Earth Changes and the Pole Shift
Wild Weather, the Wobble Effect
|
Weather: |
Tides and Whirlpools:
|
"We warned at the start of ZetaTalk, in 1995, that unpredictable weather extremes, switching about from drought to deluge, would occur and increase on a lineal basis up until the pole shift. Where this occurred steadily, it has only recently become undeniable. ZetaTalk, and only ZetaTalk, warned of these weather changes, at that early date. Our early warnings spoke to the issue of global heating from the core outward, hardly Global Warming, a surface or atmospheric issue, but caused by consternation in the core. Affected by the approach of Planet X, which was by then starting to zoom rapidly toward the inner solar system for its periodic passage, the core was churning, melting the permafrost and glaciers and riling up volcanoes. When the passage did not occur as expected in 2003 because Planet X had stalled in the inner solar system, we explained the increasing weather irregularities in the context of the global wobble that had ensued - weather wobbles where the Earth is suddenly forced under air masses, churning them. This evolved by 2005 into a looping jet stream, loops breaking away and turning like a tornado to affect the air masses underneath. Meanwhile, on Planet Earth, droughts had become more intractable and deluges positively frightening, temperature swings bringing snow in summer in the tropics and searing heat in Artic regions, with the violence of storms increasing in number and ferocity."
From the ZetaTalk Chat Q&A for February 4, 2012:
The wobble seems to have changed, as the temperature in Europe suddenly plunged after being like an early Spring, Alaska has its coldest temps ever while the US and much of Canada is having an extremely mild winter. India went from fatal cold spell to balmy again. Has the Earth changed position vs a vs Planet X to cause this? [and from another] Bitter cold records broken in Alaska - all time coldest record nearly broken, but Murphy's Law intervenes [Jan 30] http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/30/bitter-cold-records-broken-in-alaska Jim River, AK closed in on the all time record coldest temperature of -80°F set in 1971, which is not only the Alaska all-time record, but the record for the entire United States. Unfortunately, it seems the battery died in the weather station just at the critical moment. While the continental USA has a mild winter and has set a number of high temperature records in the last week and pundits ponder whether they will be blaming the dreaded "global warming" for those temperatures, Alaska and Canada have been suffering through some of the coldest temperatures on record during the last week.
There has been no change in the wobble pattern, the wobble has merely become more severe. Nancy noted a Figure 8 format when the Earth wobble first became noticeable, in early 2005, after Planet X moved into the inner solar system at the end of 2003. The Figure 8 shifted along to the east a bit on the globe between 2005 and 2009, (the last time Nancy took its measure) as Planet X came closer to the Earth, encountering the magnetic N Pole with a violent push earlier in the day. But the pattern of the Figure 8 remained essentially the same. So what changed recently that the weather patterns became noticeably different in late January, 2012?
The N Pole is pushed away when it comes over the horizon, when the noon Sun is centered over the Pacific. This regularly puts Alaska under colder air, with less sunlight, and thus the historically low temps there this January, 2012 as the wobble has gotten stronger. But by the time the Sun is positioned over India, the N Pole has swung during the Figure 8 so the globe tilts, and this tilt is visible in the weather maps from Asia. The tilt has forced the globe under the hot air closer to the Equator, warming the land along a discernable tilt demarcation line.
The next loop of the Figure 8 swings the globe so that the N Pole moves in the other direction, putting the globe again at a tilt but this time in the other direction. This tilt is discernable in weather maps of Europe, again along a diagonal line. Depending upon air pressure and temperature differences, the weather on either side of this diagonal line may be suddenly warm or suddenly cold. The tilt and diagonal line lingers to affect much of the US and Canada, but the Figure 8 changes at this point to be an up and down motion, pulling the geographic N Pole south so the US is experiencing a warmer than expected winter under a stronger Sun. Then the cycle repeats, with the magnetic N Pole of Earth pushed violently away again as the Sun is positioned over the Pacific.
From the ZetaTalk Chat Q&A for April 6, 2013:
Would the Zetas be able to let us know what is causing the early break-up of the Arctic Ice, the ice seems to have taken on a swirling pattern at the same time, would this be wobble related? [and from another] http://www.vancouversun.com/news/national/Canada+Arctic+cracks+spectacular+event/8185609/story.html The ice in Canada’s western Arctic ripped open in a massive “fracturing event” this spring that spread like a wave across 1,000 kilometres of the Beaufort Sea. Huge leads of water – some more than 500 kilometres long and as much as 70 kilometres across – opened up from Alaska to Canada’s Arctic islands as the massive ice sheet cracked as it was pushed around by strong winds and currents. It took just seven days for the fractures to progress across the entire area from west to east. [and from another] http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=80752&src=iotdrss A high-pressure weather system was parked over the region, producing warmer temperatures and winds that flowed in a southwesterly direction. That fueled the Beaufort Gyre, a wind-driven ocean current that flows clockwise. The gyre was the key force pulling pieces of ice west past Point Barrow, the northern nub of Alaska that protrudes into the Beaufort Sea.
The Figure 8 formed by the N Pole during the daily Earth wobble has shifted somewhat to the East, due to Planet X positioned more to the right of the Earth during its approach. This was anticipated, and well described in ZetaTalk, the Earth crowding to the left in the cup to escape the approach of Planet X, so the angle between these two planets would change slightly. This shift of the Figure 8 to the East is due to the push against the Earth’s magnetic N Pole occurring sooner each day than prior. Thus instead of occurring when the Sun is high over the Pacific, over New Zealand, it is now occurring when the Sun is high over Alaska. All the wobble points have shifted eastward accordingly.
This has brought a lingering Winter to the western US, and a changed sloshing pattern to the Arctic waters. Instead of Pacific waters being pushed through the Bering Straits into the Arctic when the polar push occurs, the wobble is swinging the Arctic to the right, and then later to the left, creating a circular motion in the waters trapped in the Arctic. Since the Earth rotates counterclockwise, the motion also takes this path. This is yet another piece of evidence that the establishment is hard pressed to explain. They are attempting to ascribe this to high pressure and wind, all of which are not new to the Arctic, but this circular early breakup of ice in the Arctic is new.
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/05/25/extreme-once-in-a-decade-storm-bri...
Extreme 'once-in-a-decade' storm brings destructive winds and rain to Western Australia
An extreme weather event described as a "once-in-a-decade" brought destructive winds and rain to a wide stretch of Western Australia on May 24 and 25, 2020.
Wind speed of up to 132 km/h (82 mph) was recorded at Cape Leeuwin, the state's strongest May gust in 15 years. In Perth, the wind gusted at more than 90 km/h (56 mph) overnight.
The highest rainfall totals in a 24-hour period to Monday were 60 mm (2.4 inches) at Learmonth Airport and 54 mm (2.1 inches) in Margaret River. Several areas in the Pilbara region received up to 50 mm (2 inches), while up to 20 mm (0.8 inches) soaked agricultural lands.
More than 60 000 homes lost electricity, most of which in the main city of Perth. In an update at 09:00 UTC (17:00 LT) on Monday, Western Power reported that around 4 400 properties remain off supply in the metropolitan area.
In the northern part of the network extending to Geraldton and the Mid West, the number of disrupted homes has been reduced to 1 000, from a peak of 13 000 on Sunday, May 24.
"Our teams have responded to 1 500 incidents over the past 24 hours, with 650 in the metropolitan area alone and nearly 500 hazards identified and assessed," it stated.
Geraldton was hit particularly bad, with debris scattered on streets, windscreens smashed, and several buildings demolished.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) manager Neil Bennett said the weather system stretched some 1 200 km (746 miles), also causing some flooding and beach erosion.
"It was really right up and down the coast, including the Perth area, but particularly that southwest area of Western Australia really caught the brunt of this one."
The Canal Rocks walk bridge was reportedly badly damaged by heavy swells and high tides. The area has since been closed to the public.
Pilbara Ports Authority said that while port operations had not been impacted, elevated swell led to some minor changes in the shipping schedule at the Port of Dampier.
Jon Broomhall, Assistant Acting Commissioner of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, dubbed the storm system a "once-in-a-decade" type.
The situation was caused by the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone "Mangga" that hit a cold front. "This is a rare event for WA particularly due to the extent of the area affected and the possibility of multiple areas of dangerous weather," said BOM.
While strong wind gusts may still be felt in the Perth metro area, they are no longer expected to be severe or above 90 km/h (56 mph), the weather bureau noted.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds and abnormally high tides is in force for South Coastal, South East Coastal, and parts of South West and Great Southern districts. Marine wind warnings are also in place for some areas, while a severe fire danger warning is forecast for Eucla.
May 25, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Red Sprites Kansas and Nebraska 5/23/2020
https://www.spaceweather.com/
May 26, 2020
Juan F Martinez
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — South Florida’s relentless rain is providing a bit of a break Tuesday morning but more storms are expected Tuesday afternoon and evening.
A Flood watch has been extended until 8;)0 p.m. Tuesday evening because the ground is already saturated and any additional rainfall will lead to more flooding.
https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/05/26/miami-weather-flood-watch-rem...
May 26, 2020
Gerard Zwaan
Turkey's eastern provinces hit by disruptive snowstorm and strong winds
Posted by Julie Celestial on May 26, 2020 at 21:57 UTC (48 minutes ago)
Categories: Featured articles, Severe storms
A cold front accompanied by snow and strong winds caused disruptions to Turkey's eastern provinces beginning Sunday, May 24, 2020. The storm led to extensive damage to properties, power blackouts, traffic interruptions, and at least one person dead.
In the southeastern province of Hakkari, strong winds damaged roofs of houses and public buildings in the city center. A booth serving as a taxi stand was also blown away, rolling into a street.
Homes in Van's city center also took a hit, as well as greenhouses and fields in the nearby districts of Gurpinar, Saray, Gevas, and Ozalp, where a barn's roof collapsed, killing many sheep.
Power blackouts occurred throughout the region, including in Ardahan's city center.
In the city of Kahramanmaras, the storm damaged several apartment buildings, grocery stores, billboards, and a school. In the Nurhak district, a group consisting of 30 people was rescued by the local Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and gendarmerie units.
In the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, rainfall accompanied by hail blanketed streets, leading to whiteout conditions that caused disruptions to drivers exempt from the curfew.
The damage reported in the city center was minimal, however, crops were impacted in the countryside, as well as in the neighboring province of Elazig.
Early Monday, May 25, five neighborhood watchmen sustained injuries in Erzerum's Horasan district. The commuters were on their way home from duty when their car veered off the road.
The country's highlands were also affected by snowfall, especially the northern and eastern parts. High altitude areas in the province of Erzincan were particularly impacted as village roads were blocked, many mountain passes were closed, and drivers had to use tire chains on highways.
At least one fatality was reported, identified as a 70-year-old shepherd. Several cattle breeders in the highlands of the Uzumulu district managed to survive and return to their villages, along with their herd. Baris Metin Kurt, a shepherd, said the weather suddenly became bad, and it is the first time they encountered such an event in May.
In the northern Kastamonu province, a group of shepherds roaming the countryside with 440 sheep were trapped on a plateau following a sudden snowfall. Around 80 sheep perished due to cold and exhaustion, while many remain unaccounted for. Shepherds took refuge in a nearby village with their remaining animals.
In the northern Giersun province, more than a dozen shepherds, along with some 4 000 sheep were rescued in the highlands as local units cleared roads engulfed in snow and brought in fodder.
Featured image credit: Forum Atmosfer/YouTube
Source: https://watchers.news/2020/05/26/turkey-snowstorm-may-2020/
May 27, 2020
jorge namour
Gulf countries start painting the streets with colored asphalt.
