Russia Heat Wave
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Global Hazards And Significant Events
May 2007
A record breaking heat wave affected parts of western and central Russia during May. Additional information can be found below.
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Drought & Heat | Flooding | Storms | Tropical Cyclones | Extratropical Cyclones | Severe Winter Weather
Across the United States, extreme drought conditions were observed in areas of Wyoming, as well as northern Minnesota and throughout much of the Desert Southwest
and the Southeast region. On May 29, 50% of the western U.S. was in moderate to exceptional drought, 83% in the Southeast, and 34% for the contiguous U.S., according to the Federal U.S. Drought Monitor.
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U.S. Drought Monitor
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Georgia and Florida Fires
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Extreme drought exacerbated wildfire conditions in Georgia and Florida that charred about 192,000 hectares (474,000 acres) in Georgia and 93,000 hectares (229,000 acres) in Florida, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate the area ( NIFC/BBC News).
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In China, the worst drought since 1940 was concentrated across several Chinese provinces. In the province of Gansu, 1.6 million people faced water shortages and a million of hectares of crops are damaged. Henan was reportedly the worst hit by drought, receiving 30% of expected rainfall since March (BBC News).
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China Drought Map
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India Heat Wave
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In India, a heat wave during mid-May produced temperatures as high as 45-50°C (113-122°F) resulting in at least 128 fatalities (Reuters/BBC News). Extremely hot weather and associated fatalities are common in India during late spring preceding the climatological onset of the monsoon season in June.
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A heat wave affected areas across western and central Russia during the month of May breaking several temperature records. In Moscow, temperatures on the 28th reached 32.9°C (91.2°F), the highest temperature recorded in May since 1891 (31.8°C/89.2°F). This is the first time in 128 years that the Russian capital has suffered sustained 30°C (86°F) or higher temperatures. This heat has prompted Russia's energy administrator to restrict the use of non-residential energy for the first time in summer (BBC News/Kommersant).
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Russia Heat Wave
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In early May, Uruguay was hit by the worst flooding since 1959. Heavy rainfall in portions of Uruguay produced floods that affected more than 110,000 people and severely damaged crops and buildings. In Durazno, heavy rainfall triggered the overflowing of the Yi River and flooded the city's water supply. A total of 30,000 people had no access to safe drinking water (OCHA). |
Along the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rainfall affected more than 125,000 people and killed at least 17 on May 3-4. The flooding destroyed and damaged hundreds of homes. According to the country's Department of Meteorology, Colombo (the capital city) received about 254 mm (10 inches) of rain during those two days (IRIN). |
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Heavy rainfall and melting snow prompted flash floods across the northeastern region of Afghanistan, killing more than 24 people and damaging hundreds of homes (IRIN).
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In Colombia, heavy rainfall on May 19 produced severe flooding and landslides that affected more than 600 people and caused at least 13 deaths and the destruction of many homes (OCHA). |
In China, heavy rainfall during May 24-25 affected the Sichuan and Chongqing municipalities prompting flash flooding and mudslides that killed a total of 43 people and left 12 others missing. In Chongqing, economic losses have been estimated at 73.5 million U.S. dollars (Xinhua/Reuters). |
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In the United States, heavy rainfall in parts of Oklahoma and Texas during May 26-27 triggered flash floods which affected more than 1,000 people and were blamed for at least 4 deaths with 2 others missing. Areas in northern Oklahoma experienced the worst flooding in over 50 years, reporting rainfall totals of 76 mm (3 inches) in a 24-hour period (Associated Press/BBC News). |
Heavy rains caused flooding in Mombasa, Kenya during mid-May. Hundreds of families were affected by flash floods and at least 2 fatalities were reported due to heavy rains which caused the roof of a house to collapse (IRIN).
Across Europe and Turkey, torrential rain produced flash floods and landslides that were blamed for at least 23 fatalities. In Germany rainfall accumulated to 106mm (4 inches), well over the monthly average of 85mm (3 inches) (Reuters/BBC News).
In the United States, severe thunderstorms produced devastating tornadoes across the Plains. The strongest tornado was reported to have occurred in Greensburg, KS, killing at least 10 people and destroying about 95% of the town. The 1.7 mile-wide tornado was on the ground for 22 miles and was the first tornado of the year to be classified with the new rating system. The tornado was rated as category EF-5 (Associated Press/USA Today News). For additional information, see the Storm Prediction Center Report. The last F5 tornado occurred in Midwest City, Oklahoma, in May 1999.
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U.S. Severe Weather Report
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Subtropical storm Andrea developed off the southeastern coast of the United States on the 9th, prior to the official Atlantic hurricane season (June 1st), becoming the first named storm in May since 1981. Andrea had maximum sustained winds of 65 km/hr (35 knots or 40 mph) and weakened to a depression on the 10th (Associated Press/CNN News). Storms that occur prior to the official start of the hurricane season are not uncommon. As recently as 2003 a tropical storm developed earlier in the season when Tropical Storm Ana formed on April 22nd.
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Subtropical Storm Andrea
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Tropical Cyclone Akash
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Tropical Cyclone Akash developed in the Bay of Bengal on the 13th. The cyclone made landfall near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on the morning of the 15th with maximum sustained winds near 120 km/hr (65 knots or 75 mph). Akash triggered a 1.2 meter (4 foot) tidal surge which affected coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The cyclone destroyed crops, damaged hundreds of homes, and was responsible for at least one death with 100 others missing (Reuters/AccuWeather News).
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No reports of significant extratropical cyclones were received during May 2007.
In Argentina, at least 23 fatalities were reported as a result of cold weather during the last week of May. For several nights temperatures were below freezing which also led to electricity and natural gas shortages (Associated Press). |
Argentina Temperature Anomalies
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For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report,
please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services
Division:
- Climate Services Division
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue, Room 120
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov
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For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
- Ahira Sanchez-Lugo
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Ahira.Sanchez-Lugo@noaa.gov
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