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Nick Austin

Nick is a meteorologist with 20 years of forecasting and broadcasting experience. He was nominated for a Midsouth Emmy for his coverage during a 2008 western Tennessee tornado outbreak. He received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Tech. Nick is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. As a member of the weather team at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, Nick was nominated for a Mid-South Emmy for live coverage of a major tornado outbreak in February 2008. As part of the weather team at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick shared the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of the Best award for “Best Weather Team” eight consecutive years.
Jan - 2021 -
13 January
Nick Austin

5 of the top weather events from 2020

Unusually powerful storms impacted transportation and claimed lives in 2020.

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Nick Austin

Truckers to face end-of-week Midwest snowstorm

Truckers will hit snow and dangerous winds Thursday and Friday in the Midwest (with forecast video).

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12 January
Nick Austin

America’s scariest bridges for truckers: Part 4

These are more bridges that frighten some truckers, especially in bad weather.

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Nick Austin

High-wind threat developing in High Plains

Truckers face a high risk of rollovers in Montana and Wyoming over the next few days (with forecast video).

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11 January
Nick Austin

Truckers facing more nasty Northwest weather this week

Truckers will hit a barrage of snow and rain from the mountains to the valleys (with forecast video).

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08 January
Nick Austin

Texas snowstorm likely this weekend

Truckers may want to chain up. Weekend snow is in the forecast from the Panhandle to Dallas (with forecast video).

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07 January
Nick Austin

Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker on special Arctic mission

Crew of the Polar Star conducting new scientific research and patrolling international waters.

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Nick Austin

Truckers to face end-of-week Southern snow

Truckers will have to chain up in the southern Appalachians as a snowstorm approaches Friday (with forecast video).

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06 January
Nick Austin

Severe storm savvy for truckers

With 10,000 severe storms hitting the U.S. each year, they’re bound to delay truckers at times.

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Nick Austin

Snowstorms still trucking through Northwest

Truckers will have to chain up as two more snowstorms hit the Northwest this week (with forecast video).

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05 January
Nick Austin

Disruptive snowstorms continue for Northwest truckers

Truckers will have to keep chaining up this week in the Northwest. More heavy snowfall and gusty winds are forecast to hit the region (with forecast video).

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04 January
Nick Austin

America’s scariest bridges for truckers: Part 3

From narrow lanes to sheer old age, these are some more bridges that truckers fear the most.

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Nick Austin

Snowstorms continue this week for Northwest truckers

Truckers will have to chain up this week in the Northwest. More heavy mountain snowfall, gusty winds (with forecast video).

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01 January
Nick Austin

Worst New Year’s storms in US history

Previous New Year’s storms have shut down transportation and knocked out power for weeks in some regions of the country.

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Dec - 2020 -
31 December
Nick Austin

America’s scariest bridges for truckers: Part 2

Steep ascents and dizzying heights make these U.S. bridges downright frightening for some truck drivers.

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30 December
Nick Austin

High-impact snowstorm slamming Plains on cusp of new year

Snow, ice and wind will delay truckers next few days from the Southern Plains to Great Lakes (with forecast video).

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29 December
Nick Austin

Strong winter storm cranking on cusp of new year (with forecast video)

Snow and ice will delay truckers this week from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes.

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28 December
Nick Austin

Midwest snowstorm to impact drivers heading into 2021 (with forecast video)

Snow and ice could delay freight flows and supply chains this week from the Great Plains to Great Lakes.

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25 December
Nick Austin

Worst Christmas storms in US history: Part 2

Christmas snowstorms have grounded flights and shut down roads from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.

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24 December
Nick Austin

Worst Christmas storms in US history

From the Rockies to the Carolinas and New England, historic snowstorms have brought transportation to a standstill over the years.

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23 December
Nick Austin

Coast Guard breaking the ice in Northeast waterways

The Coast Guard recently began its Northeast icebreaking season, keeping supply chains flowing in winter.

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Nick Austin

Truckers to face blizzard conditions through Christmas (with forecast video)

Dangerous winds through Christmas Day will increase risk of rollovers and whiteout conditions in some regions.

