Monday, September 30, 2013

National Weather Summary for September 30,2013 from weatherunderground.com

Weather Underground midday recap for Monday,September 30,2013.

Moderate to heavy rain continued to batter down the Pacific Northwest on Monday, while a ridge of high pressure kept conditions pretty dry along the East Coast.

A slow moving cold front trekked through the Pacific Northwest and into the northern Rockies earlier today, as flash flood warnings were issued in Washington and Oregon. Due to how slow this system moved through the Northwest, rivers and streams became quite vulnerable to flooding. Heavy snow fell along elevated terrain, while western facing slopes in the Cascades and the northern Rockies experienced the heaviest snow. Rain also fell in parts of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California as a result of this cold front boundary. Strong winds accompanied the front, especially in the mountains. Meanwhile to the south, a ridge of high pressure continued to build over the four corners states. This provided warm, dry weather to much of the Great Basin and Southwest. To the east, a weakened stationary front inched over the southeast Plains and the Ohio River Valley as spotty thunderstorms formed over eastern Texas and Louisiana. The remainder of the Plains stayed relatively dry on Monday.

The Southeast, including the Florida panhandle, Alabama, and Georgia, also experienced spotty thunderstorms due to an onshore flow off of the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder of the East Coast experienced cool, dry conditions on Monday as a ridge of high pressure continued to build over the Mid-Atlantic States.

World Weather Hot Spot for September 30-October 1,2013 from accuweather.com

Mostar,Bosnia: Extremely heavy rain;received over 4 inches of rain in just 12 hours on Sunday (September 29,2013)

Today's Worst Weather for September 30,2013 from accuweather.com

Forked Island,Louisiana: Showers and Thunderstorms

This Date in Weather History for September 30,2013 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Monday,September 30,2013
1959 - Three tornadoes spawned by the remnants of Hurricane Gracie killed 12 persons at Ivy VA. (The Weather Channel)
1970 - A nineteen month drought in southern California came to a climax. The drought, which made brush and buildings tinder dry, set up the worst fire conditions in California history as hot Santa Anna winds sent the temperature soaring to 105 degrees at Los Angeles, and to 97 degrees at San Diego. During that last week of September whole communities of interior San Diego County were consumed by fire. Half a million acres were burned, and the fires caused fifty million dollars damage. (David Ludlum)
1977 - The temperature at Wichita Falls, TX, soared to 108 degrees to establish a record for September. (The Weather Channel)
1986 - Thunderstorms, which had inundated northern sections of Oklahoma with heavy rain, temporarily shifted southward producing 4 to 8 inches rains from Shawnee to Stilwell. Baseball size hail and 80 mph winds ripped through parts of southeast Oklahoma City, and thunderstorm winds caused more than half a million dollars damage at Shawnee. (Storm Data)
1987 - Afternoon thunderstorms in Michigan produced hail an inch in diameter at Pinckney, and wind gusts to 68 mph at Wyandotte. A thunderstorm in northern Indiana produced wet snow at South Bend. Seven cities in the northwestern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including readings of 98 degrees at Medford OR and 101 degrees at downtown Sacramento CA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Unseasonably warm weather prevailed over Florida, and in the western U.S. The afternoon high of 94 degrees at Fort Myers FL was their tenth record high for the month. Highs of 98 degrees at Medford OR and 99 degrees at Fresno CA were records for the date, and the temperature at Borrego Springs CA soared to 108 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Thirteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date, as readings soared into the upper 80s and 90s from the Northern and Central High Plains Region to Minnesota. Bismarck ND reported a record high of 95 degrees, and the temperature reached 97 degrees at Broadus MT. Afternoon thunderstorms developing along a cold front produced wind gusts to 60 mph at Wendover UT. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

WeatherWhys for September 30,2013 from accuweather.com

The main breeding ground for tropical cyclones in the central Atlantic shifts slightly westward during early October. Other regions that typically produce a named storm are the western Caribbean and near the Bahamas.

Japan Facing Possible Typhoon

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist
September 30,2013; 6:08PM,EDT
 
 
Tropical Depression 22W formed east of the Philippines on Monday and could become a typhoon later this week.
Warm ocean waters along with low wind shear will allow TD 22W to better organize over the next 24 hours. By Tuesday or Wednesday, TD 22W will become a tropical storm and take the name Fitow.
The storm is expected to continue to strengthen as it tracks northward during the middle of the week over the open western Pacific Ocean.

There is a high potential that this new tropical system will reach typhoon status as it tracks off to the north and northwest toward southern Japan later this week.
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High pressure will build to the north of Japan this week and this will eventually begin to steer the tropical toward the northwest later in the week. This projected track will result the center of the storm either passing through the northern Ryukyu Islands or into southern Japan this weekend.
Satellite image of Tropical Depression 22W to the east of the Philippines on Monday, courtesy of UW-CIMSS.
If the storm tracks into southern Japan, it would likely weaken as it interacts with the rugged terrain, but also bring the threat for flooding and mudslides along with damaging winds near the coast.
If a track farther south unfolds, then only minimal weakening would be expected and then another landfall in either northeastern China or the Korean Peninsula would be possible.
This would result in some flooding and mudslide threat across Japan as moisture is pulled into these areas, but the heaviest rainfall and greatest threat for flooding would be closer to wherever the storm makes land.
 

