Category: Posts EN

Frigid Winter Storm Blasts the Western U.S.

Written by Team Morecast

 

A strong winter storm is raking the west coast of the U.S. with historic cold and wind. Snow has been over lower elevations totally unaccustomed to seeing flakes fly, including Las Vegas and parts of the Los Angeles Basin. At the lower elevations, torrential rain is producing devastating flooding and landslides. Gusty winds are combining with rain-loosened soils to fell powerlines and trees, leaving nearly a million residents in the dark.

 

 

 

The storm first affected portions of Washington and Oregon. As temperatures plummeted, heavy rain changed to snow even as low in elevation as the Oregon coast (see video above). Nearly eleven inches (28 cm) of snow accumulated Thursday in the city of Portland, the second-snowiest day on record. The surprise snowstorm stranded thousands of motorists, some of them stuck for up to 13 hours trying to get home. This was followed by record cold temperatures early Friday morning.

 

 

A band of rich tropical moisture is shifting south tonight with the storm into Southern California. Up to seven inches (178 mm) of rain has already fallen in the L.A. Basin, leading to flash flooding and swelling rivers (see above). As the powerful cold low approaches, snow levels will be falling. The highest peaks above 4,000 feet (1,219 m) will see several feet of accumulation through this weekend. Elevations as low as 1,000 feet will see significant accumulations of wet, heavy snow, putting pressure on trees and powerlines. Winds will also be gusting as 75 mph (120 kph), leading to dangerous whiteout conditions. This has prompted the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles to issue its first blizzard warning since 1989, while the San Diego office issued its first ever. These dangerous conditions will shut down major travel arteries across the region, including Interstates 5 and 81.

State of Emergency for Northern New Zealand as Cyclone Gabrielle Roars Through

Written by Team Morecast

 

For just the third time in the nation’s history, New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle rolled across the north. The worst cyclone in a generation has swept roads and bridges away, cutting off whole communities and swallowing homes and businesses. Three fatalities have been reported so far, but more are missing and thousands have been forced out of their homes and communities.

 

 

Gabrielle began to approach northern New Zealand over the weekend. Unfortunately, the storm slowed to a crawl as it entered the Bay of Plenty. Prolonged high winds gusting up to 150 kph (93 mph) knocked down trees and powerlines and took roofs off of some houses. At one point 250,000 residents reported being without power. Considering the massive damage to infrastructure, it will probably be days or weeks before power is restored to all residents.

 

 

 

Bands of torrential rain pounded the northern islands for at least 48 hours. Numerous stations reported rainfall exceeding 400 mm (15.7 in) (including 488 mm, or 19.2 inches, at Hikuwai).  As a result, numerous rivers have burst their banks, setting new record levels and inundating whole towns. Some residents reported having to flee to their rooftops to escape the flooding. Several major bridges have been destroyed, severely restricting rescue and recovery efforts to isolated communities. This cyclone strike comes only two weeks after crippling rain and flooding across much the same region.

Upside-Down USA Weather Pattern: Crippling Ice Storm in the South, Snow Drought in the Northeast

Written by Team Morecast

 

Days of freezing rain and sleet have felled numerous trees and powerlines across the Mid-South. Hundreds of thousands are without power as ice continues to accumulate. Meanwhile, the major cities of the Urban Corridor have gone with little to no measurable snow all winter. Unusually warm weather looks to the be the rule there through at least mid-February.

 

 

 

Icy roads have left residents of Dallas, Texas slipping and spinning for the past few days (see video above). Multiple rounds of wintry precipitation have built ice accumulations upwards of 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) in many areas. Icing and gusty winds have snapped many tree branches onto powerlines, resulting in widespread power outages. At one point one-quarter of the city of Austin, Texas was without power (see video above). So far eight fatalities have been blamed on the storm. Conditions should start to improve across the region later on Thursday.

 

 

Few residents of the Northeastern US are anxious to see the icy conditions their southern counterparts are struggling with. However, unusually warm weather has limited the snowfall that usually characterizes the winter season. New York City set a record for the latest first measurable snow of the season on Wednesday morning with a paltry 0.4 inches (10 mm). That comes on the heels of the warmest January on record at Central Park. Hartford, CT saw 5.6 inches (14.2 cm) of snow on 11-December and little more than a few dustings since. Boston has totaled only 7.9 inches (20.1 cm) inches of snow so far, less than one-third of the normal tally of 24 inches (61 cm) by 1-February. A brief cold snap this weekend will be snow-free, followed by a return to above-normal temperatures through the middle of the month. Lead photo courtesy Ed Roberts.

Killer Flooding Strikes North Island of New Zealand!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Days of torrential rainfall have lead to major flooding over the North Island of New Zealand. The capital city of Auckland was especially hard hit, recording their heaviest rain event since 1985. Copious rainfall falling over a short duration has resulted in flash flooding and landslides. The death toll has risen to four as of Sunday night with more heavy rain on the way.

 

 

 

One station in the Auckland region has reported almost 600 mm in the past four days, comparable to a half-year’s worth of normal rainfall. Auckland itself received 75% of its normal summertime rainfall in 15 hours. Numerous weather stations in the city reported their wettest day ever. The torrential rains actually flooded the ground floor of New Zealand International Airport (see video above), grounding hundreds of flights and leaving thousands stranded. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been severely damaged if not made uninhabitable.

 

 

Auckland schools are closed for the next week as 20 schools were heavily damaged and many roads remain impassable. A few whole communities are almost completely cut off. A state of emergency remains in effect for Auckland and other nearby regions. Preliminary estimates are that the flooding will cost the New Zealand economy up to a half a billion dollars. Low pressure will continue to hover near the northern coast through the next few days, prolonging the threat for heavy rain. Lead photo courtesy Flickr user Tatters.