High tides prompt flooding alerts across six Thai provinces and Bangkok

High Tides Threaten Flooding in Thailand

Low-lying areas in six central provinces and Bangkok have been warned to prepare for possible flooding caused by very high tides from Tuesday to Saturday this week. [1] Over the five days, very high tides are forecast between 5pm and 8pm, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned on Tuesday. [1] Districts in the six provinces placed on alert are Muang and Sam Khok in Pathum Thani, Muang, Pakkret and Bang Kruai in Nonthaburi, Bang Len, Nakhon Chaisi, Sam Phran in Nakhon Pathom, Muang, Phra Samut Chedi, Phra Pradaeng and Bang Bo in Samut Prakan and all districts in Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. [1] Residents in low-lying communities or outside permanent floodwalls, including in Bangkok, could experience river overflows, the department said. [1] They are advised to closely monitor the situation and consider moving their belongings to higher ground. [1] Updates are available on the Thai Disaster Alert app. [1] Residents in Nonthaburi have built flood walls of sandbags as the Chao Phraya River rose in similar past events. [1]

Severe Thunderstorms Strike South Dakota

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of Brown, Edmunds and Spink counties in South Dakota until 1:15 AM CDT. [2] At 12:41 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Warner, moving southeast at 25 mph. [2] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [2] Impacts include expected hail damage to vehicles along with wind damage to roofs, siding and trees. [2] The storm will be near Warner around 12:45 AM CDT and Stratford around 1:05 AM CDT. [2] Another warning covers East Central Edmunds County in north central South Dakota, Southwestern Brown County in northeastern South Dakota and North Central Spink County in northeastern South Dakota. [3] At 12:13 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Mina Lake Rec Area, or 11 miles west of Aberdeen, moving southeast at 25 mph. [3] Hazards include ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. [3]

Weakening Typhoon Saudel Nears Taiwan

Typhoon Saudel has shown signs of weakening but is still expected to affect Taiwan when it comes closest to the nation on Friday. [4] The radius of Saudel shrank to about 220 km as of 8am today from 250 km a day earlier, and its maximum sustained winds were down to 155 kph from 184 kph previously. [4] As of 8am, Typhoon Saudel was 980 km east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 18 kph. [4] Under the influence of a Pacific high pressure system, the storm is moving northward, meaning it is less likely to make landfall in Taiwan, but its outer bands could still bring heavy rain and strong winds to the nation. [4] Saudel is expected to be closest to Taiwan on Friday, though its impact is forecast to be felt from Thursday afternoon. [4] Tropical Storm Narra and Tropical Storm Atsani have been downgraded into tropical depressions, with little effect on Taiwan anticipated. [4] A southwesterly wind system continues to affect Taiwan, and high moisture in the air could bring heavy rain. [4] Extremely heavy rain and heavy rain advisories have taken effect in Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County in the south and in mountainous areas in Taitung in the east. [4] A heavy rain advisory was also issued for the north coast, Taichung, Chiayi City, and Chiayi, Yunlin, Changhua, Nantou, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung counties, as well as Orchid Island and Green Island. [4] The heavy rain and extremely heavy rain warnings would remain in effect until tonight. [4]

French Tourist Dies in Death Valley Heat

A French tourist has died in California's Death Valley after becoming stranded on the side of the road during 46.6 C heat. [5] Police found 68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa recently following a brief search, with the National Park Service saying he died while trying to seek help in the blistering heat when his car got stuck in mud. [5] This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous, Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a statement. [5] Soaring temperatures across the United States have caused millions of people to sweat through record heatwaves, leading to dozens of heat-related deaths. [5] Formosa was driving through Death Valley with his French travelling companion last Monday when their vehicle became stuck in mud on West Side Road. [5] The pair sought help by walking across the salt flats, before severe heat prevented the 68-year-old from continuing after 1.3 miles. [5] The travelling companion managed to hail down a nearby driver, before rangers and police found Formosa later that afternoon where he was pronounced dead. [5] Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience, Reynolds said. [5] We're grateful to everyone who took part in the search, and our thoughts are with his loved ones. [5] Coroners would determine the cause and manner of his death. [5] An extreme heat warning is currently in effect across Death Valley, which brands itself as the hottest place on Earth, having recorded a global high of 57 C in 1913. [5] Forecasters at the National Weather Service expected Southern California would experience its hottest week of summer so far. [5]

Broader Weather Context

Multiple severe weather events are occurring globally at the same time. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] High tides threaten flooding in Thailand while severe thunderstorms produce damaging winds and large hail in South Dakota. [1] [2] [3] A weakening Typhoon Saudel is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Taiwan. [4] A French tourist's death from extreme heat occurred in California's Death Valley. [5] These events highlight the range of hazards from flooding and storms to heat that are unfolding concurrently.

What to watch next: Very high tides continue through Saturday in Thailand with monitoring via the Thai Disaster Alert app, the South Dakota thunderstorm warning remains until 1:15 AM CDT, Typhoon Saudel is expected closest to Taiwan on Friday with rain impacts from Thursday, and extreme heat warnings persist in Death Valley.