October 20, 2024
An atmospheric river continues to impact British Columbia with flooding rain and strong winds.
Rainfall amounts of 60 to 100 mm is expected across East Vancouver Island from Duncan to Campbell River, and the Sunshine Coast Today.
The Sea-to-Sky corridor, Squamish, Whistler, and Highway 99 will receive 40 to 60 mm of rain before tapering off this afternoon.
West and Inland Vancouver Island including Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Alberni, Bamfield, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan, Gold River, Zeballos and Tahsis will receive 150 mm of rain and exceeding 300 mm over mountainous terrain.
Further inland, West Columbia, the Trans-Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass, northern Arrow Lakes to Slocan Lake Region will see storm totals of 50 to 100 mm of rain today and ending tonight.
Posted by Olivia Taylor.
October 17, 2024
PHOTO: veeterzy/Pexels
An atmospheric river will impact British Columbia and bring a prolonged period of heavy rain to the South Coast this weekend.
Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island will see heavy rain and strong winds on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Total rainfall amounts of 40 to 70 mm in expected. However 100 to 200 mm is possible along the coastal mountains and over West Vancouver Island and Inland Vancouver. The rain and wind will ease by Sunday afternoon.
Southern British Columbia including the Columbia region will see heavy rain this weekend. The rain will start on Friday afternoon and continue through the weekend. Rainfall totals of 50 to 80 mm of rain is anticipated, some wet snow is possible on Friday afternoon near Rogers Pass.
Along the British Columbia and Yukon border, the first substantial snow is on the way from Thursday through Saturday. Snowfall amounts of 10 cm with up to 20 cm is expected over Swift River and Watson Lake. Fort Nelson could see similar amounts.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
October 11, 2024
As of this morning, there are still 2.4 million people in Florida without power.
Officials have confirmed that 16 people are dead, a number that is expected to rise.
Milton has transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone.
The storm left a trail of destruction consisting of flooding, wind damage, a major storm surge and several tornadoes.
The area was hit by Hurricane Helene late last month which also caused widespread damage.
Several areas across the state experienced significant flooding including parts of Orlando, Saint Johns, and throughout Hillsborough County.
500 people were saved from one Clearwater apartment building alone, due to flooding in neck-deep water. Hillsborough County reported severe damage.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
October 9, 2024
This morning Hurricane Milton is a category five hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h as it spins about 255 kilometres west of the Dry Tortugas. It could be one of most destructive storms on record.
Milton is expected to make landfall later tonight as a dangerous major hurricane which has prompted thousands to evacuate. There are hurricane, tropical storm, and storm surge watches and warnings in effect.
Model guidance indicates that Milton will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida late tonight or early Thursday morning, and move off the east coast of Florida over the western Atlantic Ocean Thursday afternoon. The outer bands of the storm are already beginning to impact Florida.
Adding to the storm is the debris left behind by Hurricane Helene. These objects could be pick up by the wind causing more damage.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
October 8, 2024
Hurricane Milton is located 140 km northeast of Progreso, Mexico with winds of 250 km/h making the storm a category four hurricane.
Milton poses a grave threat to Florida.
Today, Milton is expected to move north of the Yucatan Peninsula and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula on Wednesday. The hurricane is forecast to make landfall in Florida Wednesday night.
Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane as it makes landfall in Florida.
Storm surge will be a major threat with this storm. Normally dry areas near the coast will be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. Large and destructive waves will occur near the coast.
If the peak storm surge occurs at high tide, the Anclote River to Englewood could see a surge of 10 to 15 ft, Tampa Bay may see a surge of 10 to 15 ft. Englewood to Bonita Beach and Charlotte Harbor could see a surge reaching 6 to 10 ft.
Swells generated will continue to impact much of the Gulf Coast within the next day or two, and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Very heavy rain is expected to cause life-threatening flash, urban and aerial flooding along with moderate to major river flooding. Over central and northern portions of the Florida Peninsula, rainfall of 5 to 12 inches is expected through Thursday. Rainfall totals 2 to 4 inches is possible across the Florida Keys through Thursday.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
October 2, 2024
Photo by Guryan from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/underwater-view-of-swimming-sharks-13476998/
There are sharks in Canadian waters, in fact, Sharks in Canada says there are 56 species of sharks that have visited the coasts of Canada.
The good news is that sharks do not have a major impact on those who frequent the ocean for a swim. There are very few shark attacks in Canadian waters.
As the climate crisis worsens and waters around our shores continue to rise, we will see an increase in sharks. These species are already moving farther north to areas they have never been spotted before.
The prey of sharks are also on the move to other areas. When a sharks food source leaves an area, the sharks must also leave to sustain itself.
Nova Scotia has installed signs at some beaches warning the public about sharks.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
September 27, 2024
Helene has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h. Helene is expected to become a post-tropical low this afternoon or tonight.
