Captain's Log 11 May '24 Wettest end to May in 40+ Years
Captain's Log
11 May '24: Happy Saturday! :)
Widespread Auroras all over the Earth last night with a G5 CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) from the Sun with a Kp Index off the scale at 9, strongest event in 21 years, possibly 500 years per NASA! We captured the Auroras near wt360 HQ in Bethlehem PA. CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW.
At least 6 extreme CMEs are making a direct hit on Earth this weekend so the Aurora's likely to continue. We explain in today's video how the solar wind/CMEs interact with the Earth's magnetic field to create these spectacular shows. Check out spaceweather.com for Aurora updates.
Solar Cycle 25 is likely to peak here in late 2024 into early 2025 but it's nowhere near as intense as the late 1950s, but we didn't have satellites back then so the impact on critical technology today is certainly a risk, ask Elon and his Star Links! HA The Sun is one of 24 climate cycles that have a small role in our year-ahead statistical 24 climate cycle technology.
Tornadoes are now the most in 13 years as WTI predicted a year in advance. 153 tornadoes, 526 hail events and 902 wind events this past week alone as the severe weather pattern intensified. Sadly, it continues for the balance of May!
Drought is plummeting with just 35% of the country in dry to drought phases trending 10% less than last year and 10% below average (WET) and the least in 4 years nationally. This will continue to improve through Spring with the U.S. likely to have record crop yields in 2024.
Last week (5-11 May) across the World shows the U.S. trending -1.4F colder than last year but 9th warmest in 39 years. Rainfall up +38% over LY, wettest in 5 years and 4th wettest in 39 years. The trends are a little misleading with big warmups midweek and then much colder weekends in the East. This Mother's Day weekend is trending the coldest in 3 years (below average temperatures) and wettest in 6 years in the East up against a very hot/dry period a year ago. Overall, these remain negative trends for retail seasonal sales and store traffic. E-commerce wins in less ideal weather.
The U.K. was the more favorable spot trending warmer and drier, but Europe overall was colder and wetter and less favorable. Downright frigid in Russia trending coldest in 25 years with snow in Moscow!
This week (12-18 May) shows a moderating trend but still -0.8F colder than last year, coolest in 3 years but 7th warmest of the past 39 years. Rainfall +102% wetter than a year and #1 wettest in over 39 years. These remain unfavorable for retail sales, but the West is best.
More severe weather developing for the Southern tier of the U.S. and the Central Plains. More widespread outbreaks likely. As WTI warned months ago, 2024 would be a disastrous year for the insurance industry and we're already at 7 disasters over a billion dollars.
Next week (19-25 May) prior Memorial Day shows a warmer pattern with temperatures +1.4F warmer than last year, warmest in 3 years and 7th warmest of the past 39 years. But a strong cold front appears to move into the Central U.S. triggering more widespread severe weather. Rainfall up +74% vs last year and 11th most of the past 39 years. The Southwest is the warmer/drier region with some benefit to seasonal sales.
The 2-week World outlook (12-25 May) shows warm for most except Russia and Argentina.
Rainfall continues to be excessive around the World, but a drier pattern in Brazil, China and Eastern Europe.
We wish all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day Sunday despite the less- than-ideal weather in the East. One of the perks of being a meteorologist is knowing WHEN to take your wife and daughter to their favorite garden on a Sunny Saturday vs a miserable Sunday. :) Mrs. Captain Simona Kirk and Angelina Kirk enjoying Longwood Gardens in Southeast PA.
Have a great week ahead and don't forget to follow us on social media for frequent updates: Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Linkedin.
Captain Kirk out.
Widespread Auroras all over the Earth last night with a G5 CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) from the Sun with a Kp Index off the scale at 9, strongest event in 21 years, possibly 500 years per NASA! We captured the Auroras near wt360 HQ in Bethlehem PA. CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW.
At least 6 extreme CMEs are making a direct hit on Earth this weekend so the Aurora's likely to continue. We explain in today's video how the solar wind/CMEs interact with the Earth's magnetic field to create these spectacular shows. Check out spaceweather.com for Aurora updates.
Solar Cycle 25 is likely to peak here in late 2024 into early 2025 but it's nowhere near as intense as the late 1950s, but we didn't have satellites back then so the impact on critical technology today is certainly a risk, ask Elon and his Star Links! HA The Sun is one of 24 climate cycles that have a small role in our year-ahead statistical 24 climate cycle technology.
Tornadoes are now the most in 13 years as WTI predicted a year in advance. 153 tornadoes, 526 hail events and 902 wind events this past week alone as the severe weather pattern intensified. Sadly, it continues for the balance of May!
Drought is plummeting with just 35% of the country in dry to drought phases trending 10% less than last year and 10% below average (WET) and the least in 4 years nationally. This will continue to improve through Spring with the U.S. likely to have record crop yields in 2024.
Last week (5-11 May) across the World shows the U.S. trending -1.4F colder than last year but 9th warmest in 39 years. Rainfall up +38% over LY, wettest in 5 years and 4th wettest in 39 years. The trends are a little misleading with big warmups midweek and then much colder weekends in the East. This Mother's Day weekend is trending the coldest in 3 years (below average temperatures) and wettest in 6 years in the East up against a very hot/dry period a year ago. Overall, these remain negative trends for retail seasonal sales and store traffic. E-commerce wins in less ideal weather.
The U.K. was the more favorable spot trending warmer and drier, but Europe overall was colder and wetter and less favorable. Downright frigid in Russia trending coldest in 25 years with snow in Moscow!
This week (12-18 May) shows a moderating trend but still -0.8F colder than last year, coolest in 3 years but 7th warmest of the past 39 years. Rainfall +102% wetter than a year and #1 wettest in over 39 years. These remain unfavorable for retail sales, but the West is best.
More severe weather developing for the Southern tier of the U.S. and the Central Plains. More widespread outbreaks likely. As WTI warned months ago, 2024 would be a disastrous year for the insurance industry and we're already at 7 disasters over a billion dollars.
Next week (19-25 May) prior Memorial Day shows a warmer pattern with temperatures +1.4F warmer than last year, warmest in 3 years and 7th warmest of the past 39 years. But a strong cold front appears to move into the Central U.S. triggering more widespread severe weather. Rainfall up +74% vs last year and 11th most of the past 39 years. The Southwest is the warmer/drier region with some benefit to seasonal sales.
The 2-week World outlook (12-25 May) shows warm for most except Russia and Argentina.
Rainfall continues to be excessive around the World, but a drier pattern in Brazil, China and Eastern Europe.
We wish all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day Sunday despite the less- than-ideal weather in the East. One of the perks of being a meteorologist is knowing WHEN to take your wife and daughter to their favorite garden on a Sunny Saturday vs a miserable Sunday. :) Mrs. Captain Simona Kirk and Angelina Kirk enjoying Longwood Gardens in Southeast PA.
Have a great week ahead and don't forget to follow us on social media for frequent updates: Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Linkedin.
Captain Kirk out.