Europe has experienced one of the most rapid temperature flips on record in April 2024 — moving from numerous record-breaking summer-like temperatures at the beginning of the month to record-breaking late April records and frost.
Severe thunderstorms are forecasted for northwest Texas this afternoon and evening, April 23, 2024, with the potential for large hail and damaging wind gusts. This weather shift comes as part of a broader pattern affecting the Great Plains and Midwest, initiated by a developing upper trough over the western U.S. and a series of cold fronts impacting the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk alert for northwest Texas today due to these conditions.
Record-breaking rainfall affecting China’s Guangdong Province since Friday, April 19, 2024, pushed water levels in the Bei River, a tributary of the Pearl River, to exceed 50-year highs, causing widespread floods in which at least 4 people died and 10 others went missing. The floods caused extensive damage, including the destruction of 36 houses and severe damage to 48 others, incurring direct economic losses of nearly 140.6 million yuan.
A powerful storm rolled over South Carolina on April 20, 2024, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and golf to softball-sized hail. The storm system affected the larger areas of Lancaster and York counties but focused its most intense effects in northeast-central York County, causing significant structural damage and power outages.
The southern Chinese province of Guangdong faces severe flooding risks with the Bei River’s water levels predicted to peak at 37.3 m (122 feet) early on April 22, 2024. This event, deemed a ‘once-in-a-century’ occurrence, comes after the region experienced record-breaking rainfall, affecting millions of people.
Recent extreme weather conditions have led to significant casualties and destruction in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a combined death toll of 141 as of April 18, 2024. Torrential rains and flash floods have devastated large areas, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the UAE was struck by an exceptional weather event, with record-breaking rainfall reaching up to 254.8 mm (10 inches) in Al Ain, surpassing the country’s annual average in less than 24 hours. The National Centre of Meteorology (NMC) issued a red alert as the rains caused significant flooding, traffic disruptions, and at least one death in Dubai. This severe weather follows similar impacts in neighboring Oman, where 19 fatalities were reported.
Severe thunderstorms swept across parts of the Plains and Midwest on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, producing multiple damaging tornadoes. The NWS Storm Prediction Center reported at least 17 tornadoes — most of them in Iowa and Nebraska. The tornadoes caused widespread damage, and more severe weather was forecast for Wednesday.
There is an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, with threats for significant severe hail and tornado potential over southern Iowa into northern Missouri and west-central Illinois, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns. Additionally, elevated to critical fire weather is possible Tuesday due to gusty winds and dry conditions over parts of the southern High Plains and northeastern Montana.
Heavy rainfall caused major flash floods across Oman on Sunday, April 14, 2024, leading to at least 12 fatalities and 5 people missing.
