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Crazy Super Cell stalls over Hawaii December 30, 2013. Non-stop lightning!
© Getty imagesNew York, NY
Snow is expected to begin falling overnight in some areas, promising a messy commute for the first business day of the new year, but the full storm isn't expected to hit until later Thursday. As much as a foot of snow or more is forecast for some areas overnight Thursday into Friday, and temperatures are expected to plummet, with some areas seeing highs just above zero.
"There will be travel problems," said Hugh Johnson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Albany, N.Y., talking about Friday's commute. "It will be very cold. You don't want to be out in the stuff long unless you have the proper clothing."
© JMAResidents were hunkering down as an intensifying Tropical Cyclone Christine crossed into Western Australia.
A red alert has been issued for people in or near coastal areas between Pardoo and Mardie, including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha and Dampier.
The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has set up a relocation point at the JD Hardie Centre in South Hedland, where about 85 people have sought shelter.
A yellow alert is current for people in inland areas, including Marble Bar, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica.
Authorities say there is a possible threat to lives and homes.
A blue alert remains for people in or near coastal areas between Bidyadanga and Pardoo, and between Mardie and Onslow, and the inland area from Marble Bar to Newman.
Cyclone Christine will continue to intensify and was expected to cross the coast between Karratha and Port Hedland today, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Source: Australian Associated Press
© United Kingdom Infrared Telescope, taken at 8:32 a.m. HST Snowfall on Mauna Kea is seen on this webcam image
The National Weather Service says a slow-moving trough east of the Big Island will produce widespread rain and isolated snow showers at the highest elevations today. At least an inch of snow is expected to accumulate. By 8:30 a.m. Saturday snow was already visible on the Mauna Kea observatory webcams.
© UH Hilo Web CamSnow image captured by UH Hilo Web Cam : Physics and Astronomy.
Meanwhile, down below, East Hawaii is getting soaked. The National Weather Service says rain will persist over windward Maui and Hawaii County through the weekend as winds ease. There was a high surf advisory posted for north facing shores on Friday night, as well.
Emergency services have been dealing with fallen trees, floods and roofs being blown off homes and garages
Thousands of homes were left without power today as the latest wave of bad weather hit Wales.
Widespread gales swept in last night and lasted much of the day, with the worst-hit areas being in north-west Wales.
Speeds of 109mph were recorded in Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula and fire crews had to make safe a structure on Tenby's South Parade.
Wind speeds also reached 85mph in Capel Curig, Snowdonia, 71mph at Pembrey, 62mph at Milford Haven and 52mph in Cardiff.
Thousands of homes and businesses were without power.
An estimated 4,500 homes on Anglesey and 2,500 in Gwynedd were without electricity after the storms struck.
Pockets were also affected in northeast Wales.
A fallen tree closes the road between Groeslon and Carmel near Caernarfon
Widespread gales swept in last night and lasted much of the day, with the worst-hit areas being in north-west Wales.
Speeds of 109mph were recorded in Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula and fire crews had to make safe a structure on Tenby's South Parade.
Wind speeds also reached 85mph in Capel Curig, Snowdonia, 71mph at Pembrey, 62mph at Milford Haven and 52mph in Cardiff.
Thousands of homes and businesses were without power.
An estimated 4,500 homes on Anglesey and 2,500 in Gwynedd were without electricity after the storms struck.
Pockets were also affected in northeast Wales.
© Angelika Cox/Demotix/CorbisSnow-covered Ontario after the storm.
In the United States, the death toll from the storm reached at least 17 on Wednesday, from traffic accidents and carbon monoxide fatalities.Ten people were reported dead in Canada, including five from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Police said two people in Ontario died after using a gas generator to heat their blacked-out home north-east of Toronto. Police in Quebec said carbon monoxide poisoning was believed to be the cause of three deaths in a chalet on the province's North Shore. Earlier, five people were killed in eastern Canada in highway crashes blamed on severe weather conditions.
The ice storm last weekend was one of the worst to hit during a Christmas week, and repair crews were working around the clock to restore service
© Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesPassengers study the departure boards as they wait for trains in King's Cross station in London.
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Gatwick airport because of cancelled flights and power cuts at the airport, and emergency services evacuated homes near the River Mole in Surrey, which was expected to rise to record levels late on Christmas Eve.
The Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for Leatherhead in Surrey, where the Mole was expected to reach a peak just before midnight on Tuesday.
Firefighters in Kent and Surrey broke off from a planned Christmas Eve strike to help people deal with flooding in their counties.
Angry travellers at Gatwick had to be calmed by police after waiting all day before finding that their delayed flights were cancelled. All rail services to and from Gatwick stopped at 10pm for planned engineering work. A spokesman for Gatwick airport said that staff were trying to do all they could to find hotel rooms or camp beds for the "few hundred" people who were stranded.
The following video is a sample of strange and extreme weather events that took place around the world in first two weeks of December 2013.
Best of the Web: Christmas chaos: Hundreds of flights delayed and millions left without power as fierce storms rage worldwide
© Tony Kershaw/Rex Staff and residents are rescued from the flooded Mercure hotel in Dorking, England
The disaster is expected to carry on at least for a few more days.
In the UK, stormy weather has killed five people since Monday. 150,000 homes were left without electricity. Scotland and Northern Ireland are also due to be hit by powerful winds of 140 kilometers per hour.
Weather and flood warnings have been issued across the country, leading to hazardous driving conditions.
A power cut at the North Terminal of London's Gatwick airport caused flight cancelations, before all flights were transferred to the South Terminal.
"I'm across plans to get electricity to many without power. My thoughts are with them and those facing travel problems this Christmas Eve," British prime Minister David Cameron tweeted.
Christmas storms more naughty than nice
