Dry Thunderstorms Threaten Pacific Northwest

Wildfire Risk Increasing in Western United States

Lightning caused by storms could ignite new wildfires in the West and Pacific Northwest, NWS reported.

“A strong weather system will move through the Pacific Northwest and across the northern Rockies over the course of the week. Dry, gusty winds are already contributing to increased fire danger in this region, but conditions will worsen on Wednesday as the weather system brings a chance of ‘dry’ thunderstorms. The lightning from these storms could ignite new wildfires that could spread rapidly.”

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch areas highlighted on the U.S. Weather Hazards Map, July 31, 2013. Source: NWS

Alert:

THUNDERSTORMS WITH ABUNDANT LIGHTNING POSSIBLE STARTING TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT.

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ALONG THE CASCADE EAST SLOPES TONIGHT. AS THE LOW MOVES INLAND WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE IN COVERAGE. STORMS WILL THEN CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY. STORMS WILL INITIALLY START OUT WITH LIGHT AMOUNTS OF RAIN AND THEN BECOME INCREASINGLY WETTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.  See detailed hazards viewer …

Mega Heatwave: Dozens of Daily Record High Temps Broken or Tied

Phoenix daily high temperature hit 119 shattering old record by 2 degrees

Power consumption across western United States surge as life-threatening, record-breaking heat spikes demand load for cooling.

The high temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport hit 119 degrees, shattering the old record set in 1994 by 2 degrees, and making Saturday the fourth hottest day on record. [The hottest day on record at 122 degrees was June 26, 1990.]

At Mccarran International Airport, the official climate station for Las Vegas, the high temperature reached 115 degrees on Saturday, which tied the record for June 29th last set in 1994, NWS reported.

At the National Weather Service office in SW Las Vegas the high temperature reached 118 degrees Saturdy afternoon, shattering the previous all-time record of 117 degrees set on July 5, 2007 and tied on June 28, 2013.

• NV Energy in Las Vegas has predicted a surge in power demand for Clark County, said a report.

At Needles, California the high temperature reached 123 degrees on Saturday,  setting a new daily record as well as a new all-time record high for June, shattering the previous all-time monthly record of 122 degrees set on June 11, 1918.

Forecast Highs For Selected Locations (NWS/NOAA)

Western U.S. Mega Heat Hazards Map

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on June 28, 2013

Out of a possible 4,676 records: 40 (Broken) + 25 (Tied) = 65 Total – Source: NOAA

Meantime, NWS issued the following forecast:

For much of the Western U.S., excessive heat warnings and heat advisories remain in effect for a major heat wave that is ongoing from the Mexican border northward into the Inter-Mountain West. A big upper level high, combined with subsiding air and abundant sunshine, will allow temperatures to reach dangerously high levels. Some of the lower deserts near the Colorado River may reach 120 degrees! Triple digit heat is also expected for much of the Great Basin going through the weekend and into early next week.

Many of the same locations that broke records on Saturday could break records again on Sunday. One of the hottest places will be Death Valley, California as temperatures will approach 130 degrees

Related Links

• Extreme heat wave in western U.S. severely affects journalistic integrity globally !  June 29, 2013
• Record Temperatures Broken or Tied in Western US June 29, 2013
• Extreme Heatwave: Nature Zeroing In On A Primary Target June 28, 2013
• “Life-threatening” Heat Wave Developing in SW U.S. June 27, 2013
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year June 5, 2013
• [FIRE-EARTH Forecast] U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013

Record Temperatures Broken or Tied in Western US

Life-threatening heat in western U.S. to continue into next week

Numerous daily record high maximum temperatures being set or tied on June 28 as a massive area of high pressure is forecast to persist: NWS

California

Bishop California:  High temperature at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport reached 107 degrees, breaking daily record high of 105 degrees set in 1956 [Highest temp of  108 degrees set July 5, 2007.]

Death Valley California: High temperature at the Furnace Creek Visitor`s Center reached 125 degrees, tying  daily record set in 1994.

Needles California:   High temperature of 121 degrees today broke the old daily record of 119 degrees set in 1994.

