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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.
TS KAREN Heading North, Record Snow in West, Tornadoes Hit Nebraska and Iowa
Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Severe Weather Statements, Civil Emergency Messages, Blizzard Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Tropical Storm Warnings, Flood Warnings, Gale Warnings, Hard Freeze Warnings, Freeze Warnings, Red Flag Warnings, as well as dozens of Watches and Advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), as extreme weather events pound large portions of the U.S.
Record-setting Snow Storm
A record-setting snowstorm is buffeting large section of Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota. Up to two feet of snow is covering parts of Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa and Oklahoma, affecting millions of people
Tropical Storm KAREN
Meantime, up to five inches of rain and destructive winds are forecast to hit the Gulf’s northern coastline as TS KAREN continues to grow larger.
Mandatory evacuations are under way in Plaquemines parish , Louisiana, due to the threat of storm surge as TS KAREN closes in.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map – October 5, 2013
U.S. Tornado Reports
At least 2 dozen injuries reported in Wayne County, Nebraska as a result of tornadoes in the past 24 hours.
At least 17 tornadoes reported in Nebraska and Iowa over the past 24 hours: Storm Prediction Center
Santa Ana Wind Continues
Santa Ana Winds with gusts of up to 66MPH combined with very low humidity are creating ideal conditions in California.
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
States of Emergency declared for Cuyler and Deruyte, NY
Widespread flooding prompted the Town Supervisors in Cuyler and Deruyte to issue states of emergency late Monday, said a report.
Flooding also forced the authorities to evacuate many homes, turn off power and gas and provide shelters for the evacuees, the report said.
Meanwhile, NWS has issued multiple Flood Warnings, Flash Flood Warnings, Flood Watches and Flood Advisories for much of the eastern U.S.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map – July 2, 2013. Source: NWS.
-oOo-
State of Emergency Declared for the City of Ashtabula, Ohio
Extreme Rain Events on Thursday and Friday triggered widespread flooding in Ashtabula, inundating properties, washing out streets, and prompting City Council to declare a state of emergency, said a report.
The worst-hit area is the Ashtabula harbor, which reportedly took the brunt of the storm.
-oOo-
States of Emergency Declared for Two Minnesota Counties
Fillmore and Houston Counties in Minnesota have declared states of emergency due to the loses and damage caused extreme rain events and flooding.
“In some areas water levels are rising more than 8 feet,” said a report. “Both Houston and Fillmore counties took the brunt of the storm.”
-oOo-
Air crash kills 19 people in Russia’s Sakha Republic
A Russian transport helicopter crashed into a hilltop in Siberia killing at least 19 people, including children, said the Russian authorities.
The Polar Airlines Mi-8 helicopter crashed in a remote, mountainous terrain, about 40 miles from Deputatsky in the Sakha Republic.
The crash has been blamed on bad weather. “The main theory at this time is difficult weather conditions,” the Interfax news agency quoted the regional police as saying.
There were three crews and 25 passengers, including 11 children, on board the helicopter.
-oOo-
M6.1 Quake Strikes Near Bireun, Indonesia
A shallow quake measuring 6.1Mw struck 55km (34mi) S of Bireun in the Aceh Province of Indonesia [4.698°N 96.687°E] killing at least 1 person, leaving two people missing and more than a hundred others injured.
The quake has damaged or destroyed dozens of homes near the epicenter.
West Fork Fire Complex not likely to be contained anytime soon
The entire tourist town of South Fork has been evacuated, as a massive complex of three wildfires threatens to torch the southwestern Colorado resort.
The fire exploded to more than doubled the size over the weekend, consuming an estimated 77,000 acres (120 sq miles) by Sunday night, authorities said.
Multiple evacuations and pre-evacuations are in effect for the fire area and vicinity, including 400 permanent residents in South Fork and an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 tourists.
The massive fire has forced the authorities to close multiple roads and trails. The primary closures are Highway 160 from the chain-up area to South Fork, and Highway 149 between South Fork and Creede from mile post 1 through milepost 22, Inciweb said.
The West Fork Complex consists of three wildfires, West Fork, Windy Pass, and Papoose, that are burning on the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests in southwest Colorado. The fires were combined into a complex on Sunday, June 16.
Fire Summary
Incident Type: Wildfire Cause: Lightning
Complex Size: 76,262 acres [>77,000 acres as of posting.]
