Category: Posts EN

Rare Snowfall for Desert Southwest, Including Sin City

Written by Team Morecast

 

An unusually cold air mass has been anchored across much of the western U.S. in recent weeks. A series of significant troughs has been rotating through, pushing Pacific moisture into the cold air. The result has been snow falling on areas unaccustomed to seeing flakes fly. Some particularly beautiful scenes have been captured in the bright lights of Las Vegas over the past week.

 

 

 

 

The first shot of accumulating snow came through Vegas on Sunday evening. A dusting fell on most of downtown, but western suburbs saw 1-2 inches of wet accumulation. A much larger, stronger trough has come in for the late week, producing off-and-on snow from late Wednesday well into Thursday. Slushy accumulations of 0.5-1 inch were tallied for parts of the Vegas downtown, enough for residents to build some tiny snowmen for the first time in their lives! McCarran International Airport reported 0.8 inch of snow for the day, the most in more than a decade. Western and southern suburbs fringing on the mountains saw accumulations of several inches. It was enough to prompt for officials to call a rare snow day for Clark County schoolchildren.

 

 

Other areas of the Southwest have seen unusual snow amounts as well. Chilly temperatures in the L.A. Basin led to reports of wet snow flurries in Malibu, Pasadena, and Calabasas. Interstates running through the mountains ringing Los Angeles were closed due to heavy snow and icy conditions. Kingman, Arizona, a city more commonly known for withering summertime heat, reported 12-18 inches of heavy snow. And Flagstaff set a new daily record for snow accumulation on Thursday, up to 33 inches and counting as of Thursday evening. The storm system responsible for the desert snows will eventually emerge into the Plains with a threat for blizzard conditions and severe storms this weekend. Lead photo courtesy Wikipedia contributor Jake DeGroot.

Conditions Deteriorating Along Southeast Queensland Coast as Oma Approaches!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Tropical Cyclone Oma has continued to move slowly southwest overnight. Models are coming into better agreement about the future track of Oma. The cyclone is expected to move closer to the QLD coast in the next day or two followed by a turn to the northwest. A direct landfall is not likely. However, Oma will certainly move close enough to lash the coast with strong winds and heavy rains. Starting as early as tonight, these hazards could persist well into next week.

 

 

Oma is now a category two cyclone. Relatively cool water temperatures along the path of the storm are likely to lead to gradual weakening. Oma could even become a subtropical or hybrid storm system. However, the storm’s large wind radius will mean a long stretch of the Australian coast could be in for significant wind gusts (see map above). These will be increasing tonight even with the cyclone still well out to sea. The strongest wind gusts up to 120 kph will impact outlying islands and exposed capes like Moreton Island and Fraser Island. A larger stretch including Brisbane metro and the Gold Coast will see gusts more like 70-90 kph.

 

 

Heavy, flooding rainfall will not be a widespread threat as long as the system remains somewhat offshore. However, outer bands could rake the immediate coast and islands with rainfall of 40-80 mm, enough to produce some minor, localized flooding (see map above). Elevated tides and high waves will contribute to the flooding danger in low-lying beach communities. Of course, a closer track to the coast would mean an increased risk of wind and flood damage. Oma will continue to be monitored closely. Lead photo courtesy flickr user Amy McGovern.

Tropical Cyclone Oma Threatens Eastern Australia Late Week!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Massive Cyclone Oma has spent the last several days sideswiping the islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia. A large area of open ocean is in the storm’s immediate path. Unfortunately, mainland Australia could be on the target list for late this week. Residents from northeast New South Wales to coastal Queensland should be vigilant.

 

 

Oma is a very large storm generating large waves and higher tides that are already causing significant beach erosion and coastal flooding along the east coast of Australia. The cyclone will continue to move slowly southwest over the next few days. The models diverge, however, as we approach this weekend. Weak steering winds aloft mean a number of different potential tracks. Some models take the storm southeast and back out to sea. Others move it northeast, paralleling coastal Queensland, while others threaten southeast QLD with a landfall (see graphic below).

 

 

Another uncertainty is the intensity of the storm. Water temperatures in the storm’s path are a bit cool to support a major cyclone and some weakening is likely. However, Oma could also become a hybrid tropical/non-tropical system that would spread potentially damaging winds over a larger area. Even the most optimistic offshore model solutions now bring significant weather to the coast. Winds will be on increase for the outer islands and capes as early as Thursday night with flooding rainfall likely by this weekend. We’ll have additional updates in the next few days as this dangerous situation unfolds! Lead photo courtesy flickr user Ana Rodriguez Carrington

Cyclone Oma To Brush Past New Caledonia, A Distant Threat for Mainland Australia

Written by Team Morecast

 

Tropical Cyclone Oma has been steadily strengthening today as it moves slowly over the eastern Coral Sea. Over the next few days, it will be skirting past Vanuatu and New Caledonia, lashing those islands with gusty winds and locally heavy rain. Looking further ahead to next week, we can’t rule out some significant impacts for eastern Australia.

 

 

Model guidance carries the storm southwest and eventually south over the Coral Sea in the next several days. Most of the models continue the turn to the southeast towards the open ocean. However, a few models track the cyclone closer to the Australian coast. At this time, this solution is considered unlikely but not out of the realm of possibility. Water temperatures off the eastern Australian coast don’t support a major cyclone, but significant impacts can still occur with a weakening storm.

 

 

Even if the cyclone stays well offshore, coastal eastern Australia could still see noticeable effects next week. High waves and heavy surf can occur thousands of kilometers from a cyclone. Gusty winds are also likely for the outer islands and exposed capes. Of course, a closer pass from the cyclone would mean more dangerous hazards. We’ll keep a close eye on the trends.