GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 2007

UNITED STATES
Rockies and Plains

Extreme drought conditions were observed in areas of Wyoming and
Nebraska, as well as northern Minnesota and throughout much of the
Desert Southwest and the Southeast region.

Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms including 14 reported tornadoes
occurred on the 3rd in parts of the Mississppi and Tennessee River
Valley region. There were at least 7 injuries reported, but no
fatalities.

Southern Plains

Severe thunderstorms moved across south central Texas producing a
devastating tornado on the night of April 24 that killed ten people
along the Texas-Mexico border. The tornado destroyed two schools and
damaged hundreds of homes (Associated Press).

EAST

A major storm system, otherwise known as a Nor'easter, moved up the
Eastern Seaboard during the 15th-17th. Strong winds produced power
outages that affected hundreds of thousands from South Carolina to
Maine, while heavy rainfall generated flooding in areas of the Mid-
Atlantic and Northeast. Rain and wind hampered runners of the Boston
Marathon, with a strong headwind causing the slowest race finish since
1977 (Reuters). New York City had the second-rainiest day ever, with
192 mm (7.57) inches on the 15th. The record for the heaviest daily
rainfall is 210 mm (8.28 inches) set on September 23, 1882 (NWS).
Higher elevations of northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire
received snowfall accumulations as high as 43 cm (17 inches). A total
of 17 deaths were attributed to the storm (Associated Press).

A late season winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow across areas
of Maine on the 5th, snarling traffic and forcing governor Jim
Baldacci to declare a state of emergency after at least 275,000 homes
and businesses lost power (Reuters). Portland recorded its fifth
biggest snowstorm in April for a 24-hour period.

A late-season Arctic air mass brought record cold to areas of the Mid-
Atlantic and Southeast during April 6-9. Significant damages to the
Carolina's crop were reported causing North Carolina alone an
estimated $112 million in crop losses. Temperatures dipped well below
freezing, with many areas observing morning low temperatures as low as
-6°C (21°F).

West

A storm system brought strong winds to southern California, fanning
brush fires and producing power outages. At least 76,000 power outages
were reported in the greater Los Angeles area on the 12th (AFP).

AFRICA
South

In southern Africa's Maize Triangle, stress on agriculture was the
result of a prolonged period of dry, hot conditions.

AUSTRALIA

A six-year drought, characterized as the worst in the nation's
history, continued in Australia. Australian Prime Minister John Howard
warned that irrigation in much of the nation's farmland would be
banned unless significant
rainfall occurred during the next month. There was only enough water
in the Murray-Darling river system for drinking purposes (BBC News).

ASIA

In the eastern region of Tajikistan, heavy rain generated flash floods
and landslides during the night of April 16 affecting around 12,000
people (IFRC).

Tropical

Tropical Cyclone Jaya developed in the southern Indian Ocean on March
30, on March 30, and made landfall in northeastern Madagascar between
Sambava and Antalaha on the 3rd with maximum sustained winds near 150
km/hr (80 knots or 90 mph). Jaya was the sixth tropical cyclone to
impact Madagascar since December 2006.