Percent Contained: 0%
Date of Origin: Wednesday June 05th, 2013 approx. 12:30 PM
Location 14.5 mi NE of Pagosa Springs
Growth Potential: High
Terrain Difficulty: Extreme [the fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain with large amounts of beetle-killed spruce]
Wind Conditions: 15-25mph; G55 mph SW
Temperature: 75 degrees
Humidity: 11%
Total Personnel: 895 – More arriving
The Fires
Windy Pass Fire: ~1,000 acres
Papoose Fire : ~21,000 acres
West Fork Fire: ~54,000 acres
A Map of West Fork Fire Complex Consisting of Windy Pass, Papoose and West Fork Fires
Other Info
Fuels Involved: Timber with heavy dead standing bug kill
Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior observed at the time of submission of this report due to wind and slope aligned crown fire and long range spotting up to 3/4 mile in stands of dead timber. The same is expected in tomorrow’s behavior. Red Flag Warning in effect.
Significant Events
Very active fire behavior. Values at risk are being assessed, evacuations and closures are being evaluated. The long range spotting from yesterday’s plume dominated fire behavior resulted in significant growth north and east of the fire.
The evacuation of South Fork could last up to seven days, said the Incident Commande.
This is the sixth consecutive day that the complex has remained under a Red Flag Warning.
Colorado Wildfires
At least a dozen significant wildfires are currently active in Colorado. The fires have consumed an estimated 200 square miles.
US Weather Hazards Map for June 24, 2013 Showing Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Western United States.Source: NWS
West Fork Complex Fire threatens Colorado town
West Fork Complex wildfire update
Black Forest Fire – Update
Black Forest Fire in the El Paso County: The fire near Colorado Springs burned 14,280 acres, destroying at least 511 homes and damaging 28 others. The fire started on June 11 and was declared 100 percent contained on June 20.
National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States) – NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 8 am EDT Monday, June 24, 2013
High Temperature for Sunday, June 23, 2013: 110 degrees (43.3ºC) at Death Valley, CA
Low Temperature for Monday, June 24, 2013: 32 degrees (0ºC) at Lake Yellowstone, WY 32 degrees at West Yellowstone, MT
Ukraine Capital Kiev declares a state of emergency amid mega snowstorm
The snow forced the closure of International Boryspil Airport, and trapped thousands of vehicles in northern and northeastern Ukraine.
Many stores and businesses in Kiev and other major cities in northern Ukraine also remained closed due to the snow.
Other Global Disasters, Significant Events
USA: Winter Weather, Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall
“A storm system will bring heavy snow to portions of the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys as well as the central Appalachians on Sunday. A swath of 6 to 10 inches is forecast from central Missouri to west central Ohio. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall will continue to be a threat across the southeast United States.” NWS/NOAA reported.
Map of weather hazards for March 24, 2013 @ 14:00 UTC. Source:NWS.
Severe weather with large hail and damaging winds was reported in the Gulf Coast region from Florida to eastern Texas.
Baseball-sized hail west of Lawtey, near state road 225, Bradford County, Florida reported to SPC.
SPC Filtered Storm reports for 23/3/2013.Baseball-sized hail west of Lawtey, near state road 225, Bradford County, Florida reported to SPC.
Florida
Columbia County, Fla., has declared a state of emergency after damage caused by flooding and high winds, reports said.
Severe flooding reported in Lake City after it received two inches of rain in 30 minutes, said NWS.
Thousands of flights cancelled as deadly snowstorm pummels US Midwest
The storm is moving east over the Ohio Valley and is forecast to affect the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic region before hitting Washington, D.C., said NWS.
The deadly, late winter storm began in Montana dumping heavy snow on the Midwestern U.S., causing hundreds of accidents on the highways, and moving east.
At least six people were killed in weather-related accidents, as of posting.
Winter storm warnings were in effect in large portions of the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday.
“The storm system impacting the Midwest will shift into the northeast U.S. on Wednesday, bringing a plethora of weather hazards. Heavy snow, especially in the central Appalachians and northern Mid-Atlantic, strong winds, coastal flooding and rough seas are a few of the weather hazards which may lead to dangerous travel conditions, localized power outages and property damage.” NWS said.
A ferocious winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow to parts of the Upper Midwest into the Ohio Valley starting Monday into Tuesday, NWS said. “As much as 4-8 inches of snow is possible. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms will develop from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast.”
Snow could blanket parts of Ohio Valley.
Heavy rain possible for parts of northern California (Source: NWS).
Weather Hazards forecast for Friday across the U.S.
