Severe Thunderstorms With 80 mph Winds Hit South Dakota Counties
Severe thunderstorms with destructive winds up to 80 mph and large hail moved through parts of South Dakota and Wisconsin early Wednesday, while extreme heat warnings remained in effect across Cyprus and Hong Kong and Typhoon Chan-hom weakened to a tropical depression after striking eastern Japan.
Destructive Thunderstorms Strike South Dakota
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Mellette County, South Dakota, at 1247 AM CDT for storms moving southeast at 45 mph with 80 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-size hail that threaten Witten, Keyapaha, Winner and Colome. [1] These are described as destructive storms for the listed communities. [1] Radar indicated the hazards of 80 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-size hail. [1] Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, and mobile homes will be heavily damaged according to the warning details. [1] The storms were located along a line from 8 miles southwest of Winner to 11 miles southeast of Littleburg, or along a line from 8 miles southwest of Winner to 32 miles southeast of Mission. [1] The severe conditions prompted immediate alerts for residents in the path of the southeast-moving line. [1]
Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Wisconsin
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Marathon County, Wisconsin, at 1242 AM CDT for a storm near Weston moving east at 20 mph with 60 mph winds and ping-pong-ball-size hail capable of damaging roofs, siding, windows, vehicles and trees. [3] The hazard included ping-pong-ball-size hail and 60 mph wind gusts, with radar as the source. [3] People and animals outdoors will be injured, with expectations of hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles as well as wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [3] This severe thunderstorm will be near Weston around 1245 AM CDT and Bevent around 100 AM CDT. [3] Other locations impacted by the severe conditions were noted in the warning area. [3] The slower eastward movement at 20 mph allowed time for preparation in the affected parts of the county. [3]
Extreme Heat Grips Cyprus
Cyprus issued a yellow warning for extreme heat with temperatures forecast to reach 40C inland from 1pm to 3:30pm Wednesday before an unstable air mass brings increased shower and thunderstorm chances from Friday. [2] The warning is in force from 1pm until 3:30pm, with maximum temperatures forecast to peak at around 40C in inland areas. [2] A seasonal low-pressure system continues to affect the region, while a more unstable air mass is expected to move in from Friday, bringing an increased chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. [2] Wednesday will be mostly clear, although periods of increased cloud are expected during the day, and isolated afternoon showers cannot be ruled out, mainly over mountainous areas. [2] Winds will initially be light and variable at around force 3 Beaufort before gradually turning southwesterly to northwesterly at force 3 to 4, reaching force 5 at times along the south coast. [2] The sea will be slight, with temperatures reaching 40C inland, 31C on the west coast, around 34C along the remaining coastal areas and 30C in the higher mountains. [2] Overnight, the weather will remain mostly clear, with some low cloud developing locally, and minimum temperatures will fall to around 22C inland, 24C on the coast and 20C in the higher mountains. [2] Thursday will remain mostly clear, with occasional increased cloud and a chance of isolated afternoon showers, mainly over the mountains. [2] On Friday and Saturday, conditions are expected to become more unstable, with mornings mostly clear but cloud building during the afternoon to bring isolated showers and thunderstorms, mainly over mountainous and inland areas. [2] Temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged on Thursday before dropping on Friday and Saturday to levels close to the seasonal average. [2]
Record Heat Continues in Hong Kong
Hong Kong remained under a Very Hot Weather Warning and Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning after temperatures hit 35C in northern districts, following a record 36.9C on Sunday, prompting labour calls for district-level heat indices to protect outdoor workers. [4] The Very Hot Weather Warning and the Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning have been in effect since Wednesday morning, with parts of northern Hong Kong including Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling already surpassing 35 degrees before noon. [4] The sustained heat followed Sunday’s record-breaking 36.9 degrees, the highest since the Observatory began keeping records in 1884. [4] Yet the lowest-level amber heat stress alert for outdoor workers remained in place, drawing criticism of the Labour Department’s Heat Stress at Work Warning System. [4] Li Wing-foo, chairman of the Staffs and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines, said heat stress warnings should be issued at a district level rather than relying solely on territory-wide readings. [4] He noted that areas such as the northern New Territories and the airport apron could run far hotter than urban stations, adding that the airport apron is wide open and fully exposed and should have its own independent reading so employers can roll out targeted protections for staff. [4]
Typhoon Chan-hom Weakens After Japan Landfall
Typhoon Chan-hom made landfall in eastern Japan and weakened to a tropical depression. [5] The storm’s downgrade followed its arrival on land in the eastern part of the country. [5]
What to watch next: A more unstable air mass is expected to move into Cyprus from Friday, bringing an increased chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly over mountainous and inland areas through Saturday while temperatures drop to levels close to the seasonal average, and Hong Kong’s Very Hot Weather Warning along with the Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning remain active amid ongoing extreme conditions.
