Disaster weary Japan suffered another blow with the arrival of Typhoon Talas. The storm, now downgraded to a tropical storm, claimed the lives of at least 34 people making it the deadliest storm to hit the nation since 2004…
United States sees record-setting number of billion dollar disasters in 2011
According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the U.S. has seen a record number of billion dollar disasters in 2011. Thus far this year the nation has seen 10 such disasters and with hurricane season far from over, it seems likely the number will grow.
The events range from the Groundhog Day Blizzard to Hurricane Irene’s recent devastating blow to the East Coast. In all, the disasters represent more than $35 billion in losses and that is no including Irene’s yet to be determined toll.
Below is the list and narrative for each disaster from the NCDC. For the latest disaster news, be sure to check out the Natural Disasters Examiner.
Hurricane Irene, August 20-29, 2011 While it will take several months to determine an accurate estimate of the damage from Hurricane Irene, there is no question it will rank as the 10th billion-dollar weather event of the year. This 10th U.S. billion-dollar disaster officially breaks the annual record dating back to 1980.
Upper Midwest Flooding, Summer, 2011 Melting of an above-average snow pack across the Northern Rocky Mountains combined with above-average precipitation caused the Missouri and Souris Rivers to swell beyond their banks across the Upper Midwest (MT, ND, SD, NE, IA, KS, MO). An estimated 11,000 people were forced to evacuate Minot, North Dakota due to the record high water level of the Souris River, where 4,000 homes were flooded. Numerous levees were breached along the Missouri River, flooding thousands of acres of farmland. Estimated losses exceed $2.0 billion as the event continues to unfold (as of 8/15). The flooding also stretched into the Canadian Prairies, where property and agriculture losses were expected to surpass $1.0 billion, at least 5 deaths.
Mississippi River flooding, Spring-Summer, 2011 Persistent rainfall (nearly 300 percent normal precipitation amounts in the Ohio Valley) combined with melting snowpack caused historical flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Estimated economic loss ranges from $2.0-4.0 billion; at least 2 deaths. Below are more detailed stats, which are preliminary, as the event continues to unfold (as of 8/15): $500 million to agriculture in Arkansas; $320 million in damage to Memphis, Tennessee; $800 million to agriculture in Mississippi; $317 million to agriculture and property in Missouri’s Birds Point-New Madrid Spillway; $80 million for the first 30 days of flood fighting efforts in Louisiana.
Southern Plains/Southwest Drought, Heatwave, & Wildfires, Spring-Summer, 2011 Drought, heatwave, and wildfires have created major impacts across the Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Kansas, and western Arkansas and Louisiana. In Texas and Oklahoma, respectively, 75% and 63% of range and pasture conditions were classified in ‘very poor’ condition as of mid-August. Wildfire fighting/suppression costs for the region are also ~$1 million / day with over 2,000 homes and structures lost. The total direct losses (as of August 15) to agriculture, cattle and structures are well over $5.0 billion; both direct and total economic losses will rise dramatically as the event continues.
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes, May 22-27, 2011 Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (MO, TX, OK, KS, AR, GA, TN, VA, KY, IN, IL, OH, WI, MN, PA) with an estimated 180 tornadoes and 177 deaths. Notably, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, MO resulting in at least 141 deaths, making it the deadliest single tornado to strike the U.S. since modern tornado record keeping began in 1950. Over $4.9 billion insured losses for event; total losses greater than $7.0 billion; 177 deaths.
Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes, April 25-30, 2011 Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (AL, AR, LA, MS, GA, TN, VA, KY, IL, MO, OH, TX, OK) with an estimated 305 tornadoes and 327 deaths. Of those fatalities, 240 occurred in Alabama. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak, an EF-5, hit northern Alabama, killing 78 people. Several major metropolitan areas were directly impacted by strong tornadoes including Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville in Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee, causing the estimated damage costs to soar. Over $6.6 billion insured losses; total losses greater than $9.0 billion; 327 deaths.