Atlanta: Dry and Seasonable Start to Week, Warmer Toward End

September 30,2013; 6:04PM,EDT
 
 
Dry and seasonable air will remain in place across the region to start the week, but warmer temperatures are expected by the middle of the week.
High pressure will remain in place across the region. A cold front will slowly move into the South, but will fizzle out before reaching Atlanta, keeping showers and cool air away.

Temperatures will top out in the upper 70s to around 80 to start the week with sun and a few clouds. Nighttime temperatures will drop down to around 60.
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Warmer air is expected to build in by the middle of the week with highs approaching the middle 80s. More clouds will be around for Wednesday, but sunnier conditions will move in toward the end of the week.
Folks heading to the Braves' playoff game against the Dodgers toward the end of the week will experience beautiful baseball weather.

On Social Media
AccuWeather.com
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While not unprecedented, an unusually early snow may be headed for the Upper Midwest: bit.ly/18G2l7U
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Tropical Depression 22W formed east of the Philippines, could

PHOTOS: Creeks Turn to Rivers as Northwest Flooding Continues

By Samantha-Rae Tuthill, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
September 30,2013; 6:00PM,EDT
 
 
Drenching rains spreading across the Northwest have been flooding creeks into rivers and popping manhole covers off of sewers.
An NWS-trained spotter near Coos Bay in Oregon recorded 6.21 inches of rain in two days. Mesonet recorded a 72-mph wind gust in Lincoln City, Ore., on Sept. 30. The Oregon Department of Highways has been reporting downed trees and debris across many parts of the state as the storms continue.
On Monday, this September became the wettest September on record for Seattle, Wash. The city recorded 6.05 inches of rain for the month.
According to AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Jason Nicholls, "The moisture and energy for Pabuk was absorbed into the system impacting the Northwest. The influx of this moisture rich feature added to an already wet system led to heavy rainfall. "
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Potential Tropical Troubles in the Caribbean, Gulf

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist
September 30,2013; 5:52PM,EDT
 
 
An area of thunderstorms to the south of Jamaica could organize into a tropical system this week. Environmental conditions are somewhat favorable for further development over the next few days.
This feature will slowly lift northward through early this week. Drenching thunderstorms will become more widespread across Jamaica and parts of Cuba as a result and localized flash flooding will threaten the region.
By midweek, this feature will then track across central or western Cuba before heading into the Gulf of Mexico.
This Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, satellite image of the Caribbean disturbance is from NOAA.
The system's strength and track in the long term is far from set in stone at this time.
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AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller stated that "the eventual track of the system will depend on whether or not the system gets picked up by a dip in the jet stream over the western Atlantic."

However, as the system moves northward into the central or eastern Gulf of Mexico later this week, disruptive winds are expected to weaken, favoring possible development. Water temperatures are also warm enough to support development.
Regardless of whether or not a named tropical system forms, tropical moisture will once again enhance rainfall across Florida. Flooding downpours could be a major concern, especially since the ground is already saturated.
 

Unusual Warmth: Minneapolis, Chicago This Week

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist
September 30,2013; 5:46PM,EDT
 
 
The large storm that has brought flooding rain and damaging winds to the Northwest this past weekend, will help drive unusually warm air into the Plains and Midwest early this week.
Virtually no rain will extend east of the Rockies after the storm exits the Northwest this week. The storm will head into Canada, but it will help create gusty, warm winds across the Plains and Midwest.
Southerly winds will usher in unusually warm air for this time of the year from the Midwest to eventually the Northeast this week.

Cities such as Rapid City, S.D., Minneapolis and Omaha will have AccuWeather.com RealFeel temperatures around 80 degrees Monday afternoon. Normal highs are around 70 degrees for these two cities.
Similar warmth will spread into St. Louis and Chicago on Tuesday before reaching Boston to New York City and Philadelphia on Wednesday.
In fact, Washington D.C. will have RealFeel temperatures approaching 90 by the middle of this week.
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Abundant sunshine will accompany the widespread warm-up.
The warm up is an anomaly at the very time of year where normal highs take a sharp downward trend.
The warm and virtually rain-free weather will be great for those ready to take advantage of any outdoor fall activities such as hiking, fishing, or hunting. However, this weather will generally be short-lived in most places. A new, rain-laden storm is forecast to take shape over the Plains and Midwest late this week.
On Social Media
WAVEJourney.com
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Our weather is crazy. Monsoon rains & huge wind storm. Feels more like dead of winter than beginning of Fall. Stay dry & warm :) .@1Dad1Kid
Henry Margusity
HenryMargusity
The storm in the northern Plains Fri/Sat could have winds up to 60 mph and heavy rains, Severe weather will be in the Midwest.
Wayne Mahar
WayneStormWatch
QUIET WEATHER NE-Midwest, but @PrecisionWeathr monitoring Heavy Rain Newfoundland & Storm Warnings off Alaska. Look.. cbc.ca/nl/webcam/webc…
 

