“Number of dead ‘continues to rise’ after 129 killed due to torrential rainfall in Rwanda.
“The incident was reported by a local newspaper to be the “highest disaster-induced death toll to be recorded in the shortest period”. More rainfall is expected. The search for more victims is underway following more extreme weather through the night.”
“Houses submerged as floods sweep through Lukaya, Lwera [Uganda].
“Lwera swamp stretches about 20kms on the Kampala–Masaka Highway and is a major water catchment area that connects several rivers and wetlands in Gomba, Mpigi and Kalungu districts… Torrential rains currently being experienced in various parts of the country have caused flooding in Lukaya Town in Kalungu District, paralysing businesses.”
“More records from Southern Africa: On 1 May the Gillot Airport of the Reunion Island rose to 30.8C [87.4F], a new record for May.
“In April it already tied its monthly record with 32.7C and recorded its 2nd warmest April on records after 2019.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1653716032635191296
“A Torrid Summer Risks Stalling Asia’s Climate Goals [picture from China’s 2022 heatwave/drought].
“Electricity production is already suffering [China]. Nationwide hydro generation in the first quarter of the year came to 204 terawatt-hours, a drop of nearly 8% from the same period last year. That’s particularly worrying because China has more dams now than ever.”
“After experiencing the second-coldest in history in late April, temperatures across China have risen rapidly.
“Today, the highest in the north is over 30C, and three southern provinces are over 39C, 39.3C [102.7F] in Qiaojia, Yunnan is the highest in China.”
https://twitter.com/yangyubin1998/status/1653748353715544064
“Thailand’s most beautiful lake runs dry after months of drought.
“Provincial governor Narong Rojsothorn said the water level had dropped from 55.65 million cubic metres to just 2.8 million, and that he is getting the lake refilled with water channelled from two nearby reservoirs. Kwan Phayao or Phayao Lake is [Thailand’s] fourth biggest freshwater lake…”
https://asianews.network/thailands-most-beautiful-lake-runs-dry-after-months-of-drought/
“Wildfires in Laos have burned half of forested land in some provinces.
“Fires fanned by drier-than-usual weather in Luang Prabang, Xayabury and Oudomxay provinces have been burning for weeks, causing respiratory problems and some of the region’s worst smog in years. Many of the fires began as controlled burns started by farmers using slash-and-burn agriculture techniques…”
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/forest-fires-oudomxay-05022023152309.html
“While northern parts of the country are being deluged with rain, some places in the South [of New Zealand] are seeing record heat for this time of year.
“MetService says both Invercargill and Queenstown airports have reached record temperatures for May today.”
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/record-may-heat-some-south
“Southern Hemisphere with heat records allover including Oceania:
“New Caledonia: 33.6C [92.5F] Noumea, hottest May day on records… New Zealand: Insanely warm nights (Tmins locally >19/20) ,some records of highest Tmins already fell: 16.6C Westport; 16.2C Hokitika; 16.3C Taupō; 16.7C Rotorua.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1653355955654995968
“Argentina’s FX reserves hit lowest level since 2016 on drought impact.
“Argentina’s central bank reserves are at their lowest level in almost seven years, official data show, as a painful drought stymies key grains exports and a weak peso currency forces authorities to spend dollars to support it.”
“A new threat is emerging in Southeast Florida following historic floods: mosquitos.
“The Florida Department of Health in Broward County has advised residents on preventive steps for mitigating the presence of mosquitos in standing water. Severe storms dumped tens of inches of rain across the county last month, including in Fort Lauderdale.”
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/southeast/florida-floods-mosquito-threat-standing-water/
“Vermont saw the warmest April on record this year in over a century.
“The National Weather Service says the average temperature was five degrees above normal, breaking records that records go back to 1884. Warm Aprils can… give gardeners and farmers a false sense of security that it’s time to plant but there is still a chance of a killing frost.”
https://www.wcax.com/2023/05/02/vermont-records-warmest-april-over-century/
“West Virginia sees biggest May snowfall on record with up to 16 inches.
