“2022 will be ending with *record low* levels of global sea-ice extent for late December…
“Graphics at https://zacklabe.com/global-sea-ice-extent-conc/….
Note: the two poles are experiencing low sea ice [Arctic now fourth lowest on record; Antarctica lowest on record], but are affected by different Earth system processes and seasonality.”
https://twitter.com/ZLabe/status/1609004430631866371
“Map shows the ice sheets and glaciers melting that scientists most fear will be the source of catastrophic rising sea levels.
“Here are the sites around the world scientists are keeping a close eye on, and why they are important, according to Alex Brisbourne, a Glaciologist at the British Antarctic Survey, and Theodore Scambos, an Antarctic researcher at the University of Colorado.”
https://www.businessinsider.com/melting-glaciers-ice-sheets-sea-level-rise-climate-disaster-2022-12
“Ireland could see 35C [95F] weather this summer as scientists warn of more extremes in 2023…
“Last year was Ireland’s warmest on record, according to provisional figures released as part of Met Eireann’s review of the year’s climate last week. With an average temperature of 10.8C, last year exceeded the previous record for Ireland’s warmest year [set in 2007].”
“Scotland records first sunburn-related death in 20 years.
“Scotland has recorded its first sunburn-related death in 20 years. It comes as the number of fatalities from skin cancer hits a record high. A pensioner in her 80s was among the large number of deaths linked to extreme heat in 2021 in Scotland.”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotland-records-first-sunburn-related-28847907
“Well that’s a wrap on 2022 and what a year of weather it’s been [UK].
“Red warnings for Storm Eunice wind in Feb and extreme heat in Jul. First UK 40°C [104F] on record, wildfires, drought and record-smashing 26.8°C [80.2F] min temp. Coldest day since 2010 with a max temp of -9.3°C in Braemar in Dec.”
https://twitter.com/Official_WXUK/status/1609240800537223168
And, before we look at the extraordinary winter heatwave that has engulfed much of Europe, a quick reminder that the UK and parts of Europe experienced freakish warmth at exactly this time last year:
“The warmest New Year’s Eve on record has been followed by the hottest New Year’s Day [2022], early figures show. Thanks to warm subtropical air flowing from the Azores, temperatures topped 16C at a time of the year when they usually reach about 7C.”
“Record of highest TMin. ever recorded in Germany in January [following on from record Tmin for Dec the day before]:
“13.5C [56.3F] Tmin at Nossen and Dresden; 9 stations above the previous national record; 186 monthly stations… Now hold on: J Tmin 186 +J Tmax 281 +D Tmin 132 + D Tmax 270 = 869 MONTHLY RECORDS BEATEN IN GERMANY IN 2 DAYS. Just 1 country.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1609679194291687424
“Germany recorded its hottest year in 2022, with an annual mean temperature of 10.5 degrees Celsius, the National Meteorological Service said on Friday.
“The country saw an “exceptional weather year,” the DWD said. Temperatures were 2.3 degrees Celsius above the value of the internationally valid reference period (1961-1990) and were higher than in 2018, the previous record holder.”
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-01-02/Germany-logs-hottest-year-on-record-DWD-1ggaFZ71sLC/index.html
“Hottest January days in history in these countries:
“Poland: 19.0C Korbielow [pictured; a ski resort, I believe] and Jodłownik; Denmark: 12.6C Abed; Czech Republic: 19.6C Javorník; Netherlands:16.9C Eindhoven; Belarus: 16.4C Visokaye NATIONAL RECORD BROKEN BY 4.5C! Lithuania: 14.6C Marijampole; Latvia:11.1C Daugavpils [also Liechtenstein at 20.6C / 69F].”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1609635064073146368
“Skiing in the Alps faces a bleak future thanks to climate change.
“…finding cold and snow has proved harder in recent years. The small French village of Saint-Firmin recently removed its ski-lift (which dated back to 1964) because there has simply been a lack of snow for over a decade. This year, seven of eight early-season World Cup skiing events have been cancelled due to another very warm summer in the Alps.”
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-alps-bleak-future-climate.html
“I grew up here in Gstaad [Switzerland] and learned skiing on this slope in the 70s. Back then scientists had evidence that fossil fuel causes warming.
“This is Jan 1, 2023.
“Climate science is my profession, but this is where it gets personal. When do we understand that we need to change?”
https://twitter.com/Knutti_ETH/status/1609540655016968193
“Poland lived something historic with up to 19C [66.2F] recorded in the middle of the night, something uncommon in summer, but in January?
“Ukraine: Incredible 20.0C [68F] at Ivano Frankivsk and 17.8C at Chernivtsi new records (only Crimea recorded 20C in January); Moldova: 16.5C at Bravicea.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1609645599086764033
“Beach time and mid summer temperatures in Northern Spain. It is 1 January but it could be 1 July.
