Weather to Watch: November 6, 2026

Storms can follow a familiar afternoon rhythm while moving in an unfamiliar direction. Today's forecasts offer five ways to track what changes at the surface, from Puerto Rico's steering winds to South Dakota's fog.

1. Puerto Rico: Winds aloft steer afternoon storms toward San Juan

When to watch: Friday through Sunday afternoons, November 6–8, Atlantic time.

NWS San Juan expects afternoon storms to build over the Cordillera Central and move toward north-central, northeastern, and eastern Puerto Rico, including the San Juan metro. A trough aloft and a surface low to the north have disrupted the usual easterly trades. Winds from the west-southwest can carry inland storms toward the coast.

Daytime heating and converging sea breezes help start storms over the interior. Deep moisture gives slow-moving cells a chance to produce heavy rain. Repeated downpours can raise small streams quickly, especially where the ground is already wet.

What to notice: Use a radar loop from indoors to compare where cells first form with where they travel. If several cells cross the same area, check official rain gauges and local flood alerts for what reached the ground.

Source: NWS San Juan, November 6 at 5:14 a.m. AST (09:14 UTC).

2. Saipan and Tinian: Rainbands can reach far from a tropical center

When to watch: Late Friday night into early Saturday, November 6–7, Chamorro time.

NWS Tiyan's Friday evening discussion describes newly formed Tropical Depression 31W moving northwest. The forecast takes its center north of Agrihan early Saturday. Scattered showers and isolated storms could reach the coastal waters of Saipan and Tinian, farther south, as the outermost rainbands pass. Their coverage may be limited by the system's fast movement.

The deeper thunderstorms were clustered mainly west and northwest of the center at issuance. A developing tropical system can have an uneven rain pattern, and local winds well away from the center may be light and variable even as bands pass nearby.

What to notice: Compare the official center position with the deepest cloud clusters on a satellite loop and with the outer bands on radar. Follow official updates for changes in track, strength, and surf conditions.

Source: NWS Tiyan, Guam, November 6 at 7:00 p.m. ChST (09:00 UTC).

3. Eastern North Carolina: A brief overlap of instability and wind shear

When to watch: Early afternoon to around sunset Friday, November 6, inland, with storms possible somewhat later over the Outer Banks.

NWS Newport/Morehead City expects widespread showers and a few thunderstorms as a cold front crosses eastern North Carolina. Some storms could organize where warm, moist air can rise and winds change speed or direction near the ground. Damaging winds are the main severe threat, with a low chance of a brief tornado.

Earlier showers could limit heating and leave less energy for later storms. The useful window is when rising air and wind shear overlap ahead of the front. The severe risk should diminish toward the coast as instability fades.

What to notice: Track any cells that strengthen ahead of the broader rain band on radar from a safe place. Radar shape alone cannot confirm a tornado. Follow local NWS warnings.

Source: NWS Newport/Morehead City, November 6 at 6:06 a.m. EST (11:06 UTC).

4. Western Washington: Rain reaches the coast before filling in inland

When to watch: Friday through Sunday, November 6–8, Pacific time.

NWS Seattle/Tacoma expects the bulk of Friday morning rain along the coast, Olympic Peninsula, and northern areas. Seattle could see light rain in the morning, with steadier rain spreading in during the afternoon and evening. As the frontal system moves inland, the region where moist air is lifted shifts with it.

Saturday is forecast to start dry and mild as a warm front moves north into British Columbia. A cold front from another Pacific low could bring more rain and gusts Saturday night into Sunday. Winds can peak at a different time from rain, especially near the coast.

What to notice: Compare radar at the coast and over Seattle at the same hours Friday. Check the break Saturday morning, then look for the next rain band to move inland.

Source: NWS Seattle/Tacoma, November 6 at 2:07 a.m. PST (10:07 UTC).

5. Central and northeastern South Dakota: The temperature matters in fog

When to watch: Friday morning and again Friday evening into Saturday morning, November 6–7.

NWS Aberdeen reports that dense fog had developed in parts of central and northeastern South Dakota early Friday. Light winds can let a moist layer linger into late morning or early afternoon. Fog is forecast to rebuild Friday evening, with improvement Saturday morning as the air mixes.

When air near the ground cools to saturation, tiny droplets can form and cut visibility. Below freezing, liquid droplets can freeze on contact with exposed surfaces. The forecast is uncertain about which spots get cold enough for that to happen.

What to notice: Compare temperature and visibility in nearby official station reports at the same time. The coldest station may have an icing risk even if the visibility looks similar to a warmer location.

Source: NWS Aberdeen, November 6 at 1:08 a.m. CST (07:08 UTC).

Based on National Weather Service forecast discussions. For current forecasts and warnings, visit weather.gov.