“UK weather: Northern Ireland ‘breaks temperature record’ for third time in a week.
“The all-time temperature record in Northern Ireland edges up for the third time in seven days as 31.4C (88.5F) is recorded in Armagh, while other parts of the UK also continue to swelter during the hottest period of the year so far.”
“Historic and exceptionally rare tropical night in Ireland on 22nd July.
“The SW coastal town of Valentia had its first tropical night on record with a Tmin of 20.5C [69F]and tied the second highest in Irish historyafter the 20.9C at Derrygreenagh of 25 July 1989.”
“Yesterday [22nd July] the island of Islay in the Hebrides recorded its highest temperature on record with 26.8°c [80.2F].
“Other figures which were not new records: 30.2°c was the Scottish hot spot in Dumfries; 28.3°c the Highland hot spot at Achlain (Glenmoriston); Glenmore came second with 28.1°c.”
“…the average temperature in Akureyri, North Iceland this July was 14.4°C [57.92°F], more than one degree higher than ever recorded at this time of year.
“Data is available as far back as 1936. The average temperature is 3.6°C [38.48°F] higher than the average for 1991-2000.”
“Arctic community of Old Crow in northwestern Canada sets temperature record amid 2nd summer heat wave… ‘Arctic people… aren’t used to this kind of weather,’ says Brandon Kyikavichik
“Old Crow resident Brandon Kyikavichik says it “feels quite uncomfortable” in his hometown this week as temperatures hover around 30 C [86F].”
“Arctic Lightning sparks nine blazes near Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson [NWT, Canada] overnight.
“Four new fires are burning within 60 kilometres of Fort McPherson, four more are burning less than 100 kilometres east of Inuvik and the Dempster Highway and one fire is burning just over 70 kilometres east of Tsiigehtchic.”
“Russia deploys military to help contain raging Siberian wildfires.
“The vast region has had a long spell of extremely hot and dry weather this summer, with temperatures reaching 39 [102.2F] degrees Celsius and setting records for several days… The defense ministry deployed transport planes and helicopters to help douse the flames.”
“Melting ice within permafrost in the Russian arctic is revealing ancient life that has been buried there for thousands of years…
“But any revelations about the Russian arctic’s fascinating natural history comes at a huge price. Climate change is causing the permafrost to melt, releasing large amounts of pent-up methane gas into the atmosphere and causing the ice to thaw even more quickly.”
“Abnormal heatwave in Russia threatens this year’s harvest…
“…the biggest problem is that July is expected to not only be hot but also dry. For a month, in Central Russia, at best, just 20-30% of precipitation from the climatic norm will fall. In the northwest of the region, no rainfall may be seen at all.
“With this in mind, analysts said thatthis year’s drought could be unprecedented.”
“Germany floods: Dozens still missing as more heavy rain forecast for weekend.
“Germany’s national weather service has said that regions hit by deadly floods last week could see more heavy rain this weekend. Localised storms were likely to occur on Saturday before reaching large parts of Rhineland-Palatinate state…”
“The stations of Kasba Tadla with 47.0C [116.6F] and of Taza with 46.4C recorded their hottest day on records. Heat is expected to ease starting from tomorrow.”
“‘Nothing left’: A catastrophe in Madagascar’s famine-hit south… more than one million people in Madagascar are in need of food in a vast area spread over 110,000 sq km (42,000 square miles).
“Years with little rain have made farming impossible, while sandstorms have turned huge stretches of arable land barren – effects the United Nations has linked to climate change.”
“Turkey: cars float down flooded streets as residents rescued – video.
“Rescuers pulled inflatable boats in flood waters gushing through streets of Turkey’s Black Sea district of Arhavi on Thursday to bring those stranded to safety. Footage released by the country’s interior ministry showed distressed residents being evacuated from flooded homes.”
“Nonseasonal floods kill 14 people in south and east of Yemen.
“Flooding in Yemen killed at least 14 people this week after nonseasonal rainstorms hit parts of the country, security officials said… The storms are not seasonal for the south and the east of Yemen, which is usually dry this time of year.”
