snow-hit Buffalo risks to roofs

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-weather-new-york-20141124-story.html

With temperatures expected to reach 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the Buffalo region faced a high risk of floods as the snow melts, though so far has escaped major flooding, Cuomo said Monday.

The region was braced for high winds and downed trees on Monday afternoon, with the National Weather Service warning that winds would blow at 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 mph. The waterlogged ground made it more likely that trees would fall, raising the risk that homes and businesses would lose power.

Rain changes over to accumulating snow this week in Chicago

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/weather/ct-wea-1125-summary-20141124-column.html

During the daylight hours Monday, an intensifying center of low pressure approached and moved northeast. Sunday night and Monday morning widespread heavy rains totaling an inch or more at many locations spread over the Chicago area. As the low moved off to the northeast, west winds gusting over 40 miles per hour pulled much colder air into our area — temperatures dropping 16 degrees from 47 degrees at 7 a.m. to 31 degrees by noon.

The leading edge of very cold Arctic-source high pressure will surge into the Midwest and western Great Lakes on Thursday. If verified, the forecast high temperature of 26 degrees Thanksgiving Day would be the coldest Thanksgiving in Chicago since a 25-degree high back in 1956.

Black Friday: Patchy Ice, Snow

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/black-friday-forecast-icy-northeast/37965060

Icy spots are likely early Friday morning in the wake of the Wednesday snowstorm in parts of the mid-Atlantic and New England. In these areas, melting and refreezing of piles of snow can lead to areas of black (clear) ice. Cities to watch out for icy spots include Boston; Portland, Maine; Albany, New York; Hartford, Connecticut; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The snow can make for slippery spots in Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis. People in these areas and others in the northern tier states are urged to travel with caution. The fresh snow can conceal patches of ice beneath.

Springlike Relief to Follow Winter's Early Debut in Eastern Half of US

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/relief-from-winters-early-debu/37580592

Following waves of arctic cold and snow, more typical of January, a few days of springlike weather are on the way for the South, Midwest and Northeast starting this weekend.

Temperatures more typical of late December and January, including record-breaking cold, swept across three-quarters of the nation during the past week.

For regions of Texas and the Southeast, the first frost and in some places the first hard freeze of the season occurred as the frigid air plunged into the region.

As the arctic air surged eastward across the Great Lakes, lake-effect snow accumulated to a depth of several feet, shut down travel and stranded thousands.

Relief from the cold is on the way for some of the regions hit hard by winter's early debut.

However, the warmth will be short-lived in places like Minneapolis and areas of the western Great Lakes as the back edge of the departing system will drag cold air in behind it, changing showers over to snow during the day on Monday.

Second Round of Lake-Effect Snow to Strike Western New York Further

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/more-lakeeffect-to-slam-snowed/37623540

After a pause in the lake-effect snow on Wednesday, more bands of heavy snow will pummel areas downwind of the Great Lakes, including northern and western New York through the end of the week.

A weak disturbance that passed over the Great Lakes on Wednesday brought a general light snowfall to the region, but caused a lull in the heavy lake-effect snow.

However, lake-effect snow re-energized Wednesday night and will continue into Friday. Areas that will be hit by heavy snow include western New York, the Tug Hill Plateau of New York and western and northern Michigan.

Midwest, East: Winter to Arrive Gradually After November's Arctic Blasts

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/midwest-east-winter-to-arrive/37629278

The recent cold blast, which is more typical of January than November, can be linked, in part, to the significant cold air and snow stretching across Siberia.

A period of relief is in store as the cold weather pattern breaks down near Thanksgiving, but it will be short-lived. Temperatures will temporarily rebound to springlike levels, before turning cold again at the middle of next week.

In early December, however, a milder flow of Pacific air will replace the long-standing frigid air masses. The air will be more concentrated from the Pacific than from the pole, which will have a big impact on temperatures across the United States, Pastelok said.

2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season to Close Below Normal Despite Two Major Hurricanes

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/2014-atlantic-hurricane-season-below-normal/37129104

For the second year in a row, the Atlantic hurricane season has been below average.

There have been 10 tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin in 2014, eight of which have reached tropical storm intensity, AccuWeather.com Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. Six of the storms became hurricanes with two of those reaching major hurricane status.

In a normal year based on the past 30-year averages, we see 12 tropical storms in the Atlantic, six of which are hurricanes and three are major, Kottlowski said.

One of the main limiting factors for the year was been extensive dry air during the early and mid-season, Kottlowski said.

"The persistent dry air kept most of the basin more stable than normal, leading to less thunderstorms," he said.

The last time three consecutive below-normal Atlantic hurricane seasons occurred was when the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation was negative and created cooler-than-normal water temperatures during the 1960s through the early 1990s, Kottlowski said.