‘Snow, heavy at times, will impact the Upper Great Lakes, Washington and Oregon Cascades, and northern Rockies on Friday. Meanwhile, significant ice accumulations are possible for the central Appalachians. Further south, severe thunderstorms may develop along the central Gulf Coast, with heavy rainfall capable of river and/or flash flooding from southern Mississippi to the eastern Carolinas.’ NOAA forecasters reported.
The storm brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the U.S. Midwest on Thursday, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations.
The system is forecast to hit the East Coast, dumping heavy snow on parts of New England for a third consecutive weekend.
Earlier, NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Kansas, nearly all of Missouri, as well as most of Nebraska and Iowa. Advisories were also issued for parts of South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, northern Texas and Arkansas.
Kansas Governor has already signed an emergency declaration for all 105 Kansans counties yesterday, shutting down all state offices in the Executive Branch.
A state of emergency has been declared in Missouri in response to the severe winter storm.
“A severe winter storm continues to bear down on communities across the state,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Missouri stands ready to help communities in need and to deploy the resources to keep folks safe. I urge all Missourians to keep a close eye on the weather and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Tornadoes Strike MS and LA
SPC received 18 storm reports including 3 tornadoes in Mississippi and Louisiana on Thursday.
Moderate to heavy damage reported in counties Jefferson Davis (MS), as well as Concordia and Vernon (LA).
SPC filtered storm reports- 21 Feb 2013.
US Drought Monitor
As of February 19, 2013 more than two-thirds of Continental U.S. was experiencing drought or was abnormally dry. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported. The report was prepared before the current winter storm, which may have alleviated the drought conditions in parts of the High Plains.
US Drought Map for February 19, 2013, Released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on February 21, 2013. The map was prepared before the current winter storm.
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February 22, 2013 – DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,114 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,114 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Kansas Governor signed an emergency declaration for all 105 Kansans counties, shutting down all state offices in the Executive Branch amid “massive snowfall” forecast.
“Every indication is that our state is going to receive a tremendous amount of snow in the next 24 hours. I want to urge Kansans to heed the winter weather warnings and avoid traveling tomorrow,” Gov. Brownback said in a statement.
Nebraska
The mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital city, has declared a snow emergency ahead of a powerful winter storm which is expected to hit the southwest and south-central parts of the state.
The city of Grand Island has also declared a snow emergency beginning on Wednesday into Friday, in anticipation of large snowfall.
Heavy snowstorm forecast prompts the city of Omaha to declare a state of emergency.
The City of Kearney has declared a snow emergency.
A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for the Omaha metro area, NWS reported.
Iowa
The city of Council Bluffs has declared a snow emergency.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 14 counties in Missouri as primary and contiguous disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Texas
USDA has designated 8 counties in Texas as drought disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The designation includes both primary and contiguous areas.
Michigan
Detroit’s long-term liabilities exceed $14 billion. A second state-appointed review team has declared a financial emergency in Detroit with no plan in place to resolved it.
Michigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon has alerted the public that the city is in a financial quagmire and “that there is no plan in place to correct…”
The declaration was sent to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who in turn declared a “financial emergency” for the city, according to MSNBC
“As of June 30, 2012, the City’s long-term liabilities, including accrued pension liabilities and other post-employment benefits, exceeded $14 billion,” said a report.
The city’s budget deficit climbed to $327million in June last year.
Extreme Weather Events Cause Agricultural Disasters in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin
Damage and losses caused by the combined effects of blizzards, excessive snow, excessive heat, excessive rain, high winds, hail, freeze, frost, tornadoes, flooding and lightening that occurred between January 1 and May 11, 2012 prompted USDA to declare disaster in 94 counties across 4 states.
List of the 72 Michigancounties declared Primary Disaster Areas
List of 10 Michigancounties declared Contiguous Disaster Areas
The following 12 counties in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin have also been designated as disaster areas because they are contiguous.
Indiana: Elkhart, Lagrange, La Porte, St. Joseph and Steuben counties.
Ohio: Fulton, Lucas and Williams counties.
Wisconsin: Florence, Forest, Marinette and Vilas counties.
March Heat, April Freezes
According to a report by the Central Region Climate Response Team, March Heat, April Freezes, March 2012 “was the warmest March on record for 25 states east of the Rockies, and for 15 other states this March ranked among the ten warmest.”
“During the middle of March maximum temperatures were averaging 40 degrees F above normal. Maximum temperatures regularly reached the low and mid 80s
well north into Wisconsin. Many locations broke daily records by more than 20 degrees F.”
However, April 2012 experienced “at least three significant cold air masses” that crept into the Midwest and caused freezing temperatures.
