Weather extremes the “new norm”

Mega Droughts and Deluges, Extreme Rain Events, Super Storms, Giant Snowfalls … Here to Stay: Climatologist

“It’s a new normal and I really do think that global weirding is the best way to describe what we’re seeing,” climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University said at a news conference.

“We are used to certain conditions and there’s a lot going on these days that is not what we’re used to, that is outside our current frame of reference,” Hayhoe added.

The temple of Angkor Wat, Cambodia (aerial photo). The religious complex of Angkor Wat was center of a civilization that depended for irrigation on a vast network of canals, embankments and reservoirs. Credit: Charles J Sharp

Canyonlands in Utah. Dust in the West has increased by 500 percent since the 1800s. [Photo Credit: Jason C. Neff, University of Colorado at Boulder.]

Canadian firefighter checks for hot spots at a destroyed neighborhood in Slave Lake, Alberta. Photo Credit Todd Korol/Reuters. Image may be subject to copyright.

Three Things the Scientist Didn’t Know (Tell)

1. How long will this “new normal” stay before it gets even worse?

2. How much worse will it get?

3. How quickly will you have to pack your bags?

Those questions have already been answered:

2011-2012:  A TIME FOR MEGADISASTERS

Emerging Calamities You CAN’T Prepare for, or Insure against

Climate Change, Global Broiling, Volatility and Extremes of Weather, Mega Swings of Temperature, Megadeluges and Megadroughts, Giant Dust Storms, Megaquakes, Super Volcanic Eruptions, Extreme Wildfires, Food and Water Scarcity, Deadly Diseases, Megadeaths (Forests, Plants, Animal Species…)

Looming Megadisasters Could Impact 1/3 to 1/2 of  Human Population in 2011-2012

1,763 Days Left to the the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Related Links:

• Megadisasters Loom
• Large parts of Alaskan (and Canadian) forests could be consumed by wildfires: FEWW forecast
• Wildfires Wreaking Havoc Across the U.S.
• US Wildfires: 50-percent more fires than the 10 year average

• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• Climate Forcing: Positive Feedback Mega Loop
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

• 2011 Disaster Calendar – MAY
• 2011-2012 MegaDisasters
• Earth: Wounded and Feverish

• 2011 Much More Disastrous
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities

• 2010 Disasters
• Index of Human Impact on Nature (HIoN) March 2008
• 2010: The Year of Disasters
• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion

• See also links posted at FEWW DISASTER FORECAST 2011
• Earth: Wounded and Feverish
• 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010

When Weather Went Really Crazy

Too Bad Climate Juggernaut Delivering Deadlier Loads Next Year!

Based on various climatic indicators and recent weather trends, FIRE-EARTH forecasts an increase of about 24% in the severity of extreme weather events during the next 20 months, compared with the previous period.

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Severe Weather Headlines from NWS

URGENT: Severe Warnings In Effect (Louisiana)

Click images to enlarge and animate.

Update at Severe Weather & Heavy Rain Forecast Center

Hazard Warnings

• Tornado Warning
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning

• Flash Flood Warning
• Fire Warning

• Winter Storm Warning
• High Wind Warning
• Avalanche Warning

• Tornado Watch
• Flash Flood Watch
• Severe Weather Statement

• Flood Warning
• Gale Warning

• Hard Freeze Warning
• Freeze Warning

• Red Flag Warning
• Fire Weather Watch
• Child Abduction Emergency
• Rip Current Statement

• Special Weather Statement
• Hazardous Weather Outlook
• Hydrologic Outlook
• Short Term Forecast

Flash flooding worsens over night in several Plains, Eastern locations

Click image to enter NWS portal.

Kentucky

• Latest info on major river flooding and associated rainfall amounts
•  Latest local storm reports from this round of severe weather/flooding
•  Damage survey reveals tornado hit Poole Kentucky Friday night
•  Wabash County, IL storm damage surveys added to April 19 event summary

Flash Flood Watch

• Flash Flood Watch in effect for SE Oklahoma, SW Arkansas and Extreme NE Texas Today through Tonight

Related News Links

• Tornadoes, Flooding Leave 10 Dead in Arkansas
• Tornadoes leave destruction in East, Central Texas
• Tornado threat extends from Dallas to Memphis
• Tuesday Afternoon Tornado Confirmed In Williamston, NC

The Storm Worm Growing

Image of the Day

The U.S. Storm Bug

GOES Eastern US SECTOR Infrared Image

Eastern Conus Sector (Infrared Channel).  Click HERE to update.   

