http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/pics-durban-deluge-and-flash...

Water surges down Che Guevara Road in Glenwood during heavy rains in Durban 

Durban - Residents of Durban dealt with a deluge on Wednesday night, with many areas reporting cases of flash flooding.

Roads across the city remain closed by downed trees and other debris that is obstructing thoroughfares.

eThekwini metro police spokesperson Sbonelo Mchunu said officers had had a busy night.

“We went to many accidents that were flood related and also had to deal with the closure of many roads because of the rising water levels. Even now [on Thursday morning] we are assisting personnel from the Durban Solid Waste Department as they clear debris from the roads. This has prompted widespread road closures,” he said.

KZN EMS spokesperson Robert McKenzie said that while many cases of flooding had been reported, there had been no recorded fatalities.

Crisis Medical spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said that paramedics “had their hands full”. 

“Excessive rains caused flash floods throughout the greater Durban area. One incident on the N2 near the M25 saw three people sustain minor to moderate injuries in a collision involving two light motor vehicles. They were attended to on scene before being taken to hospital for further care.

“Roads within the Durban North area were severely affected, with storm water manhole covers lifting, causing serious danger to motorists. Crisis Medical's scene safety crew hand their hands full in efforts to prevent potential motor vehicle collisions,” he said.

“We advise the public to please heed caution when travelling today as roads are still very wet, with reports of flooding in certain intersections. Traffic lights have also been affected by the rain in certain areas and we remind motorists to please treat these intersections as four way stops,” Van Reenen added.

Storm in Russia

News - Published Tuesday, March 22, 2016 by The Weather Channel - LA CHAINE METEO

A violent storm hit Russia last weekend. The damage was extensive with many roofs flew as well as urban infrastructure.

http://actualite.lachainemeteo.com/actualite-meteo/2016-03-22-12h50...

https://translate.google.com.ar/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtMAkQ4Z4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esr7VNALXmw

Late last week, a broad low pressure system moved from Scandinavia to western Siberia. Several secondary depressions have followed from the Urals to the Yenisei and caused significant damage.

First damage in southern Russia

The first storm hit southern Russia between 18 and 19 March. Roofs were hurled into the air by the violent storms in the city of Labinsk. At this time, the depression was digging phase. She was only accompanied by an active rainy path tracking moderate snowfall.

The storm strengthens

Thereafter, the depression has widened rapidly to 975 hPa entering in phase with the jet stream. She took a full path north in the Arctic direction. There she proved the most dangerous and the cities of Norilsk and Dudinka to have been particularly affected with many roofs flew and extensive damage to roads.

After the passage of the cold front winds remained strong all day sometimes blowing passersby in the streets as in Khanty-Mansiysk.
Further east, the snow was continuous and caused accumulations of more than 1 meter with drifts exceeding 2 meters in Kamchatka.

Huge Dust Storms Like 'Deja Vu' in South Australia (Mar 17)

Rolling walls of dust have swept through the Barossa Valley and Mid North in recent months.

Charmaine Holland, of Nain in the Barossa Valley, said the red dust storm on March 17 was “the most impressive” she had seen. Her farmland was ravaged by the Pinery fire last November and yesterday’s winds stirred up loose topsoil from the damaged properties, causing low visibility in the area.

Travis O’Callaghan, of Travis Earth Wines in the Barossa Valley, said he spotted the dust storm as he was heading home, about 4.30pm.

“Two minutes after I took (a) photo, I could barely see 20m in front of me,” he said.

“We had so many dust storms here in the last few months it’s not funny,” Charmaine Holland said.

She said seeing the latest dust storm approach was “nerve-racking”.

“It was like deja vu,” she said. “Everything was going blood red.”

Source

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/storms-forecast-...

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/299765/flooding-hits-west-co...

Flooding hits West Coast, Nelson, Tasman

A local state of emergency has been declared on the West Coast after flooding forced the evacuation of nearly 200 people in Franz Josef.

Flooding has also hit Nelson and Tasman, and trees have brought down power lines in Auckland as wild weather lashes the country.

Douglas Drive at Franz Josef, just before daybreak today Photo: NZTA

The Waiho River breached its bank near Franz Josef about 11.50pm last night.

Glacier Country Helicopter pilot Gus Gordon, who surveyed the area this morning, said the main flow of the river was now going through the Mueller Scenic Hotel, north of Franz Josef.

What you need to know

He said the Franz Josef Glacier had uncovered a lot of gravel as it retreated, which had washed into the river and left nowhere for the water to go when in flood.

Flooding on a road near Franz Josef todayPhoto: NZTA

Mr Gordon said locals had known such a flood was likely.

"It's something that everybody's well aware of, it probably was just a matter of when and how much rainwater it would take to do it."

In recent weeks, he said, the council had been doing work on the river bank but had not reached the area where the breach occurred.

Glacier Country Tourism Group chair Rob Jewell said 80 of the evacuated tourists were staying in a welfare centre.

Ensuring the welfare of the town's guests was key, he said.

Authorities said 186 people were evacuated at different stages as the river first made its way to the hotel and then moved towards the Top Ten Holiday Park and the Westwood Lodge.

Westland Civil Defence public information manager Andy Thompson told Morning Report it was not a normal flooding, with the river potentially creating a new channel through the area.

Some cars in the hotel car park had been submerged and there was water flowing through the hotel and grounds, he said.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3515564/Deep-South-bracing-...

Trapped in the eye of the storm: Oklahoma is battered by multiple tornadoes while Arkansas is hit by 'life-threatening' flash floods as dangerous weather causes havoc across the South and Midwest 

• At least nine people were injured and authorities were evaluating the damage in northeastern Oklahoma
• A NWS meteorologist said a tornado touched down and lifted up numerous times as it swept through the northern Tulsa and Owasso areas
• Public Service Company of Oklahoma reports more than 5,800 customers without power in the area
• Nearly nine million people in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas were in an enhanced area of risk, the national Storm Prediction Center said
• The area of highest risk included the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area  

At least nine people were injured and authorities were evaluating the damage in northeastern Oklahoma after severe storms spawned multiple tornado touchdowns and flooding which is feared to be 'life threatening'.

National Weather Service meteorologist Amy Jankowski said a tornado touched down and lifted up numerous times as it swept through the northern Tulsa and Owasso areas. The service said the rapidly growing floods could be life threatening and people were warned to stay off the roads.

The City of Tulsa said in a statement that several roads were closed and police and fire crews were canvassing the city. The Streets and Water Departments are assisting with road barricades and debris removal.

Jankowski said the Weather Service received reports of lofted debris, trees down and some structural damage. NBC News reported that nine were injured in the storms. 

Tornado nearly touches down at airport

A tornado was caught on camera north of the Tulsa International Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma 

At least nine people were injured and authorities were evaluating the damage in northeastern Oklahoma after severe storms spawned multiple tornado touchdowns Wednesday night, authorities said

A tornadic storm passes over north Tulsa on Wednesday. The National Weather Service is confirming multiple tornado touchdowns in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area 

Little Rock Fire Capt. Steve Kotch, right, and an unidentified woman stumble and fall into the water as Kotch uses a cable safety line to rescue her from her flooded car in Boyle Park in Little Rock, Arkansas 

Lightning and heavy rains hit central Arkansas during the evening rush hour. Here the trapped woman is led to safety

http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/weather/snow-falls...

Residents film the falling flakes on Thursday

No, it is not an April Fools Day joke, snowflakes actually fell in the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe.

The event, which was described as ‘exceptional’ by a French meteorologist took place on Thursday, March 31 in the municipality of St. Claude.

Reports from French media indicate that a very fine snowfall blanketed the hills above the town.