Iowa. The freeze caused a 50% destruction of the grape crop, about 90% damage to the apple and fruit tree blossoms and caused significant damage to corn and other crops.
Illinois. The 2012 apple crop in parts of the state was a total loss due to freeze on April 11.
“Sweet corn grower in Vermilion County planted sweet corn on March 19. Plants were up a couple of leaves when back‐to‐back freezes hit (26F and 27F), reducing stand by 5,000 plants per acre.
“Sleepy Creek Vineyard in Vermilion County reported earliest budding grapevines had 100 percent damage, and others had 80 percent damage.”
Michigan. “Thousands of acres of this year’s grape crop have been lost across southwest lower Michigan.
“A surveyor for National Grape Cooperative, better known as Welch’s Foods, said he went through hundreds of acres before even finding a live bud. John Jasper estimates more than 10,000 acres were destroyed April 12, mostly in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.
“Many apple, peach, cherry and blueberry orchards have also had substantial losses across northern Indiana and southern Lower Michigan.”
Wisconsin. “Cherry growers in Door County, WI, anticipate losses of 70% …”
Kentucky. Frost damaged apples, peaches, pears, plums, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes to varying degrees across the state.
“Wheat harvest began two weeks early in Kentucky due to warm weather, but warm temperatures, and then a brief cold snap, have wreaked havoc on the crop’s yield, which some farmers say has been cut nearly in half. Some farmers are getting 12 bu/acre, compared to a normal of 80 bu/acre,” said the report (PDF file).
April 2012: 394.01 ppm (1-year increase: 2.18 ppm)
April 2011: 391.83 ppm
New Zealand Earthquake
A Richter magnitude 7.0 quake struck the Cook Strait, west coast of North Island, NZ, about 100km SSW of New Plymouth and 170 km north-west of Wellington (40.00°S, 173.75°E), at a depth of about 230km on Tuesday, July 3 2012 at 10:36UTC.
NO tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
NO report of casualties, as of posting.
The quake shook Wellington and was felt as far away as the Bay of Plenty and Christchurch, reports said.
U.S. Heat Wave
US Weather Hazards Map, July 3, 2012.“The heat wave continues for a large portion of the central and eastern U.S., with high temperatures this afternoon forecast to be 10-15 degrees above normal. Combined with high levels of humidity, this will create dangerous heat index values as high as 100-110 degrees for locations such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis,” said NWS.
The core of the record heat in the central United States is forecast to move gradually to the east this week, however heat alerts and heat indices to 105 degrees will continue. “Much of the eastern half of the country will continue to bake under clear skies, high temperatures and a lack of significant rain,” said NOAA forecasters.
Continued relentless heat through most of the week from the Plains to the Atlantic Coast will dominate the weather events.
Current Warnings Prompted by Unrelenting Heat
Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories issued in parts of 26 states from Wyoming to North Carolina.
Heat Advisories
Heat Advisories are in effect until this evening for parts of the Northern Plains, Ohio Valley and the Southeast:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
Record Daily High Temperatures Nationwide – June 2012
All Time Record High Temperatures Nationwide – June 2012
Mid-Atlantic Derecho
Death toll has climbed to 22 after the weekend derecho that ravaged the Mid-Atlantic region, with at least 2 million utility customers, or an estimated 7 million people, experiencing power outages amid the continued heat.
Drought Emergency
Nebraska. Gov. Heineman has declared a state emergency due to the drought conditions throughout the state of Nebraska.
“This declaration is important for continued efforts of state officials to ensure the safety of Nebraskans,” Heineman said. “This action is necessary as dry conditions are presenting an imminent threat to the ability of local governments to respond to drought conditions. Additionally, actions such as haying along the roadsides in Nebraska help with drought conditions.”
Nebraska has broken or tied scores of record high temperatures in recent days.
Extreme temperatures will continue over central and western Nebraska through at least Friday due to high pressure lingering over the Central Plains, NWS reported.
“As excessive heat and dry conditions continue, fire danger is high again today. In addition, isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening in north central Nebraska and in the Panhandle. The very dry conditions will continue to make the use of fireworks and even power equipment hazardous.”
Map of U.S. Precipitation (7-day total)
Map of U.S. Precipitation as Percent of Normal (7-day total)
More than 40,000 Coloradans flee their homes as firestorms rage across the state
Firestorms ravaging Colorado, as temperatures rise 20+ degrees above average in central U.S. and the Rockies
“This is a fire of epic proportions,” said Colorado Springs Fire Chief, Rich Brown.