Eastern Conus Sector (Infrared Channel).

Related Images

Click images to enlarge

Click Image to enlarge. Click HERE to Animate Image. (Source: SSEC/Wisc-Uni). (24-Hr FE ED).

Annual Severe Weather Report Summary 2011

No. of Days: 111
Tornado reports:  701
Wind: 4,236
Hail: 2,918
Total Reports: 7,855

Related Links

• Weather
• Satellite Imagery

Last Updated: April 23, 2011 @ 12: 56UTC

Fierce Storm Dumps 160mm of Rain over SoCal

Powerful storm wreaks havoc in Southern California

Thousands of people were without electricity Monday night in SoCal mountain areas, as a powerful storm downed power lines, and up to 3 feet of snow fell in the region.

More hazardous weather is forecast, with winter storm warnings, hazardous weather outlooks and flood warnings for much of the region.

Top News of the Day: Smorgasbord of Storms on Tap for Much of United States Today [summarized below]

Click image to enter NWS Hazards Portal.

US Weather Forecast Map

Click image to enlarge.

[Mirrored from NWS site with some editing by Fire-Earth]

The United States would experience  various weather threats today including severe thunderstorms, blizzards, flash floods, freezing rain, growing river flooding and extreme fire danger.

• Severe weather, including large hail, damaging winds and some tornadoes, is expected today in the central Plains and Midwest and Wednesday from the Mississippi Valley to the coastal Carolinas. …  10-state area at Slight Risk of severe weather development today … parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. See http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html.

• Wednesday, the risk area shifts eastward to include parts of 13 states: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. See http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html.

• A major winter storm was unfolding this morning across the northern tier of the United States from Montana across the northern Plains into the Great Lakes. Showers and thunderstorms started this morning in southern Minnesota into Ohio. The system was quickly pulling in colder air and changing to freezing rain and snow. The heaviest snows are expected by Wednesday evening from North Dakota into Wisconsin and Michigan. Rain and thunderstorms and severe storms will occur just south of the frozen precipitation.

Snowfall forecasts from the northern storm varied significantly from Montana to Lower Michigan, with more sleet in the east lowering snow accumulation totals. Snow forecasts into Wednesday evening included:

• Great Falls, MT – 20 inches on highest peaks, 12-15 inches above 6,000 feet, 5 inches below 6,000 feet
• Bismarck, ND – 12-16 inches from Minot to Harvey, 6-12 inches from Bismarck to Jamestown
• Grand Forks, ND – 12-19 inches of snow following rain and freezing rain
• Duluth, MN – widespread 10-14 inches in the Minnesota Arrowhead and northern Wisconsin
• Minneapolis, MN – widespread 6-11 inches in south-central Minnesota
• Marquette, MI – 6 inches across the Upper Peninsula with locally higher amounts
• Gaylord, MI – 6-10 inches of snow, mostly freezing rain south of Michigan Highway 32
• Grand Rapids, MI – up to ½-inch of ice build up from freezing rain in southwest Lower Michigan
• Detroit, MI – 5 inches snow after freezing rain from Saginaw to Sandusky, otherwise 5-10 inches snow
• Freezing rain in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Red Flag Warnings for extreme wildfire danger from western Nebraska to the southern Texas border. All outside burning is prohibited in the southern Nebraska Panhandle and the southwest part of the state; the eastern half of Colorado and New Mexico; western, central and southern Kansas; the western two-thirds of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle and western parts of the state.

• The Indian Gulch Fire started Monday in Jefferson County, Colo., and has consumed about 1,000 acres with no containment. The fire is threatening approximately 265 residences near the city of Golden. Mandatory evacuations were issued for more than 100 primary residences and voluntary evacuations were requested for about 165 residences.

• River flooding in the central Plains and Midwest continues to slowly worsen as the spring thaw progresses in the North. Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service river gauge checks early this morning showed flooding at some level at 101 sites across the country. Of the 12 cites at major flood levels, 14 at moderate flooding and 75 at minor flooding, all but a handful were in the Midwest and Upper Mississippi Valley. Another 155 gauge sites were at near flood level.

