Will 2008 be year of the tornadoes, too?

Tornadoes Wreak Havoc

About 105 people have been killed by tornadoes since the beginning of this year. According to the reports some 868 tornadoes have struck through May 18. The tally is on par with 2004, in which a record 1,819 tornadoes were reported, National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, in Norman, Okla., said.

“It will be one of the biggest years when all is said and done,” said Harold Brooks, a meteorologist at the center. “It’s been very, very active and very unusual.” The 136 tornadoes reported in January 2008 were about 7 times higher than the January average of 19 for the 1953 to 2005 period. The February record at 232 was 11 times higher than the previous February average of 21 tornadoes.

“Our work suggests that the trend, the sign, is that conditions for severe weather will increase,” said Robert J. Trapp, an associate professor of atmospheric science at Purdue University. (Source)

A sequence of images showing the birth of a tornado. First, the rotating cloud base lowers. This lowering becomes a funnel, which continues descending while winds build near the surface, kicking up dust and other debris. Finally, the visible funnel extends to the ground, and the tornado begins causing major damage. This tornado, near Dimmitt, Texas, was one of the best-observed violent tornadoes in history.

This sequence of three photographs was taken by a member of the VORTEX project outside of Dimmit, TX on June 2, 1995. Known to some as the most studied tornado of all time, multiple movies, radar images, photographs, and damage observations were made for this tornado’s entire lifespan by members of the VORTEX team. (Source)

What about the hurricanes?

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season will be active with up to 16 named storms, nine of which are expected to become hurricanes, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, said on Thursday.

to Up to five of the hurricanes forecast for the season starting June 1 will be major ones ranging from Category 3 to higher with winds exceeding 180 km per hour, NOAA said in its annual forecast. (Source)

Hurricane Noel. A satellite image taken November 2, 2007. REUTERS. NOAA Handout

Related Links:

• U.S. government sees active Atlantic hurricane season
• A Busy Year as Tornadoes Wreak Havoc
• 2008: Year of the Fire

2008: Year of the Fire

Raging Fire Forces Evacuation in Silicon Valley

As the wildfire consumed more than 3,000 acres with no containment, the governor issued an emergency declaration for Santa Cruz County.

About 300 people whose homes are in the path of the rapidly spreading fire have been evacuated under a mandatory order, according to officials in city of Gilroy, California.

It’s believed that the fire, which is moving southeast toward the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, could grow to 10,000 acres before it burns out.

Acording to CalFire at least 12 structures have been burned, but no injuries have been reported. Power is out in much of the area due to falling trees.

Some 600 firefighters are fighting the blaze and another 2,000 are expected to arrive soon. (Source)

Sun through the smoke! (Credit: Michael Congdon, via Mercury News.) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

The experts at Creating A Sustainable Future (CASF) believe that 2008-2010 would be the worst ever period for catastrophic wildfires throughout the United States and elsewhere on the globe!

• Fire map

• Acres burned: 3,000, including at least 15 structures. (Fire officials say it could grow to 10,000 or more.) No injuries reported.
• Evacuation information: Evacuation facilities set up at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. For information, 335-6717, 335-6718, 335-6719.
• Volunteer:Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County, call 427-5070
• Animal Services: Santa Cruz Animal Services helping with large animal evacuations. For information, 454-7303.
• Evacuation checklist

Related Links:

• Climate-enhanced catastrophes in the US
• UPDATE 1-Wildfire near Silicon Valley forces evacuations
• California eyes another tough wildfire season
• Fire managers predict bad year for blazes

Video Links:

• California wildfire burns