Hurricane Tracker Updates Show Severe Thunderstorms Striking Maricopa County Arizona
The National Weather Service has issued multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for parts of Arizona amid a broader pattern of severe weather and flooding affecting several U.S. states and unusually hot conditions linked to a super typhoon in Hong Kong, according to the latest hurricane tracker updates.
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Maricopa County in south central Arizona until 1115 PM MST, with a storm over Falcon Field Airport moving northeast at 25 mph producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. [1] Hail damage to vehicles is possible under this warning, while wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees is also possible. [1] A second Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Maricopa County at 1009 PM MST placed a storm over Fiesta Mall moving northeast at 35 mph with 60 mph gusts and half-dollar-size hail, threatening Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe and other communities. [2] Hail damage to vehicles is expected from the second storm, and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees is also expected. [2] Locations impacted by the second warning include Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, East Mesa, Downtown Mesa, Mesa Riverview Mall, Salt River Indian Community, Fiesta Mall, Falcon Field Airport and Freestone Park. [2]
Additional Thunderstorm Threat in Greenlee County
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Greenlee County in east central Arizona warned of 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail in mainly rural areas. [5] At 608 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles northeast of Clifton, moving northeast at 20 mph. [5] Hail damage to vehicles is expected, and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees is also expected under this warning. [5] Locations impacted include mainly rural areas of East Central Greenlee County, including Route 78 near mile marker 164 and between mile markers 171 and 174. [5]
Ongoing Flood Warning in Florida
A Flood Warning continues for the St. Johns River near Astor in Florida, where persistent northeast winds have raised levels into Moderate Flood Stage with potential to approach Major Flood Stage. [4] The river is forecast to climb slowly through Moderate Flood Stage through the end of this week. [4] There is potential for levels to approach Major Flood Stage next week after northeasterly winds increase again. [4] The warning affects Volusia and Lake Counties. [4]
Hong Kong’s Record October Heat Linked to Typhoon and Climate Factors
Hong Kong’s exceptionally warm October weather, with temperatures topping 30 degrees Celsius, is driven by a super typhoon, El Nino and global warming, with higher-than-usual temperatures likely to persist through winter. [3] Professor Amos Tai Pui-kuen, of the earth and environmental sciences department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained that El Nino had altered typhoon paths and weakened the northeasterly winds that typically reach the city in autumn. [3] A super El Nino means that courses of typhoons would move more northerly, and if and when typhoons do hit Hong Kong, because of the high sea level temperatures, there will be more heat and steam evaporating, which contributes to a stronger typhoon. [3]
Broader Global Severe Weather Context
The National Weather Service has issued multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for parts of Arizona amid a broader pattern of severe weather and flooding affecting several U.S. states and unusually hot conditions linked to a super typhoon in Hong Kong. [1] [2] [4] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Maricopa County in south central Arizona until 1115 PM MST, with a storm over Falcon Field Airport moving northeast at 25 mph producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. [1] A second Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Maricopa County at 1009 PM MST placed a storm over Fiesta Mall moving northeast at 35 mph with 60 mph gusts and half-dollar-size hail, threatening Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe and other communities. [2] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Greenlee County in east central Arizona warned of 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail in mainly rural areas. [5] A Flood Warning continues for the St. Johns River near Astor in Florida, where persistent northeast winds have raised levels into Moderate Flood Stage with potential to approach Major Flood Stage. [4] Hong Kong’s exceptionally warm October weather, with temperatures topping 30 degrees Celsius, is driven by a super typhoon, El Nino and global warming, with higher-than-usual temperatures likely to persist through winter. [3]
What to watch next: The river is forecast to climb slowly through Moderate Flood Stage through the end of this week with potential for levels to approach Major Flood Stage next week after northeasterly winds increase again, while higher-than-usual temperatures are likely to persist through the winter.
