Category: Posts EN

Bitter Arctic Cold Leads to Deadly Traffic Pile-Up in Dallas-Fort Worth

Written by Team Morecast

 

A historically cold Arctic air mass has become entrenched across much of the central U.S. Among other impacts, the frigid air has helped produce a band of heavy freezing rain from Texas through the Tennessee Valley. The icy conditions contributed to a massive traffic accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area Thursday morning. Over 100 vehicles were smashed in the incident, which claimed the lives of at least six people and injured dozens more.

 

 

 

A chunk of bitterly cold high pressure has become dislodged from the Arctic and is funneling down into the central states. This pattern will persist well into next week. The Arctic frontal boundary will even surge as far south as the Gulf Coast. Pieces of upper level energy will ride along this boundary, throwing moisture back into the frigid air mass, leading to periods of heavy snow and ice. One such icy blast affected the region Wednesday into early Thursday, leaving a slick sheet of accumulation on roadways. The ice proved too much for early morning commuters in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro to manage. More than 130 vehicles, including emergency vehicles and tractor trailers, collided into a tangled mass of twisted metal and glass. Six fatalities have been reported with this incident while several dozen more victims were transported to area hospitals.

 

 

More treacherous conditions will threaten the southern states in the next several days. Locations as far south as coastal Texas and Louisiana will see a wintry mix of icy precipitation. Cities just to the north like Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Memphis will see heavy snow accumulations up to a foot. Temperatures will remain dangerously cold, as much as 50 degrees below normal (see map below). Wind chills as much as 20 to 35 deg below zero will present a major threat of frostbite to anyone required to be outside for any significant length of time.

 

 

Brewing Cyclone Menaces Northern Coast of Western Australia

Written by Team Morecast

 

A potentially severe tropical cyclone is poised to strike the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The tropical low is unnamed as of yet, but conditions are ripe for rapid intensification. Landfall could occur sometime late Friday or Saturday between Port Hedland and Broome. The last severe (Category 3+) cyclone to strike this region was Damien in Feb 2020.

 

 

Heavy rain bands are already lashing the northern WA coast. Even stronger storms are consolidating just off the coast (see satellite image above), a sign of potential strengthening. The system will turn south and southeast over the next few days. Very warm ocean waters and favorable upper level winds along the projected path could result in rapid strengthening. Damaging wind gusts to 150 kph (90 mph) or more, flooding rainfall exceeding 300 mm (12 inches), and even some surge flooding will accompany the budding cyclone near and just east of landfall. Post-landfall, the system is expected to move slowly southeast across interior WA, bringing flooding rainfall and slowly dying winds.

 

Cyclone Imogen Strikes Northern Queensland

Written by Team Morecast

Cyclone Imogen, the first tropical cyclone of the 2020-21 Australian tropical cyclone season, made landfall near Karumba, Queensland late on Sunday night. The Category 1 storm, which formed over the weekend in the very warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, had sustained winds of 65 kph (40 mph) at the time of landfall.

With gusts over 100 kph (65 mph) in some locations, some minor damage has been observed across the Gulf Country region of the state, and no injuries or deaths have been reported thus far. While most structures were spared from destruction, many trees have been felled by Imogen. Over 1400 people have lost power due to the storm. Although notable, the winds from Imogen were not as impressive as the rainfall totals it brought. For example, Normanton Airport received 259 mm (10 in) overnight. 186 mm (7 in) of that fell within just 3 hours. Many other locales have received 150- 265 mm (6-10 in).

Flash flooding has also been very immanent across the Far North region as swollen rivers have come over their banks. The floodwaters have swallowed roads and inundated farmland. One homestead near the town of Giru was completely cut off from road access due to the flooding. The head farmer of that homestead says this an annual occurrence though. He just waits it out.

Imogen, now a remnant tropical low, will continue to move slowly to the south and east towards the North Tropical and Herbert-Lower Burdekin coasts over the next few days. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue during this timeframe, with totals possibly exceeding 400 mm (16 in) by the time it’s all said and done. Rainfall totals of this magnitude will almost certainly lead to more flash flooding. Despite this threat, many farmers and ranchers are very pleased to see the rain, especially given that the wet season got off to a late start this year.

Christmas Storm Set to Wallop the Northeast U.S. with Flooding and High Winds!

Written by Team Morecast

 

An unusually strong and large storm will sprint northeastward late this week, bringing a surge of warm tropical moisture into the Northeast. Less than a week ago, this region saw a massive snowstorm that left feet of accumulation on the ground. Heavy rains and the rapid melting of this recent snow will lead to major flooding. Meanwhile, vicious southerly winds ahead of a sharp cold front will bring down numerous trees and large branches. Widespread power outages could spoil many a Christmas morn!

 

 

 

The system in question is currently approaching the Great Lakes. High winds and heavy snows on the west flank of the system are creating dangerous blizzard conditions through the Upper Midwest (see tweet videos above). Isolated tornadoes are keeping residents of Louisiana awake tonight to the south. This Gulf moisture will race up the Eastern Seaboard on Christmas Eve, dropping widespread 1.5-3 inch (38-75 mm) totals in a matter of hours (see map below). Some of the favorable south-facing terrain of the central and northern Appalachians will enhance rainfall locally up to 4-5 inches (75-125 mm). These same areas saw the heaviest snows with the recent storm, exceeding three feet (90 cm) in some locations. Rapid melting of this snow due to new rains and warm temperatures will lead to serious flash flooding. Many streams and rivers will surge out of their banks as well in the coming days.

 

 

The other hazard on the warm side of the system will be destructive southerly winds. Southern New England will bear the brunt of this threat on Friday morning. Gusts of 50-65 mph (80-105 kph) will be common.  A few exposed islands and coastal areas will see gusts as high as 75 mph (120 kph), especially near fast-moving thunderstorm cells. Winds of this magnitude will bring down large branches and uproot trees, knocking down powerlines and leading to widespread power outages. To make matters worse, Friday’s surge of warm air will be replaced late in the day by a wintry blast. Temperatures over the weekend will stay locked below freezing. Households without power will face dangerously cold conditions if an alternative heat source is unavailable. Those with backup generators are urged to prepare for an extended period without main electrical power. Lead photo courtesy flickr user Lauri Vain.