Category Archives: World Weather

Natural Disasters, World Weather

NASA satellites capture images of deadly flooding in Pakistan

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Flooding in Pakistan is easily seen in this satellite image released by NASA. See larger images below and click here to view images from on the ground in Pakistan. (NASA)
Flooding in Pakistan is easily seen in this satellite image released by NASA. See larger images below. (NASA)

While Colorado has witnessed some pretty good rain showers in recent days due to the monsoon season, it is nothing compared to what Pakistan is experiencing.  Seemingly endless monsoonal rains have flooded hundreds of thousands of acres in Pakistan that were easily spotted by NASA satellites.

The floods, said to be the worst in the nation since 1929, have claimed more than 1,500 lives and affected 3.2 million people. Entire villages have been submerged by the water that continues to rise across large swaths of the nation.

By comparison, Colorado’s worst natural disaster was the Big Thompson Flood which killed 143 people in 1976.  This occurred during our own monsoon season but pales in comparison to what is happening in Pakistan. 

The images taken by NASA on July 31st show the Indus River in northwestern Pakistan clearly overflowing. The difference between the image taken this year versus one taken on August 1, 2009 provide a stark contrast that demonstrates how much worse this season is.

Flooding in Pakistan – Image captured July 31, 2010 (NASA)
Satellite image of flooding in Pakistan along the Indus River. (NASA)

Pakistan – Image captured August 1, 2009 (NASA)
Satellite image of flooding in Pakistan along the Indus River. (NASA)

More on the Pakistan flooding: Floods ravage Pakistan killing 1,500 and affecting millions

Slideshow: Death and devastation as monsoon rains flood Pakistan

World Weather

Russians caught in raging wildfire – Amazing video

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This screenshot from a YouTube video shows flames coming dangerously close to volunteers that went to help those in need as wildfires burn across western Russian. (YouTube) Watch the video below.
This screenshot from a YouTube video shows flames coming dangerously close to volunteers that went to help those in need as wildfires burn across western Russian. (YouTube) Watch the video below.

Wildfires have been sweeping across European Russia in recent days prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. A recently released video shows how the fast moving blazes can turn a relatively calm situation into a desperate flight – and flight – for life in the face of advancing flames.

The video, released on YouTube, shows volunteers that went to the village of Tamboles to assist residents finding themselves instead in need of help.

The translated caption for the video explains that the vehicle’s occupants passed along the same road a half hour before and there was no hint of the fire. When they went to return, they were surrounded by flames as trees and brush burned around them and they were confronted with walls of flame.

Listening to the audio in the video one does not have to speak Russian to understand the desperateness of the situation they are in. Amazingly enough, the vehicle and its occupants survived their fiery journey.

World Weather

July 4 to July 10 – This week in Denver weather history

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July 4 to July 10 – This week in Denver weather history
July 4 to July 10 – This week in Denver weather history

As we pointed out in our July weather preview, the month is not only our hottest but it is also the stormiest.  Scorching summer heat is certainly evident when we look back at this week in Denver weather history.  Perhaps more notable is the severe weather we have seen with everything from hail, damaging wind, dangerous lightning and deadly flooding having occurred.

29-15

In 2000…the 29th marked the beginning of a near record hot streak for metro Denver.  The high temperatures…as recorded at Denver International Airport…exceeded the 90 degree mark for 17 consecutive days from June 29th through July 15th. The record of 24 consecutive 90 degree or above days was set from July 13th through August 5th…2008.

1-18 

In 1874…a streak of 18 consecutive days of 90 degrees tied for second with another streak that was later set in the summer of 1901. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

4

In 1874…the temperature reached a high of 102 degrees in downtown Denver.  Large forest fires in the mountains from the west-northwest to the south filled the atmosphere over the city with dense smoke.
 
In 1885…a thunderstorm produced sustained winds to 44 mph with gusts to 60 mph.  A circus tent was tattered by the strong winds.
 
In 1900…a thunderstorm produced northwest winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 51 mph…but only 0.05 inch of rain.
 
In 1903…the all time lowest temperature ever recorded in July…42 degrees…occurred. The temperature also occurred on July 31…1873.
 
In 1910…thunderstorm winds were sustained to 42 mph from the southwest.
 
In 1922…thunderstorm winds were sustained to 37 mph with gusts to 48 mph.
 
In 1956…a thunderstorm wind gust to 54 mph was recorded at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1964…several men were knocked down by a bolt of lightning while playing golf in south metro Denver.  They got up and ran for cover when one of them was struck by a second bolt. He suffered burns and shock.
 
In 1987…a weak tornado was observed for 6 minutes…7 miles northeast of Watkins.  Hail 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter fell in southeast Aurora.
 
In 1988…lightning struck a group of people at the Jefferson County fairgrounds.  A 42-year-old woman was seriously injured and was hospitalized for 3 days.  Four other people sustained minor injuries.
 
In 1993…strong northwest winds uprooted several trees across metro Denver.  Wind gusts to 64 mph were reported at Erie north of Denver.  A west wind gust to 43 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1995…lightning struck and injured two people standing in a field in Arvada.
 
In 1998…heavy thunderstorm rain…up to 2.75 inches…and marble size hail combined to flood local roads and fields near Roggen.
 
In 2002…heavy thunderstorm rain in the Hayman Fire burn area caused flash flooding.  In Jefferson County…gulch road was washed out.  In Douglas County…high water washed out some forest access roads as well…generally to the east of a line extending from signal butte to Deckers.

