Parts of Angeles National Forest in Southern California closed for holiday

3 years 1 month ago
Some areas of the Angeles National Forest were temporarily closed for the Fourth of July weekend. The Millard Campground will be closed from July 1 to July 7, and vehicular traffic will be temporarily closed at the Chaney Road gate leading to the Millard Day Use Area. San Bernardino Sun (Calif.), June 29, 2022

Fire danger rating increased for San Bernardino National Forest in California

3 years 1 month ago
The San Bernardino National Forest increased its fire danger level to “very high” on June 28 before the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Persistent hot, dry weather, below-normal moisture levels in fuels and severe drought conditions were reasons given for the change. San Bernardino Sun (Calif.), June 29, 2022

Crops hurt by dry conditions, pastures drying up in Calloway County, Kentucky

3 years 1 month ago
Three dry weeks have left Calloway County farmers on edge waiting for rain. The lack of rain combined with the heat has substantially damaged area crops, according to the dean of Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture. Corn is at the tasseling stage and might not fully recover even if rain falls soon. Pastures are drying up, and farmers are starting to think about feeding hay. Crops have been suffering from the dryness since about mid-June. While many tobacco farmers install drip tape to water their crop, the supply of drip irrigation tape is scarce. Farmers that have irrigation capability have been irrigating heavily, even though it is costly. Murray Ledger & Times (Ky.), June 30, 2022

Water restrictions for Georgetown, Texas

3 years 1 month ago
Georgetown residents should not water lawns or landscaping in the heat of the day between noon and 7 p.m. starting March 30 as Phase 1 of the city’s drought contingency plan took effect. The Brazos River Authority entered a Stage 1 Drought Watch for Lake Georgetown. Outdoor watering was only allowed twice weekly according to the watering schedule. KVUE-TV ABC Austin (Texas), March 30, 2022

Outdoor water ban for Groveland, Massachusetts

3 years 1 month ago
The Groveland Water and Sewer Department issued an outdoor water ban, effective June 28, because the Commonwealth declared a level 2 drought. Residents were urged to forego all outdoor watering. The town’s water levels were low, which causes more minerals to be drawn from the ground, causing discolored water. John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC (Georgetown, Mass.), June 29, 2022

Texas' crops stressed by drought, heat

3 years 1 month ago
Cotton, corn, oats, and wheat in the Panhandle-South Plains region of Texas have taken a beating from the heat and drought. About 54% of the state’s cotton was in fair or better condition; about 62% of the corn was in fair or better condition; and about 17% of the wheat was in fair or better condition. Oat, sorghum and peanut crops were also struggling with 22%, 58% and 79% in fair or better condition. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Texas), June 29, 2022

Mandatory water restrictions in Round Rock, Texas

3 years 1 month ago
Stage 1 mandatory restrictions began in Round Rock on June 29, limiting water users to two outdoor watering days each week. The Brazos River Authority issued a Stage 1 drought warning declaration for Lake Georgetown in March. Most of Round Rock’s water comes from Lake Georgetown. KXAN-TV NBC 36 Austin (Texas), June 29, 2022

