logo
Australia Ravaged by Destructive Wildfires
news image
Special Stories
15 Jan 2020 12:51 PM
The land down under continues to be up in flames. Record-breaking heat, a prolonged drought and whipping winds have turned the nation into a tinderbox. The bushfires fuel on hot, parched ground that has long been lacking rainfall. The pattern has been driven by a circulation known as the Indian Ocean Dipole, or 'IOD'. In its current phase, which is the positive phase of the index, cold sea-surface temperatures are present in the eastern part of the ocean and warm sea-surface temperatures are present in the western part of the ocean. This set-up prevents lift in the atmosphere, and greatly reduces the amount of moisture that gets transported towards Australia. Dry thunderstorms have also been a culprit. Lightning strikes have ignited several fires in Queensland and Victoria, but no rain reached the ground. Fires have claimed the lives of several dozen people, and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, including over 2,000 homes. Nearly 30 million acres have been charred. For perspective, that is a third of the size of California. California’s record-shattering fire season of 2018, the worst in state history ‘only’ burned 2 million acres. It is also estimated that close to a billion animals in New South Wales have been killed by the ongoing infernos, and ecologists fear that some endangered species could be driven to extinction by the fires. Heartbreaking visuals continue to emerge from the country day after day. Even communities away from the blazes have been subjected to smoke-filled skies for weeks. Fire danger will remain high, until a significant weather pattern change arrives. Unfortunately, the Australia Meteorology Bureau is forecasting warmer and drier than average conditions until at least March. WATCH: https://youtu.be/o2nToVgrppc    
All Weather News
Windy & Severe Storms Hit the Northeast Saturday
Windy & Severe Storms Hit the Northeast Saturday
A potent area of low pressure that produced n
1 Apr 2023 12:20 PM
Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast
Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast
The same front that brought widespread storms
1 Apr 2023 12:15 PM
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Deep South Overnight
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Deep South Overnight
Already we have had multiple CONFIRMED tornad
1 Apr 2023 4:35 AM
Numerous Tornadoes in the Midwest - Threat Continues Overnight
Numerous Tornadoes in the Midwest - Threat Continues Overnight
A tornado watch continues overnight for parts
1 Apr 2023 4:30 AM
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains
The same system that is producing severe weat
1 Apr 2023 1:30 AM
High Fire Danger Today
High Fire Danger Today
Strong winds and dry air have combined once a
31 Mar 2023 10:00 PM
Looking Ahead: Yet Another Coast to Coast Storm First Week of April
Looking Ahead: Yet Another Coast to Coast Storm First Week of April
Yet another coast-to-coast storm is expected
31 Mar 2023 9:50 PM