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22 December
Nick Austin

America’s most dangerous roads for truckers: Part 4

Florida stretch of highway is the one truckers should use very cautiously. It’s the deadliest in the nation.

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Nick Austin

White Christmas coming for Northeast truckers (with forecast video)

For truckers dreaming of a white Christmas, they will get their wish in the Northeast. But it will be risky for those on the roads.

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21 December
Nick Austin

Truckers to hit snowy weather coast to coast this week (with forecast video)

Snowy weather is coming to several states Christmas week. Drivers will have to chain up in places from the Northwest to Northeast.

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18 December
Nick Austin

Worthy weather movies for truckers: Part 3

Weather-themed movies can be a great way for truckers to pass the time when they aren’t behind the wheel.

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Nick Austin

Truckers will hit Northwest snowstorms this weekend (with forecast video)

Drivers will have to chain up heading through the Cascades and northern Rockies the next several days.

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17 December
Nick Austin

Strong snowstorm keeps trucking through Northeast (with forecast video)

Strong nor’easter may continue to delay some shipments of COVID-19 vaccines as well as other freight.

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16 December
Nick Austin

America’s scariest bridges for truckers

From tight spaces to ghostly faces, some bridges make the hairs stand up on the necks of many truck drivers.

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Nick Austin

High-impact snowstorm closing in on Northeast freight markets (with forecast video)

Strong nor’easter could delay shipments of COVID-19 vaccines as well as other freight.

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15 December
Nick Austin

High-impact Northeast snowstorm still on track for midweek (with forecast video)

Impending nor’easter could delay COVID-19 vaccine shipments in several big cities.

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14 December
Nick Austin

Trucker honored for helping fellow driver during fierce rainstorm

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named professional driver Joseph Brown a Highway Angel. Brown stopped to help another trucker whose tractor-trailer had overturned during a heavy rainstorm.

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11 December
Nick Austin

Truckers could face strong Northeast snowstorm next week (with forecast video)

Snowstorm could have major impacts on ground and air transportation along the I-95 corridor.

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10 December
Nick Austin

Truck drivers’ favorite weather movies: Part 2

A disaster film based on an actual weather event ranked highest in a FreightWaves survey.

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Nick Austin

Snowstorm still on track to hit Midwest freight hubs (with forecast video)

Drivers will hit areas of heavy snowfall and gusty winds in some popular destinations for carriers.

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09 December
08 December
Nick Austin

Trucker honored for helping fellow driver during fierce rainstorm

Joseph Brown on helping fellow trucker: “He was standing there wet. I offered to have him come and sit in my truck.”

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Nick Austin

High winds still rocking Southern California freight markets (with forecast video)

For second consecutive day, truckers will face rollover risk in Southern California.

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07 December
Nick Austin

America’s most dangerous roads for truckers: Part 3

Conditions ranging from steep grades to lack of guard rails make these roads the bane of many truck drivers.

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04 December
Nick Austin

Extreme weather patterns that stop truckers in their tracks

Forecasters are always on the lookout for familiar patterns that cause extreme winter storms.

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Nick Austin

Weekend nor’easter still on track to slam New England (with forecast video)

Drivers will have to battle periods of heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions in several freight markets.

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03 December
Nick Austin

Weekend snowstorm could impact truckers across New England (with forecast video)

Widespread snowfall totals in excess of 6 inches are possible, along with whiteout conditions.

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02 December
Nick Austin

5 far-out facts about space weather

Solar storms impact everything from astronaut health in space to power grids on Earth.

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Nick Austin

Snowstorm cranking up in the Plains (with forecast video)

Periods of whiteout conditions could delay truckers in areas of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

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01 December
Nick Austin

Snowstorm keeps trucking through the Great Lakes (with forecast video)

Periods of whiteout conditions could slow down freight flows from Cleveland to Buffalo.

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Nov - 2020 -
30 November
Nick Austin

Most unforgiving bridges for truckers in the US

“The Can Opener” in Durham, North Carolina, is just one overpass that truckers shouldn’t underestimate.

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Nick Austin

Drivers facing two snowstorms this week (with forecast video)

Truckers will have to chain up on two sides of the country the first half of the week.