Dark asphalt temperature is 20 degrees higher than real as black absorbs heat.
https://www.facebook.com/113767793379944/photos/a.113816356708421/2...
May 28, 2020
Gerard Zwaan
Anomalous June Snow in the Rockies: Snowplows Deployed in Utah and Wyoming – A Foot of Snow in Idaho and Montana – And We Are Only Two Weeks Away From the Summer Solstice!
The summer solstice is just under two weeks away, and yet parts of the northern Rockies resemble a scene out of winter on Monday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said heavy snow has developed across parts of Montana, Idaho, and Utah.
Heavy June snow covers parts of Montana, Idaho and Utah in one foot of snow in 2020. Picture via Twitter
Forecasters said an “anomalously cold and vigorous upper trough for early June,” is swinging through the western U.S and northern Plains, bringing the threat for severe weather.
In the northern regions, the storm system is bringing accumulating snow.
“Some of the higher elevations of southwest Montana into the Yellowstone National Park could see heavy snow today before the snow tapers off by tonight,” the WPC said. “The snow will spread into the higher elevations of the central Rockies as well.”
In Utah, UDOT snowplows were dispatched to both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, where several inches of snow have fallen causing some pretty big rocks to come down.
Meanwhile, in Wyoming, crews are also at work:
Winter weather advisories have been posted throughout the region, where up to 7 inches of snow could fall. Some residents reported seeing a foot of fresh powder.
The NWS Great Falls forecast office said moderate to heavy snow is expected in locations above 5,000 feet.
Motorists in the area can expect slushy and snow-covered roads, visibilities to less than a half-mile.
“If you are traveling over mountain passes, be prepared for winter driving conditions and reduced visibility,” the NWS said.
Portions of central and southwest Montana reported power outages due to the heavy, wet snow, MontanaRightNow reported.
Forecasters say snow in the region is highly unusual for June and that people who may be camping are probably not prepared for such conditions. Frozen precipitation typically ends in May across the region.
Wind chills as low as the teens are expected on Monday for central, southwest, and west-central Montana.
After the snow stops, cold conditions are expected to stick around through Tuesday morning, spurring frost and freeze warnings for parts of the area.
That same cold front bringing heavy snow over the Northern Rockies is going to fuel severe storms for the Northern and Central Plains, according to Fox News.
More videos about the anomalous and heavy snow in Utah, Idaho and Montana this weekend:
The weather is going crazy right now! An extremely rare derecho was also reported across Wyoming and Colorad... This was the second such massive storm in three days… More than 100,000 lightnings on the West Coast… And now heavy snow. Really abnormal, isn’t it?
Source: https://strangesounds.org/2020/06/anomalous-snow-june-montana-idaho...
Jun 9, 2020
Juan F Martinez
"I’m a sucker for a great weather photo - this one may be one of the best!"
~ Chris Nelson KIMT Chief Meteorologist, 2 hours ago
Taken near a supercell thunderstorm, Stavros K in Springlake, TX caught this one via camera.
https://www.facebook.com/chrisnelsonKIMTchief/photos/a.162152430473...
Jun 15, 2020
KM
https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/rural-sask-wind-storm-wreaks-havoc-lea...
Rural Sask. wind storm wreaks havoc, leaves behind overturned grain cars
BIRCH HILLS -- The aftermath left by a wind and hail storm over the weekend has prompted the RM of Birch Hills to declare a state of emergency.
On Sunday evening, high winds and hail damaged the roofs of buildings, broke trees and overturned grain bins. About 20 grain cars were blown off the train tracks in the RM.
“It was a plow wind,” said Brancepeth resident Dwade Segi. He’s lived in the hamlet, located in the RM, for 16-years.
The roof of the community's water treatment plant was destroyed by the wind.
“I worked until midnight last night trying to get the water treatment plant taken care of. We had to get generators out of Prince Albert.”
SaskPower said 15 power lines were broken in the storm and they are working to restore power in Brancepeth area.
The Reeve of the RM Allan Evans said the state of emergency will help the community access equipment or supplies from the province such as generators.
The RM is also looking at accessing the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program to help with the cleanup, Evans said.
Flooding, high winds reported after massive storm pummels north-east Sask.
Humboldt declared state of emergency, train blown off tracks near Birch Hills
People in an area between Humboldt and Birch Hills are picking up the pieces after a wicked storm blew through the area Sunday afternoon.
Jun 16, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Videos show massive flooding in S. China, Three Gorges Dam next
Three Gorges Dam faces serious test as Chongqing hit by worst flooding in 80 years
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As southern China sees some of its worst flooding in 80 years, videos have surfaced showing extreme quantities of water inundating 10 provinces and cities, threatening the vaunted Three Gorges Dam.
As China's Yangtze River Basin enters its flood season, the upper reaches of the Three Gorges Dam are seeing the highest flood levels since 1940. Weather China has issued its highest warning for flooding and rain for the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River to Guizhou.
The rainfall is expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 23 and 24). Flood warnings have been issued in more than 10 provinces and municipalities in China, including Guizhou, Chongqing, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Guangxi.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3952434
Jun 25, 2020
Gerard Zwaan
US Weather Anomalies: State of Emergency Declared After 9 Inches of Rain in 24 Hours Trigger__ Deadly Flash Floods in Western Wisconsin – 6 Inches of Snow in Idaho
Officials in St. Croix County in western Wisconsin declared a state of emergency on 29 June after major flash flooding.
In a statement, county officials said: “On June 28 and 29, parts of St. Croix County received over seven inches of rain causing flooding and washed out roads across the county.
“The areas experiencing significant flooding are the Municipalities of Kinnickinnic, Pleasant Valley, Rush River, Eau Galle, Warren, Hammond, Baldwin, Springfield, Erin Prairie, Emerald, Glenwood, Cylon, and Forest.“
According to NWS Twin Cities, in a 24 hour period to 29 June, Emerald recorded 9.13 inches (232 mm) of rain, Baldwin 8.22 inches (208.79 mm), Hammond 8.20 inches (208.28 mm) and River Fall 7.25 inches (184.15 mm).
At one point over 50 roads were closed in the area due to flooding.
St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office reported that a man died after after his vehicle entered a flooded area in the town of Baldwin. The vehicle entered a ditch and became submerged in water.
The Sheriff’s Office also said that at least eight families were evacuated from houses near an overflowing creek and taken to a nearby community centre. – Floodlist
Meanwhile, portions of the Wood River Valley in Idaho woke up to more than 6 inches of snow on Monday morning, as the end of June looked more like a mid-winter morning.
Galena Summit saw more than 6 inches of snow on Monday, an uncommon occurrence at the end of June in Idaho. Picture: Eric Brill / KMVT
The mountain towns within the Central and Sawtooth Mountains were a little bit too warm too see any of the white stuff fly, but once you were able to get above approximately 6,700 feet, snow started to cover the ground.
At Galena Summit, which is approximately midway between Ketchum and Stanley, saw more than 6 inches of snow. This is at approximately 8,700 feet above sea level, and of course, the higher you are above sea level within this part of the Central and Sawtooth Mountains, the more snow you will see.
Luckily, with temperatures last week as well as Saturday in the 70s for highs, the snow wasn’t able to accumulate very much on Highway 75.
With that noted, the threat of snow is expected to linger around until Tuesday. Another 2-4 inches of snow will be possible, with the majority of the accumulation happening on grassy surfaces, as well as the majestic trees of the Sawtooth National Forest.
While the snow isn’t the most common thing to see in southern Idaho for late June, the amount of snow that is accumulating within this specific storm is uncommon. – KMTV
Source:https://strangesounds.org/2020/06/weather-anomalies-wisconsin-flash...
Jun 30, 2020
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/07/01/northwest-saskatchewan-hit-by-wors...
Northwest Saskatchewan hit by worst flooding in 46 years, Canada
Rare flooding, described as the worst in 46 years, hit the northwest Saskatchewan this week. High flow is making its way to the Beaver River, affecting the Beauval area.
Overland flooding on the Little Saskatchewan River through Rapid City has affected multiple properties, and road washouts were reported both local and provincial.
"Our road is underwater and breaking up," said Candyce Paul, the incident commander with English River First Antion's emergency management team.
The last time flooding was this bad was in 1974, Paul said, adding that it is possible that some roads may be closed. Saskatchewan Highways also said that floodwaters may force the closure of Highway 165 in the province's north.
"This is something we've been asking the government, 'Are you going to keep this road open? Do you have a plan B'?" she stated.
"By the sounds of it, plan B is we're cut off for three weeks, likely."
Paula noted that this is a big concern, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic where there are limited services in the province's north. Five communities depend on the road to get essentials, she added.
"We don't even have a store here, or at La Plonge, where we can get essentials. We can't get gas here. Our medical services and our mail, all on the other side. The pharmacy's on the other side."
According to the province's Water Safety Agency, water levels are still rising and it could hit its peak in a few days.
"After the peak hits, it's a gradual decrease," said Patrick Boyle with Water Safety Agency. "You'll have high water levels there for probably the next week to 10 days for sure, and then they gradually start to go down."
The flooding was caused by heavy rains in Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan, Boyle added.
Paul also noted that her community may leave a truck on the other side of the water and escort citizens who need to travel to get there.
The ministry, on the other hand, assured that it is monitoring the water levels, has set up barriers, and has put an 8 000 kg (17 600 lbs) weight limit in place.
Jul 1, 2020
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/07/03/rivers-dam-hits-highest-level-caus...
Rivers Dam hits highest level, causing '1 000-year' flooding - Manitoba, Canada
Up to 38 homes and 83 people were evacuated in southern Manitoba on Wednesday night, July 1, 2020, as the Rivers Dam hit its highest level in a "once-in-1 000-year" event, said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler. The incident was unprecedented and unimaginable, according to Rural Municipality of Riverdale Mayor Todd Gill.
"I don't think anybody could have conceivably anticipated this much water coming at us, and it came at us at an incredibly fast rate," Schuler stated at a news conference Thursday afternoon, July 2.
"The government no longer has confidence in the structure in the dam at Rivers, Manitoba."
Engineers are on-site to monitor the spillway for any signs of trouble, he added. The province also deployed 11 standard emergency response trailers, including water pumps and water tubes.
The water flows from Lake Wahtopanah and the Little Saskatchewan River at the dam are more than 340 cubic m per second (12 000 cubic feet per second), which surpassed the 2011 flood levels.
"The water level at the Rivers Dam is at its highest level, ever," Schuler noted, calling it a "once-in-1 000-year" event.
Heavy downpours have caused water levels to rise in creeks and rivers in the area. The town of Neepawa has already declared a local state of emergency due to high water levels along the Whitemud River.
In areas near the Little Saskatchewan River Valley, Gill said 38 families had evacuated after days of intense rains in the southwest and western Manitoba.
Northwest Saskatchewan was hit by rare flooding this week, which was described as the worst in 46 years.
"It’s not only unprecedented but unimaginable, really," Gill said Thursday. "Never would anybody imagine what we are facing right now."
Hours after the evacuations, people downstream of the dam were keeping an eye on the structure to see if it will withstand the water accumulating over the past days, Gill added.
"People are literally right on site, 24 hours a day, monitoring and studying this structure because it's got a wall of water behind it that nobody has ever seen before," the mayor said.
Some areas have received record-high rainfall of more than 200 mm (8 inches) this week.
Jul 3, 2020
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/07/06/saskatchewan-hit-by-3-tornadoes-in...
Saskatchewan hit by 3 tornadoes, intense rain and large hail, Canada
At least three tornadoes touched down in southwest Saskatchewan Saturday afternoon, July 4, 2020. The storm also brought damaging winds, large hail, and intense rainfall to the province. Environment Canada confirmed the first twister near Glenbain, the second near Kincaid to Woodrow, and the third near Assiniboia. Some of the reported damage is still being investigated.
