Cole Makos

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Near-normal tropical activity expected through early September

Aug 20, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - August 20th is the start of the typical peak of tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean. This peak lasts through the end of September, peaking in the middle of the month. Colorado State University released their two-week forecast valid from August 20 through September 3. Their forecasters call for near-normal activity during this stretch.
Hurricanes have produced historic tornadoes in 2024

Aug 15, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - For those of us in hurricane-free Wisconsin, tornadoes are perhaps not a well-known threat from tropical cyclones. However, it is quite common for a tropical cyclone to produce tornadoes after making landfall. 2024 has already been quite an interesting and active year in the tropical tornado department. Hurricane DebbyOver 20 tornadoes have been confirmed in association with Hurricane Debby from last week.
Ragweed season could be worse than usual

Aug 13, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - We are almost halfway through August and the peak of ragweed season is approaching. According to UW Health, the ragweed season typically runs from August through September. The peak of ragweed season is usually in late August. This summer has certainly been wet across southern Wisconsin. In particular, Madison has seen 18.5 inches of rain since the start of June. This is almost 7 inches above the average amount of rainfall we would expect to see from that same stretch.
Dane County awarded grant supporting families and kids

Aug 8, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is awarding more than $150,000 to the Dane County Department of Human Services to support families and kids. The money will help cover basic needs such as rent, utilities, food, childcare, and transportation. “This grant strengthens our ability to connect Dane County children, youth, families, and foster parents with the resources they need to thrive,” Interim Director of Dane County DHS Astra Iheukumere said.
WI veteran inducted into Purple Heart Hall of Honor

Aug 8, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wednesday is Purple Heart Day. The Madison VA used the occasion to celebrate its inaugural induction into the Purple Heart Hall of Honor. On Wednesday, US Marine Corps Lance Corporal James Foseid was inducted into the Hall of Honor at a celebration in Madison. Foseid earned a Purple Heart while serving in the Vietnam War as a M60 gunner. He was shot in the chest while rescuing a South Vietnamese soldier.
Tropical updates: Debby forecast to bring historic rainfall to Southeast

Aug 6, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos |Brian Doogs

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - As we head into a quieter weather pattern in Wisconsin, we’ll start to keep an eye on the tropics as activity increases. Tropical Storm DebbyTropical Storm Debby is currently wreaking havoc on the Carolinas and Georgia. Debby reached category 1 intensity prior to its first landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida. Debby brought torrential rainfall and storm surge from the Big Bend all the way down to the Tampa area.
COVID-19 cases rising in Dane County

Aug 1, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The rates of COVID-19 cases in Dane County and are increasing, according to the Dane County Respiratory Illness Dashboard. Officials said positive tests have gone up about 10% in the last month. Dr. Danielle Mitchell from SSM Health Family Medicine said that despite cases increasing, the severity is not.
West Dayton Street westbound traffic lane reopens

Jul 26, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Katie Castellano |Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The westbound lane of traffic on West Dayton Street has been reopened, City of Madison officials announced on Thursday. The lane had been closed since October 2023 while work was done for a UW steam tunnel project at the intersection of West Dayton Street and Park Street. West Dayton Street is completely open to both directions of traffic on each side of the intersection. Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app. Copyright 2024 WMTV.
Wisconsin’s history with tropical cyclones

Jul 9, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos |Brian Doogs

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - With the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passing south and east of Wisconsin, it is important to remember that Wisconsin is not completely immune to the impacts of tropical systems. Wisconsin has been directly impacted by four tropical systems in recorded history. The first was in 1900 when the remnants of the infamous Galveston hurricane moved through the southern part of the state. At its peak, the hurricane was a category 4 and caused pure devastation in Galveston, Texas.
The science behind firework colors

Jul 3, 2024 | wmtv15news.com | Cole Makos

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - With the Fourth of July coming up, many people will be spending the holiday enjoying firework shows. Have you ever wondered how fireworks create their colors? Each firework is composed of different mineral elements that produce specific colors. There are four colors which contain only one primary mineral element. Deep reds come from strontium, which is commonly used in ceramic magnets, oil and gas production.