Massive flooding is impacting nearly half of Minnesota as of Thursday morning, June 27, 2024, with more than 20 river gauges across the Upper Midwest hitting major flood stage. With more rain expected, water levels on the Minnesota, Mississippi, and Missouri rivers are expected to see their highest levels in a decade.
The largest outbreak of Saharan dust this summer is currently making its way across the Atlantic Ocean, potentially impacting air quality and weather patterns throughout the Caribbean and parts of the United States. This marks a significant shift in the season’s weather patterns, influenced by the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), which is known for its ability to suppress tropical cyclone formation.
On Monday morning, June 24, 2024, flooding on the Blue Earth River breached the Rapidan Dam, prompting officials to declare an “imminent failure condition.” This followed debris accumulation identified on June 23, 2024, which led to emergency measures in North Mankato, including road closures and levee construction, with potential downstream impacts predicted to raise river levels by 15 to 60 cm (6 inches to 2 feet) toward Mankato.
On June 23, 2024, Europe experienced an unexpected outbreak of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) despite high solar activity, which typically inhibits NLC formation. Earth-orbiting satellites also detected the display, noting NLCs down to a latitude of 55° N over the British Isles.
South Dakota’s governor Kristi Noem confirmed one death on June 23, 2024, as record rainfall caused devastating floods across the Upper Midwest from June 22 to 24. Torrential rains across the region led to record-breaking river levels, extensive property damage, and evacuations. Iowa and Minnesota have declared emergencies, with Iowa’s floods surpassing 1993 levels. Numerous rivers, including the Big Sioux, are at historic highs, forcing evacuations and emergency rescues. Authorities warn that more rain could exacerbate the already severe flooding.
In the pre-dawn hours of June 22, 2024, Rock Valley, Iowa, awoke to sirens and rising waters as the Rock River burst its banks, leaving the town scrambling to evacuate.
Old region 3664/3697 — the source of multiple Earth-directed CMEs and G5 – Extreme geomagnetic storming in May, has returned to Earth-view with a strong M9.3 solar flare at 13:01 UTC on June 23, 2024. The region is now numbered 3723. The event started at 12:51 and ended at 13:11 UTC.
Torrential rainfall affecting southern China over the past 5 days caused historic flooding and landslides in Guangdong’s Pingyuan County, severely damaging infrastructure and farmland, and leaving at least 47 people dead.
Tropical Storm “Alberto” made landfall near the Mexican city of Tampico, Tamaulipas, shortly after 09:00 UTC on June 20, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). The storm brought heavy rains, causing widespread coastal flooding in Mexico, where at least 3 people lost their lives. In the United States, Alberto caused a significant storm surge in Texas and Louisiana even before making landfall in Mexico.
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Ruidoso village, New Mexico spread over 8 429 ha (20 828 acres) of land since it started on June 17, 2024, destroying around 1 400 structures and forcing over 8 000 residents to evacuate without even being able to gather their belongings.
