On December 1-2, 2020, an “atmospheric river” plowed into southeastern Alaska. An atmospheric river is a channel of deep moisture that flows from the tropics into other areas.  This has led to historic rainfall amounts and flooding across southeastern Alaska.

48 hour rainfall totals from 5-14", wind gusts of 65 mph, 30+ inches of snow, debris flows, flooding, you name it we saw it. The image shows deep moisture surging into the SEAK from the tropics. #AtmosphericRiver #akwx .@KTOOpubmedia .@KHNS_FM .@cbjuneau .@UWCIMSS pic.twitter.com/JkudNcIhar

— NWS Juneau (@NWSJuneau) December 2, 2020

The town of Haines, about 90 miles north of Juneau was the hardest hit. As of the morning of December 2, the town set a record one-day rainfall total (6.36”) and a record two-day rainfall total (8.52”). Flooding and mudslides cut off many roads in town. As of 7:30 am EST, December 3, six people were still unaccounted for after a landslide destroyed four homes on Beach Road. 

Update as of 6pm EST:  Per Alaska’s News Source, four of the people previously missing have been found safe.  There are still two unaccounted for.  “David Simmons and Jenae Larson are still missing, and their homes were located in the landslide area.”

Haines, Alaska, got hit hard with heavy rain (ongoing), floods, mudslides, roads washed out..everything closed including airport and medical clinic..CG Medivac had to land in town this morning..Images: Young Rd, Spruce Grove, Airport pic.twitter.com/khvKeBidQ4

— akmk (@akmk) December 2, 2020

In Juneau, over 5” of rain fell, setting a new record. This rain led to flooding throughout the city. Strong winds as high as 60-65 mph also battered the Alaskan town, knocking down numerous trees. A tree fell onto a house in the Switzer Village neighborhood.

Jordan Square area around #Juneau’s Jordan Creek not looking good this Wednesday morning at 7:10 AM. #akwx @cbjuneau @NWSJuneau #flood #atmosphericriver chiropractic care cancelled this morning. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/gSEn7oV7Se

— Westbrook Adkins (@westbrookadkins) December 2, 2020

Sources:

NWS Juneau

Alaska Department of Public Safety

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2020/12/02/roads-cave-in-haines-as-heavy-rains-impact-southeast-alaska/

https://www.ktoo.org/2020/12/02/record-breaking-rainfall-leaves-muddy-mess-across-southeast-alaska/

November’s Full Beaver Moon will rise on Monday, November 30, 2020 and this year will be joined with a penumbral lunar eclipse.   Per timeanddate.com, “A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow, the penumbra.”  This year, approximately 82% of the Moon’s face will turn slightly darker during the maximum phase of the eclipse.  Per NASA, the greatest eclipse will be at 942 Universal Time on Nov 30.

So, why is the November full Moon traditionally called the Beaver Moon?  Per the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this is the time of year when the industrious rodents who have been working to store food for the winter ahead, begin to shelter.  They put on their hard hats and complete the development of their winter dams.  The November Full Moon is also called the Frost Moon or the Freezing Moon.  This is the last full moon before the winter solstice.

Sources:

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/penumbral-lunar-eclipse.html

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/lunar.html

https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-november

During Thanksgiving weekend in 1950, a long-lasting winter storm meandered its way across the Ohio Valley and Northeast. The storm developed on November 24 and moved off the coast of New England on November 29.  It ranks as the worst snowstorm to affect the area.

This major snowstorm unfolded across the Ohio Valley, with a large area picking up over 30” of snow over a 3-day period. A whopping 62” of snow fell on Coburn Creek, WV. Pittsburgh, PA received 27.4” of snow, which to this day is the biggest snowstorm to affect the city!

Hurricane-force winds battered the coastal regions of the northeast and New England. These winds caused extensive tree damage and power outages. There was a 94 mph wind gust in New York City and a 108 mph wind gust in Newark, NJ. Even higher wind gusts occurred in the mountains. Bear Mountain, about 40 miles north of New York City, had 140 mph wind gusts, and there was a 160 mph wind gust at Mount Washington, NH.

Flooding affected several rivers and coastal regions. The Ohio River crested at 28.5 feet, four feet above flood level, in Downtown Pittsburgh. In Cincinnati, OH, it reached 56 feet, which is also four feet above flood stage. The Little Juniata River flooded most of downtown Tyrone, PA. Coastal flooding affected New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Runways were left underwater at LaGuardia Airport.

A major ice storm crippled Altoona, PA, beginning on November 24, ending the next morning. As much as four inches of ice accretion caused severe tree and power line destruction in the city. Even high tension, metal, towers were brought down. The city was without power for up to 3 weeks, and most roads were blocked under the fallen trees and wires.

The storm system also brought frigid conditions to the southeast. Temperatures fell to 22°F in Pensacola, FL, 5°F in Birmingham, AL, and 3°F in Atlanta, GA. This record cold led to widespread crop damage, particularly in Georgia and South Carolina.

Sources:

NWS Jackson, KY
NCEI
WPXI.com

In the midst of a pandemic, more radio stations are operating remotely, and that has allowed the weather forecast service from The Storm Report to flourish.    More than 300 signals from coast to coast and online now utilize the weather team’s audio updates which also include breaking information about rapidly changing weather. 

“We began in 2005 as a daily feature on radio and have since diversified to provide 24/7 timely information.   Listeners greatly rely on radio as a trusted source for weather in their local communities, said Dan Holiday, president of The Storm Report.   “Our staff meteorologists wrap themselves inside the culture of each community.    We mention local events and business happenings and brand ourselves as the station meteorologists.” 

Radio companies in Denver, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Baton Rouge and Springfield, Missouri, are some of the latest additions to The Storm Report roster.   To learn more, visit www.thestormreport.com or call (800) 967-0130.