Cyclone Yasi, pictured here, is expected to cost more than $2 billion in damages in Australia. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Australia was nearly paralyzed as Cyclone Yasi slammed into the northeast coast of Queensland recently. The Category Five storm devastated coastal areas of Queensland, already heavily damaged from heavy flooding. The damage from Cyclone Yasi is expected to be more than $2 billion.

Agricultural areas decimated by Cyclone Yasi

Just after the Australian state of Queensland had experienced the worst flooding in a century, Cyclone Yasi slammed into the region. The cyclone strengthened from a Category Four to a Category Five just before making landfall. Initially the size of Hurricane Katrina, the storm grew to nearly the size of the United States, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Queensland is one of the chief agricultural areas in Australia, and damage is thought to be near catastrophic. The agricultural losses are already thought to be at least $1 billion, with another billion in damaged property. An estimated 30 percent of the sugar cane crop in Australia is expected to be lost, which could cost as much as $500 million. The Australian banana crop has also been severely affected, with 75 percent thought to be lost.

World food prices skyrocket

As news of the pending cyclone and possible loss of crops spread, world food prices began to rise, according to Reuters. Losses of banana and sugar cane crops in Australia, combined with loss of wheat from the Midwest snow storms in the U.S. are likely to send the price of bread, sugar and bananas sky high. American wheat prices already have begun rising in the wake of the winter storm, which has been nicknamed “Stormageddon.” Nearly half of the United States is covered in snow and ice, with freezing temperatures setting in after the snow storm.

Heavy damage from La Nina

Weather this year has been chiefly attributed to the weather pattern known as “La Niña,” according to The Telegraph. The phenomenon results in lower ocean surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure, which is the opposite effect that an El Niño has. Results of La Niña periods are often wetter, colder winters in the United States and Canada along with milder summers. In the southern hemisphere, the rainy season usually has heavier rainfall and stronger cyclones.

Sources

Christian Science Monitor

Reuters

The Telegraph

Blizzard conditions are expected in the Midwest, as a massive winter storm system is threatening the region. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

A massive winter storm system is currently threatening the Midwest region. The city of Chicago could receive the worst of the storm with more than a foot of snow, and wind gusts of 50 miles per hour or more are anticipated. Whiteout conditions are possible.

Massive storm system bearing down on Midwest

The Midwest region is being threatened by a massive winter storm system that will bring blizzard conditions that could lead to near zero visibility and frigid conditions, according to Reuters. The storm system is developing over the eastern Rocky Mountains and will move over parts of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Heavy snowfall is anticipated in the lower areas of the Midwest, along with strong gusts of wind. The storm will bring sleet and ice, and thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible.

Chicago could receive brunt

The worst effects of the storm may hit the city of Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Chicago may receive more than 20 inches of snow and wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour, which officials have described as “life threatening.” A blizzard warning is in effect for areas of northern and western Illinois and bordering areas of Indiana. Lake Michigan could potentially flood in Lake and Cook counties as a result of snowfall into the lake. At least 8 inches of snow is anticipated by Tuesday morning. The most recent storm of a similar potential magnitude was recorded in 1999 by the National Weather Service, when 19 inches of snow fell in the Chicago area.

Punxsutawney Phil could see nothing but white

It is possible that Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck will see nothing but white, as the storm is expected to move to the East Coast after going through the Midwest. The storm will move from the Upper Midwest to the New England area by Wednesday, according to MSNBC. It should be arriving in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey close to Groundhog Day.

Sources

Reuters

Chicago Sun Times

MSNBC

There is snow in all but one state of the United States. Image: Flickr / holstphoto / CC-BY

Huge snowstorms are pounding many parts of the country today. The report of snow in Hawaii and a Hawaii winter warning for the state show the effects of La Nina. Approximately 71 percent of the United States is currently covered with snow.

Snow in Hawaii at 8,000 feet and Hawaii winter warning

Hawaii is a tropical island, but it has mountains that extend high into the atmosphere. Snow in Hawaii on the 13,500 high peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea is not unusual. Today, the snow level in Hawaii is going to be about 8,000 feet. There will be very heavy rain in the lower elevations, and flash flood warnings have been issued in most Hawaiian cities. This has been a year of very heavy rain for Hawaii, following two years of severe drought on the islands.

Snow in 49 states

Florida is the only state in the nation that does not currently have snow on the ground. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 71 percent of the country is covered in snow, to an average depth of almost seven inches. In the Southern states, the snow is having an especially bad effect on road traffic. Many of the Southern states do not have any form of snow removal equipment or safety equipment. In many northern states, the snow equipment available in many places isn’t enough. In New York City and New York state, snow removal has practically shut down the entire city more than once.

Second time in two years

Though having snow in almost all of the 50 states is an unusual event, it is more common than many believe. In fact, just last year the same thing happened. The La Nina weather pattern cools down Pacific waters, which collide with the warmer air and create winter storms in usually-warmer areas of the country. A La Nina cycle can last up to two years, making this second year of heavy snows explainable, though not entirely usual, given that 2010 was one of the warmest years on record.

Sources

AOL News