for full video: https://youtu.be/9gJg9jDTqx4 https://youtu.be/dMIlmDqO7ZA https://youtu.be/h_IaU1hyHto https://youtu.be/Dvbt8oRhexY A powerful winter storm hit much of California overnight Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Heavy rain caused deadly flash floods and mudslides, triggering multiple water rescues. More than 20 000 people have been evacuated from areas below hillsides scorched by Thomas Fire, California's largest wildfire in history. As of 19:00 UTC today, at least 6 people have lost their lives in mudflows that hit Montecito and 2 in weather-related road accidents. This strengthening weather system dropped record-breaking daily rainfall to downtown San Francisco where weather stations recorded 80 mm (3.15 inches) of rain on January 8, breaking the old record of 60 mm (2.36 inches) set in 1872. The amount built up to make Monday the city's 16th wettest day since 1849, the National Weather Service said. On the same day, Mining Ridge on the Big Sur coast, Monterey County recorded 240 mm (9.6 inches). 2-day rainfall totals through 09:00 PST, January 9 in Southwestern California reached up to 118.8 mm (4.68 inches) in Ventura County (measured by a weather station located at Old Man Mountain). This is so far the highest total, followed by 116 mm (4.57 inches) at Ortega Hill (Ventura County), 104.1 mm (4.10 inches) at Alamo Mountain (Ventura County) and 102.1 mm (4.02 inches) at Crystal Lake (LA County). The following list holds maximum rain reports Tuesday morning near Thomas Fire, California's biggest wildfire on record: 13.7 mm (0.54 inches) in 5-minutes at Montecito 18.5 mm (0.73 inches) in 10-minutes at KTYD Radio Towers 21.8 mm (0.86 inches) in 15-minutes at Carpinteria 28.1 mm (1.11 inches) in 30-minutes at Carpinteria 36.9 mm (1.45 inches) in 1-hour at Matilija Canyon The maximum rainfall today occurred between 03:30 and 03:45 PST near Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria areas.  Flash flooding, debris flow, and mudslides hit hard areas scorched by the Thomas and La Tuna fires where thousands of people were forced to evacuate Monday and again on Tuesday. One of the hardest hit areas has been the wealthy community of Montecito where massive runoff sent mud and debris slamming into homes located on the Hot Springs Road. At least 3 homes were completely destroyed and 5 people killed, Santa Barbara County Fire Department said after recovering their bodies. Since this area was not directly in the Thomas Fire burn zone, it was under a voluntary evacuation order. Another dead body was later found at Olive Mill Road at the railroad track, bringing the number of people dead in Montecito area to 6. Some parts of Montecito were covered in waist-high mud, SBC fire spokesman Mike Eliason said. Emergency crews working in the area ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLn1zk0qIak

Large tornado in Santa María del Águila, Almeria, E Spain yesterday, January 6. Tornadoes, hail and torrential downpours in eastern Spain – Jan 6, 2018 06/01/2018    Thunderstorms hit eastern Spain this afternoon, resulting in torrential downpours, hail and tornadoes.  Unexpected thunderstorms hit eastern Spain this afternoon. An impressively unstable environment, particularly for January, established along the frontal system ahead of the forming cutoff upper low. At least one and likely several tornadoes were reported in Almeria. Some damage is apparent, no reports on possible injuries so far. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVdHlzgAuQ8

Southern Morocco Under Snow for First Time  January 29, 2018 Rabat – After several decades of extremely dry weather, residents in southern regions of Morocco finally woke up this morning to an unusual snowfall that currently impacted Ouarzazate, Taroudant and even Zagora, which has not experienced snowfall for fifty years. Several photos and videos have been posted on social media depicting the cities covered with a huge layer of snow. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, many residents went outside to enjoy the unexpected snowfall. El Houcine Yoabd, in charge of communication at the National Meteorology, told the media outlet le 360, that it has snowed in these regions due to a mass of air coming from Northern Europe. “We are under the influence of a very low pressure of altitude, with very cold temperatures that can reach 0 or even 1 degree,” Yoabd said. He also added that these drops in temperature accompanied by rainfall and snowfall in several parts of Morocco are expected to continue until next Thursday. New weather alert released by the National Directorate of Meteorology on Monday forecasts temperatures ranging between -04 and 1°C and maximum of 5 to 9 °C in Ouarzazate.   These heavy snowfalls made travel absolutely impossible as the roads were blocked. There will be also delays in air traffic. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxysf5vAyUw

FIRES Published December 13, 2017 The Latest: Largest California fire 30 percent contained Associated Press LOS ANGELES –  The Latest on California wildfires (all times local): 7:10 p.m. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history is now 30 percent contained but still threatens coastal communities as gusty Santa Ana winds continue. State fire officials predicted Wednesday night that the so-called Thomas Fire northwest of Los Angeles will continue to grow as it eats up parched brush and hot, dry weather continues. The blaze still threatens Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito — a wealthy area that's home to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey. Since the blaze erupted last week, it has burned down 921 buildings —including at least 700 homes. It threatens 18,000 buildings and has prompted evacuations of about 100,000 people. The 238,500 acres burned translate to more than 372 square miles (965 square kilometers). The National Weather Service is predicting red flag conditions of extreme fire danger in much of Southern California through Friday. ___ 5:30 a.m. After announcing increased containment on one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials say communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again. Red Flag warnings for fire danger due to Santa Ana winds and a critical lack of moisture have been extended, with a possible increase in gusts Thursday into Friday. Evacuations continue for the seaside enclaves of Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria and the inland agricultural town of Fillmore. Officials announced Tuesday night that crews had carved containment lines around one-quarter of the blaze straddling Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The so-called Thomas fire has burned over 900 structures, at least 700 of them homes. It stretches across nearly 370 square miles (958 sq. kilometers) of Southern California, making it the fifth largest in state history. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xJUmMuGTH8