Environment Canada issued its first tornado warning around 21:40 UTC (15:40 LT) on Saturday. A storm system moved southeast across the province, hitting Kincaid and Glenbain an hour later.
The tornado was later confirmed, but no damage was reported by Sunday, July 5.
Hail also fell in some parts of the province, which was said to be around the size of a golfball. Many farmers said their crops were affected by the storm.
The second tornado hit Kincaid at roughly 22:40 UTC (16:40 LT), where damage to a home and farm is still being investigated, the department said.
Around 00:20 UTC on July 5 (18:20 LT on July 4), a third twister touched down near Assiniboia. No damage was reported.
In a weather summary issued on July 5, Environment Canada noted that "these storm assessments are considered preliminary and may be changed if more information becomes available."
Severe weather had been affecting Saskatchewan over the past days. During the first week of July, the northwestern region was hit by rare flooding, which was described as the worst in 46 years.
Meanwhile, the neighboring province of Manitoba was struck by a "once-in-1 000-year" flood event in the same period as the Rivers Dam hit its highest level on record.
Jul 7, 2020
KM
Source
Fast-Moving Line of Severe Storms Triggers Tsunami in Upper Chesapeake Bay
A rare meteotsunami formed in the Chesapeake Bay as thunderstorms rolled through Maryland Monday night.
According the The National Weather Service’s Mt. Holly bureau the tsunami formed near Tolchester Beach in Kent County.
Extreme storms create meteotsunami on Chesapeake Bay on July 6, 2020. Picture: NOAA/Michelle Mcgahey
A meteotsunami is a tsunami wave that is brought on by air-pressure disturbances often associated with fast-moving weather events like severe thunderstorms, squalls, and other storm fronts.
The tidal chart showed that there was a sharp rise and fall along several smaller waves. This wasn’t due to any seismic activity, instead it was due to the substantial pressure created by the thunderstorm.
This is the classic meteotsunami signature with a tsunami wave followed by several smaller waves in response.
Powerful storm
According to folks at Tolchester Marina, the storm was extremely intense. Cathy Bramble, marina president, tells Bay Bulletin the rain came down sideways and wind gusts were so strong that Tolchester’s 20-foot steel flagpole was bent. Bramble says the wind also blew a sign right into the marina’s palm tree, where it became lodged in the trunk.
Boaters at the marina saw hail and one sailboater’s wind instrument clocked a gust at just under 70 miles per hour.
Radar loops showed that the storm outflow – a line, or in this case a ring, of cool dry winds – move out of the thunderstorm cluster in a symmetric pattern. “This pattern would have produced gusty winds as it passed over the Cheapeake Bay and lowered the atmospheric pressure suddenly,” explains Snider.
Two years ago, in May 2018, two meteotsunamis formed on Lake Michigan within a single day! Amazing!
The last suspected meteotsunami on the mid-Atlantic coast was the result of a derecho back in 2013. The rare phenomenon is hard to predict and there is no warning system yet.
https://strangesounds.org/2020/07/tsunami-chesapeake-bay-usa-meteot...
Jul 8, 2020
KM
Source
Unprecedented Floods in Japan Kill at Least 60 People – More Than 550,000 Told to Evacuate After 4 Inches of Rain Fall in an Hour
Torrential rain storms that triggered flash floods and mudslides in Japan’s Kyushu region have left 60 people dead or missing.
Hundreds of thousands have also been evacuated to safer areas.
Flooding and landslides caused by unprecedented rain in southern Japan have left at least 60 people dead. Picture via Youtube video
Mother Nature’s wrath continues to sweep Japan.
Torrential rain in the country’s Kyushu region, southwestern Japan, has triggered floods and mudslides.
Authorities say at least 49 people have been confirmed dead, while eleven others are unaccounted for.
Unprecedented Rain
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said such rainfall had never been seen before in the region. As much as 4 inches an hour fell at one time.
The heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in Kumamoto totaled nearly 20 inches in Minamata and nearly 16 inches in Kuma, Yunomae and Amakusa, according to the Meteorological Agency.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by continued downpours, with up to 300 millimeters of rain in the forecast through Tuesday.
Evacuations
Meteorological authorities in Japan have also issued special heavy rain warnings to three prefectures Nagasaki, Saga, and Fukuoka and the authorities have also issued evacuation orders to 330,000 citizens.
Such orders have also been issued to 205,000 people in Kumamoto Prefecture, and to approximately 35,000 in Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefecture, totaling 550,000 people across Japan.
Rescue
With many waiting to be rescued, the Japanese government has also dispatched around 10,000 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to the hardest-hit areas.
More than 2,000 households have been left stranded, many of which are home to elderly people.
Helicopters and boats have been rescuing people from their homes where they can.
The flooding has also cut off power and communication lines, further delaying search and rescue efforts.
https://strangesounds.org/2020/07/japan-floods-60-dead-videos-evacu...
Jul 10, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Wuhan, China
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3092627/covid-19-an...
https://www.facebook.com/extremweatherworldd/
Jul 10, 2020
SongStar101
Flooding expands throughout China
China – Floods Affect Millions in Central and Eastern Provinces
http://floodlist.com/asia/china-floods-central-eastern-july-2020
Flooding in central and eastern provinces of China has worsened over the last few days, with over 14 million people affected across the worst hit provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Zhejiang.
Floodwaters first hit Sichuan, Guizhou and Chongqing in the southwest and Hubei in central China in late June. High river flows have since moved eastwards along the Yangtze river basin. According to China’s Ministry of Water Resources, rivers are above danger levels in over 80 locations.
Recent heavy rainfall in the region has swollen rivers and lakes further, as well as causing flash flooding and landslides. Wide areas of eastern China saw between 400 mm and 600 mm of rain in the first 10 days of July, according to figures from China’s Meteorological Agency (CMA).
Hubei Province
Recent flooding in Hubei Province has affected over 9 million people in 44 counties, according to the province’s Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, quoted by local media. The provincial emergency management department has evacuated more than 17,000 people to safety.
As of 10 July, the Yangtze at Jingzhou City stood 1.04 metres above warning levels at 33.04 metres. Meanwhile the Yangtze at Hankou in Wuhan stood at 28.04 metres on 10 July, above the danger mark of 27.3 metres.
Heavy rain on 08 July triggered a landslide in Dahe Township of Huangmei County. Dahe recorded 353mm of rain in 24 hours. Nine people were swept away and 40 people displaced.
Hunan Province
As of 08 July, rain and flooding since late June has affected more than 956,000 people and destroyed hundreds of houses in central Hunan province, according to local authorities quoted by news agency Xinhua.
The province’s flood control and drought relief headquarters said about 79,000 hectares of farmland.
Yueyang recorded record rainfall of 261 mm in 24 hours to 08 July. Donting Lake at Yueyang stood at 34.18 metres, which is above the danger mark of 32.5m.
Jiangxi Province
In Jiangxi Province, flooding since 06 July has now affected over 3.68 million residents, with about 324,000 people relocated. Two rescue workers are missing after flash floods in Nachang.
The province upgraded its emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on 08 July. Poyang Lake at Xingzi hydrological station stood at 20.54 metres on 08 July, which is 1.54 metres above the warning level.
Ji’an County recorded 364.7mm of rain in 24 hours to 10 July. As of 10 July, the Yangtze River at Jiujiang City stood at 22.07 metres where the danger mark is 20 metres.
Anhui Province
Xinhua reported on 07 July that heavy rain has affected over 420,000 people in Anhui Province, as local authorities launched the level II emergency response (second-highest) for flood prevention.
Rain has been falling since 02 July, affecting seven cities and 31 county-level administrations and leading to the evacuation of 27,000 people.
The Guxihe River at Dangtu near Ma’anshan City stood at 11.62 metres as of 10 July. Danger level at this location is 10.30 metres.
Zhejiang Province
Some areas in Tonglu County in Zhejiang Province were flooded on 07 July after releases from the Xin’an River Reservoir. The reservoir is an important flood control project in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River. A total of 27,397 residents have been evacuated.
Social Media
====================================================================
https://youtu.be/1cLK_ExjJNY
Jul 13, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Statue of Liberty LIT UP: Lightning strikes in the distance behind the Statue of Liberty as severe storms move through the New York City area. 7/22/2020
https://abcn.ws/3fYMubW
https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1286089141118054400
A witness said: "A truly incredible lightning and thunderstorm hit New York City tonight just after 6pm. The storm came up through Bayonne, NJ and across the city from the south giving people in Brooklyn, Queens and in the city a spectacular show."
Jul 23, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Eastern US lashed by 2 ferocious ‘once-in-50 years’ storms in just TWO WEEKS
23 Jul, 2020 11:11
Up to 56 million people across the eastern seaboard of the US are at risk of flash flooding, gusts of up to 60 mph and even isolated weak tornadoes, as an unusually powerful storm lashes the region.
Flash-flood warnings were issued across New York City, Newark, and Jersey City, with strong gusts reported in areas of Nassau County and the city boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens on Wednesday.
Eyewitness video from the affected areas shows the sheer ferocity of the storm as it bore down on residents, unleashing nature’s full fury following a major heatwave.
https://www.rt.com/usa/495581-eastern-us-lashed-historic-storms/
Jul 23, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Aug 1, 2020
KM
Source
Extremely Dangerous Killer Heatwaves Are Turning Apocalyptic in Death Valley, Iraq, and Kuwait With Extreme Temperatures of up to 127°F (53°C)
Do you have your AC on?
Because extreme deadly heatwaves have engulfed parts of the Desert Southwest United States, the Middle East and Europe.
In the U.S., California and Arizona are experiencing 115-120°F (46-49°C), Death Valley’s temperature reaches up to 127°F (53°C). Meanwhile, parts of Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait come close to all-time records at 127°F (53°C)!
Unusually hot temperatures in USA
The temperatures were unusually hot in July 2020 across Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.
The temperatures were unusually hot in July 2020 across Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. Map: Oregon State University
The southwest US is suffering all-time record temperatures. July 2020 was the hottest on record for Phoenix, Arizona, with temperatures up to 118°F (48°C) this week.
As shown in the gray spot on the map above, a killer heatwave has developed across a large part of the southwest United States, including Arizona, inland California (Death Valley), Nevada, and New Mexico in July 2020.
Deadly heatwave will scorches Arizona beginning of August 2020. NWS Phoenix
July 2020 was the hottest month on record for Phoenix, Arizona with a new average temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) compared to 98.3°F (36.8°C) in July 2009:
Insane temperatures in Death Valley
Again, the Death Valley is making the headlines with this year’s highest temperatures recorded in mid-July at 128°F (53°C).
There is even a picture of Death Valley park rangers near the temperature display in front of the Visitors Centre in Furnace Creek on July 13th showing an amazing 129°F (54°C).
Furnace Creek has set the record for the highest temperature ever measured on Earth at 134°F (56.7°C)… This best mark was measured on July 10, 1913 and has never been broken since… I bet it will be soon.
127°F (53°C) across Iraq, Iran and Kuwait
The Middle East has also recorded excessive heat in the last weeks or so, with temperatures reaching 122°F (50°C) in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
The highest temperature in the last few days was 127°F (53°C) and was recorded in Iraq and Kuwait.
Extreme temperatures recorded in Middle East end of July 2020: 53°C or 127°F in Irak and Kuwait. Ogimet
Weather forecast show that this apocalyptic heatwave will last until August 5, 2020. The highest temperature ever recorded in Kuwait is 129°F (53.9°C).
https://strangesounds.org/2020/08/dangerous-heatwaves-extreme-tempe...
Aug 3, 2020
KM
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8606907/Arctic-villagers-f...
