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

First named tropical storm of 2025 appears in Northern Hemisphere

1 week ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tropical Storm Alvin has officially become the first named tropical cyclone of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, forming this week in the Eastern Pacific and strengthening Thursday. The storm marks a historically late start to the 2025 season — the latest such formation since 1973, when Tropical Storm Sarah developed in the Western Pacific on June 2. A tropical depression formed Monday off the western coast of Mexico, forecasted to strengthen over the following days.
2025 off to slowest start for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones in half a century

1 week ago | wtsp.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2025 tropical cyclone season is off to an unusually calm start across the Northern Hemisphere, marking the slowest beginning to the season since 1973, just over half a century. As of late May, not a single named storm has formed in any of the Northern Hemisphere’s primary tropical cyclone basins — the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Western Pacific, or North Indian Ocean.
2025 off to slowest start for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones in half a century

1 week ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2025 tropical cyclone season is off to an unusually calm start across the Northern Hemisphere, marking the slowest beginning to the season since 1973, just over half a century. As of late May, not a single named storm has formed in any of the Northern Hemisphere’s primary tropical cyclone basins — the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Western Pacific, or North Indian Ocean.
Atlantic Hurricane Season: When to expect the first named storm

2 weeks ago | wtsp.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As we approach the heart of hurricane season, tropical watchers may notice things are relatively quiet across the Atlantic—for now. But with sea surface temperatures steadily rising and widespread reports of ocean waters surpassing the 80-degree Fahrenheit mark, it’s a reminder that tropical development season is drawing closer. Historically, the average date for the first named storm in the Atlantic is June 20, just about a month away.
Atlantic Hurricane Season: When to expect the first named storm

2 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As we approach the heart of hurricane season, tropical watchers may notice things are relatively quiet across the Atlantic—for now. But with sea surface temperatures steadily rising and widespread reports of ocean waters surpassing the 80-degree Fahrenheit mark, it’s a reminder that tropical development season is drawing closer. Historically, the average date for the first named storm in the Atlantic is June 20, just about a month away.
National Hurricane Center begins monitoring tropics ahead of hurricane season

3 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season beginning June 1, the National Hurricane Center has already started issuing daily tropical weather outlooks, which began Thursday. That might raise eyebrows, but history shows tropical systems don’t always wait for the calendar to flip to June. Since official records began in 1851, a total of 32 named tropical and subtropical storms have developed in the Atlantic Ocean during the month of May.
What is sea breeze and how does it work?

3 weeks ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's that time of year again along the First Coast—when the sea breeze becomes a daily conversation. This natural phenomenon not only offers some relief from the heat near coastal areas but also plays a key role in the development of afternoon showers and even thunderstorms. But what exactly causes the sea breeze? The answer lies in a basic principle of physics: water takes longer to heat up than land.
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Know your risk

1 month ago | firstcoastnews.com | Robert Speta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hurricane Awareness Week spans from May 4-10, with the focus on equipping communities with vital knowledge about the dangers associated with hurricanes and the critical steps for preparation. Sunday's theme, "Know Your Risk from Water and Wind," underscores the multifaceted threats posed by hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions. From storm surge flooding to destructive winds and tornadoes, understanding these hazards is paramount for safeguarding lives and property.
Thursday marks the anniversary of the highest wind gust ever recorded. Here's how fast it was

1 month 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

2 months 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.