Typhoon Pabuk Contributes to Flooding Rain in the Northwest

By , Expert Senior Meteorologist
September 30,2013; 5:43PM,EDT
 
 
The first powerful winterlike storm of the season has been inundating the Pacific Northwest with torrential rain, damaging winds and dangerous seas. Former Typhoon Pabuk's moisture helped drench the area on Sunday and more rain will continue into the early part of this week.
The storm grew into a monster over the Gulf of Alaska earlier this past week, where it eventually stalled. Winds of 40 to 60 mph roared over the ocean, raising 15- to 30-foot seas. The storm approached the Northwest this past weekend wreaking havoc on the region.

Strong winds resulted in downed trees and power lines in both Washington and Oregon on Saturday and Sunday. A wind gust of 85 mph was measured at Hurricane Ridge in Clallam County, Wash., on Sunday evening.
The storm will continue to impact the region early this week, but conditions will gradually improve by midweek.
Rain, Flooding
The risk for urban and small stream flooding, rockslides and rises on the major rivers will continue through Tuesday. The heaviest rain fell over the weekend, but moisture will continue to stream in over the next couple of days allowing for more showers and rain. Flooding along the short-run rivers off the Olympics and Cascades is still possible as well.

Rounds of windswept rain, urban flooding and poor visibility will lead to travel delays along the I-5 corridor and potentially at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and others.

Rainfall Totals Since Friday Morning

City, State
Rainfall Amount
Astoria, Ore.
6.99 inches
Olympia, Wash.
4.52 inches
Shelton, Wash.
4.26 inches
Bremerton, Wash.
3.97 inches
Brookings, Ore.
3.67 inches
Scappoose, Ore.
3.53 inches
Portland, Ore.
3.36 inches
Additional rain will bring storm totals to 4 to 8 inches (up to 200 mm) on the southwest-facing slopes of the Olympics and Cascades in Washington and the Vancouver Island Ranges Coast Mountains in British Columbia.

Elsewhere, from western Oregon through western British Columbia, a general storm total of 2 to 4 inches of rain is forecast. Much less rain will fall over central and eastern Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, but some rain will fall on these areas. Enough rain could fall to end the risk of wildfires once and for all this season.
RELATED:
Local Seattle Area Forecast
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Wind
South to southwest winds will continue to be strong enough to down some trees, cause minor property damage and lead to power outages through early Tuesday.
Wind gusts this weekend already reached at least 80 mph across Washington, Idaho and Montana.
Because of the wind direction from the south and southwest, this will not be the worst-case scenario for Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, Wash., and Portland, Ore.
There is also the potential for isolated thunderstorms to develop in the region. Any thunderstorms that form west of the Cascades could produce locally damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, even inland from the coast.
Snow
Snow levels remained rather high through the weekend, but they will gradually drop early this week to between 6,000 to 8,000 feet.
According to Meteorologist Brian Thompson, "Accumulating snow will generally remain above the passes, including Snoqualmie and I-90."
More than 7 inches of snow fell in Custer County, Idaho during an 18 hour period.
A couple of the high passes may have some wet snow mix in as the snow levels drop on Monday. However, hikers should avoid the peaks in the Cascades throughout the storm, where heavy snow remains likely.
Seas
Small craft should remain in port or within protective areas of the bays and straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca.
With a Gale Warning still in effect, seas will be very rough offshore and mariners should use caution. However, the south-to-southwest wind driving the waves will not bring the worst-case scenario to most coastal areas in terms of pounding surf and coastal erosion.
In some cases, the wind-wave action will be parallel to the coast. However, the worst effects are likely to be along the upper half of Vancouver Island that is exposed to south-southwest winds.
Record Wet September
Olympia Airport has had a record month for rainfall. As of 3 a.m. PDT on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, 7.98 inches of rain has fallen. This breaks the record of 7.59 inches which was set back in 1978. Individual day records were also broken. On Saturday, Olympia was drenched with 2.93 inches of rain making it the wettest September day on record. The old record stood at 1.67 inches.
Similarly, Seattle has had record rainfall. Saturday marked the wettest day on record after 1.71 inches fell. The previous record was 1.65 inches. The monthly record is being tested as well. As 3 a.m. PDT on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, 5.60 inches of rain has fallen at the observation site in Seattle. The record for the month is 5.95 inches which was set back in 1978. Additional rain on Monday could bring that total above that mark, which would set a new record. Either way, this month will go down in the record books as one of the wettest.