• Follow flood conditions at http://water.weather.gov/ahps/index.php?stage=7. Precipitation forecasts (see http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/qpf2.shtml.) showed 1-3 inches of rain in the forecast through tonight into Wednesday.

SVR Risk: U-S Weather

Flash Flooding and Severe Thunderstorms ongoing Tonight and continuing through Midday Wednesday\

Snow, Rain Stretch Expected Today from Colorado western Minnesota

Jackson, MS

Click images to enlarge.

Weather Forecast Map

Click image to enter NWS Weather Hazards portal.

Greatest Flooding Potential

Des Moines, IA

Click image to enlarge. A strong winter storm is still forecast to impact central Iowa tonight through midday Wednesday. The heaviest snowfall amounts are expected to occur in a band from southwest into northeast Iowa, with the heaviest over the northeast counties. Most of the northwest two thirds of the state will pick up anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of snow. Five to 7 inches will be likely over northeast Iowa, with local heavier amounts. Farther southeast, most of the precipitation will fall in the form of rain and isolated thunderstorms. Some light snow may fall over southeast Iowa as the system moves out, but little accumulation is expected. Source: NWS

Midland/Odessa

• Hazardous weather outlook

New Orleans/ Baton Rouge

• FORECAST: THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN

Colorado: Significant winter storm forecast

Colorado: Significant winter storm, up to 2 feet of snow

Snow Possible from Rockies to Missouri Valley, Great Lakes

Kansas City, Mo., Monday, March 7, 2011 – NOAA forecasters said the Central United States will see mostly rain and snow for the next few days. Heavy snow is expected today in the mountains of Utah and Colorado and part of the Central Plains. Rainy conditions will prevail from the Southwest across Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma to Kansas and northeast Missouri.


Weather Warnings. Click image to enter NWS portal.

Click image to enlarge.

Winter Storm Warnings, Watches and Advisories are in effect in major portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska, as well as northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Snowfall totals are expected to range from a few inches to two feet or more at higher elevations. Weather statements include:

Grand Junction and southwest Colorado:

• Winter Storm Warning today and tonight for eastern Utah and western Colorado – expect 1-2 feet of snow above 8,500 feet; 3-6 inches in northwest valleys

Pueblo and southeast Colorado:

• Winter Storm Warning for parts of the Mosquito Range, Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11,000 feet, the Wet Mountains, Chafee and Fremont counties – 6-10 inches of snow at lower elevations, 10-20 inches above 10,000 feet

Dodge City, southwest and south-central Kansas:

• Winter Storm Warning from midnight CST tonight to midnight Tuesday – expect 5-9 inches of snow, possibly preceded by a brief period of freezing rain and sleet

Weather Story:  Grand Junction, CO

A significant winter storm will affect the region into Tuesday, with snowfall of 1 to 2 feet anticipated for mountain locations and 3 to 6 inches over the valleys in northwest Colorado and southwest Colorado. 6 to 8 inches can be expected in the Steamboat Springs area. Elsewhere, rain will change over to snow overnight with little accumulation. Dry and warmer conditions will return later in the week…though isolated to scattered snow showers are possible from time to time in the northern mountains.

Weather Story: Kansas

A strong spring storm system will move across the Rockies and Plains states tonight through Tuesday night. Light snow will begin this evening and become more widespread and increase in intensity tonight and Tuesday morning. Gusty North winds of around 25 mph on Tuesday will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow and wind chills near 10 degrees above zero. Some locations could receive as much as 10 inches of snow by the time the snow diminishes Tuesday evening. Dry and warmer conditions will follow late in the week and persist through the weekend. Source: NWS

Weather Story: Nebraska

As depicted in the purple-shaded area above, a decent chunk of South Central Nebraska and North Central Kansas appears in line to receive significant snowfall accumulations of potentially 6-12 inches between late tonight and late Tuesday night. This snow will actually arrive in two separate systems, as outlined in the black box above. The first round will affect mainly Nebraska from late tonight into Monday evening, and bring a fairly widespread 2-5 inches of snow. Unfortunately, the second system that will strike Monday night, Tuesday, and Tuesday night is looking stronger than the first one, and will feature heavier snowfall of 6-10 inches along with northerly winds of 20-25 MPH and higher gusts. All snowfall should be over with by sunrise Wednesday as the system moves off to the east. Source: NWS

