UPDATE: Severe Storms Imminent Over the Northern Plains!

 

The ingredients are in place for a big-time severe storm outbreak starting late this afternoon in the Northern Plains. Gigantic hail up to 4-5 inches (10-13 cm), isolated tornadoes, and destructive winds to 80 mph (130 kph) will occur!

 

 

As of the time of this writing, extreme instability has built over the region. For the weather nerds reading this, surface-based CAPE values are near 8,000 j/kg, numbers very rarely seen. Plenty of upper level wind energy (shear of 50-65 knots) is riding the jet stream overhead, ready to tap into the explosive instability. Severe cells have already broken out over northern Minnesota. However, the real monster supercells will develop back over eastern Montana and western North Dakota. The best chance for giant hail and tornadoes will be this evening in this area. By mid to late evening, the supercells could converge to produce a destructive squall line with widespread winds through North Dakota and into northern Minnesota on Friday morning. The squall line may slowly weaken through sunrise on Friday, but we can’t rule out severe chances even this late in the event.

Please stay tuned to your local emergency broadcast system in case severe storms threaten your neighborhood! Severe storms are particularly dangerous at night when visibility is low.

Major Winter Storms Target Chile Late This Week!

 

A series of storms will carry abundant moisture into Chile starting late Wednesday with heavy, flooding rains a major threat. The train of moisture will continue, especially for central sections, through the weekend. The west-facing slopes of the Andes will be particularly hard-hit.

 

 

The animation above shows the lead storm spinning off the coast of southern South America. This low will move east through the next few days, dragging a rich plume of moisture into central Chile. The front will be nearly stationary affecting the central and southern sections through early Saturday. Later in the weekend, expect heavy rain for the more densely populated northern portions of Chile, including the capital, Santiago.

 

 

The heaviest rainfall of 125-200 mm (5-8 inches) will fall in the regions of Los Rios, Los Lagos, and Aysen, as well as the adjacent border lands of Argentina. The foothills and west-facing mountains will see the heaviest rainfall with flash flooding and mudslides likely. Nearby regions will see 75-125 mm (3-5 inches). Flooding will be more localized elsewhere with totals of 25-75 mm (1-3 inches), including the capital district. The mountains will see heavy, wet snowfall during this time frame with some locations seeing up to a half-meter. Snow levels will be 2,000 to 3,000 meters in the north, around 1,000 meters in the central sections, and close to sea level in the south.

Record-Breaking Heat Targets Great Lakes & Northeast This Weekend

A hot summertime weather pattern will take over much of the eastern US this weekend. Temperatures will soar well into the 90’s (mid 30’s °C) likely leading to several record highs across the Great Lakes and Northeast.

Morecast.com meteorologists have been tracking a building hot weather pattern for the last several days. The primary culprit for the heat will be a hot ridge of high pressure that will shift toward the Northeast. Temperatures across the Great Lakes and Northeast will begin to climb on Friday and max out on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday:

Temperatures on Saturday will climb into the mid 90’s (mid 30’s °C) from Michigan and Ohio up into the lower elevations of New England. Current forecasts suggests that Morgantown, WV and Binghamton, NY are on pace to break record highs, while several other cities will tie or get close to tying record highs.

Along with the hot temperatures will be an increase in humidity. The combination of hot temperatures and increasing humidity will yield head indices of around 100 degrees (38°C) in many communities.

The dome of high pressure overhead will act to keep much of the region dry and stable, consequently, there is little chance for cooling from a thunderstorm.

The stagnant air mass also means that overnight temperatures will remain warm and the humidity sticky.

Sunday:

Sunday will be the warmest day of the weekend for many across New York state and New England. Binghamton, NY is on pace to smash its record high of 87 set back in 1968 with a forecast high of 94 degrees. Buffalo, NY, Syracuse, NY, and Burlington, VT also appear on track to set new daily record highs.

Recommended Safety Tips For Hot Weather:

Exposure to hot temperatures can adversely impact health. Consider the following safety tips below from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Stay in air conditioned buildings as much as possible. Air conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illnesses.
  • Limit outdoor activities, especially during the middle of the day.
  • Stay hydrated.

Rare Summer Snow Targets Newfoundland, Canada

Snow is the last thing on many minds nearly a week after the summer solstice, however, a rare summertime snowfall is expected to blanket parts of Newfoundland in white into Tuesday.

A cold rain Monday night and Tuesday will mix with and change to a wet, pasty snow at times across central Newfoundland.

Snow accumulation will be highly dependent on where the heavier precipitation rates setup. In areas of heavier precipitation, snow will be the favored precipitation type. Snow accumulations away from the coast could total 10-20 cm.

In areas where more than 5 cm of snow accumulates, downed trees and power lines are possible due to the weight of the snow. Most of the snow accumulation will take place on grassy, non-paved surfaces, however, slushy and snow covered roads are possible at times in heavier bursts of precipitation.

Current data suggests that Newfoundland’s 7th largest city, Gander, could see measurable snow in June for the first time since 2007 when 1.2 cm accumulated. As a reference point, Gander is at a similar latitude and elevation to Paris, France, and Vienna, Austria.

Below are the top 5 snowiest June days on record in Gander. Records date back to 1937.

While June snow in Newfoundland is not unprecedented, it is much more likely to happen during the first half of the month than the latter half.

If measurable snow is observed in Gander, it will mark the 3rd latest snowfall on record.