WEEKLY WATER NEWS

14-18 August 2006

Water in the Earth System will return for Fall 2006 with new Investigations files starting during Preview Week, Monday, 28 August 2006. All the current online website products will continue to be available throughout the summer break period.

Water in the News:

• Eye on the tropics ---
  • Supertyphoon hits China -- In the Western North Pacific, Typhoon Saomai, the eight major tropical cyclone in the western Pacific, made landfall late last week along the China coast as the most powerful storm to hit that nation in at least 57 years. Accompanied by sustained winds of up to 135 mph, wind-driven seas and torrential rain, Saomai, which was classified as a super typhoon, was responsible for at least 105 deaths as more than 1.5 million residents had been evacuated before landfall. This typhoon follows several other tropical storms and typhoons that hit China in what appears to be an unusually active typhoon season. [USA Today] An image obtained from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor on NASA's Aqua satellite shows Typhoon Saomai as a spiral circulation around a well defined, but cloud covered eye just before landfall. [NASA Earth Observatory] Three days earlier, an image from the MODIS sensor captured three tropical cyclones in the western Pacific: Typhoon Saomai, Tropical Storm Bopha and Tropical Storm Maria. [NASA Earth Observatory]
  • Another hurricane season outlook update -- In the wake of the updated hurricane forecast by Professor Bill Gray and associates at Colorado State University, NOAA scientists issued an update to their official NOAA Atlantic Hurricane Outlook last week. This new NOAA Outlook also suggests a season in the North Atlantic Basin (that includes the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico) that would be above the long-term average, but slightly less active than that anticipated in the initial outlook for this season issued in May. The number of forecasted named tropical cyclones (low pressure systems that are tropical storm or hurricane strength) in the new NOAA Outlook has been reduced to between 12 and 15 from the 13 to 16 that were in the original May outlook. The NOAA scientists also predicted that seven to nine of these tropical cyclones could intensify into hurricanes, of which three to four could become "major" hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. For comparison, the earlier outlook had eight to ten hurricanes and four to six major hurricanes. The above-average activity could be associated with above average sea surface temperatures across the basin, along with an ongoing signal of several decades that suggests increased tropical cyclone activity. However, the sea surface temperatures are not as high as at the same point during last year's historic hurricane season. [NOAA News] Note that a week earlier, Professor Gray of Colorado State University, had released an updated forecast in which he had reduced the number of possible hurricanes to seven from an earlier December forecast of nine. He also downgraded the number of intense hurricanes from five to three. [USA Today]
• Would El Niño be in the winter outlook? Scientists at the Climate Prediction Center report that while the current global atmospheric circulation regime would suggest near normal conditions across the tropical Pacific basin, the possibility exists that a week El Niño episode could develop later this year. This "warm-phase" episode involving anomalous planetary-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation regimes that tend to result in warmer than average temperatures across the eastern equatorial Pacific, could affect temperature and precipitation patterns across the continental US through the winter, with wetter than average conditions across the southern states and milder winter weather across the northern tier of states. The late onset of an El Niño probably would have little effect on the current 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. [NOAA News]
• Hot and dry conditions mark July 2006 -- Scientists at the National Climatic Data Center recently announced that the month of July 2006 was the second hottest month of July in terms of nation-wide average temperature in the 112-year period of record that commences in 1895. Wyoming experienced its warmest July on record, while 44 other states had above or much above average statewide temperatures. More than 50 all-time highest temperature records for the month of July were broken, along with 90 records for the highest nighttime temperatures for July were established. In addition, at least 2300 daily high temperature records broken. Although precipitation nationwide was slightly below average, several states in the Southeast (Georgia and South Carolina) and in the northern Plains (Minnesota, the Dakotas and Montana) had much below average precipitation. Nationwide, the cumulative precipitation during the first seven months of the year was the 22nd smallest in the 112-year period of record. This cumulative deficit, exacerbated by the heat wave has meant that slightly more than one-half the country remained in the midst of moderate to severe drought conditions. [NOAA News]
