Monday, July 30, 2018

Late-July monsoon rain prompts deadly India flooding; Turn to drier weather expected in August

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 11:22:55 AM EDT



Monsoon rain will continue to threaten lives and property across northern India this week before drier weather sweeps over most of the country next week.
The death toll from incidents related to monsoon downpours across Uttar Pradesh since last week reached 82 on Sunday, according to India’s Disaster Management Division. The majority of the deaths were the result of collapsed buildings.
Nearly 100 other people sustained injuries, while more than 450 homes were damaged.
Faizabad was the hardest hit district. To the northeast in the city of Gorakhpur, a total of 136 mm (5.35 inches) of rain was recorded from Thursday to Monday morning.
India floods July 30
Residents watch as an earthmover fills up a road which caved in during heavy rainfall near Ghaziabad, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Saturday, July 28, 2018. Dozens of people have been killed this week as monsoon rains triggered house collapses and flooded wide swaths of land in northern India, officials said Saturday. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Flooding and other incidents related to heavy rain will remain a significant concern across central and eastern Uttar Pradesh as a storm lingers overhead through late week. The heavy rain will dip into northern Madhya Pradesh, while downpours also focus on North East India.
Showers will continue to dampen the western coast of India but can increase in intensity toward the weekend.
After a wet second half to July, drier weather has returned to the National Capital Region (NCR) and is not anticipated to leave anytime soon.
"No significant rain is expected around the NCR through next week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.
India late week July 30

Temperatures may instead climb back to around 35 C (middle 90s F) this week.
Beyond this week, Nicholls anticipates drier weather to expand to other parts of India.
"The heaviest rain will focus on the Himalayan foothills and North East India this weekend and into next week," he said, "while the rest of India will quiet down."
While that is good news in terms of lowering the flood danger, monsoon rain is essential for the region’s water supply and agriculture industry. Prolonged dry spells can lead to deteriorating air quality in the NCR and other cities.
Rain outlook July 30

Nicholls anticipates August to end drier than normal across India, but there are signs of rain returning.
"There can be one last surge of monsoon moisture across northern and central India, potentially into the NCR, later in the month," he said.
"The monsoon should then start to withdraw in early September as it typically does."
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Eastern US to face renewed risk of flooding, disruptive downpours this week

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 11:00:17 PM EDT



Following the break of dry weather in the mid-Atlantic this past weekend, downpours have already begun to overspread the eastern United States early this week.
Tropical moisture will once again surge northward between a slow-moving storm and a strong area of high pressure offshore (called the Bermuda High) into early August.
That will lead to sticky conditions and rounds of drenching showers and thunderstorms streaming from the South to the central Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic through most of the week.
"Rainfall last week was concentrated along the mid-Atlantic coast to the central Appalachians," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"This week, rainfall may be spread over a broad area from the northeastern Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts to part of the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic coast and eastern Great Lakes," Sosnowski said.
Residents from Baltimore to Harrisburg and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, should not let their guard down, as there is the potential for heavy enough rain to renew flooding problems.
Static Early Week Rain East

"Locally heavy rain can easily trigger new issues due to the large amount of rain this part of the country has received recently," AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said.
Downpours can quickly flood low-lying and urban areas, as well as bring swollen streams and smaller rivers out of their banks.
In addition to the risk of flooding, some of the storms can produce isolated damaging wind gusts. Any locally gusty storm may easily topple trees in the saturated soil.
Flooding issues and locally severe thunderstorms may not just be confined to areas that were hit hard last week.
One area that can face some of the highest rain totals of the week and the greatest concern for flooding may be the southwestern- or southern-facing slopes of the Appalachians from northern Georgia to West Virginia. Mudslides can also be triggered.
East Late week 7.30 AM

