Sign in

Dr. Jeff Masters

@drjeffmasters.bsky.social
26K followers 606 following 2.4K posts

Extreme weather and climate change expert writing for Yale Climate Connections. Co-founder, Weather Underground; former hurricane hunter.

PostsRepliesMedia
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Hurricane #Polo has made two landfalls in Mexico today, and will spread flooding rains of 2-7" over the next few days into the Southwest and Plains in regions that need 8+ inches of rain to pull them out of long-term drought. @bhensonweather.bsky.social and I have the details:
yaleclimateconnections.org
After two landfalls in Mexico, Hurricane Polo's rainmaking journey has just begun » Yale Climate Connections
Moisture from Polo and ex-hurricane Odalys is helping spawn heavy rain and potential flooding from northwest Mexico into the southwest and central U.S.
512662
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our failure to do adequate managed retreat from shores vulnerable to sea level rise has closed a National Seashore beach in North Carolina: “A significant amount of private beach stairs and boardwalk decking, septic system parts, and wooden and metal debris from houses are littering the beach.”
islandfreepress.org
35413
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
AI upgrades TD Fay to a major hurricane: For our post on the action in the Pacific/Atlantic we wanted a side-by-side satellite image of both basins. To combine the two images, we instructed ChatGPT: "Combine the two satellite images into one". Lots of nice enhancements, but look what it did to Fay!
4318
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Among named systems, #Polo is the big story this week. On Monday, Polo could become the strongest hurricane on record to strike Baja California. Moisture from Polo + #Odalys will fuel a swath of heavy rain from NW MX and SW US into the central states. yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/hurr...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Hurricane Polo approaches Mexico as coastal storm grips Northeast, New England » Yale Climate Connections
With the former Category 5 hurricane on track to strike Baja California on Monday, its moisture will fuel widespread, beneficial rains while also boosting the risk of dangerous flash flooding.
03213
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
From #Nolo to #Polo to #Gonzalo – all to affect land areas – plus #Odalys, #Fay, and a wicked weekend nor'easter, the superheated E Pacific and N Atlantic are boiling with activity. Latest from @irenesans.bsky.social, @drjeffmasters.bsky.social and me: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/nolo...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Nolo to bring flood, surf, and wind to Hawaii; Gonzalo develops in the Atlantic » Yale Climate Connections
Atlantic storms will be short-lived, while powerful Pacific hurricanes persist and the Northeast battles a potent nor’easter.
02114
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Irene Sans @irenesans.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Pacific is a factory working overtime! Polo, Nolo, Odalys, and two more areas... The Atlantic had a resurrection... Read more here: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/paci...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Pacific's cyclone factory is working overtime as multiple hurricanes roar across the basin » Yale Climate Connections
Nolo threatens Hawaii with flooding rain and dangerous surf, while powerful Hurricane Polo could make another impact to México and more tropical systems take shape.
03315
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Anthony Edwards @edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hurricanes are categorized by their wind speeds, but freshwater flooding is the deadliest hazard, a threat that is increasing in a warmer, wetter atmosphere because of human-caused climate change. cc @drjeffmasters.bsky.social / @climateconnections.bsky.social
yaleclimateconnections.org
Climate change is supercharging hurricane rainfall, contributing to deadly floods » Yale Climate Connections
Freshwater flooding has caused over half of all direct hurricane deaths since 2013. The threat will increase as climate change makes hurricanes wetter and potentially slower-moving.
2255
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
From Western Mexico to Hawaii to the Mid-Atlantic and New England, flooding is the order of the week: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/powe...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Powerful Hurricane Polo threatens Mexico with torrential rain as Pacific tropics erupt » Yale Climate Connections
Polo churns off Mexico with up to eight inches of rain and 46-foot seas, while another strengthening tropical system threatens eastern Hawaii with dangerous surf and rainfall of 10 to 30-plus inches.
12411
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A classic El Niño impact: below-average monsoon rains in India. We're seeing a -15% deficit this year. India's top 5 rainfall deficit years all were during El Niño: 1877: -33% 1899: -29% 1918: -25% 1972: -24% 2009: -22% During moderate El Niño conditions in summer 2015, the deficit was -14%.
indiatoday.in
10 days left: Monsoon almost over, India's rain deficit at 15%, recovery bleak
India's southwest monsoon is entering its final phase with a 15 per cent rainfall deficit still in place. With withdrawal set to begin over parts of northwest India, the window for any meaningful reco...