“Seven people were killed by floods and another one was killed by lightning in 16 provinces [of Iran], Mahdi Valipour, an official with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, said on Friday…
“[However] Iran is ranked among the world’s arid countries with its annual precipitation levels at about one-third of the global average. More than 200 Iranian cities and a very larger number of villages, mostly in the central and southern parts, are water-stressed.”
“Over dozen killed in rain related incidents in KP [Pakistan] Some two dozen wounded, several houses destroyed…
“As the torrential rain coupled with thunder and hail storms and low flooding played havoc through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, more than a dozen people were killed and scores other wounded seriously…”
“Frantic search for survivors as India flooding toll rises [currently 125 killed].
“Rescuers in India have combed through mud and debris in a frantic search for survivors after heavy rains lashed the western state of Maharashtra, triggering landslides, flooding and a building collapse and causing dozens of deaths.”
“The popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar which is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra has received a record 380 mm rainfall [nearly 15 inches] in just 12 hours.
“Mahabaleshwar is very popular among tourists who wants to enjoy the natural beauty of Western Ghats during the monsoon season.”
“Russia’s Trans-Siberian railway blocked after flooding damages bridge.
“Flooding has damaged a bridge on Russia’s Trans-Siberian railway in its Far East, suspending traffic in the area, officials said on Friday, and President Vladimir Putin said full track repair would take five days.”
“From coal to cars, Chinese floods tangle supply chains.
“The floods drenching central China and submerging swathes of a major economic and transport hub are threatening supply chains for goods ranging from cars and electronics to pigs, peanuts and coal.”
“China evacuates tens of thousands as storm spreads north, death toll rises…
“Tens of thousands of people were being evacuated from flood-hit regions of central China on Thursday as officials raised the death toll to 33 people from heavy rain that has deluged Henan province for almost a week. More cities were inundated and crops destroyed…”
“Philippines evacuates thousands as monsoon rains flood Manila…
“Philippine authorities moved thousands of residents of the capital, Manila, out of their low-lying communities on Saturday as heavy monsoon rain, compounded by a tropical storm, flooded the city and nearby provinces”
“We talked about the cold spell in South Australia. But in the Northern Territory it’s record heat: 37.7C [99.9F] on 23rd July at Victoria River Downs.
“This is the 2nd highest temp. ever recorded in Australia in July and the 1st in NT. National record is 38.3C at Kalumburu on 27 Jul 2016.”
“Amazon and Cerrado deforestation, warming spark record drought in urban Brazil… Southern and central Brazil are in the midst of the worst drought in nearly 100 years…
“…the drought, now in its second year, likely has two main causes: climate change, which tends to make continental interiors both hotter and drier, and the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and Cerrado savanna biomes.”
“NASA study finds tropical forests’ ability to absorb carbon dioxide is waning.
“…the ability of tropical forests to absorb massive amounts of carbon has waned in recent years. The decline in this ability is because of large-scale deforestation, habitat degradation, and climate change effects.”
“Chilean Raisins Are Latest Crop Hit by Extreme Weather. As tumultuous weather patterns take hits on crops across the world, raisins have become the latest victim of the volatility.
“Heavy rains hit grape vines in Chile, one of the world’s key producers, back in January. The excess moisture ended up damaging a large swath of the crop.”
“A flash flood watch and exceptional drought: Arizona’s in both at the same time.
“Flash flooding and dust storms are threatening Arizona as it braces for a potentially significant flooding event this weekend amid an exceptional drought.”
“The drought-stricken Western U.S. braces for ‘water wars’.
“Tourism, landscaping, homebuilding and farming are just some of the businesses that feel the economic crunch of a devastating drought in the U.S. West. Agriculture is particularly affected by water scarcity during these periods.”
“Drought forces North American farmers to turn food crops to hay.
“Drought is withering crops on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, prompting farmers to take the rare measure of baling up their wheat and barley stems to sell as hay… The dry conditions highlight how extreme weather is affecting agriculture and stoking higher prices that have fueled food-inflation concerns.”