UTAH and WYOMING

WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE REGION

A STORM SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH THE REGION WILL KEEP WIDESPREAD SNOW GOING ACROSS MUCH OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING OVERNIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL EXIST OVER THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MOUNTAINS. ALONG THE WESTERN VALLEYS NEAR THE I-15 CORRIDOR AND OVER EXTREME SOUTHWEST WYOMING. THIS STORM WILL MOVE EAST OF THE AREA BY EARLY TUESDAY BRINGING A GRADUAL END TO SNOW TUESDAY
MORNING. Source: NWS

Deadly EF2 Tornado Strikes Louisiana Town

Violent storm front spawning deadly tornadoes strikes Louisiana

Violent line of storms moving through Louisiana continues to Mississippi and Alabama

A deadly EF2 tornado with winds exceeding 200kmph (125mph) struck the town of Rayne, Louisiana killing at least one person, injuring 4 dozen others and destroying/damaging more than 100 buildings.

The 300-m wide twister caused an 8km (5 miles) path of destruction.  The tornado destroyed dozens of trailers and snapped hundreds of trees, as it continued to dump up to 7.5cm (3-inches) of rain in some areas, reports say.

“There are houses off their foundations,” State Police Trooper Stephen Hammonds told AP.

“There are houses that have been destroyed.”

Officials evacuated about 1,500 people amid fears of multiple gas leaks in the area.

Several other tornadoes were reported in the state, as NWS issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for New Orleans area.

Eastern Conus Sector (Infrared Channel).  The temperatures are in Kelvin.  Source: NOAA/NWS – Click images to enlarge.

A state of emergency has been declared across southern Wisconsin ahead of a major snowstorm, a report said.

The affected counties include:  Counties affected include Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago.

Weather forecast map. NOAA

State of emergency declared in southern Wisconsin

A strong low pressure area is expected to move from the southern Plains across northern Illinois next Tuesday night and Wednesday. Enough warm air ahead of this system will push into southern Wisconsin to result in a rain and snow mix across the central and southern portions of the area, with all snow in the northern counties. A rain and snow mix is then forecast for Wednesday. Even though precipitation looks likely, the is still considerable uncertainty regarding the low level thermal structure of the atmosphere, and where the main rain/snow line will be located. Several inches of snow are possible, especially in the northern most counties. SOURCE: NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI

NWS RADAR IMAGE

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Buffalo, NY Radar – Base Reflectivity – Loop of this image . Source: NWS

Warnings

• Vermont Winter Storm Warning
• BUFFALO, NY: WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 1 AM EST MONDAY
• A RECORD RAINFALL OF 0.83 INCH(ES) WAS SET AT BUFFALO NY TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 0.79 SET IN 1996.

Related Links

• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• US Wildfires: 50-percent more fires than the 10 year average

• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2011-2012 MegaDisasters

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather

Brace for the Worst Ever

Climatic  Extremes, Primeval Geophysical Activities and WILD Weather to Wreak Mega Havoc in 2011/2012 and Beyond …

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO POWER DOWN AND START THINKING HARD.

 Encourage your folks, friends and neighbors to join in!! BECAUSE  for most of us the GAME would be OVER soon.

Flooding and fires, earthquakes and eruptions, deadly tornadoes and strong storms … are just some of the items you’ve ordered from the climate change quick menu!

US Weather Warnings. Click image to enter NWS portal.

Spring-Like Storm System Targets Mississippi, Ohio Valleys Today

Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 – NOAA forecasters said a strong spring-like storm system will move from the Lower Mississippi River Valley into the Ohio River Valley today, bringing widespread precipitation to the eastern third of the country. The system will draw warm, moist, unstable air from the Gulf of Mexico, setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms over a large area of the southern Plains and Southeast. Up to 1-2 inches of rain can be expected over a sizeable area of the Midwest that had to contend with heavy rain and severe weather through the weekend.

Related Links:

• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2011-2012 MegaDisasters

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links