Hurricane Tracker: Global Severe Weather Brings Thunderstorms to US, Flood Risks to Norway and Tunisia
The hurricane tracker indicates severe weather events including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, flooding risks, and landslides are occurring globally, with warnings issued in locations such as North Carolina, Colorado, Vestlandet in Norway, and Tunis in Tunisia.
Severe Thunderstorms in the United States
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for central Wake County and northwestern Johnston County in North Carolina until 6:30 PM EDT, with a storm producing 60 mph wind gusts moving south at 25 mph, risking damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] At 5:45 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles south of Wake Forest, or 7 miles northeast of Raleigh, moving south at 25 mph. [1] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts according to radar indicated sources, with expected impact of damage to roofs, siding, and trees in central Wake County in central North Carolina and northwestern Johnston County in central North Carolina. [1]
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Kit Carson County in Colorado, with a storm 4 miles east of Stratton moving northeast at 15 mph, bringing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail that could damage vehicles, roofs, siding, and trees, affecting areas including Stratton, Bethune, Interstate 70, and Highway 385. [2] At 3:45 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles east of Stratton, moving northeast at 15 mph. [2] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail from radar indicated sources, with expected hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [2] Locations impacted include Stratton and Bethune, along with Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 416 and 430 and Highway 385 between mile markers 194 and 200. [2]
Heavy Rain, Winds, and Landslide Risks in Norway
Norway's Vestlandet region faces an orange-level landslide and flood warning this weekend due to a low-pressure system bringing 60-80 mm of rain (up to 100 mm locally), strong winds, and possible thunderstorms, prompting road closures, cleanup of drainage systems, and expectations of multiple landslides with major consequences; yellow warnings apply to parts of Møre og Romsdal and for flooding. [3] [4] Meteorologist Halldis Berge stated it will be a wet weekend as NVE issued an orange danger warning for landslides from Saturday to Sunday morning for Vestland and parts of Rogaland, with yellow level in parts of Møre og Romsdal. [3] The warning forecasts up to 60–80 millimeters of rain over large parts of Vestlandet, with some places possibly receiving up to 100 millimeters of local precipitation, most rain expected in the middle areas. [3] [4]
A powerful low-pressure system with up to 100 millimeters of rain and strong winds will hit Vestlandet over the weekend, with an orange danger warning issued for earth and flood landslides advising people to clear drains. [4] The orange earth and flood landslide danger applies to Vestland and parts of Rogaland, increasing Saturday morning and decreasing Sunday morning, while yellow earth and flood landslide danger applies Saturday in parts of Møre og Romsdal and yellow flood danger applies to Vestland and parts of Rogaland and Møre og Romsdal increasing Saturday afternoon and continuing Sunday. [4] Up to 80–100 millimeters may fall locally in 24 hours, with the most precipitation expected in the middle parts of the warning area. [4]
An orange danger warning for landslides means NVE expects several landslide events, some with major consequences, and exposed buildings may be affected while roads and railways may be impacted. [4] People are advised to check and clear drains, culverts, manholes and other waterways as wind may cause leaves to fall and prevent water from draining, with risk of local flooding and aquaplaning. [4] Motorists should drive according to conditions and follow advice from local authorities. [4] On the Vestlandet, southwesterly wind is first expected, later westerly and northwesterly up to stiff and periodically strong gale, followed by showers and risk of thunder after the first precipitation front. [4] County road 609 at Heilevang in Sunnfjord was already closed Friday at 8 PM due to risk of rockfall and is expected to reopen Monday at 8 AM. [3]
Heavy rain warning issued for Vestlandet region in Norway amid flooding risks. — Source: vg
Torrential Rains and Flooding in Tunisia
Torrential rains and severe thunderstorms hit Tunis, Tunisia, after extreme heat, causing flooding fears, traffic disruptions, hail in places, and suspension of school and university classes; this follows deadly floods in January that were the heaviest in over 70 years, with events intensified by climate change. [5] Torrential rain hit the Tunisian capital on Thursday, raising fears of flooding and forcing the city to suspend classes at schools and universities. [5] Severe thunderstorms erupted after a period of extreme heat, drenching Tunis and surrounding areas with hail in some places, disrupting traffic and causing water to accumulate on roads and sidewalks. [5] In Tunis' old medina, water rushed through the narrow streets as souk-goers took shelter in shops and under awnings. [5] The rain came after a summer marked by prolonged heatwaves and high temperatures in several parts of the North African country. [5] In January, Tunisia saw deadly floods killing at least five people after the country saw its heaviest rainfall in more than 70 years, and these events have intensified due to climate change. [5]
What to Watch Next
The National Weather Service warnings in North Carolina and Colorado highlight ongoing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail risks through the specified times, while Norway's orange warnings for Vestlandet extend through Sunday morning with up to 100 mm local rain and strong kuling winds, and Tunisia faces continued flooding concerns after the Thursday events following the January floods that were the heaviest in over 70 years.
