Full gamut of wild weather for the U.S.
theweathernetwork.com
Friday, October 4, 2013, 8:14 AM -
Tropical storm Karen isn't the only weather story making news in the U.S.
Tropical weather #karen, severe weather, fire weather, freezing temps, fog. We've got it all in Southern Region! pic.twitter.com/yVBkBq1Ifo
— NWS Southern Region (@NWS_Southern_US) October 4, 2013
The country will see the full gamut of wild weather on Friday -- from severe thunderstorms, to wildfires to blizzards.
Yes, blizzards.
The conditions are courtesy of a Colorado low, a system that typically forms in southeastern Colorado on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, creating a clash of airmasses.
"The latest models for Friday show that Wyoming's morning low will be between -10°C and -15°C, and it will be between 20°C and 22°C in Iowa," explains Brian Dillon, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
"This contrast in temperature creates strong dynamics for severe weather. Add in the fact that moisture in the Gulf of Mexico is interacting with colder air from the Prairies, creating the potential for damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes Friday afternoon in the Midwest. At the same time, parts of Wyoming and South Dakota could see snow."
Blizzard warnings are in place in both states. Some places could see up to 60 cm of snow accumulate with wind gusts up to 100 km/h.
Meanwhile, a lengthy period of Santa Ana winds stretching from Friday morning to Sunday have prompted wildfire alerts in southern California.
RECIPE FOR DISASTER: strong wind, single digit humidity, temps in the 90s = highest #wildfire threat in 5 years in southern CA (via NWS LA)
— Shawn Reynolds (@WCL_Shawn) October 4, 2013
What does this mean for Canada?
"As the low tracks towards Ontario, we'll see humidexes on the rise in southern Ontario, making it feel like the mid-20s through the weekend," Dillon says.
"On Sunday, there's a potential for rain in northwestern Ontario and a rain/snow mix for the Nickelbelt. As we move into early next week, tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean will slide north-eastward into parts of Atlantic Canada."