Escape from HELL: Arctic villagers flee raging wildfires on boats as 35ft flames encircle remote settlement
The terror of raging wildfires in northern Russia saw desperate Arctic villagers evacuating by boat to escape 35ft flames and choking smoke.
'Panicking' residents in remote Svatay fled on the Alazeya River when they feared their settlement would be destroyed.
The village is 140 miles above the Arctic Circle and has been encircled by fires for weeks, culminating in the exodus when locals felt their lives in danger.
The infernos fuelled by high winds have wiped out ancient trees, and roasted alive wildlife including sables and rare birds.
The terror of raging wildfires in northern Russia saw desperate Arctic villagers evacuating by boat to escape 35ft flames and choking smoke
Larger animals like moose have escaped into the taiga and tundra, say locals.
The unprecedented carnage is seen by many as being a startling consequence of climate change in the extreme north, with smoke from wildfires covering an area of Siberia equivalent to one-third the size of Canada.
One resident said: 'We never had this before, this weather and the fires.'
Firefighters were desperately seeking to prevent the flames reaching Svatay's diesel generator.
Larger animals like moose have escaped into the taiga and tundra, say locals.
More footage shows forests on the edge of regional capital Yakutsk engulfed by smoke from unprecedented wildfires after a dry, hot summer.
The world’s coldest city, and the largest above the Arctic Circle, is blanketed by smoke.
Darya Borisova, head of the village administration in Svatay, where there is a state of emergency, said: 'There was a real threat.'
She said the 450 locals 'got scared' when villagers fled by boat.
Aug 9, 2020
M. Difato
Derecho tore path of destruction across nearly 800 miles in 14 hours, killed at least 1
An intense thunderstorm complex known as a derecho developed over the central United States on Monday, causing significant damage and widespread power outages as it blitzed eastward covering a nearly 800-mile stretch of the U.S. in 14 hours.
As officials in multiple states assessed widespread damage on Tuesday caused by wind gusts that exceeded 100 mph in some places, at least one fatality was blamed on the storm.
Thunderstorms ignited in southeastern South Dakota and eastern Nebraska on Monday morning, but gained strength and evolved into a derecho across central Iowa by midday. The worst of the storms focused on a zone from around Des Moines through Davenport, Iowa.
Large trees, branches, debris and power lines littered streets and yards all across Iowa and northern Illinois with many residents finding themselves in the dark in the wake of the storms.
The cluster of storms, which erupted in South Dakota, traveled approximately 770 miles in about 14 hours before it weakened in Ohio, according to the National Weather Service's (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
Over 1 million were without power across Iowa and Illinois on Monday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. Entire communities were left in the dark in areas hit hardest by the complex of storms, such as the town of Ames, Iowa. As of Tuesday, nearly 1 million were still without power across Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.
Officials in Fort Wayne, Indiana, said a woman whose mobile home was obliterated by the storm died at the hospital after first responders rushed her there on Monday night, The Associated Press reported. According to the AP, firefighters found the woman, Isabel E. Atencio, trapped under debris from her destroyed home. She was unresponsive and appeared to be protecting a 5-year-old boy who is believed to be her grandson. Atencio, 73, was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead from blunt-force injuries, according to The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly. The child suffered minor injuries.
Travel was disrupted on highways across the region, not only because of debris from the storms but also due to tractor tailors that were flipped on their sides due to the strong ....
Major damage was reported in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the second-most populated city in the state. A wind gust of 100 mph was clocked in Hiawatha, which is just a few miles north of Cedar Rapids.
The hurricane-force winds ripped the roofs off of some structures, adding to the debris strewn across town.
Marshalltown, Iowa, was one of the hardest-hit towns with Mayor Joel Greer declaring a civil emergency after the derecho passed, The Associated Press said. Several injuries have been reported in the area, but there have been no fatalities.
After racing across Iowa, the storms swept across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, arriving in Chicago by 4 p.m. CDT Monday. Several tornado warnings were issued in the Chicago area, and videos were posted of a brief tornado near Rogers Park. The NWS later confirmed the tornado eventually moved over Lake Michigan, making it a waterspout.
Ahead of its arrival, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned residents around the Windy City that it was "an extremely dangerous situation with tornado-like wind speeds expe...."
A peak wind gust of 112 mph was recorded in Midway, Iowa, which would qualify as an EF2 tornado or a Category 3 hurricane.
MORNING UPDATE: @NOAA's #GOES16
https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/derecho-tore-path-of-...
~
2012 Derecho - ZetaTalk Newsletter
http://www.zetatalk.com/newsletr/issue302.htm
ZetaTalk Explanation 7/7/2012: Derecho events are not new, nor is the term new, though these events are increasing in frequency and size. Storms, complete with sudden deluge and winds, are caused by factors such as temperature differences, humidity, and air pressure dynamics. Essentially, cold air, which is heavier than super heated air, pushes in, pushing the hot humid air UP causing rains. During a Derecho, these factors are exaggerated, the differences greater, so the cold air moves more rapidly. A Derecho will build upon itself, causing the hot, humid air to dump its water and suddenly cool, adding to the force pushing the cold air forward.
During the Earth wobble, where N America leans to the right at sunrise and then into an upright up/down pumping action later in the day, hot air tends to get trapped overland. The lean to the right pushes it back, so it cannot flow to the east. Then the globe gets the magnetic N Pole pushed away over the horizon by Planet X, so cold air cannot flow down from Canada as there is a knot of high pressure over the central US. Will Derechos increase as the Earth wobble gets more severe? Unfortunately, yes, but the wobble can also become complicated, slinging side to side as well as its routine Figure 8 pattern, and if this occurs, the weather will become even more interesting.
Aug 11, 2020
SongStar101
Scorching Death Valley May Have Just Reached a New Global Heat Record [130F/54.C]
https://www.sciencealert.com/death-valley-tops-130-f-setting-possib...
If that National Weather Service (NWS) measurement holds up, it will have been the hottest August temperature recorded there by 3 F (1.7 C), the hottest temperature recorded in Death Valley National Park in at least a century, and one of the hottest temperatures ever recorded anywhere in the world.
The mercury hit 130 F at 3:41 pm PDT, in the midst of a heatwave that has triggered power outages and wildfires across the American Southwest, as The Los Angeles Times reported.
Does the 130 F reading represent the world temperature record? Depends on who you ask. The World Meteorological Organization reports that the highest temperature ever recorded was 134 F (56.7 C) on July 10, 1913, at the same site: Death Valley's aptly named Furnace Creek Ranch.
But Christopher Burt, investigating the claim for The Weather Underground in 2016, cast doubt that the 134 F recording was accurate.
Another measurement, taken in 1931 in Kebili, Tunisia, was also higher than this year's, at 131 F (55.0 C). But there are also doubts about that claim, as The Washington Post noted.
The next universally agreed-upon record temperature was 129.0 F (53.9 C) in Death Valley on July 1, 2013. This new measurement, if confirmed, tops that.
Other local records were set across the southwest Sunday, including in two of America's largest cities: Los Angeles and Phoenix. This has been a particularly brutal summer in Phoenix, where the average temperature in July was 99 F (37.2 C), another record, according to KTAR News.
All these records arrive as global climate conditions rapidly deteriorate.
For instance, the Arctic is ablaze with wildfires for the second year in a row, which scientists worry means we have entered a global "fire regime" that even pessimistic climate change models didn't anticipate arriving until around the 2050s, according to The Post.
Originally published on Live Science.
Aug 20, 2020
SongStar101
California wildfires reach historic scale and are still growing
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/08/22/california-wildfi...
Governor appeals for firefighting help nationally as tens of thousands are displaced; Trump declares ‘major disaster’
“I can’t sit at home and watch what’s going on. I have to do something,” said chief counsel Bruce Crane, 61, who was a firefighter in the 1980s. Back then, he and his colleagues thought a 50,000-acre fire was big, so the current 314,207-acre fire across Napa, Lake, Solano and Sonoma counties is “just mind-bogglingly huge,” Crane said.
The heat wave and lightning-sparked barrage of California wildfires continues to escalate, with one of the blazes now ranking as the second-largest fire in state history, while another also occupies a spot in the top five. The fires have claimed hundreds of homes and threaten tens of thousands more, forcing more than 100,000 to flee amid a coronavirus pandemic that vastly complicates evacuation decisions.
Cal Fire is directing a force of 13,700 firefighters battling the blazes, Crane said. That includes pilots dropping water or fire retardant, and 250 teams using chain saws, shovels, bulldozers and hand tools to cut wide dirt paths through the landscape to remove vegetation, he said.
“You want to make a mini road of bare dirt right next to the advancing fire. The fire will hit that mini road of bare dirt and run out of fuel,” Crane said. “That’s great unless you have a strong wind and then the wind will blow embers” across the dirt lanes, he said.
Beyond Cal Fire’s immediate force, specialists from the U.S. Forest Service, the California National Guard, and county and local fire departments also are pitching in, Crane said. And about 80 fire engines have arrived or are on the way from out of state to help.
“We’ve got a large fighting force, but you just can’t have enough for this large of an incident,” Crane said. “The governor has thrown a lot of money at Cal Fire; he’s really given us a lot of support, but this is unprecedented.”
Although firefighters have seen a letup in the high winds and heat that plagued Central and Northern California for much of the week, another round of thunderstorms that will deliver little rain but lightning that could start even more blazes is anticipated beginning early Sunday and lasting through Tuesday.
The fires have been blamed for at least six fatalities.
President Trump declared a “major disaster” in California on Saturday and ordered federal aid to areas affected by wildfires since Aug. 14.
The president has clashed publicly with the Democrat-led state and has repeatedly suggested that he might not put federal money toward wildfire measures there, faulting California as not adequately clearing its forest floors.
Aid related to the major disaster declaration could include “grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” a White House news release said.
Federal funding also could go toward “hazard mitigation measures” across the state and toward government and nonprofit entities for “emergency protective measures” in seven counties: Lake, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.
In seven days, the California blazes have charred nearly 1 million acres, according to Cal Fire, more than tripling the area burned during a typical fire season (a little more than 300,000 acres). The area burned is larger than Rhode Island.
The largest set of blazes in the state, known as the LNU Lightning Complex, had spread to a staggering 314,207 acres across Napa, Lake, Solano and Sonoma counties by Saturday morning. It was only 15 percent contained, and firefighters reported that “extreme fire behavior” is making battling the blaze difficult.
The size of the blaze puts it behind only the Mendocino Complex Fire of 2018, which burned about 459,000 acres, on the state’s list of largest fires on record since 1932. The fire complex, composed of several blazes burning in proximity, has destroyed 480 structures and threatens 30,500 more, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency.
California wildfires send evacuees scrambling toward another threat...
Blazes burned through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the state’s oldest and home to treasured redwood trees that are between 800 and 1,500 years old. California State Parks wrote that the park, which officials closed, suffered “extensive damage.”
A second large set of fires, known as the SCU Lightning Complex, now ranks as the third-largest blaze in state history, at 291,968 acres. This beats the Rush Fire of 2012, which burned about 272,000 acres.
More than 500,000 acres have been charred within a 100-mile radius of San Francisco, which is twice the land burned during the entire 2019 California fire season, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain of the University of California at Los Angeles.
The size of the blaze puts it behind only the Mendocino Complex Fire of 2018, which burned about 459,000 acres, on the state’s list of largest fires on record since 1932. The fire complex, composed of several blazes burning in proximity, has destroyed 480 structures and threatens 30,500 more, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency.
California wildfires send evacuees scrambling toward another threat...
Blazes burned through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the state’s oldest and home to treasured redwood trees that are between 800 and 1,500 years old. California State Parks wrote that the park, which officials closed, suffered “extensive damage.”