12311
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Tale of two oceans in a top-end El Niño: —TS #Fay fails to break Atlantic hurricane "drought." — #Polo forecast to be Cat 5 by Wed off MX Pacific coast. Future TBD after #Polo and #Odalys face off late this week. My latest w/ @drjeffmasters.bsky.social: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/a-ca...
yaleclimateconnections.org
A Category 5 hurricane could be raging off Mexico’s Pacific coast this week » Yale Climate Connections
In a rare expression of forecast confidence, NHC predicted Polo would become a Cat 5 at a time when it was still a tropical storm.
03610
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
100 years ago yesterday, the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane caused profound destruction, plunging the city into a deep economic downturn. Four groups say a repeat would cost over $200 billion. Such a catastrophe, like the 1926 hurricane, would cleave Florida history into a “before” and an “after.”
yaleclimateconnections.org
A repeat of Miami’s 1926 hurricane could cost over $280 billion. That's more than Hurricane Katrina. » Yale Climate Connections
A century of development, rising seas, and climate change have made South Florida far more vulnerable to a catastrophic storm.
49640
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
100 years ago yesterday, the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane caused profound destruction, plunging the city into a deep economic downturn. Four groups say a repeat would cost over $200 billion. Such a catastrophe, like the 1926 hurricane, would cleave Florida history into a “before” and an “after.”
yaleclimateconnections.org
A repeat of Miami’s 1926 hurricane could cost over $280 billion. That's more than Hurricane Katrina. » Yale Climate Connections
A century of development, rising seas, and climate change have made South Florida far more vulnerable to a catastrophic storm.
49640
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
TD 6 will likely become Tropical Storm Fay but remain a "fish" storm with no threat to land, @irenesans.bsky.social reports today: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/atla...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Atlantic remains hurricane-free as Tropical Depression Six forms near the Azores » Yale Climate Connections
Yale Climate Connections is a nonpartisan, multimedia service providing daily broadcast radio programming and original web-based reporting, commentary, and analysis on the issue of climate change.
1247
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
A great loss. Joe’s book, “Language Intelligence”, made me a better science communicator (use metaphors!) His Climate Progress blog was also a great inspiration.
2449
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fascinating: "After the hurricane, Miami appointed John Farrey its first chief building inspector, tasking him with developing and enforcing the first universal building code not just in Miami but in the U.S. It became known as the Miami Standard and was adopted in over 5,000 other cities."
0359
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
FEMA will pay homeowners after a house collapses, but not before. That means owners stand to lose tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars by tearing down a doomed house before the ocean takes it.
54114
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Interesting approach to get fresh water for about $22K, plus about $200/month in electricity costs. Anyone got one of these? www.aquaria.world/hydropack
aquaria.world
Hydropack | Aquaria
~132 gallons of clean water a day from air. Whole-home water for medium households.
8162
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
World Weather Attribution @wwattribution.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: Climate change is influencing many of the likely drivers behind the devastating rock and ice collapse on the northern Nepalese border last month. 🧵👇(1/6)
110978
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
100 years ago: “The 1926 hurricane has become a benchmark in South Florida history, a dividing point in time, much like B.C. and A.D. It has achieved a mystique of almost biblical proportions — akin to Noah’s flood or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.” — Miami historian Arva Moore Parks.
yaleclimateconnections.org
A look back at the devastating Great Miami Hurricane, 100 years later » Yale Climate Connections
'Late that night, in absolute darkness, it hit, with the far shrieking screams, the queer rumbling of a vast and irresistible freight train,' Marjory Stoneman Douglas wrote of the storm.
15314
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I’m a judge for the 2027 Climate Leadership Awards. Win your share of more than $200,000 for successful local, regional, or national climate action! Open to individuals and organizations—including youth, arts, faith, health, community, and small-business leaders. Apply by December 14, 2026: #ACLA27
ecoamerica.org
American Climate Leadership Awards - ecoAmerica
Over $200,000 for the people making climate action real in America Nominations and applications are open. Deadline: December 2026. For eight years, ACLA has backed the neighbors, healers, organizers, ...
2206
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
We’ve pushed the climate to a higher-energy state where more heat and moisture are available to power stronger storms. Thus, the future is bound to hold some unpleasant surprises for the behavior of Atlantic hurricanes. I cover the worst-case scenarios: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/10-w...
yaleclimateconnections.org
10 ways climate-change-altered hurricanes may come to bite us » Yale Climate Connections
What happens if sea level rise, hurricane wind strength, or other factors turn out worse than expected?
25031
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I review the huge number of all-time heat records set in August: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/eart...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Earth just had its hottest August on record » Yale Climate Connections
The intensifying super El Niño, combined with global warming, is favored to make 2026 the hottest year on record, with 2027 expected to be even hotter.