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook

3 years 1 month ago
SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1146 AM CDT Wed Jun 29 2022 Valid 291700Z - 301200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS... ...Dry Thunder... Morning observations showed cloudy skies ongoing within and ahead of a second surge of monsoon moisture moving across the Southwest toward the Four Corners. 12z area RAOBs show PWATs ranging from 0.75 to 1+ inches across much of the Southwest and Western Slope. With several preceding days of scattered wetting rains, area fuels (especially short-hour and high elevations) have been significantly tempered. With another round of scatted storms expected this afternoon and evening, dry thunder probabilities appear significantly lower. While occasional drier strikes may develop outside of the wetter cores within the drier heavy fuel loads, the IsoDryT area has been focused across Northern UT and eastern NV away from the heaviest precipitation accumulations. Elsewhere the previous outlook remains valid with only minor adjustments to the Elevated and Critical Areas with the latest guidance. See the prior discussion for more details. ..Lyons.. 06/29/2022 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0145 AM CDT Wed Jun 29 2022/ ...Synopsis... A mid-level trough will eject into the northern Plains today as an upper ridge persists across the central and southern U.S. Surface lee troughing across the Plains states will encourage Elevated to Critical dry/windy conditions this afternoon across parts of western into central Nebraska and immediate surrounding areas. Isolated to scattered high-based thunderstorms may also develop, with abundant rainfall evaporation potentially supporting strong to severe wind gusts, which may exacerbate wildfire-spread potential. Isolated dry thunderstorm highlights have been withheld this outlook since it is unclear how much rainfall may accompany storms. Please see the Day 1 Convective Outlook for more details on the severe threat. Strong flow aloft may also linger across the northern and central Great Basin, where a dry boundary layer may encourage downslope flow and associated Elevated dry and windy conditions to the lee of the Sierra. Monsoonal moisture meandering around the eastern Great Basin will support isolated to scattered high-based thunderstorms by afternoon peak heating. The potential exists for isolated dry strikes in receptive fuel beds, warranting the continuation of isolated dry thunderstorm highlights. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Jun 29, 2022 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 years 1 month ago
SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1112 AM CDT Wed Jun 29 2022 Valid 291630Z - 301200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS.... ...SUMMARY... Severe hail and thunderstorm gusts are most likely this afternoon and tonight over parts of the Dakotas into western Minnesota. ...Northern/Eastern ND... Visible satellite imagery shows a cluster of high-based showers and thunderstorms over northern MT. This activity is associated with a subtle mid-level shortwave trough and jet streak. Several CAM solutions suggest one or more intense thunderstorms form later today as this feature moves into northern ND. Forecast soundings show moderate CAPE values and sufficient vertical shear for supercell structures capable of large hail. If these storms form, they could persist for several hours and track eastward into northeast ND/northwest MN before weakening. ...WY/NE/Dakotas... A broad upper ridge is present today over the central Rockies/Plains, with the southern fringe of stronger westerlies extending from northern UT into WY/NE/SD. A plume of mid-level moisture is evident in water vapor imagery over parts of WY/CO, which is likely to result in scattered high-based thunderstorms this afternoon over the central/northern High Plains. Hot surface temperatures over 100F will yield inverted-v profiles with substantial downdraft potential. Sufficiently strong westerly flow aloft and associated momentum transfer potential will aid in the risk of locally gusty/damaging wind gusts through the afternoon and early evening. ...Eastern NY into New England... A upper level trough over the Great Lakes region will track eastward into the northeast states this afternoon, with cool mid-level temperatures and large scale ascent overspreading parts of NY/New England. Strong daytime heating in this area will result in steep low-level lapse rates, while dewpoints in the 50s yield MLCAPE values of around 500 J/kg. A few strong/severe storms are possible over southern Quebec, with uncertainty how far south storms will develop. Will maintain the existing MRGL risk area for the conditional potential for locally strong/damaging winds in storms that can develop. ..Hart/Jewell.. 06/29/2022 Read more

SPC Jun 29, 2022 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 years 1 month ago
SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0754 AM CDT Wed Jun 29 2022 Valid 291300Z - 301200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE DAKOTAS INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA... ...SUMMARY... Severe hail and thunderstorm gusts are most likely this afternoon and tonight over parts of the Dakotas into western Minnesota. ...Synopsis... In mid/upper levels, the northern-stream pattern will become more zonal through the period, behind a shortwave trough now crossing the upper Great Lakes region. The trough should cross the Lower Great Lakes today, and most of New England (except for eastern ME) by 12Z tomorrow. Upstream, a small cyclone over the Canadian Rockies will devolve to a shrinking, open-wave trough, as it penetrates confluent flow related to a stronger cyclone over Nunavut. The southern part of this trough should reach ND by 12Z. In between, radar and satellite imagery indicated a convectively induced vorticity lobe and related shortwave trough over western ND, which should move east-northeastward across northwestern MN to adjoining parts of ON by 00Z. Surface analysis at 11Z depicted a cold front from central/ southwestern QC to southern Lower MI, becoming a wavy warm front over parts of southern WI, IA, and eastern/northern SD, to a low over southeastern MT. An occluded front was drawn northwestward from the low across southwestern SK. Another cold front extended from the low southwestward over western WY. A dryline was drawn from central SD across eastern CO and north-central/northwestern NM, to northern AZ. The eastern cold front should move southeastward across parts of northern/western NY and New England by 00Z, preceded by a prefrontal trough. This front should move east of ME by 12Z. Its western extension, as a warm front, should move northeastward across the eastern Dakotas and MN, reaching near a FAR-MSP line by 00Z, then crossing most of Lake Superior and Upper MI, and parts of Lower MI, overnight. The low should move eastward over northwestern/north-central SD today, then weaken, with the western cold front reaching northern MN, southern SD, western NE and southern WY by 12Z. ...ND/SD/MN to central High Plains/Rockies... Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are possible across parts of northern, central and eastern ND this afternoon and evening, with a substantial supercell or two potentially offering significant- severe hail, damaging gusts, and marginal tornado threat. Although the northern Plains area will be behind the leading/ convectively induced perturbation, any shortwave ridging or large-scale subsidence that follows will be temporary, in the broader presence of height falls and strengthening mid/upper winds related to the upstream shortwave trough. Still, EML-related MLCINH will limit convective coverage for much of the afternoon, with strong heating supporting increasing buoyancy. So will increasing boundary-layer moisture, with both moist advection and upstream evapotranspiration supporting dewpoint increases into the 60s F between dryline and warm front. A small corridor of MLCAPE in the 2000-3000 J/kg range will develop along and south of the warm front, amidst steep midlevel lapse rates, and supercell-favorable deep shear. Hodographs will be much larger along and north of the warm front, but so will MLCINH, with considerable doubts that enough lift will exist to overcome that. As such, the warm-frontal supercell risk is too conditional and isolated to account for in an unconditional probability set, but will need monitoring. However, total forcing should be greater near the low and occluded front. Farther south, greater convective coverage (widely scattered to scattered) is possible this afternoon atop a hotter, drier boundary layer from parts of SD into the central High Plains, becoming more isolated again across the mountains to parts of central/northern UT. Severe gusts (some potentially exceeding 65 kt over SD) will be the main concern, especially as initially widely scattered convection developing behind the dryline (but in sufficient residual moisture and atop a very deep/well-mixed subcloud layer) coalesces and potentially aggregates cold pools. The northeastern part of this regime may merge with the southern part of the ND activity this evening. Sporadic severe may be possible well into tonight across parts of the eastern Dakotas and MN, though potential should diminish after about 06Z with continued nocturnal stabilization of the boundary layer. ...Northeast... Scattered to widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon near the prefrontal trough, as already-weak MLCINH becomes negligible through processes of sustained diurnal heating (supported by broad clearing already evident in visible satellite imagery) and moist advection. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms also may develop along the front over QC where low-level and mid/upper lift will be relatively maximized, but the coverage and intensity of these is uncertain by the time the activity reaches northern New England. In either event, isolated damaging gusts are possible, and a 5% wind area has been introduced accordingly. Cooling aloft, ahead of the shortwave trough, will steepen midlevel lapse rates just enough to support deep buoyancy, with MLCAPE generally reaching 300-800 J/kg atop 50s to near 60 F surface dew points, and a well-mixed boundary layer. Low-level and effective shear will be modest, limiting overall organization, and the activity should weaken considerably after dark. ..Edwards/Goss.. 06/29/2022 Read more

