United States

By Meghan Evans, Meteorologist

August 08, 2012; 5:26 AM

Share |

Torrential rain is causing devastating flooding in the Philippines, while a New Zealand volcano erupts for the first time in 115 years. Rare snow was flying in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Manila, Philippines, Awash Amid Torrential Rain
Flooding rainfall has swamped Manila and surrounding areas of the Philippines on Tuesday.

At least eight people have died, as tens of thousands fled their homes, according to the BBC. The eight lives were claimed by a landslide in Quezon City. More people are still missing with rescues continuing.

A man is carried by rescuers after being evacuated along a flooded area in Marikina, east of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/John Javellana)

Schools, businesses and the stock exchange have been shut as rain pours down.

Rainfall totals during a 48-hour period were as high as 10 to 20 inches across greater Manila as of Tuesday evening, local time.

The torrential rain is indirectly related to Typhoon Haikui. The distant tropical cyclone "enhanced" the rain-giving southwest monsoon over the Philippines. Haikui was centered over the East China Sea, southeast of Shanghai and more than 900 miles north of Manila, on Tuesday.

"There are mountains to the east of Manila, so run-off from the mountains adds to flooding issues," AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews said.

The southwest monsoon dominates weather patterns across the Philippines and throughout southeast Asia this time of year.

"Winds blow from the southwest across the South China Sea, drawing moisture into China, Taiwan and the Philippines," Andrews added.

Rain was still falling torrentially in the Philippines as of Tuesday evening. Rain will continue to fall heavily at times, prolonging flooding well into Wednesday.

New Zealand Volcano Erupts
Mount Tongariro unleashed its first volcanic eruption in 115 years.

The Monday night eruption triggered clouds of ash, which disrupted flights and closed some roads, according to the BBC. An earlier "code red" aviation warning was later downgraded to "code orange" after the ash cloud faded.

Satellite imagery showed the ash plume streaking eastward from the volcano, which is located in central North Island. Ash fall was observed as far east as the city of Napier, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The ash cloud apparently shot almost 7,000 meters (more than 4 miles) high.

It was unclear whether the eruption yielded fresh hot lava or was triggered by exploding steam blasting old rock in a "hydrothermal explosion," as GNS Science stated.

The big question is whether this was the start of an eruptive cycle or merely a blast.

Rare Snow Falls in Johannesburg, South Africa
Rare snow flurries were flying around Johannesburg, Africa, on Tuesday.

While snow is not observed every winter in the city, it does occur every five years or so, AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Dale Mohler said.

"Beautiful, unexpected snow! Senderwood, Johannesburg. First time since 27 June 2007!" tweeted @viviennekeytel.

"There is a stronger-than-usual storm that went farther north. The storm brought colder air from the antarctic region," Mohler added. "Snow falling in Johannesburg is like getting snow in northern Mexico."

Content contributed by AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews. Read more international weather news in Andrews' blog.