Friday, March 1, 2013

March 2013...Storms and Quakes to dominate.

Hello y'all! ;)

February 2013 sure brought its fair share of natural happenings, such as the magnitude 8.0 earthquake in the Solomon Islands, the snowstorms across the northern and northeast U.S., tornadoes, and even a cyclone in Madagascar. After this somewhat active month for snowstorms and earthquakes, you may be wondering what March 2013 may have in store. Well folks, it looks to continue the active trend seen this February. March 2013 may feature more powerful earthquakes and storms, and could spotlight severe weather events towards the latter part of the month, let's have a look at what the 3rd month of 2013 may have in store:

March 1: Possible Scenario: A strong earthquake with possibly moderate impacts, possibly around the Magnitude 6.5+ range. A Landslide is also possible on this day, especially in mountainous areas having heavy rains. Main Areas to Watch: watch areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire or other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, especially the Western Americas, Northeastern Europe, as well as Southeastern Europe, Japan/Southeast Asia. Also watch mountainous areas for possible landslides. Modest Risk: The chance for natural disaster on this date is 15 percent.

March 3-7: (Several possibilities) Most Likely Scenario: A major winter storm could take shape during this time, especially towards March 5th-7th, with potentially significant impacts. Second Possible Scenario: Major Earthquake strikes during the period, especially on March 3 and March 6-7, with possibly significant impacts. The quake may surpass Magnitude 7.0 if it were to occur. Other Possible Scenarios: Cyclone forms and affects the south Pacific, mainly Australia or Madagascar/East Africa. Severe Weather due to winter storms to the north may not be completely ruled out during this time either. Main Areas to Watch: For the Bad Weather: Keep close watch over the Eastern and Northeastern portion of the U.S. and Europe for potential winter storms during this time. Watch the southern U.S. for possible severe weather ahead of any cold fronts then as well, and also watch any other world regions experiencing bad weather then as well. For the Earthquake: Watch areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire or other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, such as South and North America's western coasts and Eastern Europe, SE Asia. Significant Risk: The chance for natural disaster during this period is 25 percent with a 15 percent chance that the disaster becomes severe.

March 13: (A day similar to March 1st) Possible Scenario: A strong earthquake with possibly moderate impacts, possibly around the Magnitude 6.5+ range, strikes on this day. A Landslide is also possible, especially in mountainous areas having heavy rains, as a second alternate sudden event. Second Possible Scenario Severe Weather/ Tornado Outbreak is also a possibility, and might be associated with the following risk period's event (March 15). Main Areas to Watch: watch areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire or other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, especially the Western Americas, Northeastern Europe, as well as Southeastern Europe, Japan/Southeast Asia. watch the south and Central U.S. for possible severe weather and tornadoes. Also watch mountainous areas for possible landslides. Modest Risk: The chance for natural disaster on this date is 15 percent.

March 15: Possible Scenario: A Powerful Earthquake with possibly significant impacts, likely in the Magnitude 7.0 range, could strike in on this day. There's an outside chance this earthquake takes place just before or after this date, making the period March 14-16 the time to watch with the main date being the 15th. A Landslide/Mudslide might also occur on this date as a 2nd alternate sudden event scenario. Second Possible Scenario: Severe Weather, especially relating to thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes. A significant tornado or tornado outbreak is possible on or right around this date as well. An outside chance exists that this day brings a quick-hitting cyclone in the south Pacific as well. Main Areas to Watch: For the Earthquake: Watch areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire or other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, such as South and North America's western coasts and northeast Europe to Alaska, SE Asia. For the Bad Weather: Monitor regions with mountains and hilly areas experiencing heavy rains then...for possible landslides and flash floods. Watch the southern and Central U.S. for possible severe weather/tornadoes ahead of any cold fronts then as well. Significant Risk: The chance for natural disaster during this time is 25 percent and the chance that the event becomes severe is 15 percent.

March 19: Possible Scenario: Strong Earthquake, with possibly moderate impacts, strikes on this date and has a strength or impacts similar to the Magnitude 6.5 to 7.0 range. Landslides cannot be ruled out on this date as well, especially near areas receiving heavy rains near mountains. Second Possible Scenario: A Tornado outbreak, or bout of Severe Weather could hit as well. Again, there is also a chance for a rapidly moving cyclone to make its mark on this date. Main Areas to Watch: For the Earthquake: Watch places such as South and North America's western coasts, Africa's northern and eastern sector, and eastern Europe, SE Asia. For the Bad Weather: Watch the southern portion of the U.S. for possible severe weather and strong tornadoes ahead of any cold fronts. Also, monitor regions with mountains and hilly areas experiencing heavy rains then...for possible landslides. Modest Risk: The chance for natural disaster on this date is 15 percent.