High Plains Aquifer in Danger of Running Out Amidst Extreme Drought

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
September 30,2013; 5:39PM,EDT
 
 
Farmers are more efficient in their use of water from the High Plains Aquifer in Kansas, but the resource is threatened by too much use and not enough water to recharge it.
It is a potential threat to the United States economy as Kansas Congressional District 1 has the highest total market value of agriculture products in the nation, a civil engineering professor at Kansas State University said.
The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer, is underneath parts of Kansas and seven other states, and covers about 174,000 square miles.
Some of the questions asked during a recent study of the aquifer were: "How long will the water last and how long would it take to recharge it?" according to David Steward of Kansas State, the lead author of the study, which was published on Sept. 10 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"There is more water being drawn than natural recharging can replace it. The water is going down. There are significant declines," Steward said.
The aquifer is 30 percent depleted and, under current projections, it will be down another 39 percent in 50 years.
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To put it in perspective, it would take between 500 and 1,000 years to completely recharge a depleted aquifer, Steward said.
The top three uses of the aquifer are: irrigation, mainly for corn crops; agricultural feeding operations; and municipal water.

The Kansas State researchers found that there will be significant declines in water pumping rates in the next 15 to 20 years but irrigated agricultural production may increase because of projected increases in water-use efficiencies of corn production.
Farmers use center-pivot irrigation instead of the previous flood irrigation.
"The farmers and the irrigators have adapted to the availability of the aquifer by being more efficient with the use of the water," he said.
Exacerbating the problem is a continuing drought. Most of the western third of Kansas is in severe to extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought conditions are also gripping portions of Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.
It is hard to tell whether there could be a Dust Bowl-type scenario in the area of the aquifer if current usage and weather conditions continue. It was something that was not looked at in the Kansas State research.
AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews said the extreme blowing dust of the Dust Bowl era resulted from agricultural practices, which left land exposed much of the year. These practices have been changed since that era.
"Can we have a return to these conditions? We certainly can," Andrews said. "Climate is cyclical and we can get stuck in a rut."
High Plains temperature and precipitation extremes from 1958 to 2010 showed no change, according to a 2012 analysis published in Earth Interactions, a publication of the American Meteorological Society. No trends were found in annual precipitation, extreme precipitation and short-term dry conditions.
The Kansas State research helps prepare the public for the future by educating them about the balance of today's livelihood with long-term needs, Steward said. It also helps to educate the next generation of civil engineers, agronomists and veterinarians in an environment of real-world problems.
 

Monsters of the Night Sky: Strange Constellations to See This Fall

By Geoff Gaherty, Starry Night Education
9/28/2013 9:50:15AM,EDT
 
 
As the constellations of summer depart from our sky, they are replaced by what are often called "the watery constellations." These include normal sea creatures like fishes and dolphins, and even Aquarius carrying a water jug.
Among these watery creatures are some strange creatures which we would call monsters: strange combinations of parts of unrelated animals.
The first to appear is Capricornus, the Sea Goat. Seen in the lower right of our chart looking southward on an autumn evening in the Northern Hemisphere, he combines the front end of a goat with the rear end of a fish. Most people would be hard pressed to see either a goat or a fish in this large triangular group of stars. I see it more as a tricorn hat turned upside down. The front end of the goat, to the right, is marked by two wide double stars, Algedi and Dabih, a fine sight in binoculars."Algedi" or "Al Giedi" is Arabic for "the goat." The rear end of the fish is marked by Deneb Algiedi, which translates from Arabic as "the tail of the goat." [Star Quiz: Test Your Stellar Smarts]
The constellations of autumn include some strange monsters like Capricornus, the Sea Goat, Cetus, the Sea Monster, and Pegasus, the Flying Horse. Credit: Starry Night Software
Much of our knowledge of ancient astronomy, along with mathematics and other sciences, has been passed down to us by medieval Arab scholars. In the process many of the old star names were translated into Arabic.
As a result, astronomers learn a bit of Arabic. "Deneb" is Arabic for tail, so turns up in many star names in constellations derived from animals. The most famous is Deneb in Cygnus, marking the tail of the Swan.
"Al" is Arabic for "the" and turns up in many scientific words like "algebra," "alcohol," and "alkali."
In the lower left corner of our chart we find another monster, Cetus. Modern astronomy books usually translate this as "the whale," but our chart shows a much stranger creature. it has the head of a dragon, webbed feet, and a fishy tail. This tail is marked by one of the few bright stars in this part of the sky, Deneb Kaitos. With our new knowledge of Arabic, we can translate this easily as "the tail of the whale."
Buried in the heart of Cetus is a remarkable star called Mira, which means "wonderful" in Latin. This was discovered by David Fabricius in 1596 to be a star which varies in brightness, one of the first variable stars to be discovered.
Flying high above these watery creatures is yet another monster, a horse with wings called the Pegasus constellation. This is probably one of the most familiar mythological creatures, so familiar that most people never think of how strange a flying horse would be. The celestial flying horse is marked by four fairly bright stars forming an almost perfect square, the Square of Pegasus.
When I first went looking for Pegasus in the sky, I made a common beginner's error. Because I was using a small star chart, I looked for a small square of stars in the sky, and totally missed it. The constellations in the sky are much larger than they appear on star charts. So look for a really large square of stars.
Actually, only three of the four stars in the Square are part of Pegasus. The star in the upper left corner is Alpheratz, actually part of the constellation of Andromeda. But that is another story.
This article was provided to SPACE.com by Starry Night Education, the leader in space science curriculum solutions. Follow Starry Night on Twitter @StarryNightEdu.
Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 
 

