Today's Antarctic region once as hot as California

Parts of ancient Antarctica were as warm as today's California coast, and polar regions of the southern Pacific Ocean registered 21st-century Florida heat, according to scientists using a new way to measure past temperatures.

But it wasn't always that way, and the new measurements can help improve climate models used for predicting future climate, according to co-author Hagit Affek of Yale, associate professor of geology & geophysics.

"Quantifying past temperatures helps us understand ancient Antarctica were as warm as today's California coast, and polar regions of the southern Pacific Ocean registered 21st-century Florida heat, according to scientists using a new way to measure past temperatures.
The findings, published the week of April 21 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, underscore the potential for increased warmth at Earth's poles and the associated risk of melting polar ice and rising sea levels, the researchers said.

Led by scientists at Yale, the study focused on Antarctica during the Eocene epoch, 40-50 million years ago, a period with high concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ and consequently a greenhouse climate.
the sensitivity of the climate system to greenhouse gases, and especially the amplification of global warming in polar regions," Affek said.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140421164359.htm

Extremes in wet, dry spells increasing for South Asian monsoons

Climate scientists and statisticians have found changing patterns in South Asian monsoons since 1980: more extreme wet and dry spells. In particular, the researchers observed increases in the intensity of wet spells and in the frequency of dry spells. The discoveries are the result of a new collaboration between climate scientists and statisticians that focused on utilizing statistical methods for analyzing rare geophysical events.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140428121210.htm

How costly are natural hazards?

Costs of natural hazards are at historically high levels, and show an increasing trend. Cost assessments of natural hazards often only cover direct costs and even these are assumed to be at least 50% higher than international assessments report. However, besides direct damage, also indirect damage is relevant. For example, the Thailand flood in 2011 shut down scores of factories and damaged global car manufacturing and electronics industries.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140426155351.htm

Tornado outbreak kills at least 24

 



After a dangerous day of severe weather in the Plains and South on Sunday, damaging tornadoes formed again Monday in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.
A Particularly Dangerous Situation was issued for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, in effect until 9 p.m. CDT Monday night.
Six people were killed in Limestone County, Ala. after a tornado swept through the area Monday evening, Limestone County officials told the Associated Press.  In total, at least 24 people have been killed, and countless more injured, from the severe storms that continue to push into the South.
Arkansas suffered some of the heaviest damage and the largest number of deaths so far from the storm, after tornadoes from a long-lived supercell thunderstorm ripped through the center of the state, killing at least 15 people Sunday.
The storms marked the beginning of a multi-day severe weather outbreak expected to affect much of the South and southern parts of the Midwest.

http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/severe-weather-tornado-outbreak-late-april-impacts-20140427

Wind turbine movement can generate lightning

Under favorable atmospheric conditions any elevated structure can generate upward lightning flashes. Even aircraft can do so —- in fact, height and movement are two of the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. The tips of wind turbine blades move at speeds of several tens of meters per second. However, no one had previously demonstrated the relationship between this movement and the triggering of electrical discharges.

 

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140423094749.htm 

Drought may take toll on Congo rainforest, NASA satellites show

A new analysis of NASA satellite data shows Africa's Congo rainforest, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, has undergone a large-scale decline in greenness over the past decade. Scientists use the satellite-derived "greenness" of forest regions as one indicator of a forest's health. While this study looks specifically at the impact of a persistent drought in the Congo region since 2000, researchers say that a continued drying trend might alter the composition and structure of the Congo rainforest, affecting its biodiversity and carbon storage.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140423170909.htm

Carbon loss from soil accelerating climate change

New research has found that increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause soil microbes to produce more carbon dioxide, accelerating climate change. This research challenges our previous understanding about how carbon accumulates in soil.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140424140907.htm

Some corals adjusting to rising ocean temperatures

Scientists have revealed how some corals can quickly switch on or off certain genes in order to survive in warmer-than-average tidal waters. To most people, 86-degree Fahrenheit water is pleasant for bathing and swimming. To most sea creatures, however, it's deadly. As climate change heats up ocean temperatures, the future of species such as coral, which provides sustenance and livelihoods to a billion people, is threatened.

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140424143737.htm

Outbreak of Severe Storms and Tornadoes Expected

 




Locations from the Plains into the Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and parts of the South could see severe storms and tornadoes on one or multiple days. In addition, flooding rainfall will also be a serious threat.
The specific forecasts for each day are below. If you are in one of regions affected, be sure you have a plan to get the latest weather information multiple times a day.