A second large set of fires, known as the SCU Lightning Complex, now ranks as the third-largest blaze in state history, at 291,968 acres. This beats the Rush Fire of 2012, which burned about 272,000 acres.
More than 500,000 acres have been charred within a 100-mile radius of San Francisco, which is twice the land burned during the entire 2019 California fire season, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain of the University of California at Los Angeles.
All of the top 10 fires in state history have occurred since 2003.
Here are key figures on the latest blazes:
California has seen a significant uptick in large-wildfire activity because of a combination of climate change, land-use practices and other factors. Large fires have also increased across other parts of the West, which climate studies tie to human-caused climate change that alters the timing of precipitation, makes summers hotter and vegetation drier, and leads to more days with extreme weather that enable fires to spread rapidly.
Many of the fires began when a heat wave and rare outbreak of thunderstorms produced more than 20,000 lightning strikes. The resulting fires — and “complexes” of many small fires — have merged into major conflagrations in parts of the state.
More than 100,000 people have been asked to evacuate, and they face difficult decisions about where to go. In the past, they might have stayed with friends or relatives, but now they need to calculate the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus.
The blazes have spread smoke all the way to the Great Plains and have made air quality in parts of the Golden State deteriorate to the point where it ranks as some of the dirtiest air worldwide. Small particles in smoke can enter people’s lungs, harming those with asthma and other preexisting conditions.
The fires and their speed and thick smoke have presented a new terror amid a global pandemic — poor air quality and concerns about evacuating masses of people to crowded shelters, and that some might not heed the warnings.
More here
--------------------------------------------
Bay Area wildfire live updates: LNU Lightning Complex Fires burn 341,238 acres, 17% contained
https://abc7news.com/wildfires-bay-area-wildfire-map-cal-fire-air-q...
Complete Bay Area updates on evacuations, road closures, school closures due to the fires.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A record-breaking heat wave combined with thousands of lightning strikes has sparked hundreds of wildfires around Northern California, burning homes and prompting evacuations.
BAY AREA WILDFIRES: The latest on evacuation orders, road closures, containment numbers
Latest developments
Aug 23, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8655793/Man-47-killed-woma...
Chimney smashes through roof in high winds to kill man, 47, and injure woman, 28, as Britain faces up to threat of 70mph Canadian Vortex winds this week
PUBLISHED: 09:00 EDT, 23 August 2020 | UPDATED: 16:02 EDT, 23 August 2020
The chimney broke off the two-storey neighbouring house and slammed into their bungalow in Knight's Fold, Bradford, at 5.06am during high winds and rain.
The woman was rushed to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Officers said inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident
The neighbours, including three children, emerged from their cottage unscathed.
The tragic incident took place as the country braces itself for more high winds - reaching speeds of 70mph - which are set to batter the UK later this week.
Forecasters have warned that a 700 mile-wide 'Canadian low pressure vortex' hits on Tuesday and Wednesday while the first frost of winter is forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend.
The new torment will see strong winds for more parts of Britain than Ellen, forecasters say, with the South and Midlands bearing the brunt.
A resident on the road said it was 'windy and rainy' last night and 'maybe the chimney was loosened and just fell off'.
'It's such a horrible thing to happen in your sleep. Just a freak accident.'
Awais Asghar, who works in a nearby corner shop, told the BBC: 'A chimney collapsed straight on to their roof and straight through and unfortunately the man passed away. He was a regular customer of mine. They were a nice couple.'
West Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
Det Insp Claudine Binns, of Bradford District, said: 'This has clearly been a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life and a woman has received some serious injuries.
'Work is ongoing to make the building safe and we are in the early stages of a full investigation with the local authority to determine exactly how this fatal incident took place.
'The victim's family will be rehoused and authorities are working to support them in any way we can.'
A 700-mile wide Canadian Vortex is making its way across the Atlantic bringing high winds of up to 70mph to Britain
Child is killed and another seriously injured after they were hit by a falling tree in 60mph winds
A child has died after being hit by a falling tree in strong winds while another is seriously injured in hospital.
Kent Police received reports midday on Friday of children being injured in a woodland near the town of Sittingborne.
Officers declared one child dead at the scene and the other was airlifted to a London hospital with serious injuries.
The tragedy occurred as a yellow weather warning was in place by the Met Office - with winds of up to 60mph.
A spokesman said: 'Kent Police was called to a report two children had been injured by a falling tree near Parsonage Lane, Bobbing.
'Officers attended alongside South East Coast Ambulance Service, the air ambulance and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
'One child was declared deceased at the scene and another child was airlifted to a London hospital with serious injuries.
'Kent Police is preparing a report for the coroner.'
The Met Office has already issued yellow warnings for 70mph gusts for the South, Midlands and Wales for Tuesday and Wednesday, caused by the new storm shown on weather maps as a 700 mile-wide 70mph 'Canadian low pressure vortex' heads to the UK.
MeteoGroup said the storm has potential to be named and warned of gusts faster than 60mph, with more parts hit by severe winds than during Storm Ellen.
The Environment Agency warned of more floods.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'Another deep area of low pressure looks like affecting the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday, with another wet and very windy spell likely.
'Even once the deep area of low pressure moves off the scene, there are signs of especially windy weather into Friday.
'It looks particularly unsettled in a changeable week ahead.'
Cool 16-21C highs are due over the next week, with another bout of gales hitting into Friday - and the Met Office even forecast frost chilling the Bank Holiday weekend. Frost is most likely in the North.
Autumn does not officially begin until next Tuesday, September 1.
Large waves and spray on coasts is predicted, along with possible disruption to some bus and train services.
'There's reasonable scope that the warning area might need to be extended further north,' Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates told MailOnline. 'For late August it is unseasonable. I think it's fair to say it is down a notch from Storm Ellen, but nonetheless windy enough.'
Parts of the UK have enjoyed a brief spell of sunshine today - with temperatures peaking at 73F (22C) - before Northern Ireland, Wales and central England were plunged into grey cloud cover and heavy showers.
MeteoGroup forecaster Paul Mott said: 'There's certainly the chance the storm will be named, especially with potential for the strongest winds to be more widespread than Storm Ellen, and with so many people being on holiday.
'Peak wind gust speeds similar to Elllen are a risk, with 60mph or a bit higher possible in the West.
'The low pressure is coming from just south of Newfoundland. It will be unpleasant when it arrives.
A Met office spokesman added: 'A spell of strong winds is likely to develop across the southwest of England and Wales on Tuesday morning, before spreading east across other parts of England and Wales overnight, clearing into the North Sea on Wednesday afternoon.
'Gusts of wind are likely to exceed 50mph for quite a few places, with exposed coasts and hills seeing gusts in excess of 60mph.
'While not exceptional, winds this strong are unusual for August, with possible transport disruption and impacts on outdoor activities.'
Storm Ellen brought high winds to the UK last week, with speeds up to 79mph recorded at Capel Curig, north Wales.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gunderson added that it was a 'very lively' storm for August.
'With this spell of unsettled weather coinciding with trees in full leaf and a peak in the camping season, wind-related impacts are more likely at lower wind speeds compared to other times of year,' added deputy meteorologist Dave Oliver.
Beachgoers were seen swimming, building sand castles and lounging behind tents and wind-breaks in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Temperatures are expected to reach 73F (22C) today and there will be a brief spell of sunshine - before cloud rolls in
Aug 24, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://americantruthtoday.com/politics/2020/08/27/hurricane-laura-...
Hurricane Laura Pounds Louisiana Coastline
August 27, 2020
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Hurricane Laura pounded the Gulf Coast with ferocious wind and torrential rain and unleashed a wall of seawater that could push 40 miles inland as the Category 4 storm roared ashore Thursday in Louisiana near the Texas border. At least one person was killed.
Laura battered a tall building in Lake Charles, blowing out windows as glass and debris flew to the ground. Police spotted a floating casino that came unmoored and hit a bridge. But hours after the hurricane made landfall, the wind and rain were still blowing too hard for authorities to check for survivors.
Gov. John Bel Edwards reported Louisiana’s first fatality — a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Leesville.
Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate ahead of the hurricane, but not everyone fled from the area, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005.
“There are some people still in town, and people are calling … but there ain’t no way to get to them,” Tony Guillory, president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, said over the phone from a Lake Charles government building that was shaking from the storm.
Guillory said he hoped the stranded people could be rescued later in the day, but he feared that blocked roads, downed power lines and floodwaters could get in the way.
“We know anyone that stayed that close to the coast, we’ve got to pray for them, because looking at the storm surge, there would be little chance of survival,” Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser told ABC’s Good Morning America.
More than 600,000 homes and businesses were without power in the two states, according to the website PowerOutage.Us, which tracks utility reports.
The National Hurricane Center said Laura slammed the coast with winds of 150 mph (241 kph) at 1 a.m. CDT near Cameron, a 400-person community about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of the Texas border. Forecasters had warned that the storm surge would be “unsurvivable” and the damage “catastrophic.”
They predicted a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet in Port Arthur, Texas, and a stretch of Louisiana including Lake Charles, a city of 80,000 people on Lake Calcasieu.
“This surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate coastline, and floodwaters will not fully recede for several days,” the hurricane center said.
Hours after it arrived, Laura weakened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). The storm was 65 miles (105 kilometers) southeast of Shreveport and moving north. Damaging winds extended outward as far as 175 miles (280 kilometers), according to the hurricane center.
Dick Gremillion, the emergency director in Calcasieu Parish, said authorities were unable to get out to assess damage.
“The wind is still over 50 mph. It’s going to have to drop significantly before they can even run any emergency calls. We also need daylight,” Gremillion said in an interview with Lake Charles television station KPLC.
More than 580,000 coastal residents were ordered to join the largest evacuation since the coronavirus pandemic began and many did, filling hotels and sleeping in cars since officials did not want to open large shelters that could invite more spread of COVID-19.
But in Cameron Parish, where Laura came ashore, Nungesser said 50 to 150 people refused pleas to leave and planned to endure the storm, some in elevated homes and even recreational vehicles. The result could be deadly.
“It’s a very sad situation,” said Ashley Buller, assistant director of emergency preparedness. “We did everything we could to encourage them to leave.”
Becky Clements, 56, did not take chances. She evacuated from Lake Charles after hearing that it could take a direct hit. With memories of Rita’s destruction almost 15 years ago, she and her family found an Airbnb hundreds of miles inland.
“The devastation afterward in our town and that whole corner of the state was just awful,” Clements recalled. “Whole communities were washed away, never to exist again.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor urged people in Laura’s path to stay home, if that’s still safe. “Don’t go out sightseeing. You put yourself, your family at risk, and you put first responders at risk,” he told “CBS This Morning.”
FEMA has plenty of resources staged to help survivors, Gaynor said. Edwards mobilized the National Guard to help, and state Department of Wildlife crews had boats prepared for water rescues.
Forecasters expected a weakened Laura to cause widespread flash flooding in states far from the coast. An unusual tropical storm warning was issued as far north as Little Rock, where forecasters expected gusts of 50 mph (80 kph) and a deluge of rain through Friday. The storm was so powerful that it could regain strength after turning east and reaching the Atlantic Ocean, potentially threatening the densely populated Northeast.
Laura hit the U.S. after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola, including 20 in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic, where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding.
It was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year, setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by the end of August. The old record was six in 1886 and 1916, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
Aug 28, 2020
SongStar101
Winter 2020 – New Zealand’s Warmest Winter On Record
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC2009/S00002/winter-2020-nzs-warme...
New Zealand has just experienced its warmest winter on record, according to official NIWA climate data.
NIWA’s Seven Station Temperature Series, which began in 1909, shows the 2020 winter was 1.14C above average, just nudging out winter 2013 from the top spot, which was 1.08C above average.
