Massive Alberta Wildfire Enters Saskatchewan

Fort McMurray wildfire is almost the size of Delaware

The massive forest fire that devastated Fort McMurray, Alta., has now crossed the border into Saskatchewan, said Canadian officials.

The ferocious fire had devoured 505,645 hectares of forest as of Thursday morning local time, and expanded east of the border, burning 771 hectares in Saskatchewan, according to fire officials.

The fire is said to be about 30km from the nearest village, La Loche.

The latest Canadian Wildland Fire Information System map indicates the Fort McMurray fire has entered Saskatchewan at two points. However, the Saskatchewan government insists the southern part is actually a brand new, 40-hectare fire, said a report.

“One of the new fires, which covers 40 hectares, started close to the Fort McMurray fire on the Saskatchewan-Alberta border sometime during the evening on May 18.”

Major Disaster Declared for Delaware

Federal Disaster Declared for Delaware due to Destructive Weather Events

Delaware Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (DR-4265)

• Incident period: January 22, 2016 to January 23, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration declared on March 16, 2016

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the state of Delaware in the area affected by the severe winter storm and flooding during the period of January 22-23, 2016.

Areas that have sustained severe damage include Sussex County.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, said the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Federal Disaster Declarations (2015)

The federal government proclaimed 43 Major Disaster Declaration [DR 4205-4247] for a U.S. state/tribal area/territory in 2015, two Emergency Declarations, EM-3372 and EM-3373 and 34 Fire Management Assistance Declarations [FM-5084 to FM-5117.]

Major Disaster Declarations (2016)

• Major Disaster Declaration: New Jersey March 15, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration: Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding March 14, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declared for Virginia [DR-4262] March 8, 2016
• Major Disaster Declarations for DC and Maryland [DR-4260, DR-4261 ] March 5, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Georgia [DR-4259] February 27, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oregon [DR-4258] February 19, 2016

• Major Disaster Declared for Alaska [DR-4257] February 18, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma [DR-4256] February 12, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Texas  [DR-4255] February 10, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Arkansas [DR-4254] February 6, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Louisiana (EM-3376) February 6, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Washington [DR-4253] February 3, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Idaho [DR-4252] February 2, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Alabama [DR-4251] January 23, 2016
• Oklahoma Oak Grove Fire (FM-5118)
• Major Disaster Declared for Missouri [DR-4250] January 22, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared in Michigan [EM-3375] January 17, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration for Washington [DR-4249] January 16, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Mississippi [DR-4248] January 5, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Missouri [EM-3374] January 3, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Crop Disasters Declared in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
FLOODING
DESTRUCTIVE HIGH WINDS
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS 444, 177, 111, 066
.

Severe Weather Destroys Crops in Three States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA has designated a total of 9 counties in three states—New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania—as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, high winds and hail that occurred on May 22, 2014.

The disaster designations are as follows:

• New Jersey: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
• Delaware: New Castle County.
• Pennsylvania: Delaware and Philadelphia counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared at least 2,001 separate crop disasters across 29  states. Most of those designations are due to the worsening drought.

• Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington, Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Counties may have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on June 11, 2014.

California Drought Disasters

• Drought Spells More Crop Disasters for Five States May 22, 2014
• Southern Sierra Loses Snow Cover May 27, 2014
• California’s Snow Story: Going, Going … May 21, 2014
• Severe – Exceptional Drought Plague 100% of California  May 16, 2014

Related Links

• Drought Crop Disasters Declared in 10 States  May 29, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 11 States May 16, 2014
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

States of Emergency Declared in Virginia, Arkansas

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATIC EVENTS
DEADLY SNOW AND ICE STORMS
STATES OF EMERGENCY
.

Deadly winter storm prompts State of Emergency declarations in Virgina, Arkansas…

The states of Emergency declarations followed similar proclamations by governors in the states of Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Virginia

Gov. McAulliffe declared a state of emergency as yet another deadly winter storm bore down on Virginia, forcing school closings and flight cancellations.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had forecast up to 10 inches of snow accumulations in northern Virginia.

Arkansas

Gov. Beebe declared a state of emergency for Arkansas after ice and snow blanketed much of the state on Monday.

Beebe said the severe storm had “caused great damage to private property and public facilities in various jurisdictions in Arkansas.”

Flight Cancellation and Delays
About 5,500 flight cancellations have been reported within, into, or out of the United States between Saturday and Monday (so far), in addition to more than 17,000 delays due to the massive storm system.

Hundreds more cancellations were reported for Tuesday, as of posting.

Deadly Storm
Road crashes due to icy conditions have left a number of people dead including a 13-year-old girl in southwest Missouri on Sunday, and a 32-year-old woman in Colorado, who was killed in a 120-vehicle pileup near Denver on Saturday, while scores of others were reportedly injured.