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27 November
Nick Austin

Potential Northeast snowstorm coming early next week (with forecast video)

Heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions could hit several states right after the Thanksgiving weekend.

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26 November
Nick Austin

5 of the worst Thanksgiving storms in US history

Blizzards, tornadoes and hurricanes have disrupted Thanksgiving weekends over the decades.

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25 November
Nick Austin

Northwest snowstorm still cranking on busy travel day (with forecast video)

Dicey weather could delay truckers hauling loads or trying to get home for Thanksgiving in the Northwest.

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24 November
Nick Austin

America’s most dangerous roads for truckers: Part 2

With nicknames like “Blood Alley” and “The Dragon,” it’s no wonder why these are among the most dangerous roads for truckers.

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Nick Austin

Wintry mess from Rockies to Great Lakes (with forecast video)

Dicey weather could delay truckers from Denver to Chicago, including the very busy Joliet market.

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23 November
20 November
Nick Austin

3 ways the supply chain protects freezable freight

One carrier says preparing for winter is “about training and accountability throughout the organization.”

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Nick Austin

Weekend areas of snow, rain from coast to coast (with forecast video)

Minor weather disruptions for truckers this weekend across the continental U.S.

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19 November
18 November
Nick Austin

Snowstorm still slamming the Sierra Nevada (with forecast video)

Snowstorm continues to impact markets with excess capacity in eastern California.

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17 November
Nick Austin

Central America hit by two hurricanes in as many weeks (with forecast video)

It could take years for areas of Central America to recover from these back-to-back hurricanes.

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16 November
Nick Austin

5 ways weather impacts freight shipments

From road closures to terminal shutdowns, shippers can stay ahead of the weather to minimize its impacts.

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Nick Austin

Major Hurricane Iota nearing landfall in Central America

“Catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge and extreme rainfall” will impact supply chains.

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13 November
Nick Austin

Weekend snowstorm cranking in out West (with forecast video)

Drivers have only Friday to pick up loads out West before a snowstorm kicks in.

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12 November
Nick Austin

Truckers rank the most dangerous weather conditions: Part 2

Of the choices given, drivers rank hailstorms as the most disruptive weather they face on the road.

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11 November
Nick Austin

Tropical Storm Eta eyeing second Florida landfall (with forecast video)

Carriers and shippers should expect ground, air and maritime transportation delays due to Eta.

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10 November
Nick Austin

Two late-season tropical storms brewing in Atlantic basin

Two Atlantic hurricane season records have been broken recently, with 20 days left to go.

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Nick Austin

America’s best roads for truckers (weather permitting)

“The sky goes on forever and the sun is beautiful out there,” says a trucker about the views from Montana to Idaho.

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Nick Austin

Snowstorms slamming three freight regions this week (with forecast video)

Snow and ice will slow down freight flows in several states over the next two days.

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09 November
Nick Austin

Port restrictions continue as Tropical Storm Eta lashes southern Florida (with forecast video)

Eta becomes the 12th named storm to hit the mainland U.S. this season, flooding parts of Florida.

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06 November
Nick Austin

Truck drivers’ favorite weather movies of all time

A disaster film based on climate change was the favorite weather movie among drivers in a FreightWaves survey.

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Nick Austin

Weekend snowstorm coming to western freight markets (with forecast video)

Drivers will have to chain up this weekend in high-volume western freight markets.

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05 November
Nick Austin

3 kinds of weather perilous to driver health

Truckers can protect themselves from the devastating effects of extreme heat, cold and poor air quality while on the road.

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Nick Austin

South Florida ports watching for potential Eta landfall (with forecast video)

Port restrictions may get tighter in the coming days as Eta becomes a tropical storm again, heading to the mainland U.S.

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04 November
Nick Austin

Weekend snowstorm to impact strong reefer markets (with forecast video)

Carriers still have time to secure loads in strong reefers markets in the path of a potential snowstorm.

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03 November
Nick Austin

The best weather apps for truckers: Part 2

“Being able to look a few hours ahead to track radar was very helpful,” said one trucker about a popular weather app.

