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Science Forum Index » Geology - Meteorology Forum » June 2008 Global Weather Highlights...
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 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:57 pm |
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GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
JUNE 2008
UNITED STATES
Midwest
Nearly two weeks of heavy rainfall across the Midwestern U.S. produced
historic floods across the area
Southern Plains
Extreme drought conditions persisted across most of southern Texas and
southern New Mexico. Exceptional drought conditions were present
across the southern High Plains, and parts of the southern Atlantic
states. Drought conditions slightly improved in western North Dakota,
where drought conditions dropped from extreme to moderate, and in some
parts to severe. As of June 24, 36% of the western U.S., 44% of the
South, 17% of the High Plains, 61% of the Southeast, and 29% of the
contiguous U.S. were in moderate to exceptional drought, according to
the USDM.
West
More than 800 severe wildfires, sparked by lightning, charred parts of
northern California during the last week of June (Associated Press).
Just 32 fires burned as much as 110,100 hectares (272,000 acres) of
land (NIFC).
ASIA
China
Precipitation was variable since the beginning of June. During the
week of June 22, drought conditions improved across the Hebei
province, where drought conditions dropped from extreme to normal.
Severe drought conditions remained across parts of the Ningxia
province. Moderate to
severe drought were present across the Ningxia province, while
moderate
to extreme drought conditions persisted in the northwestern Xinjiang
border (Beijing Climate Center.
Torrential rains lashed southern China during June 7-18. These rains
triggered flash floods and mudslides that have killed a total of 57
people and caused $4 billion dollars in economic losses (AFP/Reuters).
The Guangdong province, the worst hit, was struck by the heaviest
rainstorms in 5 decades, which claimed 20 lives, affected nearly 5.8
million people (Associated Press), and caused widespread floods that
damaged hundreds of acres of crops and more than 140,000 houses
(Reuters/BBC News/Associated Press). According to reports, 415 mm (16
inches) of rain fell in just 24 hours across parts of Guangdong from
June 13-14. The heavy rain prompted the Xijiang and Wujiang rivers to
surpass their flood levels by 6.8 meters (22 feet) and 18 meters (59
feet), respectively. The Hong Kong area was also affected by the
storms, which unleashed flash floods and caused more than 40
landslides in the area (BBC News/Associated Press).
A severe storm produced a deadly tornado that affected the Anhui
province on the 21st. The tornado destroyed 650 houses and damaged
nearly 1,000. More than 20,000 people were affected, with 1 fatality
and 45 injuries reported. According to reports, the tornado caused
$2.7 million in losses (Reuters).
MEXICO
Persistent heavy rains pounded southern and central Mexico during June
4-13, causing widespread floods across the area. Oaxaca, Mexico's
southern state, was the worst hit with five fatalities and more than
7,000 people affected by the floods. The heavy rains also affected the
oil-producing state of Veracruz (BBC News).
INDIA
Intense monsoon-related showers and thunderstorms brought widespread
floods across parts of India during the first week of June, causing 25
fatalities and displacing 200,000 people in northeastern India (AFP).
India's western state of Maharashtra received exceptionally heavy
rainfall at the state's capital, Mumbai (Bombay). According to
reports, this was the heaviest rainfall in seven years for Mumbai
(Bombay) (BBC News).
AFRICA
Heavy rainfall on June 19 prompted severe flooding and mudslides
across
parts of South Africa. The worst hit was the eastern province of
KwaZulu-Natal, where four people died. According to reports,
Scottburg, KwaZulu-Natal received a total of 128 mm (5 inches) of rain
in just 24-hours, the highest rainfall amount for that day (BBC News).
In Kenya, flash floods triggered by heavy rain during June 13-16
affected nearly 8,700 people. The floods destroyed a total of 1,538
hectares (3,800 acres) of farmland (Kenya Red Cross Society).
TROPICAL
Typhoon Fengshen developed in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the
Philippine Islands, on June 18. The storm strengthened to typhoon
intensity by the 19th, but reached its peak intensity on the 20th with
maximum sustained winds near 148 km/hr (92 mph or 80 knots). That same
day, Fengshen made landfall in the eastern Philippine island of Samar
(BBC News). The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing
widespread floods and landslides that left 224 people dead and 374
others missing (AFP). According to reports, the province of Iloilo
received a total of 354 mm (14 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period on
June 20 (BBC News). Fengshen slowly moved towards the northwest,
lashing Manila on the 22nd. The ferocious storm also capsized a ferry,
with 865 passengers and crew on board, near the Sibuyan island. As of
June 25, 48 passengers were found alive and nearly 60 corpses were
found. It has been reported that this could be Philippines' worst
maritime disaster since 1987 (Reuters). The storm weakened to a
tropical storm on the 23rd and on June 25, Fengshen made a second
landfall in China's southeastern coast. The storm
prompted the closure of schools, disrupted air traffic, and caused
several landslides across the region (AFP/BBC News). |
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