March 21-25: (The most dangerous period this month) Most Likely Scenario: Major Severe Weather/ Tornado Outbreak with potentially severe impacts. This event may be caused by a major late-season winter storm affecting more northern regions. Second Likely Scenario: Major Cyclone, with possibly devastating impacts, strikes during this period in the South Indian/South Pacific Ocean region. Third Possible Scenario: Major Earthquake with possibly severe impacts strikes, especially on March 21 and primarily March 24 – 25, with significant Tsunami risk. Such a quake during this time may approach Magnitude 8.0. A major natural disaster is likely during this time. Main Areas to Watch: A period like this warrants much of the world's attention. For the Bad Weather: Watch the Southern and Central portion of the U.S. for possible severe weather and strong tornadoes ahead of any cold fronts...be on the lookout should severe weather become forecast by this time, as it could prove to be a serious situation. Watch the colder regions of North America, Europe and Asia for a potential late-season winter storm, especially near the ocean. Monitor the South Pacific and South Indian Oceans for a potentially destructive cyclone during this time as well. Also monitor regions with mountains and hilly areas experiencing heavy rains then...for possible landslides.For the Earthquake: Watch world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, such as South, Central and North America's western coasts and eastern Europe, SE Asia. Also watch other quake-prone regions, like northern Africa and the Middle East. High Risk: The chance for natural disaster during this time is 40 percent, with a 30 percent chance for the disaster to become severe in nature.

March 28: Most Likely Scenario: Strong Earthquake with possibly significant impacts, possibly around Magnitude 7.0, or with impacts typical of a quake of this range. Landslides and other sudden natural events/disasters are also possible on this date. Second Likely Scenario: Significant Tornado/Severe Weather Outbreak, most likely occurring in the Southern half of the U.S. Other Possible Scenarios: Strong cyclone, a fast mover possibly, strikes on this day in East Africa/Madagascar or Australia. Flash Floods are also a possibility. Main Areas to Watch: Watch the Pacific Ring of Fire and other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, such as East Europe and Japan/Southeast Asia. Beware mountains and hilly areas experiencing heavy rains then...for landslides. Lookout along the southern sector of the United States should severe weather become forecast by this date. Watch the South Indian Ocean for possible landfalling cyclones, especially in Madagascar and Australia. Significant Risk: The chance for a natural disaster is 20 percent on this date, with a 10 percent chance it is severe.

March 31: Possible Scenario: A strong earthquake with possibly moderate impacts, possibly around the Magnitude 6.5 range, strikes on this day. A Landslide is also possible, especially in mountainous areas having heavy rains, as a second alternate sudden event. Second Possible Scenario Severe Weather/ Tornado Outbreak is also a possibility. Main Areas to Watch: watch areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire or other world areas recently experiencing EQ activity, especially the Western Americas, Northeastern Europe, as well as Southeastern Europe, Japan/Southeast Asia. watch the South and Central U.S. for possible severe weather and tornadoes. Also watch mountainous areas for possible landslides. Modest Risk: The chance for natural disaster on this date is 15 percent.

The Month at a Glance:

March 2013 is set to rival February 2013, with perhaps more in the way of nasty and destructive storms around the world. Tornadoes and other forms of severe weather will likely make the biggest headlines during this month, and the main regions for this to occur in are the south/central U.S., parts of Europe, and the South Pacific and South Indian Ocean, where cyclones could also strike during the more weather-event prone dates above. Of all the dates this month, March 6th, March 15th, and March 23rd-25th are the most significant risk dates, where March 24 is the most powerful date of the year thus far! Only a handful of dates towards the end of the year rival this one or surpass it in terms of risk level, so it seems likely that we will see One major natural disaster in March this year, with perhaps up to 2 notable natural disasters happening elsewhere during this month. There is also enough potential for a massive earthquake to strike during this month, so all earthquake regions should be aware.

Overall This March, watch North America and Europe, primarily the central and southern United States for possible severe weather events during any of the above mentioned dates, the South Pacific around Australia for possible cyclones, and any other world regions experiencing bad weather then. Watch earthquake-prone regions of the World closely, primarily along the Pacific Ring of Fire region or near other areas recently experiencing earthquake activity. March 2013 is particularly prone to weather-related disasters and earthquakes, and is one of the more active months of 2013.

