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“Breaking News!
“The planet just experienced its hottest meteorological Summer on record, just barely beating the previous record set in 2024.”
[Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2095115663623008604
“ERA5 just checked in with the hottest August on record globally.
“August 2026 averaged an astonishing 1.65°C above the preindustrial average—easily eclipsing the previous August record set in 2024 and blowing past the IPCC’s “safe” 1.5°C warming threshold.” The Global Warmer]
https://x.com/TheGlobalWarmer/status/2095193839027753007
“Global heating will hit at least 1.8C, UN warns, and there are ‘no good outcomes’…
“Global heating will reach at least 1.8C under even the most optimistic future, well beyond the Paris agreement goal of 1.5C, according to a UN report that warns every fraction of temperature rise intensifies destructive extreme weather, glacier melt, ecosystem loss, and island and coastal city submersion.”
“How wildfires could push the climate crisis beyond repair…
“When forests go up in smoke, they release back into the atmosphere, in a matter of days, the carbon dioxide they had been capturing for decades or centuries through photosynthesis. This injects massive quantities of greenhouse gases into the air, triggering a long list of feedback loops.”
https://geographical.co.uk/climate-change/how-wildfires-could-push-the-climate-crisis-beyond-repair
“EXTRAORDINARY AUTUMN HEAT IN SIBERIA. After smashing hundreds of records in June, July and August, the Arctics is breaking those of September!
“27.8C [82F] at Selagoncy, which broke the August record on day 1st and today breaks that of September on 1st. Insane.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094824324674769123
“UK chalks up hottest summer on record for second year running.
“The UK measured an average temperature of 16.5C between June and August, breaking the previous record of 16.1C set in 2025, the Met Office said, adding that the sweltering temperatures were made far “more likely due to human-induced climate change.””
https://www.arabnews.pk/world/uk-chalks-up-hottest-summer-on-record-for-second-year-running-3000032
“This graph is wild. Central England summer 2026 came in at +3.77σ relative to the 1659–2025 distribution.
“For most of the 367-year record, summer temperatures were remarkably stable. A +3.77σ event corresponds to roughly 1-in-12,000 years under a normal distribution.” [The Global Warmer]
https://x.com/TheGlobalWarmer/status/2094975410639417819
“A SOMERSET cider maker has begun the earliest apple harvest in its 122-year history, with records suggesting the county’s cider apple season has shifted dramatically over generations.
“Thatchers Cider has started picking apples at Myrtle Farm in Sandford earlier than ever before, surpassing the record-breaking early harvest date set in 2025.”
“Belgium records hottest summer ever, meteorological institute says.
“The average temperature recorded in Uccle, the site of Belgium’s official meteorological measurements, during June, July and August was 2.4C above the seasonal norm of 17.9C, making it the first summer on record in which the average temperature surpassed 20C [68F].”
“We’re adding the unprecedented to the unprecedented. After May, June, July, and August… here comes September!
“Starting tomorrow, temperatures will once again locally approach 37-40°C [104F] in southern France. Some monthly records could be shattered by several degrees, with an ease that has become disconcerting.” [Dr Serge Zaka]
https://x.com/SergeZaka/status/2095137458816012576
“How wildfires are scorching France’s wine industry.
“…human-induced climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions, threatening the precious and fragile grapes, which are particularly sensitive to heat. Worse, the frequency of wildfires in the tinder-dry forests is rising, causing havoc to agriculture.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/1/how-wildfires-are-scorching-frances-wine-industry
“July storms cost European insurers €2.2 billion, PERILS says.
“The week-long outbreak across Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy is now the costliest hailstorm event on PERILS’ European record… Some of these cells generated very large hail, high wind gusts and unusually intense rainfall.”
“Heavy hailstorm passed over South Tyrol: Farmers fear for harvest [Austria].
“A severe thunderstorm with heavy rain and massive hail caused numerous fire brigade operations on Monday evening in the South Tyrolean Eisack Valley, especially in the Brixen and Vahrn area. Cellars were flooded and streets were under water. Agriculture fears considerable crop damage.”
“Climate shocks hit EU maize heartland in Hungary and Romania…
“The EU’s maize harvest, typically its second-largest cereals crop, is forecast at 50.1 million metric tons this year, according to the European Commission’s late-August estimate. That would be a near two-decade low and about a fifth below the average of the past three years.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/climate-shocks-hit-eu-maize-101557944.html
“EXTRAORDINARY. EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN. Hundreds of records of September records smashed with insane margiins
“Min 28.3 [82.9F] Dubrovnik, 27.0; Podgorica, 26.2 – CROATIA, MONTENEGRO AND BOSNIA HOTTEST SEPTEMBER NIGHT IN HISTORY. ALBANIA Nearly every single record smashed.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095110358310469658
“Wildfires rage near Athens, in Evia and near Thiva.