Tropical Storm Jerry Forms in Atlantic

September 30,2013; 5:57PM,EDT
 
 
Tropical Storm Jerry has become the 10th named storm and is spinning in the wide open central Atlantic away from land on Monday morning.
Tropical Depression Eleven strengthened into a minimal Tropical Storm Monday morning.
However, the current position and movement of the system will keep it well away from land.
@wxbrad tweeted: "Tropical Storm #Jerry has formed , zero threat to any land & sucking in some dust right now. http://twitpic.com/dfjkmh" More Relevant Tweets and Social Media Reaction
It is moving to the east and is expected to gradually turn to the south late on Monday before shifting back to the west Tuesday.
This NOAA satellite shows Tropical Storm Jerry over the open waters of the Atlantic on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013.
Steering currents for the storm are weak and will allow it to stick around in the same area for a few days. From that point, there are two scenarios that could play out.
One scenario has the storm getting swept out by a passing disturbance to the north towards the end of the week. The other scenario has the storm slowly drifting west, but eventually fizzling out due to unfavorable winds aloft.
In both cases, the storm will not be affecting any land. The only threat will be rough seas in the vicinity of the system.
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The rest of the central and eastern Atlantic will remain quiet through at least midweek.
AccuWeather.com meteorologists are keeping an eye on a disturbance in the Caribbean, however.
An area of thunderstorms has ignited across the central and western Caribbean Sea and environmental conditions are favorable for further development over the next few days.
 

Storm to Bring First Snow of the Season to Upper Midwest

By Courtney Spamer, Meteorologist
September 30,2013; 5:55PM,EDT
 
 
The storm dumping heavy rain on the Northwest will take aim at the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, bringing the potential for the first snow of the season.
Waves of downpours will continue to push into the Pacific Northwest through the middle of the week.
After the first wave of rain is scooped up into Canada, the second round will head for the northern Plains on Thursday with cooler air to follow.
The moisture colliding with the cool air will bring the chance for falling snow from the northern Rockies to the Great Lakes.

Cool air from Canada will wrap in behind the developing low across Montana, Wyoming and northern Colorado. Several inches of snow is possible, especially in higher elevations of the northern Rockies.
@HenryMargusity tweeted: "The storm in the northern Plains Fri/Sat could have winds up to 60 mph and heavy rains, Severe weather will be in the Midwest." More Relevant Tweets and Social Media Reaction
However, across eastern Nebraska, Iowa and southern Wisconsin, the air will likely be too warm for more than a few wet snowflakes. Gusting winds will also be a factor, with the potential to gusts over 40 mph across the Plains.
By late in the week, the storm has the chance to become more organized over the Plains. If this happens, more snow will fall, even in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota by week's end.
If even an inch of snow falls in northern Minnesota, it would be unusual for the first week in October. The average first measurable snowfall in Duluth, Minn., is not until Oct. 24.
Measurable snow would not be unprecedented, however. The earliest measurable snow for a season in Duluth occurred on Sept. 18, 1991.
Across Colorado, some ski resorts are taking advantage of the cool weather and already making snow. In preparation for the 2013-14 ski season, Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area plan to make snow for as long as conditions allow, according to a press release by Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA).
As AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Jillian MacMath explained when introducing the fall forecast, the shots of cold air across the northern Plains will come later in the season. The warmer air settled over Iowa and Nebraska explains why snow is unlikely across these areas with the upcoming storm.
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Typhoon Pabuk Contributes to Northwest Flooding

As AccuWeather.com meteorologists predicted earlier this year, the fall season has started off wet in the Pacific Northwest.
Moisture contributed by Typhoon Pabuk, brought flooding rains to the Northwest this weekend. In addition to wind gusts in excess of 80 mph, parts of Oregon and Washington have been inundated by more than 4 inches of rain.
 

Sunday, September 29, 2013

National Weather Summary for September 29,2013 from weatherunderground.com

Weather Underground midday recap for Sunday,September 29,2013.

A strong cold front boundary ushered heavy rain and strong winds into the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, while clear, dry conditions persisted along the Eastern Seaboard.

Flash flood warnings were issued in northern California, Oregon, and Washington as a slow moving cold front boundary inched across the region. Strong winds also accompanied the cold front, especially along mountain slopes. Heavy snow fell in the Cascades and northern Rockies, particularly along Western facing slopes. The Southwest, as well as the majority of the Great Basin, avoided precipitation earlier today as a ridge of high pressure drew warm, dry conditions into the area. Palm Springs, California recorded a mid day high of 90 degrees, which was the warmest spot in the nation on Sunday.