This year’s result also means seven of the 10 warmest winters on record in New Zealand have occurred since the year 2000.
Seventeen locations observed record breaking mean winter temperatures, with an additional 53 locations ranking within their top four warmest winters.
NIWA forecaster Ben Noll says the winter warmth can be attributed to several factors:
The highest recorded winter 2020 temperature was 25.1C on August 30 in Timaru. This was the highest temperature recorded there during winter since records began in 1885 and the equal 4th warmest winter temperature on record for New Zealand as a whole.
The lowest temperature was -12.3°C, observed at Middlemarch on 14 June.
Of these locations the most anomalously warm (i.e. largest deviation from average) was Farewell Spit, where mean daily temperatures of 13.0°C were experienced. This is 2.8°C more than the winter average and the warmest on record since records began there in 1971.
Furthermore, mean maximum (i.e. daytime) temperatures at this location were 3.1°C warmer than average, while mean minimum (i.e. night-time) temperatures were 2.3°C warmer than average (these are also the largest anomalies in their respective categories).
Kaikohe had its second wettest winter on record, with 935mm of rain recorded for the season, which was 187% of normal. Records began in 1956.
At the opposite end of the scale, Reefton had its second driest winter on record with just 291 mm of rain recorded over three months – or 54% of normal. Records began in 1960. Much of the middle and upper South Island observed below or well below normal rainfall totals.
It will come as no surprise that the highest one-day rainfall occurred in Northland in mid-July. Kaikohe and Whangarei received 262 and 251 mm respectively on July 17. This is the highest one day rainfall amount observed for both locations during winter. Kaikohe records began in 1956 and Whangarei in 1943.
Sep 9, 2020
Derrick Johnson
Utah declares state of emergency after wind storm knocked down thousands of trees
Gov. Gary Herbert declared a state of emergency in response to Tuesday’s historic windstorm, which killed one person and caused significant damage from Salt Lake City to Logan.
Herbert made the announcement Wednesday, after touring parts of Salt Lake City’s hard-hit Rose Park neighborhood. Such a declaration will let the state access federal funds.
Rose Park was one of many areas in northern Utah that sought to restore order Wednesday, after the storm leveled thousands of trees and cut the power to more than 170,000 homes and businesses.
When asked how much money might be pumped into the cleanup effort, Herbert said, “it’s a lot,” and noted officials are still assessing how much.
Salt Lake and Davis counties, along with seven municipalities, have already made emergency declarations, Jess Anderson, the state’s commissioner of public safety, said Wednesday after Herbert’s tour.
As of Wednesday night, 80,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity as Rocky Mountain Power crews jumped from outage to outage. The company has no estimate on when service will be restored to all its Utah customers — but it could be “days" for some. And the outages left many schools from Ogden to the south end of Salt Lake County closed for a second day.
In the Salt Lake City area, winds gusted in the range of 20 to 40 mph. But that’s a far cry from the hurricane-force gale with gusts up to 99 mph that hit the area on T.... The winds also killed a man in South Salt Lake.
Truck driver Donald Hardy, 61, was making a delivery at Industrial Injection at 2858 S. 300 West. The winds caught his truck door and slammed it into his face, according to South Salt Lake Police spokesperson Danielle Croyle.
“We’re not sure exactly what happened," Croyle said, “but he fell backward and hit his head.”
Hardy and his wife had sold all their belongings and lived on the road over the past 18 months.
“It’s a pretty sad situation,” Croyle said.
Spencer Hall, spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Power, called it a “historic 40-year storm.” He said all local crews are working on restoring power and a team from Iowa should arrive Thursday to help.
The areas most heavily affected by power outages in Salt Lake County are Millcreek, the Avenues in Salt Lake City and the northeast section of the city, South Salt Lake, Murray, Holladay and northern portions of Taylorsville.
Hall said there are about 250 workers out in the field. On Tuesday, the focus was on connecting transmission lines, hub stations and other backbone pieces. On Wednesday, the work shifted to residential repairs, which will be prioritized by groups that can bring on as many customers as possible with one repair.
According to Christine Kruse, a meteorologist in the Salt Lake City office of the National Weather Service, the Wasatch Front experiences one or two isolated storms like what happened Tuesday every year, “but it’s rare for it to be of this magnitude and this widespread.”
Wind speeds in Centerville were actually slightly higher during a similar storm in December 2011 — 102 mph vs. 99 mph on Tuesday — “but that was much more limited."
She said Tuesday’s destructive winds came as a result of a “very cold air mass over the central part of the United States, and then on top of that, the weather disturbance that was creating these strong winds was strengthening overhead. So there were 60 to 70 mile an hour winds coming out of Wyoming into Utah. That’s exceptionally strong.”
Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/09/09/utahs-winds-are-dying/#galle...
Sep 10, 2020
SongStar101
Okay this is sudden! 99F to Snowfall in 24hrs, earliest snowfall on record.
September snow blankets parts of four states; more than a foot in some spots
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/september-snow-blankets-parts-...
Seventeen inches of snow in Wyoming, the earliest snowfall on record for New Mexico and the earliest flakes in decades for parts of Colorado — these are just a few of the astonishing weather reports coming out of a record-setting September week.
On Wednesday morning, snow was falling over parts of Colorado and 5 million people remained under winter weather alerts across portions of the Northern and Central Rockies. Those in the Denver area woke up to 1 to 4 inches of snow coating trees and grassy surfaces.
A few more inches of snow was possible, mostly at the highest elevations, before the snow was expected to end by afternoon.
In addition to parts of Colorado and New Mexico experiencing their earliest snow on record, the weather had whiplashed in just days from record-setting temperatures near or exceeding 100 degrees, to the sudden winter blast.
Rapid City, South Dakota, set a U.S. record for the fastest turnaround between 100 degree temperatures and measurable snow, after it hit 102 degrees F on Saturday, only to then see an inch of snow on Monday. This two-day gap broke the record for shortest amount of time between those two weather observations, the previous record being Ardmore, South Dakota, in September 1929 when a similar event took place over the course of approximately three days.
Rapid City also topped the list for greatest temperature drop. After setting an all-time September high on Saturday, the temperature dropped more than 70 degrees in two days, also setting a record for earliest first freeze on Monday.
With 2 to 5 inches of snow blanketing Boulder, Colorado, the area saw more snow on Tuesday than Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia saw all of last year, combined.
Here are the top snowfall totals for each state:
Wyoming: Casper 17 inches
Montana: Red Lodge 15.5 inches
South Dakota: Terry Peak 15 inches
Colorado: Alamosa 14 inches
New Mexico: Canon Plaza 5 inches
In addition to the snow, temperatures 30 to 40 degrees below average will lead to numerous record lows and record cold highs Wednesday and Thursday morning. Highs on Wednesday across the Rockies and Plains will only get into the 40s and 50s, and lows Thursday morning will dip back down into the 20s and 30s.
This chill in the air won't last long, however, with temperatures expected to rebound to the 70s by Friday and 80s by Saturday in Denver
Sep 10, 2020
Tracie Crespo
https://scontent-den4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119973748_35712085902...
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D357120885695993%26set%3Da.114132426661508%26type%3D3&width=500" width="200" height="200" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D357120925695989%26set%3Da.114132426661508%26type%3D3&width=500" width="200" height="200" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>
Sep 20, 2020
Juan F Martinez
A photo taken from Branson, Missouri, two nights ago.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10160736505538973&set=gm.12...
Sep 29, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=bTpfy6ObYEI&am...
Strange Weather Phenomena Hits Saudi Arabia within 24 hrs. 175 Sheep Dead by lightning. 02 Oct 20
Oct 4, 2020
Derrick Johnson
France sends in the army while rescue teams hunt for survivors in Italy as torrential rain and winds from Storm Alex leave at least two dead and up to 20 missing while landslides devastate buildings and roads
The army has been deployed in France and rescue teams are hunting for survivors in Italy after torrential rain and winds from Storm Alex left two dead and 20 missing.
Breil-sur-Roya, a French village close to the Italian border, was a scene of devastation with houses buried in mud and turned-over cars stuck in the riverbed.
In northwestern Italy the 'historic' flooding destroyed a section of a bridge over the Sesia river.
'There are very many people of whom we have no news,' Castex said.
On the Italian side of the border several villages were also still cut off, and many roads blocked.
A 53-year-old firefighter died during a rescue mission in the Aosta Valley, and a 36-year-old man died after his car was swept away by a river in Piedmont.
French rescue efforts were concentrated on the Roya valley where around 1,000 firefighters backed up by helicopters and army units resumed their search hoping to find survivors, and giving assistance to people whose homes were destroyed or inaccessible
Storm Alex barrelled into France's west coast on Thursday bringing powerful winds and rain across the country before moving into Italy, where regions across the north suffered an onslaught on Saturday.
'What we are going through is extraordinary,' the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes region said Bernard Gonzalez.
'We are used to seeing images of such disasters on other continents, sometimes with a lack of concern, but this here is something that affects us all,' he said.
France has declared the region a natural disaster zone.
Local authorities gave shelter to some 200 people overnight, while food and thousands of bottles of water were being airlifted into remote villages cut off by the storms.
Gonzalez called on the families of the missing people not to give up hope.
'Just because their loved ones haven't been able to get in touch doesn't mean that they have been taken by the storm,' he said.
Many landline and some mobile phone services were disrupted, with some villages using satellite phones to communicate with rescue services.
Despite forecasts of more rain, rescue efforts were to continue throughout Sunday, Gonzalez said.
'The helicopter procession will continue all day long,' he said, adding however that the prospect of more heavy weather was 'a worry'.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8803777/Army-deployed-Fran...
Oct 5, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Delta has rapidly strengthened into a Hurricane. It'll continue to get stronger with even a Major Hurricane (Category 3+) possible Tuesday into Wednesday. The northern Gulf coast, especially Louisiana, needs to monitor for landfall on Friday.
https://www.facebook.com/MattDevittWINK/
Oct 6, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Hurricane Delta 'rapidly intensifies' to Category 4 storm, takes aim at Cancun before US Gulf Coast — Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle may be impacted by the storm
https://www.foxnews.com/us/hurricane-delta-category-storm-cancun-gu...
Oct 6, 2020
KM
www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/10/at-least-two-killed-as-forest-fir...
Two killed as massive forest fires rage in Syria
Wildfires across parts of the country have so far killed two people and forced many to flee; Lebanon and Israel also hit by blazes.
Syrian state television on Saturday morning broadcast scenes from the affected areas, where firefighters were working to extinguish the blazes.It said hundreds of hectares had burned in the countryside of Syria’s coastal Latakia and Tartus provinces, and in the central Homs province.
The health ministry said two people died in Latakia province on Friday as a result of the fires, and that 70 people in the area were taken to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties.
Dozens of fires were burning, including “45 in Latakia and 33 in Tartus”, Syria’s Agriculture Minister Mohammed Hassan Qatana told a radio station on Friday.
“For the first time in its history, Syria is witnessing this [large] number of fires in a single day,” Qatana said.
The Latakia fire brigade said they were “facing the largest series of fires seen in Latakia province in years”.
Official news agency Sana said fires burned homes in the coastal city of Banias in Tartus province, as well as in Qardahah, President Bashar al-Assad’s hometown in Latakia.
Fires heavily damaged a building in Qardahah used as a storage for the state-owned tobacco company, part of which collapsed. The town’s local hospital was also surrounded by flames, according to local media reports.
State news agency SANA quoted Bassem Douba, director of the forestry department in Latakia’s agricultural department, as saying that dozens of people were evacuated from their homes in several villages. Those people sought refuge in central Latakia and Tartus, he said.
