Rising Temperatures, Red Flag Warnings and Erupting Volcanoes

Max Temp Forecast for Contiguous US – Sunday May 19, 2013

During the first 17 days of May some 21 maximum temperature records were broken and 8 others tied, according to National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).

US Weather Forecast: Significant Severe Weather Forecast in the Plains Saturday through Monday

The Storm Prediction Center is predicting a moderate risk of severe weather from western Oklahoma to southwest Nebraska today. Damaging winds, very large hail and significant tornadoes are all possible. Significant severe weather is also possible Sunday and Monday in the Plains. —NWS

Meantime, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect in parts of Alaska.

Red Flag Warning in 5 States

Red Flag Warnings are in effect in parts of five states—New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas—due to strong winds and critically low humidities, NWS reported.

Pavlof and Cleveland Volcanoes Continue Erupting

Pavlof Volcano – Friday, May 17, 2013 3:05 PM AKDT (Friday, May 17, 2013 23:05 UTC)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Continuous steam, ash, and gas clouds to as high as 20,000 ft. above sea level, carried downwind to the northeast, east, and southeast as much as 100 km…  Seismicity remains elevated with near continuous tremors recorded… “A light ashfall was reported the evening of May 14 in a mining camp 80 km northeast of the volcano,” AVO reported.

“Although the activity to date has been characterized by relatively low-energy lava fountaining and gas emission, more energetic explosions could occur without warning at any time that could place ash clouds above 20,000 ft.”

Cleveland Volcano – Friday, May 17, 2013 3:05 PM AKDT (Friday, May 17, 2013 23:05 UTC)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Cleveland Volcano’s continued activity over the past week is marked by energetic steam plumes and high surface temperatures, AVO reported. “Re-analysis of earlier images revealed that a small lava flow had breached the southeast rim of the summit crater and extended up to about 1.5 km down the flank.”

-O0O-

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

South China Flooding and Landslides, Leave 70 People Dead or Missing, Affect Millions

Severe flooding triggered by extreme rain events in southern China has left at least 55 people dead and 14 others missing.

• Up to 400mm of rain since Tuesday has triggered widespread flooding affecting millions of people in 10 provinces across southern China.

• Flooding has destroyed thousands of homes and tens of thousands of hectares of crops.

[China has 34 administrative divisions including 23 provinces, 4 municipalities, 5 autonomous regions, and 2 special administrative regions.]

-O0O-

DISASTER CALENDAR – May 18, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,029 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,029 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

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

Wildfire Threatens 4,000 Houses on SoCal Coast

Springs Fire consumes about 20,000 acres, dozens of buildings in Ventura County

More than 1,000 fire crews are tackling the massive blaze in Ventura County, which threatens about 4,000 houses, hundreds of businesses and Point Mugu U.S. Naval Air Station, as authorities issue new evacuation orders for thousands of residents.

• Officials said flames have crept within 100 feet of homes in Hidden Valley as the fire veered dangerously close to luxury homes and ranches in the area.
• Residents were ordered to evacuate about  1250 houses in Hidden Valley and adjacent canyon roads, southeast of Camarillo, including parts of Newbury Park, Sycamore Canyon, Deer Canyon, Brome Ranch, La Jolla Canyon, Yerba Buena and several other communities, Ventura County fire officials said.
• Fire officials have warned the locals to avoid inhaling the smoke,  especially because it contains dangerous chemical fumes released into the air after highly toxic pesticides caught fire at an agricultural storage facility in Laguna Farms.
• A sudden and ferocious start to a California fire season has seen dozens of blazes igniting in California.
• Red Flag Warning were in effect for two large regions in Northern and Southern California, as of posting.
• Humidity remained in single digits for the Red Flag Warning areas.
• Fire officials have compared the moisture levels in the hillsides vegetation to the norm for the month of August.
• The temperature in Camarillo (Ventura County) reached a record high of 96ºF (36ºC) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service reported.
• California State Uni at Channel Islands campus, including student dorm, remained closed for a second day on Friday.

US Weather Hazards Map – May 4, 2013. Source: NWS

Related Links

• Thousands Flee California Wildfires  May 3, 2013
• Drought Disaster Spreads to Counties in 5 States May 2, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

California: Powerful new storm sails ashore

A powerful new storm sailed ashore causing more flooding and mudslides

• Four major storms coming from the northern Pacific have struck California, with the 5th expected to hit the region on Thursday.
• Up to a total of 50cm (20 inches) of rain in the worst affected areas
• Snow
• 6.5 m (20-foot) surf
• 100 km/h (60 mph) winds in the coastal areas
• Tornadoes
  

SECC Near Realtime Composite. Click Image to enlarge. (24-Hr FE ED). Click HERE to Animate Image

The Wednesday storm was expected to dump up to 2 inches (5cm) of rain in the L.A. basin and valley areas and at least 4 inches in foothill and mountain areas, and causing yet more devastating land slides, the National Weather Service said.

Officials are particularly concerned about large areas of hillside in southern California consumed by wildfires in 2009, which could cause massive mudslides as there’s no longer any  foliage to prevent the earth from sliding downhill.

Meanwhile, a snow storm forced the California Highway Patrol to close Interstate 5 at the Grapevine, although the Cajon Pass remained open, a report said.

The Los Angeles Police Department has issued more evacuation orders in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, fearing more mudslides in the area.

US Weather Map – Click Image to Enlarge

Goes West AVNColor Enhancement Sat Image. Click image to enlarge.

Up to 1,000 homes in the Los Angeles area have already been evacuated in anticipation of mudslides.

“We’re about as ready for the rains that will be coming as we can be,” said LA Mayor Villaraigosa. “If you don’t have to be on the road, why don’t you stay home?”

“We’re asking you to please cooperate,” Mayor Villaraigosa added. “There’s too many people not heeding advice.”

In La Canada Flintridge, a northern suburb of Los Angeles near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, the residents were told to do exactly the opposite. Residents  along canyon roads were ordered to evacuate, and stay away for  four days.

“I cannot stress enough that this is not the time to stay,” said Mayor Laura Olhasso. “So if you’ve been asked to leave and you have left, please don’t be fatigued. Please leave again.”

“South of Los Angeles, near Long Beach and Huntington Beach, at least four funnel clouds were reported Tuesday — rare in California, and especially so in winter. Gary Sewall was in Huntington Harbour when he said he saw a catamaran lifted 50 feet in the air. ” ABC News said.

“I saw what looked like a water spout that was circling around,” he said, “and then we saw the boat out across the channel go up in the air and come crashing down.”

Heavy rain, flooding and mudslides have closed roads, inundated homes and cars causing damage. Powerful winds with gusts 130 km/h  gusts have damaged power lines leaving  more than 750,000 customers without power at times.  Up to four tornadoes have touched down in Southern California, this week!

• 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

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

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

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

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.

For hazard warning codes see: NOAA/NWS  US Weather Hazard Map

NOAA GOES 11 – Near Real Time Full Disk. Click image to enlarge.

Related Links:

• Weather
• Satellite Imagery
• Transitory Impact of AO is the ‘Good News’
• United Kingdom of Ice

• El Niño
• 2010 Disasters
• Pacific storm moves across the Northwest
• State of Emergency in Oklahoma, S. Dakota, Texas
• Winter Officially Starts Today!