Other road deaths were reported in  Oklahoma Texas, Tennessee and Virginia on Monday.

Record or Near Record Cold

Freezing weather from the Canadian border into Texas Monday plunged the mercury to record or near record lows in several places.

Daily Weather Records
Daily Weather Records previously provided by NOAA at National Climatic data Center website are NO longer available.

National Low and High Temperature
(for the contiguous United States)
Issued by NWS Weather Prediction Center at 7 pm EST Monday, March 3, 2014

• Low:   -40ºC (-40 degrees) at Embarrass, MN
• High: 29.4ºC (85 degrees) at Vero Beach, FL

Temperature spread 69.4ºC (125 degrees).

Compare:

National Low and High Temperature – Issued 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 21, 2014

• Low: -38ºC (-37 degrees) at Embarrass, MN
• High: 29ºC  (84 degrees) at Camarillo, CA

Temperature spread for Jan. 21 was 67ºC (121 degrees).

On January 7, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [Google and WordPress censored]:

FIRE-EARTH Models show more Extreme Weather Events could wreak havoc across North America in the coming days and weeks.

• More Extreme Weather Events to Hit North America

Related Links

• Polar Déjà vu   January 22, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in Multiple States March 3, 2014

States of Emergency Declared in Multiple States

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATIC EVENTS
DEADLY SNOW AND ICE STORMS
STATES OF EMERGENCY
.

Delaware, New Jersey,  Mississippi, Tennessee … Declare States of Emergency due to Severe Snow and Ice Storms

Heavy snowfall and icy conditions have caused deadly accidents, extremely hazardous roadway conditions and widespread power outages in Central and Eastern U.S., prompting at least 4 states, as well as several counties and cities in other states to declare states of emergency.

Delaware

Gov. Markell declared a State of Emergency in Delaware starting at midnight Sunday, after NWS issued  a winter storm warning for the state.

Markell announced that state government as well as the city of Wilmington  will be closed Monday.

New Jersey
Gov. Christie declared a state of emergency for New Jersey, and ordered state offices closed Monday for non-essential services.

“This winter storm is expected to arrive tonight and last through Monday, bringing heavy snow and creating hazardous travel conditions throughout the state,” said Christie.

Philadelphia Mayor declared an official snow emergency for the city on Sunday, while officials canceled schools Monday classes and closed university campuses.

Mississippi

Gov. Bryant has declared a State of Emergency due to the severe weather. NWS has forecast an ice storm in northwest Mississippi and in the Delta area. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are also forecast for central and south Mississippi.

“It may seem difficult to accept with today’s warm temperatures, but the National Weather Service has predicted winter weather and severe storms for parts of the state,” said Bryant. “Residents should take necessary precautions now before the bad weather arrives.”

Tennessee
Governor Haslam declared a State of Emergency in Tennessee as the massive storm system moved closer to the region.

National Weather Service (NWS) has warned counties in southern and western Kentucky could see more than an inch of ice accumulation as the storm moves across the area.

Many school systems have announced closings ahead of the dangerous ice storm.

NWS Weather Forecast

Significant snow storm to impact the eastern U.S. on Monday while unseasonably cold temperatures continue

Late season winter storm will continue to shift east through Monday. Heavy snow is forecast from the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic through Monday night. Unseasonably cold temperatures more typical of January will prevail east of the Rocky Mountains for the next few days keeping winter around for a while longer.

Severe cold is forecast to continue throughout the Upper Midwest, as the major winter storm bears down on Central and Eastern states, said NWS.

Indiana
At least 12 inches of snow had fallen on Parts of Indiana by late Sunday evening, locals said.

Flight Cancellation and Delays
About 4,500 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States between Saturday and Monday (so far) were reported, in addition to more than 12,000 delays due to the massive storm system.

Deadly Storm
Road crashes due to icy conditions have left a number of people dead including a 13-year-old girl in southwest Missouri on Sunday, and a 32-year-old woman in Colorado, who was killed in a 120-vehicle pileup near Denver on Saturday, while scores of others were reportedly injured.

Polar Déjà vu

UPDATED at 09:30UTC – January 22, 2014

EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
.

New York, New Jersey, Delaware Declare States of Emergency as Polar Vortex II shuts down DC,  grounds thousands of flights

New York: Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency Tuesday for the following counties: Suffolk, Nassau, Richmond, Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx, Westchester and Rockland as a major winter storm battered the tristate area, bringing serious snow and extremely cold temperatures. A dangerous polar vortex is chasing the storm.

