Southern California, including Los Angeles and Anaheim, is facing the threat of critical fire conditions this weekend as dry Santa Ana winds sweep through the region, warns the US Storm Prediction Center. The National Weather Service has posted a fire weather watch across much of the area in anticipation of the "first significant Santa Ana wind event of the season." These winds, which blow overland from the east and heat up as they descend mountainsides, can be extremely dangerous as they have the potential to knock down trees, power lines, and spread fires rapidly.
California, known for its susceptibility to wildfires, has experienced some respite this year due to heavy rains and snow during the winter season. However, with the arrival of the Santa Ana winds this weekend, the risk of wildfires is once again heightened. So far this year, the state has witnessed 6,164 fires burning 312,739 acres, which is below the five-year average of 6,884 fires and 1.6 million acres charred, according to the state's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
A recent study conducted by the National Center for Atmospheric Research has shed light on the rapid intensification of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones. The research identifies two main factors that contribute to such intensification. The first is when a storm passes over warm water and encounters favorable atmospheric conditions. Additionally, the study reveals an unexpected second factor – a sudden burst of thunderstorms, even far from the center of the cyclone, which can provide a short-lived boost in power.
While Mexico deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, attention is turning to a patch of thunderstorms off the coast of El Salvador in the Pacific. This disturbance has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical storm within the next two days, making it the next potential storm of the season. In the central Atlantic Ocean, another system has a 40% chance of becoming the season's next storm, while a third set of thunderstorms and showers in the western Caribbean has a 30% chance of forming in the coming week.
Meanwhile, Scotland is bracing itself for another weekend of extreme weather, putting it at an increased risk of flooding following the recent impact of Storm Babet along the coastlines of the North Sea. In South America, Ecuador is preparing for rolling blackouts due to the worst Amazon drought in half a century, which has severely impacted hydroelectric power output, responsible for over two-thirds of the country's electricity supply.