French meteorologist, Alain Museleque, explained the extraordinary phenomenon on Guadeloupe Premiere TV.

“We had a mass of clouds that arrived over St. Claude,” he said in French and translated by McCathy Marie. “Accompanying this mass of clouds was some very cold air. In this very cold air, in the mass of clouds, we had the creation of some snowflakes which fell to the ground. This has never before been seen in Guadeloupe. This is an exceptional event that we will never forget.”

Two weeks ago in the same area, in a residential district which is just below La Soufriere Volcano overlooking the Town of Basse Terre, residents were surprised to see hailstones falling from the sky.

200-Mile Dust Storm in Texas Shows up on Radar (Apr 6)

A tremendous plume of dust rolled across hundreds of miles of Texas and into Oklahoma Tuesday night.

The storm, which threw dust more than 2,000ft in the air, spanned more than 200 miles - from the Oklahoma Panhandle to Lubbock, Texas

Incredible pictures are emerging of this gigantic dirt storm, that looked like a massive, gray tidal wave taking over the horizon. The storm even showed up on National Weather Service radar.

Sources

http://www.news965.com/news/news/local/video-shows-massive-dust-tsu...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3526934/Dust-storm-blankets...

http://www.nbcdfw.com/weather/stories/Dust-Storm-100-Miles-Wide-Bla...

http://strangesounds.org/2016/04/flash-floods-swamp-bridge-saudi-ar...

http://strangesounds.org/2016/04/devastating-mudflow-jizan-saudi-ar...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3544550/Floods-hit-Chil...

Floods hit Chilean capital, cut water to millions

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Heavy rains have caused severe flooding and cut water service to 4.5 million people around Chile's capital, Santiago, officials said Sunday.

The Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. Seven others were missing, and officials said some 300 people had been evacuated. Power was cut to more than 80,000 people in Santiago and the provinces of Valparaiso and O'Higgins.

The huge El Teniente operation of the state-run Codelco mining company was forced to close. Officials said schools would be shuttered as well.

A National Police officer stands next to a flooded street in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

City official Claudio Orrego said that while the Mapocho didn't overflow its banks, a problem with a tunnel led water to spill into the city.

Orrego said water service was cut to at least 4.5 million people due to contamination caused by the flooding. Authorities urged residents to limit water use until the problem is past.

A national police bus carry's people who need to cross a flooded street in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

A woma and her dog stand near a flooded street in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

A man cleans a bicycle in a flooded street in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Two police armored vehicles stand in a flooded street due heavy rains in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Office supplies float in a flooded basement in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

A woman looks at a flooded basement in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, April 17, 2016. Authorities say the Rio Mapocho flooded several districts of the city and landslides killed at least one person. 

 

www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/us/houston-texas-flooding/

At least 2 dead, hundreds rescued from high water in Houston flooding

"This is a life-threatening emergency," the city said on an emergency website. "Houston residents should avoid travel at all costs today."

An image of flooded streets in a Houston neighborhood.

At least two people have died in the floods. The driver of an 18-wheeler that drove into high waters was later found dead inside the cab, a Harris County constable reported, and another man was found dead in a submerged car, the Houston Fire Department said.

Crews performed 1,200 high-water rescues as of Monday afternoon, Harris County Emergency Management said.

"There's flooding in every part of Houston," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, telling stranded citizens. "We will rescue you."

At least 1,000 homes were flooded in Harris County, according to county Judge Ed Emmett. Some people were trapped in their homes or attics, fire department spokesman Ruy Lozano told CNN.

The water was too deep for crews to reach them in high-water vehicles, so rescuers were trying to get to those people in boats, he said.

Nine hospitals in the region were closed to additional patients because of the flooding, the mayor said. Three apartment buildings were evacuated and residents were being sheltered at a mall, Turner added.

At the Royal Phoenician apartment complex in north Houston, the brown flood waters submerged cars in the parking lot early Monday, a resident said. He posted video to Twitter later showing the waters had gone down slightly, though levels still reached car windshields.

Another north Houston resident posted video of residents leaving their flooded homes in a canoe as the rain continued to fall.

Portions of I-10 and numerous roads throughout the metropolitan area were closed, as were many government offices. City bus and rail service shut down early Monday amid "severe and ever worsening weather conditions."

The storm snarled traffic at Houston's Hobby Airport, where nearly 200 flights were canceled by mid-afternoon, according to the airport's Twitter account.

Around 45,000 customers in the region were without power as of Monday afternoon, emergency management officials said, down from a peak of 123,000 earlier in the day.

Some areas had received as much as 16 inches of rain by Monday morning, according to the flood control district.

The heavy rains forced seven of the city's many bayous out of their banks and created flooding in parts of the city that had not flooded for many years, Turner said.

Flash flood warnings were up in about two dozen Texas counties across in the southern part of the state, including the Houston and Austin metropolitan areas.

The situation is the result of a nearly stationary area of low pressure that has stalled over the western United States, allowing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to flow into Texas over the last few days, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris.

Very heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday before the system begins to move off to the northeast and weaken, he said.

http://floodlist.com/america/uruguay-severe-weather-leaves-7-dead-3...

Bad weather in Rio de Janeiro, BRASIL
bike path built for the Olympics collapses at sea: 2 dead [PHOTOS]

April 21, 2016

http://www.meteoweb.eu/foto/maltempo-a-rio-de-janeiro-pista-ciclabi...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-4SPITEqHc

Rio de Janeiro, bike path collapses due to bad weather: at least 2 dead, the dramatic images

Two people died this morning, in Rio de Janeiro, following the collapse of part of a new cycle track of about 4 km inaugurated last January and built along the coast with cliffs in the ocean.

According to firefighters, after the collapse of the track they ended up in the sea four riders, two of them rescued lifeless.
The accident 'occurred at the height of the Sao Conrado district, in the southern area of ​​the city. The landslide covered about 50 meters of track, causing a huge crater in the cliffs and the ocean.

Yet unknown cause, although eyewitnesses claim that the sea is particularly rough he dealt the final blow to an already 'precarious structure.

The bike lane Tim Maia, on Avenida Niemeyer, is located a few hundred meters away from House Italy, the site chosen by the Italian athletes in the Olympics at the start on August 5th.

The inauguration of the track, The ribbon cutting was made on 17 January by the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, himself, who on this occasion had called "the bike lane most 'beautiful in the world."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/07...

Wherever you live or happen to travel to, never complain about the heat and humidity again.

In the city of Bandar Mahshahr (population of about 110,000 as of 2010), the air felt like a searing 165 degrees (74 Celsius) today factoring in the humidity.

Although there are no official records of heat indices, this is second highest level we have ever seen reported.

To achieve today’s astronomical heat index level of 165, Bandar Mahshahr’s actual air temperature registered 115 degrees (46 Celsius) with an astonishing dew point temperature of 90 (32 Celsius).

Chart showing temperature, dew point in index in Bandar Mahshahr over last 36 hours, using National Weather Service heat index value calculations. (Brian McNoldy)

This 165 reading, recorded at 4:30 p.m. local time Friday, comes one day after the heat index soared to 159 degrees (70 Celsius) in the same location.

Bandar Mahshahr sits adjacent to the Persian Gulf in southwest Iran where water temperatures are in the 90s. Such high temperatures lead to some of the most oppressive humidity levels in the world when winds blow off the sweltry water.

Location of Bandar Mahshahr, Iran portrayed by red marker. (Google map)

In southeast Iran, also along the Persian Gulf, Jask, Iran observed a heat index of 156 degrees (69 Celsius) on Friday (air temperature 102.2 degrees with a dew point of 91.4 degrees).

