What’s a Hydrokong?

A Shrinking World Series

Is it a mega-tropical storm system, or an extra-tropical cyclone (ETC), i.e., a non-tropical, large-scale low pressure storm system like a Nor’easter?

“Hydrokong” is a colossal atmospheric phenomenon. It’s an extreme precipitation event which is enhanced by circulation changes that increase and concentrate the distribution of water vapor.

Hydrokong! The Storm System as it appeared over the central United States June 12, 2008 04:15 UTC. The still image is an aviation color enhancement of a satellite image.

Globally, as total precipitation increases, the duration or frequency of precipitation events decreases. However, warmer temperatures and regional variation can significantly affect those offsetting behaviors. For example, reduced total precipitation in one region, the Western United States, can significantly increase the intensity of precipitation in another region, the Midwest. Hydrokongs essentially create two extreme events, droughts in one region and flooding caused by mega-intense precipitation in another. As the global temperatures rise, more hydrokongs should be expected.

Another Hydrokong in the making? A new System as it appeared over the central United States June 27, 2008 04:15 UTC. The still image is an aviation color enhancement of a satellite image.

An aviation color enhancement of a floater [updated periodically] satellite image GEOS Eastern U.S. Imagery, NOAA SSD. For full size image right-click on the image and select “View Image.”

In the words of Brian Pierce, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, describing the aftermath of flooding last week: “We are seeing a historic hydrological event taking place with unprecedented river levels occurring.”

Are Extreme Precipitation Events Earth’s Natural Defense Mechanisms?

Related Links:

• Nature’s Defense Mechanisms
• www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php [Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service!]
  

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Tornado Kills 4 Scouts

A Shrinking World Series

Deadly twister kills 4, injures 48

A deadly twister, one of about 30 that hovered over four U.S. Midwestern states Wednesday, hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa , where dozens of scouts were gathered for a “Pohuk Pride” training, killing four people and injuring about 40 others.

“We still have a threat of tornadoes, along with large hail and damaging wind gusts,” said a Storm Prediction Center meteorologist.

GOES Eastern U.S. Imagery Showing the Storm System Over the Central United States

An aviation color enhancement of a floater satellite image [this image is updated periodically.] GEOS Eastern U.S. Imagery, NOAA SSD.

The Storm System as it appeared over the central United States June 12, 2008 04:15 UTC. The still image is an aviation color enhancement of a satellite image.

Related Links:

• US Tornado Brief
• Deadly Storms Hit US Midsection
• Tornado kills four at Iowa boy scout camp

• Deadly Storms Hit US Midsection
• Powerful storms kill 8 in Iowa and Minnesota
• Will 2008 be year of the tornadoes, too?
• 2008: Year of the Fire

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