Just to the east of the Great Basin, a cold front boundary stretched from Texas to Michigan, and was accompanied by moderate showers and thunderstorms. The strongest thunderstorms associated with this cold front boundary moved over eastern Texas and Louisiana, as New Braunfels, Texas recorded around four inches of rain on Sunday. Spotty Thunderstorms also impacted parts of Florida, but were a result of an onshore flow from the Atlantic.

The remainder of the East Coast felt the effects of a high pressure system over the Mid-Atlantic states. Temperatures remained in the 60s and 70s during the early afternoon, and humidity levels stayed low.

Today's Worst Weather for September 29,2013 from accuweather.com

Eel Lake,Oregon: Heavy,windswept rain

This Day In Weather History for September 29,2013 from accuweather.com

Reno, NV (1982)
Snow fell for the first time in 93 years in the month of September. Town received 1.5 inches the night before, surpassing the old record of 0.5 inches set back in 1889.
St. Louis, MO (1927)
Tornado 300 feet across with a 4-mile path crossed river. Twister killed 72, caused $22 million damage. Total of 81 dead from outbreak and $25 million damage.
Green Mts., VT (1991)
Snow flurries briefly whitened the ground and automobiles.

Seattle to Dry Out by Mid-Week

By Brian Thompson, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 7:01PM,EDT
 
 
After a soggy weekend, rain will slowly diminish through mid-week for the Seattle area.
The jet stream, a riverlike feature of fast winds in the upper atmosphere, is beginning to strengthen and dip farther south as the season changes. This is pulling more disturbances into the Pacific Northwest and will be the continuing trend.
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United States Flight Delays

The month of September has already been a soaker in the weather books. Seattle normally has about 1.5 inches in the month of September. As of Sept. 28, the gauge reads 4.78 inches.
Snow levels in the Cascades will lower to around 6,000 feet by Monday. Significant snow is generally expected to remain above pass level for most locations, so major travel problems are not anticipated due to the snow.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday are expected to be dry with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.
 

Heat Rising Again in Dallas

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
September 29,2013; 6:51PM,EDT
 
 
Heat will return to the Dallas/Fort Worth area this week.
After a partly sunny day on Monday with highs in the upper 80s, the mercury is expected to top 90 degrees Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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The next chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected late Thursday night through Friday afternoon. Saturday will feature plenty of sunshine with a high in the low 80s.
 

More Sunshine Heading Into October for San Francisco

By Kristen Rodman, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
September 29,2013; 6:43PM,EDT
 
 
San Francisco's sunny weather will not change heading into October.
Temperatures will rise into the low 70s and remain there through the first week of October. Mostly sunny skies will be the theme for the week as almost every day will feature sunshine.

The next chance of a shower is on Saturday.
 

Patchy Monday Morning Fog in DC

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 5:54PM,EDT
 
 
An ocean storm well off of the East Coast will not threaten the Washington D.C., area through early this week, but patchy fog may bring some disruptions for the Monday morning commute.
Monday morning, most fog should stay away from the District and Reagan National, but it could pose problems for travelers coming into the city from the north and west. Aside from the morning fog, no widespread weather-related travel delays will occur early this week. In fact, it will be tranquil with a mixture of sunshine and clouds.

It will be rather warm for the most part early this week with afternoon highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. However, it will turn unusually warm Wednesday and Thursday as peak AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures approach 90 during the afternoons.
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Rain-free weather will accompany the warming weather this week.
 

Unusual Warmth: Minneapolis, Chicago This Week

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 5:50PM,EDT
 
 
The large storm that has brought flooding rain and damaging winds to the Northwest this past weekend, will help drive unusually warm air into the Plains and Midwest early this week.
Virtually no rain will extend east of the Rockies after the storm exits the Northwest this week. The storm will head into Canada, but it will help create gusty, warm winds across the Plains and Midwest.
Southerly winds will usher in unusually warm air for this time of the year from the Midwest to eventually the Northeast this week.

Cities such as Rapid City, S.D., Minneapolis and Omaha will have AccuWeather.com RealFeel temperatures around 80 degrees Monday afternoon. Normal highs are around 70 degrees for these two cities.
Similar warmth will spread into St. Louis and Chicago on Tuesday before reaching Boston to New York City and Philadelphia on Wednesday.
In fact, Washington D.C. will have RealFeel temperatures approaching 90 by the middle of this week.
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Abundant sunshine will accompany the widespread warm-up.
The warm up is an anomaly at the very time of year where normal highs take a sharp downward trend.
The warm and virtually rain-free weather will be great for those ready to take advantage of any outdoor fall activities such as hiking, fishing, or hunting. However, this weather will generally be short-lived in most places. A new, rain-laden storm is forecast to take shape over the Plains and Midwest late this week.
 

