EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
ENERGY EMERGENCY
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Frigid conditions to persist in the northern Plains, Midwest, South and East amid propane shortages
Polar air mass surging into the northern Plains and Midwest will continue moving south through mid-week lowering temperatures by as much as 35 degrees. Meanwhile, icy conditions could impact a vast region from south-central Texas to the Carolinas, said NWS.
- Temperatures are forecast to plunge by as much as 35 degrees below average over the Upper Midwest to the Ohio Valley/Great Lakes
- Sleet, snow and icy conditions forecast for parts of southeastern Texas
A clipper system along the leading edge of significantly cold air mass
will move rapidly northeastward to Southeastern Canada by Monday night. The associated cold front will race off the East Coast and Gulf Coast by Monday night.
A cold area of high pressure over West-Central Canada will move southward to the Ohio Valley by Tuesday. NWS
Satellite Animation
U.S. Weather Hazards Map for January 27, 2014 @ 02:44UTC. Source: NWS. Click to Update…
The entire Midwest is experiencing a propane shortage
The supply shortage in the upper Midwest has caused delivery delays and reduced delivery amounts for propane customers in at least 33 states, including ALL Midwestern states, and D.C., as of posting . The propane shortage has been caused by a combination of unusually cold winter temperatures, closure of a major pipeline supplying propane to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa and increased propane demand for grain drying due to a wet fall, said the Office of Governor Scott Walker in a statement.
National Heating Fuel Shortages
“Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that cold weather led to record-high natural gas storage withdrawals, as well as propane. These are the largest drawdowns in the 20-year history of the survey and the second time this year the record has been broken. Efforts are underway with the U.S. Department of Energy to acknowledge that emergency conditions could be forming, as consumers and businesses in dozens of state are faced with higher electricity and gas costs due to persistent cold weather,” said the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) in its latest Statement on Propane Supply, Demand, and Distribution.
Some of the propane gas retailers have run out of supplies in the worst hit areas in the South, East and Midwest, said NPGA.
Propane shortage
The price of propane, a liquefied petroleum gas, soared to $4.30 – $5.0 a gallon on Friday, more than double its price a week ago, Reuters reported.
The crisis caused by record-breaking freeze coincides with pipeline outages and low inventories, has already led to fuel rationing in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, said the report.
“We could be sitting in this situation to spring,” said the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association.
Polar Vortex
“polar vortex has increased the number of deaths throughout the nation,” declared Alabama Gov. earlier this week.
US-DOT: Current – Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits
In addition to the State of Emergency in Louisiana, numerous other states of emergencies and/or executive orders, wavers and exemptions have been issued for 33 states in the U.S. South, East and Midwest and District of Columbia, according to the Department of Transportation.
Separately, the following Emergencies are currently in effect:
Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Southern Service Center (PDF)
Affected States: Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. (Effective Date: 1/21/2014 – In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).
Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Eastern Service Center (PDF)
Affected States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia. (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).
Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Midwestern Service Center (PDF)
Affected States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).
Energy Emergency Related Links
Polar Vortex: “polar vortex has increased the number of deaths throughout the nation” —Alabama Gov
On January 7, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others ]:
FIRE-EARTH Models show more Extreme Weather Events could wreak havoc across North America in the coming days and weeks.
Fire Earth 