“Wildfire smoke blowing across the U.S. is more toxic than we thought…
“…as the smoke spreads across the country and exposes millions of people, the health impact becomes more widespread among the most vulnerable. In addition to causing respiratory issues, air pollution can lead to poor heart health.”
“Fire tornadoes, haze, clouds: US blazes create their own weather systems.
“In southern Oregon, the Bootleg fire has now burned a swath of land larger than the city of Los Angeles… Some of these fires are now so intense and large they can create their own weather systems, including fire tornadoes, clouds and other weird phenomena…”
“Sweltering temperatures expected across U.S. next week as heat dome descends on Midwest, Great Plains.
“Stifling heat is forecast to spread across much of the continental U.S. next week, with areas like the Great Plains and Midwest set to see temperatures climb 10 to 15 degrees above average, according to the National Weather Service.”
“Extreme weather takes climate change models ‘off the scale’…
““I think I would be speaking for many climate scientists to say that we are a bit shocked at what we are seeing,” said Chris Rapley, professor of climate science at University College London. “There is a dramatic change in the frequency with which extreme [weather] events occur.”
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an ‘Economic’ thread. I’m seeing my parents for the first time since Christmas 2019 over the next few days. I’ll try to get my threads out as usual but please forgive me if I miss a day or two.
“As floods stir climate change fears, Israel may be up a creek without a plan…
“The report confirmed that extreme flooding events in Israel have risen in number and intensity over recent years, and that construction has reduced the availability of land that can absorb rain.”
“‘The desert is covered in rivers’: Severe flooding in Oman causes evacuations and widespread damage…
“…the coastal city of Sur, south east of Muscat… recorded more than 200mm [8 inches] of rain over two days – more than two year’s worth – and more rain is forecast according to the BBC.”
“Kazakh social media rings alarm about drought, livestock die-off…
“The months-long drought gripping Central Asia has turned into catastrophe for herders in western Kazakhstan. Without grass or fodder, thousands of cows and horses are starving to death.”
“‘Extraordinary Rainfall’ Drops Year’s Worth In Just 3 Days On China’s IPhone City… Zhengzhou… has seen over two feet (617 millimeters) of rain since Saturday, which forecasters say will continue throughout the week.
“The result has been deadly and devastating floods in Henan province, with at least 25 people killed as of Wednesday.”
“China’s military has blasted a dam to release floodwaters threatening one of its most heavily populated provinces, as the death toll in widespread flooding rose to at least 25.
“The dam operation was carried out late Tuesday night in the city of Luoyang, just as severe flooding overwhelmed the Henan provincial capital of Zhengzhou…”
“China’s port city Qingdao suffers worst ever algae infestation.
“China’s eastern port city Qingdao is experiencing the worst ever algae infestation in the region, with more than 1,700 square km of coastal area blanketed by harmful green seaweed, also known as “green tide”.”
“Typhoon Cempaka makes landfall in China’s Guangdong, says Xinhua.
“Typhoon Cempaka made landfall in the coastal area of south China’s Guangdong Province on Tuesday night, becoming the first typhoon to make landfall in China this year, according to state media.”
“Tokyo Olympics: fears athletes could face hottest Games on record…
“… athletes competing this year face potentially the hottest Olympics on record, with high temperatures combining with brutal humidity to make every moment spent outdoors an endurance test.”
“Perth has smashed its 20-year rain record for July with more wet weather on the waywhile Australia’s south-east shivers through even more hazardous wind conditions over the coming days.
“The Western Australian capital city has copped 184.2mm [7.3 inches] of rain so far this month after 18 straight days of downpour – eclipsing the previous record of 182.6mm in 2001.”
“Millions of people in southern Angola are facing an existential threat as drought aggravated by climate change continues to ravage the region, Amnesty International said today…
“Millions of people in southern Angola are on the brink of starvation, caught between the devastating effects of climate change and the land diversion to commercial cattle farming,” said Deprose Muchena of Amnesty International…”
“For the First Time Ever, Scientists Witness Chimps Killing Gorillas…
“New research details two fatal encounters in which wild chimpanzees attacked and killed gorillas. It’s a rare example of one great ape species attacking another—and scientists are worried that climate change might have something to do with it.“
“Germany counts cost of floods as hopes of finding survivors fade.
