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2018 Precipitation Trends: Wet In The Mid-Atlantic, Drought Expands In Southwest

Written by Meteo Expert Josef Lukas

Earlier in July UBIMET meteorologists looked at temperature trends so far in 2018 for the US. This article will analyze precipitation trends across the US through the first 193 days of 2018. 

2018 US Precipitation Data

Climate records from the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC) show that 545 stations are having a wetter than average 2018, compared with 277 stations seeing a drier than average year. Stations in the SERCC database have a period of record of at least 30 years.

In general, the eastern half of the US and parts of the northern Rockies have experienced above average precipitation, while the Plains and Southwest have seen below average precipitation. As a result of the drier weather in the Southwest and Plains, drought conditions have worsened so far in 2018.

The ratio of wetter than average to drier than average locations is about 2:1.

Out of the 822 US climate stations, 282 have a period of record that is greater than or equal to 100 years. Within this data set a similar ratio of wetter than average to drier than average locations is observed.

Looking even further into the data, 32 stations are seeing a top 3 wettest year on record through 12-July, while 16 locations are having a top 3 driest year.

Richmond, Virginia and Wilmington, North Carolina, are off to their record wettest year for their period of record, which is 122 years and 144 years, respectively. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is having their 3rd wettest year on record with precipitation records dating back to 1875.

2018 Temperature Trends: Most US Cities Warmer Than Average

Written by Meteo Expert Josef Lukas

2018 is more than halfway over, and temperatures across most of the United States are warmer than the long-term average.

2018 US Temperature Data

Climate records from the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC) show that 731 stations are experiencing temperatures that are warmer than average, while 97 stations are colder than average. Stations in the SERCC database have a period of record of at least 30 years.

The city with the most anomalous warmth is Kotzebue, Alaska which is 2.4°C (4.3°F) above their 30-year average temperature, while Havre, Montana is the city with the most anomalous cold at 1.7°C (3.0°F) below their 30-year average.

Out of the 828 US climate stations, 285 have a period of record that is greater than or equal to 100 years. Within this data set a similar trend of warmer than average to colder than average temperatures are observed.

Looking even further into the data, 39 stations are seeing a top 3 warmest year on record through 11-July, while there are no stations currently experiencing a top 3 coldest year.

Just in July alone, record-breaking warmth gripped parts of the Great Lakes, Northeast, and southern California with several dozen record highs.

The US temperature data so far from 2018 is in line with predictions made in the latest version of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from 2014.

Heavy Rains and Winds Batter Taiwan; Maria Headed for China Next!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Typhoon Maria has been holding a steady west-northwest course overnight, raking northern Taiwan with heavy rains and gust winds. Now the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang are in the crosshairs.

Maria has been marching west-northwest at 35 kph overnight. It’s now located about 80 km north of Taipei in northern Taiwan. It’s about the same distance east of the Fujian province of China, meaning at the current pace landfall will happen in a few hours. The eye of the storm will be near or just north of Ningde, China by mid-morning local time. Maria is slowly weakening but still capable of producing destructive winds up to 200 kph! Heavy, flooding rains and a significant storm surge are also likely near and north of the landfall point.

 

 

Northern Taiwan and adjacent islands have been hit hard overnight. Pengjia Yu island, home to a manned weather observation station and not much else, was the closest to Maria’s eyewall. Gusts to at least 120 kph were measured there. Much of northern Taiwan has seen torrential rainfall over the past two days (see maps below), around or exceeding 300 mm in many areas. Maria will weaken quickly as the circulation moves into the mountains of eastern China later tonight into Thursday. Lead photo courtesy Wikipedia contributor Stephen Wheeler.

 

Typhoon Maria to Impact Taiwan; make Landfall in China.

Written by Meteo Expert Josef Lukas

Powerful Typhoon Maria is tracking west-northwest across the West Pacific Ocean en route to eastern China.

Maria briefly reached Super Typhoon status on Monday, however, slight weakening has occurred early Tuesday as the cyclone moves over a bit cooler ocean waters.

The cyclone will pass close to the Japanese island of Miyakojima Tuesday evening, then move just north of Taiwan late Tuesday night before making landfall in eastern China early Wednesday.

Maria Impacts

Flooding rain along with damaging winds and a storm surge are expected across northern Taiwan and the eastern Chinese provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian.

Along and near the center of Maria, rainfall amounts of 100-200 mm are expected, with locally higher totals. This amount of rain in a 12-18 hour time frame will lead to a high risk of flooding across extreme northern Taiwan and eastern China.

Wind gusts over 100 kph are expected to span out close to 50 miles from Maria’s center as the storm makes landfall early Wednesday.

Maria will be moving rather briskly into and through eastern China, and by Thursday Maria will be degenerating over land.