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Science Forum Index » Geology - Meteorology Forum » March 2008 Global Weather Highlights
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 Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:49 pm |
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GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 2008
UNITED STATES
West, Central and South
Moderate to severe drought conditions continued in the Southeast and
in much of the central and western U.S. Parts of western North Dakota,
northwestern Nebraska, and southwestern Texas experienced extreme
drought. On April 1, 36% of the western U.S., 59% of the Southeast,
and 28% of the contiguous U.S. were in moderate to exceptional
drought, according to the Federal U.S. Drought Monitor.
Southern Plains
Drought and strong winds exacerbated wildfire conditions across Texas.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the fires
charred a total of 6,257 hectares (15,461 acres) across the state.
These conditions have threatened homes and forced hundreds of
residents to evacuate the area (BBC News).
Heavy rainfall during March 17-19 caused widespread flooding across
the central U.S. According to the National Weather Service, the Dallas-
Fort Worth International Airport recorded a daily maximum rainfall of
60 mm (2.35 inches) of rain on the 18th, surpassing the previous
record set in 1984 by 21 mm (0.83 inches). The torrential rain flooded
hundreds of homes across Texas and Missouri and cancelled more than
half of the 950 scheduled flights at the Dallas-Fort Worth
International Airport (Associated Press).
Also, the heavy rainfall that fell during March 17-19 prompted the
overflow of rivers across the south-central states, causing historical
floods. The most affected state was Arkansas. Several of Arkansas's
rivers reached their highest level in nearly 90 years (Associated
Press). The floods washed out roads, damaged homes, and were
associated
with 17 fatalities across the affected states (Associated Press). The
governor of Arkansas declared disaster areas in 39 Arkansas counties
and
President Bush issued a disaster declaration for 35 counties
(Associated
Press).
Plains eastward
Severe storms affected parts of the contiguous U.S. during the first
week of March, with over 60 reported tornadoes. In Oklahoma, severe
storms produced two tornadoes, strong winds, and softball size hail on
the 2nd. The storm caused power outages with scattered damages. No
fatalities were reported (Associated Press). On March 4, severe
weather struck North and South Carolina and Virginia, causing
blackouts and wind damage across the states (Associated Press).
Another episode of severe storms occurred on March 7, affecting
Florida and Georgia. The storms spawned tornadoes that destroyed
homes, tore down trees and power lines.
According to reports, one person died and sixteen others suffered
injuries (Reuters).
An episode of severe storms swept across the southeastern U.S. on
the 15th, producing 51 reported tornadoes along with damaging winds
and
hail. In Atlanta, Georgia, a category EF-2 tornado formed over
downtown Atlanta, wreaking havoc across the city. According to
reports, the storm damaged a number of buildings, killed two people,
and injured many others. The storm left about 30,000 homes without
power. The widespread damage caused by the tornado forced Georgia's
governor to declare a state of emergency (AFP/BBC News). Damages are
estimated to be near $150 million (Reuters).
A winter storm swept through the lower Mississippi Valley to New
England on March 7-9, leaving behind a trail of heavy snowfall. In
Columbus, Ohio, the storm left over 51 cm (20 inches) of snow, setting
a new record of total snowfall by a single storm. The previous record
was set in February 1910 when 39 cm (15 inches) of snow fell. The
heavy snowfall prompted the closure of highways and stranded many
travelers. One fatality was associated with the dangerous conditions
(BBC News/Associated Press).
UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
A winter storm dumped from 13-46 cm (5-18 inches) of snow across
parts of Wisconsin on March 21. This resulted in a new all-time
seasonal snowfall record for Wisconsin's capital, Madison, with a
total of 254.2 cm (100.1 inches) of snow as of March 24. The previous
record was set during the winter season of 1978-1979 when a total of
193.3 cm (76.1 inches) of snow fell. Also, Milwaukee had its second
snowiest winter on record with a total of 246.6 cm (97.1 inches) as of
March 24. Milwaukee's snowiest snowfall season occurred during the
winter of 1885-1886, which had a total of 278.9 cm (109.8 inches)
snowfall.
