Peru has been hit hard by Cyclone Yaku over the past few days, with the country’s northern regions experiencing severe flooding and significant damage. The cyclone, which has caused at least six deaths, has been described by the director of civil defense, César Sierra, as an unusual phenomenon causing intensifying rains in the north.
A dangerous excessive rainfall event, brought by a powerful atmospheric river, is underway across much of Central California today. Areal rainfall totals of 100 – 230 mm (4 – 9 inches) through today, atop areas with saturated soil and deep snowpack are expected to cause widespread and severe flooding impacts, particularly in the High Risk area.
Heavy rain caused by Cyclone Yaku produced severe flooding and landslides in western Ecuador, resulting in the deaths of at least 3 people. The worst affected was Chone Canton in Manabí Province. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (Senamhi) described Yaku as an unusual and unorganized tropical cyclone.
A new atmospheric river (AR) event is forecast to impact California on Thursday, March 9, 2023, bringing with it considerable rainfall through Saturday, March 11. Forecast models are predicting that the incoming AR will reach AR4 (on a scale of 1 – 5) ranking in the Bay Area, with an 80% chance of being at least an AR3. A second AR landfall is possible early next week.
More than 880 000 lightning strikes have been recorded over the Tasman Sea in 24 hours to Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This weather system is moving toward New Zealand’s South Island and is forecast to eventually move up to the North Island late in the week.
A powerful winter storm swept across the U.S. over the past couple of days, causing death and destruction in multiple states. At least 13 people lost their lives as severe weather, high winds, and flooding hit the South and Midwest. At the same time, winter-weary Northeast and Midwest residents were digging out from heavy snowfall. Thousands of businesses closed, flights were canceled, and more than 1.2 million customers — or approximately 3 million people, were left without power.
Snowfall and strong winds brought chaos to Spain’s holiday island of Mallorca on February 28, 2023, as Storm Juliette ravaged large parts of the country.
The western United States is bracing for yet another powerful winter storm system, with heavy snow predicted for low elevations and blizzard conditions in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. The Upper Midwest is also set to see heavy snowfall from a clipper system, while the Northeast is expected to experience heavy snow from a system moving through the area. Southern and interior Alaska will also face heavy snow and blizzard conditions from two powerful systems.
Two powerful winter storms are bringing widespread areas of wintry precipitation from coast to coast, leaving some 900 000 customers, or estimated 2.2 million people, without power. While heavy snow, significant icing, and blizzard conditions are affecting portions of the Upper Midwest eastward into the Northeast, heavy rain, snow, wind, and cold temperatures are impacting much of California. Dangerous travel conditions are expected.
MetService, the national weather agency of New Zealand, issued an Orange Warning for Heavy Rain for the Hawke’s Bay region, as a complex weather system continues to affect the country. The agency has grave concerns for vulnerable areas due to the already saturated terrain.