Although there are no official records, 178 degrees (81 Celsius) is the highest known heat index ever attained. It was observed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia on July 8, 2003. In his book Extreme Weather, weather historian Christopher Burt says Dhahran, also on the Persian Gulf, registered an air temperature of 108 degrees (42 Celsius) and a dew point of 95 (35 Celsius), which computes to such an extreme heat index level.

This week’s extreme heat index values have occurred as a punishing heat wave has engulfed the Middle East.

On Thursday, Baghdad soared to 122 degrees (50C) – though its dew point was a lowly 44 (7 Celsius) given its desert environs. That combination produced a heat index of 115 – the dry air taking a slight edge off the blistering temperatures.

Some of the hottest places on Earth

It feels like it couldn’t be any hotter than it is in D.C., but believe it or not, there are worse places to be.

A massive high pressure ridge or “heat dome” responsible for the excessive heat doesn’t look to budge for several days, at least.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3559520/Now-April-SNOW-show...

It's nearly May but it's SNOWING in London: Capital is hit by blast of 'thundersnow' as band of Arctic weather sweeps south - and it's going to last all week 

• Forecasters warn unsettled picture will continue for the rest of the week with temperatures staying in single figures 
• Thunder, lightning and sleet showers are expected with some heavy snow forecast for northern parts of the country
• Snow falls in London and parts in the south as people wrap up warm from the cold with hats and winter clothing 
• Today is the latest it has snowed in UK for 19 years when more than 200 weather stations recorded it on May 6, 1997
• Did you see the snow today or happen to take any photos of it? Please email kate.samuelson@mailonline.co.uk
• For more of the latest UK weather news and updates visit www.dailymail.co.uk/ukweather

Snow and sleet has fallen in many parts of the UK as temperatures struggle to get into double figures with the prospect of a Spring-like May a long way off. 

Despite the time of year, forecasters are warning the unsettled picture will continue for much of the week with freezing conditions in many parts.

Thunder, lightning and sleet showers are expected with some in northern areas witnessing heavy snowfall, including on the North Yorkshire Moors and parts of Scotland.

The blizzard seen all over the UK were reminiscent of the bizarre scenes on the very same day 35 years ago, when snowstorms hit the British spring.

Cars were buried on the roads as the nation was blanketed in a thick layer of snow on April 26 1981, which saw the worst blizzards for that time of year in a century.  

A heavy downfall of snow stops play at the Oval, London during the Specsavers County Championship Division One match

Snow falls in Tooley Street by London Bridge station in central London earlier today as forecasters warn the unsettled picture will continue

Thunder, lightning and sleet showers are expected with some in northern areas witnessing heavy snowfall. Pictured: Heavy snow falls across Teesside, Middlesbrough, making for tricky driving conditions

It was reminiscent of the off weather 35 years ago, which brought the coldest spell of weather the UK had experienced at this time of year since 1908. Pictured are scenes in the West Midlands after the great wet snowstorm on April 26 1981

Photos Show Indians Scrambling For Resources Amid Deadly Drought And Heat Wave

Temperatures topped 100 — unusual for this time of year — and rainfall has been scant.

Water availability in the country’s major reservoirs was at 23 percent of total storage capacity. A dog drinks water from a puddle next to cracked soil at the dried-up Manjara dam in Osmanabad, India.

Switzerland April 27-29 2016

https://web.facebook.com/severeweatherEU/posts/1805128386376921

More photos from Grisons, Switzerland of grapegrowers protecting their vineyards from frost damage on April 27-29

Severe Weather Europe added 2 new photos

Fightning against morning frost in Fläsch, Switzerland!

From a link:

Frost out of season in Switzerland: candles lit to warm the grapes!

In recent days the Alps was very cold, with temperatures well below zero, and far lower than the average for the period. Swiss farmers, as well, have endeavored to warm the vines turning of large candles.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/caught-on-camera-sev...

Caught on camera: Severe floods wash road away

Saturday, April 30, 2016, 8:04 AM - Road washouts are a common threat of extreme weather, but most people don't witness one while it's actually happening.

A Facebook user whose profile is titled Allen N Laneigh Childers managed to catch one on camera on Friday, and we must say, we didn't expect it to be so ... slow-motion. At first, you can barely tell the road surface is moving, until the process accelerates and the two large storm drain pipes are simply tipped upwards and brushed aside by the strength of the floodwaters.

"Just experienced this," Childers wrote when the video was posted to Facebook. "When someone says do not drive across a flooded road keep this in mind."

The video was shot in Lindale, in the northeast of Texas, which has been wracked by damaging weather this past week. The Dallas Morning News reports several people were injured in Lindale, where a possible tornado was reported.

Across Texas and Arkansas, Friday's storms caused torrential rains of several inches and damaging winds, as well as a handful of suspected tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Storm Prediction Center. 

Hail larger than the size of golf balls was also reported across the region.

The Weather Channel reports water rescues are underway in parts of Texas and Arkansas as high waters linger from the torrential rains.

Another round of severe weather is in store for the same area of the U.S. Saturday, with flash flood and severe thunderstorm watches or warnings widespread from Texas and Oklahoma to Arkansas and Mississippi, including almost all of Louisiana.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604300023.html

https://www.sott.net/article/317514-Massive-sandstorm-sweeps-throug...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildfire-destroys-fort-mcmur...

RAW: Video of Fort McMurray fire from a helicopter 0:59

A huge wildfire raging in Fort McMurray, Alta., has burned homes in some neighbourhoods and residents fleeing the fire have caused gridlock on Highway 63 leading south out of the city.

Robin Smith, a spokesman for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, confirmed to CBC News that homes in Beacon Hill and the Centennial Trailer Park have been destroyed.

The fire is now threatening Abasand and Grayling Terrace.

The municipality said the fire breached Highway 63 at the MacKenzie Boulevard intersection south of the city.

• Social media reflects fear, worry as the flames enter city

The lower townsite and downtown area, now including MacDonald Island Park, and 10 neighbourhoods in the oilsands city have been placed under mandatory evacuation orders because of the fire. 

That's forced 29,000 out of their homes making it the largest evacuation from wildfire in the province's history, surpassing the Slave Lake firefive years ago.

The Abasand, Beacon Hill, Dickensfield, Grayling Terrace, Wood Buffalo, Thickwood, Waterways, Saline Creek, Draper and Gregoire neighbourhoods are under mandatory evacuation notices and residents have been ordered to leave their homes.

Most residents were being urged to go to Noralta Lodge 20 km north of Fort McMurray, but with the Noralta filling up, newcomers are being sent on the Gray Wolf Lodge. 

Gregoire residents are being asked to go to the Anzac Recreation Centre, south of Fort McMurray.

The province has closed Highway 63 and Highway 881 to Fort McMurray to all non-essential travel.

'It's probably all blown away now'

The fire had barely hit the Centennial Trailer Park before John Davidson and his girlfriend Joanne Bates had lost everything. 

"It was the second one to go," said Davidson. "It's probably all blown away now." 

Behind him, the flames consumed what was left of the trailer park where his former home sat. 

• 

• Smoke fills the air as cars line up on Highway 63, which has been breached at the MacKenzie Boulevard intersection south of the city. 

Davidson and Bates had lived there for more than a year and had everything, including vehicles and two snowmobiles there. 

"Everything I worked for for the last two years, it's all gone," said Davidson. 

While the two commend the RCMP and the fire department, they are upset that they weren't able to get into the trailer park to get their belongings. 

"It's a disaster," said Bates. "I think it's not fair. They didn't even let us take our things, so we lost everything."

Was that really only seven days ago? Temperatures will hit a balmy 26C this weekend – just a week after the North of England was blanketed by snow

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3576916/What-difference-wee...

