Massive Winter Storm Engulfs Much of Western, Central and Northern U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

POWERFUL WINTER STORM battering much of Western, Central & Northern U.S. with high winds and heavy Snow

High winds and heavy snow forcing temperatures to plunge as much as 35 degrees below normal across much of the Western and North Central U.S., causing  dangerous wind chills.

Multiple Hazardous Weather Warnings, as well as Watches and Advisories, are in effect across the country. The warnings include Winter Storm Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Flood Warnings, Gale Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, Hard Freeze Warnings and Freeze Warnings.

• Hard Freeze Warnings are in effect for California, said the National Weather Service (NWS).

• Heavy snow is forecast across the Wasatch, Colorado Rockies, and San Juans through Thursday morning.

• Significant snow accumulations are expected over the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes region.

Storm Total Snowfall 5:00am MST Sat Nov30 through 1:00pm MST Tue Dec 03

Idaho-Gibbonsville: 30.0 in (76.2cm)
Michigan- Mancelona: 3.5
Minnesota- Two Harbors: 22.0
Montana- Evaro: 20.0
North Dakota- Buffalo: 8.0
Nevada- Sparks: 8.5
Oregon- Flora: 9.5
South Dakota- Red Owl: 10.8
Washington- Wenatchee: 7.0
Wisconsin- Superior: 8.0
Wyoming- Bondurant: 25.0

Selected Peak Wind Gusts (MPH) Earlier In The Event
California- Independence: 59 MPH
Colorado- Pikes Peak: 81 MPH (130km/h)
Idaho- Roberts: 59
Nebraska- Kimball: 50
Wyoming- Arlington : 66

Selected Storm Total Rainfall (inches) Where The Event Has Ended

Idaho- Moose Creek Raws: 3.14 (in)
Oregon- Blazed Alder Snotel: 9.30
Washington- June Lake Snotel: 5.90

NWS Forecast

As Arctic air continues to push southward over the next couple days, the low pressure center in southern Iowa is forecast to intensify on Wednesday and then quickly move into the upper Midwest by Wednesday night. This storm will continue bringing heavy snow, gusty winds, and dangerous wind chills to the Northern Plains and upper Midwest on Wednesday. Additional snow accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches with up to 15 more inches possible in the upper Great Lakes. As the Arctic front pushes further southward into the central Rockies, additional snowfall totals will range from 4 to 10 inches with upwards of 12 to 18 inches for the highest elevations. Freezing rain accumulations up to a quarter of an inch are possible across portions of the upper Midwest and upper Great Lakes tonight and into tomorrow. In addition, this same system could produce a quarter to more than half an inch of ice across portions of Southern Plains into the lower Ohio Valley later this week.

Related Links

• Massive Storm System Impacting Western and Central U.S. December 3, 2013

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US Temps to Plunge 30 Degrees

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Significant winter storm forecast for the Southern Plains: NWS

High temperatures are forecast to plunge up to 30 degrees below average for this time of year in many areas across Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic,  as a blast of Arctic air hits the U.S.

UPDATE: At least 6 people have been killed across the country in storm-related incidents, and dozens more injured in traffic accidents in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas, as of 06:00UTC on Sunday.

Blast of Arctic air is forecast to move into the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as an “anomalous upper level low will slowly track eastward over the next couple of days, from its current position over southern California, to near the Texas panhandle by Monday afternoon. This system will encounter a bitter cold airmass which is currently in place over a good portion of the country, east of the Rockies. Higher elevation heavy snow is expected from the mountains of New Mexico into southern Colorado with light to moderate snowfall for remaining lower elevations,” said the national weather Service (NWS).

U.S. Weather Hazmap for Sunday, November 24, 2013. Source: NWS/CRH. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH Blog.

Sleet and freezing rain is forecast for southwestern Texas, with snow across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles … wintry mixture will spread northeastward through the day on Saturday and Sunday with storm total ice accumulations between 0.25 and 0.5 inches possible for locations in the northern Texas Hill Country. … ice and sleet accumulations should spread into the Dallas/Fort-Worth Metroplex … light snow/sleet across central and western Oklahoma.

More than a foot of snow is expected through they day Sunday in the U.P. of Michigan and six inches or more for northwestern Pennsylvania into western New York as well as localized areas in central New York.

Temperatures will be up to 30 degrees below average for this time of year on Sunday with the exception of Florida and the North Central U.S., said NWS.

Wildfires Prompt Evacuations in CA, MT

Hundreds evacuated as wildfires threaten dozens of homes in Calif. and Mont.

A raging wildfire in rural Riverside County has forced the evacuation of dozens of  homes.

