Alfred on final approach to eastern Australia as Mexico broils

The final effects of this week’s cross-country storm are coming to an end in the eastern U.S. as additional dips in the jet stream prepare for their turn. In the meantime, Cyclone Alfred is on the way toward a rare hit on eastern Australia, Mexico is broiling and spring is about to make a big appearance for the eastern Lower 48.

Weather Watch

Alfred targets Brisbane. Cyclone Alfred is on a slow final approach to the east coast of Australia. It is forecast to make landfall just north of Brisbane in about a day. The wind speed forecast has come down to about 50 mph sustained as it comes ashore, which is still rather potent for the region. Around 2 feet of rain is forecast by weather models which would likely equate to higher maximums if accurate.

200-degree difference! The temperature soared to 118 degrees (47.5 Celsius) in east-central Mexico Wednesday. That’s basically off the charts, and climate historian Maximiliano Herrera said, “it destroys in pieces the Northern Hemisphere highest temperature record for this time of year.” Meanwhile, it dipped to minus-85 (minus-64.7 C) in Vostok, Antarctica.

Spring invasion ahead in central/eastern U.S. Grab the allergy meds and prepare the flower spotting checklist — a sustained stretch of warmer than usual weather overtakes much of the central and eastern U.S. next week. D.C. could see several days in the 70s, which means a WxDog appearance may be in the cards. New episodes of severe weather also seem likely in the heartland.

Lightning links

Couds look like a 'red arrows' display at sunrise in the UK.

Alaska avalanche buries 3 backcountry skiers amid dangerous conditions.

World’s largest iceberg runs aground.

Turbulent Thursday

More than 400 thunderstorm wind damage reports have been logged with the National Weather Service following widespread storminess from Texas to Virginia in recent days.

Much of the area also witnessed strong to damaging winds fueled by the potent parent low pressure.

The Oklahoma Mesonet reported that Tuesday “was one of the windiest days in the Mesonet’s 30+ year history.'“

As low pressure strengthened to near-record values for portions of the Midwest in March, or around 980 millibars, wind alerts targeted about half the population overall. Wind impacts also continue Thursday across the northeastern quadrant of the country.

Additionally, roughly a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed thus far, including an EF1 in Dallas around dawn Tuesday. That’s about as far west as tornadoes were spawned while the southeast suburbs of Charlotte, N.C., is the furthest east one has been confirmed.

A strong tornado rated EF2 touched down in Mississippi.

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Weekday morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster that connects weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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