In case you missed it: Mother Nature's fury rages as hail, wildfires and lightning wreak havoc

This week saw a variety of severe weather conditions impacting locations from the United States, Spain, Japan and many places in between. As Dorian ominously brews out in the Atlantic Ocean, Alaskan officials are batting two of the nation's largest blazes, and a lightning strike ruined a golf tournament for six injured people. Let's glance back at the week that was.

Dorian appears likely to take aim at Florida’s central Atlantic coast as a major hurricane as the storm treks toward the southeastern U.S., threatening to spoil holiday weekend plans for some. As the storm looms out in the Atlantic, people living along Florida’s east coast have been prepping for a potential impact, stocking up on fuel and supplies following Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s state of emergency declaration.

Most of Puerto Rico dodged an impact from the storm, which also affected the Virgin Islands on Wednesday. Earlier in the week the storm impacted the islands of Barbados and Martinique with flooding rains and strong winds, which triggered power outages.

Wherever the storm does make landfall, there will be a significant risk of high winds, torrential rainfall and subsequent coastal flooding next week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Stay with AccuWeather.com to monitor the latest on Dorian through Labor Day weekend.

Tropical Rainstorm Erin forms, weakens off Atlantic coast

All eyes are on Dorian right now, but earlier this week, Erin took shape in the waters out on the U.S. East Coast on Monday as Tropical Depression Six. It developed into a tropical storm on Tuesday night, but has since weakened to a tropical rainstorm after downgrading into a depression on Wednesday.

Erin never would have threatened the U.S., based on its track, although it did bring the risk of rough surf to coastal areas. However, Atlantic Canada will feel impacts from the fast-moving system through Saturday.

Erin’s impacts will depart in time for a generally dry Labor Day weekend from New England to southeastern Canada. No widespread flooding or property damage is anticipated.

Flooding, mudslides force close to a million evacuations in Japan

Almost 850,000 million people were forced out of their homes in western Japan following heavy downpours that triggered flooding and mudslides.

Northwestern Kyusu took a pounding from the torrential rainfall Tuesday into Wednesday evening; Hirado reportedly received 20 inches. At least people lost their lives due to severe flooding, and at least one person has been reported missing.

The close to 1 million evacuees are residents of Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. Rainfall exceeding 12 inches was reported in Sasebo and Saga through Thursday evening, causing significant flooding.

Much to the dismay of those evacuated residents and everyone else affected, the unfavorable conditions that began on Tuesday of this week will persist through Friday before diminishing in intensity this weekend.

Potent storm, tornado slams Spain

Severe weather took residents across Spain on a wild ride as thunderstorms unleashed flooding rainfall, hail and a large tornado on the country. It was all the result of an unusually strong storm system for this time of year, AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys explained. Some of the worst conditions occurred in Madrid, where floodwaters inundated the city as a result of 1-2 inches of rainfall.

And let’s not forget about the massive hail. Large balls of ice as big as ping-pong balls pelted the city. Residents in the town of Arganda del Rey had to shovel the hail away as it came down.

To make matters worse, the bad weather derailed travel plans for many across Madrid, who faced delays and cancellations on the metro system and at the airport. More than 9,300 bolts of lightning were reported near Madrid on Monday, according to Aemet.

The same storm system also produced a tornado in southern Spain on Monday, which hit Campillos and caused some damage.

Lightning strike injures 6 at golf tournament

Six people enjoying the PGA Tour Championship golf tournament were hurt after a lightning strike in Atlanta last weekend. The bolt reportedly struck a 60-foot pine tree near the 16th hole at East Lake Golf Club, sending debris flying.

The spectators were not seriously injured, according to PGA officials.

"There was dual lightning strikes, one at the maintenance area, one near the 16th tee and driving range, struck a tree, and knocked debris off that three and injured six people," said Mark Russell, a PGA vice president for rules and competition. "We have a meteorologist on staff with very sophisticated equipment. The safety of the spectators, the players, the volunteers and our staff is of utmost importance."

Prior to the strike, dangerous weather conditions had led to the tournament’s third round being stalled for about a half an hour. After the incident, officials suspended the remainder of play for Saturday.

Severe storms rumble through central US

People in Oklahoma City had to deal with severe weather on Monday evening, including heavy rain, hail and high winds. Logan and Oklahoma Counties were under tornado warnings, the conditions were so bad.

Some buildings, including a Dollar Tree, suffered damage in the storm that also caused power outages, debris-blocked roadways and some house fires in the area.

While there haven’t been any injury reports, firefighters did respond to at least water rescue at Lake Overholser Dam. The victim was brought to safety with no issues.

The Swan Lake Fire in Alaska grows larger

Alaska’s wildfire season has only gotten more devastating in recent weeks, and the effect on the environment is shocking to see. Since June 5, the Swan Lake Fire has burned in Alaska near the Kenai Peninsula, and it has since exploded in size. In fact, it’s now become the country’s largest wildfire, burning over 161,000 acres as of Thursday evening.

Also in Alaska is the Ethel Creek Fire near Koliganek. That blaze is the United States’ second-largest in size. Poor air quality remains a significant concern as a result of the wildfire smoke plumes billowing into and polluting the air.

Travel disruptions have also been an issue as a result of the Swan Lake Fire, and officials have strongly discouraged drivers to remain off the roads. The gargantuan blaze has expanded an additional 50,000 acres since Aug. 18, according to InciWeb.

Several AccuWeather staff writers contributed to this story.

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