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6 out-of-season weather events observed this spring

flooding in Pocahontas
© Caitlin Sullinger
The photo above shows an aerial view of the flooding in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on May 2, 2017.
Spring 2017 has produced interesting out-of-season weather conditions and in some cases new records have been set.

Below we take a look at several of these recent unusual occurrences.

1) Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Off to Record Early Start

Tropical Storm Adrian formed May 9, setting a new record for earliest tropical cyclone formation in the northeast Pacific in the satellite era. The previous record was held by Hurricane Alma in 1990, which developed May 12 and became a named storm May 14.

Satellite image of Tropical Storm Adrian
© The Weather Channel
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Adrian on May 10, 2017.
Adrian formed off the coast of southern Mexico and impacts will depend on its track, which is uncertain given that Adrian is expected to be in an area of weak steering currents by this weekend.

Heavy rain, however is likely in portions of southern Mexico and the mountains of Guatemala, which could lead to flash flooding and mudslides. If Adrian stalls off the coast, then rain may persist in the region over several days, increasing the risk of flooding.

Comment: For more coverage on the extreme weather affecting the entire planet, check out our monthly SOTT Earth Changes Summaries. Last month:

SOTT Earth Changes Summary - April 2017: Extreme Weather, Planetary Upheaval, Meteor Fireballs


Tornado2

2 dead after tornadoes strike Oklahoma, Wisconsin

tornado damage in Chetek, Wisconsin
© Dan Reiland/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram via AP
Firefighters work the site of the damage after a tornado ripped through Prairie Lake Estates trailer home park, just north of Chetek, Wis., Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
At least two people were killed as a devastating storm system stretching from Texas to the Canadian border whipped up tornadoes, heavy rain and hail.

A tornado flattened several homes in a subdivision south of Elk City, Okla., about 7:15 p.m., about 110 miles west of A sofa sits on damaged trees after a tornado ripped through Prairie

One person was found dead in the storm's aftermath, fire officials said.

"A lot of tornado damage" was reported in the subdivision and surrounding rural area.

Strong winds brought down utility poles and lines, said Beckham County Emergency Management Director Lonnie Risenhoover. He added that cattle had been killed.

It's unclear how many people were injured during the storm.

Another tornado struck a rural area in western Oklahoma, leaving damage in its wake but no immediate reports of injuries.


Cloud Precipitation

Jamaica hit by 'abnormal' widespread flooding

Jamaica floods
© Ian Allen
House under flood waters in Four Paths, Clarendon during the heavy rain yesterday.

Jamaica has been hit by widespread flooding and a flash-flood warning has been issued for ten parishes, according to media reports.

However, the president of the Jamaica Association of Bermuda said it was still too early to determine the full extent of the damage.

With utilities and communications services affected, Orville Campbell urged Bermuda residents who are concerned about friends and family in Jamaica to stay abreast of developments through the news.

The flooding comes after a trough brought large amounts of rain three weeks ago. After heavy rains overnight, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica extended a flash-flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, Kingston, rural St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland, and a flash-flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Hanover, St James, Trelawny and St Ann. These will be in effect until 5pm in Jamaica.

Mr Campbell told The Royal Gazette that Jamaica regularly experiences flooding.

But he said this was "abnormal" because of the time of year and the widespread nature of the flooding.

"I am actually in the process of getting information," said Mr Campbell, who noted that the flooding had been "very, very extensive".


Snowflake

Fresh May snowfall in the Cascades, Washington

cam shot
As this seems to be the winter that never ends, the Cascades are once again under winter weather headlines. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Washington Cascades until this evening, with accumulating snow as low as Snoqualmie Pass.

An unusually strong low-pressure system for this time of year is currently moving through the region. This movement brings colder temperatures into the mid-levels of the atmosphere. As the temperatures aloft fall, so does the snow level.

This morning, the snow level had fallen to around 3,000 feet. While it's not unusual to see May snow in the Cascades, it is somewhat rare to see accumulating snow this low this late in the year. If you're traveling over the mountain passes today, plan on encountering some slushy snowfall on the range of 1-4 inches. Above 4,500 feet, the totals will be closer to 6-12 inches.