A general 3-6 inches of rain is forecast in these areas with locally higher amounts through the course of the week.
"Anywhere storms gather and linger for a few hours, daily rainfall could approach 3 inches and rainfall for the entire week can top 6 inches," Sosnowski said.
Even where flooding does not ensue, the frequent showers and thunderstorms will plague sports teams, farmers, construction crews and anyone else with outdoor plans. Remember that as soon as thunder is heard, the risk for being struck by lightning is present.
Flooding can lead to road closures, while downpours can reduce visibility and heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds. Airline passengers should prepare for potential delays.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert for severe weather and to receive information on upcoming rainfall and flooding dangers.
Downpours are expected to expand over the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and into the eastern Great Lakes early this week. This rain can spread to the St. Lawrence Valley by midweek.
The most persistent of these downpours can lead to areas of flash flooding.
"On the other hand, the same mechanism that kept rainfall to a minimum along the upper mid-Atlantic coast and in much of New England last week may come into play once again this week," Sosnowski said.
rip current South July 29

The Bermuda High may bulge far enough to the west to shorten the duration of shower and thunderstorm activity along the coast from near New York City to Boston and Portland, Maine.
Even on the days when stormy weather is absent, beachgoers throughout the Eastern Seaboard should use caution. Gusty winds will stir choppy seas and bring an increased risk for rip currents. 
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2018 Lollapalooza: Festivalgoers to endure summer heat and may need to dodge spotty storms

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 2:49:33 PM EDT




While summertime heat will challenge Lollapalooza attendees to stay hydrated, spotty summer storms may pester the Chicago music festival activities on a couple of occasions from Thursday through Sunday.
Sunglasses, lightweight clothing and plenty of water will be the main requirements for rock music fans attending the 2018 festival.
Each day is projected to bring at least partial sunshine.
Static Lolla 2018 Forecast

Highs are expected to be in the middle 80s F on Thursday, then the middle to upper 80s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Typical highs for early August in Grant Park along the Chicago Lakefront are in the lower to middle 80s.
Overall, temperatures are projected to be several degrees higher this year when compared to last year's Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Static 2017 Lollapalooza AP
Fans enjoyed comfortable temperatures on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 during Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)

The combination of temperature, humidity, sunshine and other factors will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures 5-10 degrees into the middle 90s during afternoon and early evening hours.
It is essential for festivalgoers, crews and musicians to stay hydrated. Even during moderate temperatures, standing outdoors for a number of hours can lead to dehydration and heat stress.
Most of the music festival is likely to be free of rain, but there may be a couple of exceptions.
A large swath of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern part of the United States is expect to stay away from Chicago. However, ripple-effect airline delays are possible as the storms and downpours will impact the major hubs of Atlanta, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Some locally brewed thunderstorms are possible in the Midwest.
In terms of thunderstorms, the greatest risk of gusty winds with downpours and lightning strikes will span Thursday afternoon to early Friday. This thunderstorm potential will come as cool air attempts to push southward along the lakefront.
Static US Midweek

A stray storm may approach later Sunday as another push of cool air gathers forward momentum over the northern Plains.
AccuWeather will continue to provide updates on the thunderstorm potential in the Chicago through this weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature as well as the risk for any thunderstorms.
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Mainly dry weather to aid recovery efforts after deadly Indonesian earthquake

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 11:55:22 PM EDT



Mainly dry weather will aid recovery efforts following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that killed more than a dozen on the Indonesian island of Lombok this past weekend.
The earthquake struck Lombok on Sunday morning local time, killing at least 16 people.
Officials report that many buildings collapsed, more than 160 people suffered injuries and streets were left littered with debris. Over 1,400 homes have been damaged, according to the Associated Press (AP).
As the earthquake triggered landslides, more than 680 people became trapped on Mount Rinjani.
BBC News reported that 543 people safely arrived down the mountain on Monday. While most were in good condition, some of the stranded have reportedly suffered minor injuries and were traumatized.
Mount Rinjani National Park, a popular tourist location for hikers, has been closed, according to BBC News.
While there can be a stray shower or thunderstorm at times this week, generally dry weather will aid in the rescue and cleanup process.
Temperatures will be near normal, with average highs around 29 C (84 F) at the Lombok International Airport. However, typical humid conditions in the lower elevations will put a strain on residents without air conditions and crews combing through the wreckage.
Indonesia earthquake 7.29 AP
In this image made from video released by Indonesia's Disaster Mitigation Agency, a man inspects the damage caused by an early morning earthquake on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, Sunday, July 29, 2018. (Indonesia's Disaster Mitigation Agency via AP)