“Nearly 30 water-bombing aircraft and more than 150 firefighters strove Wednesday to tame wildfires east of Athens, on the nearby island of Evia and in the Thiva area, while civil protection authorities ordered villages evacuated as a precaution.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1314087/wildfires-rage-near-athens-in-evia-and-near-thiva/
“Sea temperatures smash record, expert warns it could fuel violent storms.
“Sea temperatures around Malta broke the August record last month, averaging 29.5°C and reaching a peak of 30.8°C [87.4F] south of Gozo, according to a leading oceanographer. The monthly average surpassed the previous August high of 28.7°C recorded in 2024 and was almost 3°C above the long-term average.”
“Over 100 families evacuated in Tunisia as wildfires spread…
“The wildfires came amid a severe heat wave in Tunisia, with temperatures reaching 49.8C (121.6F) in Kairouan, according to the Tunisian Observatory of Weather and Climate.”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN NORTH AFRICA. NEARLY EVERY RECORD PULVERIZED.
“After destroying every record of all previous months, Algeria and Tunisia (and Niger, Burkina, Mali) smashed nearly every September High Min record: today MIN 32.4 [90.3F] Ourgla, 31.9 Touggourt, 31.8 El Oued etc.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095129977666621686
“‘We are overwhelmed’: Aberdare forest fire enters fourth day [Kenya]…
“The Aberdare Forest fire is primarily suspected to have been accidentally started by illegal honey gatherers… However, Some local residents noted a traditional community myth where people deliberately burn vegetation during droughts, believing the smoke will attract rain.”
“HISTORIC MIDDLE EAST HEAT. Meteorological autumn starts with record heat of September hot nights smashed all over Asia.
“MINIMUMS >35C [95] in Kuwait, Bahrain (35.3C),Qatar etc. For Kuwait and Bahrain are the highest Minimums ever recorded in September. Records also in Central Asia.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094749914710331752
“Floodwaters leave trail of destruction [Pakistan].
“Floodwaters that inundated the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad following Tuesday’s torrential rain and the frightening surge of water from Rawal Dam’s spillway receded after nine hours, but left behind a terrifying trail of destruction…”
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627178/floodwaters-leave-trail-of-destruction
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN INDIA & SRI LANKA. Record after record for weeks in the area and this is getting worse.
“Even in the most humid areas of Southern India, temperatures rise above 40C like today with a new September record of highest Temperature at Palayankottai with 40.6C [105.1F].” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094837443723727249
“Eight dead in Uttarakhand monsoon fury as land subsidence threatens homes in Rudraprayag.
“In Dehradun, swollen seasonal streams created flood-like conditions after intense showers. Water entered several homes in Herbertpur, Vikasnagar, forcing police and residents to launch a joint evacuation.”
“Nepal flood disaster exposes cascading threats in Himalayas.
“A catastrophic flood in Nepal that left thousands missing started with a collapse of ice and rock high in the mountains—a warning that disaster planning must prepare for chains of hazards, not isolated events, say experts.”
https://www.scidev.net/global/news/nepal-flood-disaster-exposes-cascading-threats-in-himalayas/
“After the flood: human suffering on an unfathomable scale in Nepal’s worst-hit districts.
“Searching for the body of his wife in the mud, Dil Bahadur Shrestha lamented that he did not even have a shovel left. For now, he has been using his hands to try to find her as he picks through the ruins of his house.”
“EXTRAORDINARY; ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME EVENTS IN HISTORY:
“38 DEGREES IN MONGOLIAN HIGHLANDS. NEARLY 100% OF THE RECORDS SMASHED. 37.7C [99.9F] Bayantoorai is HOTTEST SEPTEMBER DAY IN MONGOLIAN HISTORY. Much worse next days: records will be broken with even 8C margins, a world record itself.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094833414834622606
“Hong Kong scorches through record-breaking August heat…
“The heat culminated on August 9, when the observatory recorded an all‑time high of 36.9 C in the afternoon. Even more striking was the reading in Sheung Shui, which hit 39.8 C, the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in Hong Kong since automatic weather stations were introduced in the 1980s.”