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes, April 14-16, 2011 Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (OK, TX, AR, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, VA, PA) with an estimated 160 tornadoes. Despite the large overall number of tornadoes, few were classified as intense, with just 14 EF-3, and no EF-4 or EF-5 tornadoes identified. Over $1.4 billion insured losses; total losses greater than $2.0 billion; 38 deaths [22 of which were in North Carolina].
Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes, April 8-11, 2011 Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (NC, SC, TN, AL, TX, OK, KS, IA, WI) with an estimated 59 tornadoes. Over $1.5 billion insured losses; total losses greater than $2.2 billion; numerous injuries, 0 deaths.
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes, April 4-5, 2011 Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (KS, MO, IA, IL, WI, KY, GA, TN, NC, SC) with an estimated 46 tornadoes. Over $1.6 billion insured losses; total losses greater than $2.3 billion; 9 deaths.
Groundhog Day Blizzard, Jan 29-Feb 3, 2011 Large winter storm impacting many central, eastern and northeastern states. The city of Chicago was brought to a virtual standstill as between 1 and 2 feet of snow fell over the area. Insured losses greater than $1.1 billion; total losses greater than $2.0 billion; 36 deaths.
August 2011 weather recap – An extraordinarily hot and dry August
You didn’t need to know the statistics to be well aware that August was unusually warm and dry in Thornton and Denver. The month saw little precipitation and record setting temperatures became commonplace, particularly in the latter half of the month.
For moisture, Denver recorded a mere 0.30 inch in the rain bucket at Denver International Airport. This was 1.27 inches below the normal of 1.57 inches. The month barely missed making the list of top 10 driest Augusts by only 0.02 inch.
Afternoon thunderstorms were seen 12 times at DIA but only one brought measurable precipitation. The storms were typically high-based and yielded little more than wind.
Thornton followed DIA’s lead with little precipitation as we only saw 0.27 inch during the month.
Temperatures were the real weather story for August 2011 as rather than seeing cooler temperatures through the month like normal, the mercury stayed exceedingly high.
Overall DIA saw an average temperature of 77.0 degrees making it the hottest August on record. This surpassed the previous record August from 1937 when 76.8 degrees was seen. The month also went into the record books as the sixth warmest month ever recorded in Denver.
Temperatures ranged from a high of 99 degrees on the 25th down to a low of 55 degrees on the 20th. Through August 31st, Denver had seen 71 consecutive days of 80 degrees or warmer weather. This easily bested the previous longest streak of 59 days set in 2002.
Seven individual temperature records were set during the month. These included a tied record high on the 18th of 98 degrees last set in 1986; the 23rd tied the record high of 98; the 24th set a new record high for the date of 98 degrees; the 25th set a new record high of 99 degrees; the 28th set a record high of 96 degrees; the 28th saw a record high minimum of 67 degrees; the 31st tied the record high of 98 degrees.
Here in Thornton we were certainly hot but not nearly as much so as DIA. We recorded an average temperature of 74 degrees. Our warmest reading was 96.2 degrees and our coolest was 54. In all we saw 20 days with temperatures of 90 degrees or warmer.
While the high temperatures were notable, DIA benefits from later arrival of the typical afternoon thunderstorms due to its location further east of the rest of Denver. This certainly aided in the airport recording higher temperatures than anywhere else in the metro area. For more on that story, check out the Denver Weather Examiner.
Below are the official Denver weather statistics for August 2011. Click here to view Thornton’s August 2011 climate summary.