You could be forgiven for thinking these photos had been taken six months apart.
In fact, just seven days after Carolyn Bointon made her way across a snow-covered Alsop Moor in a scarf and woollen hat, she enjoyed a stroll across the same Peak District beauty spot in T-shirt and shorts. And she may well be cheered to hear that the warm weather – expected to hit 26C (79F) in the South tomorrow, beating the Mediterranean – is set to continue.
But if this week’s sun-kissed lunch breaks have had you planning a weekend barbecue, you may also want to keep an umbrella to hand.
The Met Office has issued warnings for torrential downpours, thunder and even hail across the UK today.

Storms will first rumble in South-West England and Wales before spreading east and northwards. Sunbathers are also warned to be on high alert for 20mm-wide hailstones predicted to pepper the country.
However, any clouds are set to part by tomorrow, meaning Sunday will see blue skies and temperatures of well above the typical temperature for May of 16C (61F).
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that despite the warm weather, patches of extreme rain could be ‘quite intense’.
‘The temperatures are well above average for this time of year but the warm and humid air will mean that any showers that do develop are likely to become torrential downpours,’ he added.

http://floodlist.com/africa/rwanda-floods-landslides-gakenke-muhanga

Rwanda – At Least 49 Killed in Floods and Landslides, 500 Homes Destroyed

Landslides and floods hit several parts of Rwanda between 07 and 08 May 2016 after a period of heavy rainfall. Government officials say that at least 49 deaths have been recorded so far. Some of the victims drowned in flood water, others died after houses collapsed under the heavy rain or landslide.

The worst hit areas are the districts of Gakenke and Muhanga. As many as 34 people have died in Gakenke, 8 in Muhanga, 4 in Rubavu and 3 in Ngororero. Around 26 injuries have also been reported.

Reports from the Ministry for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs say that over 500 houses have been completely destroyed, leaving thousands homeless.

The disaster comes just days before the country hosts the World Economic Forum on Africa, which will be held in Kigali from 11 to 13 May 2016.

Floods in Gakenke, Rwanda. Photo: Government of Rwanda

Roads, Power and Water Supplies Damaged

The floods and landslides have also caused damage to roads and transport infrastructure. Some roads have been completely blocked and officials say that the Kigali-Muhanga and Kigali-Musanze roads are closed in order to prevent risks for commuters.

Electricity supply has also been interrupted after power cables in Gakenke were downed during the heavy rain.

Supply of drinking water has also been cut. Water and Sanitation Corporation Limited (WASAC Ltd) say that it has temporally suspended water treatment at the Nzove treatment plants due to heavy rain which has caused “high water turbidity.” The company said that “There will be water supply interruptions in some areas of Kigali, Kacyiru, Remera and Kicukiro.”

Government Reaction

The Rwandan government has expressed its solidarity with families affected by the disasters, and Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has assured families affected by the disasters of the government’s support.

In a statement issued earlier today, the government said:

 the disasters of the government's support. 

Dramatic Footage of Gigantic Tornado in Colorado (May 7)

A series of tornadoes swept across eastern Colorado this weekend followed by severe weather impacting the Plains states.  

One twister touched down north of Wray in Yuma County on Saturday evening, leaving at least five people with injuries and causing damage to buildings and other structures. 

The tornado was rated an EF2 by the National Weather Service (NWS) after the damage was surveyed on Sunday.

The tornado caused damage from County Road 37 to County Road 42 near Highway 385.

The storm also produced baseball-sized hail in some parts of Colorado.

At least five tornadoes hit Yuma County, according to the NWS.

Source

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/news/articles/us-weather/extrem...

http://www.koco.com/weather/rare-backwards-tornado-discovered-durin...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3594046/What-happened-Sprin...

Brrrrrr-ing back Spring! New England is covered in a record-breaking SEVEN inches of snow turning it back into a winter-wonderland in mid May

• Town of Perham in Maine saw 7.5 inches of wintry dusting on Monday 
• At the same time, 4.5 inches was recorded in the Maine town of Caribou
• The readings set a new record for snow this late in May
• All the while Fairbanks in Alaska was warmer than cities such as Boston, Cleveland and Denver have been so far this year 
• Mercury also dropped 15 degrees lower than normal across the north east
• Was caused by a surprising arctic blast that swooped in late last week  

It's only one month until the official start of summer.

The sun should be coming out and homeowners are already thinking about dusting off the grills. 

But snow is still falling at a record-breaking rate in parts of the United States while others are still experiencing unseasonably brisk conditions.

The National Weather Service says the town of Perham in Maine saw 7.5 inches on Monday as temperatures plummeted 15 degrees below normal in cities across the north east.

The mercury dropped into the 30s following a surprising blast of arctic air.

Scroll down for video 

New England has seen record-breaking levels of storm over the weekend for this late in May. There was 4.5 inches in the northern Maine town of Caribou (pictured)

Caribou (pictured) got a thick layer of snow while the northern Maine town of Perham got 7.5 inches 

At the same time, 4.5 inches was recorded in the northern Maine town of Caribou.

The wintry dustings set a record for the most snow this late in May.

Six inches of snow also fell in Caswell and New Sweden, Maine, according to CBS News.

In northern New Hampshire, Pittsburg recorded 2.5 inches. The Vermont towns of Middlesex and Hyde Park and near Pomfret got 2 inches Monday morning.

The snow, however, is not expected to be around for long. 

According to multiple forecasts, temperatures are set to rise, with rain in northern New Hampshire and Maine.

According to Weather.com, the Alaskan city of Fairbanks recorded a top of 82 degrees on Saturday.

Was warmer warmer than cities cities such as Boston, Cleveland and Denver have seen so far in 2016.

http://floodlist.com/asia/sri-lanka-floods-landslides-may-2016

Spring Has Sprung In The Arctic ... But It’s Way Too Early For It

NOAA just reported the earliest snowmelt in 78 years of recorded history.

NOAA

One of the coldest places on Earth is already starting to see signs of spring — a good month or two before it should, according to researchers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday that Barrow Observatory, located 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, just reported the earliest snowmelt in 78 years of recorded history.

“It looks like late June or early July right now,” David Douglas, a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said in a statement.

The remote Alaska observatory is usually one of the last places in the United States to see its snow begin to vanish. This year, however, the snowmelt began May 13, a full 10 days earlier than the previous record set in 2002.

Welcome to the terrifying realities of global climate change.

(The animation above from the National Snow and Ice Data Center shows the fracturing and rotation of sea ice near Alaska from April 1-24.)

The worrisome snow melt comes on the heels of a record-warm Alaska winter, which saw temperatures average more than 11 degrees above normal, according to NOAA. The agency also recently announced that April 2016 was the 12th consecutive month to set a global temperature record.

Douglas said the melt in Alaska illustrates how fragile and dynamic the Arctic’s ice coverage has become. In addition to an early snowmelt, he and other scientists are expecting 2016 to see a record low for sea ice in the Arctic. 

“Polar bears are having to make their decisions about how to move and where to go on thinner ice pack that’s mostly first-year ice,” Douglas said.

And the repercussions don’t stop there.

George Divoky, a wildlife biologist who heads the Friends of Cooper Island research institute, said he expects the early melt-off will have drastic effects on Alaska wildlife, including Arctic bird species. 

“It’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from,” Divoky said in a statement. “You never know what you’re going to see and this year’s as big a mystery as any.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/arctic-snowmelt-2016_us_573f6fa...  

http://strangesounds.org/2016/05/flowers-cover-the-desert-in-saudi-...

After heavy rains and extreme weather in the south-western Saudi Arabian province, ‘Asir…

Flowers and grass cover the desertic ground around Bisha, Saudi Arabia.