“This winter storm will bring a one-two punch of snow and extreme cold. I urge all those in the affected regions to exercise caution, and avoid travel if possible,” said Cuomo. “State resources are deployed to clear snow and help those impacted by the storm, but above all it is important that New Yorkers remain safe both during and after the storm.”

New Jersey

Governor Christie declared a State of Emergency in New Jersey, authorizing the emergency services to activate, coordinate and prepare  response to the storm.

“Today’s winter storm is expected to produce heavy snow, dangerous conditions and travel hazards throughout the state,” said Christie. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action to prepare, and my Administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. I encourage all New Jerseyans to stay off the roads if possible so that our first responders and public safety officials can safely respond to any emergency situations.”

Delaware

Delaware’s governor Markell has declared a state of emergency as the winter storm brought snow and high winds to the East Coast.

The storm, which forced  schools, government offices and businesses in Delaware to close early, is forecast to  bring up to 16 inches of snow to mid-Atlantic region.

• Maryland declared a snow emergency.

Govt Shutdown

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers in DC area were ordered to stay home Tuesday. Schools and offices were also shut down throughout the region.

• The storm forced Governments in Delaware and Maryland to shut down.
• Connecticut sent home nonessential state workers.
• Philadelphia schools and offices were closed.

NWS Forecast

A Powerful winter storm continues to intensifying off the East Coast with bitter cold spreading into the Eastern U.S., said the National Weather Service (NWS).

“A storm system will strengthen overnight in the Atlantic waters off the East Coast spreading heavy snow and strong wind into coastal sections of New England and the Northeast. Blizzard conditions are possible in eastern Massachusetts. In addition, temperatures across the eastern U.S. will be 10 to 25 degrees below average with bitter wind chills.”

The forecast also warned of

• Heavy snow from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast Coast

• Temperatures will be 15 to 30 degrees below average over parts of the Upper Midwest

• Temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees below average for the Mid-Atlantic/Central Appalachians into the Lower Great Lakes

• Storm along the Mid-Atlantic Coast will deepen rapidly while moving northeastward to the Canadian Maritimes paralleling the Coast by Wednesday evening.

• … another storm over the Upper Midwest will move southeastward to the Central Appalachians by Thursday morning.

Hazardous Weather Warnings

Hazardous conditions extended along a 1,700-km front from Kentucky to Massachusetts on Tuesday, snarling  transport and triggering multiple weather Warnings, Watches and advisories including Blizzard Warning, Winter Storm Warning, Storm Warning, Special Marine Warning, Flood Warning, Gale Warning, Wind Chill Warning, Hard Freeze Warning and Freeze Warning among others.

Flight Delays and Cancellations

More than 6,000 flights within, into, or out of the United States were canceled or delayed on Tuesday, according to FlightAware.com. An additional 1,400 flights have been canceled for Wednesday.

National Low and High Temperature [contiguous United States]

Issued 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 21, 2014

• -38ºC (-37 degrees) at Embarrass, MN

• 29ºC  (84 degrees) at Camarillo, CA

Source: NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD

Temperature spread 67ºC (121 degrees).

On January 7, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [Google and WordPress censored]:

FIRE-EARTH Models show more Extreme Weather Events could wreak havoc across North America in the coming days and weeks.

• More Extreme Weather Events to Hit North America

 

Humongous Snowstorm Paralyzes Eastern U.S.

Snow Forecast: Record 76 cm (30 in)

Snowfall totals of up to 76 cm are forecast from Virginia to southern New Jersey

Virginia, Maryland and Delaware  declare states of emergency amid “snowpocalypse,” and put the National Guard on alert

Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge (24-Hr FE ED). Source: UW-SSEC

• Click HERE to Animate Image

A ferocious blizzard caused by at least 12 inches of snow, as of posting (and mounting),  and 64 km/h  (40 mph)  winds in what is dubbed as “snowmageddon” is pummeling the US mid-Atlantic.

The authorities canceled all flights at Washington’s Reagan National airport, allowing only a few international flights to operate at Dulles International, news reports said.

The blizzard forced the U.S. govt offices in the Washington area to close after lunch yesterday.

Virginia Department of Transportation, VDOT said it had less than 6% of the state’s snow removal budget left, with the lion’s share already spent during the earlier blizzard in December.

About 20,000 homes have lost power in the Washington area as power lines and tree branches snapped under heavy snow.

The blizzard is the second to strike the area since December, when another storm dumped about 41 cm (16in) of snow in the Washington area.

Forecasters have predicted more than 76 cm (30 inches) of snow, for the area, some 5 cm (2 in) more than the all time record of 28 inches set in 1922.

GOES East – Eastern U.S. Imagery

An aviation color enhancement of a satellite image. GEOS Eastern U.S. Imagery, NOAA SSD.