The fast moving blaze broke out Monday p.m. in the community of Mountain Center between Palm Springs and Hemet, and devoured 1,000 acres within hours, damaging or destroying a number of structures.

The blaze was 5 percent contained, as of posting, with more than 400 state and federal fire crews at the scene.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the community of Bonita Vista,  Fleming Ranch and a nearby animal sanctuary, said a report.

-oOo-

West Mullan Fire, Superior, Mont.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for dozens of homed in the Flat Creek and Pardee Creek areas, reported Inciweb.

The so-called West Mullan Fire  started near Interstate 90 about two miles northwest of Superior Sunday p.m. and quickly spread to more than 700 acres in less than 24 hrs.

Thick smoke has resulted in limited visibility in Superior and along Interstate 90 in the area, said a report.

“The fire’s hitting Superior hard. The smoke is so thick in Superior, health officials closed the pool and are now urging people to stay indoors.”

Heat wave over the East will expand into the Plains by the middle of the week: NWS

A large subtropical dome of hot air will expand across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and to the Midwest this week bringing a long duration heat wave to the area. Temperatures will soar through the 90s with heat indices well over 100 degrees. 

A large mid-level ridge centered over the Ohio Valley is responsible for the
heat wave currently across the east, and the ridge is forecast to expand westward through Wednesday. This will have the effect of increasing high temperatures past the 90 degree mark throughout most of the central and northern Plains by Wednesday.

US Weather Hazards Map – July 16, 2013. Source: NWS

String of Tornadoes Cause Major Destruction in NW Poland

Powerful tornadoes flatten large swaths of forest, destroy more than 100 homes in Poland

A string of tornadoes with winds of up to 200kph slammed northwestern Poland, leaving at least one person dead and a dozen others injured.

The twisters, described as ‘freak tornadoes with unprecedented scale and ferocity,’ left vast swaths of forest flattened, downing power lines and destroying at least 100 homes, mostly in Kujawy and Wielkpolska provinces, reports said.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• USA. Excessive heat is returning to Central and Eastern U.S., NOAA forecasters said.
  • Near record temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees will prevail across the central portions of the U.S. on Monday. “The above normal temperatures will expand into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic for Tuesday and Wednesday. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are already in effect for portions of the aforementioned areas.”

• China. Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infected more than 381,000 people in China in June, killing at least 112 people, AFP reported the health authorities as saying.
  • More than 460,000 people were infected by HFMD in May, of whom 132 died from the disease, according to China’s Ministry of Health.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

Drought Disaster Declared in Half of Thailand

Planetary Denial of Service (P-DoS)

Thailand declares drought disaster in 32 of its 76 provinces

At least 32 provinces in Thailand, about half the country, have been declared drought disaster areas, according to the country’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 27

[March 27, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,450 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Thailand.   At least 32 of Thailand’s 76 provinces have been declared drought disaster areas, according to the country’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
  • Drought has affected millions of people throughout the agricultural sector.  In three northeastern provinces of Buriram, Chaiyabhumi and Nakorn Ratchasima alone, at least half a million people have been affected, requiring water rations, reports said.

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Idaho, USA.  The city of Moscow in Idaho has declared a disaster emergency following weeks of torrential rains and extensive flooding, a report said.
  • City officials have warned residents to immediately go to higher ground if rising water threatens their safety.
• Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic States.  NWS has issued Freeze Warnings for Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic States:
  • “After an extended period of record-breaking warmth across the central and eastern United States, high pressure will usher in colder air into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions tonight. Low temperatures are forecast to range from the lower 20s to the lower 30s at several locations. With an early growing season already in progress, any vegetation susceptible to freezing temperatures over an extended period of time may be at risk to severe damage. In addition, pets should be brought indoors during the overnight.”

• Colorado, USA. A fast-moving wildfire in the mountains southwest of Denver has consumed at least 3,000 acres, leaving 1 person dead, destroying dozens of structures and forcing thousands of residents in and around Conifer (Jefferson County) to abandon their homes.
  • “The fire is the largest of about a dozen that burned from the northeast plains to the southern part of the state, and scorched four-and-half square miles in only a few hours,” said a report.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar:  Collapse has already Begun

Extreme Heat Threatens Central Plains, Midwest, Eastern U.S.

Deadly heat here to stay

Triple digit temperatures to scorch many areas from central Texas to the Canadian border

Central plains states to remain under heat alerts as the high pressure system responsible for the extreme heat inches toward the East Coast: NWS

Heat Warnings, Watches and Advisories are in effect for parts of 18 central Plains and Midwest states, including:

• North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

Hazards Assessment Map

NWS has forecast that excessive heat will persist from today through July 29 in all the eastern half of the country except for the Northeast. Click image to enlarge.

