GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

MARCH 2007


UNITED STATES

Rockies and Plains

Extreme drought conditions were observed in areas of Wyoming and
Nebraska, as well as northern Minnesota and parts of Texas and the
Southwest. Exceptional drought was limited to areas of south Texas.

Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes that tore through parts of the
southern United States on March 1, killing 19 people in Alabama and
Georgia (Reuters).

AFRICA

In Algeria, thunderstorms deposited heavy rainfall on the 8th in the
Djelfa region, about 270 km (170 miles) south of Algiers. There were 6
fatalities produced by flash flooding when more than 100 mm (~4
inches) of rain fell in just a few hours (AFP).

ASIA

Flooding In Afghanistan In Afghanistan, heavy rain generated flash
flooding during March 10-20 that killed 29 people and affected over
70,000 people (OCHA).

In northeastern China, a major winter storm affected the Liaoning
Province, reportedly producing the heaviest snowfall in 56 years. The
snowfall collapsed roofs and produced transportation delays. Drifts as
high as 2 meters (6.6 feet) were observed (Shanghai Daily).

Tropical

Tropical Cyclone George Tropical Cyclone George developed in the Timor
Sea as a depression on the 3rd, crossing the northern tip of Western
Australia on the 4th. George re-emerged into the open waters of the
Indian Ocean on the 5th and made landfall on the 8th just east of Port
Hedland in Western Australia with maximum sustained winds near 205 km/
hr (110 knots or 125 mph). George generated heavy rainfall along its
course, with 394 mm (15.5) inches or rain reported in Darwin during
the storm's formative stages. The cyclone was the most destructive
cyclone to affect Port Hedland since Joan in 1975, and resulted in 3
deaths and 28 injuries in Western Australia (ABC News).

Tropical Cyclone Jacob developed in the southern Indian Ocean on the
7th, reaching the coast of Western Australia on the 12th. Jacob made
landfall just east of Port Hedland with maximum sustained winds near
75 km/hr (40 knots or 45 mph). Heavy rainfall was the primary impact
from the storm.

Tropical Cyclone Indlala Tropical Cyclone Indlala developed in the
southern Indian Ocean on the 12th and reached the northeastern coast
of Madagascar on the 15th. Indlala made landfall just south of
Antalaha with maximum sustained winds near 195 km/hr (105 knots or 120
mph). Indlala was the fourth tropical cyclone in as many months to
affect Madagascar. There were at least 80 fatalities from the storm
and thousands were left homeless (UNRC/OCHA).

Tropical Cyclone Kara developed in the southern Indian Ocean on the
25th, but weakened before reaching the coast of Western Australia on
the 28th near Eighty Mile Beach as a tropical depression. Heavy
rainfall was the primary impact from Kara.

CANADA

A winter storm deposited a thick blanket of snow to areas of eastern
Canada during March 1-2, bringing snowfall accumulations of up to 30
cm (12 inches) to parts of Ontario and Quebec. The snow was
accompanied by winds gusting as high as 80 km/hr (50 mph), closing
schools and business and delaying flights at both the Toronto and
Montreal airports. Two deaths were attributed to the storm (AFP).
INDIA

In northern India's Kashmir region, heavy snowfall and cold
temperatures were blamed for at least 50 deaths in mid-March.
Subsequent flooding from heavy rainfall and snowmelt claimed an
additional 8 lives by the 21st (AFP).