“Spring weather in the middle of winter in Japan. On Thursday, at least 10 locations recorded their warmest January day ever.
“Hagi had 19.2℃ (67F), making it 9.7℃ (17F) higher than normal. The warmth will spread to snowy northern Japan Friday.”
https://twitter.com/sayakasofiamori/status/1613470145619591168
Update: “On Friday, at least 71 January records were broken in Japan. Temps were about 10C higher than normal, enhancing snowmelt. An avalanche occurred in Hokkaido’s Mount Yotei in the afternoon. A European woman is showing no vital signs.”
https://twitter.com/sayakasofiamori/status/1613819171695124480
“Organizers of winter festivals in Gangwon Province [S Korea], opening for the first time in three years, are concerned over rising temperatures.
On Thursday, the Korea Meteorological Administration reported daytime temperatures of 9-12 degrees Celsius in the inner regions, 10-12 degrees in the mountain ranges and 14-17 degrees on the east coast [several monthly records broken].
http://koreabizwire.com/warm-weather-and-rain-threaten-winter-festivals-in-gangwon-prov/238024
“Today, the central and eastern part of China is extremely warm, with more than 200 weather stations breaking records.
“Among the big cities, Harbin 3.9C and Changchun 4.5C, while Shenyang and Chengdu scored the same. The highest temperature in the country is 30.8C in Yuanyang!”
https://twitter.com/yangyubin1998/status/1613511733213265922
“Central Asia’s Drought Crisis to Persist: Study.
“A severe agriculture drought swept Central Asia in 2021 in its early growing season, causing mass die-offs of crops and livestock and leading to increased food prices. This harsh drought is not an independent event but an intensification of a drying trend since the 1990s…”
https://www.miragenews.com/central-asias-drought-crisis-to-persist-study-928103/
“Natural disasters are expected to be among the key factors weighing on the Australian economy in 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
“Flooding cost the Australian economy more than A$5 billion ($3.5 billion), the equivalent of a quarter of a point of GDP in the 2021-22 fiscal year, while also fueling inflation.”
“As most of southern Australia sweats under a prolonged heatwave, Sydney is on the verge of recording its longest spell of days below 30 degrees Celsius in 140 years [of record-keeping]…
“Tuesday’s maximum of 26.6 degrees at Observatory Hill marked the 323rd consecutive day under 30C, already the longest stretch in three decades.”
“NZ waters among highest for temperature rises amid record ocean heat, study shows.
“Contributor Dr Kevin Trenberth said the temperature increases were not uniform around the world. The Coral Sea, and north and south Pacific had experienced significantly greater warming. “In the South Pacific, the Tasman Sea and the New Zealand region, sea temperatures have been very warm.””
“‘Perfect storm’ of drought and infestations leave Kona coffee farms reeling [Hawaii].
“They’re calling it “farmageddon.” Kona coffee farmers are grappling with crop loss on a scale they’re never seen ― and some are facing closure. “It was really the worst case scenario for our growers,” said Suzanne Shriner, CEO of Lions Gate Farms and president of Kona Coffee Farmers Association.”
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/01/13/kona-coffee-farmers-devastated-by-farmageddon/
“Superfood or Climate Killer?
“Avocados and blueberries are marketed as superfoods in Europe. Nutrient-rich fruits bursting with health benefits. But in Chile, avocado farming is already causing massive water shortages; blueberry farms in Peru are currently undergoing huge expansion.”
“Deforestation ‘out of control’ in reserve in Brazil’s cattle capital.
“Forest destruction has ravaged Triunfo do Xingu, a reserve earmarked for sustainable use that has nonetheless become one of the most deforested slices of the Brazilian Amazon. Fires burned swaths of the reserve in recent months and forest clearing has surged…”
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/01/deforestation-out-of-control-in-reserve-in-brazils-cattle-capital/
“Venezuela’s Yapacana National Park suffering increasing mining deforestation: report.
“Satellite imagery analyzed by NGO Amazon Conservation revealed that illegal mining operations in Yapacana National Park, located in the Venezuelan state of Amazonas, are clearing protected forest much faster than previously thought.”
“Tropical Forests That Recover From Tree Removal [incorrectly] Assumed as Carbon Sinks.
“Because new trees grow fast, tropical forests that have recovered after tree removal were assumed to be carbon absorbers. [However], the carbon released by soil and decomposing wood outpace the carbon absorbed by new growth, according to a recent study headed by Imperial College London researchers.”
“At least seven dead as storm system batters southern US with tornado leaving trail of destruction in Alabama…
“Ernie Baggett, the emergency management director in Autauga, told the Associated Press that between 40 and 50 homes had been damaged by the extreme weather, with the tornado dubbed “large and extremely dangerous”.”
