Latest news with #AriSarsalari
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flooding hits Helene recovery area in western North Carolina
Torrential rain and thunderstorms are raising fears across areas of western North Carolina that were impacted by Hurricane Helene last year. FOX Weather Meteorologists Ari Sarsalari and Marissa Torres break down the latest forecast on Monday, May 12.
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
NYC flash flood threat grows as Northeast is hammered by thunderstorms
NEW YORK – The threat of flash flooding is growing in the Northeast due to relentless rounds of rain and some thunderstorms fueled by a stubborn Omega blocking pattern over the U.S. An 'Omega block' is named after the Greek letter Ω and disrupts the usual zonal flow of weather systems. The FOX Forecast Center said the blocking pattern has caused a so-called cutoff low-pressure system to stall over the Tennessee and Ohio valleys. This system is feeding moisture off the Atlantic Ocean, funneling precipitation into the region. 'A cutoff low means that it's cut off from the main flow, meaning that there's nothing around to steer it, meaning that it doesn't move very fast at all,' FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said. 'So, this thing is going to linger around the East Coast for a couple of days.' The FOX Forecast Center said that, depending on the position of the frontal boundary, the easterly winds at the surface may enhance the precipitation in some higher-terrain areas, especially across portions of western Connecticut. Rain totals could approach 3-5 inches if the front struggles to move. However, the FOX Forecast Center said there remains some uncertainty regarding the timing and location of the heavier rain bands as they reorganize and shift over the next few days. The threat of flash flooding is growing in the Northeast due to relentless rounds of rain and some thunderstorms. FOX Weather The rain bands are expected to be narrow with occasionally heavy rain and a chance of some thunderstorms. It won't rain all the time in most places. However, several rounds of rain with embedded downpours can be expected. Flash flooding is possible, but forecasters said significant flooding appears unlikely due to the scattered nature of the storms. Yankees Stadium is soaked with rain before a game between the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST The threat zone includes the New York City and Poughkeepsie areas in New York, as well as Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, New London, Bridgeport and Stamford in Connecticut. Omega blocking pattern fuels flood threat this week A rather unusual weather pattern for early May is setting up across the U.S., one that meteorologists warn will lead to a stagnant pattern with prolonged periods of warmth in some areas and steady rain in others. This so-called Omega block will cause two distinct regions of precipitation to dominate the workweek: one stretching from the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast and another affecting the Northeast. 'Plenty of moisture will be underneath those lows,' FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said. 'It's a slow-moving pattern that will kind of keep us locked in place with rain.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northeast, mid-Atlantic face flash flood threat as Omega block brings persistent rain, thunderstorms
NEW YORK – Tens of millions of people in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are facing a flash flood risk as we close out the weekend and begin a new workweek due to relentless rounds of rain and some thunderstorms fueled by a stubborn Omega blocking pattern over the U.S. An "Omega block" is named after the Greek letter Ω and disrupts the usual zonal flow of weather systems. The FOX Forecast Center said the blocking pattern has caused a so-called cutoff low-pressure system to stall over the Ohio Valley. This system is feeding moisture off the Atlantic Ocean, funneling precipitation into the region. "A cutoff low means that it's cut off from the main flow, meaning that there's nothing around to steer it, meaning that it doesn't move very fast at all," FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said. "So, this thing is going to linger around the East Coast for a couple of days." On Sunday, scattered downpours and thunderstorms are likely across much of the region, but especially near the Catskills of New York and Poconos of Pennsylvania. It won't be a complete washout on Sunday, so there will be breaks in the rain – which, in some cases, could be a few hours. It will be cool and rainy in places farther north, such as Burlington, Vermont; Portland, Maine; and Buffalo, New York. Farther south, however, it will be warmer. Temperatures in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington will be in the 70s with rain. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) said severe weather is from Florida to interior portions of the Northeast on Sunday. The SPC placed those regions in a Level 1 threat on its 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale. "We're down to a Level 1 risk today," Sarsalari said. "It's a pretty large area. I mean, it goes from the interior Northeast down through eastern Pennsylvania, parts of Virginia, parts of the Carolinas, even down along the Southeast coast." Several inches of rain is likely across portions of the Northeast through Wednesday, with some of the highest totals expected in New York's Hudson Valley and Capital Region, as well as in Connecticut, western Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire in New England. "This is a needed rain," Sarsalari continued. "The other thing that's going to come along with this is a flood threat. It's not the highest flood threat we've ever seen." NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted a flood threat across portions of the Northeast, New England and mid-Atlantic through at least Tuesday. So far, the risk is relatively low – only a Level 1 out of 4 threat of flooding. However, flooding can be dangerous and potentially deadly if safety precautions aren't taken. Never drive over a flooded roadway if traveling, and listen to the advice of local officials if Flash Flood Warnings are issued. A rather unusual weather pattern for early May is setting up across the U.s., one that meteorologists warn will lead to a stagnant pattern with prolonged periods of warmth in some areas and steady rain in others. This so-called Omega block will cause two distinct regions of precipitation to dominate the workweek: one stretching from the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast and another affecting the Northeast. "Plenty of moisture will be underneath those lows," FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said. "It's a slow-moving pattern that will kind of keep us locked in place with rain."Original article source: Northeast, mid-Atlantic face flash flood threat as Omega block brings persistent rain, thunderstorms