Recently the Marine Corp Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina recorded a wind gust of 120 km/h.
Life-threatening storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach 5 to 10 feet from Aucilla River to Chassahowitzka, 4 to 7 feet from Chassahowitzka to Anclote River, 3.6 feet from Indian Pass to Aucilla River and 3 to 5 feet in Tampa Bay if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.
Swells from Helene will impact a large swath of Florida and the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas during the next couple of days.
This morning northern Florida through eastern Georgia into southern South Carolina are seeing tropical storm conditions. These conditions will continue spreading northward across the tropical storm warning areas in the Southeastern U.S. through today.
Strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, will likely penetrate as far inland as the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Parts of the Southeastern U.S. into the Southern Appalachians, will see 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals around 20 inches. Catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant and record river flooding is expected. Numerous significant landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians.
Tornadoes are possible this morning over parts of eastern Georgia, and through this afternoon over the Carolinas and southern Virginia.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
September 26, 2024
Hurricane Helene has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph with higher gusts. The storm will weaken after it makes landfall, but due to the size of the storm, strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, will occur well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Hurricane Helene is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over western Cuba, the Cayman Islands and the northeast Yucatan Peninsula, with isolated totals of around 12 inches.
Over portions of the Southeastern U.S. into the Southern Appalachians, Helene is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with isolated totals around 18 inches.
This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding. Numerous landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians.
Today and tonight tornadoes are possible from parts of northern Florida into southeast Georgia, the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina, and southern North Carolina.
Normally dry areas near the coast will be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
- Carrabelle, FL to Suwannee River, FL 15-20 ft
- Apalachicola, FL to Carrabelle, FL 10-15 ft
- Suwannee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL 10-15 ft
- Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL 8-12 ft
- Indian Pass, FL to Apalachicola, FL 6-10 ft
- Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL 5-8 ft
- Tampa Bay 5-8 ft
- Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL 4-7 ft
- East of Mexico Beach, FL to Indian Pass, FL 3-5 ft
- Englewood, FL to Flamingo, FL 3-5 ft
- Charlotte Harbor3-5 ft
Swells generated by Helene will affect much of Florida and the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Posted by Ashley Martin.
September 25, 2024
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has stated that this summer has been the costliest for weather disasters in Canada with over $7 billion in insured losses from floods, fires and hailstorms.
The bureau is calling on the federal government to collaborate on reducing disaster risk.
There were four catastrophic weather events this summer including the Toronto and Southern Ontario floods, the Jasper wildfire; the Calgary hailstorm, and the Quebec floods. This number is just for the months of July and August 2024.
Summer 2024 now ranks as the most destructive season in Canadian history for insured losses due to severe weather.
Posted by Ashley Martin.
September 18, 2024
The timing and vibrancy of fall foliage are significantly influenced by various weather conditions, with temperature, sunlight, and moisture playing key roles in the process. Here’s a breakdown of how each factor affects fall foliage:
1. Temperature
- Cool Nights and Warm Days: The ideal conditions for vibrant fall colors are warm days followed by cool (but not freezing) nights. Warm temperatures during the day allow plants to continue photosynthesis, while cool nights slow the process of chlorophyll breakdown, allowing the underlying pigments—like carotenoids (yellows and oranges) and anthocyanins (reds and purples)—to emerge.
- Early Frost: A sudden freeze or early frost can damage the leaves and halt the color-changing process, leading to dull colors or premature leaf drop.
- Extended Warmth: If temperatures remain too warm deep into fall, the change in color may be delayed, and the foliage might not reach its full vibrancy.
2. Sunlight
- Shortening Days: The gradual reduction in daylight triggers the breakdown of chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, revealing other pigments that produce fall colors. Shorter days are essential for signaling to the trees that it’s time to prepare for winter.
- Cloudy Days: While cloudy days and rain can delay the intensity of color, a lack of sunlight can also cause more muted hues as there is less sugar production in the leaves, which limits the development of bright reds and purples.
3. Moisture
- Moist Summer: Trees that receive adequate water during the growing season are generally healthier, which can lead to a more vibrant and extended display of fall colors. Drought stress in summer can weaken trees, causing leaves to brown early and drop prematurely.
- Fall Rain: A wet fall, especially early on, can delay the onset of fall colors. However, too much rain can lead to leaf decay and dull colors.
- Dry Conditions: If the fall is too dry, it can lead to early leaf drop before the full color change happens.
4. Wind and Storms
- High Winds: Strong winds and heavy storms in early autumn can strip trees of their leaves prematurely, cutting short the fall foliage season.
Summary
In ideal conditions—cool nights, sunny days, and adequate moisture—fall foliage is most vibrant. A balance between temperature, light, and moisture determines both the timing and intensity of the colors, while early frost, drought, or storms can lead to a shorter and less vibrant display.
Posted by Michael Thomas.
