June 2004 Global Hazards

In the United States, significant precipitation over the past several months alleviated drought conditions along the Pacific Northwest coast, although severe to extreme drought classification continued through June throughout the Intermountain West, the Northern Rockies, and southward into Arizona. Exceptional drought classification was noted through parts of Montana and Idaho. Moderate drought conditions developed in parts of the Southeast by the end of April and continued into June, although rainfall alleviated dryness in this region by month's end.

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For comprehensive drought analysis, please see the U.S. drought report for June.

Long term drought continued across areas of Africa, including the Greater Horn and parts of southern Africa (WFP). Seasonal rains brought relief to some areas during late April and into May.

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Maximum temperatures across much of Spain reached or exceeded 40°C (104°F) during the closing days of June, prompting electricity consumption to soar to record levels (38,800 megawatts). On the 29th, Madrid reached a 73-year high temperature of 39.3°C (104°F), while Cordoba climbed to 42.3°C (108°F) (AFP/Spain National Institute of Meteorology).

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In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, heavy rains during June 4-7 produced flooding along the Pena, Vardar, Anska Reka, Trkajna and Turija Rivers. Flooding affected up to 100,000 people and significantly impacted agricultural interests. Up to 50 percent of the agricultural land in the country was affected by the flooding (OCHA).

Thunderstorms produced flooding in northern Romania during the 12th-13th, claiming the life of a child in the town of Doljesti (AFP).

Flooding resulting from heavy thunderstorm rains affected Lagos, Nigeria late on the 16th and early on the 17th. Thousands of commuters were stranded at bus stops as public transportation was halted. Hundreds of buildings and properties were also submerged (AFP).

In Nicaragua, heavy rainfall during June 20-30 produced flooding and mudslides that killed 21 people (OCHA/Associated Press).

Heavy rainfall in the Sichuan province of southwestern China produced flooding and landslides that caused 15 deaths (Associated Press).

In India, flooding submerged at least 50 villages in the eastern state of Bihar by mid-month. Heavy rainfall in neighboring Nepal was blamed as the culprit for the flooding which caused three rivers that flow into the state of Bihar to rise above the flood stage. Flooding across the eastern states of India, including Tripura and Assam, was blamed for 35 deaths by month's end (AFP).

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For an archive of flood events worldwide, see the Dartmouth Flood Observatory.

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In the United States, severe thunderstorms affected the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area on June 1st, 2nd and 7th. Each episode of severe weather was accompanied by damaging winds and flooding. Approximately a half-million customers lost power from storms on the 1st-2nd (Associated Press).

Strong thunderstorms downed trees and power lines in parts of Wisconsin late on the 23rd. One fatality was reported in Green Lake County (Associated Press).

In the Philippines, a rare tornado ripped through Leyte and Samar islands on the 9th which destroyed 900 houses and killed at least two people. The tornado was apparently spawned from Tropical Storm Chanthu which was tracking through the region (Reuters).

Strong thunderstorms in the Bay of Bengal were responsible for the sinking of 20 fishing vessels off the coast of Bangladesh on the 13th. At least 10 deaths were blamed on the storms (Reuters).

In northeastern China's Hubei province, severe thunderstorms produced egg-sized hail in the city of Handan, injuring 32 people and causing serious damage to houses, farmland and trees. The thunderstorm knocked out electricity to the town and caused an estimated $12.7 million (USD) in damage (AFP).

In Turkey, a severe thunderstorm on the 19th produced a rare tornado 30 km (20 miles) north of Ankara. The tornado was responsible for 3 deaths and 21 injuries, while damaging 45 buildings (AFP).

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Typhoon Conson developed in the South China Sea on the 4th as a depression, reaching typhoon status by the 7th. Conson tracked between Taiwan and the Philippines, attaining maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 km/hr (95 knots or 110 mph) and disrupting air traffic to Taiwan. Conson's weakened remnants passed over Japan on the 11th.

Typhoon Chanthu developed on the 9th over the central Philippines. The storm brought heavy rains and localized severe weather to the Philippines, before tracking westward into the South China Sea on the 10th. Chanthu reached typhoon strength by the 12th, tracking into central Vietnam on the 13th with maximum sustained winds near 140 km/hr (75 knots or 85 mph). The typhoon killed at least 12 people in Vietnam, injured 5 and destroyed more than 180 houses (AFP/Associated Press).

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Typhoon Dianmu developed in the western Pacific Ocean on the 13th and reached typhoon strength by the 14th. Dianmu came ashore at Cape Muroto on Shikoku Island, or about 500 km (310 miles) west of Tokyo, on the 21st. Wind gusts on Shikoku Island were reported as high as 180 km/hr (112 mph) from the Japanese Meteorological Agency. Dianmu weakened as it moved northeastward across western Japan. The typhoon was blamed for five deaths in Japan and adjacent South Korea (Reuters).

Typhoon Mindulle developed in the western Pacific Ocean on the 23rd and battered the northern Philippines during June 29-30. The typhoon passed north of the main island of Luzon on the 30th with maximum sustained winds near 165 km/hr (90 knots or 105 mph). Heavy rains produced flooding that claimed 12 lives in the Philippines, while nearly 180,000 people were displaced from their homes. Strong winds toppled trees and cut power to areas of northern Luzon island (AFP).

Satellite Animation (AVI format/1MB)

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Typhoon Tingting formed in the western Pacific Ocean on the 25th, passing north of the Northern Mariana Islands on the 28th with maximum sustained winds near 140 km/hr (75 knots or 85 mph). The typhoon passed north of Guam, but brought heavy rainfall (406 mm or 16 inches) and flooding to the island. Rainfall in Guam for June was boosted to 966 mm (38.03 inches) which was the wettest June on record.

A table containing the Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index for global tropical cyclones occurring during the month of June 2004 is available.

A strong storm system affected much of Europe during June 22-23, bringing heavy precipitation to parts of the region. A strong cold front ignited severe thunderstorms which affected parts of Germany on the 23rd. Two people were killed and several injured as wind gusts up to 115 km/hr (65 mph) produced widespread wind damage. A tornado struck the village of Micheln injuring at least 6 people and tearing roofs from homes (AFP).

Satellite Animation (5MB)

No reports of severe winter weather were received during June 2004

References:

Basist, A., N.C. Grody, T.C. Peterson and C.N. Williams, 1998: Using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager to Monitor Land Surface Temperatures, Wetness, and Snow Cover. Journal of Applied Meteorology, 37, 888-911.

Peterson, Thomas C. and Russell S. Vose, 1997: An overview of the Global Historical Climatology Network temperature data base. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 78, 2837-2849.