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Lava from Mauna Loa, which started erupting late Sunday local time, is nearing a major highway on Hawaii's Big Island. The highway may soon be cut off, significantly impacting daily life for many on the Big Island. The sulfur dioxide plume produced by the eruption has also reached western North America. In addition, Mauna Loa's neighbor, Kilauea has been erupting since last year. Watch the video above for more information.

Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, continues to erupt after nearly 40 years of quiet. For now, lava is not threatening any homes or communities, but that may change. The eruption started on Mauna Loa's summit and then spread to vents on the mountain's northeast side. Eventually, the lava may spread to Hilo, which is on the east side of the Big Island.

Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, is a crucial roadway on the Big Island. This highway is the fastest route linking the east and west sides of the island. As of Thursday morning, lava is just over 3 miles from this important roadway. A road closure will be necessary if the lava reaches the roadway.

The good news is that the lava is moving slowly, and Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency predicts that it will be at least one week before lava reaches the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. For now, the highway remains open.

Air quality also remains a concern as Mauna Loa continues to erupt. Volcanic eruptions can increase levels of sulfur dioxide and volcanic ash, which can create vog or volcanic smog. Vog is a mixture of water vapor, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. Vog is created when the sulfur dioxide emitted from volcanic fissures reacts with oxygen, sunlight, and moisture, as well as other airborne particles and gases, creating a haze of fine particles.

Vog can cause respiratory irritations, especially in sensitive groups. Vog conditions can fluctuate from one location to another, and there may be temporary decreases in air quality. Those who suffer from respiratory illnesses should monitor air quality levels.

While the volcanic gases produced by an eruption are dangerous at the surface, the elevation of Mauna Loa may prevent big air quality problems at the surface. The eruption of Mauna Loa is about 13,000 feet above sea level, so most of the particulate matter from the eruption is not expected to affect lower-elevation populated areas of any of the islands.

Vog from neighboring volcano Kilauea is more likely to be an air quality concern, since that volcano sit at a lower elevation.

High up in the atmosphere, the sulfur dioxide plume from Sunday's eruption is spreading east. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the plume has reached western North America. This plume will not cause any air quality issues on the surface.

Between the lake-effect snow, the tropical weather, snowstorms, and even severe weather events, November was busy, but the U.S. drought situation seems to have stayed stagnant for most.

November started off with most of the Lower 48 experiencing some level of drought, except for the states of Maine and Delaware. As the month went on, several storm systems brought snow, rain, tornadoes, and even tropical weather but only one portion of the U.S. saw the positive effects of all this moisture.

Many of the East Coast states improved greatly over the last month. Not only did they receive the last bits of the storms that brought perfect ski weather to the West, but these states also received the remnants of Hurricane Nicole, the last system of the 2022 hurricane season. Take a look at the hurricane season recap.

Not to be outdone, a large lake-effect snow machine turned on over the lower Great Lakes in mid-November, bringing upwards of seven feet of snow to the New York Snowbelt. This kept any drought worries at bay across much of the interior Northeast in November.

As for the rest of the U.S., the drought barely budged. However, some spots in the interior Northwest, High Plains, central Rockies, and ArkLaTex have stayed above water – pun intended – when it comes to the dry conditions.

The main areas of concern are the Plains states, as well as Montana, California, and the Great Basin. These areas have a mixture of the upper intensities of drought. Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and California are all experiencing the highest intensity, exceptional drought and have continued to experience this all through November.

According to the Climate Prediction Center, the West Coast has the chance to see above-average rain and snow amounts over the next two weeks, helping to add moisture to the water table and snow to the river-feeding mountains.

The same can be said about the South and Northeast. However, this could be hit or miss for the South, considering there is a chance for warmer-than-average temperatures.

Florida, for example, has the highest chance for above-average temperatures in the next two weeks but near-average rainfall. The western panhandle could use a good bit of rain at this time. Luckily, heavy rainfall came with this last severe weather event which dropped one to two inches rain.

Wondering when you could receive your next rain or snow shower to help the drought situation in your town? Stay up to date with the latest forecast, and keep an eye on the WeatherRadar.

Advent has started and the countdown to the new year is on, but before we say farewell to 2022 there’s plenty happening above our heads this December!

