VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN EASTERN GUATEMALA! (credit: Betel Ramirez Matute via Severe Weather Europe)

DISCUSSION: Though this particular event is not directly associated with the atmosphere, as of earlier yesterday afternoon a violent volcanic eruption took place in Eastern Guatamela.  More specifically, this volcanic eruption was associated with the Santa Maria Santaguito volcano yesterday afternoon (which is located in far Eastern Guatemala).  Despite the fact that this is a geologically-based phenomena, this volcanic eruption will undoubtedly have tremendous consequences on global atmospheric flow patterns.  This is due in part to the fact that in the wake of a volcanic eruption there is often are tremendous quantities of volcanic ash ejected into the middle and upper portions of the atmosphere.  As this dense volcanic ash becomes suspended in the middle-to-upper atmosphere, this can affect the amount of incoming solar radiation as well as the operations of globally-operating commercial aircraft.  This danger to commercial aircraft is directly due to the volcanic ash compromising or sometimes even destroying the functional ability of aircraft engines; endangering passengers and crew around the world.  Moreover, locally across Eastern Guetamala where there were clearly much higher concentrations of volcanic ash even within the lower portions of the atmosphere, the combination of locally-suspended volcanic ash coupled with nearby convection can act to "rain-out" (i.e., bring the toxic volcanic ash down to the surface by means of being enveloped by falling precipitation).  Thereafter, volcanic ash particles can often get caught in rainfall runoff and seep into the ground which can compromise water resources utilized for things such as hygiene, cooking, drinking, and/or agricultural production.  Hence, volcanic ash can have far-reaching impacts beyond the initial eruption period itself as a consequence of natural atmospheric processes which are often found to exacerbate the problem.  To learn more about other high-impact weather from across Central and South America, be sure to click here!