• Drought conditions continue to affect the country --
  • The drought across the Southeast has caused water levels in southern Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp to drop, with alligators congregating in some of the remaining water bodies. [USA Today]
  • Missouri remains under an 18-month drought, resulting in scorched fields, agricultural losses and reduced barge traffic because of low water on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. [USA Today]
  • Some strong to severe thunderstorms bringing welcome rain traveled across the parched Plains of South Dakota and Nebraska late last week. However, the rain will only provide slight relief to some of this year's crops that have been severely affected by this summer's heat and dry conditions. [USA Today]
• Floods continue to result in deaths --
  • Torrential rains from the summer Indian monsoon circulation regime produced flooding across southern and western India last week, resulting in the displacement of millions of people. By the end of the week, the floodwaters began to recede in Sura, India's diamond-cutting hub. [USA Today]
  • To the north, heavy rain and flooding in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people and the displacement of thousands of others. [USA Today]
  • At least 250 people had died in Ethiopia by the end of last week due to the worst flash flood event in this poor African nation. More than 10,000 people were homeless. [USA Today]
• Greenland sea ice seen from space -- Sea ice, glaciers and ocean currents along the northeastern coast of Greenland are captured in this image made from data collected recently by the MODIS sensor onboard NASA's Terra satellite. [NASA Earth Observatory]
• A novel way to beat the heat -- Utility and municipal officials across Southern California are considering using a new technology that produces ice overnight in commercial air condition units that can be stored and used as a coolant during the day as a possible way to cut peak commercial power consumption and reduce the threat of blackouts. [USA Today]
• Mercury pollution viewed as a major global hazard -- Attendees at the recent Eighth International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant held at Madison, WI ratified a declaration stating that mercury pollution from industrial sources can threaten the health of humans, fish and wildlife on a global scale. The declaration also states that reducing mercury use and emissions would lesson these threats. [EurekAlert!]
• Satellites detect Greenland ice cap losses -- Scientists at the University of Texas have found that their analysis of data obtained from NASA's two GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites indicate that southeastern sections of Greenland's ice sheet have been melting at a rate five times faster during the last two years than during the previous 18 months. [EurekAlert!]
• Half-century Antarctic snowfall record shows little change -- Researchers from Ohio State University and institutions in seven countries report that no significant increases in precipitation appear to have occurred across Antarctica during the last 50 years, which would refute the results from computer models that call for increases in precipitation across that continent as atmospheric temperatures rise. [Ohio State University Research News]
• New European meteorological satellite to be launched -- Officials with the European Space Agency announced that MetOp, the first in a new series of polar orbiting meteorological satellites, is scheduled to be launched on 7 October 2006 from Kazakhstan. This new satellite and two others in the series should improve operational meteorology practices. [ESA]
• Ocean cores lead to new information on climatic change -- Scientists analyzing sediments collected by the Arctic Coring Expedition of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program from the ocean floor of the Arctic have found evidence that the Arctic was extremely warm, wet and ice-free approximately 55 million years ago, the so called " Paleocene/Eocene thermal maximum". They claim that this warm epoch coincided with a massive release of such greenhouse gases as methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. [International Ocean Drilling Program] In addition, atmospheric humidity, precipitation levels and salinity of the ocean water underwent large changes. [EurekAlert!]
• Global and US Hazards/Climate Extremes -- A review and analysis of the global impacts of various weather-related events, including drought, floods and storms during the current month. [NCDC]
• Global Water News Watch -- Other water news sources can be obtained through the SAHRA Project at the University of Arizona [SAHRA Project]
• Earthweek -- Diary of the Planet [earthweek.com] Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Historical Events:

