Freeze Warning for Eastern Third of U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
HALLOWEEN BLIZZARD
STORMS, HIGH WINDS, FLOOD WARNINGS
SCENARIOS 887, 560, 477, 444, 177, 111, 066, 064, 027, 025, 023, 02
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Temperatures plunge 20ºC along parts SE Coast and Central Appalachians: NWS

“The eastern third of the nation will continue to experience well below average temperatures this weekend behind a strong cold front. A coastal low pressure system will strengthen on Sunday and bring gusty winds and precipitation to most of the Northeast Coast, including heavy snow for northern New England,” said NWS.

Meantime, a rare autumn blizzard has dumped up to 41cm (16 inch) of snow on portions of of the Carolinas and  Tennessee, blocking a large stretch of I40 in the Great Smoky Mountains.

US Weather Hazmap for Nov 2, 2014, issued by NWS at 07:58UTC.

Current extreme weather warnings are in effect for Winter Storms, High Wind, Coastal Flooding, Gale, and Freeze.
 

Critical Fire Weather Conditions Continue across SW U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME CLIMATE HAZARDS
DROUGHT
RECORD HEAT
RED FLAG WARNINGS
NIGHTMARE SCENARIO 101
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Red Flag Warnings Continue across Southwest, Great Plains

Another day of dangerous fire weather conditions continues across the U.S. Southwest and Great Plains, according to NWS forecast.

Record heat, “long duration single-digit humidity,” and strong, gusty winds of over 50mph have combined to create extensive critical fire-weather conditions across a vast region, prompting the the National Weather Service (NWS) to raise Red Flag Warnings across much of the Southwest and into the Great Plains.

“Elevated to critical fire weather conditions continue across most of the Southwest into the Great Plains, with an area of Extremely Critical risk highlighted in extreme south central Kansas into the eastern Texas Panhandle. Record heat, gusty winds and low relative humidity values will continue the high fire danger through at least Wednesday,” NWS forecast.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap) for May 6, 2014. UPDATE.

National High and Low Temperature
(for the contiguous United States)

NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 8 pm EDT Monday, May 5, 2014

High Temperature for Monday, May 5, 2014

• 41.7ºC (107 degrees) at Altus, OK

Low Temperature for Monday, May 5, 2014

• -4.4ºC (24 degrees) at Mount Washington, NH
• -4.4ºC (24 degrees) at Doe Lake, MI
• -4.4ºC (24 degrees) at 6 miles east of Champion, MI

Massive Winter Storm to Move Across U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATIC EVENTS
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Massive winter storm to dump torrential rain, heavy snow coast-to-coast

A powerful winter storm system is forecast to move across the western U.S. this weekend dumping heavy rain and mountain snow, with floods and mudslides possible in southern California, said NWS.

The storm will push eastward this weekend bringing a dangerous wintry mix of precipitation to much of the central Plains to Ohio Valley late Saturday and Sunday, and eventually to the East Coast by Monday.

A surge of anomalously cold Arctic air is expected to cause a large-scale winter weather event across the Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys later this weekend, forecasters said.

Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Saturday, March 1, 2014. Issued at 04:00UTC. Source: NWS. UPDATE

State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin ahead of Severe Winter Storm

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
SEVERE WINTER STORM
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Blizzard to hit Wisconsin

Gov. Walker has issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency ahead of a severe winter storm forecast to impact Wisconsin on Thursday, February 20. Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and strong winds are expected, and some areas of west central and northwest Wisconsin could receive more than 12 inches of snow.

“… an extremely dangerous winter storm with associated heavy snow, freezing rain, ice accumulation, and sleet exacerbated by winds gusting to 40mph is expected to move across the entire state of Wisconsin … due to this prolonged extreme weather, conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day on February 20, 2014 … there is an ongoing shortage of of road salt available to local units of government that will impact their ability to manage snow and ice on public roadways …,” said Walker. “This executive order ensures we are prepared for this potentially dangerous winter storm.”