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/638916
“‘Unprecedented’ path: eastern and southern China braces for revived Typhoon Saudel…
“…Saudel’s path from making landfall in eastern China to re-entering the South China Sea from the south and reviving is unprecedented,” Xin said in a social media post. It came as heavy rain was forecast across parts of eastern and southern China through to Thursday, with some areas expected to see heavy to torrential rain.”
“Ruian, Wenzhou, was hit by a severe rainstorm, with 520mm [20.5 inches] of rainfall in 24 hours triggering serious flash floods [China]…
“The neighboring city of Fuding in Fujian Province was also hit by torrential rain, with rainfall reaching 127mm in one hour, and floods rushed into the streets.” [Jim Yang]
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/2095122782124441604
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN JAPAN. Hottest autumn heat wave in Japanese history kicks off.
“Temperatures >38C and records smashed (see list by JMA below), This is just the beginning: much hotter next days and many more records with temperatures close to 40C [104F].”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094724295817617884
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
“Nearly every record of September High Minimum and many of high max. has been swept away in Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia… Mind blowing unbelievable of Minimum of 29.4C [84.9F] at Infanta PHILIPPINES HOTTEST SEPTEMBER NIGHT IN HISTORY.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2094820087383388618
“Mount Semeru fires spreading as E. Java experiences extreme drought [Indonesia].
“East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) executive director Gatot Soebroto said the affected areas were around Mount Kepolo, Jambangan area, Po’o forest and the Ayak-ayak alternative climbing route.”
“Olongapo City under state of calamity due to severe flooding [Philippines].
“The Olongapo City government on Tuesday has declared the city under a state of calamity after weeks of intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding, landslides, damage to properties and infrastructure, and the displacement of residents.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2296756/olongapo-city-under-state-of-calamity-due-to-severe-flooding
“Rare ‘train’ of Pacific cyclones fueled by historic El Nino.
“Furthest west is Hurricane Lowell, followed by Hurricane Karina. Both of the Category 4 storms [Lowell now Cat 5] are anticipated to pass well to the south and to the northeast of Hawaii, respectively, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).”
https://gulfnews.com/world/rare-train-of-pacific-cyclones-fueled-by-historic-el-nino-1.500661330
“During the last 4 days, strong to extreme westerly wind bursts have been maintained and have resulted in yet another DWKW around 160W, and this same wave is on its way eastward and will act to reinforce our very strong El Niño.”
[David Schlotthauer].
https://x.com/Weatherunited1/status/2094894615359103059
“Every day is a record day in Lima, PERU – hottest September night in history with a Minimum of 20.8C [69.4F]…
“Previous record? Yesterday. Will this make it until tomorrow before being inevitably swept away?” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095219917645652224
“The Amazon’s Defenders Declare a State of Emergency…
“A central message of the gathering was that the Amazon basin is an interconnected living system that national borders have unnaturally divided—and that attacks on the forest cannot be separated from attacks on the people who defend it.”
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01092026/amazons-defenders-declare-state-of-emergency/
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
“Mind blowing event, records brutalized with absurd margins all over the area. MINIMUMS. 29.1 [84.4F] Choluteca is HOTTEST SEPTEMBER NIGHT IN HONDURAS HISTORY… 37.6C Palo Verde is HOTTEST SEPTEMBER DAY IN COSTA RICA HISTORY.” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095245786195820773
“Rains cause flooding, suspension of transport and fire in Hidalgo [Mexico].
“The heavy rains recorded during the afternoon of this Tuesday, September 1, caused flooding, flooding and damage in different parts of the capital of Hidalgo and municipalities of the metropolitan area, while in some roads the intervention of rescue and security forces was necessary.”
“This is insane. Former Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall 18 hours ago and yet, not only has his compact structure remained intact, but his convective thunderstorms have actually INTENSIFIED over land.
“A potentially catastrophic Flash Flood Emergency is now active near Beaumont, Texas…” [Backpirch Weather]
https://x.com/BackpirchCrew/status/2095121688694284290
“Breaking: 1000-YR Rainfall.
“This time from former Tropical Storm Edouard which has dropped nearly 30 inches in Texas and it’s still raining hard! FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Hardin and Tyler Counties in Texas. Stay off flooded roads.” [Jeff Berardelli]
https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2095172679435272446
“Lynndyl farmers assess crop losses after 100 mph winds and hail [Utah]…
“A preliminary National Weather Service damage survey found straight-line winds of 80 to 100 mph and significant wind-driven hail along a more than 17-mile path through Millard County. The agency documented a cornfield south and east of Lynndyl that was nearly ready for harvest but had been shredded by hail and flattened…”
https://kutv.com/news/local/lynndyl-farmers-assess-crop-losses-after-100-mph-winds-and-hail
“Rio Grande in Albuquerque reaches historic dryness level.