“24.9C [76.8F] at Bilbao, hottest January day on records and not far is San Sebastian AP with 24.5C. Most of stations in Cantabria, Asturias and Basque region had their hottest January day.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1609579633304866821
“Heat waves killed 5,300 people in Spain in 2022, a century record.
“The high temperatures that Spain suffered this summer caused more than 12,000 deaths between June and August, of which more than 5,300 were caused by the effects of extreme heat. This new calculation reveals that deaths associated with heat were much more numerous than initially estimated…”
https://www.epe.es/es/medio-ambiente/20230102/olas-calor-mataron-5-300-80598751
“Mudslides killed at least 10 people at two makeshift mines in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after torrential rain, local officials said Saturday.
“The disasters came after heavy rain overnight… In mid-December, floods caused by torrential rain killed more than 160 people in the capital Kinshasa, in the west of the country.”
https://www.barrons.com/news/mudslides-kill-at-least-10-miners-in-eastern-dr-congo-01672508708
“Saudi Arabia: Heavy rain floods Jeddah for second time in weeks. Authorities issue weather warnings in different cities as more rain is expected in the coming days…
“The heavy rain forced Jeddah universities to postpone classes and flights at the King Abdulaziz International Airport to be delayed, as a combination of thunderstorms, wind and hail led to poor visibility.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-jeddah-flood-second-time-weeks
“An Iranian official has confirmed that 270 cities and towns are suffering from acute water shortage as water levels at dams have dropped to critically low levels…
“Water reservoirs in Iran are at an all-time low, threatening nationwide rationing soon, local media and officials say.”
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202301017189
“Poyang Lake: Life Under Climate Whiplash.
“Jiangxi; East China — Two years ago, Sixth Tone reported on the devastating floods that struck communities living around Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake. This October, we returned to the same area to record a very different scene: a historic drought.”
https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1011985/poyang-lake-life-under-climate-whiplash
“Death toll from Philippines floods rises to 49.
“The heavy rains that battered the Philippines on Christmas weekend, causing great damage and casualties to the country, have inflicted 49 deaths according to recent updates… The damage caused by the flooding to infrastructure and agricultural land is estimated at 1.43 billion Pesos ($24.4 million).”
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/asia-pacific/death-toll-from-philippines-floods-rises-to-49
“The annual precipitation of Ximao Mountain in Yilan, Taiwan, reach 12,000 mm [nearly 40 feet] in 2022, making it the place with the most precipitation since the meteorological records of the whole East Asia!
“The precipitation of the station reached 4574mm in October, which is very abundant!”
https://twitter.com/yangyubin1998/status/1609182879787143168
“A heatwave warning is in place for multiple Australian states amid a sweltering start to 2023.
“Hot and steamy conditions have settled over Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory. In some states, severe heat warnings are colliding with flood warnings.”
“Major floods and wild weather isolate towns across northern Australia as ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie maintains strength.
“Roads have turned into rivers, cows are struggling to survive in fast flowing waters and boats have become the only form of transport in parts of the central Kimberley as ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie continues to batter Northern Australia.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-02/major-floods-wild-weather-for-northern-australia/101821962
“Sydney beach lifeguards join rescue effort as floods ravage the outback.
“Surf lifesavers from Sydney’s beaches have been rushed to the Australian outback as the nation’s longest river, swollen by months of intense rainfall, inundates homes, farms and vineyards… the 1,500-mile Murray River has been closed to swimmers and most boats, with the waters reaching levels never before recorded.”
“And that’s a wrap for Sydney’s wettest year on record:
“The city’s final annual total for 2022 was 2530 mm nearly 100 inches]. Its previous annual record was 2194 mm in 1950. Long-term annual average is 1213 mm. Sydney has 164 years of annual rainfall records (1859 to 2022).”
https://twitter.com/Ben_Domensino/status/1609015741050941440
“Large hail stones damage cars as severe storms cross Tasmania…
“Severe thunderstorm warnings for large hailstones and heavy rain were issued for parts of the east coast and midlands throughout Monday… The Bureau of Meteorology said “giant hail” had been reported at Carlton River, north-east of Hobart. Senior meteorologist Brooke Oakley said hail that size was “very dangerous”.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-02/hobart-storms-weather-hail-forecast/101821070
“The water temperature in the South Island is set to soar this week as a marine heatwave sweeps the West Coast [NZ].
“It’s expected to reach a whopping 18.4C – five degrees hotter than the average water temperature for this time of year. MetService oceanographer Dr Joao de Souza said… “Last year, a similarly warm marine heatwave in Fiordland reached great depths and caused widespread bleaching of sea sponges.””