CLIMATE REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
430 PM MDT FRI SEP 2 2011
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2011...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2011
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR'S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 105 08/08/1878
LOW 40 08/26/1910
08/25/1910
08/24/1910
HIGHEST 99 08/25 105 -6 97 08/22
LOWEST 55 08/20 40 15 47 08/17
AVG. MAXIMUM 92.7 87.2 5.5 88.6
AVG. MINIMUM 61.3 57.9 3.4 59.0
MEAN 77.0 72.5 4.5 73.8
DAYS MAX >= 90 22 11.5 10.5 12
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD MAXIMUM 5.85 1979 MINIMUM 0.02 1924 TOTALS 0.30 1.57 -1.27 1.05 DAILY AVG. 0.01 0.05 -0.04 0.03 DAYS >= .01 3 8.6 -5.6 6 DAYS >= .10 1 4.3 -3.3 3 DAYS >= .50 0 1.2 -1.2 1 DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.3 -0.3 0 GREATEST 24 HR. TOTAL 0.27 08/03 TO 08/03 0.68 08/01/10 TO 08/01/10
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 0.0 NO SNOW EVER RECORDED IN AUGUST
TOTALS 0.0 NO SNOW EVER RECORDED IN AUGUST
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 0 5 -5 0
SINCE 7/1 0 11 -11 3
COOLING TOTAL 382 244 138 280
SINCE 1/1 863 688 175 762
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
..................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 8.8
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 3/202
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 39/180 DATE 08/31 38/190 08/12
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 48/200 DATE 08/31 45/340 08/12
08/16
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM (NO LONGER RECORDED)
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 4
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 26
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 1
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 41
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 0 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 1 RAIN 1
LIGHT RAIN 8 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 4 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 1
HAZE 5
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
September 4 to September 10 – This Week in Denver Weather History
The first full week of September sees us start one of the most pleasant times of year in Denver. While less common this time year, severe weather can and does occur. Our look back at this week in Denver weather history includes hail, damaging wind and even smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away.
From the National Weather Service
1-5
In 1995…record breaking heat occurred on the first 5 days of the month when the temperature climbed into the 90’s on each day. Record high temperatures of 97 degrees on both the 1st and 4th equaled the all-time record maximum for the month. High temperature of 95 degrees on the 3rd was a record for the date. High temperatures of 94 degrees on both the 2nd and the 5th were not records. The low temperature of 64 degrees on the 4th equaled the record high minimum for the date.
1-7
In 1978…the temperature reached 90 degrees or more on seven consecutive days with the highest temperature…94 degrees… Recorded on both the 4th and 6th.
3-6
In 1909…rainfall for the 4 days accumulated to 3.97 inches in Boulder…while in Denver rainfall totaled 2.45 inches on the 4th…5th…and 6th.
4
In 1909…apparent post-frontal heavy rainfall totaled 1.94 inches in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 19 mph.
In 1944…a trace of rain fell. This together with a trace of rain on the 9th…10th…and 30th was the only precipitation for the month. The total of a trace of precipitation for the month equaled the driest September on record first set in 1892.
In 1960…the highest recorded temperature in September…97 degrees…occurred. The same temperature also occurred on September 5…1899…September 1…1995…and September 4… 1995.
In 1989…a strong thunderstorm wind gust flipped a plane taxiing on a private runway in Adams County east of Denver. Two people were slightly injured and the plane was heavily damaged.
In 1992…strong winds developed across metro Denver behind a pacific cold front. Sustained winds above 40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph were recorded mainly in and near the foothills. Pre-frontal south winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1995…two people were injured when lightning struck their home in Lakewood. The lightning entered the attic where it started a small fire. It then traveled through the walls… Exploding a mirror and spraying glass on the residents. Lightning also sparked small grass fires near Aurora…Denver International Airport…and Bennett. The highest recorded temperature in September…97 degrees…occurred. The same temperature also occurred on September 5…1899…September 4…1960…and September 1…1995.
In 2000…thunderstorm winds gusted to 64 mph in Castle Rock.