27042
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Each Year Worldwide @tkovach.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
"It is estimated that for every $1 invested in integrated climate change and air pollution action about $15 is generated in economic benefits... In contrast, every year of delayed action would forgo more than $1.5tn annually — 0.5 per cent of GDP."
ft.com
Strong economic case for tackling pollution and climate change together, UN finds
Combined action could lift global growth by 2.8% by 2035, report estimates
03012
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The kind of U.S. trifecta we don't want: hottest August, hottest summer, and hottest year to date :-/. U.S. drought situation is pretty grim too, with Lakes Powell and Mead both near all-time lows. Looking to you, El Niño. @climateconnections.bsky.social yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/we-j...
yaleclimateconnections.org
We just had the hottest August, hottest summer, and hottest year to date in U.S. history » Yale Climate Connections
NOAA data show unprecedented heat, as deepening drought, shrinking reservoirs, and a severe wildfire season underscore the growing impacts of a warming climate. Could El Niño bring some relief?
14021
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“If we don’t change course, risk will continue to escalate until fuel-filled landscapes eventually reset catastrophically. Much of the West will burn. Today’s children will see forests converted to grass or shrublands in their lifetimes. Biodiversity will be irreversibly destroyed”.
23111
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Irene Sans @irenesans.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Lowell also generated massive swells across the central Pacific. Offshore wave heights reached 30 to 50 feet, while a 1- to 4-foot storm surge, combined with pounding surf, produced coastal flooding, beach erosion, and wave overwash in low-lying areas. yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/09/hurr...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Hurricane Lowell slams Hawaii, triggering historic tornado watch and widespread flooding » Yale Climate Connections
Lowell never officially made landfall, but its widespread impacts made it one of Hawaii's most consequential tropical cyclones in decades.
04730
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"Videos on social media showed dozens of coffins lined up beside mass graves, awaiting burial before the bodies decompose in the heat. 'There are hundreds of dead,' said Lt. Djabri Said of Civil Protection. The state-controlled private and public media have stuck to the figure of 12 deaths.
apnews.com
Algerians battle deadly wildfires as Tebboune seeks death penalty for arson
Algerian firefighters are battling unprecedented wildfires that have devastated the country. The fires have spread across several regions, with Jijel suffering the most damage.
24220
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In an average year, the U.S. sees 3 landfalling named storms (2 of them hurricanes). With the season ~1/2 over, we've already had 3 landfalls, after Edouard came ashore in Texas yesterday. Thankfully, this year has a real shot at having the latest first hurricane of the season since at least 1950.
yaleclimateconnections.org
Edouard delivers an outsized flash-flood punch to eastern Texas » Yale Climate Connections
And next week, Hurricane Lowell could swing sharply toward Hawaii.
33916
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The report mentions that “Climate interventions also deliver co-benefits, such as improved air quality". This needs to be emphasized! If we stop burning fossil fuels, we stop emitting their small particle pollution, saving about 3% of global GDP, mostly from health benefits (World Bank, 2016).
35925
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
One of several eyebrow-raisers in here. (Happy Holidays?) "California’s highest king tides are predicted on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with another in late January. Water levels will probably rival the highest in recorded history, even without a nearby storm."
74815
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Freshwater Canal Locks at the SE end of the Spacex's new $100-billion Starbase Louisiana site had a storm surge of 2.5' from Edouard — high enough to bring minor flooding and block the only current access road into Starbase Louisiana, LA-3147, which mostly has an elevation of 1-3' above high tide.
67018
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Unsurprisingly, a detailed investigation by Boston University/NPR finds heat deaths are way underreported in the U.S. : ~9000 per year in 2018-2025, 5x higher than CDC estimates. “In Florida, We estimate more than 1,900 deaths each year, about 40 times as many as reported.”
34719
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I have 5 HEPAs running: “Adults aged >39 performed ~12% faster on a test of executive function after using a HEPA air purifier at home for one month. The findings suggest that cleaner indoor air could offer a simple way to help protect the brain from the effects of traffic-related pollution.”
sciencedaily.com
HEPA air purifiers may boost brain function after just one month
Adults aged 40 and older performed about 12% faster on a test of executive function after using a HEPA air purifier at home for one month. The findings suggest that cleaner indoor air could offer a si...
47926
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
We've got Tropical Depression 5 off the coast of Louisiana as of 2 pm EDT, expected to hit near the TX/LA border as Tropical Storm Edouard on Tuesday. Also in this post, I detail the deadly flash flood in the Grand Canyon last Saturday. yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/texa...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Texas and Louisiana could get hit by a fast-spin-up tropical storm on Tuesday » Yale Climate Connections
The system looming over toasty water just offshore on Monday was small but potentially potent.