“This is the worst fire season in the history of Colorado… it looks surreal,” said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.
“We are in a very critical situation now. Unfortunately we do have structures and homes that are burning in the northwest corner of Colorado Springs. We have mandatory evacuation over a considerable area,” fire information officer Rob Deyerberg told Reuters.
Some 3 dozen active wildfires are currently burning hundreds of thousands of acres in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, South Dakota and California.
The fast-moving Waldo Canyon Fire in Pike National Forest, El Paso County, which ignited on June 23, has grown to more than 6,500 acres, destroying numerous homes and forcing at least 32,000 people from their homes.
High Park Fire west of Fort Collins – the second-largest and the most destructive blaze ever recorded in the state has destroyed at least 257 homes; burned 87,250acres; up to 5,000 people remain evacuated; 55 percent contained.
Little Sand Fire near Pagosa Springs, Weber Fire in Montezuma County, State Line Fire southeast of Durango, Treasure Fire near Leadville, Trout Creek Fire near Rainbow Falls in Douglas County, Woodland Heights Fire near Estes Park southwest of the High Park Fire, and Elbert Fire have so far consumed about 40,000 acres.
US Weather Hazards Map, June 27, 2012
Red Flag Warnings are currently in effect for 13 states:
Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana.
Heat Advisories are in effect this afternoon to late evening in eight central states:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana
Critical Fire Weather areas exist in parts of Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma, Storm Prediction Center reported.
Flood Warning and Flash Flood Emergencycontinue in Florida. Major flooding is expected in Clay county through Thursday PM, and flash flood emergency in Duval county and NE Clay.
Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for much of Kansas.
For other current hazards and warnings Click Here.
Utah Wildfires
The Wood Hollow Fire, a blaze about 1 mile south of Fountain Green in Utah State Division of Forestry Fire & State Lands has exploded to about 40,000 acres, claiming at least one life and destroying numerous structures and scores of farm animals, mostly sheep.
Evacuations:
The entire town of Fairview (pop: 1,200) has been evacuated.
Up to 2,000 others have been evacuated from surrounding communities.
Indian Ridge, Elk Ridge, Big Hollow, and Oaker Hills communities are under mandatory evacuation.
Closures: Highway 89 closure is in effect for a second time.
Weather: “The big worry now is the weather. Everything that can be done is being done,” Gov Herbert said in a televised conference.
Wisconsin State of Emergency
Wisconsin Governor has declared a state of emergency for three northwestern counties of Douglas, Ashland and Bayfield counties devastated by flooding that damaged at least 500 homes and businesses.
Agricultural Disasters
Pennsylvania and New York. USDA has designates 21 counties in Pennsylvania and 2 counties in New York as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by freezing temperatures from March 1 – May 13, 2012.
List of Pennsylvania disaster areas: (PDA)Clarion, Forest, Schuylkill, Venango and Warren Counties. (CDA) Armstrong, Berks, Butler, Carbon, Columbia, Crawford, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Jefferson, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, McKean, Mercer and Northumberland counties.
List of New York disaster areas: Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties.
Wyoming. USDA has designated 4 counties in Wyoming—Hot Springs, Fremont, Park, and Washakie—as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought that began March 1, 2012, and continues.
Record Power Consumption
Texans set two new records for hourly power demand as their large cities baked under triple-digit heat, with record temperatures set in Houston and San Antonio. Power demand reached 66,583 megawatts (MW) on Monday in the 60-minute period between 16:00 and 17:00, setting a new record for June, and exceeding Monday’s peak of 65,047MW, a report said.
“Houston’s high temperature reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 Celsius), 12 degrees above normal and breaking the record of 99 degrees. San Antonio hit 105, also a record,” said the report .
Collapsing Cities
Stockton, California. The river port city of Stockton, California (pop: 300,000), may become the largest US city to declare bankruptcy, after the city failed to make a deal with its creditors.
Located about 90 miles (144km) east of San Francisco, the city was hit hard during the US housing market crash.
Stockton’s unemployment rate (~ 16%) and violent crimes rank among the highest in the U.S.
North Las Vegas, Nevada. The Nevada city of North Las Vegas, described as “ground zero for foreclosures” was officially declared as a disaster area on June 23.
“One in every 195 homes is in foreclosure, the state’s highest rate. Once the nation’s fastest growing city, it lost more than 3,000 businesses in three years after the recession hit in 2007. Its total revenue has plunged from $817 million in 2009 to $298 million this year,” AP reported.
