Ever Heard of Thunder Snow? It's Happening In Chicago Right Now.

The Snowpocalypse Tsunami? Blizzard Could Send 18-Foot Waves Into Downtown Chicago Tonight

By: NICK CARBONE (9 hours ago)

Topics: BLIZZARD, CHICAGO, EPIC, LAKE SHORE DRIVE, LIFE THREATENING,NATION, SNOW, TSUNAMI, US, WAVES

Meteorologists fear a blizzard will send 18-foot waves over the shores of Lake Michigan.

Tonight's massive impending snowfall is no surprise - it's been forecast for the past week. But as the storm swirls closer to Chicago, the headlines just keep getting worse.

The crushing clipper is expected to sweep through the Chicago area beginning 3 p.m. Tuesday and will linger until Wednesday afternoon. It's been called a blizzard of “epic” proportions, a “potentially life-threatening” system featuring thundersnow, multiple feet of accumulation, and gale-force winds. And now, tack on the potential for waves cresting over the shores of Lake Michigan, threatening homes and roads.

(More on TIME.com: See photos of snowstorms hitting the east coast – again.)

The National Weather Service has issued a “Lakeshore Flood Warning”, stating that “strong winds will likely result in waves building to 14 to 18 feet,” which could cause flooding on Chicago's streets. One of the city's main downtown arteries, Lake Shore Drive, runs – you guessed it – right along the lakeshore and could face a washout of water and ice.

Add that to 60 mph winds, lightning, and a predicted accumulation of 2 to 3 inches per hour, according to meteorologist Richard Castro, and it's no surprise, then, that the NWS is deeming the storm “dangerous, multifaceted and life-threatening.” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn issued a statewide disaster declaration Monday so cities and towns could prepare for the impending mess of at least a foot of snow across the Chicagoland area, with as much as 18 inches expected along the lakefront.

(More on TIME.com: See video of Obama's Chicago roots.)

Chicagoans are accustomed to disappointment in the weather department, with panic over dangerous storms often giving way to tame systems. It could be that fabled lake effect or just overhype – but the Chicago Tribune casts off the naysayers this time, saying the impending blizzard (yes, it's already being called a blizzard) “appears anything but gentle.”

And New Yorkers, who've faced nearly 5 feet of snow this winter, can commiserate – until the same system rolls eastward for a messy Wednesday morning in the Big Apple. (via Chicago Sun-Times)

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/02/01/the-snowpocalypse-tsunami-blizzard-could-send-18-foot-waves-into-downtown-chicago-tonight/#ixzz1Clg6Zp00

Erupting Volcano In Japan Spews Ash.

Lightning and fire: Japan on alert after volcano's biggest eruption in 50 years

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:59 PM on 27th January 2011

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A one-mile cordon has been established around a volcano on Mount Kirishima after it erupted scattering rocks and ash across southern Japan and sending smoke billowing 5,000ft into the air.

The Meteorological Agency raised the volcanic alert to level 3 as ash today continued to spew from Shinmoedake on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu, and residents have been banned from going within a mile of the volcano following its worst eruption in 50 years.

Force of nature: Lightning strikes as Shinmoedake erupts, scattering ash and rocks across a wide swathe of southern Japan

Ash and smoke continued to billow 5,000ft above Shinmoedake today as residents were banned from going within a mile of the volcano

Agency volcanologist Sei Iijima said the eruption did not pose a threat to nearby cities, and a major eruption was not imminent. But he added: 'You can never say never with a volcano, although the lack of magma movement beneath the surface leads us to believe that this activity won't lead to a large-scale eruption,' he told ABC News.

The volcano, one of 20 inside Mount Kirishima, began erupting around 7.30am yesterday morning and by 3pm heavy smoke had risen to nearly 5,000ft, prompting the meteorological agency to raise the alert level.

Volcanic activity is often reported at Kirishima, but this is the largest eruption recorded there since 1959.

Volcanic activity is often reported in the Kirishima range, but Shinmoedake's is the largest eruption since 1959

Under a cloud: A man takes a picture of erupting Shinmoedake from Takaharu, where an evacuation centre has been established

Air space above the mountain remained open today but airlines cancelled a number of domestic flights because of the haze and the buildup of ash on train tracks forced Japan Rail to close several lines. Roads were also shut because of poor visibility.

A small evacuation center was set up overnight in the town of Takaharu, seven miles east of Kirishima, and the town's general affairs manager Yuji Nakashima said: 'People told us their windows were rattling and they heard roaring sounds coming from the mountain.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351064/Japan-raises-alert-following-volcanos-biggest-eruption-50-years.html#ixzz1CN81ZPmh