Cold-front SW-Cape, and weak upper air trough (30 March - 2 April 2013)

The appearance of the deep frontal-low (bottom image)  and cold-core upper trough (top image) is quite obvious from this mornings satellite images.  We could be in for and interesting weekend.  First real winter cold front approaching?  Dropping temperatures?  Strong South Easterly Wind? Possible Cut Off Low? Thunderstorms to the East? Heavy Rain? This Easter weekend might just be the turn from Autumn to an early Winter spell.

All SAWDOS Weather Observers and non SAWDOS weather observers are hereby requested to report severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions in their area of observation.  Be alert and send observations to the SAWDOS as we will in turn publish the observations to the benefit of the general public.

There is really no better way than real time weather observations by the public when it comes to reporting severe weather in an area.

Send information to:

SMS, MMS messages to: 076 251 3482 (only text messages)

Email photos and information by clicking HERE.

If you observe any strange weather or disaster send the info to the SAWDOS for publication. Do not assume that the SAWDOS knows for certain that severe weather has occurred in your area. Never assume that your weather observation report is not important.

We also remind our readers that the SAWDOS utilize the following social media formats to keep our readers informed :

SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service Blog - http://sawdis1.blogspot.com/

SAWDOS Twitter - http://sawdis1.blogspot.com/p/sawdis-twitter.html

SAWDOS Facebook Group - http://www.facebook.com/groups/374316165928426/

Please note that any of the above could be used during severe weather to keep the public informed or to notify the SAWDOS of an event.

Johan Terblanche
Founder: SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service
Mossel Bay
30 March 2013

Another Snowstorm Strikes Western States

Following on the heels of another storm, heavy snow fell on Colorado and neighboring states on February 24, 2013. On February 25, the Denver/Boulder Forecast Office of the National Weather Service reported preliminary snow totals from the area, including 27.2 inches (69.1 centimeters) west of Denver, and blizzard conditions east of the city. Like the previous storm, this one continued moving eastward.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image on February 25, 2013. In the wake of the storms, snow extended across Colorado and Wyoming, and covered parts of Utah, New Mexico, and Nebraska. Although clouds had cleared in the west, cloud cover lingered in southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. The day after MODIS acquired this image, a new round of snow moved into the region.

1. References

2. National Weather Service, Denver/Boulder, Colorado. (2013, February 25) Local storm report. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. February 26, 2013.
3. Sagliani, A. (2013, February 26) Snowstorm clogs Missouri, Illinois highways. AccuWeather.com. Accessed February 26, 2013.

NASA image courtesy LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.

Instrument: 

Terra - MODIS

Early February Blizzard Buries Northeastern U.S.

A remarkably powerful blizzard brought heavy snow and strong winds to the northeastern portion of the United States on February 9, 2013. A collision of cold air from Canada with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico brought snowfalls that extended from northern New Jersey through Maine. The storm system was a typical winter storm system pattern known as a “nor‘easter”, but the weather conditions were far from typical, with snowfall totals not seen since a record blizzard in 1978. Some of the heaviest snowfalls were recorded in southern Connecticut where totals over 30 inches (90 cm) were reported in several cities, including nearly one meter (38 inches) in Milford, according to the National Weather Service.

The Suomi NPP satellite observed the storm system at around 2:17 pm local time (17:17 UTC) on February 9 as the storm system was sweeping out to sea off Cape Cod, leaving a wake of snow on the ground behind it. The classical spiral pattern in the clouds was centered well off to shore, but storm clouds extended up the entire northeastern coast, while clearing skies over northern New Jersey and southern New York revealed a snow-covered landscape.

References

• Recent Snowfall and Snow Depth Maps. NOAA/National Weather Service maps. Accessed February 9, 2013.
• Rodgers, M. (Feb 9, 2013). Wicked Winter Wonderland for Northeast, especially New England, Capital Weather Gang, Washington Post. Accessed February 9, 2013.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen, using VIIRS data from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. Suomi NPP is the result of a partnership between NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Defense. Data provided courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS). Caption by Jesse Allen

Instrument: 

Suomi NPP - VIIRS - NASA

Snow across the Northeastern United States

A nor’easter struck the northeastern United States on February 8–9, 2013, depositing snow across multiple states. After the clouds cleared on February 9, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image. Snow blanketed the ground from the East Coast westward past the Great Lakes, and a band of snow stretched southward into West Virginia.
The powerful storm brought not only heavy snow but also strong winds, downing trees and power lines along the U.S. East Coast. Some of the heaviest snowfall occurred in New England, with some areas receiving nearly 3 feet (1 meter) of snow, according to unofficial totals released by the National Weather Service.