Fog to Muddle Boston Monday Morning Commute

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 5:44PM,EDT
 
 
 
An ocean storm that has been threatening a cloudy, rainy early week period for Boston will pass far enough east on Monday to keep the inclement weather away. However, fog may bring some disruptions early Monday.
No widespread weather-related travel hazards are anticipated in the Boston area through the Monday morning commute. The exception will be some patches of fog that will reduce visibilities for anyone traveling into or out of the city. Monday morning flights could encounter some early delays from the fog.

While travel on land will largely be void of weather delays, small crafts could encounter some choppy waters as the ocean storm churns offshore. Any small craft operators should exercise caution through at least Tuesday until the ocean storm moves far away.
RELATED:
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Temperatures will be seasonable for the most part early this week with afternoon highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s with overnight lows in the mid-50s. However, it will turn unusually warm Wednesday and Thursday as AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures peak around 80 during the afternoons.
Rain-free weather will accompany the warming weather this week.

On Social Media
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breakingweather
52 mph wind gust near Missoula, MT as large storm rattles the Northwest ow.ly/pjCz1
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Breaking: Northwest Remains Unsettled
Heavy showers affect I-5 from Seattle to Portland.
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Flagstaff, AZ is only 1 degree warmer than Barrow, AK. 31 and 30 respectively.
Dan DePodwin
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Thunder in Astoria, Ore. this morning at the coast as the 2nd round of wind-whipped rain moves into Pac NW.
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Unusual Warmth: Minneapolis, Chicago This Week
The large storm that has brought flooding rain and damaging winds to the Northwest this past weekend, will help drive unusually warm air int...
AccuWeather.com
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Follow the rain across Texas this Sunday morning: ow.ly/pjtfC

Sunshine Expected Mid-Week in Cleveland

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
September 29,2013; 5:40PM,EDT
 
 
A shower could linger into Monday, but sunshine will return by Tuesday in the Ohio Valley.
Dry weather is expected to hold through Friday in Cleveland with daytime highs in the mid-70s.
RELATED:
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Northeast Regional Weather Radar

A storm system is expected to move through the region Friday and Saturday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms each day. There will be a major cool-down on Saturday with the high struggling to get into the low 60s.

On Social Media
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52 mph wind gust near Missoula, MT as large storm rattles the Northwest ow.ly/pjCz1
AccuWeather.com Videos
Breaking: Northwest Remains Unsettled
Heavy showers affect I-5 from Seattle to Portland.
 

New Depression Forms in Atlantic, No Threat to Land

September 29,2013; 5:34PM,EDT
 
 
 
Tropical Depression 11 has formed in the central Atlantic on Sunday morning, but poses no threat to land.
Further strengthening is expected and this system will likely turn into a weak tropical storm.
If it does, it will be the 10th named storm of the Atlantic season and will acquire the name Jerry.
The current position and movement of the system will keep it well away from land.
It is moving to the northeast and is expected to gradually turn to the east late on Sunday before shifting back to the west early this week.

Steering currents for the storm are weak and will allow it to stick around in the same area for a few days. From that point, there are two scenarios that could play out.
One scenario has the storm getting swept out by a passing disturbance to the north towards the end of the week. The other scenario has the storm slowly drifting west, but eventually fizzling out due to unfavorable winds aloft.
In both cases, the storm will not be affecting any land. The only threat will be rough seas in the vicinity of the system.
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Atlantic Storm to Brush New England, Aim at Canada

The rest of the central and eastern Atlantic will remain quiet through at least the early part of next week.
AccuWeather.com meteorologists are keeping an eye on a disturbance in the Caribbean, however.
An area of thunderstorms has ignited across the southwestern Caribbean Sea and environmental conditions are favorable for further development over the next few days.
Two scenarios are possible with this disturbance early in the coming week. One includes the system tracking northward across Cuba and through the Bahamas, while the other has it moving into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Each scenario has the potential for land impacts. This disturbance will be monitored closely over the coming days.

On Social Media
WXII 12 Weather
wxiiweather
Tropical Depression 11 formed tonight in the central Atlantic and will likely remain away from land. Nice days ahead and warming!
Eric Holthaus
EricHolthaus
Euro trending toward GFS in bringing weekend Atlantic hybrid storm threat out to sea. Key will be how much Pac NW storm speeds jetstream.
Evan Stewart
13EvanStewart
Tropical Depression #11 has formed in the central Atlantic - no threat to land. #hrweather pic.twitter.com/M3pSvTDmWT
Storm Team 8 WFLA-TV
StormTeam8WFLA
TD 11 has formed in the open Atlantic. This system is no threat to us and will remain at sea. pic.twitter.com/0B8ScYnsB4

Dry, Sunny Weather for Minneapolis into Early This Week

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 5:32PM,EDT
 
 
After weekend rain, a much drier and more comfortable air mass is moving into the northern Plains for early this week.
Daytime highs on Monday will rise to a very comfortable 78 degrees underneath plenty of sunshine.
The beautiful weather will persist through Wednesday before a potent storm system brings rain and thunderstorms to the region Thursday and Friday.
RELATED:
Minneapolis Radar
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Forecast Temperature Maps

Partly sunny skies will return on Saturday but it will be much cooler with a high of only 60.
 

