Extreme Weather Blog for Aug 5

Good evening,

Heavy downpours continue to simultaneously move across portions of our nation this evening threatening all types of outdoor activities from one coast to the next.

Parts of the west have been receiving blinding downpours as an upper low spins off northern California. Monsoonal moisture that has moved into the four corners region has been responsible for flash flooding that has been making its way through the west since this past weekend. All this rain, however, has brought some sort of relief to the drought-stricken areas that have been plagued by wildfires recently. A cold front moving through the Midwest is also bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms from Illinois into Iowa with the main threat pounding the Chicago area as the front continues to track east. 

Along the eastern coast, a stalled frontal boundary is bringing heavy storms that extend from Florida into the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The week began on a soggy note for parts of Florida with flash flooding crippling some cities with nearly 4 inches of rain in about an hour. Most of southern Florida was under flash flood advisories or warnings Monday, and although all were cancelled by early evening, more rain cannot be discarded through Tuesday morning. 

Tropics:

Bertha, the second hurricane of the Atlantic, continues to spin offshore not posing any immediate threat to land. Strong westerly winds keep this category 1 system from getting any closer to shore as it continues to track north at 18 mph.  Maximum sustained winds have slightly decreased to 75 mph and gradual weakening is expected within the next couple of days, however, rough surf through the eastern coast shouldn’t be discarded. 

Another system The National Hurricane Center is monitoring is a powerful category 4 hurricane located in the eastern Pacific that is expected to reach the Hawaiian Islands later this week. Hurricane Iselle currently has maximum sustained winds of 140 mph as it slowly moves west at 10 mph. It is expected to weaken considerably as it encounters cooler waters before reaching the Big Island of Hawaii sometime Thursday evening. Although it’s forecast to have tropical storm status upon reaching the Hawaiian Islands, Iselle is predicted to bring damaging wind gust, heavy rains that will lead to flash flooding and mudslides and rough seas that will pose a hazard for bathers and boaters. Those with interest on the island should monitor the system as the week progresses.

Enjoy your evening,

Jen Gonzalez