Continue reading July 4 to July 10 – This week in Denver weather history →

Colorado Weather, National Weather, World Weather

NCAR scientists determine planes can punch holes in clouds

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An example of a hole-punch cloud over Alabama. (Alan Sealls, WKRG-TV / NCAR)
An example of a hole-punch cloud over Alabama. (Alan Sealls, WKRG-TV / NCAR)

Mysterious, almost UFO-looking, clouds have fascinated viewers from the ground for decades. Now, scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder have determined that planes can ‘punch holes’ in clouds and perform the equivalent of cloud seeding.

Andrew Heymsfield, a scientist at NCAR, said that given the right conditions, planes climbing or descending can cause the atmospheric phenomena known as hole-punch, or canal clouds. When they do, they create unusual cloud formations and can cause rain and snow to develop.

Scientists have long speculated about the cause of the unusual ‘holes’ in the clouds and had attributed them to various aviation-related causes, none of which were conclusive.

The scientists at NCAR determined that water droplets at 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) are the key factor. When a plane flies through these droplets, the air behind it is cooled and the droplets freeze and fall toward the Earth.

There's more to this story on Examiner.com!Get the rest of this story including more photos and video explaining the phenomena at the Denver Weather Examiner!

World Weather

Massive sandstorm turns China’s skies orange

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Sandstorm in China
Sandstorms in China have become more common due to deforestation and growing deserts. (File photo / Flikr / mckaysavage)

China’s capital city was shrouded in a cloud or orange dust from a massive sandstorm that affected an area of 312,000 square miles. Residents and visitors to Beijing were forced to wear masks and glasses in an attempt to keep the dust at bay.

The nation’s weather forecasting service gave the air quality rating of ‘5’ – its worst possible rating. The service was urging residents to stay inside and avoid the unhealthy air.

Flights at Beijing’s international airport were delayed and visitors to Tiananmen Square and other popular locations were greeted with orange skies and obscured landmarks.

The massive storm which originated hundreds of miles away struck after midnight and was carried by winds reaching 60mph. The sandstorm, somewhat common in Beijing, is expected to last until Monday.

The storm’s reach will also extend Saturday to the Korean Peninsula where Seoul has issued dust advisories.

Experts have blamed the storms on deforestation and urbanization and have resulted in a marked increase in the number of sandstorms. One storm in 2006 deposited an estimated 300,000 tons of sand on Beijing.

The expansion of deserts in the nation are considered a grave risk as deserts now encompass one third of the land area. In recent years the government began a program to plant vegetation in an attempt to stop the growing deserts.

“The situation improved tremendously after that. Thanks to the mild climate and conservation efforts, Beijing had only one sandstorm last year,” Guo Hu, head of the Beijing Meteorological Station, told Xinhua on Saturday.

This story was originally published by the Natural Disasters Examiner.  To ensure you are up to date with the latest on all types of disasters from sandstorms and snowstorms to hurricanes and tornadoes, visit the Natural Disasters Examiner.

Natural Disasters, World Weather

Queensland, Australia readies for Tropical Cyclone Ului

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Satellite image - Tropical Cyclone Ului poised to strike Queensland, Australia. (ABM)
Satellite image - Tropical Cyclone Ului poised to strike Queensland, Australia. (ABM)

The eastern coast of Australia was on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Ului prepared to make landfall in Queensland. Packing winds approaching 75 mph (165 km/hr), the government has begun evacuations in advance of the powerful storm.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that Ului had shown intensification over the past six hours and was warning it may strike land as a Category 3 storm packing winds to 105 mph (170 km/hr). Very destructive winds are forecast to begin affecting coastal areas late Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Landfall is expected 625 miles north of Brisbane (1000km) between Bowen and Proserpine. As with any cyclone, the wind presents the most immediate danger. However heavy rain raises the risk of severe flooding as 8 to 12 inches is expected in the hardest hit areas.

In advance of the storm, Queensland issued a disaster declaration which clears the way for the government force the evacuation of those at risk. Currently the communities Townsville, Burdekin, Rockhampton, Whitsunday, Charters Towers, Mackay, and Isaac fall under the mandatory evacuation orders. Resort areas along the Great Barrier Reef have already been evacuated.

For the complete forecast map and details, please visit the Natural Disasters Examiner.

World Weather

Great Britain gripped by cold and snow – seen from space

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NASAs Terra satellite captured this image of London and the surrounding countryside covered under a blanket of snow. See a larger image below. (NASA)
NASA's Terra satellite captured this image of London and the surrounding countryside covered under a blanket of snow. See a larger image below. (NASA)

Cold winter weather that has been called the worst in 50 years has gripped England and turned deadly. Showing the widespread extent of the snowfall, NASA released imagery today from its Terra satellite showing the nation under a blanket of white.

The severe cold in the country has turned deadly and claimed 22 lives since it first struck last month. Schools across the nation have been forced to close and air and road travel has been severely impacted. Many homes have found themselves without power.

The nation found itself unprepared by the cold as it was facing shortages of road salt and more critically, natural gas for heating. Suppliers of salt said they were having a hard time keeping up with demand and may very well run out before the cold weather is finished. Companies in northern England have been ordered to shut down in order to preserve natural gas supplies.

Unusually heavy snow and cold has affected not only Great Britain but large swaths of the Northern Hemisphere. The eastern two thirds of the United States was experiencing far below normal temperatures and Asia found itself dealing with snow and cold as well.

For a larger image, please check out the story on the Natural Disasters Examiner.