1. References

2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2013, February 7) Know the dangers of nor’easters. Accessed February 11, 2013.
3. National Weather Service. (2013, February 10) Public Information Statement: Spotter Reports. Accessed February 11, 2013.

NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.

Instrument: 

Aqua - MODIS - NASA

Snow in New England

A powerful winter storm left New Englanders digging out from heavy snow in early February 2013. According to unofficial totals released by the National Weather Service, snowfall totaled up to 33.5 inches (85 centimeters) in Connecticut, 31.0 inches (79 centimeters) in Massachusetts, and 30.4 inches (77 centimeters) in New Hampshire.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this natural-color image on February 10, 2013. Through a partial veil of thin clouds, MODIS could detect snow cover stretching from the East Coast westward past Lake Ontario.
In addition to heavy snowfall, the storm also brought strong winds. Unofficial spotter reports from the National Weather Service listed gusts up to 83 miles (134 kilometers) per hour along the Massachusetts coast.

1. References

2. National Weather Service. (2013, February 10) Public Information Statement: Spotter Reports. Accessed February 11, 2013.

NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.

Instrument: 

Terra - MODIS - NASA

Early February Blizzard Buries Northeastern U.S.

A remarkably powerful blizzard brought heavy snow and strong winds to the northeastern portion of the United States on February 9, 2013. A collision of cold air from Canada with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico brought snowfalls that extended from northern New Jersey through Maine. The storm system was a typical winter storm system pattern known as a “nor‘easter”, but the weather conditions were far from typical, with snowfall totals not seen since a record blizzard in 1978. Some of the heaviest snowfalls were recorded in southern Connecticut where totals over 30 inches (90 cm) were reported in several cities, including nearly one meter (38 inches) in Milford, according to the National Weather Service.

The Suomi NPP satellite observed the storm system at around 2:17 pm local time (17:17 UTC) on February 9 as the storm system was sweeping out to sea off Cape Cod, leaving a wake of snow on the ground behind it. The classical spiral pattern in the clouds was centered well off to shore, but storm clouds extended up the entire northeastern coast, while clearing skies over northern New Jersey and southern New York revealed a snow-covered landscape.

References

• Recent Snowfall and Snow Depth Maps. NOAA/National Weather Service maps. Accessed February 9, 2013.
• Rodgers, M. (Feb 9, 2013). Wicked Winter Wonderland for Northeast, especially New England, Capital Weather Gang, Washington Post. Accessed February 9, 2013.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen, using VIIRS data from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. Suomi NPP is the result of a partnership between NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Defense. Data provided courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS). Caption by Jesse Allen

Instrument: 

Suomi NPP - VIIRS - NASA

Blizzard ‘Nemo’ strengthening as it moves into U.S. Northeast

The two storm systems are merging into one nasty blizzard for the Northeast U.S. Image Credit: GOES/NASA

The nor’easter, named “Nemo” by the Weather Channel, is currently evolving and growing in strength as it pushes closer to the U.S. Northeast. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for the entire state of New York. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has banned cars on roads after 4 p.m EST. New York City could see a foot of snow as the storm intensifies later tonight, and totals will only increase as you travel north and east. Two to three feet of snow is possible from Connecticut, to Massachusetts, and through southwestern Maine. Storm surge of two to four feet is still expected with coastal flooding becoming a major concern. Further north, winter storm warnings and watches are in effect for much of Newfoundland. Many areas across the Northeast have already picked up two to four inches of snow. Some areas in Vermont are reporting nine inches of snow, and the event is just beginning!

Read more HERE.

- EarthSky

Floods in Israel

After heavy rains, a deadly snow storm has hit parts of Israel, Palestine and Jordon causing power outages, structural and agricultural damage and death.

Since Thursday, at least 4inches (10cm) of snow has fallen in Jordan. Thousands of people are living in refugee camps due to freezing weather conditions.

Reportedly, two fatalities occurred in Lebanon during a flash flood. At least 46 people have been injured in road accidents across Jordan.

Several roads and schools have also been closed. Rescue efforts are on-going in the worst affected areas. The authorities are working alongside the army to help and rescue those severely stranded.

Middle Eastern Meteorological officials claim this disaster to be the worst storm to hit the region in 10 years.

- Disaster Charter

-41 Deg/C Experiment in Russia

Dozens die in Ukraine's cold snap

At least 83 people have died in Ukraine from a cold spell that has been gripping the country, officials say.

