At least 34 people have died across six states in the US in the past week as a powerful storm system swept through the midwest and south, affecting Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mississippi. The storms brought a devastating combination of dust storms, tornadoes, wildfires, flash flooding and large hailstones, and left behind a trail of wrecked vehicles, severely damaged buildings and widespread power outages. More than 60 million Americans have been affected by the severe weather.
Since Friday, 68 tornadoes have been observed, an unusually high number for this time of year, as tornado season doesn’t typically begin until May. Wind gusts reached up to 70mph. These intense storms were fuelled by a clash of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, which mixed with colder air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains. This temperature contrast combined with strong wind shear strengthened the rotating vortex of the thunderstorms. The flat terrain of Tornado Alley also assisted the storms, allowing them to develop and move rapidly across the region.
The storm system continued its track eastwards, bringing havoc to Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky before reaching the east coast at the weekend. Though the storms have moved off the eastern seaboard, the destruction caused remains extensive.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s unpredictable weather provided a thrilling and challenging opening to the Formula 1 season during the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. In the lead-up to the race, south-eastern Australia sweltered under a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40C on Saturday. This was caused by hot winds from the outback and a northerly airflow that pushed heat across southern parts of the country, creating a “heat dome” as high pressure trapped the scorching air in the region.
However, as race day arrived on Sunday, a shift to a south-westerly wind brought cooler temperatures and a sharp temperature gradient, triggering heavy rain. This sudden change created a treacherous and chaotic environment for drivers, intensified by the presence of six rookie racers. The wet conditions led to an aborted start after an accident (non-fatal) on the formation lap, plus spinning cars, multiple stops and safety interventions.