Monday

Monday's Thunderstorm Outlook

• Threat area: Severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak continues in the regions illustrated in red within the inset map (right). This includes parts of the Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and the South.
• Hazards: Damaging winds, large hail and multiple tornadoes possible. Some tornadoes could be strong (EF2 or higher rating). Excessive rainfall could trigger flash flooding.
• Maximum TOR:CON: 7 in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
• Cities: Memphis, Tenn. | Nashville, Tenn. | Jackson, Miss. | Birmingham, Ala. | Louisville, Ky.

Tuesday

Tuesday's Thunderstorm Outlook

• Threat area: Severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak possible in the regions illustrated in red within the inset map (right). This includes locations from the South to the Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes.
• Hazards:  Damaging wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes possible. In addition, heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding.
• Maximum TOR:CON: 5 in parts of the Southeast
• Cities: Atlanta | Nashville | Birmingham, Ala. | Louisville, Ky. 

Wednesday

Wednesday's Thunderstorm Outlook

• Threat area: Scattered severe thunderstorms may continue from the Mid-Atlantic to the Southeast coast. There is uncertainty with how unstable the atmosphere will become, which will dictate how much severe weather we will see.
• Hazards: Damaging wind gusts, hail and some tornadoes possible. 
• Cities: Richmond, Va. | Raleigh, N.C. | Columbia, S.C.

Severe Weather Live Ticker: Latest Updates

All tornado warnings, along with other relevant tweets from The Weather Channel and local National Weather Service offices in current threat areas, will appear here.
Information updates automatically; no need to reload or refresh your browser. Time stamps on the left are in Eastern time; subtract one hour for Central time and two hours for Mountain time. For complete warning information and radar links, look below our live ticker.

http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/severe-weather-tracker-page

Rotating Supercells Resemble a 'Mothership' (PHOTOS)

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The photos above are examples of what happens when forces of weather combine to produce an incredibly photogenic sight -- known simply as the "mothership" cloud.
Captured by storm chasers and weather-gawkers, these approaching storms were already ominous. However, with the rise of photo-enhancement apps like Instagram, which allow amateurs to make images appear professionally edited, rotating supercells look more like alien spacecraft than ever.

This combination of changing wind directions creates a horizontal rolling motion in the lower atmosphere. The same rapidly rising air motions that form the thunderstorm turn this horizontal rotation into a vertical rotation, and in the case of this particular storm, this rotation is spectacularly evident in the circular striations, or layers, visible in the cloud structure.
The structure of supercell thunderstorms allows rain and hail to fall well away from the source of the warm, unstable air fueling the storm, so these storms do not choke on their own rain-cooled air. In some cases this allows supercell thunderstorms to stay intact for hours, covering tens or even hundreds of miles. In the process they can produce giant hail, very high winds, and tornadoes."

http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/rotating-supercells-resemble-mothership-photos-20130731

Severe Storms Erupting Across Kansas to Texas

Severe weather, including the danger of tornadoes, is ramping up across the nation's midsection this Palm Sunday.
A complex severe weather situation is evolving with the concern for several bands of severe thunderstorms.
At some point through Sunday night, places from Texas and Kansas to Illinois and central Michigan will be at risk for thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail and flooding downpours.
Eastern Kansas, the eastern half of Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, northwestern Arkansas and western Missouri are at greatest risk of the most dangerous thunderstorms and tornadoes on this Palm Sunday.
For more information of the severe weather danger, please visit this news story.



http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/live-severe-weather-danger-inc/25634505

Cold Blast to Return Snow to the Midwest, Northeast

It is not just dramatically colder air headed back to the Midwest and Northeast, but also snow in some communities.
Snow blanketing Nebraska will continue to spread northeastward Sunday night through Monday morning across the Upper Midwest.
The snow will do more than make an appearance. A swath of 1 to 3 inches will streak through northern Iowa, far southeastern Minnesota, central Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
This includes Mason City, Iowa, Rochester, Minn., La Crosse, Wausau and Green Bay, Wis., and Marquette, Mich.
 Cold Blast to Return Snow to the Midwest, Northeast

Cyclone Ita Remains Offshore Of Queensland

 


