Category: Elsewhere in Weather News

Elsewhere in Weather News: February 9th, 2013

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Snowstorm Hits Moscow

On Tuesday, this past week, Moscow experienced yet another significant snowstorm which caused significant disruptions to traffic and was also the reason for numerous power outages. Several low pressure systems have been steered through the western half of Russia as a strong high pressure remains in place over Central Russia. This has put Moscow in a good spot to receive repeated bouts of snow. The most recent of their snowstorms brought 25cm of snow on Tuesday which meant significant traffic disruptions – as many as 3,000 accidents were reported by Moscow Police.

Moscow traffic jam

Moscow traffic backed up because of snow. (Source: RT)

On average, Moscow receives about 150cm of snow every winter but this year has been significantly above average in terms of snowfall. Winter 2012-2013 totals for Moscow are already at 216cm and with another month and a half to go with the possibility of snow it could be a long, cold spring for Moscow. The weather will turn cold and dry for Moscow next week as the strong high pressure expands a little further west.

New England Snowstorm

Another snowstorm, a little closer to home, is bringing significant amounts of snow to parts of the Eastern Seaboard – more notably New England. The deep low pressure system is located just off the East Coast and has a sharp deformation zone bringing heavy snow and even “thundersnow” to the Atlantic States. The highest accumulations are expected to reach around 80cm (could be higher locally) and it was not uncommon to see snowfall rates of 8cm/h on Friday evening! Power outages were the main concern to residents as below freezing temperatures move in. As of Friday night 500,000 people were without power across the North East US.

500mb analysis

500mb analysis when the strongest bands of snow were in place, at 9pm. Circled areas where the heaviest snow is expected to fall on Friday overnight. (Source: SPC)

Updates on this storm and snowfall totals will be forthcoming in the comments section as the low pulls off into Atlantic Canada.

Elsewhere in Weather News: February 2nd, 2013

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First Moderate Risk of 2013, Tornadoes in Southern US

A severe weather outbreak occurred this past week across a large part of the southern United States. The outbreak was well forecasted by the SPC as they issued a ‘moderate risk’ warning in their two-day outlook. With a strong gulf flow bringing in copious amounts of moisture, dewpoints rose into the mid-sixties, creating enough instability for thunderstorms. This, coupled with a very strong low-level jet, much shear, and an approaching trough of low pressure, created conditions ripe for dangerous storms.

500mb map

500mb analysis with trough of low pressure as black line and red circled area as hardest hit areas. Taken 1pm January 30th, just after the Adairsville Tornado.(Source: Twisterdata)

Taking both January 29th and 30th weather activity into consideration, 41 tornado reports and over 600 high wind reports were submitted. These high wind reports can be attributed to winds reaching 130km/h just above the surface, associated with the low level jet (850-925mb), and brought down to surface in thunderstorms.

The strongest tornado to occur in this outbreak appears to have been the Adairsville (Georgia) Tornado, which was a large wedge tornado and rated by the NWS to be of high-end EF-3 strength (10km/h short of EF-4). This tornado was spawned by a supercell that was slightly ahead of the front and its inflow was not disturbed by any other cells in the area. The tornado’s track was about 35km long and was nearly one kilometer wide. Severe damage was done to the town of Adairsville, where around 60 buildings were destroyed, one person lost their life, and another 17 were injured.

Velocity Adairsville Tornado

Hi-res velocity image just before the tornado went through Adairsville – notice the contrast between bright green and brown. (Source: RadarScope)

The large low pressure system not only caused grief to the southern states, but it also created issues on the back side of the low pressure system where flash freeze weather caused large pileups on interstates. The northern half of the US Midwest received 20cm of snow.

There are signs that another trough might emerge from the Rockies late next week and into the weekend, and bring with it another round of severe weather to the southern US. There is much uncertainty as to the timing and exact location as there is still a fair amount of time until the event.

Elsewhere in Weather News: January 26th, 2013

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Oswald Brings Significant Rainfall to Queensland

Southern Australia’s heat wave came to an abrupt end this week thanks to a potent trough that made its way across its southern half. This trough ushered in cooler air and more reasonable highs can be expected with lows in the teens as opposed to the high twenties that they were experiencing last week.

Oswald satellite

Satellite image of Oswald in its early stages, taken on January 21st. (Source: Australia’s BoM)

However, a tropical disturbance, as predicted by the models last week has organised and brought much moisture to Queensland as it made its way south and transitioned into an extratropical storm. Formerly known as tropical storm Oswald, the extratropical storm has dumped over a metre of rain (1000mm) in some areas of Queensland causing for flash flooding concerns. As of Friday evening, 11 flood warnings were in effect (all in Queensland) as well as some wind warnings for the higher elevations and coastal areas. Peak gusts of 115km/h were recorded with Oswald’s passage. It appears as though residents were well prepared as not much damage was reported and only one rescue had to be executed off the coast.

MSLP/rainfall Oswald

MSLP and rainfall for Saturday morning. (Source: Australia`s BoM)

The extratropical storm will get pushed out to sea ahead of the trough early next week giving way to calmer weather for Queensland. Areas of North-East Australia will remain under very warm conditions (over 40°C) through next week, combined with relative humidity below 20%. This could cause some bushfires and Fire Weather Warnings might have to be issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Elsewhere in Weather News: January 20th, 2013

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Intense Heat Wave Continues in Australia

A significant heat wave has remained in place for most of Australia’s southern half, this past week. The large ridge of high pressure has kept about 70-80% of Australia under extreme high temperatures (over 40°C) and in turn has created dangerous conditions in which bushfires can occur. Total burn bans were in place for a few communities in the southern half of Australia and firefighters are on high alert. As of Friday there were 142 bushfires burning in New South Wales alone and 29 of them were 0% contained.

Temperature map

Map of Australia’s extreme temperatures on January 12th, 2013. (Source: Australia’s BOM)

Residents of Tasmania have been experiencing similar weather conditions this New Year, contributing to a massive brushfire that had been raging through a large area of its south-eastern peninsula two weeks ago. Here, 1,000 people had to be rescued by boat from their homes. The damage in that area has not yet been tallied, but at least 20 houses, including a school, has burned down to the ground and at least one person is confirmed dead.

On Friday, January 4th, the village of Wudinna, located on Australia’s southern coast, reached extreme temperatures of 48.2°C, and various other cities broke their daily temperature records as well. Adelaide recorded all-time January high temperatures on the same day as the mercury rose to 44.1°C. Even more impressively, on January 12th Moomba (South Australia) managed to reach a temperature of 49.6°C – Australia’s hottest temperature in 15 years. The average temperature for Southern Australia ranges between 25°C and 35°C in January, and a little cooler for areas along the coast. This past week, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology even had to go to the extreme by changing the temperature scale on their maps because temperatures constantly exceeded the scale during this intense heat wave.

Trough

Potential through coming through which would help cool down the temperatures late next week. Also to note a possible tropical disturbance on Australia’s north side. (Source: Australia’s BOM)

Although it is not uncommon to see heat waves affecting specific areas of Australia, to see between 70 and 80% of Australia experiencing a significant heat wave such as this one, is not a common sight. Significant heat will persist into next week before a large trough moves into the region and brings an end to the sweltering heat by next Friday. Interestingly enough, models are also showing a tropical cyclone forming off the Australia’s North Coast around the same time that the heat is predicted to come to an end.