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Nick Austin

Drivers face soaking rains, high winds in Northwest (with forecast video)

River flooding possible this week in Northwest freight markets along the I-5 corridor.

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02 November
Nick Austin

Hurricane Eta forecast to cause catastrophic damage in Central America

“Life-threatening storm surge” and “catastrophic winds” coming to parts of Central America as Hurricane Eta rapidly intensifies.

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Nick Austin

Drivers facing wintry start to week in Northeast (with forecast video)

Truckers could hit delayed interstate travel Monday across many areas of the Northeastern U.S.

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01 November
Nick Austin

5 items truckers should carry to survive winter storms

Drivers can keep some simple tools and perhaps lesser known items on board to ride out winter storms.

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Oct - 2020 -
31 October
Nick Austin

The top weather apps for drivers

One developer touts its weather app because its “storm-based alerts help reduce false alarms by alerting you to severe weather based on your exact location.”

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Nick Austin

News Alert: Evacuations ordered as super typhoon eyes Philippines

“The strength of this typhoon is no joke,” warns a disaster official as this major typhoon approaches the Philippines.

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30 October
Nick Austin

Next potential tropical storm brewing in Caribbean

Record-tying 28th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season could become a reality this weekend.

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Nick Austin

News Alert: Deadly earthquake hits Turkey, Greece

“The EU stands ready to help,” said the President of the European Parliament about the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Greece.

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Nick Austin

Weekend truckers to face high winds, snowfall (with forecast video)

Wind gusts up to 80 mph will challenge drivers in the High Plains over the next two days.

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29 October
Nick Austin

Worst weather states for truckers: Part 2

Drivers have a tough enough job without the weather interfering. These are some states where the weather can be the most dangerous.

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Nick Austin

Roads, ports closed after Hurricane Zeta slams Gulf Coast (with forecast video)

Several major roads and bridges are closed after Hurricane Zeta slammed the Gulf Coast Wednesday.

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28 October
Nick Austin

Ports closing ahead of Hurricane Zeta (with forecast video)

Coast Guard severely restricting vessel movement at several Gulf Coast ports as Hurricane Zeta closes in.

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27 October
Nick Austin

Zeta eyeing Gulf Coast, landfall likely as hurricane (with forecast video)

Ninth named storm of the 2020 season to hit the continental U.S. Wednesday. Expect minor to moderate disruptions in supply chains.

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26 October
Nick Austin

5 winter storm survival items every truck should have

Drivers can keep some simple tools and perhaps lesser known items on board to ride out winter storms.

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Nick Austin

Major wintry storm slamming Plains until midweek

National Weather Service is calling a developing ice and snow storm a “terrible mess.” Truckers will not be able to drive on some roads in the heartland.

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Nick Austin

Potential Hurricane Zeta threatening Gulf Coast freight markets (with forecast video)

Third Gulf Coast hurricane of the season could hit the U.S. around midweek. Trucking capacity may tighten there for a while.

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23 October
Nick Austin

Watch? Warning? Blizzard? Whiteout? Weather terms every trucker should know

Weather delays cost carriers billions of dollars a year and frustrate drivers. Plan ahead by knowing some important weather vocabulary.

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Nick Austin

Weekend snowstorm to pummel Northwest, Rockies, Midwest (with forecast video)

Truckers will hit blizzard conditions at times this weekend across the Rockies and Cascades.

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22 October
Nick Austin

Truckers rank the most dangerous weather conditions

Drivers tell FreightWaves what kind of weather concerns them the most as they try to keep freight moving.

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Nick Austin

Midwest truckers to face another early season snowstorm (with forecast video)

Delayed freight flows are likely across several states, from Montana to Michigan.

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21 October
Nick Austin

Another record snowstorm coming to Upper Midwest (with forecast video)

Truckers will face more dangerous wintry weather in the Midwest the rest of the week.

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20 October
Nick Austin

Potential hurricane heading toward Bermuda later this week

A tropical storm watch has been issued for the island of Bermuda and large swells are possible at ports.

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Nick Austin

More top winter weather driving tips for truckers

External temperature gauges, idling and chaining up are just a few winter weather survival tips suggested by truckers for truckers.

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