Climate Extremes US, Canada 2007
Month-by-Month Recap of the Year’s Weather Hazards & Climate Events
Noted as one of the warmest years on record, the year 2007 broke old records for snowfall, rainfall and maximum temperatures, leading into a moderate La Niña in 2008.
Weather and Climate Summary 2007
According to the National Climatic Data Center, 2007 was one of the warmest years on record, coming in on the list of top ten warmest. There were 1300 reported tornadoes from January to November. Although fewer hurricanes than expected hit the Atlantic Coast, the 2007 hurricane season ended with 15 named storms, above the long-term average. However, none of the major hurricanes hit the United States coast with a great extent of impact. Record maximum temperatures were made in the West. Record rainfall made a presence nationwide. Extreme drought persisted year-round for areas in the Midwest, Southwest and Southeast United States. La Niña conditions were in effect near the end of year, due to strengthen in early 2008.
Janurary through April 2007
January 2007
Extreme drought conditions continued from the end of 2006 for the Midwest US, from Minnesota to N. Texas. Southern California and Arizona experienced freezing temperatures, with agricultural loss in California’s fruit industry, prompting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency. The Gulf coast experienced severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
February 2007
Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes in Florida, causing 21 deaths. There were also tornadoes in New Orleans, hitting areas still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. A severe winter storm hit the eastern US and Canada, with some areas receiving almost 40 inches of snow. Montreal accumulated 53 cm or 21 inches of snow in one day. Lake effect snow from Lake Ontario produced a ten-day total of 358 cm or 141 inches of snow in parts of New York. Other severe winter conditions included ice and snow from the Plains to the Atlantic states, causing 100,000 residents of Iowa to lose power
March 2007
Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes in Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, killing 23 people in total for all areas. Eastern Canada experienced severe winter weather, with snow and high winds of 80 km/ hr or 50 mph.
April 2007
Drought conditions persisted in the Mid-west, and extreme drought conditions plagued the SE and SW US. Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes at the Texas – Mexico border, killing 10 people. 14 tornadoes hit Mississippi and Tennessee River Valley regions but no fatalities resulted. Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, killing 4 people. A severe winter storm, known as a Nor’easter hit the Eastern US Atlantic states, with strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing power outages from South Carolina to Maine. New York City had its second-rainiest day ever, with 192 mm (7.57 inches). Strong winds in California caused power outages and helped spread brush fires.
Artic air brought record cold to the Midwest, Plains and SE, with damage to crops, as temperatures dropped well below freezing. Maine also experienced a late season snowstorm with record snowfall and power outages.
To read about weather hazards and climate extremes for May through December 2007, click here.