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2011

Total of 1,048 records Broken (541), or tied (507) so far. Source: National Climatic Data Center. Click map to enlarge.

US Hazards Map

Maximum Heat Index (ºF) – July 20, 2011 forecast by NWS.

The high pressure ridge will cause high temperatures and high heat indices forecast at higher than 100ºF plus for Mon/Tues, and 105ºF plus for Wed/Thurs/Fri, NWS said.

Prognosis by NWS
A large ridge of high pressure in the upper levels of the Atmosphere remains in place across the central U.S., keeping hot temperatures in place. The hot temperatures combined with high relative humidity will create dangerous heat indices well above 100 degrees over a large portion of the nation. The upper-level ridge will begin to expand eastward this week. By midweek, the hot temperatures will begin to spread into the eastern states,  with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s arriving in the Mid-Atlantic states as soon as Wednesday. High temperatures in excess of 100 degrees will be possible by Thursday across much of the Mid-Atlantic states and parts of the southeast U.S. these triple-digit temperatures are forecast to remain in place across the eastern U.S. through the weekend.

UPDATE @ 13:00UTC

The heat wave that has been affecting much of the central U.S. continues to produce dangerous levels of heat and  humidity from the Dakotas to Texas and eastward into the Ohio Valley. Heat index values as high as 131°F (55ºC) were reported yesterday and excessive heat watches, warnings and heat advisories are in effect today for a large portion of the central U.S., with temperatures in many locations exceeding 90 degrees, but feeling like 100-110 degrees or higher with the high humidity factored in. The large area of high pressure responsible for the excessive heat will expand eastward over the next several days, with high temperatures in the mid to upper-90s reaching the Mid-Atlantic states by tomorrow, and nearing 100 degrees by Thursday across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Southeast. Excessive heat is forecast to grip most of the eastern half of the country — with the exception of the Northeast and southern Florida — through at least the weekend.

Summary of today’s weather for the central United States include:

• Dangerous heat continues in the Plains and gradually builds toward the East Coast
• Severe storms possible from the Ohio Valley into the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic, and the Northern Plains
• A heavy rain threat extends from the Upper Texas Coast to the Central Gulf Coast (Source: NWS)

Related Links

• Killer Heatwave Returns
• Deadly Heat Grips Central United States
• US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil
• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information

Killer Heatwave Returns

Deadly Weather Set to Return This Week

A strong upper level ridge of high pressure shown below (500mb heights) will remain entrenched across central US, strengthening during the early part of the week, and moving into the Ohio Valley later in the week, NWS said

The  system will cause potentially deadly weather with heat and humidity prevailing.

Maximum Heat Index (ºF) – July 20, 2011 forecast by NWS.

Chance of Mean Heat Index > 100ºF. Click images to enlarge.

Chance of Mean Heat Index > 105ºF. Click images to enlarge.

 

• Text of MEAN Heat Index Probability Forecasts for Eastern US
• Text of MEAN Heat Index Probability Forecasts for Western US

Hazard Assessment Map: EXCESSIVE HEAT

Oppressive Heat and Humidity Set to Return

Excessive Heat Warnings, Watches and Advisories Issued for 3 Dozen States

The high pressure ridge will cause high temperatures and high heat indices forecast at higher than 100ºF plus for Mon/Tues, and 105ºF plus for Wed/Thurs/Fri, NWS said.

Selected Weather Stories

Synopsis: After a stretch of warm summer like temperatures, the longest stretch of oppressive heat and humidty of the season is upon us.  Temperatures will continue to climb through the 90s by the end of the weekend with dew points remaining elevated.  By the new work week, temperatures are expected to build towards or even past the 100 degree mark in portions of Missouri and are expected to surpass 100 degrees over much of Kansas.  However, humidity values will be lower.  Unfortunately, heat index readings will climb between 105 and 115 each day through next Friday.  Little in the way of nighttime relief is expected due to light winds and temperatures remaining near 80 degrees.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for much of Kansas and Missouri through 7pm Friday.  This is a dangerous situation!  Please check on relatives, neighbors, and friends who may not have resources to stay cool in these conditions.  Drink plenty of fluids and refrain from long periods of outdoor exposure; heat related illnesses can occur in minutes. (Source: NWS)

Sunny, hot and humid conditions with highs up to 105 through at least mid-week. Elevated humidity levels will help create high heat index values, resulting in an Excessive Heat Warning to be in effect across the region into mid-week. NWS

Related Links

• Deadly Heat Grips Central United States
• US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil
• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information
• Weekend high/low temperature forecasts for central United States