Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

World Fires: Biggest Burns Central Africa, Brazil and NE Russia

Kansas City, August 21 (World Weather Inc.) – It is not unusual for wildfires to occur at any time of the year in various places in the world, but it seems that the number and intensity of fires today are quite significant. Looking at satellite imagery and noting some of the internet commentary the most extensive, active, fires today seem to the be in central and south-central Africa, northeastern Russia and in Brazil. However, fires of significance are also impacting the western United States and in various other locations in a more random and isolated manner across other North America, Europe and Asia locations.

West-Central Africa Crops Mostly In Good Shape…For Now

Kansas City, August 20 (World Weather, Inc.) – Despite strong El Nino conditions, adequate rain has fallen recently to support coffee, cocoa, rice, sugarcane, and cotton produced in west-central Africa. These crops are suspected of being well-rated and have good production potentials, but that may change if the influence of El Nino increases in the coming months and Harmattan winds (typically occurring from November into February) were to become more intense than usual. Rain during the next few weeks will be critical in boosting soil moisture if El Nino’s influence increases and seasonal rains were to diminish earlier than usual in September. Most crop areas should receive enough rain through the next two weeks to maintain favorable crop conditions, but not all areas will receive enough rain to induce significant increases in soil moisture.

Tropical Storm Saudel Will Intensify On Way To Japan

Kansas City, August 20 (World Weather Inc.) – Tropical Storm Saudel was located several hundreds of miles southeast of Guam this morning. The disturbance will track northwesterly during the next several days and will likely reach the Northern Mariana Islands early Saturday as a Typhoon. Significant damage will be likely and ocean travel will likely be diverted around the system. Saudel will track farther to the northwest this weekend and early next week and may further intensify due to warm ocean temperatures. There is some uncertainty with the exact track Saudel will take toward the middle of next week with possible impact on Japan.

Western India Will Dry Down; Timely Rain Still Needed

Kansas City, August 20 (World Weather Inc.) – Monsoonal rain continued on a frequent basis for a large section of India during the past week. The rain helped support relatively good development outside areas in eastern, central, and northern India that are abundantly wet. Waves of monsoonal rain since July helped expedite planting after a slow start to the monsoon in June. Production potentials are relatively favorable despite the threat for drier weather later this year due to El Nino. Monsoonal rain will favor eastern, central, and northern India during the coming week. Localized flooding will remain a concern, though crop conditions will remain favorable outside the wettest locations. Western India will trend drier than usual and will gradually dry down. The main production areas will have some moisture to support new growth in the short-term. The need for timely rain will otherwise increase late this month and early September. Southern India will also miss out on much of the rain and crop conditions will remain less than favorable.