” A relief official dampened hopes on Wednesday of finding more survivors in the rubble of villages devastated by floods in western Germany, as a poll showed many Germans felt policymakers had not done enough to protect them.”
“Britain’s rivers are suffocating to death… Water that should be crystal clear has become a green-brown slop of microscopic algae because of industrial farm waste…
“On the border between Wales and England, we found a great river dying before our eyes. The Wye is covered by every possible conservation law, but in just a few years it has spiralled towards complete ecological collapse.”
“Rare “lightning rainbows” have been photographed during the thunderstorm across parts of the East of England on Tuesday night.
“The pictures were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Several roads in the East of England also flooded as temperatures of 30C (85F) turned to heavy rain and hail.”
“Extreme heat: Northern Ireland records hottest day ever for second time in week…
“Met Office thermometers hit 31.3C [88.3F] in Castlederg in County Tyrone on Wednesday afternoon. The previous record was 31.2C, set at Ballywatticock in County Down on 17 July.”
“New York air quality among worst in world as haze from western wildfires shrouds city…
“State officials in New York advised vulnerable people, such as those with asthma and heart disease, to avoid strenuous outdoor activity as air pollution soared to eclipse Lima in Peru and Kolkata in India to be ranked as the worst in the world on Tuesday.”
“Mandeville [Louisiana] flooding: Up to 11 inches of rain floods roads and businesses.
“Early morning thunderstorms dumped up to 11 inches of rain in parts of West St. Tammany Parish on Tuesday, flooding businesses and stranding drivers in their cars. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says up to 11 inches of rain fell in some areas…”
“One dead, two missing after flash floods in Colorado canyon… Emergency evacuations were issued for parts of Larimer County because of floods in the Poudre Canyon, west of Fort Collins.
“The electric co-op Poudre Valley REA tweeted that mudslides took down power lines, and bridges were out, making damage assessment difficult.”
“In California’s agricultural heartland, thousands of wells could soon run dry…
“Well failure is a catastrophe becoming more and more commonplace in communities up and down the San Joaquin Valley, who are facing critical timelines as renewed drought and intense, record-breaking heat waves create drier and hotter conditions…”
“Western Drought Has Lasted Longer than the Dust Bowl. It has lasted longer than the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
“It’s dropped water levels perilously low at two of the nation’s largest reservoirs, forced ranchers to sell off herds and helped propel scorching wildfires. And worst of all, the drought blanketing the western United States is not going away.”
“A forest fire in Oregon is so huge that it’s generating freak lightning storms.
“”Normally the weather predicts what the fire will do. In this case, the fire is predicting what the weather will do.” …The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon has already burned 530 square miles of forest and grasslands…”
“Today’s Wildfires Are Taking Us into Uncharted Territory…
“Fire Paleologist, Philip Higuera finds the recent unprecedented fire seasons unsurprising but still agonizing. “I’ve spent 20 years writing about this,” he says. “But I have not spent 20 years thinking about how this would feel.””
“‘Nowhere is safe’: heat shatters vision of Pacific north-west as climate refuge.
“The recent heatwave that broiled the US Pacific north-west not only obliterated temperature records in cities such as Seattle and Portland – it also put a torch to a comforting bromide that the region would be a mild, safe haven from the ravages of the climate crisis.”
“Canada’s BC declares state of emergency as wildfires surge.
“The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) has declared a state of emergency amid a surge in wildfires that have forced hundreds of people from their homes and could worsen in the coming days.”
“A northern Siberian region plagued by unprecedented fires is experiencing one of the world’s “worst ever” air pollution events…
“The republic of Sakha’s capital of Yakutsk has been under stay-home orders due to fast-spreading wildfires that blanketed dozens of cities with smoke and prompted regional authorities to declare a state of emergency nearly a month ago.”