The month begins with the appearance of a full moon known as the Cold Moon by native Americans for its winter arrival next week on December 8th. It is also referred to as the Moon Before Yule by some for its festive timing.

On the same night, Mars is in opposition making its closest approach to Earth in its orbit and visible all night illuminated by the Sun. It marks the best time of the year to see our Martian neighbor, although the full moon may obscure the view.

Next up is the Geminids Meteor Shower, the most active shower of the year.

Caused by the debris of an asteroid this is the year’s most active event producing multicolored shooting stars at a rate of 120 per hour at its peak. The shower does peak on December 13th but smaller shooting stars may be obscured by the moon.

Later in the month on the 21st comes the December Winter Solstice, marking the beginning of astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.

On the same day Mercury enters its point of greatest eastern elongation meaning this is also the best month to see the planet particularly towards the west after sunset.

Our final major event of the year is the Ursids Meteor Shower, this only produces around 10 meteors an hour and is the result of dust left by the Tuttle comet. This shower peaks on December 21st.

Before the year ends we wave goodbye to 2022 with a New Moon on December 23, meaning dark skies overhead perfect for a Christmas stargazing.

It is dark, (possibly) wet, and chilly outside. Three indicators that winter is here… but is it actually?

There are two definitions when it comes to winter. You could look at it meteorologically or astronomically.

The simple version lays with the meteorological definition. Here, the seasons are split using the standard calendar with each season lasting three full months. In this system, winter begins today on December 1st and lasts until March 1st when spring arrives.

Now for the astronomers out there. Using the astronomical definition we look towards the Winter Solstice. Since this changes slightly each year, there is a new start date for winter annually.

This year, the astronomical winter season will begin on or on either side of December 21st, lasting until March 20th.

It’s official! The 2022 Hurricane Season has come to an end on November 30, 2022. Although it ended with many questions about the lack of activity, there will be a few storms that left a huge mark, and their names will likely be retired. Let’s review the season.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season started out slow. In fact, many wondered where had all the predicted activity had gone. But soon enough, and almost right on schedule, storm activity picked up and the season finished strong, with two big punches to Florida.

The first hurricane to develop was Danielle, and it did well outside of the tropics over the central North Atlantic. This area had record-warm temperatures, some areas reached 80 degrees F. The storm was massive, it moved east and reached a city near Lisbon, Portugal, as an extratropical cyclone causing over 600 accidents, down trees, and floods.

Then came Mid-September's Hurricane Fiona. It left millions without power throughout the central Caribbean. It became the first major hurricane of the season once it moved near the Southern Bahamas and then would make its way to eastern Canada, where it made landfall and established the record for the most intense post-tropical cyclone to hit the nation.

The next hurricane to form was Ian. Southwest Florida was left in crumbles after Major Hurricane Ian made landfall as a category 4 storm. There was a record storm surge in Fort Myers, where it was recorded at 7.21 feet high. But along the barrier islands, there were reports of 12-foot storm surge. Cape Coral reported 140 mph winds.

Ian moved very slowly over Central Florida, producing record rainfall, and causing catastrophic flooding. Parts of Central Florida recorded over 20 inches of rain, especially in areas east of Orlando, where rivers and lakes also flooded.

Ian had a total of 4 landfalls, one in Cuba, two in southwest Florida (barrier islands), and the final one, in Georgetown, S.C. It is estimated that Hurricane Ian killed over 100 people. In dollars, the damages by Hurricane Ian are just shy of $100 billion, much higher than Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Irma in 2017 hurricane.

Then came Nicole with the second punch to Florida 43 days after Ian. Nicole made landfall on November 9, arriving at Vero Beach’s already battered beaches by Ian. Nicole packed a punch as a category 1 hurricane. It was the first hurricane to make landfall on Florida’s east coast since 2005, Katrina. And what is rarer, it was only the second hurricane to make landfall in Florida, in November, since 1851.

Overall, this 2022 hurricane season was near average. There was a total of 14 named storms, of which 8 became hurricanes and 2 became major hurricanes.

Once again, the tropics show us that we do not need to have an active season to make it a bad season, and an average season can be as bad or worse.