“Rare May snow began to fall in West Virginia’s high country late Monday, and flakes were still flying and piling up Wednesday morning as the state awoke to its most significant late-season snowfall on record.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/05/03/west-virginia-record-may-snow/
“Up to a foot of snow forecast in parts of Southern California days after record heat wave.
“The accumulations will add to the heavy snowpack that will soon melt… Officials are especially concerned about the agricultural lands surrounding the Tulare Lake Basin, which began flooding even before temperatures rose.”
https://abcnews.go.com/US/foot-snow-forecast-parts-southern-california-days-after/story?id=99041578
“Hundreds of hazardous sites in California are at risk of flooding as sea level rises, study finds.
“Hundreds of hazardous industrial sites that dot the California coastline – including oil and gas refineries and sewage-treatment plants – are at risk of severe flooding from rising sea level if the climate crisis worsens, new research shows.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/02/us/sea-level-rise-impact-california-climate/index.html
“In full bloom: Early heat brings out the flowers and breaks records throughout the Inland Northwest…
“More record-breaking weather is expected between central Washington and North Idaho on Wednesday and Thursday, before a sudden cooldown brings more moderate temperatures back to the region on Friday.”
https://news.yahoo.com/full-bloom-early-heat-brings-035900875.html
“Alberta’s early May heat the perfect recipe for wildfires.
“Although omega [jet strream] blocks and early spring heat are not unprecedented, Lang said this extent of record-breaking heat does stand out. “This is sort of a very rare event for it to be occurring this early in the season, and just a little bit of that weather whiplash too.””
“Record-breaking temperatures hit southern N.W.T. [Canada].
“As the last of the risk of flooding flows away, Hay River residents may have another issue to deal with — record-breaking temperatures. This is Hay River’s warmest May 3 on record Temperatures in the community reached 30 C [86F], three degrees warmer than the previous record high [and the earliest in the year it has ever been this hot].”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-hot-weather-1.6831470
“Warning that droughts may lead to electricity shortages in France.
“Ongoing droughts and rising temperatures pose a serious risk to France’s electricity supplies, climate experts have warned, with the country’s main sources of energy – nuclear and hydro – particularly vulnerable.”
https://www.thelocal.fr/20230503/warning-that-droughts-may-lead-to-electricity-shortages-in-france
“Disappearing lakes, dead crops and trucked-in water: Drought-stricken Spain is running dry.
“The lack of water is starting to feel like an existential crisis for farmers such as Caudevilla and he is worried about the future of his profession. It’s becoming increasingly hard to make ends meet as crops shrivel through lack of water – or cannot be planted at all.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/02/europe/spain-drought-catalonia-heat-wave-climate-intl/index.html
“Again and again, record heat waves in Spain and France. Today the heat was exceptional in the Basque Region and surroundings:
“34.3C [93.7F] Santander AP; 34.3C San Sebastian AP; 33.5C Bilbao AP… France: 33.2C Bustince; 33.0C Pointe de Socoa. For some stations, it has never been so hot that early.”
https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1653787233269211137
“No more ‘dolce vita’: How extreme weather could change Italian tourism forever…
“There are no longer distinct boundaries between seasons. Winters are warm. April used to be already beach time, but at Easter, just looking out the window, I felt depressed. Rainy, humid nights with violent gusts of wind at my place have killed all the flowers. My garden table got thrown yards away.”
“Two dead as extreme weather hits Emilia Romagna [Italy].
“Emilia Romagna Governor Stefano Bonaccini said Wednesday that he will ask central government to declare a state of emergency in the northeastern region after it was hit by a wave of extreme weather that has claimed at least two lives… “The amount of rain that has fallen is very high, we have to be very careful”.”
“The struggle against mega-basins is a struggle for life.
“From France to Chile, the construction of big water reservoirs for irrigation threatens communities and violates the human right to access water… We are witnessing the resurgence and reinforcement of authoritarianism, growing repression of environmental protests, and intensifying criminalisation of those who oppose this ongoing ecocide…”
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/5/3/the-struggle-against-mega-basins-is-a-struggle-for-life
“A looming El Niño could prompt a spike in global temperatures, UN agency warns.