From sand to prairies! Awesome flowering desert phenomenon!

http://strangesounds.org/2016/05/giant-hot-geyser-erupts-barnaul-br...

http://strangesounds.org/2016/05/rare-tornado-damages-minden-german...

Mercury rising: India records its highest temperature ever

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/20/asia/india-record-temperature/

(CNN)India recorded its highest-ever temperature on Thursday when the heat in the town of Phalodi, in the western state of Rajasthan, shot up to a burning 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit). 

The previous temperature record in India was held by Alwar, also in Rajasthan, at 50.6 degrees Celsius (123.1 Fahrenheit) in 1956. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest temperature ever was recorded at 56.7 degrees Celsius (134 degrees Fahrenheit) in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913.

Rajasthan, home to the Thar desert, typically records the highest temperatures in India. Temperatures can soar as a result of incoming western winds from hot areas.

Red alert issued

The IMD has issued a red-level alert for Rajasthan as well as for other states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, where temperatures, despite not having crossed the 50-degree mark, are higher than average.

India has recorded higher than normal temperatures throughout 2016.

Many areas are experiencing severe heat waves and state governments estimate more than 370 people killed so far.

ndia recorded its highest ever temperature on Thursday, in Phalodi, Rajasthan, where numbers shot up to a burning 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit)

This comes on the back of a searing 2015, when more than 2,500 died in the summer. 2015's high casualty rate has led to India's National Disaster Management Authority coordinating with states on heat wave action plans to spread awareness and establish preventative measures.

Killer heatwave wreaks havoc in Southeast Asia

Double whammy of heat wave and drought

Heatwave hits India amid worst drought in decades 02:03

The heat wave has also coincided with another major environmental problem: drought.

After two successive below-average monsoons in 2014 and 2015, ground water levels have receded, impacting many rural Indians who rely on ground wells for drinking water.

The western Indian state of Maharashtra is one of the worst impacted, with the state government organizing emergency 'water trains' to bring daily supplies to villages.

The double whammy of heat and drought has led to accidents and fatalities.

On Monday, five men died in the northern state of Haryana when they attempted to restore a well that had fallen into disuse.

Authorities say the men were killed when they inhaled poisonous gas trapped in the well.

India's meteorological department says the heat wave will continue into next week

India's meteorological department says the heat wave will continue into next week. Many schools across the country have been operating on shortened days.

The monsoons are expected to hit India in June, bringing much-needed rain and relief. The 2016 monsoons are forecast to bring an above-average amount of rainfall.

Unrelated to the annual monsoons, large parts of Sri Lanka and now southern India have been lashed this week by rains caused by a tropical depression in the Bay of Bengal.

Caught on camera: A dangerous, melting road in Gujarat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1JEJpWhbU4

Hurricane cinema Film: Trailer

News - Published Friday, May 27, 2016 by The Weather Channel- LA CHAINE METEO

A FRENCH FILM

Check out the trailer for the film "Hurricane" comes out in cinemas Wednesday, June 8

http://actualite.lachainemeteo.com/actualite-meteo/2016-05-27-10h58...

https://translate.google.es/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&...

Filmed with images from 12 countries, the film chronicles the journey of over 15,000 km of one of the most devastating weather events on our planet: the hurricane.

https://www.facebook.com/lameilleureinfometeo/videos/10156981505385...

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/05/26/ninety-minute-tornado-rare-ev...

Ninety-minute tornado rare, even in Kansas

The tornado that raked northern Kansas stayed on the ground about 10 times longer than the typical twister.

A tornado drops two mile northeast of Niles, Kan., on Wednesday. The large tornado that the National Weather Service said was on the ground for about 90 minutes damaged or destroyed about 20 homes in northern Kansas. 

Lightning from a severe storm fills the sky behind a grain elevator in Belvue, Kan., on Wednesday. The storm produced tornadoes near Chapman. 

The Storm Prediction Center said most tornadoes last less than 10 minutes and stay on the ground for about 31/2 miles. Wednesday’s storm covered 26 miles from near Niles and southeast of Chapman, but was moving so slowly it lasted an hour and a half and was so isolated that other storms never interrupted its air flow.

The SPC said the legendary, long-lived tornadoes talked about from a century ago were most likely a series of storms along one general path.

The twister that hit Kansas tracked eastward at an average speed of 17.3 mph. The slow forward motion gave forecasters plenty of time to warn people living in the area to either get out of the storm’s way or take shelter.

The National Weather Service at Topeka warned Chapman’s 1,400 residents at 8:06 p.m. Wednesday that the storm was 4 miles west. At the storm’s pace, that gave people 15 minutes to prepare. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths.

Tornadoes are usually part of weather systems that form multiple storms – one with hail here, high winds there. Cold air flowing out of those other storms often chokes off the balance a storm needs to keep a tornado going, said Erik Rasmussen, a research scientist at the University of Oklahoma and the project director for Vortex Southeast.

“The things that end up destroying a tornado didn’t happen,” Rasmussen said. “It was really just bad luck.” The next-nearest storm capable of influencing the Chapman twister was south of Wichita, Kansas, 120 miles to the south.

Tornadoes are the most efficient way to move air from one part of the atmosphere to another. Typically in the U.S., tornadoes form when moist, warm air from the Gulf moves northward on air currents to meet drier, cooler air moving in from the Pacific or Canada.

Lightning over Paris: children electrocuted in a park

May 28, 2016

Children were injured in Paris after being struck by lightning in the Park Monceau, near the Champs-Elysees

http://www.meteoweb.eu/2016/05/fulmini-parigi-folgorati-bambini-un-...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...

Ten children and an adult were injured in Paris after being hit by lightning while celebrating a birthday in the park Monceau,
located in the northwest area of the French capital, not far from the Champs-Elysees.

The head of the eighth arrondissement of Paris, Vincent Baladi, told the TV itele that six children were in serious condition.

The incident, very rare, occurred during one of the frequent storms of recent days, which prompted the group to take shelter under a tree. No one was hurt from the tree fall and according to the fire department "has been avoided a more serious drama."

The weather service had issued a warning for severe weather coming rainy, but Paris - which has hit a violent storm - was not among its current locations.

---------------------------------
Storm killer in Europe, lightning on children playing in Germany and on a holiday in Paris

May 28, 2016

Bad weather in Europe, killer lightning between Germany, Poland and France

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...

Heavy rains cause deadly flooding in southern Germany

An estimated three people have been killed as violent weather strikes the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg. Heavy rain caused an underground car park to collapse.

http://www.dw.com/en/heavy-rains-cause-deadly-flooding-in-southern-...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGG1umXvg3g

Much of the destruction is centered in the town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in the East Württemberg region. Authorities said a volunteer firefighter was killed while trying to rescue a flooding victim - the man he was trying to save is listed as missing.

Separately, police said one person died in an underground car park in the town of Weißbach after it became flooded with rainwater.

The storm was reportedly centered in the Ostalb district near the state border with Bavaria. Numerous vehicles were reportedly underwater and emergency services had to rescue stranded motorists from their vehicles.

Floods: torrential rains wreak havoc in France

http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/societe/20160531.OBS1529/inondations...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&a...;

Seven departments remain vigilant rain and / or flooding. A red alert is issued Loiret, due to an exceptional flood of the Loing.

The amount of water fallen in recent hours is impressive: in two days, 86 millimeters to Voulton, in Seine-et-Marne, while 65 millimeters were recorded in Trappes, in Yvelines, in one day.

A Montbouy, Loiret town, the river reached a height of 2.1 meters on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 1.85 meters recorded in 1910.

The water rose up to a meter in places in Bruay and neighboring towns, according to the prefecture.

