Robert Speta

United States

Meteorologist at First Coast News WTLV/WJXX Jacksonville, FL

Meteorologist / reporter in Jacksonville FL for First Coast News, tweets vary; Westpac wx Expert, drone pilot and love the outdoors!

Articles

Thursday marks the anniversary of the highest wind gust ever recorded. Here's how fast it was

2 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On April 10, 1996, a powerful Cyclone blew across Barrow Island off the northwestern coast of Australia, setting a world record that still stands nearly three decades later. A midst a series of high wind gust a peak wind speed of 253 miles per hour (407 kilometers per hour) was accurately measured by an anemometer during Tropical Cyclone Olivia, making it the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth.
Weather Impact Alert Day issued for Sunday afternoon and Monday evening

3 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The First Coast News weather team has set a weather impact alert day for Sunday with storms developing through the late morning and early afternoon hours. This will bring scattered across the First Coast with a few strong to possibly severe storms impacting local events. WHEN: Sunday, March 30, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. IMPACT: Scattered rain showers Sunday afternoon including thunderstorms with a few becoming strong to severe.
The importance of keeping your car clean from pollen in Jacksonville

4 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As spring rolls in, so does the annual wave of pollen that coats everything in sight — including your car. While many car owners might see pollen as a simple seasonal nuisance, it can actually cause long-term damage to your vehicle's exterior and interior if not properly managed. We spoke with Ken Huening, CEO and founder of CoverSeal, about the impact of pollen and the best ways to protect your car.
When it snowed in Jacksonville on the first day of Spring

1 month ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — March 1 marks the first day of meteorological spring, but in 1986, residents of Jacksonville woke up to a not very spring-like sight: accumulated snowfall. The city recorded half an inch of snow in what remains one of its rarest weather events. Unlike the famous ice storm of 1989, which paralyzed roads and caused widespread disruptions, the 1986 snowfall was brief, starting off as rain and changing to snowfall overnight.
NASA set to embark on two missions: to explore the sun and the depths of the universe

1 month ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — NASA is preparing for a fresh rocket launch this week from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying two distinct scientific missions—one focused on studying the sun and the other exploring the depths of the universe.
NASA set to embark on two missions: to explore the sun and the depths of the universe

1 month ago | rocketcitynow.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — NASA is preparing for a fresh rocket launch this week from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying two distinct scientific missions—one focused on studying the sun and the other exploring the depths of the universe.
Who is Pelican Pete and Pelican Pam?

2 months ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

‘Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information’ NoticeLike many content publishers, we provide online advertising services that use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your device and online activity on our sites, apps and other online services. These services use this information to try to tailor the ads you see online to your interests. These are called interest-based ads.
Looking back at when Florida had devastating wildfires

Jan 16, 2025 | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

‘Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information’ NoticeLike many content publishers, we provide online advertising services that use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your device and online activity on our sites, apps and other online services. These services use this information to try to tailor the ads you see online to your interests. These are called interest-based ads.
December's Night Sky: Orion, Venus, Geminids and the Full Cold Moon

Dec 1, 2024 | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

‘Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information’ NoticeLike many content publishers, we provide online advertising services that use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your device and online activity on our sites, apps and other online services. These services use this information to try to tailor the ads you see online to your interests. These are called interest-based ads.
Cold weather clouds at sunset seen over Jacksonville

Dec 1, 2024 | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A bright sunset on Saturday evening across the First Coast featured a rare appearance of cirrocumulus clouds. Not a common cloud in the skies over Florida it had some viewers asking what kind of cloud was it. Cirrocumulus clouds are high-altitude formations typically found at elevations of 18,000 to 20,000 feet.