Typhoon Noul Triggers Rail Cancellations and School Closures Across Southern China
Multiple regions across the United States and China are experiencing severe weather impacts including flash flooding in Arizona, a typhoon threatening southern China with rail and school closures, red flag fire conditions in Montana, and severe thunderstorms in Minnesota.
Active Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona
The National Weather Service extended a Flash Flood Warning for Apache County in northeastern Arizona until 2:00 AM MDT after Doppler radar showed thunderstorms that dropped 1-2 inches of rain, with life-threatening flash flooding ongoing. [1] At 11:22 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, and between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. [1] Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected. [1] The hazard includes life-threatening flash flooding from thunderstorms producing heavy rain. [1]
A separate Flash Flood Warning was issued for Cochise County in Arizona near Whetstone after 1.4-1.9 inches of rain fell, with flash flooding of small creeks, urban areas, highways and low-lying spots ongoing or imminent. [4] At 9:44 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain near Whetstone, and between 1.4 and 1.9 inches of rain have fallen. [4] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [4] The hazard is flash flooding caused by thunderstorms, with the source listed as radar indicated. [4] Impacts include flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. [4] Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Whetstone. [4]
These two warnings address distinct counties in Arizona, with the Apache County alert focused on northeastern areas and the Cochise County alert centered near Whetstone. [1] [4] Both rely on Doppler radar observations to confirm rainfall amounts and ongoing flood threats. [1] [4] The warnings highlight continued risks to life and property in the affected zones without additional rain expected in the Apache County case. [1]
Typhoon Noul Approaches Southern China
Typhoon Noul is moving northwest across the South China Sea at 20 km/h and is forecast to make landfall between Hong Kong and Huilai county in eastern Guangdong overnight with winds up to 151 km/h, prompting an orange typhoon alert, cancelled trains, halted schools, evacuations, and warnings for strong winds and heavy rain in Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan. [2] The National Meteorological Centre issued an orange typhoon alert, the second highest level in a four-tier system, on Saturday morning as the storm moved northwest across the South China Sea at a speed of 20 km/h. [2] It was expected to land somewhere between Hong Kong and Huilai county in eastern Guangdong overnight with wind speeds of up to 151 km/h and then move north. [2]
Trains were stopped, schools were halted and residents were evacuated in southern China as Typhoon Noul headed towards the coast. [2] Rail operators have started cancelling services in Guangdong and all trains will be halted by Sunday. [2] Strong winds and heavy rain have been forecast for parts of Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan. [2] The meteorological centre warned that boats should be docked and large gatherings cancelled, while urging residents to stay indoors as far as possible. [2] The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge remained open to traffic on Saturday morning but tours of the structure were halted for two days. [2]
Red Flag Fire Conditions Escalate in Montana
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for multiple counties in Montana including Eastern Glacier, Toole, Central and Eastern Pondera, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Chouteau and Fergus, with southwest winds 15-25 mph gusting to 40 mph, relative humidity as low as 10 percent, temperatures up to 107, and possible isolated thunderstorms. [3] The affected area covers Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty, Hill and Blaine Counties, Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front, Chouteau and Fergus Counties and Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas. [3] Winds are southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. [3] Relative humidity is as low as 10 percent. [3] Temperatures reach up to 107. [3] Thunderstorms are isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms that may cause localized strong winds. [3]
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Northern Minnesota
Severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail moved southeast at 45 mph through Cass County, Minnesota, threatening hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees in communities including Federal Dam, Ball Club and Grand Rapids. [5] At 11:10 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Inger to near Ball Club to near Federal Dam, moving southeast at 45 mph. [5] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [5] The source is radar indicated. [5] Impacts include hail damage to vehicles expected and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [5] Locations impacted include Federal Dam, Boy River, Ball Club, Leech Lake, Deer River, Zemple, Days High Landing, Schoolcraft State Park, Cohasset, Remer, Grand Rapids. [5]
Broader Weather Alert Context
The National Weather Service extended a Flash Flood Warning for Apache County in northeastern Arizona until 2:00 AM MDT after Doppler radar showed thunderstorms that dropped 1-2 inches of rain, with life-threatening flash flooding ongoing. [1] A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Cochise County in Arizona near Whetstone after 1.4-1.9 inches of rain fell, with flash flooding of small creeks, urban areas, highways and low-lying spots ongoing or imminent. [4] Typhoon Noul is moving northwest across the South China Sea at 20 km/h and is forecast to make landfall between Hong Kong and Huilai county in eastern Guangdong overnight with winds up to 151 km/h, prompting an orange typhoon alert, cancelled trains, halted schools, evacuations, and warnings for strong winds and heavy rain in Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan. [2] A Red Flag Warning is in effect for multiple counties in Montana including Eastern Glacier, Toole, Central and Eastern Pondera, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Chouteau and Fergus, with southwest winds 15-25 mph gusting to 40 mph, relative humidity as low as 10 percent, temperatures up to 107, and possible isolated thunderstorms. [3] Severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail moved southeast at 45 mph through Cass County, Minnesota, threatening hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees in communities including Federal Dam, Ball Club and Grand Rapids. [5]
These simultaneous severe weather events span the United States and East Asia, with each location facing distinct hazards. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
What to watch next: Continued monitoring of the extended Flash Flood Warning in Apache County until 2:00 AM MDT, the expected overnight landfall of Typhoon Noul, the Red Flag Warning conditions in Montana counties, and the movement of severe thunderstorms through Cass County.