At least four firefighting teams were dispatched from the capital, Damascus, to assist in putting out the blazes. Some residents helped them by carrying water in buckets and pouring them on the flames.
The fires raging across Syria’s north, for the second time in months, were triggered by a heatwave that is unusual for this time of the year. They will likely cause considerable financial damage amid a deep economic crisis crippling the country.
Syria is currently suffering from an acute shortage in fuel ahead of the winter months, while power cuts have become more frequent across a country ravaged by more than nine years of war.
Among those affected by the devastating fires are landowners and farmers who rely on the agriculture sector to get by.
Images circulated on social media portrayed citrus and olive trees engulfed in flames in villages on the outskirts of Latakia.
Fires in Lebanon, Israel
Next door in Lebanon, meanwhile, there have been more than 100 fires across the country since Thursday, according to George Abu Musa, head of operations for the country’s civil defence.
“The situation is crazy, there are fires everywhere,” Abu Musa told the AFP news agency. “We have mobilised 80 percent of our personnel and almost all our centres in Lebanon,” he said.
There have been no reports of casualties in Lebanon.
Abu Musa said most of the blazes had been extinguished but some were still burning in the mountainous Chouf region in the south, and in Akkar in the north.
Military helicopters were assisting firefighters in “hard-to-reach” areas, he added. He was unable to identify the cause of the blazes but said wind and high temperatures were helping them spread.
Dozens of fires hit Lebanon in mid-October last year, amid unusually high temperatures and strong winds.
The government faced heavy criticism and accusations of ill-preparedness over its response to the 2019 blazes.
Days after Lebanon’s 2019 fires, mass protests broke out, triggered by proposed tax hikes but quickly transforming into months-long demonstrations against the ruling class, deemed by protesters as inept and corrupt.
Separately on Friday, authorities reported several fires across northern and central Israel and the occupied West Bank as temperatures soared, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Israeli police said in a statement firefighters and police forces evacuated 5,000 people as the fires spread for a second day on Saturday.
Oct 12, 2020
KM
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/10/22/east-troublesome-fire-grows-...
East Troublesome Fire Explodes To 170,000 Acres: ‘Really Unheard Of’
East Troublesome Fire
“We prepare for the worst. This is the worst of the worst of the worst,” Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said.
There are concerns the fire could merge with the Cameron Peak Fire, which has burned over 200,000 acres.
“It is a potential, and certainly this year has been one of those years where those low potential events seem to be happening with high frequency,” Noel Livingston, incident commander, said Thursday night. “And, you know, a fire of this size, moving this far in October is a very low potential event in terms of what we would expect, and it’s occurred.”
“I don’t want to say you can’t happen right now. It doesn’t appear that it’s going to,” Livington said.
RELATED: Two Of Colorado’s Major Wildfires — East Troublesome Fire And Camer...
Livingston called it “an amazing amount of fire spread” in a Thursday morning briefing.
“Obviously yesterday was a significant fire day,” said the fire manager. “We saw about 20 miles of fire growth through the afternoon and into the night, which equates to about 100,000 acres of additional fire activity.”
“That’s really unheard of for a fire in this part of the world, in timber,” Livingston said Thursday evening.
Livingston said the East Troublesome Fire’s growth on Wednesday can be explained by several factors: strong winds, excessively dry conditions, low relatively humidity and beetle-kill trees among the fuels in the high elevations the wildfire spread through.
Colorado’s largest wildfires:
Oct 24, 2020
KM
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5150328/Rain-causes-floodin...
Rain causes flooding and tree falls in SP
The city of São Paulo suffered from heavy rains this afternoon. Firefighters answered 44 calls for floods, 40 for falling trees and 4 for landslides, according to information updated at 18h02. One of the trees hit a person on the street Aratangi, in Cachoeirinha, but there is still no information on the victim’s health status.
The capital of São Paulo entered into a state of attention for flooding from 2:12 pm, according to data from the CGE (Center for Management of Climate Emergencies). In the North Zone, heavy rain dragged cars that were inside a car wash and piled vehicles, according to information from Globo News.
Another large tree fell on top of a residence in the Santana neighborhood. “The north zone was very affected by the rains, especially the area of Avenida Engenheiro Caetano Álvares, close to the Marginal Tietê”, said the Fire Department Captain, André Elias, in an interview for Globo News. “But there is no person at risk of life, injured or missing. We are only helping those who are stranded.”
Also according to the CGE, the Casa Verde and Sé neighborhoods went on alert due to the overflow of the streams Mandaqui e Saracunarespectively, but the status it was closed at 16:30. The Ipiranga Stream left the alert at 5:10 pm.
At 5:20 pm, the CGE decreed the end of the state of attention in all regions. Heavy rains also hindered traffic in the late afternoon: according to information from CET (Companhia de Engenharia de Trafico), the northern part of São Paulo, where the Marginal Tietê is located, registered 18km slow at 5:40 pm. In the city center, 13km of slowness.
The dark sky was registered by some residents and the click was shared on social networks.
Flooding points
According to information from the CGE, there were 20 active flooding points in the city of São Paulo. In the north, the Freguesia do Ó neighborhood had a flooded street. At Casa Verde, two of the three floods recorded by the CGE were classified as “impassable”. The points are on Quirinópolis Street and Praça Delegado Amoroso Neto.
In Santana, the CGE recorded two other points with the flow of cars interrupted by the rains: on the avenues Cruzeiro do Sul and Zaki Narchi. In the Cathedral, Praça da Bandeira was impassable.
Flooding in the neighborhoods of Lapa and Vila Mariana also prevented the circulation of cars in the region: on Rua Barão do Bananal and on Avenida Vinte and Três de Maio, respectively. Butantã, Pinheiros and Ipiranga also suffered flooding because of the rains.
These were the details of the news Rain causes flooding and tree falls in SP for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
Oct 24, 2020
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/11/09/all-time-november-snow-records-sas...
All-time November snow records broken for parts of the Canadian Prairies
A strong low-pressure system brought blizzard conditions, heavy snow and freezing rain to parts of the Canadian Prairies on November 7 and 8, 2020, shutting down roads in Saskatchewan and Alberta and setting new all-time November snow records. While heavy snow fell in western parts of Saskatchewan, its eastern regions experienced freezing rain. Several more cm of snow is expected through the end of the week.
The town of Kindersley in Saskatchewan recorded 47.6 cm (18.7 inches) of snow on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, setting a new 48-hour snowfall record.
Kindersley recorded 11.6 cm (4.5 inches) on Saturday; and 35.8 cm (14 inches) on Sunday, breaking the previous 24-hour snowfall record of 21.3 cm (8.3 inches) set on March 17, 1974.
"To put the weekend's snowfall in perspective, the nearly 48 cm that recently accumulated is more than Kindersley saw in November, December, January and February 2019," Brittany Warner of West Central Online reports.
"Those four months totaled 43.8 cm (17.2 inches) combined, approximately 4 cm (1.5 inches) less than what fell this weekend."
Bigger and Leader have also broken November 2019 snow totals with 21.1 cm (8.3 inches) in Bigger in 48 hours -- which is 6 cm (2.3 inches) more than the entire November 2019 -- and 23.1 cm (9 inches) in Leader. In November 2019, Leader recorded a total of 12.8 cm (5 inches).
Image credit: NOAA/GOES-East. Acquired: 18:30 UTC on November 8, 2020
Between 15 and 20 cm (5.9 - 7.8 inches) was recorded in the city of Regina, and nearly 30 cm (11.8 inches) in Saskatoon. Saskatoon's current 24-hour snow record is 36 cm (14.1 inches) set on January 7, 2007.
Pamela Goulden-McLeod - Saskatoon director of emergency management
Prince Albert recorded 37 cm (14.5 inches) of snow, Codette 33 cm (12.9 inches) and Limerick 31 cm (12 inches).
Rosetown reported 16.8 cm (6.6 inches) over the weekend, just a bit more than it recorded during the entire November 2019.
Winter storm and blizzard warnings have all been dropped by Monday, but travel is still not recommended, the Weather Network reports.
Bitter wind chills will span much of the Prairies on Monday afternoon in the wake of the departing system.
"So a good reminder that if you are traveling today with those bitter wind chills, make sure you have an emergency kit with you because some roads could still be closed or very treacherous," says Weather Network meteorologist Jaclyn Whittal.
On January 14, 2020, Kindersley broke its daily all-time coldest temperature record with -37 °C (-34.6 °F). The previous record was -34 °C (-29.2 °F) set in 2005. Interestingly, the town's warmest January 14 was set in 2008 with +5.7 °C (42.2 °F).
Nov 10, 2020
Tracie Crespo
https://weather.com/news/news/2020-11-12-north-carolina-flooding-ca...
North Carolina Flooding Blamed for Seven Deaths; Roads and Bridges Washed Out; Dozens Rescued
By Ron Brackett
At least seven deaths have been blamed on the flooding.
An 11-year-old child was found drowned after going missing near a creek in Rolesville, about 16 miles northeast of Raleigh, the Wake County Sheriff's Office reported.
Three people were found dead and two people were unaccounted for after floodwaters inundated a North Carolina campground, according to a news release from officials in Alexander County, North Carolina.
Crews saved 31 people when the South Yadkin River flooded the Hiddenite Family Campground, the Mooresville Fire chief told WBTV. The campground is in the Alexander County community of Hiddenite, about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte.
The body of one person was found inside a camper, Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman said at a briefing Thursday afternoon. Rescuers later reported finding the body of two other victims.
Bowman said another person died in the storm when their car ran off the road into floodwaters. Overall in Alexander County, 50 roads were damaged and four bridges washed away.
Trooper C.B. Saunders of the North Carolina Highway Patrol said two people died in a crash on Wilkesboro Highway outside of Statesville Thursday morning, the Statesville Record & Landmark reported. The Highway Patrol said the pickup was going too fast “for the wet conditions of the roadway and hydroplaned,” according to the Charlotte Observer.
In Charlotte, flooding forced a school to evacuate near David Taylor Drive, according to the city's Fire Department. More than 140 people were rescued. No injuries were reported.
Video tweeted by the Fire Department showed cars in the school's parking lot submerged up to their windows. Students and faculty were being sheltered under tents set up nearby, WBTV reported.
Flooding also closed city streets and shut down Interstate 85 at Little Rock Road, the Charlotte Observer reported. The Fire Department said crews were responding to multiple reports of flooding across the city.
First responders rescued at least 35 people throughout Mecklenburg County, according to Charlotte Agenda.
Extensive damage also was reported across Iredell County, which surrounds Statesville, North Carolina.
Several roads and bridges washed out, according to social media posts from the area. Three people had to be rescued from a flooded home.
Neighboring Catawba County declared a state of emergency, County Commission Chairman Randy Isenhower said, “due to excessive rain causing flooding, power outages, road closures and hazardous conditions.”
Dozens of schools delayed the start of classes or shifted to online only classes because of the flooding. Schools in the eastern part of the state closed early after the rains reached them.
A number of roads were blocked by high water or debris in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, WFMY reported.
Trees were down across several streets in Winston-Salem, according to WXII, which also reported that a retaining wall had collapse on Meadowlark Drive.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department evacuated 38 people from the Colonial Estates apartments when floodwater rose around the building, the Winston-Salem Journal reported. Firefighters also used inflatable boats to move people from the Creekwood Apartments.
Across the state, more than 16,400 homes and businesses lost electricity, according to poweroutage.us.
The weather was blamed for multiple car crashes in Raleigh, where Walnut Creek also overflowed, flooding neighborhood streets, WRAL reported.
In Wilson County, east of Raleigh, first responders have conducted at least 20 water rescues since Wednesday, Gordon Deno, the county's emergency management director, told the Wilson Times. Deno said no injuries were reported.