Nevada

Las Vegas: High temperature at Mccarran International Airport hit 115 degrees, tying  the daily record for June 28th set in 1994.

Mt Charleston Nevada: Hhigh temperature in kyle canyon at 7,450 feet reached 92 degrees, breaking  the old daily record of 89 degrees set in 1994.

Arizona

Kingman Arizona: High of 110 degrees today broke the old daily record of 107 set in 1914.

NOTES:

Records date back to 1888 for Needles, 1901 for Kingman, 1911 for Death Valley, 1937 for Las Vegas, 1943 for Bishop and 1980 for Mt Charleston, said NWS.

The above information is preliminary and is subject to a final
review and certification by the national climatic data center.

Related Links

• Extreme Heatwave: Nature Zeroing In On A Primary Target June 28, 2013
• “Life-threatening” Heat Wave Developing in SW U.S. June 27, 2013
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year June 5, 2013
• [FIRE-EARTH Forecast] U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013

Extreme Heatwave: Nature Zeroing In On A Primary Target

Record-setting, life-threatening heatwave to impact Southwest, parts of U.S. midsection

Excessive Heat Warning: Prolonged period of intense heat targeting the West!

Massive area of high pressure causing dangerously hot temperatures are forecast across Arizona, Nevada and southeast California Friday through Monday: NWS

U.S. Weather Hazards Map – June 28, 2013. Source: NWS. Record-setting and life-threatening heatwave are forecast across much of the region resulting from a strong area of high pressure across the western United States Friday through Monday. 

Excessive Heat Warnings

Excessive Heat Warnings, Excessive Heat Watches, Heat Advisories, Red Flag Warnings, Fire Weather Watches and heat-related Special Weather Statements are currently in effect, or should be expected, across at least 15 states in western, southern and midsection United States this weekend and into next week. —FIRE-EARTH

Related Links

• “Life-threatening” Heat Wave Developing in SW U.S. June 27, 2013
• FIRE-EARTH FORECAST: World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year June 5, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]

FIRE-EARTH Disaster Diary – June 18, 2013

73 killed, tens of thousands stranded in north India extreme monsoon

Death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by extreme monsoon rains in north India climbed to at least 73 on Tuesday, said a report.

Meantime, about 73,000 pilgrims bound for the Himalayan shrines weer reportedly stranded in monsoon-ravaged Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Severe flooding and landslips have also destroyed hundreds of homes and dozens of hotels and other commercial buildings, as well as roads and other infrastructure.

The authorities have evacuated thousands of people  living in low-lying areas along the River Yamuna, as  the water level rose above the “danger mark,” said the report.

Road collapses, as flooded river rages in Uttarakhand. Photo credit: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.

“We are on a war footing, we are working day and night,” said an official in Uttarkashi, where two national highways were blocked by landslides.

Related Links

• Dozens Dead or Missing in India amid Extreme Monsoon Rains June 17, 2013

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch for eight states

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. June 18, 2013. Source: NWS

Severe Weather Possible for Parts of northern Rockies, High Plains, Ohio Valley, and Carolinas: NWS

The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening for four distinct areas across the U.S.: from central Idaho into northwestern Montana; from northwest Texas to extreme southeastern Montana; across central Illinois, southern Indiana and into northern Kentucky; and across the central and eastern Carolinas.

High and Low Temperature for the Contiguous U.S.

High Temperature for Monday, June 17, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 115 degrees (46.1ºC) recorded at Ocotillo Wells, CA

Low Temperature for Teusday, June 18, 2013 (as received by 8 am EDT June 18)

• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Kenton, MI
• 29 degrees (-1.7ºC) recorded at Doe Lake, MI

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Popocatépetl Volcano Erupts [again]

Popocatépetl volcano erupted on Monday, sending a column of ash and volcanic gases and into the air and prompting the authorities  to raise the volcano alert level to Yellow (Phase 2.) Access to a 12-km zone around the volcano is  restricted.

Popocatépetl volcano Erupts.  Image Source: CENAPRED