Temperatures as low as -23C (-9F) and heavy snowfall this month have left the capital Kiev and most of the country under a thick frozen layer.

In western areas, vehicles were trapped in a three-day traffic jam stretching at one point about 20km (12 miles).

The severe weather is also affecting neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania, where six people have reportedly died.

Meteorologists warn that the cold snap in the region could continue and temperatures may drop even further.

'Heating shelters'

On Friday, a senior official from Ukraine's health ministry said that 83 people were now known to have died from the cold. Most of the victims had been found on the streets.

Volodymyr Yurchenko also said that more than 500 people were still being treated in hospitals across the country.

Nearly 100 towns and villages across the country remain without electricity, and emergency crews are continuing their work to try to restore power.

Army units have also been deployed to help clear the snow on major motorways.

Thousands of "heating shelters" have been set up where those in need - particularly the homeless and the elderly - can receive a hot meal and a warm place to sleep.

But the authorities have been criticised for being slow to react to the adverse weather.

Not everyone is taken care of, critics say, and a number of homeless people know nothing about the emergencies shelters.

"I sleep in the cellar of an abandoned building. I have a roof over my head and nothing else," Dima, a homeless man in Kiev, told the BBC.

Last winter, more than 100 people died from the cold in Ukraine.

- BBC

Images: Snowfall - Drakensberg Mountains (15 September 2012)

@SAWDOS1- courtesy of @Camish52 snow at Cathedral Peak today

Cathedral Peak Hotel Web Cam

Sani Mountain Lodge ‏@Briansanipass - Still snowing , people still getting up the pass

School snow damage assessed

KZN Education says plans are underway to repair schools that were damaged by severe weather conditions two weeks ago.

Around 400 schools cancelled classes for several days earlier this month due to heavy snowfall and rain.

While most of the schools were able to re-open several days later, six in the Pinetown area and Umgungundlovu District were badly damaged when their roofs and walls collapsed.

The department's Muzi Mahlambi says classes have since resumed, however, principals have had to shuffle pupils around as parts of the schools are unusable.

Two of the damaged schools are high schools.

"Our infrastructure guys have been to the districts to ascertain the extent of the damage. We are hoping that we'll get their report very shortly.

"We are prioritising the matter because some of these schools are high schools; so we want by the time we start to write exams to have the full compliment of classes, so that we are able to spread students across all the classrooms," he said.

- East Coast Radio News

Cold-fronts and snow SW-Cape 19-20 & 21-22 August 2012

After a brief respite (Sat 18th), yet more cold-fronts are likely to reach the SW-Cape during the next week. None of these fronts is likely to extend very far inland. Yet another front is possible on Fri 24th, but highly uncertain at this stage (6 days in advance).

The first front is likely to arrive late on Sun 19th, bringing moderately heavy rain, and snow at high elevations (1600-1800m) on Mon 20th. See: www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/southafrica

The second front is likely to bring wet and windy conditions on Tues 21st, with more snow (there is still some uncertainty in the details). The 12Z GFS model run today (Sat 18th) shows the freezing-level down as low as 1200m on Wed 22nd, which would bring very widespread snow!

This custom GFS chart (96 hours ahead) shows the possible precipitation and freezing levels during the morning of Wed 22nd:

Compiled by Gordon Richardson - Stormchasing SA

Four missing in bad Cape weather

CAPE TOWN - Police divers are expected to continue their search for a seven-year-old boy, who is presumed to have drowned, today.

Dale Eastland fell into the Elsieskraal River in Thornton while playing with a friend on Wednesday.

The search was postponed on both Tuesday and Wednesday, due to bad weather conditions and rising water levels.

The Western Cape Education Department's Paddy Attwell says they are counselling Eastland's teachers and fellow pupils.

“Social workers from social development have provided trauma debriefing for the school staff and will continue to provide support as required.”

Meanwhile, the search for three men who presumably drowned after a fishing trip near Plettenberg Bay continues as well.

The police's Bernadine Steyn says: “The search continues in the form of foot-patrols conducted on the beach by SAPS.”

Attempts to find Western Cape paramedic Miriam Cekiso have also proved fruitless.

Cekiso went missing after her ambulance was swept into the Cogmanskloof River following heavy downpours in Montagu last week.

Metro EMS spokesperson Keri Davids says rescuers "went out and covered the same area, again on the Cogmanskloof River from Montagu into Ashton, to no prevail."