“As of Sunday, a total of 112.4 miles of Rio Grande between the Cochiti and Elephant Butte Reservoir was dry, Sharon Wirth, Middle Rio Grande bureau chief with the Interstate Stream Commission, told Source NM on Tuesday.”
https://sourcenm.com/2026/09/02/rio-grande-in-albuquerque-reaches-historic-dryness-level/
“…we have another remarkable benchmark: Boulder, Colorado just recorded its first summer ever with an average daily high above 90°F.
“Summer 2026 finished at 90.4°F, smashing the previous record. The storied heat of 2012 came close at 89.9°F — but no cigar.” [The Global Warmer]
https://x.com/TheGlobalWarmer/status/2095224325586477173
“Aggressive Plaskett fire outgrows Timber fire as Big Sur wildfires rage.
“One of two destructive wildfires burning near Big Sur in Monterey County has nearly doubled in size over the last two days. The aggressive Plaskett fire overtook the Timber fire in size, and together they have blackened more than 50,000 acres.”
“Sick sea lions signal rising toxin risk along California coast…
“Scientists say the rise in sick marine mammals serves as a direct warning to humans about ocean safety and seafood contamination. California sea lions across the state are falling ill with domoic acid poisoning, also known as toxicosis.”
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/sick-sea-lions-toxins-california-coast/4136593/
“An unusually large outbreak of toxic algae in the Ross Island lagoon is troubling scientists who say the cyanobacteria bloom could have lasting effects.
“Cyanobacteria blooms in the lagoon have been a fixture of Portland summers over the last decade, with the combination of heat and stagnant water creating optimal conditions for algae, but this year’s outbreak has been atypical.”
“EXCEPTIONAL SEPTEMBER HEAT WAVE.
“Extreme autumn heat day and night with also several monthly records in the Central Plains and Great Lakes, especially of Highest Minimums, including main cities like Chicago (Min 78F- September Highest Minimum tied).” [Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095290816352649627
“Toronto storm causes widespread flooding as 45,000 customers lose power.
“Tens of thousands of Toronto residents remained without power on Wednesday evening after a powerful storm brought severe flooding, road closures and travel disruption across the Greater Toronto Area.”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN CANADA. Records in Nunavut across the Arctic.
“In Particular, +15.4C at Clyde at 70N lat. is a new September record. Record warmth will continue and intensify next days.”
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2095041694752194959
“Climate Overshoot Warning Adds to Pressure on COP31.
“The world is now likely to breach the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C climate warming threshold within the next few years, adding another layer of pressure on governments heading toward COP31 as increasingly severe climate impacts sharpen the focus on both emissions cuts and resilience.”
https://www.energyintel.com/000001a0-6233-d16e-a1ef-76bff0cf0000
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Emissions from burning biomass (including wildfires) are well down this year, despite the headlines from, Europe, NW USA, Canada and Indonesia, because agricultural based “controlled” burning in Africa is much reduced. However this is a bit of a false comparison because the burnt areas in Africa will immediately reabsorb the CO2 through vegetation growth in the following year. That doesn’t happen with loss of northern forests. The Africa regrowth might not have happened next year because of fertiliser shortages (I don’t know if that might be an influence on the lower burning). The Indonesia burning looks like it might be much worse that the brown cloud years in the late 90’s and will be joined by likely historic fires in Australia and Brazil through 2027.
Lowest global biomass burning emissions on record during the first half of 2026:
https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/lowest-global-biomass-burning-emissions-record-during-first-half-2026
Also about time for my semi-regular rant against green fanboys.
If renewables were as good as their devotees keep banging on about they would have swept away fossil fuels in a generation and no amount of lobbying from oil and gas firms would have had any impact. In fact all those firms would have switched over to those more profitable energy sources. As it was all the IOCs dipped their toes into the renewables lake, BP probably the deepest, and then pulled back considerably, or at least stopped going any further, because they found they were much better off sticking with oil and gas and supporting share price with buybacks, rather than investing the money against (much lower than expected) future profits from renewables.
I’m sanguine about renewables enthusiasts these days, George. The idea that we can electrify our way to a healthier biosphere/more stable climate is no madder than some of the other stuff us humans believe. I suppose the economic ramifications of the Net Zero push are a bit alarming for us here in the UK.