"The month of May broke all records" (France)

http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/meteo/orages-intemperies-i...

google translated https://translate.google.fr/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&...

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/124674-15-killed-as-rain-windstorms...

15 killed as rain, windstorms wreak havoc in parts of country

RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: Massive rain and windstorms on Wednesday evening hit Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and some other parts of the country, killing at least 15 persons as walls and roofs collapsed while billboards and trees were uprooted. As many as 75 persons were also injured in the windstorm.

Electricity vanished in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after some pylons fell due to the storm. The Metro bus station’s roof at the 6th Road, Rawalpindi, collapsed and the bus service was suspended. The flight operation at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad was also suspended due to the windstorm.

According to the Met Office, the wind was blowing in Rawalpindi at 148 kilometres per hour and in Islamabad it was 120 km/hr.A woman and her two daughters died in Margalla Town, a madrassa student lost his life in Sector F-7 and a man was killed in Bhara Kahu due to the windstorm in Islamabad.

In the Dhoke Hassu area, Rawalpindi, Kanwal, 20, and her 18-year-old brother Majid died in a wall collapse while their mother Sultana received injuries. In the Banni area, Azhar Mahmood lost his life.

Also, at least seven persons were killed and over 40 others wounded when a windstorm and rain hit parts of KP and tribal areas on Wednesday.The powerful thunderstorm followed by heavy rain hit the provincial capital and nearby towns at around 6:30pm. Several walls and roofs collapsed while trees fell due to the heavy rain and storm.

Sidra, a young woman, and her six-month baby Ahmad, died in rain-related incidents in the Musazai village. Two members of the family, Ambreen and Nosheen, were wounded and shifted to hospital.

An emergency was declared in all the city hospitals while ambulances of Rescue 1122 were moved to rush the wounded for treatment.

“A mother and her child were killed in Musazai, Peshawar, while two others in the family sustained injuries when the roof of their house caved in. Another person was killed in Nowshera while one died in Charsadda,” Bilal Ahmad Faizi, the spokesman for Rescue 1122, told The News.

He added that as many as 23 persons sustained injuries in various rain and storm-related incidents in Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera.

A woman was killed and three others wounded in rain-related incidents in Jamrud Tehsil while a man died in the Bara Tehsil of the Khyber Agency. One person reportedly died in Kohat. Unconfirmed reports said a child reportedly died on the Kohat Road. A large number of hoardings and trees also fell to the ground due to the powerful storm.

In Nowshera, one person was killed and several others injured in house collapse incidents. A man identified as Ihsan Ali was killed when a tree fell on him in Misri Banda. The Grand Trunk Road was closed for traffic after signboards, trees and electricity poles were uprooted which blocked the road. 

The sources said that boundary walls of several houses in Nowshera Kalan, Risalpur and Mera Jalozai collapsed, leaving several persons injured. Scores of injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital and other hospitals in the district. There were reports of damage to the crops in different areas of Pabbi tehsil of Nowshera district. 

Hailstorm severely damaged the standing crops and fruit orchards spreading on large swathes of land in South Waziristan.  According to local sources, the hailstorm broke a 30-year-old record. It also uprooted the solar systems the tribesmen had installed to generate power to run the tube-wells. According to the reports received from various parts of the tribal region, the most affected areas were Karikot, Landi Doog, Waja Ghundai, Sherna, Sekach, Tala Bani, Laman, Dubkot, Tanai, Warsak, Wacha Khwar and Greendana. One person identified as Bakht Jan was killed in a wall collapse incident in Sadda, Kurram Agency.

Five people dead as parts of Europe see worst flooding in 100 years: Parts of Britain colder than Christmas Day

Photo euractiv.com 

• At least five people died on Wednesday in flooding across France, Austria and Germany
• In many places the water reached five metres above street level.
• Floods in France are the worst since 1910. 
• Parts of Britain are colder than on Christmas Day yesterday
• More flooding on the East coast of England
• A month's rain fell in six hours in parts of the UK.

The inhabitants, surprised by the sudden flooding, had to be rescued by helicopter.
At least five people died on Wednesday in flooding across France, Austria and Germany, authorities say. Search teams in the Bavarian town of Simbach am Inn found the bodies of three people who had been trapped in a house and a woman was found dead by a nearby stream.
In central France an 86-year-old woman lost her life.
Dozens of towns have been inundated and people have been saved by helicopter.
Forecasters say waters are expected to keep rising for several days, reports the BBC.
The departements of Loiret and Seine-et-Marne to the south and east of the capital Paris were placed on red alert by weather service Meteo France due to the dangers caused by flooding.
The service asked the public to avoid any kind of travel in the affected areas unless it was absolutely necessary.
Nemours resident Sylvette Gounaud told Agence France-Presse: "In 60 years of living here, I've never seen this.
The centre of town is totally under water.
All the shops are destroyed."

Photo www.bbc.co.uk 

Central France has seen some of its worst flooding in 100 years.
The Loiret area received the average rainfall of six weeks in three days.
The rising waters wreaked havoc on Tuesday as the A10 motorway, which links Paris and the south west, was flooded and has to be closed at St-Arnoult-en-Yvelines.
Around 650 vehicles were left blocked by the rising waters with around 200 motorists having to be transported in army trucks to the city of Orleans, which itself has been badly hit by flooding.
In Paris, the river Seine burst over walkways, prompting authorities to set up a crisis team.
On Tuesday the height of the river reached 3.8 metres at Austerlitz and is expected to rise even further throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
Authorities however have played down fears the floods will be as bad as the flood of the century of 1910.
Boats continued to navigate the river, but if the water level rises past 4.3 metres then river traffic will be halted.
Heavy rains in parts of Germany and Austria stranded people on rooftops and left water lapping at the doors of one of the Loire Valley's most famous chateaux Wednesday.
In one incident in southern Bavaria, emergency services rescued 20 members of a school group when a boat trip on the Regen river ran into trouble with strong currents sparked by a sudden storm, authorities said.
On Bavaria's border with Austria, firefighters and other emergency services were dispatched to stricken towns where roads and bridges were cut and some residents had to seek refuge from the waters on rooftops.
"The floods came so quickly that people had to escape to the roofs of their houses," a spokesman for the Lower Bavaria regional police said, adding that many streets were submerged.
In the town of Triftern, around 200 schoolchildren bunked down in their school, preparing to spend the night on Wednesday.
A town spokesman said the school building itself was out of danger as it was on higher ground.
Just over the border in Austria, heavy rain lashed the Salzburg region, flooding several roads and forcing several schools to announce closures for Thursday.
The floods were also declared an emergency in the historic town of Passau, on the border with Austria, the scene of massive flooding three years ago.
In nearby Pfarrkirchen more than 35 litres of water per square metre fell in the space of six hours on Wednesday, according to the German meteorological office.
More thunderstorms are forecast for southern Germany, and water levels on some rivers are predicted to rise further still.
Meanwhile Parts of Britain are colder than on Christmas Day yesterday as our meteorological summer begins in the only way we know how – with clouds and rain. Maximum temperatures were just 14C in the South East today, compared to 15C on December 25 last year, and it’s not getting any warmer tomorrow.
Meanwhile there is a flood alert along the Yorkshire coast from Skipsea to Whitby with 40 knot gusts expected to cause overtopping waves.
Temperatures have plunged thanks to a system advancing across Britain yesterday, while an onshore breeze is blowing in from the North Sea. 

Storm in Pakistan leaves 34 dead, almost 200 wounded
JUNE 2, 2016 http://www.miragenews.com/storm-in-pakistan-leaves-34-dead-almost-2...
The wind storm in the north of Pakistan killed at least 34 people, almost 200 people were wounded, according to local media.