Continue reading September 4 to September 10 – This Week in Denver Weather History
Denver’s September weather preview: Sunny days, cool nights highlight month
Following on a record-setting August, most in Denver are looking forward to the cooler weather that September typically brings. Daytime temperatures start to fall during the month and evenings become much cooler.Sunshine is predominant though as…
Powerful 7.1 magnitude quake rocks Aleutian Islands; tsunami warning issued
A powerful earthquake struck Aleutian Islands this morning prompting a Tsunami Warning for parts of Alaska’s coastline. Update, 8:00am EDT: From the WCATWC – the Tsunami Warning has been cancelled: “NO destructive tsunami has been…
Denver sets 10 hot temp records; August 2011 goes into books as hottest ever
There was little doubt that the past month was a hot one as anyone who went outside could attest to. With August 2011 having come to a close, the empirical evidence bears out what everyone felt as the Mile…
Denver sees hottest August on record; 10 weather records tied or broken during hot month
As August 2011 came to a close and the numbers were crunched, they revealed what we already knew – it was one hot month! In fact, in the final tally Denver tied or set 10 different records during the month.
From the National Weather Service, here is the list of records:
Denver’s record setting August 2011 – From the National Weather Service:
- August 2011 hottest Denver August with average temperature 77.0 degrees. Previous record 76.8 degrees set in 1937.
- August 2011 became the 6th hottest Denver month. Hottest was 77.8 during July 1934.
- 71 consecutive days above 80 degrees through August 31st. Previous streak record 59 days set in 2002.
- Tied most August 90 degree days with 22. Tied with 1995 and 1960.
- 18th – tied record high 98 last 1986
- 23rd – tied record high 98 last 2009
- 24th – record high 98 old 97 in 1936
- 25th – record high 99 old 96 in 1913
- 28th – record high 96 old 94 last 1969
- 28th – record high minimum temperature 67 old 66 last 2010
- 31st – tied record high 98 last 1960
How did Thornton compare?
Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler than what Denver’s official measurements at DIA recorded. This is in large part due to our location further to the west.
When the typical afternoon cloud cover and thunderstorms develop in the summer, it can take more than an hour for those conditions to reach DIA. As a result the station gets the benefit of a longer period of daytime heating. This works in Thornton’s favor as we stay a bit cooler.
For us, our overall average temperature for the month was 74.0 degrees – a full three degrees cooler than DIA. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hot for us as we recorded 20 days with 90 degree or hotter weather and every day saw 80 degrees or higher.
Are the Denver weather records really valid? Check out the stories from Examiner.com below for why they may not be.
Thornton’s September 2011 weather preview: Fall begins
As temperatures start to drop, September reminds us that summer is at an end and fall is now here. Sunshine is predominant though as the month actually has the highest percentage of sun out of any month. Sunny days and clear, cool nights are the standard weather pattern for the month.
Normal highs on the first of the month are 82 degrees with a low of 53. By the end of the month we see those high temperatures drop to an average of 73 and the lows get to a chilly 42. Overall the month averages 63.4 degrees.
Generally we can see just about any weather condition from thunderstorms to temperatures into the 90s to snow. Learn more in our complete September 2011 weather preview here.
Hurricane Irene set to become nation’s 10th billion dollar disaster of the year
The Atlantic’s first major hurricane struck the United States over the weekend becoming the first hurricane to make landfall in the country since 2008. It adds to the nation’s tally of billion dollar disasters this year and leaves at least two dozen people dead in its wake.
As reported by the Natural Disasters Examiner, initial damage estimates put losses from the storm at $7 billion. Total losses including the economic impact may approach $20 billion.
More than the economic impact though is the human toll. At latest count, at least 26 people were killed in the massive storm. Eight states stretching from Florida to Connecticut saw citizens lose their lives.
For complete coverage of Hurricane Irene, check out the links from the Natural Disasters Examiner below:
- Hurricane Irene death toll, cost continues to climb
- Satellite imagery video: Hurricane Irene from birth to demise
- Video: Timelapse tour of Manhattan as Irene hits
- Hurricane Irene in pictures – Deadly storm strikes U.S. East Coast
- Disaster preparedness: Emergency supply kit essentials for your family