Tropical Cyclone Ita made landfall near Cape Flattery Queensland Friday evening local time.
Ita weakened rapidly before reaching land, but it still contained sustained winds of 90 to 105 mph at the time of landfall, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.
As the center passed over Cape Flattery, a wind gust to 96 mph was measured. However, the instruments failed before the stronger northern eyewall passed over the station. Also, according to the Australia Bureau of Meteorology, a minimum pressure of 955mb was recorded.
Very heavy rain has been widespread across Queensland's northern Peninsula. Widespread rainfall over 4 inches has occurred in the past 48 hours. The highest total thus far is Bairds with 12.24 inches.
Cooktown has reported more than 125 mm (5 inches) so far with more heavy rainfall expected as Ita moves southward just inland from the coastline.


Ita made landfall in an area with a lower population than locations farther south. This region is known for mining and national parks.
Although Ita will continue to weaken as it pulls away from Cairns, due to land interaction, flooding rainfall and tropical storm-force wind are expected along the coast.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/cyclone-ita-weakening-over-que/25379809

Large Hail, Damaging Winds, A Few Tornadoes Possible in Central and Southern U.S.

 

A new storm system taking shape in the nation's midsection will continue to spawn severe weather and a risk of flooding as it sweeps eastward now through Tuesday. On the cold side of this same system, snow is falling in the Rockies and the adjacent Plains.
(MORE: Record Slow Start For Strongest Tornadoes)
Below are the latest forecast details showing where thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain will be a concern through Tuesday.

Current Radar, Severe Alerts

• Larger Interactive Radar

Sunday Night Forecast

Monday's Forecast

(MORE: Current Severe Weather Alerts)
Sunday night:

• Severe storms should march eastward across the eastern half of Texas and eastern Oklahoma into the mid- and lower Mississippi Valley.
• Cities: Dallas-Ft. Worth | Fayetteville, Ark. | Little Rock, Ark. | Springfield, Mo.
• Very large hail (2 inches or greater diameter), damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible. Maximum TOR:CON value: 4
• Excessive rainfall could trigger localized flooding from northern Michigan to northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southeast Iowa and northern Missouri.

Monday:

• Scattered severe thunderstorms possible along the cold front in the South, including portions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, northwest Georgia and Louisiana.
• Damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes possible. Maximum TOR:CON value: 3
• Locally heavy rain may trigger flash flooding, since much of this area is still saturated from heavy rain a week ago.

Tuesday:

• A few severe storms may linger near the Southeast coast, from southeast Virginia and eastern North Carolina to northern Florida.

Severe Weather Live Ticker: Latest Updates

All tornado warnings, along with other relevant tweets from The Weather Channel and local National Weather Service offices in current threat areas, will appear here.
Information updates automatically; no need to reload or refresh your browser. Time stamps on the left are in Eastern time; subtract one hour for Central time and two hours for Mountain time. For complete warning information and radar links, look below our live ticker.

vernment and a Nevada...

• https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6565483752503740244#editor/target=post;postID=1679672581829206786

Wyoming Mudslide: Evacuation Orders Remain in Effect

An unstable hillside has continued to move since it forced dozens from their homes last week in the Wyoming resort town of Jackson over the slim but persistent risk of a sudden landslide, but the shifting was not accelerating, authorities said Sunday.
"Basically, the movement is remaining fairly constant," incident spokeswoman Charlotte Reynolds said. "So we're having to monitor our excitement, but it is still moving so it is obviously still a concern."

Play Video

Tornado Threat Into Monday

Geologists and others are watching the hill's movement with the help of ground monitoring equipment. A geologist has put the risk of sudden collapse at just 5 percent. So far, only one unoccupied home, which is directly atop the slide zone, has sustained damage.
About 60 people haven't stayed at their homes since Wednesday. Officials say the move was a precaution in the wake of Washington state's deadly landslide and was also tied to damage of the only access road.
The unstable hillside is about the size of two football fields and is along a main artery outside the historic downtown area.
Reynolds said some residents outside the highest-risk area were thinking about returning to their homes and apartments despite the evacuation order. But she said she wasn't aware of anyone actually doing so. Residents are allowed escorted access to their homes to check on them and pick up personal belongings, but no one is allowed to stay overnight.
"The evacuation order remains in place, and officials strongly encourage residents to adhere to that evacuation order," Reynolds said.
Land movements in the area already led to the closure of a Walgreens at the base of the hill, broke water pipes and buckled a road. Councilman Jim Stanford toured a house above the Walgreens, at the base of the hill Wednesday and said it was "trashed" inside from the land movements, reports the Associated Press. Stanford said the living room in the house is sloped downhill, the floor is breaking apart and various items have fallen off the walls. Outside the house, sizeable cracks have formed in the driveway and the structure appears off-kilter, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reports.
While a specific cause for the land shifting has yet to be determined, Machan told the Jackson Hole News & Guide that human actions probably contributed to the cause of the slide. Recent construction efforts and a water leak are just a few of the potential catalysts for the slide.
Regardless, the threat of further damage in the area, including a more drastic slide, lingered Friday. As a result, Jackson town officials said there's more work to be done to determine the threat level of the slide.
http://www.weather.com/news/wyoming-mudslide-20140410

