States of Emergency Declared for Alabama, Georgia

State of Emergency proclaimed for Alabama as exceptionally severe weather approaches

Gov Bentley has declared a State of Emergency for all Alabama counties ahead of severe winter weather that is forecast to move through Alabama.

The potential exists for loss of life, injuries and property damage as severe winter weather moves through the state of Alabama bringing ice, snow, sleet, freezing rain as well as subfreezing temperatures beginning February 25, 2015, said the governor in his State of Emergency Proclamation.

The State of Emergency will become effective at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.

Bentley, has also mobilized 250 National Guards to respond to emergencies, and  authorized local authorities to shut schools and offices, if necessary.

On Tuesday, snow and ice forced school closures across the south, bringing the traffic on roads and highways into a standstill, and creating havoc for commuters, with record numbers of crashes reported.

Deal declares state of emergency effective 2 p.m. Wednesday

Georgia Gov. Deal has declared a state of emergency for 50 counties effective 2 p.m. Wednesday (February 25, 2015).

“With forecasts showing we could see accumulation by 4 p.m., I want to make sure we get as many commuters home before then as possible,” Deal said. “While current models show that temperatures will remain above freezing, we don’t want to run the risk of having normal rush hour traffic volume if there’s snow or ice on the highways.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for metro Atlanta and north Georgia, with potential for up to 4 inches of snowfall in the Atlanta area, effective 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Winter Storm Warnings

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for parts of at least 20 states in the South, southeast, Midwest, central and NE US, as of posting.

Record Low Temp Set in N. Virginia

Meantime, at Dulles International Airport, N. Virginia, a new low temperature of -20ºC (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded,  shattering the previous record of -10ºC (14 degrees F)  set in 1967, said NWS.

Lowest Minimum Temp (Daily Records)

Between 1 and 24 February, at least 1,883 new record low temperatures have been set across the United States, said National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).

First Paralyzing Winter Storm Arrives

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
PARALYZING WINTER STORM
SCENARIOS  887, 785, 666, 560, [500,] 444, 187, 177, 157, 111, 078, 063, 027, 023, 02
.

Arctic blast continues across much of the US: NWS

First major winter storm of the 2014/15 hitting the Rockies

A January-like weather pattern is forecast to continue across most of the US, with
another arctic surface high moving south from Canada, said NWS forecasters, reinforcing the freezing air mass already in place . . . “unseasonably cold temperatures will fall even further this weekend, and the cold temperatures will persist for most of the central and eastern U.S.”

The first significant winter storm for the central Rockies and intermountain West is underway and bringing heavy snow to the higher elevations and a wintry mix to the valley locations. Parts of Oregon and Idaho have already seen significant snow and ice accumulations from this event, and winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect from Oregon to the Colorado Rockies. [NWS]

The cold weather is forecast to affect the Deep South, with sub-freezing overnight lows from eastern Texas to the southeast coast, said the forecasters.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 7 pm EST Friday, November 14, 2014

High Temperature for Friday, November 14, 2014

• 29°C (84 degrees F) at Pembroke Pines, FL

Low Temperature for Friday, November 14, 2014

• -31°C (-24 degrees F) at Jordan, MT
• -31°C (-24 degrees F) at 12 miles north of Hingham, MT

Related Links

40 Degrees Below Average

Images of the Day:

Temps as much as 40 degrees below average from the Rockies to the Plains

Unseasonably cold temperatures brought by a polar vortex [arctic airmass] will continue to surge southward through the central U.S. Temperatures are forecast to drop by ass much as 40 degrees below climate average for areas east of the Rockies into the Great Plains: NWS/NOAA

Great Falls, Montana – Great Falls International Airport (KGTF)

Temperature: -20°C [-4°F]
Humidity: 86%
Wind Speed: SW 7 MPH
Barometer: 1044.0 mb [30.53 in]
Dewpoint: -22°C [-7°F]
Wind Chill: -18°F (-28°C)
Tuesday Night Forecast Low: -26°C [-15 °F]

• Wind chill values:  as low as -35°C [-31 °F]

