Category: Posts EN

Beijing Snaps 145 Day Dry Streak with Snow

Written by Team Morecast

Beijing, China received its first measurable precipitation in 145 days on Saturday morning when snow dusted much of the city. At least 0.1 mm of precipitation was recorded at the city’s international airport.

The last time measurable precipitation was recorded at Beijing International airport was on October 22nd, 2017 when 0.1 mm of rain fell. According to a Chinese-based news outlet, the dry stretch of weather is the city’s longest streak in 47 years.

A fast moving disturbance that crossed north-central China early Saturday generated just enough moisture for the snow. Weather models depicted this precipitation event in advance rather well.

Why So Dry

Much of western and northern China reside in the Gobi Desert. The desert lays west of Beijing, however, the cold season pattern often brings a west to northwest flow which steers the dry air from the desert into the city.

Even during the drier winter months the city still averages about 3-9 mm of precipitation a month.

A major contributor to the recent stretch of dry conditions is a storm track that has been consistently to the south of north-central China.

As the cold season transitions to the warm season, moisture from the Pacific and Indian Oceans penetrate farther northward in China. Eventually that moisture reaches Beijing with increased chances for precipitation from April to October.

Another East Coast Storm Threat Next Week

Written by Meteo Expert Josef Lukas

March has already brought three intense nor’easters to the East Coast, and now a fourth storm may be brewing.

Low pressure will emerge from the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and track into the Tennessee Valley Monday. Beyond Monday, low pressure will redevelop off of the North Carolina coast and threaten the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Along and south of the storm track, an area of rain and thunderstorms will break out. There is a risk for isolated severe weather across the south-central Plains Sunday afternoon. The threat for some gustier thunderstorms will spread across portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, to the north of the low track a cold rain will could mix with snow at times.

2 Scenario Next Week

As low pressure approaches the southern Appalachians on Monday, a second area of low pressure will develop near the North Carolina coast. The location and movement of the second low are crucial to potential impacts across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

The first scenario would feature a storm track to the east-northeast out to sea. In this scenario, a wintry mix of rain and snow could impact interior Virginia. However, much of the Northeast would remain dry.

The second scenario would feature a slightly stronger low pressure system that would take a more northeasterly track. A track closer to the Northeast coast would bring a greater risk of precipitation. Cold air is expected to be in place, so much of the precipitation would likely fall as Snow or a rain/snow mix.

A favored scenario in the track of low pressure is expected to emerge by the end of this weekend.

Marcus Blows Through Darwin; Eyes Northern WA

Written by Team Morecast

Tropical Cyclone Marcus battered northwest NT with damaging wind, heavy falls of rain, and coastal flooding on Saturday. The cyclone’s next destination is northern WA Sunday and Monday.

Marcus develop north of Tiwi Island on Friday, and then plowed through coastal northwest NT Saturday. Darwin took a direct hit from the cyclone as the center of the storm passed very close to the city.

Wind gusts in Darwin reached 122 kph (66 kts), while elsewhere gusts of 70-100 kph were common near the coast from Point Stuart to Dundee Beach.

Marcus Track and Future Impacts

As the cyclone moves over the very warm waters of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Saturday night into Sunday, models indicate that there is a window of opportunity for rapid intensification. Consequently, the cyclone could have more severe impacts on the north coast of WA.

Coastal residents in northern WA should prepare for strong wind gusts exceeding 100 kph and heavy, flooding rainfall. The immediate coast of WA north of the Scambridge Gulf could additionally see some minor storm surge flooding.

 

New Storm System Will Produce a Variety of Hazards over the Plains

Written by Team Morecast

A fairly strong storm system emerging over the High Plains tonight is producing a variety of weather hazards from winds and severe storms to heavy snow. It’s the latest in a pattern of active weather bridging record snowfall on both the West and East coasts.

Snow has already broken out over the Rockies. These locally heavy snows will expand further north and eventually into parts of the Lower Plains, specifically near the South Dakota – Nebraska border. Accumulations up to 8-12 inches could occur, especially in the higher terrain. Further east into Iowa and northwestern Illinois, expect snow to mix with sleet and freezing rain with icing up to 0.25″ or more.

South of the track of the low pressure, expect gusty winds over the Southern High Plains, up to 60 mph in some wind prone locations. These high winds combined with the severe drought conditions in this region will lead to an extremely high wildfire danger through Friday.

By Friday afternoon, the system will move east and draw in some Gulf moisture. A few isolated severe storms could break out from the Texarkana area up through the Ozarks. The upper level dynamics will be sufficient for severe storms. The question mark that remains is how much moisture moves north and results in instability.