“Monterey Peninsula residents could soon be living on an island as mammoth flooding threatens to cut them off from the rest of California.
“The state has been hammered by a cascade of atmospheric rivers… At least 18 people have died, neighborhoods have turned into lakes, and countless homes have been destroyed as a string of storms toppled trees and paralyzed communities over the past two weeks.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/12/weather/california-flooding-atmospheric-river-thursday/index.html
“Reinsurers Retreat From US Disaster Hotspots on Climate Risks.
“Reinsurers are increasingly reconsidering their business in natural disaster-prone locations including California and Florida as losses mount, according to Moody’s Investors Service… Secondary perils’ share of total insured losses globally has reached over 60% on average over the last three years, Moody’s said.”
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/reinsurers-retreat-us-disaster-hotspots-135719545.html
“Nebraska’s drought among nation’s billion-dollar weather disasters.
“Intense drought and powerful storms have again placed Nebraska on the unenviable list of billion-dollar disasters in 2022… Nebraska was the driest state in the nation last year when compared to average annual precipitation, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.”
“Bizarre January warm-up coming to Michigan, Great Lakes Region…
“We may not set record high temperatures, but we will probably set record warm low temperatures… Looking out two weeks, the exact numbers may not be incredibly warm but the consistency of above-freezing temperatures will be impressive. Winter continues to be on hold.”
“Bristol Bay experienced its largest wildfire season on record last year, underscoring a trend toward bigger and more numerous fires in southwest Alaska as the climate warms.
““We really have not seen anything like this,” said University of Alaska Fairbanks climate specialist Rick Thoman. “And the Bristol Bay region was the most extreme of all the extremes.””
“Torrential rain led to serious flooding in parts of Tralee [Ireland] on Thursday morning with homeowners in the worst affected areas battling to protect their properties since before dawn.
“With the ground already saturated after days of heavy rain a third night of severe downpours led to serious flooding on the main Tralee to Castlemaine Road.”
“UK weather: Flood warnings and alerts in place amid fears some areas ‘could be cut off’.
“Saturated ground caused by recent wet weather means that even areas which have avoided the worst of recent heavy rain could be at risk of flooding. People are being urged to “stay away” from “swollen rivers” and not attempt to drive vehicles through floodwater.”
“UK primary insurer Direct Line has said it no longer expects to declare a final dividend for 2022, as total weather claims for the year are estimated at nearly twice its original expectations.
“Direct Line Group LogoThe company says it currently expects to pay claims worth around £90 million due to freezing temperatures in December that resulted in burst pipes and other related damage.”
https://www.reinsurancene.ws/direct-line-cancels-dividend-as-weather-claims-hit-140m/
“‘Recycling’ plan aims to replace water from Thames with treated sewage.
“Thames Water has proposed to draw off tens of millions of litres of water a day from the Thames and replace it with treated effluent from the large Mogden sewage works in west London to help tackle water shortages.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/12/thames-water-recycling-plan-treated-sewage
“Mild spell leaves EU grain crops at risk from cold snap.
“Unusually warm weather in Europe has stirred grain crops from winter dormancy, creating concerns that a subsequent plunge in temperatures could damage fields that have generally been in good condition, analysts said.”
“Spanish farmers furious over plans to cut water supplies to ‘orchard of Europe’…
“Fernando López, the conservative head of the Murcia region… noted that the water transfer from the Tagus irrigates 70 per cent of the fruit and vegetables exported by Spain. He warned that 25,000 jobs could be lost… Teresa Ribera, the environment minister, said the curbs were necessary to prepare the country for the effects of climate change.”
“Record January temperatures shut down Spain’s ski season.
“Spain is normally associated with beaches and sun holidays, but one of its lesser-known tourist industries revolves around the many snow-covered mountains around the country that are perfect for skiing… when the snow falls, that is.”
“Experts in Greece worry about no-snow winter, record high temperatures.
“Greece has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, prompting people to head for the beach instead of the ski resorts. However, the mild weather leaves scientists concerned.”
https://english.news.cn/20230112/4ffeeecdba8b4e09abce8948c290cf7a/c.html
“Following the warmest December on record in Belgrade [Serbia] since 1887, first decade of January was also probably among the warmest on record.
“Since December 21st 2022, Belgrade had 19 days with Tmax ≥ 10°C [50F], also there wasn’t frost during that period!”
https://twitter.com/skomimaster/status/1613168470983872517
“It has been raining in Türkiye’s southern Antalya since Tuesday night and the storm, with a wind speed exceeding 120 kph (75 mph), has paralyzed city life.
“The storm in Antalya has dumped 173 kilograms [no idea what this equates to in cm/inches] of rainfall per square meter in the province in the hardest-hit areas.”