Fog to Muddle Harrisburg Monday Morning Commute

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist
September 29,2013; 5:26PM,EDT
 
 
 
Fog will bring some disruptions to the Harrisburg Monday morning commute in an otherwise tranquil stretch of weather.
Patchy fog will diminish visibility, severely in some cases, early Monday morning for commuters in the capital region. The threat for areas of morning fog will be rather widespread across central Pennsylvania, impacting the commute for travelers from surrounding areas as well.

Aside from the morning fog, no widespread weather-related travel delays will occur early this week. In fact, it will be tranquil with a mixture of sunshine and clouds.
Temperatures will be rather warm for this time of the year with afternoon highs in the 70s and overnight lows in the mid- to upper 50s early this week. However, it will turn even warmer Wednesday and Thursday as AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures approach the mid-80s during the afternoons.
RELATED:
Pennsylvania/New Jersey Satellite Photo Loop
Hourly Forecast for Harrisburg
Harrisburg's 45-Day Forecast

Rain-free weather will accompany the warming weather this week.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Winterlike Storm Threatens Major Flooding in Northwest

The first powerful winterlike storm of the season will take aim on the Pacific Northwest Friday into Monday with potentially disastrous flooding, damaging winds and dangerous seas.
The storm will cross Alaska Thursday with gusty winds, rain and mountain snow, but will grow into a monster over the Gulf of Alaska Friday, where it will stall over the weekend. Winds of 40 to 60 mph will roar over the ocean raising 15- to 30-foot seas.
As the storm expands southward and eastward, it will spread heavy rain, flooding, travel delays, high winds, pounding surf and rough seas first to British Columbia, then to Washington and Oregon and finally to northernmost California.

The worst conditions are likely to stay north of California, and will instead target areas farther north on Saturday with another heavy dose later Sunday into Sunday night. The pulse of rain Sunday night will be associated with some of the leftover moisture from the former Western Pacific Typhoon Pabuk that brushed near Japan this past week.
@SaleskyKATU tweeted: "Everything points to one of the strongest fall storms in recent memory."More Relevant Tweets and Social Media Reaction
Rain, Flooding
Enough rain will fall to cause urban flooding and small stream flooding, rockslides and rises on the major rivers. Flooding along the short-run rivers off the Olympics and Cascades is possible later this weekend.

Rounds of windswept rain, urban flooding and poor visibility will lead to travel delays along the I-5 corridor and potentially at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and others.
The heaviest rain, on the order of 4 to 8 inches (up to 200 mm) will fall on the southwest-facing slopes of the Olympics and Cascades in Washington and the Vancouver Island Ranges Coast Mountains in British Columbia.

Elsewhere, from western Oregon through western British Columbia, a general 2 to 4 inches of rain is forecast. Much less rain will fall over central and eastern Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, but some rain will fall on these areas. Enough rain could fall to end the risk of wildfires once and for all this season.
Rounds of heavy rain and gusty winds may be a factor for college football games in Seattle, Eugene and Corvallis, Ore., and other locations in the region. The Huskies, Ducks, Beavers and Cougars are all at home Saturday.
Wind
South-to-southwest winds can be strong enough to down some trees, cause minor property damage and lead to power outages.
Wind gusts along the northwestern part of Vancouver Island and parts of the Washington and British Columbia coasts can reach between 50 and 60 mph. Gusts can be locally higher on the ridges.
Because of the wind direction from the south and southwest, this will not be the worst-case scenario for Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, Wash., and Portland, Ore.
Snow
Unlike many storms in the winter, snow levels with this storm will remain rather high ranging from 7,000 to 8,500 feet.
According to Meteorologist Brian Thompson, "Accumulating snow will generally remain above the passes, including Snoqualmie and I-90."
Snow levels will drop during the latter stages of the storm, Sunday night and Monday, when wet snow can mix in over the higher passes. However, hikers should avoid the peaks in the Cascades throughout the storm, where blizzard conditions are likely.
Seas
Small craft should remain in port or within protective areas of the bays and straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca.
While seas will be very rough offshore, the south-to-southwest wind driving the waves will not bring the worst-case scenario to most coastal areas in terms of pounding surf and coastal erosion.
In some cases, the wind-wave action will be parallel to the coast. However, the worst effects are likely to be along the upper half of Vancouver Island that is exposed to south to southwest winds.
Record Wet September Possible
Enough rain could fall at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for this September to rank in the top-five wettest on record. According to the National Weather Service, the wettest September on record at the airport was in 1978, when 5.95 inches fell. As of Thursday, Sept, 26, 2013, 3.03 inches of rain have fallen at the site. This September could be the new record-holder.
Similarly, Olympia Airport, Wash., could achieve a top five or record rainfall for September. In 1978, the month brought a record 7.59 inches. The fifth-wettest September was in 1977, when 4.58 inches fell. As of Thursday, 3.92 inches of rain have fallen at the site