According to 2 recent studies done separately at University of Arizona and Tulane University, researchers have determined sea level rise has accelerated since 2010 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The rise, on average, is about 5-6 inches.

Tropical Storm 18 is located off the north-northwest coast of Australia and forecast to drift southwestward and become a major tropical cyclone within 48 hours and by midweek turn into the Port Hedland area as a category-4 tropical cyclone.

For now, prohibitive El Nino warming off the northwest coast of South America is blocked from westward progression by incoming col waters from the north.

Severe thunderstorms affect the East-central U.S. today. Tornadoes are expected in Iowa/Illinois to Missouri to Arkansas today. On Wednesday, the severe weather risk expands to include the Ohio Valley to Arkansas and Louisiana and includes additional tornado risk centered on the Ohio/Western Tennessee Valley.