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Brewing Upper Midwest severe weather outbreak threatens Minneapolis with strong tornadoes, destructive winds
MINNEAPOLIS – A significant severe weather outbreak is expected to unfold across portions of the Upper Midwest on Monday, with forecasters warning that conditions will be favorable for the development of very large hail, damaging wind gusts and strong tornadoes. Millions of people in cities like Minneapolis and Des Moines, Iowa, are being urged to prepare for the potentially life-threatening severe weather outbreak, which is expected to begin Monday afternoon and continue well into Monday night. How To Watch Fox Weather "There are a lot less question marks when it comes to what is likely going to happen (Monday) in parts of the Upper Midwest," FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said. "We are likely to see a severe weather outbreak. We could have a tornado outbreak, including some long-track, violent tornadoes. Again, this is not terminology that I throw around very loosely." The FOX Forecast Center said the strong storm system will move quickly through the region, fueled by a powerful jet stream overhead and a strengthening surface low-pressure system moving from the northern Plains into the Great Lakes region. Warm, moist air will surge northward ahead of the system, setting the stage for a very unstable atmosphere by midday, especially across portions of Iowa, Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Download The Free Fox Weather App In total, more than 45 million people from the U.s.-Mexico border in Texas to the U.S.-Canada border in the Upper Midwest will be at risk of severe weather on Monday. However, the threat is significantly higher on the northern end of that risk zone, where more than 7 million people have been placed in a Level 4 out of 5 risk on NOAA's Storm Prediction Center's severe thunderstorm risk scale. This heightened risk zone includes cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester in Minnesota, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids in Iowa and Eau Claire and La Crosse in Wisconsin. Tornadoes Hit Large Cities: This Is Why Forecasters say all severe weather threats are possible with the thunderstorms that develop on Monday. This includes the threat of very large hail over 2 inches and destructive wind gusts. Strong tornadoes (EF-2 or higher) are also possible, especially across portions of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. The multiday severe weather threat will continue into Tuesday, putting even more people at risk of extreme weather. More than 47 million people from Texas to the Northeast will be at risk of severe weather. However, a majority of those, some 37 million people, have been placed in a Level 2 out of 5 threat. This threat includes people in cities such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma, Louisville in Kentucky, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Syracuse in New article source: Brewing Upper Midwest severe weather outbreak threatens Minneapolis with strong tornadoes, destructive winds
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas faces threat of 'significant' flash flooding starting Wednesday
SAN ANTONIO – A large section of Texas is set to receive much-needed rainfall as a storm system moves starting Wednesday, but forecasters are warning of the potential for "significant" flooding, particularly south of the Interstate 10 corridor. Some forecast models indicate 4-8 inches of rain could fall by Saturday, which has prompted NOAA's Weather Prediction Center to issue a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding across South Texas. Flood Watches have been issued for nearly a million Texans, from the Corpus Christi coastal area westward to the Interstate 35 and Interstate 37 corridors. The National Weather Service office in Corpus Christi headlined its watch with: "Numerous flash floods likely with significant events possible." "And yes, this is going to be beneficial rain, but because we have a pretty significant drought going on in this part of the country, when you mix this much rain at a time with a pretty extreme drought, you can end up in a situation where flooding gets really bad in a hurry," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari. Why 'High Risk' Flood Days Need To Be Taken Seriously The enhanced flood threat stretches from Houston southward along the coast, all the way to just north of Brownsville, Texas, where the heaviest precipitation is expected to fall. In addition to the heavy rainfall threat, thunderstorms may also produce hail, damaging winds and lightning, which can be just as dangerous and unpredictable. Many parts of the region, including areas around Austin and San Antonio, have experienced a significant lack of rainfall since last year, resulting in drought conditions that range from unusually dry to exceptional. Corpus Christi last reported a precipitation deficit of about 2.75 inches while San Antonio was closer to 4 inches. As a result of the dry conditions, the ground may not be able to absorb the rainfall quickly enough, which could lead to dangerous flash flooding. "Keep in mind when you have a drought, that ground is like concrete, and it's not going to absorb as much as we need," Sarsalari said. "But it's a good thing in the long run. We're at least starting to chip away at it." Which States Are Most At Risk For Flooding? In areas that do flood, just a few inches of rushing water can knock a person off their feet and sweep a vehicle away. In 2003, a Texas forecaster developed the "Turn Around, Don't Drown" slogan after witnessing people venturing through water of unknown depths in inland communities such as Austin and San Antiono. According to the NWS, flash flooding is one of the deadliest weather-related killers in the U.S. every year, with about a hundred fatalities that are tied to sudden flooding article source: Texas faces threat of 'significant' flash flooding starting Wednesday