Talking of historic fires in Brazil…
“New research is dismantling the long-standing myth of the “pristine” Amazon. A reconstruction of 10,000 years of Amazonian pyrogeography, based on 1,361 radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dates across 303 sites – including soil charcoal and burned archaeological material – shows that fire in the rainforest is almost exclusively a human-driven phenomenon, not a natural one.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1141769
“Global heating will hit at least 1.8C, UN warns, and there are ‘no good outcomes’…”
1.8 is the new ‘official’ inviolable red line that we must never, ever cross. Audience, please start applauding solemnly yet enthusiastically.
👏
Jupiviv, the UN is still peddling the fantasy that we can deploy negative emissions to claw our way back below 1.5C though:
“The report emphasizes that net-zero is a milestone towards net-negative, with Carbon Dioxide Removal needed in addition to, not instead of, sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/unep-world-set-cross-15degc-global-warming-can-still-limit-adapt-and
We’re barbecued.
2°C next decade.
So few of us here by then.
So we have any arrangements for post internet?
Radios?
Probably more like carrier pigeons or smoke signals.
Semaphore flag signaling is a well developed communication technology.
Bob Shaw Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?
The smoke signal to smoke noise ratio will likely not be viable.
Under rated
What are we going to do with all the dead bodies?
By the Exeter/actuaries study 2 degrees would result in 2 billion premature deaths (over time). 3 degrees would be 4 billion, but I doubt if those struggling to survive beyond these limits would care much about the nuances of the difference between to two scenarios. I think 2 degrees will be after the next El Nino, which could be 2029/2030 and, with more scientist accepting that the accelerated temperature rise could be exponential (e.g. Jem Bendell), 3 degrees would be probable two El Nino’s later (i.e. before 2040). By then resource wars will be global and we will have seen at least one major biodiversity loss famine and several climate related ones.
These are bleak topics, but I think it is important not to stick our heads in the sand or shy away from discussing them out of some misguided sense of decorum. Here is a link to the study George is referring to:
https://actuaries.org.uk/media/ni4erlna/planetary-solvency.pdf
There is also this
https://greenfuturessolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Parasol-Lost-Final.pdf
From Pan’s Kenya wildfire link above:
“…However, Some local residents noted a traditional community myth where people deliberately burn vegetation during droughts, believing the smoke will attract rain.”
——
Me: The modern version will be city people deliberately burning their plastic bottles & 5 gallon water jugs in the hope that highly pressurized, filtered water will be magically restored to their toilets, showerheads, and kitchen faucets.
The modern “rain dance” tradition in Phoenix, Arizona is that if you want it to rain –>then wash your vehicle with lots of soap and water from your outside garden hose!
Bob, that detail about Kenya reminded me of the (less self-defeating) belief held in India that marrying frogs can bring rain:
“Two frogs were thrown a lavish wedding ceremony to “appease the rain gods” into ending sweltering heatwaves in north India as temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).”
https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/climate/heatwave-india-frog-wedding-rain-monsoon-b2562554.html
So far since I return here, we’ve been largely spared any severe climate in Miami Dade/Broward South Florida…but that doesn’t mean all is well…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLJUsDTsO0U&t=65s
Miami’s $50M Star Island estates aren’t just flooding — they’re becoming impossible to sell. On a perfectly sunny day, seawater rises through the lawn, through the drains, and through the limestone beneath one of the most exclusive addresses in America. No storm required. After the 2021 Surfside collapse, Florida’s new inspection laws and a collapsing insurance market have trapped owners between skyrocketing carrying costs and a shrinking buyer pool. The trophies have become liabilities. This is the full story of Star Island — and why the water wins.
Yep, it’s not only at Star Island ….but flooding is an ongoing feature just about everywhere..
The puzzling thing is developers have new high rise building projects going up just about everywhere along the coastline…
Where I live, they even want to cede public beachfront property in a 99 year lease to a developer for another eyesore 💩 high-rise for the flight rich…yes, Pan, heads stuck in the sand literally…
Vince, that clip is coming up as unavailable but I catch the gist.
The problem with flooding seems to be related both to rising seawater and sinking land:
“Coastal properties worldwide are sinking, including some of Miami’s pricey waterfront high-rises.”
https://www.businessinsider.com/coastal-properties-expensive-problem-revealed-miami-sinking-beachfront-high-rises-2025-1