Cross-Country Snowstorm to Whip Rockies, Drop Rare Early Snow in Central Plains

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/snowstorm-to-turn-crosscountry/37306172

A January-like storm hitting the Northwest late this week will aim at part of the Rockies and Central states this weekend and may result in disruptions to travel and daily activities.

Snow from the storm will impact cities from Denver to Chicago and Detroit this weekend. Enough snow could fall at area airports to cause deicing delays at the very least.

The expanse of the arctic air will continue to bring much lower temperatures when compared to average, and it will also bring precipitation more common during December and January, as opposed to November.

The storm over the Central states will not be as potent as that of the Rockies or the Northwest. However, due to low temperatures ahead of the storm and another dose of cold air following the snow and wintry mix, roads and sidewalks that are still wet and slushy this weekend may freeze from the Plains to the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.

Election Day Forecast: Rain May Factor Into Turnout in Central US

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/election-day-forecast-rain-may-factor-in-central-us/36466762

While rain could deter voter turnout on Election Day in part of the Central states and the Northwest, dry weather is in store in the East and the balance of the West.

Rain is forecast to fall on areas from Texas to the lower Great Lakes on Election Day.

The rain could affect the major cities of Houston and Dallas to Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Little Rock, Arkansas and Buffalo, New York. Rain may be close to Chicago as well.

Snow to Plaster Appalachians, New England as Cold Arrives

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/snow-appalachians-new-england-cold/36568142

A storm riding a blast of cold air will unleash heavy snow on the central and southern Appalachians Saturday and will turn toward part of New England by Sunday.

After bringing some of the first snowflakes of the season to areas from Detroit to Cleveland and Pittsburgh on Halloween evening, the storm will dive southward on Saturday.

Accumulating snow is in store for the mountains from southwestern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia.

The heaviest snow will fall in the area from western Maryland and West Virginia to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

Upcoming winter predicted to not be as cold as the last

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/snow-day-school-forecast-winte/36089509

Widespread cancellations and delays were issued across the Midwest and Northeast last year due to hazardous temperatures. In early January of 2014, the entire state of Minnesota experienced conditions unfit for students to be outside in extreme cold and wind. The expansive cold prompted Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to cancel K-12 public schools statewide.

A similar phenomenon could occur this season in the Northeast and Midwest. The polar vortex, the culprit responsible for several days of below-zero temperatures last year, will slip down into the region from time to time, delivering blasts of arctic air to the Northeast.

According to AccuWeather.com Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok, this year will not bring such persistent cold air. Still, delays and cancellations are possible as school officials maintain safe conditions for students to wait for buses and walk to and from school.

The Midwest will similarly not climb to such an extreme level of cold for the duration of the winter months. In fact, temperature wise, areas such as Duluth, Minnesota, could be 7-9 degrees F warmer than last year's three-month average.

Ana joins Pacific storms to drench northwest into next week

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/siege-of-storms-in-northwest-t/36200036

A siege of Pacific storms will continue to drench and blast the coastal Northwest into next week and will be joined by Ana.

The rounds of heavy rain will be enough to cause incidents of flash flooding, mudslides and travel delays from northern California to western Oregon, western Washington and southwestern British Columbia.

From this week through the middle of next week, a general 6 to 12 inches (150 to 300 millimeters) of rain can fall along the immediate coast, but locally higher amounts are possible in the eastern slopes of the coastal ranges, including the Olympic Mountains in northwestern Washington state.

The storm on Saturday has the potential to produce localized gusts to near hurricane force (74 mph/120 kph) along the Oregon and northern California coast, as well as the southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada.

Gonzalo's Remnants Hit the United Kingdom

http://www.weather.com/news/gonzalo-united-kingdom-travel-20141021

The remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo swept across the United Kingdom Tuesday, bringing high winds that disrupted travel and downed trees, killing at least two people.

Wind gusts reached 80 mph, the BBC reports, and the U.K. Met Office to issue a "yellow warning" -- signaling residents to be aware of potential impacts -- for windy conditions.

And that's exactly what has played out. There are multiple reports of trees downed by high winds across the region, and in central London, gusty winds caused a tree from foliage-rich Hyde Park to land on a woman walking across the street from Hyde Park Barracks. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the London Ambulance Service.

Hundreds of homes were without power across the U.K.. Up to 100 homes were without power in Moffat, Scotland, due to "extensive damage" from Gonzalo's remnants, the BBC notes. Additional power outages were reported throughout Scotland from energy provider SSE Power Distribution. Up to 140 homes in Wales were also without power, though that number was down from more than 400 after high winds and rain first impacted the area.