Cloud Precipitation

Hailstorm damages crops of at least 900 farmers in Bulandshahr, India

A farmer looks at the damage caused to wheat crops after a hailstorm

A farmer looks at the damage caused to wheat crops after a hailstorm
Hailstorm, which hit parts of west UP on Friday evening, damaged standing crops of at least 900 farmers in 13 villages of Bulandshahr.

Crops in 239 hectares have been destroyed, district administration said. The district officials sent an elaborate report of the loss to the state government on Monday.

"Most of the loss is concentrated to Anupshaher block of Bulandshahr, where after the harvest of wheat crop in April, maize was sown. Hailstorm damaged crops in around 18 villages.

In five villages-- Ahmadnagar, Biroli, Putha, Jasar and Jasora-- the percentage of crop damaged was less than 33 per cent. But in the remaining 13 villages, it was either 33 per cent or more than that," said Himanshu Gupta, sub divisional magistrate (SDM) of Anupshaher.

Wolf

Woman dies following attack by her own dog in Redding, Connecticut

canine attack
© Angela Antunes / CC by 2.0
A Redding resident died at Danbury Hospital after being attacked by her own dog at a home on Deacon Abbott Street on Friday, May 12, Redding police reported Tuesday.

The dog is being held by Redding Police and an investigation into the situation is underway. Police are withholding the name of the victim until all family members can be notified.

According to Redding Police Chief Doug Fuchs, the victim was in a Deacon Abbott home when she was attacked by her own dog.

She suffered "very serious injuries" and was transported to Danbury Hospital, where she later died.

Ice Cube

Dragon ice traps crab fishermen's boats in warming Arctic Oceans

trapped in ice
Dragon ice is a form of ice pancakes stacking on top of each other during prolonged gale force wind events. This was captured by research scientists from New Zealand on an expedition to Antarctica. Crab fishermen are asking for compensation as heavy ice delayed their season by several weeks due to huge icebergs and thick ice stretching for miles. New article explains the worlds oceans are warming 13% faster than thought, although the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic all show cooling. Interesting.


Sources

Comment: See also: Dragon-skin ice, has been discovered by scientists, forged by intense Antarctic gales


Cloud Precipitation

Hundreds evacuated, 1 feared dead following floods in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

flood
Several days of heavy rain has led to flooding in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province in South Africa. Over 100 mm of rain fell in Durban in 24 hours, 14 to 15 May, 2017.

Dozens of flood rescues have been carried out and hundreds of people have evacuated their homes. One person is feared dead after his car was swept away in a flooded river in Umzinyathi District.

Flood rescues

KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (COGTA), which is responsible for disaster prevention and management, said that teams are intervening across the province, following the extreme weather induced by the cold front.

At least 22 people were rescued after they became trapped inside bus in flood water near Nseleni, outside Richards Bay. Swift responses by the disaster teams from King Cetshwayo municipality and uMhlathuze ensured that all passengers were rescued to safety.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning bolt kills 10 goats in Tamil Nadu, India

Lightning
Ten goats were killed when lightning struck them at Pennagaram near here on Sunday evening.

The goats were tied to a palm tree by farmer Siddhayan, after they had grazed for the day, when lightning struck the tree.

Wolf

Pack of 30 stray dogs kill young woman on Manitoba First Nation, Canada

Donnelly Eaglestick, 24, was found dead in Little Grand Rapids First Nation on Saturday morning.

Donnelly Eaglestick, 24, was found dead in Little Grand Rapids First Nation on Saturday morning.
Manitoba RCMP have confirmed that a young woman whose body was found surrounded by dozens of dogs died from an animal attack.

Donnelly Rose Eaglestick, 24, of Little Grand Rapids First Nation, was found dead Saturday morning at a construction site for the community's new water treatment plant.

Family told CBC News that Eaglestick's body was surrounded by roughly 30 stray dogs. She is believed to have died between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., her uncle, Roderick Mayham, said Sunday.

After a "thorough" investigation, forensic investigators and police officers with Little Grand Rapids RCMP determined Eaglestick died from an animal attack and her death was not suspicious, a police news release said.

One dog was shot by police after acting aggressively toward officers, RCMP said.