• 7-day Storm Animation [valid for the duration of storm]

Meanwhile, the NWS has issued the following forecast for the region:

Multiple Weather Impacts Behind Strong System on Thursday

A strong weather system will continue to move through the central U.S. towards the East Coast. On Thursday, severe weather is possible from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes with damaging winds as the primary threat however, tornadoes will also be possible. Farther south and west, dry and windy conditions will lead to fire weather concerns. And behind the system, winter weather makes a return.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Thursday, February 20, 2014. Issued at 11:33UTC. Source: NWS. UPDATE

Energy Emergency

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended on Wednesday the regional States of Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits for transporting propane throughout the United States.

A total of at least 36 states and District of Columbia are currently impacted by shortages of propane and other heating fuels.

States covered by the emergency declarations include:

• Western Service Center: North Dakota and South Dakota
• Southern Service Center: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee
• Eastern Service Center: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia
• Midwestern Service Center: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin

Colorado Gov Issued Emergency Declaration to Authorize Temporary Exception to Hours of Service Regulations for CMVs Used for Propane Transport on February 7, 2014.

Texas Gov Renews Proclamation Declaring Liquefied Petroleum Gas Emergency [Feb. 4, 2014.]

Connecticut Provides Emergency Exemption from Hours of Service of Drivers [Feb. 11, 2014.]

S. Carolina Gov Issues Emergency Declaration for Severe Winter Weather Impact [Feb. 11, 2014.]

S. Carolina Gov Issues Executive Order to Waive Truck Restrictions  [Feb. 11, 2014.]

N.  Carolina Governor Temporarily Suspends Motor Vehicle Regulations … [Feb. 11, 2014.]

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared for NY & CT February 14, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Tennessee February 13, 2014
• NJ Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Deadly Snowstorm February 13, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Maryland February 12, 2014
• Virginia Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Deadly Storm February 12, 2014
• Deadly Ice and Snow Blanket U.S. South February 12, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States February 11, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in New York, Pennsylvania February 6, 2014
• Disaster Emergency Declared in Multiple States Feb. 5, 2014
• State of Disaster Emergency Declared in Kansas Feb. 5, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in New Jersey  February 4, 2014

Energy Emergency Links

• Never Mind the Salt, Propane Shortage Biting Hard Feb.  6, 2014
• Deadly Winter Storm Prompts States of Emergency in Georgia, Carolinas  January 29, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi …  January 28, 2014

• Wisconsin Declares State of Emergency over Extreme Cold, Fuel Shortage January 26, 2014
• Louisiana Declares 2nd State of Emergency due to Dangerous Cold January 25, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared for Louisiana January 24, 2014

• Energy Emergency Declared for Alabama January 24, 2014
• Tennessee Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 22, 2014
• Ohio Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 20, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma due to Propane Shortage January 8, 2014

State of Emergency Declared in New Jersey

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
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Christie declares a state of emergency due to a heavy snow storm plaguing NJ

The governor has ordered  all non-essential state workers to go home, on a staggering schedule, starting at noon.

“Today’s winter storm is expected to produce heavy snow and travel hazards throughout the state, affecting tonight’s evening commute,” Christie said in a statement on Monday.

The storm is forecast to dump heavy snow and freezing rain throughout the state, felling trees, and causing power outages and flooding, he said.

“Total Nightmare”

As of 7:00 p.m.  EST up to 9.5 inches of snow had fallen in some parts of the Garden State creating a “total nightmare” for the Super Bowl fans leaving the state.

“It’s a parade of storms this week,” said the state climatologist at Rutgers University. “We haven’t been able to tap this kind of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and other environments in quite a few weeks. January was the 8th snowiest on record in New Jersey but it wasn’t abundantly moist. We had a lot of cold, dry snow, fluffy snow, not the thumping snow that we have today.”

