Mexico as a Category 3. Storm surge destroyed most of Laguna Madre (a coastal fishing community), while heavy wind damage and inland flooding was reported around several other towns. No lives were lost. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Also on today's show, some lighthearted stories to get our week started and the satellite imagery of the day showing convection bubbles around "Tropical Depression Two," courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Triple-Digit Heat and a Tropical Storm in the Gulf | July 20, 2026

  5. Jul 16

    Dry and Hot Weekend With Heat Building Toward the 100-Degree Mark by Tuesday | July 16, 2026

    Isolated showers and thunderstorms will taper off through the rest of this evening leaving East Texas with mostly cloudy skies overnight. Temperatures by Friday morning will be in the low to middle 70s. There is a low chance for a stray shower or storm tomorrow, but most of us will stay dry. Temperatures Friday afternoon will be in the low to middle 90s. A significant warming trend will take place this weekend into next week as temperatures could be near or cross the 100-degree threshold by Tuesday. The forecast calls for dry conditions through this same time period. A weak front will move through the area midweek and will help usher in some changes. Highs will be a few degrees cooler, but still in the upper 90s through the end of next week. Low-end chances for rain will return to the forecast as well. While no notable impacts are currently expected for East Texas, the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring two areas in the Atlantic for potential tropical development. As this time, both areas have a low chance of formation.   Today in history... On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on the first manned mission to the surface of the moon. Also on July 16, 2005, Hurricane Emily peaked as a Category 5 in the Caribbean Sea. The storm was the first of four Category 5s in the Atlantic during the 2005 season, and stood the only Atlantic Category 5 during the month of July until 2024's Beryl. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Also on today's show, updates on continued severe weather across North America. Additionally, we have new outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center for August and this week's updated Drought Monitor. Lastly, the satellite imagery of the day (from the archive) showing puffy, cumulus clouds swirling around an area of high pressure along the U.S. Gulf Coast., courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Dry and Hot Weekend With Heat Building Toward the 100-Degree Mark by Tuesday | July 16, 2026

  6. Jul 15

    Lower Rain Chances Ahead as a Pattern Change Boosts Highs to the Upper 90s | July 15, 2026

    Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will taper off this evening leaving us with mostly cloudy skies across East Texas tonight. More showers and thunderstorms are expected both Thursday and Friday, though the chances look to be lower through the end of the week compared to the start of this week. The weekend forecast continues to look mostly sunny and dry with highs in the middle to upper 90s. By the middle of next week, highs could once again approach the 100-degree threshold. There is no rain in the forecast for this weekend and the beginning of next week, though, low-end chances return to the forecast by next Thursday. While no notable impacts are currently expected for East Texas, the National Hurricane Center is now monitoring two areas in the Atlantic for potential tropical development. As this time, both areas have a low chance of formation.   Today in weather history... On July 15, 2003, Hurricane Claudette made landfall at Port O'Connor, Texas, as a Category 1. Storm surge along the Texas coast reached as high as 5.3 feet, rainfall totals peaked at 6.5 inches, and two tornadoes touched down. Claudette caused $180 million in damage. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   This week's weather word is "sansar." (Also called sarsar, shamsir.) A sansar is an "icy wind of death”; a northwest wind of Iran." This definition comes from the American Meteorological Society's Glossary of Meteorology (2026).    Other topics on today's show include updates on flooding, dangerous heat, and wildfires in other parts of the U.S., as well as the discovery of sugar molecules in outer space. Lastly, the satellite imagery of the day showing excessive rainfall from slow-moving storms in Texas and wildfire smoke over the northeastern U.S., courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Lower Rain Chances Ahead as a Pattern Change Boosts Highs to the Upper 90s | July 15, 2026

  7. Jul 14

    More Rain Wednesday, Then Summer Heat Returns for East Texas | July 14, 2026

    We've seen less coverage of showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, and chances for rain will remain low overnight tonight. Additional shower and thunderstorm development is expected by Wednesday afternoon as an upper-level system continues moving slowly to the west overhead. This system, which brought heavy rain and flooding to East Texas Monday, has led to heavy rain and flooding in Central and South Texas today. We'll talk about that in our block of the show covering national and international weather/science headlines.    As the upper-level system moves west, high pressure will strengthen over East Texas bringing an end to our chances for rain by this weekend. Highs will climb back into the middle and upper 90s by early next week. The forecast calls for dry conditions through next Wednesday, then, low-end chances for rain are back in the forecast for late next week. Through this entire period, late next week, highs look to remain in the upper 90s under mostly sunny skies.   Other topics on today's show include the already mentioned flooding in other part of Texas, as well as summer heat and wildfires. We also have a new long-range tropical weather outlook to peek at today. Lastly, the satellite imagery of the day showing in Minnesota and Ontario, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    More Rain Wednesday, Then Summer Heat Returns for East Texas | July 14, 2026

  8. Jul 13

    Mid-July Cool Down: Showers & Storms Through Wednesday | July 13, 2026

    Showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday, with chances decreasing into the second half of the week as high pressure rebuilds overhead. Today's rain will taper off into the evening before new development of showers and storms is expected early Tuesday morning. The chance for rain will increase into Tuesday afternoon and highs will only be in the 80s - well below normal for mid-July. Wednesday's forecast will be mostly the same, then by Thursday, highs are back into the 90s and chances for rain will drop to only 10-20%. The weekend forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid 90s, which would be back around normal for this time of year. Chances for rain are slim to none for next week as high pressure remains dominant.   Today in weather history... On July 13, 2019, Hurricane Barry made landfall on Marsh Island, Louisiana as a Category 1. The storm, which had its roots as a storm system in the Plains more than a week earlier, caused $600 million in damage (mainly from significant flooding). Two people were killed. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.   Other topics on today's show include a story on a goat that assisted firefighters in Colorado and our weekly Forecast Accuracy Report for the week of July 6. Lastly, the satellite imagery of the day showing noctilucent clouds shimmer high above the Arctic, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

    Mid-July Cool Down: Showers & Storms Through Wednesday | July 13, 2026
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Join KLTV Meteorologist Andrew Tate on the First Alert Weather Extra Podcast.

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