I wish everyone a safe and good month of March, no matter what storms it may bring. Stay tuned y'all! :)


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UPDATE #1 (As of March 11, '13)

EARTHQUAKE WATCH FOR WORLD'S QUAKE ZONES, PRIMARILY INDONESIA AND THE FAR NORTH PACIFIC...FOR PERIOD CONCERNING 3/13 - 3/16, WITH MARCH 13 AND MARCH 15 BEING THE MAIN DATES TO WATCH. 

We will need to be on guard for a potential strong earthquake coming up during this time, it could attain Magnitude 7.0+ or cause impacts related to quakes of this magnitude. Other sudden-event natural disasters such as Landslides, Tornadoes and Flash Floods cannot be ruled out during this time as well.

I will post more updates as necessary.

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UPDATE #2 (Midnight early on March 23, '13)

SEVERE WEATHER & TORNADO WATCH:
SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST U.S. FOR MARCH 23-25.

The weather pattern over the Southern/Southeastern portion of the U.S. is becoming more and more favorable for possible severe weather outbreaks to occur beginning later today into the nighttime hours through Palm Sunday morning. Some Tornadoes are possible along with the strongest thunderstorms according to meteorologists at the present time. I urge those of you who are in the South, say between Louisiana and North Florida/Georgia, and perhaps South Carolina later on Sunday, to be extra careful as this coincides with the most powerful date of this month...March 24, Palm Sunday. Because of this, there is a risk that the severe weather event becomes much more severe than forecast, where luck may not be by our side and a rogue tornado turns into a violent, destructive and perhaps deadly storm. In my honest opinion, this is not a situation to be taken lightly, even if news-stations mention only a low risk for tornadoes. These dates favor disaster, and to see this weather setup unfold for these very dates is enough reason for me to raise the warning flag. If you are in this area, be prepared and be safe! 

See this link to Accuweather.com for further meteorological details about this possible near-future event:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/severe-weather-risk-palm-sunda/8514409


EARTHQUAKE WATCH ALSO IN EFFECT FOR MARCH 24-25, ALL QUAKE ZONES.

Possible M 7.0+ damaging earthquake is possible during these same dates. Be extra wary if you live in earthquake risk areas.

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UPDATE #3 (March 26, early AM)

The Latest


It's been a wild week in the Nature department, with two significant natural disasters taking place and other major natural events around the world. Here's what the week has brought:

March 21: Australian tornado destroyed dozens of homes, injures 20.
March 23: Devastating tornado killed 24 persons and injured hundreds in Bangladesh.
March 24-25: Major Winter Storm across the central and eastern portion of the U.S.
March 25: Landslide killed 6 villagers and left 18 missing in Java, Indonesia following torrential rains.
March 25: Magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck very close to Guatemala City a few hours ago. No damages reported as of yet.

One might wonder...what's next?

This latest risk period came to an end and with it hopefully the last of the disasters. However we still have a bit of potential action left, with March 28 being the next target date. As of now, I'm concerned this day will bring another powerful earthquake...it is a very favorable EQ date.

EARTHQUAKE WATCH 3/28...ALL QUAKE ZONES.


 
Watch all seismic regions on this date, and have more emphasis on Indonesia and the Western Americas. The potential exists for a quake over 7.0 in magnitude on this date.

6 comments:

  1. Earthquakes - match

    6.5 2013/03/01 13:20:51 50.945 157.476 31.7 KURIL ISLANDS
    6.5 2013/03/01 12:53:52 50.938 157.511 40.9 KURIL ISLANDS

    Weather - bad for the incoming days:

    Storm Next Week Versus Deadly Storm of '62
    http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/storm-next-week-could-look-lik/7172141



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  2. Thanks for posting Gab! :)

    Looks like we will have a major winter storm indeed across the Mid-Atlantic to Northeast!

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  3. To much quietness before a big one.

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  4. 6.1 2013/03/24 04:18:35 0.718 160.155 9.7 EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS

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  5. A busy morning so far with a major winter storm in the U.S. and severe weather in the southeast. 6.0 shakers as well. Thanks again for posting Gab!

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  6. Killer tornado ravaged Bangladesh on 3/23, leaving at least 23 fatalities. This may have been the most intense manifestation of the current risk period.

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