This rare phenomenon then swept through burning fields and stopped traffic in Brazil as bush fires spread across the country. The whirlwind of flame, was caught on camera in Aracatuba, in southern Sao Paulo state.

It was caused by strong, dry winds that fanned wildfires.The phenomenon followed weeks of drought, which has led to reports of humidity levels in Sao Paulo similar to those of the Sahara desert. It last rained in the city three months ago.

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A storm system pushing across the Midwest was already sparking severe thunderstorms near Kansas City, St. Louis and in other parts of Missouri early Friday afternoon. Downed trees and power lines have been reported.

More thunderstorms like these will ignite through tonight, evolving into a line that extends from Missouri and eastern Kansas to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Portions of flood-ravaged Iowa are included in this zone.

In addition to damaging winds and torrential downpours, some of the stronger thunderstorms could also produce nickel- to quarter-sized hail and perhaps even a tornado through the early part of tonight.

Cities at risk for these dangerous thunderstorms include Marquette, Mich., Madison, Wis., Rochester, Minn., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Chicago, Ill., and Topeka, Kan.

Full report – AccuWeather

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The remnants of Tropical Depression 5 are wreaking havoc across parts of Louisiana and southwest Mississippi.

Flood warnings are active for the Louisiana parishes of St. Landry, Evangeline, Avoyelles and Rapides.

This is very serious and potentially deadly flash flooding event.

The Hessmer and Mansura areas of Avoyelles Parish have been hit the hardest with rainfall estimates of 10 to an incredible 15 inches.
Rainfall rates are ranging between 1 to 3 inches per hour.

The National Weather Service reports that this is the most significant flood event to strike the area since the passage of Hurricane Gustav in 2008.

This is just not a Louisiana story either. Southwest Mississippi is getting hammered with flooding rains too. Flooding is widespread in the city of Natchez, Mississippi.

In Adams County, Mississippi, 5 to 7 inches of rain has fallen since early Wednesday morning.

Full report – Weather.com
Doppler Radars

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A passing cold front will trigger powerful thunderstorms once again in the eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley this afternoon.

The storms will erupt as invading cool and dry air clashes with the warm and muggy air in place over the East. Into this evening Louisville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Toronto will be among the cities and towns that lie within this battle zone, and thus are at risk for severe weather.

Damaging wind will be the primary concern from these storms. With gusts past 50 mph are possible, the winds will be capable of downing trees and power lines, damaging buildings and scattering any unsecured lawn furniture.

Full report – AccuWeather

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Image by CR Artist via Flickr

Severe thunderstorms will bring the risks of tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Friday night over parts of the Midwest.
A band of severe storms will develop from Wisconsin into northern Missouri into Friday night.

The storms will develop ahead of a cold front that will be moving out of the northern Plains.

Cities in the line of fire from the storms this evening include: Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Wis., Rockford, Ill. and Burlington, Iowa.

AccuWeather /   Doppler Weather Radars

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