At least 34 people died and almost 200 were wounded in a major thunderstorm that hit the north of Pakistan, local media reported Thursday.

Dunya News TV reported on Thursday that India’s Punjab state, bordering Pakistan, was hit by dust and wind storms on Wednesday. The storms led to power cuts, building collapses and fires. Most victims died under collapsing buildings, fallen trees and billboards.

Flight operations were halted at the Benazir International Airport in Islamabad, and city transport service was also suspended, Geo TV said. But on Thursday morning the airport resumed flights.

https://www.rt.com/news/345243-france-flooding-emergency-evacuations/

French deluge: Louvre closes down, thousands flee homes amid state of emergency

A picture taken on June 2, 2016 shows the river Seine bursting its banks next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the flooding, which has been caused by the Loire and Seine rivers bursting their banks following heavy downpours. The leader promised money to help local authorities deal with the damage.

A firefighter evacuates a baby from a flooded area in Chalette-sur-Loing, near Orleans, France 

Rescue workers have responded to about 10,000 calls and evacuated more than 5,000 people with small boats since the weekend.

Photos show residents climbing out of their houses onto rafts, as boats float across streets that now resemble rivers. 

Residents in Nemours, near Orleans, France, await evacuation from floods 

The River Seine has risen by five meters (16 feet) in Paris, flooding the French capital. The city has warned that the river could rise to 5.6 meters (18.4 feet) above its normal level by the end of the day, and has forecasted that it should crest tomorrow at just under 6 meters (19.7 feet).

Rail operator SNCF was forced to close an underground commuter line running along the Seine in Paris that is frequently used by tourists traveling to the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. 

A resident brings baguettes to his mother's flooded house in Chalette-sur-Loing Montargis, near Orleans, France 

According to an internal email written to employees and seen by Reuters, the landmark Louvre museum closed its doors on Thursday and will not open on Friday in order to allow staff to easily remove works of art if needed.

“The museum will remain closed to the public tomorrow out of precaution: there is no danger to the public or our staff but will allow us to calmly remove certain art collections should it be necessary,” the email states.

Meanwhile, the Musee d’Orsay said it would close earlier than usual on Thursday. 

In the Loire valley, the Chambord Castle – a Unesco World Heritage Site dating back to the 1500s – has been surrounded by water. 

Speaking during a visit to a crisis control center in flooded Nemours, where 3,000 of the town’s 13,000 residents have been evacuated, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said: “The situation remains tense and difficult in several areas. We still have many concerns.”

At least one person in France has died due to the flooding, as an 86-year-old woman was found dead in her house southwest of Paris late on Wednesday.

Heavy rains have also affected other parts of Europe, with six days of downpours leading to the death of eight people in Germany.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3624643/Queensland-NSW-weat...

Two people are dead and five injured as violent storms and floods lash the east coast of Australia - with people in Sydney and Brisbane warned to 'stay at home' and 'the worst is yet to come'

• Australia's east coast was hit by wild weather with flooding and gale force winds on Saturday 
• Damaging winds were forecasted with peak gusts that could reach more than 90km/h and up to 250mm of rain
• The entire NSW coast was put on flood watch for what meteorologists believe is the first time in 30 years
• Queensland Police confirm that two people have died in a Brisbane car accident during the severe weather 
• Parts of the Vivid Sydney lights festival will not go ahead on Saturday as wild weather poses a threat to public safety

Two people are dead and five injured as violent storms lashed Australia's east coast on Saturday, causing widespread damage and flash flooding to New South Wales and Queensland during the first weekend of winter.

The eastern states woke to horrendous storms on Saturday morning with gale-force winds and heavy rain forcing the Bureau of Meteorology to issue severe weather warnings, including a flood-watch for the entire New South Wales coast - the first in 30 years.

The extreme system is being blamed as a possible cause of a horror smash near Ipswich, west of Brisbane, that claimed the life of a man and woman on Saturday morning when an out of control truck jack-knifed and ploughed into a mini-van.

The driver of the van died at the scene on the Warrego Highway while his female passenger died in hospital later in the afternoon. The truck driver escaped serious injury and was taken to hospital.

Scroll down for video 

The storms wreaked havoc across Sydney on Saturday, bringing down several trees in Napier Street, Paddington - resulting in thousands of dollars damage to parked cars

Another tree was uprooted in Sydney's inner-west at Petersham and crashed on to a red Mazda (pictured left) while a BMW was unfortunately struck by a fallen tree in Rose Bay, in the city's east (pictured right)

Brave swimmers prepare to test their strength against powerful waves crashing into the Bondi Icebergs on Saturday

The three swimmers grip tightly to the guard rail as a wave smashes into the famous Bondi Beach pool

Blasted 80 people at the Rock Am Ring festival GERMANY

News - Published Sunday, June 5, 2016 by The Weather Channel-- LA CHAINE METEO

The rock festival and Metal Rock Am Ring was disrupted by violent storms and severe flooding. 80 people were injured by lightning on Friday night, look at the images of the video elements.

http://actualite.lachainemeteo.com/actualite-meteo/2016-06-05-14h20...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&...

Germany is affected by extremely violent storms for a week and the weather conditions will remain dangerous on the center of the country all next week. It is in this context that had held one of the largest in Europe Festival, Rock Am Ring, which was forced to cancel his last day of concerts, that of Sunday.

The festival acceuillait this weekend the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Volbeat, Deftones, Billy Talent, Bring Me The Horizon and many others. But at a concert Friday night, a "Superbolt" (enormous lightning) hit a group of people about 80 festival-goers were injured by the spread of electricity.

You should know that the power is transmitted very well from one body to the other especially when they are in the water, a very good conductor of electricity (the festival were in the mud). 15 people were reported in a "serious condition", and many of them had to be resuscitated after cardiac arrest

After repeatedly interrupted concerts in the last three days, the authorities decided to cancel the final day on Sunday because of persistent thunderstorms. The festival organization has also asked farmers in the area to clear festival of cars from the mud and water with their tractors.

During its history, the festival has often been confronted with bad weather: last year, thirty people had been struck by lightning.

http://strangesounds.org/2016/06/extreme-cold-in-brazil-18c-snow-fo...

A wave of polar air is currently sweeping across Santa Catarina, Brazil bringing extreme cold temperatures in this this tropical land.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, subzero temperatures were recorded in 14 cities. On the Hill of the Church (Morro da Igreja) in Uribici, temperature plummeted to -18°C! Insane!

Santa Catarina in southern Brazil is being hit by a wave of extreme cold.

14 cities were in subzero temperatures at dawn on June 8, 2016.

In one of Brazil’s coldest spots, the hill of the Church in Urubici, temperature of -1°C was registered. But taking into account the intense southerly winds, the temperature plummeted to -18 °C.

Many municipalities were covered in white in the early hours of the day and marked 0 ° C. Sierra, flowers and lawns of the gardens were frozen.

In the capital of the State, Florianópolis, the lowest temperature of the last seven years has been measured (3 °C).

According to the Meteorological Center of Santa Catarina (Epagri / Ciram), the temperature will continue to decline in the next days as the wave of polar air will last until Monday, June 13, 2016.

Snow is forecast in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina mountains, where snow did not fell in 2015.

 

Hot in London: guard faints during the parade for the Queen [PHOTOS and VIDEO]

June 11, 2016

A guard fainted during Trooping the Colour, a military parade for the 90th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth

http://www.meteoweb.eu/foto/caldo-a-londra-guardia-sviene-durante-l...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbaOW-POiw4

Probably because of the heat (in London this morning by recorded 22 ° C), or perhaps to stress or the weight of the uniform, a guard fainted during Trooping the Colour, a military parade for the 90th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth:

the man suddenly she passed out under the eyes of colleagues and was promptly cared for by paramedics. His condition does not raise concerns.

