It was a below average year for global tropical cyclone activity, and the destructive power of these storms was close to the lowest levels observed since since reliable records began in the early 1980s. However, the the total number of global deaths from tropical cyclones was the highest since 1991, thanks to the estimated 140,000 people killed in Myanmar from Tropical Cyclone Nargis. The total number of storms world-wide was 90, slightly lower that the average from
Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday, January 10, 2009.
A strong double barreled storm system will push through Japan and southeastern Russia on Saturday, bringing intense precipitation to the region. Japan will see heavy snowfall, especially in the mountains. Coastal locations in Russia around the Tartar Strait will also see significant snowfall.
To the west of the storm, high pressure at the surface will pull cold Siberian air southward resulting in frigid temperatures across much of northeastern China. The high will also serve to keep skies generally clear throughout the Chinese interior.
Dry conditions are also anticipated across much of India and Southeast Asia as well. Indonesia will continue to see tropical rains, as will the Philippines.
Further South, Australia will see intense wet weather from Darwin to MacKay and northward, lighter rain will fall south and east down the coast to Brisbane, The interior will likely also see a few showers.
Two remarkable records came to a close on this date in history. First, the sky observation for Minneapolis, Minn. reported something other than completely cloudy for the first time in 350 hours (two weeks) in 1992. Second, Houghton, Mich. did not report any snow for this day to break a streak of 53 consecutive days with measurable snow in 2000.