Weather and Critical Events

Powerful Cyclone Amphan to slam central Asia this week

Satellite photo of Cyclone Amphan.

A powerful cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal over the weekend is making a beeline for the India-Bangladesh border, bringing with it the potential for major destruction.

SONAR Critical Events and satellite: Cyclone Amphan

The cyclone, named Amphan, is spinning in the Bay of Bengal and is centered 630 miles south of Kolkata, India (as of 8 a.m. EDT on May 18). Its maximum sustained winds have reached 160 mph, which is equivalent to a super typhoon or a category 5 Atlantic hurricane. This...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/powerful-cyclone-amphan-to-slam-central-asia-this-week

Late season Sierra snow storm could be trouble for truckers (with forecast video)

Flatbed truck on road with snow-covered hillside.

Old Man Winter returns to eastern California today as snowfall develops in the Sierra Nevada.

It’s been raining there this morning, and it’s been heavy just to the west in the Sacramento Valley where flash flooding is possible. Gradually, the rain will change to snowfall today in the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada, continuing tonight. Truckers will have to deal with wet roads turning slushy, then snowy.

SONAR Critical Events and radar: Monday, May 18, 2020, 9 a.m. EDT

Most of the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/late-season-sierra-snow-storm-could-be-trouble-for-truckers-with-forecast-video

Severe storms threaten Plains, Northeast Friday (with forecast video)

Wet highway with lightning in the distance.

Another round of severe storms could slam parts of the Great Plains again today, May 15, as if the region hasn’t seen enough adverse weather this week. Tornadoes, wind damage and/or large hail have been reported in places from Texas to Illinois each day. Yesterday, May 14, was the busiest, with more than 100 reports sent to the National Weather Service (NWS) from trained observers, emergency managers and the public.

Truckers run the risk of rollovers due to strong winds, roadblocks due to flash...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/severe-storms-threaten-plains-northeast-friday

Brush fires force interstate shutdown in southwestern Florida

Wildfire in wooded area.

Two Florida brush fires of 2,500 and 1,500 acres in size have resulted in state officials shutting down a section of Interstate 75.

🚨WILDFIRE UPDATE

Collier County fires have merged overnight. #36thAveSEFire is 4,000 acres and 10% contained.@FLForestService Green incident management team mobilized. Evacuations in effect in Golden Gate vicinity.

Follow @FFS_cafc for latest.

🎥: @BrianaFernNews of @NBC2 pic.twitter.com/IwbCdJvlNV

— FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (@FDACS) May 14, 2020

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/brush-fires-force-interstate-shutdown-in-southwestern-florida

Severe storm threat shifts to Midwest Thursday (with forecast video)

Tractor-trailer stuck on side of wet highway with storm cloud ahead.

Severe thunderstorms hit parts of the southern Great Plains yesterday, May 13, producing damaging winds and large hail from Texas to Kansas. It was a busy day with almost three dozen reports of large hail and wind damage, along with a tornado report in western Texas. Today, the risk for severe weather shifts to the Midwest, and may briefly disrupt freight flows with drivers having to occasionally slow down or stop as they run into storms.

SONAR Critical Events and radar: Thursday, May 14, 2020,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/severe-storm-threat-shifts-to-midwest-thursday-with-forecast-video

Severe storms possible across the Plains late Wednesday (with forecast video)

Tractor-trailer heading down highway with thunderstorm in the distance.

A substantial severe weather outbreak is possible across several Great Plains states later Wednesday, from Texas to Missouri. This is the prime time of year for disruptive thunderstorm development in the nation’s heartland. Shippers and receivers, as well as carriers and their drivers, should expect minor delays in freight flow across the region.

SONAR Critical Events and radar: Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 9 a.m. EDT; Severe thunderstorm risk zone

A warm front connected to a low-pressure system over...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/severe-storms-possible-across-the-plains-late-wednesday-with-forecast-video

Severe storm threat increasing in the Plains mid-week (with forecast video)

Tractor-trailer on wet highway with storm cloud in the background.

Another round of severe thunderstorms will likely slam parts of the nation’s heartland Wednesday, from Texas to Nebraska.This isn’t unusual for mid-May, but could cause minor delays in freight flow across the region.

SONAR Critical Events and radar: Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. EDT

A warm front in northern Texas will move northward into the middle Mississippi Valley by Wednesday evening. This will result in a significant air mass change, with southerly winds leading to increasing warmth and humidity....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/severe-storm-threat-increasing-in-the-plains-mid-week-with-forecast-video

Typhoon could strike Philippine ports this week

Satellite photo of Tropical Storm Vongfong on May 12, 2020.

Tropical Storm Vongfong, the first named storm of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season, has developed in the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, Philippines. It will likely hit the northern Philippines as a typhoon sometime Thursday.

Satellite image of Tropical Storm #Vongfong at sunset #AmboPH #台風1号 pic.twitter.com/mpy1IAjoKg

— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) May 12, 2020

On Vongfong’s current forecast path, the very large port of Manila would escape significant storm surge but could sustain wind damage....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/typhoon-could-strike-philippine-ports-this-week

Spring snowfall to hit the Rockies this week (with forecast video)

Plow clearing snowy highway in Montana.

Even though it’s almost mid-May, wintry weather is coming to some Western states this week.

SONAR Critical Events and snowfall forecast: Monday, May 11, 9 a.m. EDT

A series of low-pressure systems off the Pacific Ocean will produce several rounds of snowfall in the Cascades and Rockies over the next few days. This isn’t unusual in the spring, but it could slow truckers just a bit on some routes.

The latest forecast models show most of the accumulating snowfall spreading across the northern Rockies...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/spring-snowfall-to-hit-the-rockies-this-week-with-forecast-video

Arizona brush fire closes state highway, forces evacuations

Fire truck at the Lost Dutchman Fire in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Fire crews in Apache Junction, Arizona, spent Thursday afternoon and evening putting out a large brush fire that closed a portion of State Route 88. State officials said the forward progress of the fire has been stopped. About 160 firefighters from several agencies came together to fight the flames, which burned roughly 260 acres.

Fires breaking out today in Apache Junction.

2 now – #LostDutchmanfire and the #Southernfire

Winds will back off after sunset, but we will see more breezes (10-15...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/arizona-brush-fire-closes-state-highway-forces-evacuations

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