In our July 2011 edition of Friendly Forecast’s weather roundup: Yellowstone River oil spill, Pheonix Arizona Haboob, Peace and Prince George flooding, tropical storms – cyclones – hurricanes galore, North American heat wave, and some Canadian tornadoes.

Oil Spill in Yellowstone River, Montana

July 3, 2011 - A oil pipeline owned by ExxonMobile that traveled under the Yellowstone River near Billings Montana ruptured leaking an estimated 1000 plus barrels into the river leaving a 25 mile slick. 300 residents had to be evacuated and clean up efforts were hampered due to the river being at flood stage at the time. Currently an NPR report advises that most of the cleanup is done and testing shows that there will be no long term environmental damage.

Phoenix Sandstorm. Image Credit Kittelsrud.

Sandstorm In Phoenix Arizona

July 5, 2011 – A sandstorm or ‘Haboob’ engulfed Phoenix Arizona in a dramatic style. The sandstorm caused property damage, power outages and flight delays. Deja vu, Phoenix had another sandstorm on July 19, 2011.

Flooding Highway 97 Near Pine Pass. Image Credit BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Peace River District and Prince George BC Flooding.

July 6, 2011 – The Peace River District and Prince George BC had experienced intense rainfall that flooded out highways, homes and businesses. As the situation degraded local authorities enacted a ‘state of emergency’ where they could restrict access to certain areas, commandeer equipment and offer financial compensation for those effected.

http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/peace-river-rain-flooding-cause-state-of-emergency/
http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/prince-george-bc-flooding-state-of-emergency/

Eye Of The Hurricane. Image Credit NASA.

Tropical Storms, Cyclones And Hurricanes Oh My!

Calvin, Bret, Dora, Dora Update, Cindy, Don and Eugene are the named tropical storms, cyclones and hurricanes for July, 2011. While most named storms turned out to be nothing of note, Dora and Don gave us some apprehension and hope. Dora was sticking a little too close to the Mexican coast causing tropical storm warnings for Cabo San Lucas. Don was supposed to bring hope to the farmers in Texas in the form of much needed rain, but Don could barely spare a drop and the rains did not come.

Hot Hot Sun. Image Credit Pranav.

Heatwave hits USA and Canada

July 11, 2011 – Was it hot enough for you? Through much of the US and sub arctic Canada experienced record breaking temperatures. Over 20 deaths were related to the heat wave that occured during the middle of the month. The only places that were spared from the heat wave was the Pacific North West, British Columbia and parts of Alberta where record rainfall was causing other problems.

http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/usa-heatwave-summer-weather-forecast/
http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/canada-heat-wave-breaking-records-across-country/
http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/us-drought-worst-in-60-yrs-higher-food-prices/

Ottawa Stage Crash. Image Credit ceedub13.

Calgary AB And Watford ON Get Tornadoes, Ottawa ON Stage Crash

Though Canada is no Tornado Alley, they regularily get tornadoes every year. The 2 tornadoes of note was on July 13, 2011 in Calgary Alberta that was classified as a F0 tornado. The other was on July 23, 2011 near Watford Ontario that was an F2 tornado, but occurred over a mostly rural area.

However, the tornado scare that was not a tornado, but a a downdraft or perhaps even a micro-burst was on July 17, 2011 at the Ottawa Bluesfest. A major thunderstorm swept through the area picking up winds, uprooting vegitation, causing a power black out and causing the stage to crash at the Ottawa Bluesfest while Cheap Trick was entertaining. A few people were hurt and later released from hospital and gave everyone a scare of a lifetime.

http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/small-f0-tornado-hits-calgary-alberta/
http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/watford-lambton-county-f2-tornado-confirmed/
http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/ottawa-stage-crash-power-black-out-storm-not-tornado/

By Darshan Montgomery and Friendly Forecast bringing you a great weather forecast for Billings Montana. Also note, on all our USA weather forecasts we display watches and warnings for many adverse weather conditions like , fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and thunder storms.

June 1, 2011 – The official beginning of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.

This year is forecast to be one of the more active hurricane seasons due to the La Nina effect we are still in. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center predict 12 – 18 named storms, 6 – 10 tropical storms that could become hurricanes and 3 – 6 could become hurricanes. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/2011-hurricane-season-officially-begins/

Northern Lights Norway Reflected In Lake. Image Credit Odd.