04618
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Bob Henson @bhensonweather.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Still a lot to unravel in the ongoing calamity after Wednesday's glacier collapse and flood catastrophe in the Himalayas. It's clear enough that our human-warmed climate is destabilizing glaciers and permafrost. @climateconnections.bsky.social yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/the-...
yaleclimateconnections.org
The worrying climate link to Nepal's avalanche and flood catastrophe » Yale Climate Connections
Glacier collapse, not an earthquake, was the direct cause of the disaster that has left thousands missing.
515959
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Short-lived Tropical Storm Dolly is here, and it figures to be more boon (beneficial rains) than bane for the Caribbean islands. @irenesans.bsky.social and @bhensonweather.bsky.social and I have the details: yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/trop...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Tropical Storm Dolly forms in the Atlantic » Yale Climate Connections
Dolly is expected to weaken before reaching the northeastern Caribbean islands, bringing some much-needed rainfall but limited wind impacts.
34619
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Jeff Berardelli @weatherprof.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Temperatures in the area of the #Glacier Collapse have been increasing at about 2X the average global warming rate… about 5°F since 1940. While we need further investigation on this particular event, it’s clear glaciers around the World are becoming less stable. 1/
8258108
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Yikes, “News reports say that “dozens” of villages have been severely impacted. When you read “village” you may think of relatively small communities of dozens households, but in reality some of these places likely have thousands or even tens of thousands of people.”
38626
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
2025 study: “Climate-induced smoke PM2.5 could lead to 26,500–30,040 additional U.S. excess deaths/yr by 2050 relative to 2011–2020. The monetized damage from these estimated climate-induced smoke deaths exceeds existing quantified climate damages from all other sectors in the U.S. combined.” 1/6
nature.com
Wildfire smoke exposure and mortality burden in the USA under climate change - Nature
Smoke PM2.5 could result in 71,420 excess deaths per year in the USA by 2050 under the SSP3-7.0 high-warming scenario.
33624
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The 35K premature deaths being estimated for the 2026 summer heat in Europe would make the heat wave the 6th deadliest in world history. Note, though, this list misses recent heat waves in India/Pakistan that preliminary research shows should be on the list.
56329
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We cover the 8 named storms and tropical disturbances currently being monitored by NHC. Fortunately, none of these appear poised to bring significant damaging impacts to any land areas. yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/two-...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Two Atlantic tropical disturbances to watch; Tropical Storm Moke brings rain to Hawaii » Yale Climate Connections
The Atlantic is waking up: Two tropical waves could develop this week, but neither poses an immediate U.S. threat.
0319
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I was part of the poll, and picked Katrina (2005), 1900 Galveston, 1926 Great Miami, and Maria (2017) in Puerto Rico.
6355
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
A mass migration of people away from the coast is getting started: "Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami, face insurance premium jumps ranging from 213 percent to 322 percent in the next three decades—the highest in the U.S.—because of increased sea level rise and storms, according to First Street."
insideclimatenews.org
Climate Change Reshuffles Where People Are Moving in Florida - Inside Climate News
The threat of hurricanes and costs of insurance are pushing residents into former citrus lands and inland communities.
25215
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Some compelling arguments on why it makes sense to drain Lake Powell. Legally, this is highly problematic, but with the SW U.S. megadrought likely to intensify in the long run, the laws of physics will force the laws of humans to adapt. prospect.org/2026/08/19/d...
prospect.org
Drain Lake Powell - The American Prospect
That would start what is the only sane water policy for the American West.
1254
Reposted by Dr. Jeff Masters
Shawn Milrad @shawnmilrad.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
It’s almost like something has changed.
4488
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Imagine if we were serious about mitigating climate change, we’d get a co-benefit of saving ~100,000 American lives per year and costs >3% of GDP!
05515
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A cumulus trifecta in SE Michigan today: cumulus, altocumulus, and cirrocumulus. Just missing cumulonimbus and pyrocumulus.
3502
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Nice graphic from NASA (science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-...) showing a smoke-infused pyrocumulus cloud from Utah's Widemouth 2 fire as seen Aug. 3 from an INSPYRE aircraft during a sampling flight (Bernadett Weinzierl/University of Vienna). The fire is big: currently 130,000 acres, 91% contained.
27923
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
El Niño warming is very different than greenhouse-gas warming. “A large fraction of the warming occurs in the tropical Pacific. And some regions actually cool during an El Niño. So while the global average temperature in 2037 may equal that of 2027, the warming will be distributed differently.”
03714
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Hurricane Lala made the closest pass on record to the Big Island (within 30 mi), and may rank as the third-wettest tropical cyclone to affect Hawaii, only behind Lane in 2018 and Hiki in 1950 (58" and 52", respectively). yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/hawa...
yaleclimateconnections.org
Hawaii reeling after Lala's powerful sideswipe » Yale Climate Connections
Over 110,000 customers remained without power across the islands Monday afternoon amid widespread flooding.
15122