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/481814/marine-heatwave-expected-to-hit-west-coast
“San Francisco just had its second-rainiest day since 1849.
“On the last day of 2022, an atmospheric river parked over San Francisco. And it rained and rained and rained… In 24 hours, San Francisco’s downtown gauge measured 5.46 inches. That’s second only to Nov. 5, 1994, which beat that number by a hair at 5.54 inches.”
https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/San-Francisco-just-had-its-second-rainiest-day-17688646.php
“Winter storm bringing snow, ice and tornadoes, expected to wallop US this week.
“Over 3 feet of snow fell in the Sierra mountains in California over the weekend. According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, up to 7.5 inches of snow fell per hour on Saturday in the Sierras. Sixteen states are under winter and/or wind alerts…”
https://abcnews.go.com/US/winter-storm-bringing-snow-ice-tornadoes-expected-wallop/story
“The sheriff of Erie County, New York, said the deadly winter storm that led to almost 40 deaths in Buffalo last week was “unlike anything” he has seen before…
“He said the 70-mile-per-hour winds that the storm brought along with the snow caused zero visibility, which produced a “domino effect” of snowplows not being able to get on the streets safely and power lines coming down. The fallen power lines caused people to lose electricity and heating amid freezing temperatures.”
“Ontario and Quebec will begin the first week of the new year basking in extreme warmth spreading over the region.
““Extreme warmth” is a relative term in the middle of January, of course. But temperatures coming in 15+ degrees above seasonal is no small feat for a time of year that usually requires multiple layers to take out the trash.”
https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/record-warmth-set-build-over-004528079.html
“Halifax [Nova Scotia] hasn’t seen any snowbanks or snowplows so far this winter, and the lack of lasting flakes is about to break a record.
“Saturday will break the record for the latest date into winter without having at least two centimetres of snow on the ground at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, according to Jim Abraham, president of the Canadian Meteorological Oceanographic Society.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
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Profound and amazing wrap up on 2022’s changing climate
Thanks, Bobby! That European heatwave is very sobering.
Oh My JP – thank you so much for this post …
Unfortunately it confirms my own web scanning for ’23 forecasts. I was looking for news that ’23 would give us a rest to allow some recovery time. Many have been saying ’23 to be as hot, or hotter for the same northern hemisphere regions, which were badly affected by heat last summer. I was hoping your search algorithms, could find posts to contradict that gloomy outlook 🙁
Sections of Europe, UK, and USA already severely parched may also get extreme flooding, as heavy rainfall on parched soils don’t soak in – they don’t recharge much – it just runs off over the surface with flash-flooding. eg Spain’s recent floods and California’s Death Valley last year – although the heavy snowpack being reported in the US Sierras, may help California’s reservoirs and the Colorado basin?
Alternating hard freeze/rapid thaw might give some relief when spring temps do come over this northern winter, but the speed of freeze-then-thaw are likely to cause increased breaks, cracks, leaks and subsidence of water & sewer lines, roads etc (as happened in SE England recently).
As for the Australian Murray-Darling River basin, I vaguely recall from my school days, that it takes about 9 months for flows to finally reach the sea mouth, emptying first into a large mixed fresh/saltwater lake, and surrounding tidal lagoons, known as the Coorong.
Anyway, we have had 9 long months of the floods forcing daily emergencies over and over and over with yet more levees breaking, along the 1500km basin. As a consequence, we all have reached serious “flood-fatigue” and our own news reports have dwindled over that time.
It still has several weeks of very high water flows in the lower Murray, but is slower moving as the last of the 2022 waters reaches the ocean. Leaving behind lots of pooled (and increasingly stagnant) water with mass fish-kills, crops and pasturelands still under, and will be for some time yet. Some crops which have been harvestable, are also damaged or contaminated with toxic weeds (want some nightshade with your greens?) and other pests, moulds, as herbicides/pesticides failed under heavy rainfalls.
Which brings me to the global economy, presumably richer nations are able to do something to repair and mitigate our own climate ‘damages & losses’ in a major event year like ’22. But for how long if the events continue back-to-back, year after year? Our economies are all struggling with huge structural debt/deficits, both govt/public and private, following the CoViD years coupled with inflation, declining energy sources etc. In Australia, our newish government is all “Sunshine, lollipops, rainbows and unicorns” LOL – which is comforting for many I suppose!
Like Britain in WW2: ‘Stay Calm, and Carry On’ 🙂
Thanks, Rain – that’s a great summary. The endless floods in Oz sound absolutely miserable. Fingers crossed the Pacific has finally run out of La Ninas to throw at you.