Last Update by NWS on 11 Nov 7:53 am MST

 Related Links

• Polar Vortex to Scythe through the U.S.  November 10, 2014

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June 27th Lava Flow Ignites First Home in Pahoa, Hawaii

Active lava has moved to within about 20 meters (22 yards) of the transfer station fence and also continued to expand through private property across the street from the station. At 11:55 AM, HST, an unoccupied home on that lot was set on fire by advancing lava. Source: HVO

Helicopter view looking west across the lower part of the June 27th lava flow. Smoke plumes show areas of active lava breakouts. The transfer station is in the middle of the image (white roofed structures). At upper left, smoke rises from the margin of a new, northeastward directed finger of lava. Source: HVO

 Related Links

• Kilauea Lava Flow Could Affect Thousands on Hawaiʻi Island  September 5, 2014
• Lava Flow from Kilauea Advancing AGAIN on Big Island Communities October 7, 2014
• Kīlauea Lava Flow Consuming Everything Along Its Paths October 27, 2014
• Lava Flow Nearing Residences in Pāhoa, Hawaii October 28, 2014
• Lava Enters Two Residences in Pāhoa October 29, 2014
• Federal Disaster Declared due to Hawaii Eruption, Lava Flow November 4, 2014
• ‘Misunderestimated’ November 9, 2014

Polar Vortex to Scythe through the U.S.

The Big Freeze could affect up to 220 million people across 44 states in the U.S.

Wind chill values of up to -35°F forecast this week

US Temperatures are forecast to plunge by as much as 30 degrees below average over parts of the Northern Plains.

The coldest weather of the season is expected to arrive in the next couple of days for the northern Rockies and northern Plains as a cold airmass moves out of Canada. Significant snowfall is likely for parts of the northern Rockies, northern Plains and Great Lakes region as the cold front moves southward. Winter Storm Watches, Warnings and Advisories are in place highlighting the associated risks.

A winter storm will bring heavy snow and gusty winds to portions of Northland today and tonight. The bulk of the snow, and best chance for totals in excess of 8 inches, will be along and south of a line from generally Duluth, MN to Brainerd, MN and across all of northern Wisconsin.

Additional snow will persist across the snow-belt region of northern Wisconsin through at least Wednesday, due to the cool north winds over Lake Superior. [NWS]

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD
Issued 7 am EST Monday, November 10, 2014 (Last Update on 10 Nov 5:53 am MST)

Low Temperature for Monday, November 10, 2014
1ºF at Great Falls, MT

Humidity: 91%
Wind Speed: SW 6 MPH
Barometer: 30.09 in (1027.0 mb)
Dewpoint: -1°F (-18°C)
Visibility: 9.00 mi
Wind Chill: -11°F (-24°C)

High Temperature for Sunday, November 9, 2014
91ºF  at Yuma, AZ
91ºF  at Elsinore, CA

Arctic Blast from the Past

Typical polar vortex configuration in November 14-16, 2013. NOAA

Wavy polar vortex configuration on January 5, 2014. NOAA

Dangerous wind chills are expected beginning late Monday night through at least Wednesday! Wind chill values are expected to drop to -10°F to -20°F in many areas, and prolonged exposure to these conditions could lead to frostbite or hypothermia. The coldest wind chill values are expected Tuesday night through Wednesday morning and valleys near the Continental Divide could see wind chill values locally up to -35°F. 

Areas along the snowbelt region of northern Wisconsin can expect snowfall totals on the 20 inches or more by Thursday.  [NWS]

Freezing Temperatures Impact U.S. Deep South to Mid-Atlantic

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DEEP FREEZE
.

Temperatures fall as much as 20 degrees below normal over Northern Plains

A powerful cold front has brought freezing temperatures to the central and eastern U.S. —NWS

Freezing temperatures will dive into the Deep South and to the Mid-Atlantic through Wednesday morning. This will be damaging to sensitive vegetation. Numerous Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings are in effect. —NOAA

US Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap). UPDATE 

Related Links

• Another Round of Extra Terrestrial Weather Hits U.S. April 15, 2014

Another Round of Extra Terrestrial Weather Hits U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
.