A four-mile stretch of southbound Interstate 95 was closed near U.S. 264 in Wilson, according to the state Department of Transportation.
U.S. 301 was closed in both directions near W. Tarboro Road in Nash County.
Across the state line in South Carolina, several people had to be rescued from flooded homes in York County.
From 9 a.m Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday, more than 8 inches of rain fell in some locations, the National Weather Service reported, including 8.78 inches in Fayetteville in Cumberland County and 8.6 inches in Rocky Mount in Nash County. In Wilson County, 7.66 inches fell in Wilson.
Tropical moisture from Eta has surged northward at the same time a cold front is moving through the Eastern states, according to weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. This collision has resulted in a widespread area of rainfall across the East since Wednesday. Some of the most intense rainfall and worst flooding has occurred from Virginia into North Carolina, especially Thursday morning.
Nov 13, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://weather.com/news/news/2020-11-16-high-winds-power-outages-m...
Hundreds of Thousands Still Without Power From Midwest to Northeast After Deadly Windstorm
At least one person was killed as the strong cold front moved across the country on Sunday and early Monday. The front also prompted a rare tornado warning for parts of New York City.
The National Weather Service recorded 299 reports of wind damage.
More than 475,000 customers had no electricity as of 8 a.m. Monday, according to poweroutage.us. That was down from nearly 800,000 homes and businesses late Sunday. Michigan reported the most outages Monday with more than 200,000. Ohio had more than 108,000.
The wind was blamed for one death in Ohio. A falling tree hit a 63-year-old woman Sunday in Harrison Township, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said. The woman was pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital, the Springfield News-Sun reported. Wind gusts up to 66 mph were measured at Dayton International Airport, about 6 miles away.
In nearby Jefferson Township, Shawn Ramey and her husband were without power for nearly 10 hours.
“All of a sudden you can hear like a rumble and then it was like, wait a minute. This wind is really really up," Ramey told WHIO-TV. “The lights started flickering and then the power went out, so we have been waiting."
Utility crews in lower Michigan, where more than 340,000 homes lost power, were hoping diminished winds Monday would help them get a handle on the outages.
“Today’s weather will be breezy, but much better than Sunday, which will assist in restoration,” Guy Packard, Consumers Energy vice president of electric operations, told the Detroit News.
Monday was the first day of open season for deer hunting in Michigan, and officials warned hunters to be aware that trees could still fall and power lines might be down.
Across Lake Erie, downed trees and power lines blocked roadways in Pennsylvania. Trees fell on Interstate 90 and Interstate 79, according to Erie News Now.
The prolonged high wind drove water out of Lake Erie into homes along Kelso Beach in Millcreek Township. Water rescue teams helped 15 residents and five dogs to safety, Erie News Now reported.
The cold front led to a rare tornado warning for the New York City area. The NWS issued the warning at 8:40 p.m. for the Bronx, Yonkers and New Rochelle.
The New York City region gets only about one tornado warning a year on average, according to weather.com meteorologist Ari Sarsalari. There have been two warnings this year. The other was in April. The last observed tornado in NYC was in 2012.
High winds caused scaffolding to collapse in Manhattan.
Tornado warnings also were issued for Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Bergen, Fairfield and New York County, WNBC-TV reported.
Wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph were reported across New Jersey, according to WNBC.
The wind toppled power poles across Route 120 in Carlstadt, New Jersey, the Police Department reported. The road was expected to be closed in both directions for 24 hours.
A gust of 75 mph was reported in Greenwich, Connecticut, WNBC reported
In New Haven, the high winds knocked over the city's holiday tree. Many of the branches were cracked and some of the lights were damaged, WVIT-TV reported.
Downed power lines trapped a person in a car in Avon, WVIT reported. Firefighters and a utility crew were able to free the person.
Nov 16, 2020
Juan F Martinez
This is unreal. Cat. 4 #Iota made landfall just 12 miles south of where Cat. 4 #Eta did less than 2 weeks ago. This is just devastating for Nicaragua. — Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum
https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistDaveNussbaum/photos/a.1552681...
Nov 18, 2020
Gerard Zwaan
Unseasonal ice storm hits central Russia, key systems collapse in the Far East
Posted by Teo Blašković on November 19, 2020 at 16:31 UTC (6 hours ago)
Categories: Earth changes, Featured articles, Severe weather
Unseasonal ice storms hit many parts of Russia on November 18 and 19, 2020, causing power outages, traffic chaos, and the collapse of key infrastructure systems in the Far East.
An overnight storm accompanied by strong northerly winds and ice rain -- described by The Siberian Times as 'weather apocalypse' -- caused the collapse of key systems in the Russian Far East on November 19, 2020, leaving at least 120 000 people without electricity.
Vladivostok and most of the Primorye region were turned into frozen land, the paper reported, adding that hundreds of power lines were cut by wet snow and ice.
The weather caused flight delays and traffic chaos after many roads and several bridges were shut down. Schools and kindergartens were also closed.
A huge concrete slab fell on a car in Vladivostok, with the car owner evading it by a miracle.
Unseasonal freezing rain started in the central parts of the country late November 18, affecting capital Moscow and its region, as well as Kaluga, Smolensk, and Tula.
Moscow airport reportedly canceled about 30 flights due to freezing rain.
The ice zone will move to the east tomorrow, November 20, so the freezing rains will reach the Volga-Vyatka region by the evening, Oreanda reports.
Authorities are urging residents to take extra care and stay home if possible.
Featured image credit: VKontakte
Source: https://watchers.news/2020/11/19/unseasonal-ice-storm-russia-collap...
Nov 19, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Believed to be the biggest weather-related cargo loss in history — The container ship ONE Apus arrived at the Japanese Port of Kobe on Tuesday December 8 after losing nearly 2,000 containers after encountering 52-foot waves during a storm 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii.The cargo loss is believed to be the biggest weather-related cargo loss in history. December 8, 2020
https://gcaptain.com/one-apus-arrives-in-kobe-revealing-cargo-loss-...
Dec 9, 2020
KM
https://watchers.news/2020/12/30/unseasonal-record-breaking-storm-n...
Unseasonal, record-breaking storm hits Nunavut, Canada
A powerful storm hit Nunavut, Canada, on Sunday, December 27, 2020, bringing record wind gusts of up to 135 km/h (84 mph) and heavy snow. Meteorologists said it was unusual for such a storm to occur this late in December, affecting much of the territory.
The storm brought winds of up to 135 km/h (84 mph), which was record-breaking, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"It was like an all-day thing. The wind was so strong," Pangnirtung mayor Eric Lawlor said.
"Many shacks and cabins are gone. Many, many snowmobile windshields are gone. Some injuries we have heard of so far," Pangnirtung resident Sky Panipak stated, adding that one person sustained injuries and had to be taken to a southern hospital.
Meteorologist Sara Hoffman reported that out of 25 communities, 23 were affected by the storm. "It's pretty unusual for a storm like that this late in December. We don't typically see that."
Hoffman noted that her team is looking into whether Sunday was a record-breaking day for such a storm in the territory.
Dec 30, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Deadly storm with hail, Sucre, Bolivia, January 4, 2021
Vía Red Uno de Bolivia (Digital TV)
Jan 6, 2021
Juan F Martinez
Jan 7, 2021
Gerard Zwaan
Historic snow engulfs capital Madrid just 2 days after Spain registered its coldest temperature on record
Posted by Teo Blašković on January 9, 2021 at 12:17 UTC (10 hours ago)
Categories: Blizzards, Extreme cold, Featured articles, Ice & snow
A powerful winter storm named Filomena by the Spanish Meteorological Agency -- AEMET -- is affecting the Iberian Peninsula, bringing record cold temperatures, heavy rain, and historic snow. Capital Madrid was one of several Spanish regions on red alert, a historic occurrence, due to heavy snow. The storm is expected to weaken and move northeast by Sunday, January 10, 2021.
Snow and ice started accumulating on Thursday and Friday, January 7 and 8, seriously affecting travel conditions across portions of the peninsula.
Late Friday afternoon, the Directorate General of Traffic in Spain reported 360 roads have been impacted by the storm, dozens of secondary roads were also closed while other roadways now require chains on tires or prohibit truck traffic.
For capital Madrid, Filomena is the worst storm in 80 years. Residents who ignored official warnings were caught by surprise as they have not seen snow there for at least 10 years.
Winters in Madrid are normally dry and quite mild and the last time it snowed like this in Madrid was back in March 1971. Many streets across the capital are impassable because the plows practically do not exist there.
Madrid Barajas International Airport had all incoming and outgoing flights suspended on Friday, leaving hundreds of passengers waiting for the weather to clear up.
Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas with huge waves forced the evacuation of 65 people from a ferry that ran aground while trying to approach a dock in the Gran Canaria island.
At least 3 people have been killed, as of 16:00 UTC today. Two people traveling in a car drowned after a river in Malaga burst its banks while a homeless person froze to death in the city of Calatayud.
Madrid’s airport remained closed on January 9 and the Community of Madrid remains on red alert due to the extreme risk of snowfall and the danger it poses.
Many roads throughout the region are still waiting for snowplows, causing heavy traffic to build up as drivers ignored pleas from the community to stay at home, EuroWeekly reports.
Hundreds of stranded lorry drivers who had to pull up overnight as conditions worsened are still stranded on the roads.
Madrid Police officials said a number of trucks have been abandoned, with their drivers taken to hospitals suffering the early onset of hypothermia.
On Wednesday, January 6, Spain registered its coldest temperature on record when the mercury in Catalan Pyrenees station dropped to -34.1 °C (-29.4 °F), breaking the previous record set on February 2, 1956.
The storm is expected to weaken and move northeast by Sunday, January 10, 2021.
Featured image: Madrid's Barajas Airport closed due to heavy snow. Credit: Meteo Tenerife
Source: https://watchers.news/2021/01/09/h%20istoric-snow-madrid-coldest-te...
Jan 10, 2021
KM
Source
"Unlike anything they're accustomed to seeing!" An intense winter storm is rapidly developing over southern Canada, forecast to move into the Midwest of the United States and reach the Southeast states by Friday with another waiting in the wings and set to follow
Earthwindmap
An intense winter storm is rapidly developing over southern Canada, forecast to move into the Midwest of the United States and reach the Southeast states by Friday. The severe wind event will spread across the Northern and High Plains tonight into Thursday, followed by an Arctic cold blast towards Florida and the East Coast by the coming weekend according to Severe Weather Europe.
Extreme winds wreaked havoc all over southern Alberta on Wednesday as a wind warning was in full effect. The windy weather started in the early morning hours and carried into the rest of the day. Hundreds of Lethbridge residents experienced power outages. There were also downed trees, damage to several buildings and debris flying around the region. "I see there's a lot of shingles ripped off, I went for a walk - a short walk to take those pictures - and then coming back, I had to walk right into the west wind and it was brutal," said Brent Kunz, a Taber resident. Kunz added that despite living in a windy region, the weather conditions he and his family experienced on Wednesday were unlike anything they're accustomed to seeing.
The powerful windstorm has left many homes in the dark around Metro Vancouver Wednesday morning. About 100,000 customers had been without power in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Southern Interior after strong winds caused extensive damage, according to BC Hydro. The hardest-hit areas are Abbotsford, Victoria, and Vernon.
Yet another winter storm event is setting up over the Upper Midwest on Thursday and Friday, associated with a strengthening upper trough emerging from southern Canada. A High Wind Warnings have been issued over Montana and portions of the Northern and Central Plains of the United States. Severe damaging winds are likely to develop across a broad swath along and especially behind the moving cold front rapidly spreading south-southeast through Wednesday night according to Severe Weather Europe.
Jan 14, 2021