Extreme Weather Putting a Damper on Outdoor Music Festivals (Jun 9)

Music festival organizers have increasingly been presented with the unexpected challenge of extreme weather.

Last weekend alone, several music festivals were evacuated because of severe weather, including Field Trip at Toronto's Fort York National Historic Site. Others, including New York City's Governors Ball, cancelled portions of their festivals.

In Germany, more than 70 people were injured after lightning struck the Rock am Ring festival, headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath — whose show was cancelled.

Torrential rain and intense thunderstorms have caused many evacuations and cancellations during Canadian festivals over the past few years. High winds have also led to festival stage collapses: one in 2011 at Ottawa Bluesfest; the other in 2009 during Alberta's Big Valley Jamboree where one person was killed.

Maud Salvi, the executive director of Calgary's Sled Island music festival, said bad weather can be grim news for festival management. Her festival is still partially recovering from 2013, when it was cancelled halfway through because of the Calgary floods.

In 2013, Sled Island gave its festival pass holders the opportunity for a refund. Fortunately, 70 per cent of pass holders didn't ask for their money back.

Other festivals have been washouts as well. Calgary's X-Fest, which is presented by Live Nation, was cancelled last year due to heavy rain.

The Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ont., has had its fair share of extreme weather. In 2014, the festival had to cancel shows and close a few hours early after a tornado touched down about an hour away from the festival site.

Marie Zimmerman, who is now Hillside's executive director, was in the crowd that night as a ticket holder.

"I was extremely worried, of course, that, you know, something would short or blow up," she said. "It struck me at the time as extremely dangerous, because the rain came down so quickly that people had barely time to respond."

"There are storms, though, that appear to come out of nowhere. Almost like Zeus arrives and decides that he's going to throw a few thunderbolts down," she said.

Later that weekend, there was another close call with a lightning strike at the music festival.

The risk of extreme weather is growing, said Jeff Kienapple, a vice-president with Arthur J. Gallagher in Ontario who specializes in risk management and commercial insurance.

"Severe weather has become a major problem," he said. "The insurance industry is reeling with extreme weather patterns … this is a new reality for festivals really across the country and across the world."

"This is a relatively new phenomenon, but it's a phenomenon that's going to be with us for a while."

Source

http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/music-festival-extreme-weather-1.36...

Baked Alaska: Average spring temperature of Last Frontier state hits highs of 32 degrees – shattering the previous record set in 1998

• NOAA says Alaska for the first time in its modern climate record averaged 32 degrees for March through May
• That surpassed by 2 degrees the previous 1998 record
• The record high for January through May also was exceeded
• The agency says temperatures in the first five months averaged 26.1 degrees
• That's 2.5 degrees higher than the previous record of 23.7 set in 1981

By ASSOCIATED PRESS and ZOE SZATHMARY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 08:20 EST, 11 June 2016 | UPDATED: 09:57 EST, 11 June 2016

No one calls springtime in Alaska balmy but the state this year saw record high spring temperatures, it's been revealed.  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Wednesday: 'For the first time in its modern climate history, Alaska's average spring temperature hit 32.0 degrees F, breaking a record set in 1998.'

That surpassed by 2 degrees the previous 1998 record.

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No one calls springtime in Alaska balmy but the state this year saw record high spring temperatures, it's been revealed

The record high for January through May also was exceeded.

NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) said online: 'As was the case through April, Alaska's year-to-date average temperature was record warm.

'This year's January-May value of 26.1°F was 10.3°F above the 1925-2000 average and 2.4°F higher than the previous record of 23.7°F set in 1981.

'The last three January-May periods have been three of the four warmest on record for Alaska.'

According to NCEI's website, 'Alaska had its second warmest May on record with a statewide temperature of 44.0°F, 6.0°F above average and 1.0°F shy of its May record set last year.'

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This NOAA map shows the mean temperature departures from average for March - May 2016. NCEI said that for Alaska, 'This year's January-May value of 26.1°F was 10.3°F above the 1925-2000 average and 2.4°F higher than the previous record of 23.7°F set in 1981'

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According to NOAA, 'The Northwest was much warmer than average for spring. [Washington state] observed its second and [Oregon] its third warmest spring' 

The Twitter account for the National Weather Service Alaska region posted a map online Wednesday. 

It indicated that St. Paul, Bethel, King Salmon, Kodiak, Kenai, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Gulkana, Cordova, Northway, Yakutat, Juneau, and Ketchikan saw their warmest springs this year.

Nome, Kotzebue, McGrath and Barrow saw their second-warmest springs, while Bettles saw its third-warmest spring, according to the map.  

Alaska also saw a record high temperature for April this year. 

NCEI's website said that: 'The Alaska April temperature was record high at 33.3°F, 10.0°F above the 1925-2000 average and 0.4°F warmer than the previous record set in 1940.

'Record warmth was observed across the southern parts of the state with much-above-average temperatures for central and northern Alaska. 

'Temperatures more than 12°F above average were observed across western parts of the state. 

'Anchorage had its warmest April on record with a temperature of 43.5°F, 2.8°F warmer than the previous record set just last year.'  

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Alaska also saw a record high temperature for April this year. NCEI's website said that: 'The Alaska April temperature was record high at 33.3°F, 10.0°F above the 1925-2000 average and 0.4°F warmer than the previous record set in 1940' (stock image) 

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3636604/Burning-Alaska-s-av... 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/streets-turns-river-shocking-f...

Streets turns into RIVER in shocking footage after torrential downpour causes flash flooding

The 'river' was caught on camera after a third day of flooding across various parts of Greater Manchester with roads closed and trains cancelled

Amazed residents have captured an incredible torrent of water pouring through the streets in flooded Stockport.

A rush of water is seen streaming done a road close to Torkington Park, in Hazel Grove , as drivers struggle to pass through the flooded carriageway.

Meanwhile, trains were stopped between Buxton and Hazel Grove due to a landslide at Disley.

Firefighters were called to Fulmar drive, in Offerton, at around 4pm following reports that flooding had affected the electrics in around 15 properties.

Flood in Bideford Drive, Baguley

Officers are currently carrying out inspections on all properties, and the water level is said to be subsiding.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service told the Manchester Evening News firefighters have been called out to a number of incidents throughout the day as heavy rain lashed the region.

It is the third day of flooding with incidents on Thursday across Rochdale and Middleton and various parts of Greater Manchester on Friday.

Yesterday a woman and young child had to rescued from their home when it was flooded with more than a metre of rainwater.

 

Impressive Wave Clouds Over Indiana (Jun 10)

Source

It Just Snowed On Hawaii’s Big Island

Pack your swimsuit AND your parka.

Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island woke on Tuesday to find the summit of Mauna Kea volcano dusted with a fresh layer of summer snow.

Considered both the world’s tallest volcano and its tallest mountain (when measured from the ocean floor), Mauna Kea occasionally sees snow. But a storm in mid-June is relatively bizarre.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said the dusting resulted from a combination of passing precipitation and “cold upper level temperatures.”

The dormant volcano, which rises 13,796 feet above sea level, was also hit by a rare storm last July that brought 1.5 inches of snow and icy conditions to the summit. 

The mountain’s weather is extremely unpredictable, according to the Mauna Kea Weather Center. 

“A calm sunny day may quickly become treacherous with hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions,” a MKWC statement warns. “Summit winds above 120 mph are not uncommon. Snowstorms have even occurred during the summer months.”

Summer skiing on a volcano in Hawaii — add that to your bucket list.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hawaii-summer-snow-2016_us_5760...