- EWN

Image: Snowfall at SALT in Sutherland (16 August 2012 08h08 SAST)

Image: Solaris - Sutherland (Click on image for larger view.)

Heavy rain leaves four dead in Cape Town

Cape Town - Four people, including three young boys, have drowned, five people remain missing and about 5 000 people were affected as hundreds of city homes flooded during a weekend of strong winds, heavy rain and low temperatures.

And more bad weather is on the way, according to Weather SA, which indicated heavy rain and gale-force winds were expected on Tuesday and on Wednesday before the cold front loses intensity on Thursday and Friday.

The city’s disaster response teams are to remain on high-alert.

The bodies of two nine-year-old boys, whose names have not yet been released, were retrieved from a swollen river on the Vredelus Farm near Worcester on Sunday afternoon.

“When we arrived on the scene, the bodies were already recovered,” Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokeswoman Keri Davids said.

Police spokesman FC van Wyk said: “It is believed the boys were playing near the river. An inquest docket has been opened.” The families have asked that the boys’ names not be released, he said.

Four men are still missing after their boat capsized in the Keurbooms River mouth near Plettenberg Bay on Friday.

Six people had been on the boat.

Two bodies, that of Leatitia Wildeman, 43, and her eight-year-old son Luan, were found on Saturday in a canal close to the Keurbooms Lake.

Jeffrey Wildeman, his brother Llewellyn, Henry Waits and Roland Figland, aged between 40 and 50, are still missing.

Police have taken over the search operation, said the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Craig Lambinon. Police have opened an inquest docket.

The search for paramedic Miriam Cekiso, 39, is also set to continue by police and EMS personnel once the water in the Cogmanskloof River subsides.

The vehicle Cekiso drove had veered off the R62 road, in Montagu and into the river a week ago.

The city’s disaster response teams assisted more than 5 200 people in 1 337 households at the weekend.

Fish Hoek, Kraaifontein, Blackheath and Nyanga were among the areas most affected, said disaster management spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes. He said heavyrainfall across the Cape Peninsula had resulted in low-lying areas being flooded and roofs being blown off homes.

Solomons-Johannes said Chapman’s Peak Drive had been closed since Friday night as a result of gale-force winds and the heavy rain.

The Cape Times visited the Happy Valley informal settlement in Blackheath on Sunday where just a fire and a few blankets were all a blind man and his family of four had to keep warm.

William and Enid Syers, both unemployed, had to place their beds on top of plastic crates to stop them from being soaked. The family had to throw away three bags of ruined clothing.

“It is horrible to live like this. It rains so hard and water comes through the ground. When it rains very hard I get so scared because I get the feeling that our roof will blow off or cave in at any moment,” Enid said as they were sweeping water out of their yard.

Another Happy Valley couple, Joseph and Martha van Rooyen, said the rain caused havoc every year, but there was “nothing we can really do”. The couple’s home was soaked with muddy water and they had to use buckets to scoop out the water. Their clothing, blankets, some of their food and a stove have been destroyed.

Happy Valley resident Patrick Manuel said Saturday’s storm was the worst he had ever experienced. His partner, Anita Andrews, gave birth to their child on Saturday night. “I was nervous and I did not know what to do because my wife was screaming with pain. To make it worse, the bed she was lying on was wet and cold,” he said.

The Cape Times had interviewed Andrews a month ago when heavy rains destroyed her clothes, cellphone, food and ID book. Clothes she had bought for the baby had been soaked. Manuel said some of their neighbours came to help Andrews, and later an ambulance took her to Macassar Day Hospital. “I don’t even know if it is a girl or boy. I don’t have money to go to her,” Manuel said. He said Andrews would live with her mother in nearby Greenfields, Blackheath, while he stays in the shack.

- Cape Times/IOL

Snowfall: Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve

More images at Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve

More weather chaos predicted in stormy Cape

The Cape of Storms lived up to its name at the weekend as gale-force winds, relentless downpours, and lightning clobbered the homes of thousands.

In the Eastern Cape, the cold and rain of the past few days claimed the lives of a mother and her three-month-old baby in a Transkei village.

Vuyelwa Qhasha, a 29-year-old from Lower Brooksnek village, in Mount Ayliff, was found dead, reportedly drowned. Her three-month-old daughter, Chuma, was found a day later, also drowned.

This took the number of people in the Transkei area killed by cold and storms last week to five.

Though the weather is expected to improve today, it's just the calm before yet another storm.

The Weather Service says another cold front will hit Western Cape tomorrow.

The next front affecting Eastern Cape is forecast for Wednesday.

Isolated showers and thundershowers are expected over the province.

Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre, said more than 5200 people were helped by relief teams on Saturday with -- among other necessities -- hot meals, clothing, blankets and roof sheeting.

Homes were flooded, roofs were blown off and Eskom transformers were damaged by lightening.

The affected areas included Bishop Lavis, Fish Hoek, Phillipi, Durbanville and Nyanga.

Yesterday, a 37-year-old Khayelitsha man was killed when his "back- yard structure" caught alight. Solomons-Johannes said he had been "burnt beyond recognition".

On Saturday, a Nyanga man was killed when his shack was destroyed by a fire.

Residents have been advised to dress warmly, seek medical attention if they have flu, and "keep a watchful eye" on open flames.

Dangerously fluctuating wind speed and direction, added to heavy rain caused the closure of Chapman's Peak Drive and people have been advised not to go hiking.

On Saturday, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille tweeted: "3 Eskom transformers damaged by lightning, affecting areas from Paarl to Cape Town. They are working to fix them. Apologies to all".

Eskom spokesman, Hillary Joffe could not be reached for comment.

Vanetia Phakula, a Weather Service forecaster, said extreme weather conditions for the rest of the country were not expected this week.

"Another cold front is coming and there is a 60% chance of rain [tomorrow] and on Wednesday.

The possibility might be higher than that but we'll know closer to the time," said Phakula.

"By Thursday it does start to moderate and on Friday, into the weekend, things will be much better."

The search for a missing Western Cape Emergency Medical Services worker from Montagu was hampered yesterday.

The woman, who was driving a non-emergency ambulance, crashed into the Kogmanskloof River on Tuesday.

Yesterday, EMS spokesman Keri Davids said the water level had risen so much that the search had been postponed because of "unsafe conditions".

The woman was to have collected patients in Ashton. - Additional reporting by Aphiwe de Klerk

- Times Live

Rain, snow and gale-force winds batter Cape

Residents of the Egoli informal settlement in the farmlands of Philippi battle with flooding after heavy rain. Picture: Leon Lestrade - WEEKEND ARGUS

Heavy rain and gale-force wind destroyed 900 shacks in Cape Town and left thousands of people across the Western Cape without power on Saturday.

Trees were uprooted, snow fell heavily in the Ceres area and on other high ground in the province, and Chapman’s Peak Drive was closed.

The NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) said swells of up to nine metres were expected overnight.

Disaster management handed out blankets and food parcels to about 3 500 people who lost their homes in informal settlements in Philippi, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Hout Bay, Phola Park, Masiphumelele, Lotus Park, Wallacedene and Happy Valley, said Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, a spokesman for Disaster Risk Management.

Eskom reported electricity breakdowns in Delft, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Table View and Plattekloof. Several Western Cape towns were without electricity on Saturday, including Somerset West, Grabouw, Caledon, Swellendam, Riversdale, George, Montagu, De Doorns, Worcester, Laingsburg, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Malmesbury, Vredendal, Piketberg, Ceres and Prieska.

Eskom spokesman Malcolm Caswell said unusually strong rain and wind had caused the “unplanned power cuts”.

Last night, Cape Town weather forecaster Nick Koegelenberg said the weather was clearing, but that another cold front would hit the Cape on Tuesday and “it seems it’s going to be severe”.

Jacquiline Pandaram, the director of the Western Cape Disaster Risk Management, said that minor rockfalls had been reported at the Tyger Valley Waterfront.

Trees had been uprooted in Worcester and stormwater drains were blocked in Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Roberto Blaisi from the Haven Night Shelter in District Six said they had between 30 and 50 walk-ins on Saturday night.

“Most of the homeless came in to escape the rain. They usually sleep under bridges or bushes or whatever shelter they can find, but this weekend’s rain and wind was too much for them.

“We provided shelter and meals and blankets to those we could and transferred others when we were full. We expect the numbers to continue to rise until the bitter weather subsides,” Blaisi said.

The Klondyke cherry farm near Ceres reported subzero temperatures in the Matroosberg mountains and heavy snowfalls.

The farm’s Didi de Kock said on Saturday: “Thick snow is falling. We had to postpone a wedding planned for today. We had to tell hikers who wanted to go into the mountain they couldn’t go because it was freezing.

“The wind was pumping the whole night, but there was no rain. Yesterday at 6am it started raining and it turned to snow from 8am,” De Kock said.

henriette.geldenhuys@inl.co.za

- Weekend Argus

Beautiful Harrismith

Image: VividMags via TrafficSA (Click on image for larger view.)