Severe thunderstorms forecast for parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia

Unseasonably cold across the central and eastern U.S. prompt Freeze Warning across parts of at least 22 states.

Other warnings associated with the “ET” front include Winter Storm Warning, Storm Warning, Flood Warning, Gale Warning, Hard Freeze Warning and Freeze Warning.

Widespread showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast from the Deep South to the Northeast U.S. on Tuesday as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico continues to advance northward into the region ahead of a strong cold front. —NOAA

US Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap). UPDATE Here…

 Related Links

• How Homo Ignarus Killed Spring March 21, 2013

Alaska Declares State Disaster for Interior

Four Storm Systems Devastated Western and Interior Alaska

Governor Sean Parnell has declared a state disaster for Interior Alaska. The governor amended his disaster declaration for the western Alaska villages to include the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to a press release posted on the state website.

“I commend residents for taking care of their neighbors and helping those who were hardest hit by the storm,” he said.

The same storm systems that devastated western Alaska villages went on to cause widespread damage in Interior Alaska. All told, the four storms that moved through the region blew down trees, cutting power to as many as 16,000 residents at the height of the storm.

“All of our state assets have been standing by to assist the borough, and we have maintained communication through the state emergency operations center during the event,” Governor Parnell continued. “The purpose of this disaster declaration is to ensure the borough has access to recovery grants in order to speed up the process.”

Golden Valley Electric Association has coordinated with all available linemen from across the state to repair downed power lines as quickly as possible. Crews have been working around the clock since the storm subsided this weekend.

Parnell made the announcement after meeting with residents in the Northwest Arctic Borough, Bering Straits Regional Education Attendance Area, and Lower Yukon, as well as the mayors  of FNSB, North Pole and Fairbanks.

Four major storm systems battered the state earlier this month with powerful winds, strong seas and freezing rain and snow, said a report.

The governor’s office says that the declaration opens access to state disaster relief funds to repair infrastructure and some homes.

Related Links

• Major Storms Threaten Alaska  November 13, 2013
• Southern U.S. Freezes Over! November 12, 2013

Major Storms Threaten Alaska

Another Series of Major Storms to Impact Alaska Through the Week: NWS

“Another series of major winter storms will be impacting the State of Alaska through the week bringing high storm surge to already affected areas along the west coast of the State, freezing rain accumulation up to 3/4 inch for the western Interior of Alaska, and snowfall of up to a foot for much of the Alaska Interior,” NWS forecasters reported.

Extreme Weather Warnings currently in effect for Alaska include

• Winter Storm Warning
• Storm Warning
• Gale Warning
• Heavy Freeze Spray Warning

Related Links

• Southern U.S. Freezes Over! November 12, 2013

Japan Disaster PM Declares Izu Oshima Island “Severe Disaster Area”

Once again Japanese authorities stand accused of “criminal negligence” for failing to save lives

Japan’s disaster Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited typhoon-hit volcanic island of Izu Oshima on Sunday and declared the devastation caused by the Typhoon WIPHA as a “disaster of extreme severity.”

Just about everyone and their uncle knew typhoon WIPHA was a very intense storm capable of causing major damage, possibly multiple deaths.

Even Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had earlier warned about the severity of the typhoon, which failed to make a direct hit, describing it as a “once a decade” type of storm.

The storm triggered deadly mudslides on the island destroying homes and burying residents alive on October 16. At least 32 people were killed and about a dozen were missing, presumed dead.

Once again the authorities in Japan have been accused of “criminal negligence” for failing to issue adequate warnings and evacuation alerts as the deadly storm approached, which would have saved dozens of lives.

Related Links

• 70,000 People Told to Evacuate as FRANCISCO Pounds Japan October 25, 2013
• Typhoon WIPHA Dumps 800mm of Rain Over Tokyo October 16, 2013
• Typhoon WIPHA Targets Tokyo October 15, 2013
• Typhoon NARI Chased by TS WIPHA October 12, 2013
• Vietnam Evacuates 250,000 ahead of NARI October 14, 2013