• 14 August 1919...Approximately one million tons of ice broke off the leading edge of a glacier near Mont Blanc in France. The ice mixed with rocks downhill. Nine people were buried under the ensuing cataract of ice and rock. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 14 August 2004…Flash floods in California's Spring Valley Lake and East Victorville trapped many vehicles in "rock deep" water, and a $100,000 white sand beach was washed away. Water eight-foot deep covered BNSF railroad tracks and caused a 60-train backup that extended well back into Cajon Pass. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 15 August 1281...The Divine Wind, the Kamikaze, struck down the Chinese fleet attempting an invasion of Japan at Kyushu. This wind was likely due to a typhoon crossing the Sea of Japan. (The Weather Doctor)
• 15 August 1946...Saint Louis, MO was deluged with a record 8.78 inches of rain in 24 hours. (The Weather Channel)
• 15 August 1952...Nine inches of rain fell on already soaked terrain rising 1000 feet above Lynmouth, England. Floodwater and debris containing approximately 200,000 tons of rocks cascaded down the East and West Lyn Rivers. Cars were swept out into the Bristol Channel. As many as 34 deaths were attributed to this flooding, along with the destruction of 34 bridges. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 15 August 1971...Hurricane Beth soaked Nova Scotia with up to 12 inches of rain. The deluge caused considerable crop damage and swamped highways and bridges, temporarily isolating communities on the eastern mainland of Nova Scotia. (The Weather Doctor)
• 16 August 1909...A dry spell began in San Bernardino County of southern California that lasted until the 6th of May in 1912, a stretch of 994 days! Another dry spell, lasting 767 days, then began in October of 1912. (The Weather Channel)
• 17 August 1915...A hurricane hit Galveston, TX with wind gusts to 120 mph and a twelve-foot storm surge which inundated the city. The storm claimed 275 lives, including forty-two on Galveston Island, with most deaths due to drowning. Of 250 homes built outside the seawall (which was constructed after the catastrophic hurricane of 1900), just ten percent were left standing. (The Weather Channel)
• 17 August 1969...Camille, the second worst hurricane in U.S. history, smashed into the Mississippi coast, making landfall at Pass Christian, MS with sustained winds of 190 mph and gusts well over 200 mph. Winds gusted to 172 mph at Main Pass Block, LA, and to 190 mph near Bay Saint Louis, MS. The hurricane claimed 256 lives, and caused 1.3 billion dollars damage. Several ocean going ships were carried over seven miles inland by the hurricane. The hurricane produced winds to 200 mph, and a storm surge of 24.6 feet. Complete destruction occurred in some coastal areas near the eye of the hurricane. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
• 18 August 1925...During the late morning hours a severe hailstorm struck southeastern Iowa completely destroying crops along a path six to ten miles wide and 75 miles long. The hail also injured and killed poultry and livestock, and caused a total of 2.5 million dollars damage. The hailstorm flattened fields of corn to such an extent that many had to leave their farms in search of other work. It was one of the worst hailstorms of record for the nation. (The Weather Channel)
• 18 August 1924...Record United Kingdom August rainfall of 9.4 inches deluged Cannington (Somerset) England. (The Weather Doctor)
• 18-19 August 1972...Heavy rains led to disastrous flooding on the lower Han River Basin in South Korea. Seoul received 17.36 inches in 22 hours, which represents approximately one-third of its annual average. As many as 500 people were killed and more than 10,000 buildings were washed away. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 18 August 1983...Hurricane Alicia (a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Scale) ravaged southeastern Texas. The hurricane caused more than three billion dollars property damage, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in the history of the U.S. Just thirteen persons were killed, but 1800 others were injured. The hurricane packed winds to 130 mph as it crossed Galveston Island, created a storm surge of 12 feet and spawned twenty-two tornadoes in less than 24 hours as it made landfall. (The Weather Channel) (Storm Data) (Intellicast)
