Category: Posts EN

Record Snowfall Buries Parts of Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan

Written by Team Morecast

 

Twin low pressure systems rapidly intensifying near northern Japan have driven a surge of Arctic air down into the region. At the same time rich Pacific moisture is being funneled in from the east. The combination has brought tremendously heavy snow to the region with records being smashed across eastern Hokkaido Island.

 

 

 

Snowfall fell heaviest overnight on Monday. The city of Obihiro, population 163,000, reported 120 cm (47 inches) in just 12 hours, far exceeding the old national record. The nearby cities of Memuro, Urahoro, and Shiranuka also saw all-time records fall. Drifting snow has buried cars, closed many roads, and disrupted rail services. Airports across Hokkaido have been forced to cancel dozens of flights. Additional heavy snows will affect much of Japan away from the coastal areas with up to 200 cm (79 inches) expected to blitz the central Honshu ranges through the end of the week.

 

 

Snows of this magnitude aren’t unheard of in Japan. The record for deepest snow depth ever measured in the Northern Hemisphere was 11.8 m (38.8 feet) on Mt. Ibuki in February of 1927. However, the winter of 2024-25 so far had been unusually mild and lacking snow. In fact, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival scheduled to start on Tuesday had been facing cancellation until, ironically, the current snowstorm saved it.

Tropical Low Dumping Historic Rainfall on Northeast Queensland, Australia

Written by Team Morecast

 

A small but well-organized tropical low has been basically stationary near the northeast coast of Queensland for the past three days. Moist onshore flow has persisted throughout the period on the south side of the low. Favorable terrain features have enhanced rainfall rates up to 40-50 mm/hr (2″/hr), leading to serious flooding.

 

 


The heaviest rain bands have been affecting the area between Ingham and Townsville. Some stations in this zone have seen staggering totals upwards of 1,000 mm (40 inches) in the past few days. Rollingstone, QLD recorded 702 mm (27.6 inches) in just 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning alone. Three-day totals of 1,200 mm (47 inches) have been tallied there through Sunday afternoon. Even in this tropical environment, these prodigious rainfall amounts have overwhelmed streams and rivers. Major flood warnings are in effect for the Herbert, Haughton, Burdekin, Ross, and Bohle Rivers. Some of these rivers are expected to reach levels not seen in nearly 50 years. The surging flood waters have forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the suburbs of Townsville. These torrential rain bands are not expected to diminish until at least Tuesday morning, though hopefully they will shift slightly away from the hardest-hit areas. Lead photo courtesy Wikipedia contributor Shaqueeta.

 

Historic Blizzard Buries the U.S. Gulf Coast

Written by Team Morecast

 

An Arctic air mass has brought record-breaking cold to much of the Central and Eastern USA. Meanwhile, an unusual surge of Gulf moisture back into the cold air yielded heavy snow across the South and Southeast. The result is unprecedent snow accumulations along with high winds. Unheard of blizzard conditions have blitzed the Gulf Coast states (see video just below).

 

 

 

A light wintry mix affected much of southeast Texas starting Monday evening. Ice accumulations were reported almost to the Mexican border. However, the heavy snow really increased early Tuesday from southeast Texas into southern Louisiana. Snowfall rates exceeded 1″/hr (2.5 cm/hr) for several hours. Winds also increased with gusts up to 40 mph (65 kph) blowing the snow around and reducing visibilities even further. In response the National Weather Service issued the first ever blizzard warning for the Gulf coast. Later in the day the heavy snow band expanded into southern portions of Mississippi and Alabama and northwest Florida. As of late Tuesday evening, it is beginning to affect the eastern Carolinas.

 

 

 

Snowfall records have been shattered throughout these regions. Lafayette, Louisiana saw 10.5″ (27 cm) after reporting thundersnow at one point Tuesday morning. New Orleans reported 8″ (20 cm), more than double the previous daily record of 3.5″ (9 cm), with unofficial reports nearby of up to a foot (30 cm). Snowfall totaled 7.5″ (19 cm) at Mobile, Alabama, with drifts up to 16 inches (40 cm). Florida more than doubled their previous state record for snowfall with 8.8″ (22 cm) at Milton. The local infrastructure was never designed to handle snowfall of this magnitude in this region. Travel has been strongly discouraged if not outright prohibited, and many communities are without power tonight.

Strong, Hot Winds Drive Fast-Spreading Fires in the L.A. Basin

Written by Team Morecast

 

Destructive fires sparked on Tuesday morning spread rapidly near Malibu and Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles. The fires are being driven by hot, dry gusts known as the Santa Ana winds. These winds blow downhill from the mountains, gaining momentum as they lose moisture. The result is extremely strong gusts and low humidity, perfect conditions for fires to rapidly spread out-of-control.

 

 

 

Winds have been gusting 50-65 mph (80-105 kph) over large areas of the L.A. Basin today. Isolated higher gusts have been reported up to 86 mph (138 kph) at the Magic Mountain trailhead. These strong winds are knocking numerous trees and powerlines down, providing plenty of opportunities for fire-starting sparks. The fire now threatening Pacific Palisades was first reported around 10:30 am Tuesday morning. Within 20 minutes it grew from 20 acres to 200 acres, and by mid-afternoon it was approaching 1,300 acres in size. By this time, tens of thousands of homes and businesses were in danger. Evacuation orders were issued for 30,000 local residents, leading to a major traffic jam. Unfortunately, the advancing fire and heavy smoke closed major highways, forcing nearly 200 of the evacuees to abandon their cars.

 

 

Smaller fires have developed in other spots across the L.A. Basin, putting a severe strain on regional fire-fighting resources. The dangerously dry, windy conditions will continue overnight and through much of Wednesday, finally easing on Wednesday evening. Lead photo courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service