Tropical Storm Barbara has popped up off Mexico's southwest coast and is likely to turn into a hurricane by Monday. Right now, it's packing winds around 45 mph, but no coastal alerts have been issued yet. Meanwhile, experts are warning that 2025 could be a rough year for destructive storms in the region.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about one storm—Barbara's formation kicks off what forecasters think could be a particularly nasty hurricane season. For folks in Mexico and nearby areas, it's a heads-up to stay alert, even if this specific storm isn't an immediate threat yet. For the rest of us, it's a reminder that climate patterns are shifting, and extreme weather is becoming more frequent.

A Southern California family had a heart-stopping close call when lightning struck a neighbor's home just feet away from their 6-year-old daughter during a storm. Tiffanie Buckner captured the moment on video while filming dark clouds—showing how suddenly disaster can strike (and how lucky they were to escape unharmed).

Editor’s Note: Lightning strikes are unpredictable and terrifyingly fast—this video is a visceral reminder of how dangerous storms can be, even when they seem like a distant spectacle. It’s also a stroke of luck that no one was hurt, but not every family gets that outcome. Stories like this underscore why weather warnings matter, especially as severe storms become more frequent.