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/floods-stormy-weather-disrupt-turkiyes-antalya-region/news
“Somalia faces a major food crisis driven by a historic drought.
“Fighting between the government and the militant group is driving people from their homes and complicating efforts to get food aid to those who are on the verge of starvation.”
“Namibia: Drought Also Blamed for Poor Exam Results.
“Since rural communities mostly depend on farming for their livelihoods, climate change in the form of drought may have contributed to last year’s poor Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary level examination results.”
https://allafrica.com/stories/202301120321.html
“Another country under a heat wave in South Africa. Today Vioolsdrif in the Western Cape Province rose to 46.3C [115.3F], yesterday Agabries Falls (635m asl) to 45.8C.
“The warm air mass will move East and tomorrow it will be very hot in Western Cape and Free State with 40C even above 1000m.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1613219310335365121
“The Impofu Dam, the most important storage dam of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, is at its lowest recorded level it has been since the dam was constructed in 1983.
““The pumps on the barge nearby the intake tower will soon reach the riverbed and will need to be moved. The drought situation is real, and we need everyone to take it seriously and reduce their water consumption,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Retief Odendaal.”
“Water scarcity: World’s dams to lose 1/4 storage capacity by 2050.
“Worldwide dam capacity is expected to drop trillions of cubic meters as nearly 50,000 large dams around the globe could lose more than a quarter of their storage capacity by 2050 as a result of sedimentation build-ups, eroding global water and energy security, according to United Nations research on Wednesday.”
“2022 was the warmest La Niña year on record. Scientists say this year will be warmer… the La Niña phenomenon typically has a cooling effect on global temperatures.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/12/us/2022-warmest-la-nina-year-climate/index.html
“El Nino event is coming in 2023. How is it forecast to emerge, and what does it mean for seasonal weather and the next Winter season?
“The IRI official probabilistic ENSO forecast also shows the current La Nina lasting over Winter 2022/23. But it is typical for a new phase to emerge in late summer/fall with seasonal pressure changes. Below, you can see a strong probability increase of an El Nino event in 2023.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
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Besides about even more important than energy is water.
Water is also an issue in Europe. This summer, suddenly the wells in my small mountain village in Auvergne went dry. That had never happened since time immemorial. ‘We’ are doing a huge drain on France’s water resources, as if there is no end to it. We are still withdrawing too much water from natural reservoirs. That is difficult to fill up during winter.
https://www.20minutes.fr/planete/environnement/4018731-20230113-secheresse-tout-comprendre-situation-preoccupante-nappes-phreatiques
Zip, right. And of course insufficient water can in turn have a knock-on effect on energy production, via reduced hydropower, inability to cool nuclear power stations, transport coal by barge etc. I really hope you get some decent precipitation for your well.
Looks like the Clever Ape is having to face the destruction of it’s habitat by manufactured global warming leading to “Weather Weirding, due to it’s viral overpopulation.
What happens when a species overpopulates it’s habitat? We might find out.
Your username is apt for the species, EffenNuts! 😆
I would post this to OFW, but it would not do any good…Gail wouldn’t post the entry of an article about Exxon knowing full well of the Science and projected models by their OWN Climate Scientists and the models proved to be accurate to this day.
So, now we have this on coastal communities scrambling to erect sea walls to hold back sea level rise…good luck with that …
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/13/us-cities-ugly-seawalls-climate-crisis-miami
Coastal communities have for decades ignored warnings about climate change, constructing more and more buildings and homes in flood-exposed areas even as the dangers rise. And now that coastal dwellers are seeing the drastic solutions required to keep them safe, potentially turning their charming cities ugly, people are snapping to attention.
Despite public opposition in Miami and other cities, the preferred strategy from the army corps and federal policymakers is still to build hulking fortresses – such as the $29bn project it’s proposing in Galveston, Texas – literally walling off cities from the sea.
Yep, putting up Concrete walls (energy intensive) will be the solution…no but it does fatten the public works budget.
Vince, Gail will tend to shut down discussions on climate change on the basis that nothing can be done about it. However, there’s not much we can do about a self-organising dissipative system fracturing and collapsing under the duress of energy and resource-constraints either, so that always seemed a somewhat disingenuous argument to me. Honestly, it is not her area of expertise and I think she simply does not enjoy it being discussed on OFW.
Credit where it’s due though, even though Gail (broadly) comes from the “peak oil” crowd, which has traditionally downplayed, ignored or denied the existence of anthropogenic climate change,, she has come a long way in acknowledging it and including it in some of her analyses.
Re Exxon, it is abhorrent and horrifying, and yet unsurprising. Corporations tend to behave like psychopaths, so…
Re concrete seawalls, much of Florida is porous limestone, making them of limited use, as I understand it.