• 18 August 1989...Thunderstorms over the Middle Atlantic Coast Region and the Upper Ohio Valley produced torrential rains in eastern Virginia during the late morning and afternoon hours. Totals ranged up to twelve inches at Yorktown. Williamsburg, VA was deluged with 10.78 inches of rain between 6 AM and 10 AM, with 6.72 inches reported in just two hours. Southern sections of Maryland's Eastern Shore received between 6 to 10 inches of rain, while unofficial reports of 13 to 20 inches were made from southern Delaware. Flash flooding caused nearly twelve million dollars damage in Accomack County, VA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 19 August 1559...First recorded U.S. hurricane drove five Spanish ships ashore in Pensacola Harbor along the Florida coast. (Intellicast)
• 19 August 1788...A small but powerful hurricane inflicted great havoc upon forests along a narrow track from Delaware Bay northeastward across New Jersey along the coast to Maine. A similar storm track today would cause extreme disaster in the now populated area. (David Ludlum)
• 19 August 1939...Tuckerton, NJ received 14.81 inches of rain, which established a 24-hour maximum precipitation record for the Garden State. (NCDC)
• 19 August 1955...Rains from tropical Storm Diane fell on ground saturated from Tropical Storm Connie a week before. Westfield, MA recorded 18.15 inches in 24 hours, to set a statewide record for the Bay State, while the 24-hour precipitation record for the Nutmeg State was set at Burlington, CT with 12.77 inches. Extreme flooding occurred in all of New England. At one point, over 40% of Worcester, MA was underwater. Woonsocket, RI was hit hard as the Blackstone River, normally only 70 feet wide, swelled to over 1.5 miles in width. Eighty-two people died and damage topped $800,000,000. (Intellicast)
• 19 August 1960...The heaviest recorded 24-hour precipitation accumulation to date for the Arctic drenched Mould Bay, Northwest Territories with 1.88 inches of rain. (The Weather Doctor)
• 19-20 August 1969...'Never say die' Camille, an exceptionally strong hurricane that had weakened to a tropical depression as it drifted slowly across the mid-Atlantic states, let loose a cloudburst in Virginia resulting in flash floods and landslides that killed 151 persons and caused 140 million dollars damage. Massies Hill in Nelson County, Virginia received an estimated 27 inches of rain in 24 hours. This amount is an unofficial record for the state, while the official 24-hour maximum precipitation record is 14.28 inches at Williamsburg on 16 September 1999. It was said to rain so hard that birds drowned while perched on tree branches. The James and York River basins in Virginia were especially hard hit. (Intellicast) (David Ludlum) (NCDC) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 19 August 1989...Early morning thunderstorms deluged southeastern Delaware with six to ten inches of rain in four to six hours, with local reports of 13 to 20 inches of rain. Twenty-six major roads were closed or damaged, and fourteen bridges were washed out. Flooding caused nearly four million dollars damage to local businesses. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
• 19 August 1991...Hurricane Bob slammed into New England with 90 mph sustained winds and gusts of 125 mph (at Block Island, RI) and 105 mph (at Newport, RI). It made landfall first at Newport, RI and then final US landfall as a tropical storm at Rockland, ME. A storm surge of 15 feet occurred in Upper Buzzards Bay. Portland, ME had a 24-hour record rainfall of 7.83 inches. Total damage exceeded $1.5 billion dollars and 17 people were killed. This was the worst Hurricane in the Northeast since Donna in 1960. (Intellicast) (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 20 August 1886...The town of Indianola, TX was completely destroyed by a hurricane, and never rebuilt. (David Ludlum)
• 20 August 1988...Approximately 2 inches of rain fell in 45 minutes on the Calico Mountains of California. A two-foot wall of water roared down a canyon serving as a parking lot for the Calico Ghost Town, bashing 60 vehicles. While no injuries were reported, this flood destroyed approximately half of a 144-space campground and caused substantial mud and water damage. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)
• 20 August 1997...Rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ignacio left a record 0.19 inches of rain at Sacramento, CA. Previously, not even a trace of rain had been recorded on this date during the 120 years of record keeping in California's capital. (Accord's Weather Guide Calendar)

Return to DataStreme WES website

Prepared by AMS WES Central Staff and Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D., email hopkins@meteor.wisc.edu
ã Copyright, 2006, The American Meteorological Society.