UPDATE: See photos and video of these storms, from Social Media in our new story...
It's been quite a year, folks. In a news story, we talked about a list of weather events in 2011 (originally compiled by NOAA) which caused more than $1 billion each. Here is a video showcasing them:
NOAA's report was based on an NCDC report, and I'll borrow some graphs from it here, as well as link back to AccuWeather.com news stories and blogs that I did about the events. Here's an interesting graph showing how unusual the number of events was this year (but note that, adjusted for CPI, it's only the 3rd most damaging year on record):
It's also interesting to note that most of the events occur in the Southeast (if you're looking for an inexpensive place to live, weather-wise):
And without any further ado, here is the list:
Central / East Groundhog Day Blizzard (Jan. 29-Feb. 3):
This storm killed 36 people and caused more than $2 billion in damages.
Three major tornado outbreaks in the month of April broke most existing tornado records.
Midwest / Southeast Tornadoes (April 4-5):
Nine people were killed during the tornadoes. The losses totaled more than $2 billion.
Southeast / Midwest Tornadoes (April 8-11):
Losses totaled more than $2 billion.
Midwest / Southeast Tornadoes (April 14-16):
These tornadoes killed 38 people. Property damages exceeds more than $2 billion.
Southeast / Ohio Valley / Midwest Tornadoes (Apr 25-28):
The tornadoes killed 327 people and caused more than $9 billion in damage.
Midwest / Southeast Tornadoes (May 22-27):
: Property losses totaled more than $7 billion, and 177 people were killed.
Midwest / Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms (June 18-22):
These severe weather events were recently reported to have caused more than $1 billion in damages.
Southern Plains / Southwest Drought, Heat Waves, & Wildfires (Spring-Fall):
Direct losses were more than $5 billion.
Upper Midwest Flooding (Summer):
Losses were estimated at $2 billion.
Hurricane Irene (Aug 20-29):
The hurricane killed at least 45 people. Losses were estimated to be $8 billion.
Texas / New Mexico / Arizona Wildfires (Spring-Fall):
Damages from the wildfires were in excess of $1 billion.
Snow was reported in Pennsylvania and New York on May 24, as viewers looked forward to temperatures in the 20s on Memorial Day Weekend.
The damage from the Moore, Okla., tornado of May 20, 2013, is incredible. These radar loops show the immensity of the tragic storm.
When I saw that Google had created a 30-year satellite time-lapse of Earth, I knew where the most impressive weather-related animations would be.
Whatever you call them -- "Ice Needling," "Ice Surges," or "Ice Shoves," or "Ice Heaves" -- a phenomenon that I first blogged about in 2009 is back -- with a vengeance!
17 years ago on this date, while I was taking my freshman exams at UNCA, a "cut-off" low was rumored to dump 57" of snow at nearby Mount Pisgah... but is that reading reliable?
Tornado reports and warnings are down for 2013 so far, and the last 12 months, but what about severe-thunderstorm-warned areas and lightning strikes?
Jesse Ferrell
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