Big Hail in New Mexico, 100 MPH Winds in Alaska

My blog's mantra is "The Weather Is Always Interesting." And despite our third day of sunshine and warm temperatures in the Northeast (something many say is "interesting" if not "pleasant," as we seem to be breaking winter's grip), there are several areas where extreme weather is happening. First, from New Mexico last night, photos from Facebook Fan Wendell M. of large hail at his house:

Wendell says: "Quarter to Golf Ball size hail fell at my home for 10 minutes last night, in Carlsbad NM. The hail piled up 1" deep on the ground with 6" drifts. Received a report of 2.00" diameter hail this morning from last nights storm. It was knocking out street lights in N-C Carlsbad, NM."

Indeed the NWS received scattered spotter reports of hail, wind damage and flooding across the Southwest this weekend:

This article from a local newspaper in Yuma, AZ interviews one of our meteorologists about the hail, and points out that Yuma has already exceeded their yearly average rainfall!* Also in Arizona, Facebook Fan Casey R. from Arizona posted this rainbow pic from Sunday:

Next up is Alaska, where the southern tier from Anchorage to Juneau is suffering from a major winter storm. Our news article says "A potent storm will strengthen over the Gulf of Alaska today, spreading more rain and snow into the Alaska Panhandle, including in the state's capital, Juneau." This is the second big storm to track across the area in the last few days -- wave heights are approaching 20 feet in the Gulf of Alaska this morning though winds & waves both exceeded today's stats on coastal / buoy stations on Saturday.

Winds gusts over hurricane force reported so far today:

Hickerson Lake Forest Station: 98 mphMcArthur Pass: 89 mphAugustine Island Coastal Station: 75 mph

And if that's not enough for you, we have snow in Macedonia, plus killer sunrises in South Carolina, New Jersey & Connecticut on our Facebook Page. On our Photo Gallery, there are signs of Spring overtaking Winter and more in our Moderator's Picks this weekend:

*Specifics from the article:

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