The United States Geological Service said the epicenter of the temblor was 33 miles (53 km) northeast of Mataram, Indonesia, which is home to over 300,000 people. The quake was very shallow, occurring at a depth of only 4 miles (6.4 km) below the earth's surface.
Lombok is a popular tourist destination located just east of Bali, where shaking was also felt but no damage reported. Blackouts were reported in East Lombok and North Lombok. 

Dozens of aftershocks have followed the powerful earthquake, including one with a magnitude of 5.7, according to Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics Agency.
Indonesia is located in the Ring of Fire, which is an area prone to frequent earthquakes.
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Relentless heat to feed California firestorm as Carr Fire death toll reaches 6

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 10:48:06 PM EDT



The hot, dry weather that contributed to the deadly California firestorm shows no sign of letting up into the first part of August.
"Unfortunately, not much is expected to change in regards to the weather pattern for a majority of the West, with hot, dry weather keeping the wildfire threat at extreme levels through the first days of August," AccuWeather Meteorologist and western U.S. blogger Jordan Root said.
While a sweep of cooler air will quell the 90-degree heat in the Pacific Northwest at midweek, Root said the heat relief will not make it south into California or the rest of the Southwest.
Tue SW Regional

Temperatures in the triple digits will remain into the first weekend of August across northern and central portions of California. Temperatures have averaged about 4 degrees above normal this summer.
This includes Redding where the explosive Carr Fire continues to blaze a path of destruction. 
Carr Fire Sat 7.28 AP
A firefighter walks near flames from the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., on Saturday, July 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Fire crews and anyone else spending time outdoors will need to make sure they stay properly hydrated and take frequent breaks to lessen the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Outside of spotty afternoon thunderstorms in the highest elevations of the West, no drought-busting or wildfire-dousing rainfall is in the cards through at least this week.
Heat to fuel Carr Fire, dozens of other blazes in West
The continued weather pattern will help to fuel ongoing wildfires, complicate firefighting efforts and may cause new flare ups to turn into raging infernos in a short amount of time.
Carr Fire am update 73018

The Carr Fire continues to pose the most significant risk to lives and property, charring nearly 103,000 acres, destroying over 800 residential structures and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate in Redding.
Thousands of homes remain threatened.
After days of minimal containment, crews have been able to make some progress over the past few days, with containment now up to 23 percent.
The furious blaze has killed six people since igniting on Monday, July 23, including a bulldozer operator, a Redding fire inspector and two young children and their great-grandmother, according to the Associated Press (AP). Seven people remain missing.
Authorities found a sixth body on Sunday in a home consumed by the flames.
The cause of the blaze has been attributed to the mechanical failure of a vehicle.
Redding fire AP
Burned vehicles sit in front of a wildfire-ravaged home, Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Redding, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

AccuWeather meteorologist and volunteer firefighter Evan Duffey is concerned that the fire can continue to create its own weather, making it even more dangerous to fight as it can spread quickly and erratically.
"Rapidly rising air caused by the extreme heat helps the fire to grow explosively as the fire will create its own wind, as well as fire vortices (firenadoes) and tree crowning (when the leaves get engulfed by flames), even on otherwise calm days,” Duffey said.
“It’s burning in every direction all at the same time,” Cal Fire Chief Steve Crawford told the AP in reference to the Carr Fire. “It’s burning as if it’s got strong wind on it even when there’s no wind.”
As cooler air begins to push across the Pacific Northwest, winds may increase from the south and southwest in the Redding area by the middle part of this week. Winds averaging 10-20 mph are possible.
Farther south in California, the Ferguson Fire, which has consumed over 57,000 acres near Yosemite National Park, forced the closure of Yosemite Valley on Wednesday, July 25. Two firefighters have died while battling the blaze.
The area is set to reopen on Friday afternoon, Aug. 3, according to the National Park Service.
Yosemite AP
Hannah Whyatt poses for a friend's photo as smoke from the Ferguson fire fills Yosemite Valley, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in Yosemite National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The Cranston Fire burning in the San Jacinto Mountains east of Los Angeles has forced the closure of numerous hiking trails and campgrounds in the area. Evacuations remain in place in several communities.
Last Wednesday, Cal Fire Law Enforcement Officers arrested Brandon McGlover, 32, of Temecula for setting the fire.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed an emergency declaration for California, providing federal assistance to areas affected by wildfires.
Outside of California, dozens of other wildfires in the West are charring hundreds of thousands of acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
West fires 7.30 AM