Destructive Storms Rumble Across US, Tropics Remain Active

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/weekly-wrap-up-destructive-sto/35899257

A widespread outbreak of severe weather slammed a large portion of the U.S. early in the week, extending from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley.

The fierce, and deadly storms, spawned tornadoes, caused widespread power outages and damaged homes and structures in their path.

"While October severe weather outbreaks are not unheard of, this one still managed to be rather robust, with multiple confirmed tornadoes and an abundance of wind damage," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said.

Following the fierce storms, heavy rain inundated areas from the Ohio Valley to the Carolinas through Wednesday before moving into the northeastern U.S. Thursday.

Hawaii will continue to face some hazards from Ana

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/ana-to-impact-hawaii-despite-a/35772449

Hawaii will continue to face some hazards from Ana through early this week, despite escaping a direct hit.

Ana took a path to the south and west of Hawaii over the weekend, nearly paralleling the island chain but was close enough to bring gusty winds, heavy rain, and rough surf.

Ana weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm late on Sunday as it continued to track away from the island chain.

Seas will remain rough and dangerous for novice boarders, boaters and bathers around much of the islands on Tuesday despite the storm moving away.

The Big Island faced some of Ana's wrath on Saturday as the storm brushed by to the southwest. Heavy rain accompanied gusty winds throughout the day. Rainfall topped over five inches in Hilo with over ten inches falling across the higher terrain. Fortunately, little to no damage was observed on the islands.

Gushing Floodwaters Hammer Canary Islands

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/video-canary-island-spain-floo/36037741

A bout of rattling thunderstorms and torrential rain pushed over the Canary Islands in Spain due to a low pressure system spinning to the west of the islands.

Rainfall averaged 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) across the islands, most of which fell within a six-hour time frame on Sunday according to AccuWeather.com International Meteorologist Eric Leister. According to local reports, as many as five people died during the flooding. One woman reportedly died after being trapped under a parked car, unable to escape as flood waters rushed through local streets.

Cars were swallowed by rushing floodwaters that diced through streets in the Canary Islands, Spain, over the weekend.

Chicago: Temperatures to Gradually Rise Into the Weekend

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/chicago-temperatures-to-gradua/36106164

Temperatures will gradually rise this week in Chicago, although they will remain slightly below average through Friday.

There will be plenty of sunshine through the week, making it pleasant for outdoor activities. However, a brief break from sunshine will come on Thursday, as spotty showers dampen the city throughout the day and into the evening hours.

Drier weather will return on Friday as temperatures approach 60 F and by the weekend, highs will range from the middle to upper 60s. A normal high for this time of year is in the upper 50s.

Nor'easter-like storm to hit the east coast

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/midweek-storm-to-drench-the-no/35974304

A storm will spin up along the New England coast at midweek and will take on characteristics of a nor'easter with drenching wind-swept rain and coastal flooding in some locations.

One or more days of rainy, windy and unsettled weather conditions are in store this week for the northeastern United States from Virginia to Maine and into Canada from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island and southeastern Quebec.

The combination of onshore winds and high astronomical tides during the approach of the new moon can lead to coastal flooding from eastern Massachusetts to Nova Scotia. Tides in these areas will run from 1 to 3 feet above published levels. High tides on Wednesday and Thursday at Boston are late in the morning and late in the evening.

Warming Earth heading for hottest year on record

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/10/20/warming-earth-heading-for-hottest-year-on-record/20981316/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D548860


Earth is on pace to tie or even break the mark for the hottest year on record, federal meteorologists say.

That's because global heat records have kept falling in 2014, with September the latest example.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday that last month the globe averaged 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (15.72 degrees Celsius). That was the hottest September in 135 years of record keeping.

The first nine months of 2014 have a global average temperature of 58.72 degrees (14.78 degrees Celsius), tying with 1998 for the warmest first nine months on record, according to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

If Earth sets a record for heat in 2014 it probably won't last, said Jeff Masters, meteorology director for the private firm Weather Underground. If there is an El Nino, Masters said, "next year could well bring Earth's hottest year on record, accompanied by unprecedented regional heat waves and droughts."

Thunderstorm causes death of 1 in Houston area

http://www.weather.com/news/update/storms-texas-louisiana-arkansas-tennessee-kentucky-20141006

Thunderstorms that hit the Houston area Monday are blamed for at least one death as well as thousands of power outages.

KHOU.com reports a driver was killed when the storms blew a tree on top of a vehicle along Treaschwig Road in Spring, which is about 25 miles north of Houston, around 11:45 a.m. The victim’s name has not been released.

The storms also left more than 37,000 customers in the dark at the height of the storm, the Houston Chronicle reports. The number of outages had significantly dropped by 6:30 p.m. local time.