“An El Niño climate pattern will likely develop later this year, which could exacerbate global warming and break temperature records around the world, forecasters from the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/03/a-looming-el-nio-could-prompt-a-spike-in-global-temperatures.html
“Sudden ocean warming may be first of many heat records to shatter…
I’ve already posted articles about this but I’m posting this one because it starts with a trigger warning. I’ve never seen that before; I wonder if it will become more widespread:
“This story includes details on the impacts of climate change that may be difficult for some readers. If you are feeling overwhelmed by this crisis situation here is a list of resources on how to cope with fears and feelings about the scope and pace of the climate crisis.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
I may just be feeling mean today … it happens …, but the last two articles today just seem funny to me.
“A looming El Niño could prompt a spike in global temperatures, UN agency warns.”
“Could”?!???? Gee UN, thanks for making the obvious seem like there is a chance that the obvious is … like … no longer obvious. Is it a lie, or are they that outrageously stupid? LOL
“This story includes details on the impacts of climate change that may be difficult for some readers. If you are feeling overwhelmed by this crisis situation here is a list of resources on how to cope with fears and feelings about the scope and pace of the climate crisis.”
I can rephrase this trigger warning:
“If you have been in denial all this time, and stupidly claimed that the AGW threat is a hoax or if you stupidly claimed that some technological miracle was coming; then, you might be surprised to learn the truth. By the way, this article is watered down to the point that it actually constitutes an overly optimistic lie. Have a nice day.”
Yup, I’m mean today. Best carefully watch what I say to the family.
Easy there, Lou! 😂
Dont worry Pintada , just give China a good hug and everything will be OK. Given you kept indicating in three responses on me in a row that trade with china is somehow the lynchpin of keeping humandkind afloat.
Some people have “interesting ” paradigms they adhere to and calling others stupid at the same time . Zip at least throws himself into intellectualism, also not helpful in a 21st century context, but eloquent from time to time.
Come on, Harmon – let’s not be mean-spirited. Smack on the wrist for you.
Yup, Harmon and Turanga Leela, are right! The way to minimize the effects of AGW is to force a nuclear war with China. Go Biden!!
AGW mitigation using the brilliant insight used in all B scifi plots – just nuke it.
What a bunch of *negative Nellies* and *Mean Maxes* !!
Meanwhile, we here in the south-east quadrant of Australia are bracing for our first true winter-style cold snap, with rain unfortunately.
Being still autumn, officially, I was rushing all week to finish reseeding my well-dug over backyard area, with fancy lawn grasses. Kentucky Bluegrass blended with fescue, and white and red clover under the trees.
Only to find this morning, the seed and topdress layer covered by frost, after several days of fog 🙁
Road warnings everywhere due to the soupy fog blanket, and the weather-boy repeating ‘very, very cold weekend’ for almost half the country.Even over the central deserts. Even predicting snow down to 400 metres in the Southern Highlands and Tasmania.
I’m trying to enjoy it, dusting off long unused winter coats, my favourite leather gloves and my old Canadian touke, as it may be the last true winter for a long, long time with El Nino likely hitting us by September. I’m trying to adapt to a pair of dogs who just won’t get off my bed. Apparently, their laundry room winter bedding is just not good enough on these frosty nights.
Budget next week, apparently a windfall surplus (from dirty mining), clearing the deficit, at least temporarily. Possibly raising the Resource Rent Tax on mining companies.
I can’t be too pessimistic on economy, when record crowds are showing up (with ticket scalpers) for the early season football games, and tourist destinations for those wanting to escape the winter to the north. are having a bumper booking season.
Last hurrahs perhaps?
All the energy-economic models, are in the global aggregate, which leaves plenty of room for individual country/region variation.
I’ve been saying for years, that Gaia’s climate illnesses will get us first, and this latest list of Pan’s news only reinforces that.
Those current temps across the Northern Hemisphere spring are sooo high already, and the ocean warming is even more alarming. I saw a YouTube talking head video, and watched the faces of the climate scientists commenters. They looked speechless, and scared, trying not be emotional, or alarmist, but going silent on “solutions” (or admitting to “insufficient data”, and mumbling about the information gaps in the climate models which are “evolving” year on year), because there just isn’t any solutions, are there?
