In The News / Blog

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year—with millions of people hitting the roads and crowding the airports. As a meteorologist and travel preparedness expert, I’m always reminding travelers that Mother Nature doesn’t take holidays. Whether you’re driving across town or flying across the country, having a plan—and a backup plan—can make all the difference. Here’s how to stay safe, comfortable, and weather-ready wherever Thanksgiving takes

The Disasters Expo brought together some of the brightest minds and most passionate professionals dedicated to one shared goal — keeping communities safe before, during, and after disasters.

If you’re in a low-lying or coastal area, get to higher ground immediately or move to a sturdy interior shelter on an upper floor. Once conditions deteriorate, it will be too dangerous to move. Power and communications are expected to fail in many areas — so now is the time to take life-saving precautions.

Visibility is also key after sunset. Carry flashlights or glow sticks to help trick-or-treaters stand out. Add reflective tape to costumes, treat bags, or even pumpkins.

Last weekend, coastal Virginia was reminded of the power of timing and atmospheric forces. On Sunday, the ingredients aligned for significant impact: A nor’easter moving up the East Coast combined with autumn king tides to produce major tidal flooding across Hampton Roads, Virginia, during Sunday afternoon’s high tide cycle. The strong winds from the nor'easter pushed extra water from the ocean into the bay, and then into local rivers, creeks and streams.

As someone who teaches preparedness, I often remind people that storms — whether literal or emotional — are part of life. It’s not about avoiding them; it’s about how we weather them. Emotional preparedness means managing disappointment, supporting others through setbacks, and responding with empathy instead of anger. This is one of those moments where we, as the Penn State family, can practice that kind of preparedness.

Rain is coming down, tides are running higher than normal, and gusty winds are rattling the coast of Virginia. With conditions like this, it’s easy to wonder if we’re dealing with a tropical storm. But here’s the key: this is not a tropical cyclone. Instead, it’s a regular mid-latitude storm system -- a coastal low with very different characteristics. While it may not carry the name “tropical storm” or “hurricane,” it can still bring serious impacts like flooding, erosion, an

If your eyes are itchy, your nose is running, and you’re sneezing like crazy this week—you’re not alone. Fall allergies (especially hay fever) are ramping up fast across the U.S. this September, and this year might be especially tough.

This September, in honor of National Preparedness Month, I had the privilege of joining nearly 30 TV stations across the country from the studios of A-1 Broadcast in Atlanta.   Through this Satellite Media Tour (SMT), I shared essential preparedness tips to help families, first responders, and communities stay safe before, during, and after disasters.

So, what exactly is the Spitting Cave? This natural phenomenon happens when powerful Pacific Ocean waves crash against Oahu’s rugged south shore cliffs and funnel into underwater lava tubes. The energy builds pressure inside these hollowed-out rock formations until—WHOOSH!—the water forcefully spits back out through the cave’s opening.

The Perseids happen when Earth passes through debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky. This year, the meteor shower peaks August 12th, into the early morning hours of August 13th.

As summer temperatures continue to soar across much of the United States, the risk of heat exhaustion is becoming more serious—especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers, and athletes returning to fall sports. That’s why I was honored to contribute to a recent HuffPost article focused on how to stay safe during extreme heat.

As a FEMA-certified instructor, Emmy-nominated broadcast meteorologist, and founder of Prepare with Cher, I recently spoke with The Epoch Times about how individuals and families can take meaningful steps to prepare before disaster hits.

As a meteorologist and preparedness expert, I want to help you understand why this weather pattern can be so dangerous—and share how you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and even your pets during these brutally hot days and warm nights.

As a FEMA-certified preparedness expert and meteorologist, I discussed:  - Understanding your flood risk — both at home and while traveling  - What to pack in your emergency kits — including essentials for your vehicle  - How to stay safe if caught on the road during flooding

Over the July 4th weekend, what should’ve been a joyful time in the Texas Hill Country turned into an unimaginable nightmare.

With more travelers turning to Airbnb and Vrbo for getaways, safety at vacation rentals has never been more important. I was recently featured in a HuffPost article alongside other travel and security experts, sharing practical tips to help you feel more secure when checking into a short-term rental.

I was honored to share expert advice in a recent Martha Stewart article on how to stay safe during thunderstorms. From the importance of early warnings to what not to do when lightning strikes, the article covers key precautions to protect your family, pets, and home.

Get to Know Travel & Natural Disaster Preparedness Expert Cheryl Nelson

Cheryl will share with you her insights on how as a leader you can make complex scientific weather information clear, relatable, and compelling to colleagues, your team, and to your external stakeholders.

Owning a vacation home should be a source of relaxation, not stress. However, ensuring your property is secure while you’re away is key.

Catching some shut-eye on a plane can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn about these three unexpected, yet effective tips.

The Best Solar-Powered Weather Station. If you're in the market for a reliable home weather station, read more.

Why does the same temperature feel different in the fall compared to spring or summer?