Tropical Depression DEBBY
Tropical Depression DEBBY is expected to continue moving ENE across Florida and into the Atlantic. The storm is forecast to re-intensify as it clears the eastern U.S. coast, NWS reported
Coastal and inland flooding still pose major threats across the affected areas.
Extreme heat, severe storms, major flooding grips central United States
Central United States could expect a smorgasbord of extreme weather this weekend including extreme heat, severe weather and major flooding: Forecasters
US Weather Hazards Map – July 1, 2011
Click image to enter NWS interactive portal.
Today’s Hydrometeorological briefing from the NWS includes:
Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for the northern and central Plains, the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Middle Mississippi Valley (Excessive Heat Warnings were already in effect this morning for northwestern Missouri, northeast Kansas and eastern Oklahoma.)
Critical Fire Weather conditions in parts of southwestern Colorado, western Kansas, the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles and surrounding areas
Severe thunderstorms across the northern and central Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley
Continued major flooding on the Missouri River and tributaries from North Dakota to Missouri
Dangerous heat will threaten very young, the very old and the infirm from northern Minnesota to the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles and along the Missouri and Mississippi River drainages.
Heat indices for northern areas are expected to be in the high 90s and low hundreds
Actual high temperatures in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas are expected to range from 106 to 110 degrees.
Many areas will see their second day of such extreme heat with little or no overnight cooling. Areas under heat warnings and advisories include:
Eastern North Dakota and South Dakota and Nebraska
Kansas
All of Minnesota but the Arrowhead
Iowa
Northern, central and southern Missouri;
Eastern Oklahoma;
All but very northern Wisconsin
Western Illinois.
Red Flag Warnings
Red Flag Warnings, prompted by extreme heat (temperatures as high as 106-110 degrees) combined with windy conditions (20-25 mph) and low relative humidity (as low as 4-8 percent) for parts of 7 states:
Nevada
Utah
Colorado
Western Kansas
New Mexico
Oklahoma Panhandle
Texas Panhandle.
Missouri River Breaches SW Iowa Levee
Meantime, the Missouri River has breached another section of a southwestern Iowa levee, forcing 1,200 people to evacuate and closing part of Interstate 29, authorities were reported as saying.
“About 40 miles of I-29 was closed from Bartlett, Iowa, to the I-29/US 136 interchange in Missouri now because of Missouri flooding and another 16 mile stretch of the interstate is closed in the Council Bluffs, Iowa, area across from Omaha.”
Global Disasters To Intensify
FIRE-EARTH Models show that global disasters could intensify in the 9 month period starting about July 2011 compared with the previous corresponding period (pcp). See: WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
Friday: Severe thunderstorms forecast across most of the country
Severe Weather Threat Moving to New England, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast: NWS
GOES Eastern US SECTOR Infrared Image. Click to enlarge.
US Weather Hazards Map
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Weather Forecast Map
Wednesday storms spawned softball-sized hail in Georgia and damaging winds in upstate York, but no fatalities were reported, as of posting.
SPC received a total of 1,017 severe weather reports across 14 states on Wednesday (preliminary data) including 96 tornado reports. On Thursday there were 414 reports, including 5 tornadoes.
Severe weather reports for May 25 received at SPC, update May 27.
May 26 reports. Click image to enlarge.
Joplin Tornado
Death toll from Joplin Tornado stands at 125, with about 1,000 injured. The number of missing since the tornado struck 5 days ago is shrouded in secrecy. The figure previously released by the authorities, and subsequently retracted, was 1,500. The actual figure for those unaccounted for may be closer to 1,000.
UPDATE posted at 06:00UTC May 27, 2011
Death toll from Joplin tornado has risen to 126, as another body was found in the debris, and the number of missing was put at 232, officials said. “We will keep a relentless focus on the search, rescue and identification of those 232 people, and we will not rest until everyone has been accounted for, and that number is zero,” Governor Jay Nixon said.
Tornado Attacks on Tuesday
Death toll from tornadoes swept the Midwest on Tuesday night, has climbed to at least 16 people: 10 fatalities in Oklahoma, 4 in Arkansas and 2 in Kansas.
UPDATE posted at 06:00UTC May 27, 2011 Death toll has risen to 17, reports said.
Flood Update
Major flooding is underway along Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, as well as in North Dakota. Flood warnings, advisories and watched have been issued for at least 25 states.
Meanwhile in England, strong winds and thunderstorms forced the cancellation of dozen of flights in and out of London’s Heathrow Airport, a report said.
Fire Earth 