I suspect Gaia will institute some culling, unfortunately plenty of other species included.
Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ for real.
For if our own species gets cut down to size by rolling crises of disease, poverty, war, displaced crowds of homeless refugees, famine etc, there might be enough energy left-over for some ‘pockets of prosperity’ to continue. Survivors with mental health problems, grief and loss.
With some EVs and solar panels and windmills LOL, It can work for some, but not as many as today. As others have said, an electric economy can work, just not for this many people.
Icy winds,
“I’m trying to adapt to a pair of dogs who just won’t get off my bed. Apparently, their laundry room winter bedding is just not good enough on these frosty nights.” 😆
Rain, my Labrador is crated at night. I’d always assumed crating was a cruel thing to do but actually there are benefits and she loves her “personal den”.
Yeah i made the mistake yesterday to watch nova which i have not watched in years and there show about zero carbon. Talk about a fairytale. What was even more funny the host had an electric truck to test for the week and he had problems charging it and finding working stations and he looked stressed to. It was one advertisement for the green new scam. Meanwhile California is a on going disaster with more rain and snow. Hold on to those 100 year old dams and levees breaking due to the shear amounts of water.
““Chasing Carbon Zero” is reported, produced and directed by Miles O’Brien, a journalist who has been on the climate beat for 30 years. “It’s time to shift the reporting narrative from gloom and doom to possible solutions,” says O’Brien. “It’s important that our viewers know we have the technology to reach net zero.””
https://www.kpbs.org/news/2023/04/24/nova-chasing-carbon-zero
Yes, it doesn’t sound like my cup of tea, Heather.
Hello Panopticon
1. There is always one week a year when ‘spring strikes’.
That’s when I have to face my grounds and the exploding nature. You never know when that will be, it varies every year when it gets warm and…!!! you can overlook the fact that until the ‘ice saints’ that is until the third week of May, there will be no more cold snap. I think it’s a beautiful week because despite everything, you see and feel how strong ‘nature’ is.
When I an read your posts like this while ploughing the ground and consulting with the trees, shrubs, bushes and plants, I just revert to Bruno Latour’s work ‘ the Parliament of things’…. He harks back to the controversial Gaia hypothesis of microbiologist Lynn Margulis and inventor James Lovelock. Gaia – the name of the Greek goddess of the earth – is our planet, but not seen through the lens of the modern constitution.
Gaia is, in Lovelock’s words, “the greatest living thing in our solar system”. She is, Latour stresses, not reducible: there is ‘no order other than what those intertwined actors have produced through their interconnectedness, and certainly no higher order’…….
This helps create order in my immediate environment in this wild mountain country….. 🙂
2. I read your elongated link about the ‘ psychology’ of the IPCC…. it made me laugh if it wasn’t so sad the conclusions were wondrous and not very ‘ workable’… with looked like ‘ more of the same…. but slightly different’ 🙂
3. Regarding your link to the ‘ heat waves’ at sea. A lot of attention was paid to this in france last summer because the now recurrent wee heat waves were destroying the entire coral, gorgonians and other ecosystems…. Especially the western Mediterranean suffered as far as Spain…. It is an area that is now in the news almost daily as drought and water restriction measures roll over each other.
None of it matters much; The May holidays with the Mediterranean destinations are sold out and for the summer things are looking good tourist-wise.
On to the next heatwave! I will stay here on ‘my’ limestone plateau to keep an eye on the ‘ nature and the drought’ a bit and perhaps marvel at the ‘ higher orders’ that we as humans have come up with to use electric cars and other gadgets to appease things a bit….
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/herault/montpellier/canicule-marine-la-mediterranee-un-mer-en-surchauffe-2587648.html
Zip, I love the Gaia hypothesis.
It is a bleak way of looking at things but it sometimes feels like we are fleas or similar run amok on her surface, waiting for her self-regulating intelligence – an intelligence far superior to our conceptual cleverness – to find a way to trim back our numbers… but I’m sure those electric cars and other gadgets you mention are what is needed. 🙄
The wee heatwave killed 11,000 in France 2022.
24,501 for the EU
2022 European heat waves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_European_heat_waves