Eastern North Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook

3 years 1 month ago

147
ABPZ20 KNHC 291146
TWOEP

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
500 AM PDT Wed Jun 29 2022

For the eastern North Pacific...east of 140 degrees west longitude:

Active Systems:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Atlantic
basin Potential Tropical Cyclone Two, currently located over the
eastern Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela. The system is
forecast to cross Central America and move into the east Pacific
basin, as a tropical cyclone, over the weekend.

Offshore of Southern Mexico:
Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a disturbance
located a few hundred miles south-southwest of the coast of
southwestern Mexico has increased overnight. However,
satellite-derived wind data from late yesterday indicated that the
system does not have a well-defined center of circulation.
Environmental conditions are expected to be favorable for
development during the next couple of days, and a tropical
depression is likely to form while the system moves generally
west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph through the end of the week.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.

$$
Forecaster D. Zelinsky

NHC Webmaster

Caution urged with fireworks in Los Angeles County, California

3 years 1 month ago
Los Angeles County firefighters were on heightened alert, due to drought and the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Residents were urged to be sensible with fireworks, avoid the illegal ones, and use the 'safe and sane' fireworks carefully to avoid sparking a fire. KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles (Calif.), June 27, 2022

Not enough water for New Mexico farmers along Middle Rio Grande

3 years 1 month ago
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District does not have enough water to supply farmers for the fall crop, so farmers need to make smart decisions about whether to plant, said the CEO of the district. Although the monsoon has begun, rain was expected to be average to below-average. KRQE (Albuquerque, N.M.), June 28, 2022

Drought contingency plans in Brazos County, Texas

3 years 1 month ago
Some Brazos County water providers, such as Wellborn Special Utility District and Wickson Creek Special Utility District, were urging their customers to conserve water voluntarily. Water use for the College Station water utility climbed from 14 to 15 million gallons of water daily to 22 million gallons as high temperatures drove up water use. KBTX (Bryan, Texas), June 27, 2022

Disaster declaration for Victoria County, Texas

3 years 1 month ago
The Victoria County judge stated that the county will remain in the disaster status until the fire threat eases, which he anticipates will be longer than a week. Victoria Advocate (Texas), June 27, 2022 Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller issued a Declaration of Local Disaster on June 21, due to the county’s severe drought and fire conditions. Firework sales will also be prohibited in Victoria County. The use of fireworks is banned outside the city limits of Victoria. Crossroads Today (Texas), June 21, 2022

Water conservation urged in Victoria, Texas

3 years 1 month ago
The Guadalupe River was flowing at its slowest average rate since June 26, 2021, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Victoria gets its water from three sources—Canyon Lake, the Comal Springs in New Braunfels and San Marcos Springs—which flow to Victoria via the Guadalupe River. The springs are producing less water due to the drought. Victoria entered Stage II of its drought contingency plan on June 13 as the average flow of the river fell below 250 cubic feet per second. Victoria Advocate (Texas), June 28, 2022 Victoria entered stage II of its drought contingency plan due to low rainfall north of Victoria as the flow of the Guadalupe River has fallen below 250 cubic feet per second, which is the trigger for stage II. At this level, Victoria can no longer pump water from the river under its 1998 surface water permit. The city was seeking authorization to continue drawing water from the river, despite the low flow. Victoria entered Stage I of the plan in May. Crossroads Today (Victoria, Texas), June 13, 2022