State of Emergency Proclamation (excerpts) 

… beginning on February 3, 2014 the State of New Jersey is expected to experience a severe winter storm with high winds, heavy snow, mixed precipitation, dangerous storm surges, and sub-zero temperatures throughout the State … this severe winter storm is predicted to produce hazardous travel conditions, cause fallen trees and power outages, and produce potential coastal, stream, and river flooding throughout the State … this severe winter storm is expected to result in dangerous conditions across New Jersey for several days,  impeding transportation and the normal operation of public and private entities … impending weather conditions constitute an imminent hazard, which threatens and presently endangers the health, safety, and resources of the residents of one or more municipalities and counties of this State … this situation may become too large in scope to be handled by the normal county and municipal operating services in some parts of this State, and this situation may spread to other parts of the State …

Christie’s State of Emergency Proclamation: Full Text

Meanwhile, the National weather Service issued the following forecast:

New Winter Storm to Impact the Central U.S. Tuesday and the Northeast on Wednesday

The next winter storm is ready to impact the Plains and Midwest with snow and ice Tuesday into Wednesday. Heaviest snow is forecast from central Kansas through central Missouri and Illinois, into central Indiana. This same system could bring a foot of snow to northern Pennsylvania into central New England on Wednesday.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Issued at 02:36UTC. Source: NWS. UPDATE

Major Winter Storm to Batter Midwest, Northeast

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
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Powerful winter storm stretching from Midwest to Mid-Atlantic  threatens to reach blizzard conditions

Much below normal temperatures are forecast to continue across the Northern Tier, with heavy snow for portions of the Midwest and Northeast, Thursday and Friday, said the National Weather Service (NWS).

• The mayor of Bridgeport has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.
• Boston Declares a Snow Emergency

“Very cold temperatures will continue across the Midwest where high pressure continues to linger. Heavy snowfall will be possible today from the Midwest to central New York along a frontal boundary. By tomorrow, several systems will converge toward the Mid-Atlantic resulting in snowfall from northwestern Arkansas to New England, with the heaviest amounts expected from the Appalachians into Maine.”

Blizzard Warning, Winter Storm Warning, High Wind Warning, Storm Warning, Avalanche Warning, Flood Warning, Lake Effect Snow Warning, Gale Warning, Wind Chill Warning, Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, Flood Advisory, Special Weather Statement, Air Quality Alert, Air Stagnation Advisory and Hazardous Weather Outlook are among a plethora of warnings, watches and advisories issued by NWS.

Storm total snowfalls of up to 14 inches is forecast for parts of New York and Massachusetts, according to a Winter Storm Warnings issued for the states.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)
Issued 7 am EST Thursday, January 2, 2014 by NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD

High Temperature for Wednesday, January 1, 2014 (as received by 7 am EST January 2)

• 85 degrees (29.4ºC) at Naples, FL

Low Temperature for Thursday, January 2, 2014 (as received by 7 am EST January 2)

• -46 degrees (-43.3ºC) at Embarrass, MN

Temperature Spread:  131 degrees

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Thursday, January 2, 2014. Source: NWS. Map Enhanced by FIRE-EARTH. UPDATE

A complex storm system will raise havoc on the Eastern U.S. late this week

A swath of light snows will continue to develop to the north of a frontal boundary stretched from the Middle Mississippi Valley to the northern Mid-Atlantic states Wednesday evening, while a rich supply of moisture
surrounding a strengthening front in the Gulf of Mexico will continue to fuel an organized axis of rains across Central Gulf coast and Southeast.

On Thursday, these two features will begin to merge as the front stretched from the Middle Mississippi Valley to the northern Mid-Atlantic states pushes east/southeastward as a cold front and a surface low developing along the front in the Gulf lifts northeastward towards northern Florida. The complex interaction of these two systems will raise havoc on the Eastern U.S. late this week.

Accumulating snows are expected across the Ohio Valley, northern Mid-Atlantic states, and northeast, while moderate to heavy rains will push through the Southeast. The bigger story with these merging systems will most likely be the rapidly deepening surface low off the Eastern Seaboard early Friday, which will bring strong winds and bitter temperatures into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. This deepening low will also have the potential to hit coastal New England with heavy snows before it races into the Canadian Maritimes. Source: WPC/NOAA