Storms
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Cloud Precipitation

Massive hailstorm smashes hundreds of windows in Middelburg, South Africa

hailstorm middelburg
The hailstorm that hit Middleburg in Mpumalanga has been described as a "disaster within a disaster".

The storm couldn't have come at a worse time - at the start of South Africa's 21-day coronavirus lockdown.

Evidence of the storm's intensity could be seen by the broken windows of houses and schools, reports Middelburg Observer.

Cloud Lightning

Lightning bolt kills 6 farm workers in Maharashtra, India

lightning
Six farm workers, including two women, from Kalamb tehsil died on Sunday night after lightning struck the cow shed where they were busy preparing dung cakes. A cow was also killed in the incident.

Resident deputy collector Lalitkumar Warhade of Yavatmal said the six farm workers died at Barad village of Ralegaon tehsil. The incident came to fore when a villager spotted their bodies.

The deceased have been identified as Abhiman Vishvanath Ambadare (60), his wife Mandatai (50), Laxman Bapurao Koyare (50), Subhash Raju Nehare (20), all from village Neemgawhan of Kalamb tehsil, Sahebrao Gulabrao Devnale (45) and his wife Pisabai Devnale (40), both residents of Khodpakhindi village in Kalamb tehsil.

Tornado2

At least 17 reported tornadoes hit Central US during severe weather outbreak

storm damage
There have been at least 190 reports of severe weather in the last 24 hours.

A major storm moving through the central U.S. brought at least 17 reported tornadoes to parts of the central U.S., eight in Iowa, three in Arkansas, one in Missouri, four in Illinois and one in Wisconsin.

In Jonesboro, Arkansas, a violent tornado did damage in the town with six reported injuries. In total there have been at least 190 reports of severe weather in the last 24 hours from the Midwest to the South to the Ohio Valley. The same powerful storm system was responsible for a 90 mph wind gust in Henderson County, Kentucky.

The storm also brought very heavy rain with widespread rainfall totals of 1 to just over 2 inches of rain from Iowa to Pennsylvania.


Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rains bring flash flooding to Saudi Arabia

flood
Heavy rain cause flash floods in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.


Sources

Boat

8 inches of overnight rainfall brings flash flooding to Kauai, Hawaii

Flooding at the Kauai Beach Resort Saturday morning.
© Hawaii News NowFlooding at the Kauai Beach Resort Saturday morning.
Roughly 20 Kauai residents took shelter at Kapaa Middle School after a night of torrential rain.

Kauai was under a flash flood warning since the early hours Saturday.

Residents woke to severe flooding around the island. Debris clogged the mouth of the Wailua river on Kauai's east side as crews briefly shut down Kuhio Highway in the area. It has since reopened, but other routes remain closed.

Those that remain shut down include the Hanalei Bridge and the southern end of the Kapaa Bypass Road.

The residents in the American Red Cross shelter were evacuated by first responders from their Wailua homes after flooding posed a threat to their property and safety.


Tornado1

Arkansas tornado doubles in size in seconds, tears through city

Arkansas tornado
© YouTube/FOBOS PLANET (screen capture)
A tornado ripped through Jonesboro, Arkansas on Saturday afternoon, triggering a citywide curfew after powerful winds overturned cars and demolished buildings, according to local NBC affiliate KAIT.

The National Guard is being deployed to help secure the area, the outlet reported. In addition to ravaging several homes and businesses, the storm caused a gas leak in east Jonesboro and partially destroyed a local mall. Many businesses were already closed or empty in response to the covid-19 outbreak, though no statewide stay-at-home order has been issued.

Local authorities are currently conducting search and rescue efforts, the city's E-911 Director Jeff Presley told KAIT, and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin issued a citywide curfew beginning at 7 p.m. ET.


Windsock

Sandstorms in Saudi Arabia and Qatar

sandstorm
Storms of dust hit Al Qaisumah in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East.


Sources

Comment: Kuwait was similarly hit:
A heavy sandstorm hit Kuwait on Saturday.
© Asad/XinhuaPhoto taken on March 28, 2020 shows the buildings shrouded in heavy dust in Kuwait City, Kuwait. A heavy sandstorm hit Kuwait on Saturday.



Snowflake

17 inches of new snow in spring hits Yosemite National Park

Gate closed at Tioga Pass on March 20, 2020.
Gate closed at Tioga Pass
New snow: 17 inches

Total settled snow depth: 35 inches (at 8,600 feet)

High temperature: 37°F (March 19)

Low temperature: -5°F (March 19)

Ski Conditions and Weather

Cloud Precipitation

Large hailstones pound parts of Oklahoma

Baseball-sized hail hits Oklahoma
Baseball-sized hail hits Oklahoma
Tennis balls made of ice!

That was the reality for some folks in northeastern Oklahoma as a series of severe storms dropped significant hail Friday afternoon.

The storms initially fired up around Oklahoma City and then trekked northeast along Interstate 44, dropping hail all along the way.


Cloud Precipitation

Hailstones as big as baseballs shatter vehicle windows in Mid-Missouri

Baseball-sized hail
© Lindsay Eads-HollidayBaseball-sized hail
Strong thunderstorms moved through parts of Mid-Missouri Friday evening, bring gusty winds and large hail to several areas.

Some people reported seeing hails as big as baseballs.

KRCG also received reports of damage to homes and cars. Some even reported the hail causing their vehicle windows to shatter.