NEW ENGLAND
A winter storm affected parts of Maine during March 20-21. Snow
accumulations of 18-46 cm (7-18 inches) were observed across the
state,
while wind gusts exceeding 56 km/hr (35 mph) also accompanied the
snow,
creating blizzard conditions. The snow that fell across Caribou,
Maine, brought the seasonal total snowfall, as of the 21st, to 468.6
cm (184.5 inches). This amount surpasses the previous seasonal total
snowfall record of 460 cm (181.1 inches), set in 1954-1955, by 8.6 cm
(3.4 inches). On March 23, minimum temperatures in Caribou dropped to
-21.1°C (-6°F), surpassing the previous daily record of -20.6°C (-5°F)
set in 1989. March 24-25 also brought a new daily minimum temperature
records when temperatures plummeted to -25.6°C (-14°F). The previous
records were set on March 24-25, 1939.
In New Hampshire, snow that fell on the 28th brought the 2007-2008
seasonal total snowfall to 292.6 cm (115.2 inches), the second
snowiest.
The state's all-time record was set during the winter of 1873-1874
when
a total of 309.9 cm (122 inches) of snow fell (Associated Press).
ASIA
China
Moderate to severe drought conditions were present across parts of
northeastern China. Moderate drought was present across parts of Tibet
(Beijing Climate Center.
In Sri Lanka, flash floods triggered by torrential rains during March
12-25 affected more than 50,000 people. According to reports, about 40
houses were destroyed and 155 were damaged (OCHA).
SOUTH PACIFIC
In New Zealand, torrential rain on March 1-2 did not end the severe
drought in the Waikato region. According to reports, the region is
experiencing its driest conditions in over a century (BBC News).
AUSTRAILIA
In South Australia, a heat wave during March 1-17 brought scorching
temperatures across the state. According to the Bureau of Meteorology,
on March 17 Ceduna and South Australia's capital, Adelaide, suffered
their 12th and 15th consecutive days of maximum temperatures above
35°C
(95°F), respectively, resulting in the longest running heat wave on
record. The previous record in Adelaide was 8 consecutive days, which
was first set in 1934 (BBC News) and subsequently tied on numerous
occasions, most recently in February 2004. The second longest number
of consecutive days for all capital cities with temperatures greater
than 35°C (95°F) as 10 days, set in February 1988 in the city of
Perth. The previous record for Ceduna was set during January-February
1975 with 11 consecutive days (BoM). Also, Adelaide set a new high
minimum temperature during the night of the 14th when South
Australia's capital recorded a temperature of 30.2°C (86.4°F),
breaking the previous record of 29.7°C (85.5°F) set in March 1985.
Other broken records were set in Mildura, with 14 days over 35°C
(95°F), and Kyancutta, with 13 days over 40°C (104°F). According to
reports, the transport officials ordered the city's trains to slow
their speeds due to fear that the extreme heat would buckle the track
(BBC News).
AFRICA
Heavy rain caused havoc across southern Africa during the first week
of March. Floods prompted more than 30,000 residents to evacuate their
homes in southern Angola and killed several thousand cattle. The
country of Namibia was also affected by the torrential rains, forcing
the country to declare a national emergency on the 4th. About 42
people were killed and thousands of people were displaced in Namibia
(BBC News).
Across Kenya, heavy rainfall during March 28-31 prompted flash floods
that displaced thousands of people and caused seven fatalities (BBC
News).
MEXICO
Strong winds in Monterrey, Mexico caused damage across the city on
March
18. According to reports, the wind gusts were near 97 km/hr (60 mph or
52 knots). These powerful winds knocked power lines to the ground,
leaving part of the city without power. Two fatalities were reported,
due to the winds: one person died when a wall fell on him while the
second person died in a traffic accident. A total of six other people
were injured when a bus struck a fallen billboard (Associated Press).
TROPICAL
Tropical cyclone Jokwe developed as a tropical depression northeast of
the island of Madagascar on the 5th. Jokwe attained tropical cyclone
strength on the 6th with maximum sustained winds near 139 km/hr (86
mph or 75 knots). As the cyclone crossed the Mozambique Channel, the
storm intensified to an intense tropical cyclone (equivalent to a
category 3 hurricane) with maximum sustained winds near 194 km/hr (121
mph or 105 knots). The storm destroyed 44 houses as it swept through
the northern tip of the island of Madagascar. Jokwe made landfall in
Mozambique on the 9th as an intense tropical cyclone. The cyclone
displaced more than 40,000 people, destroyed over 8,000 homes, and was
responsible for 20 fatalities in Mozambique (IFRC).
Extratropical Cyclones
A powerful storm system brought strong winds across Europe on the 1st.
The storm brought hurricane-strength winds that were over 160 km/hr
(100 mph or 86 knots) across Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic. The
strong wind left hundreds of residents across Poland without power and
was responsible for a total of 10 fatalities across these countries
(Associated Press). |
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