“The smoke from all of these blazes will reduce visibility and cause poor air quality that can lead to serious health problems,” Root said.
People should limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous activities amid smoky conditions, especially the elderly, children and those with respiratory problems.
Residents are also encouraged to have an emergency bag packed in the event of a quick evacuation. Remember to take along food and any medications for pets.
Download the free AccuWeather app to receive air quality and fire danger alerts for your area.
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At least 24 injured, thousands lost power as Jongdari slammed into Japan

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
July 30, 2018, 8:07:28 AM EDT


Thousands lost power and two dozen people have been injured after Jongdari slammed into Japan with damaging winds and flooding rain this past weekend.
Jongdari made landfall in Mie Prefecture in southern Honshu on Saturday night, local time, as a typhoon with its strength equal to a Category 1 hurricane.
The storm is now a tropical storm off the southwestern coast of Japan.
Jongdari is expected to make a loop just south of Kyushu through Tuesday night. Downpours will continue to stream over southern parts of Kyushu and Shikoku with Jongdari nearby. Gusty winds can lead to sporadic wind damage along the coast.
The heaviest rain and greatest concern for local flooding and mudslides will be in the southern tip of Kyushu and the two northermost Ryukyu Islands.
Japan downpours July 30

Rough seas will also be stirred around the storm, creating dangers for boaters and anyone attempting to enter the water.
Jongdari is being blamed for causing injury to at least 24 people, according to NHK.
A window shattered at a hotel, believed to be due to Jongdari's strong winds, slightly injured five people in Atami. Two children are among those who sustained injuries. Meanwhile, an elderly woman broke her leg after being knocked down by the winds in the city of Chiba.
More than 158,000 homes lost power. This includes 8,300 homes across Tokyo and surrounding prefectures. Mie Prefecture, site of Jongdari's landfall, was hit the hardest with 88,000 homes put in the dark.
While the worst of the typhoon bypassed Tokyo, many flights still were either delayed or canceled at the city's two main airports, according to the Associated Press. Winds on Saturday evening gusted to 22.6 m/s (50.6 mph) at the Tokyo International Airport, where FlightAware reported that the number of canceled flights topped 180 on Saturday.
Police told the NHK that multiple vehicles have been swept away by pounding waves in Odawara City near Tokyo. Six people were reportedly rescued. One man that was reported to be missing has since been found safe.
Before reaching Kyushu, Jongdari spread soaking rain and gusty winds over the areas hardest hit by the flooding that killed at least 225 people earlier this month.
Kasatoriyama had one of the highest rainfall totals of the weekend with 189.5 mm (17.46 inches), followed by Minami-ise with 181 mm (17.16 inches).
Jongdari brought heat relief to many areas, but the opposite occurred along the northeastern coast. Temperatures spiked between 35 and 38 C (95 and 100 F) on Sunday and Monday in communities such as Kanazawa and Niigata as air flowed down the slopes of the mountains, heating up in the process.
Jongdari track July 30

Jongdari may finally begin to track away from Japan by midweek and it takes aim at eastern China.
The departure of Jongdari will be followed by building heat across southern and western Japan during the first days of August.

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Man missing at sea for nearly 2 weeks found alive in life raft off Washington coast

  One of two men missing at sea for nearly two weeks was found alive on Thursday by a Canadian fishing boat in a life raft in Canadian water...