Weather Map – Click Image to Enlarge –

• Forecast map loop

• Loop of sea-level pressures and fronts through day 7
• Short range forecasts in jpeg format
• Short range HPC 500-mb Pattern Graphics

The National Weather Service Snow Stats:

More than 30.5cm (12in, 1ft) of snowfall:  13 times since records began in 1870

Heaviest snowfall on record:  71cm (28in) in January 1922

Worst snowfall ever: about 91.5cm (3ft)  hit the area  in 1772 (100 years before records began)

National Snow Analysis:

February 5, 2010 (Metric Units)

Area Covered By Snow:	62.3%
Area Covered Last Month:	59.0%
Snow Depth
Average:	17.0 cm
Minimum:	0.0 cm
Maximum:	2340.7 cm
Std. Dev.:	27.6 cm
Snow Water Equivalent
Average:	3.7 cm
Minimum:	0.0 cm
Maximum:	1158.5 cm
Std. Dev.:	7.1 cm

February 5, 2010 (English Units)

Area Covered By Snow:	62.3%
Area Covered Last Month:	59.0%
Snow Depth
Average:	6.7 in
Minimum:	0.0 in
Maximum:	921.5 in
Std. Dev.:	10.9 in
Snow Water Equivalent
Average:	1.5 in
Minimum:	0.0 in
Maximum:	456.1 in
Std. Dev.:	2.8 in

Other NOHRSC Links:

• Station Snowfall Reports
• Station Snow Water Equivalent Reports
• Station Snowdepth Reports

Snow Cover Animations:

• Snow Water Equivalent: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Depth: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Average Snowpack Temp: Season — Two weeks — One Day
  
• SWE Change: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Precipitation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Melt: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Blowing Snow Sublimation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
  
• Surface Sublimation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Non-Snow Precipitation: Season — Two weeks — One Day

Snow Reports

Top Ten:

Metric Units…

Station ID Name Elev (feet) Snow (in) Duration (hours) Time(UTC) 35.1322_082.9342 LAKE TOXAWAY (278LAK) 3061 5.000 6 2010-02-05 04 0724H_MADIS CLOUDCROFT 0.4 ESE, NM 8940 12.000 24 2010-02-04 14 0730H_MADIS CLOUDCROFT 2.3 S, NM 8684 12.000 24 2010-02-04 14 35.1906_083.3639 EAST FRANKLIN (840685EA) 2087 3.000 6 2010-02-05 03 35.3186_082.4611 HENDERSONVILLE (932HEND) 2188 3.000 6 2010-02-05 05 2199C_MADIS TIJERAS 5.0 E, NM 7113 11.200 24 2010-02-04 14 0722H_MADIS CLOUDCROFT 4.9 NE, NM 8294 10.700 24 2010-02-04 14 MTRN5 MOUNTAINAIR 8NW 6634 10.500 24 2010-02-04 14 2395C_MADIS CLOUDCROFT 16 ESE, NM 6621 10.000 24 2010-02-04 14 3705S_MADIS NORTH LOGAN 0.8 ESE, UT 4757 10.000 24 2010-02-04 15

NWS Radar Mosaic. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Hazards. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Snow Accumulation.   Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Weather Forecast.  Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Predominant Weather. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

IR Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Water Vapor Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Max Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Min Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Temp – Real Time Mesoscale Analysis. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

6-Hr Precipitation amount.  (24-Hr FE ED). Click Image to enlarge and update.

12-Hr Probability Precipitation (%).   Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).

Wind Speed.  Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED).

Wind Gusts.  Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)

Sky Cover. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)

River and Lake Levels. Click Image to Enter Portal.

US Seasonal Drought Outlook. Click Image to enlarge.

Surface Weather Charts. Click image to enter portal.

Fire-Earth Related Links:

• Snow covers 70 pct of the U.S.

• Phil says ’six more weeks of winter’
• 6 feet of snow blankets the Alps
• 2010 Disaster Calender – January
• The Storms Attack on California
• California: Powerful new storm sails ashore

• Transitory Impact of AO is the ‘Good News’
• December Snowstorm Only a Cat 3 on NESIS Scale
• United Kingdom of Ice
• State of Emergency in Oklahoma, S. Dakota, Texas
• ‘Humongous’ storm spreads across the US

• You Don’t Bring A Gun To A Snowball Fight!
• Winter Officially Starts Today!
• Deadly Winter Storm Paralyzes United States
• FEWW FORECAST: 2009 Likely Wettest Year on Record

EPA Sued Over GHG Pollution

The states of Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday for failing to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks. The lawsuit came one year after the Supreme Court ruled that the agency had the power to do so.

Main Entry: 18 States Sue EPA Over GHG Pollution
Original Report: 18 states sue EPA over greenhouse gas pollution