Super Typhoon SONGDA

SONGDA: MEGA RAINMAKER

Western Pacific Typhoon Season Starts with a Big Bang

SUPER TYPHOON SONGDA – Vis/IR Image at 12:32UTC May 26, 2011.  Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

Super Typhoon SONGDA – MTSAT IR Image at 12:32UTC May 26, 2011. Click Image to enlarge.

Super Typhoon SONGDA – MTSAT enhanced IR Image at 13:32UTC May 26, 2011. Click Image to enlarge.

SONGDA Projected Track. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

WARNING POSITION:

• Date and Time   May 26, 2011 at 14:00UTC
• Position:  Near 16.3N 125.1E
• Movement over the past 6 hours:  315 degrees
• Forward Speed: 15km/hr (8 KTS)

Current Wind Distribution:

• Max sustained winds: ~ 270 km/hr (145 KTS) – [Cat 5 storm on FEWW New Hurricane Scale]
• Max wind gusts: 325 km/hr (175 KT)
• Source: FIRE-EARTH estimates based on data provided by JTWC and others.

Related Links

• Satellite Imagery
• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale

updated on  May 26, 2011 at 14:00UTC

Joplin Tornado – Update May 26

Death Toll from Mega Tornado that Devastated Joplin climbs to 125, with 1,000  Injured

Death toll from the EF5 tornado that leveled large sections of Joplin, Missouri has climbed to at least 125, with up to 1,000 others injured.

The authorities say the earlier number of the missing said to be 1,500 was inaccurate; however, they refuse to reveal the actual figure.

Four of a total 81 tornado reports received on Wednesday came from California.

Tornado Attacks on Tuesday

More tornadoes swept the Midwest on Tuesday night, killing at least 15 people: 9 in Oklahoma, 4 in Arkansas and 2 in Kansas.

Seven tornadoes struck Oklahoma overnight, the National Weather Service reported. “The deadliest of those, which killed seven persons, left a 75-mile path of destruction and lasted two hours.” Said a report.

Photo courtesy of Trenton Workman via redding dot com. A tornado touches down in Butte County Wednesday afternoon. 

2011 Severe Weather Stats – Jan 01,2011 to May 25, 2011

• Tornado reports:  1,228
• Hail reports:  4,215
• Wind reports: 5,898
• TOTAL: 11,350
• Source: SPC

Storm Related Fatalities

• 2011 toll: > 510 deaths [expected to rise]
  
• Annual 10-year average: 22 deaths

Tornado Reports (Since May 21)

May 21 Severe Weather Reports. Click images to enlarge.

May 22

May 23

May 24

One Large Tornado Patch

US Midwest, South and Northeast Targeted by 2011 Tornado Outbreaks

US Tornado Patch 2011

2011 Severe Weather Stats – Jan 01,2011 to May 25, 2011

• Tornado reports:  1,228
• Hail reports:  4,215
• Wind reports: 5,898
• TOTAL: 11,350
• Source: SPC

Storm Related Fatalities

• 2011 toll: > 500 deaths [expected to rise]
  
• Annual 10-year Average: 22 deaths

Now the weather outlook…

• Severe weather threat shifts slightly to east

Click image to enter NWS portal.

Weather Forecast Map 

Click to enlarge.

Significant River Flood Outlook

Click Map to enlarge. Click here to enter HPC portal.

•  River Flood Outlook for Alaska