Weekly wrap-up: Nor'easter spoils spring's arrival in DC, NYC; Tornadoes strike Alabama
Spring kicked off with another major snowstorm in the northeastern United States.
Washington, D.C., and New York City were slammed by the fourth nor'easter of the month, bringing travel to a halt and leading to widespread school cancellations across the region. Hundreds of accidents were reported across the region.
More than 8 inches of snow fell in Central Park, breaking a daily record. That amount of snow occurs once every 20 years during this time of year in New York City.
Washington, D.C., received 4 inches of snow before the snow tapered off on Wednesday afternoon.
A New York City Parks Department employee uses a snowblower to clear a path after a snowstorm on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Thursday, March 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
In the Southeast, one of the largest severe weather outbreaks of the year unfolded early this week. Nine tornadoes were reported across Alabama.
"Considerable" damage was reported at Jacksonville State University and across parts of Jacksonville, Alabama. The tornado ripped roofs off some apartment complexes and dorms. The university announced that it will remain closed until April 2 while repairs take place.
AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer said a multi-vortex tornado was responsible for the damage.
Limestone County officials reported damage to multiple structures around the Ardmore, Ala., region. Facebook photo/Limestone County Sherriff's Office)
Tropical Cyclone Eliakim killed at least 17 people in Madagascar last weekend, and the region continues to deal with the aftermath.
The cyclone produced devastating flooding and mudslides.
The Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management announced that the tropical cyclone also affected 15,000 people and destroyed 648 homes while more than 1,000 other homes damaged.
The cyclone produced peak wind gusts near 65 mph (105 km/h) as it made landfall in northeastern Madagascar before weakening as it tracked farther inland then southward.
While intense Tropical Cyclone Marcus churned well off the coast of Australia, more than 150 short-finned pilot whales were found stranded early Friday in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, located in the country's southwestern tip.
A cause of the stranding is not yet known.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Nora formed and will threaten Queensland with heavy rain and wind through the weekend.
Report a Typo