June 4 – 9, 2011 – Good viewing for the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.

Generally speaking, the sun from now until 2013 is in an active state spewing out more than normal solar plasma. And from June 4 – 9 some of those cosmic rays headed our way providing a great light show for northern and southern countries. Sometimes, if the conditions are right, the Aurora Borealis can be visible in locations further from the poles. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/aurora-borealis-northern-lights-till-june-9/

Chilean Volcano Spewing Ash. Image credit Bouge.

June 5, 2011 – Chile’s Puyehue-Cordón Volcano erupts.

Located approximately 700 kilometers south of the Chilean capitol of Santiago this volcano has been continuously erupting. The ensuing ash cloud has been circling the southern hemisphere causing flight delays in New Zealand, Australia and even closing down the airport in Buenos Aries Argentina. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/chilean-volcano-still-spewing-ash-delaying-flights/

Arizona Fire Area. Image credit NOAA.

June 6, 2011 – Arizona wild fire, one of the largest fires in American history.

Sparked on May 29th the Wallow Fire has been burning for over a month now in Arizona’s North East corner along the boarder with New Mexico. The fire has consumed a mind blowing half a million acres plus and destroyed countless structures. The fire to date is mostly under control, but is still a force to be reckoned with. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/arizona-wallow-wild-fire-opportunity-for-control/

Tropical Cyclone Adrian. Image credit National Hurricane Center.

June 8, 2011 – Adrian, first named storm of the Pacific Cyclone Season.

The pacific cyclone season officially begins on May 1st, a month before the Atlantic hurricane season. Adrian turned into a powerful cyclone, but fortunately stayed out at sea and eventually disipated of the coast of Baja California. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/adrian-1st-named-storm-of-the-pacific-tropical-cyclone-season/

June 15, 2001 – Austrailian flooding continues.

What a year for floods in Australia where in past years was known more for their droughts. In New South Whales more sandbagging and evacuations.

Lunar Eclipse. Image credit nmroshan.

June 15, 2011 – Lunar eclipse, but not for North America.

Did you see it? Well if you were in North America you didn’t. But, for the rest of the world, weather permitting, they got a glimpse of the Lunar Eclipse where the Earth goes between the Moon and the Sun casting its shadow on the moon turning it blood red.

Cyclone Beatriz. Image credit National Hurricane Center.

June 19, 2011 – Beatriz, second named storm of the Pacific Tropical Cyclone season.

Beatriz came fast on the heals of Cyclone Adrian and was looking like it do a lot more damage. Beatriz was coming close to shore along the southern coast of Mexico. Fortunately it passed by without any severe consequences and dispersed out at sea. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/beatriz-2nd-named-pacific-cyclone-of-the-season/

Minot Before Flood. Image credit NASA.

Minot After Flood. Image credit NASA.

June 23, 2011 – Minot North Dekota worst flood in history.

Due to heavy rains and snow melt the Souris River swelled to record heights. The flood notice was so short that people just had time to take what they could and get out and only some critical infrastructure was diked up. In all, over 10,000 people were displaced by the flood. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/minot-nd-flood-town-couldnt-be-saved/

Los Alamos Sign. Image credit Jimmy Emerson.

June 28, 2011 – Las Conchas fire threatens Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The National Laboratory in Los Alamos New Mexico is under threat of the Las Conchas wild fire. There is particular concern due to large amount toxic nuclear waste and sensitive equipment on the property. Fire officials have prepared for this emergency by making fire lines, having lots of equipment and personnel on hand to fight the fire and if necessary to even douse the buildings with fire retardant foam. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/los-alamos-facility-threatened-by-the-las-conchas-fire/

Tropical storm Arlene. Image credit National Hurricane Center.

June 29, 2011 – Arlene, first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Arlene, the first named storm of the forecast busy 2011 hurricane season. Extreme storm activity was reported along the east coast of Mexico along the Gulf of mexico. Arlene has since gone inland over mexico and has lost most of its strength. http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/arlene-1st-named-storm-of-atlantic-hurricane-season/

This weather roundup is by Darshan Montgomery and Friendly Forecast bringing you a great Miami FL weather forecast.