Large Hail, Damaging Winds, A Few Tornadoes Possible in Central and Southern U.S.

A new storm system taking shape in the nation's midsection will continue to spawn severe weather and a risk of flooding as it sweeps eastward now through Tuesday. On the cold side of this same system, snow is falling in the Rockies and the adjacent Plains.
(MORE: Record Slow Start For Strongest Tornadoes)
Below are the latest forecast details showing where thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain will be a concern through Tuesday.

Current Radar, Severe Alerts

• Larger Interactive Radar

Sunday Night Forecast

Monday's Forecast

(MORE: Current Severe Weather Alerts)
Sunday night:

• Severe storms should march eastward across the eastern half of Texas and eastern Oklahoma into the mid- and lower Mississippi Valley.
• Cities: Dallas-Ft. Worth | Fayetteville, Ark. | Little Rock, Ark. | Springfield, Mo.
• Very large hail (2 inches or greater diameter), damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible. Maximum TOR:CON value: 4
• Excessive rainfall could trigger localized flooding from northern Michigan to northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southeast Iowa and northern Missouri.

Monday:

• Scattered severe thunderstorms possible along the cold front in the South, including portions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, northwest Georgia and Louisiana.
• Damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes possible. Maximum TOR:CON value: 3
• Locally heavy rain may trigger flash flooding, since much of this area is still saturated from heavy rain a week ago.

Tuesday:

• A few severe storms may linger near the Southeast coast, from southeast Virginia and eastern North Carolina to northern Florida.

Severe Weather Live Ticker: Latest Updates

All tornado warnings, along with other relevant tweets from The Weather Channel and local National Weather Service offices in current threat areas, will appear here.
Information updates automatically; no need to reload or refresh your browser. Time stamps on the left are in Eastern time; subtract one hour for Central time and two hours for Mountain time. For complete warning information and radar links, look below our live ticker.

Severe Alerts

Active Watches and Warnings

See the latest watches and warnings across the nation using our clickable severe weather alerts map.
Regional alert zooms:
- Northeast | East Central | Southeast
- North Central | Central | South Central
- Northwest | West Central | Southwest

Current Radar

Track the Storms in Your Area

Track the severe thunderstorms using our interactive radar map.
You can also see how much rain has fallen by clicking on the 24-hour rainfall interactive map.

TOR:CON

Severe Weather Expert, Dr. Greg Forbes, rates your tornado risk today on a scale of 1 to 10.  Find out if there's a heightened risk where you live.
- View TOR:CON index
(MORE:  TOR:CON index explained)

Typical Tornado Risk

Severe Weather Expert Dr. Greg Forbes shows you what time of year and in what locations the tornado risk peaks.  Click on the links below to learn more about tornado climatology.
- Tornado risk by month
- City specific tornado histories

Photos/Video

If you crave pictures of severe weather, you've found your home here.
- Galleries:  Severe | Storms
- Upload your photos or video to us and share your experience!

Storm Tracker App

Watch live storms and make notes directly on the maps with the new Intellicast App for iPad. Upgrade to the subscription app and see high resolution sweeping NEXRAD and TDWR radar, lightning plotting, and EWSD storm tracking, all in an ad-free environment.
Find out more here.

PHOTOS: Classic Tornado Photos

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NOAA

One of the oldest known photographs of a tornado. It is probable this image has been "doctored" from the original. At this time, the oldest known photograph of a tornado was taken on April 26, 1884 at Garnett, Kansas.

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http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/severe-weather-tracker-page