“Scientists who study glacier ice have found viruses nearly 15,000 years old in two ice samples taken from the Tibetan Plateau in China. Most of those viruses, which survived because they had remained frozen, are unlike any viruses that have been cataloged to date.”
“Top US scientist on melting glaciers: ‘I’ve gone from being an ecologist to a coroner’…
“A recent trip to Glacier national park spurred her to vent some of this emotion in a tweet that went viral and resonated with many: “Glacier National Park. 97F in June. Little snow left. 75F degree water. Glaciers disappearing. That is what we hear. But the worst is what most never see.””
“Scientists are worried by how fast the climate crisis has amplified extreme weather.
“Until recently, climate change had been talked about as a future threat. Its frontlines were portrayed as remote places like the Arctic… But in the past month, it’s been the developed world on the frontline.”
“Hottest day ever for Northern Ireland… [Saturday] was the hottest day on record with Ballywatticock, near Newtownards in County Down, recording a temperature of 31.2C / 88.2F.
“The previous high was 30.8C set in the summers of 1976 and 1983.”
“Flooded German villages are left without drinking water, power or gas…
““It looks like the infrastructure is destroyed so badly that some places won’t have drinking water for weeks or months,” the mayor of the town of Altenahr, Cornelia Weigand, told the newspaper Bild.”
“After Western Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands were hit by hit by unprecedented flash floods on Thursday, record rainfalls also triggered severe floods in Austria during the weekend. Multiple regions were hit by heavy rainfall…”
“High weekend temperatures ignite raging forest fires across Spain.
“The high temperatures registered this weekend in practically all of Spain have facilitated the spread of several forest fires that struck several areas of Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Galicia, La Rioja and Castilla-La Mancha.”
“Kenya: Millions in Need of Relief Food Amid Searing Drought.
“More than 10 counties in Kenya’s north are affected by the prolonged drought, and, according to the government, at least 2 million people are in need of clean water and food. Worsening by the day… with desperate families trekking long distances in search of food, water and pasture…”
“Severe drought culprit of fish deaths in Turkey’s longest river.
“Rising in the steep mountains of Eastern Anatolia and reaching the Black Sea by collecting water from many streams as it passes several provinces, Kızılırmak, Turkey’s longest river, has been on the agenda with mass fish deaths seen in recent weeks.”
“A strong heat wave in affecting Eastern Turkey, The Caucasus and Western Middle East. Cizre in Turkey recorded 46.7C and it’s expected to attack the Turkish national record of 48.6C [119.5F] on 20 July.
“In Georgia 40.5C at Muhrani. Very hot in Jordan and Syria as well.”
“Kazakhstan to restrict animal feed exports amid drought.
“Kazakhstan plans to limit exports of barley and wheat used for animal feeds and completely ban exports of rye for six months amid feed shortages caused by drought across Central Asia, a Kazakh government source told Reuters”
“Unseasonal rains hit Oman, causing severe floods.
“…severe floods disrupted traffic and electricity supply, swept away crops, particularly in the Al Dakjhaliya governorate, and left 4 people dead and 3 missing. Oman meteorologists said such heavy rains are unusual in July.”
“Some 30 cities in 10 provinces of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Alborz, Kerman, Fars, Sistan and Baluchestan, Semnan, Mazandaran, Hormozgan and Kurdistan were affected by floods and inundations in the last four days.”
“At least 34 killed in landslide, wall collapse in India monsoon rains…
“Rainwater also inundated a water purification complex, disrupting supply “in most of the parts of Mumbai”, a megacity of 20 million people, civic authorities said.”
“Two dams in Inner Mongolia collapse after heavy rain…
“On July 18, the dams on the open spillway of Yong’an Reservoir and Xinfa Reservoir in the Daur Autonomous Banner of Morin Dawa, were breached and collapsed as the water level of the Nuomin River continued to rise because of heavy rain, according to People’s Daily.”
“Two major storms form in East Asia, threatening China, Japan and Taiwan.
“Two big storms have formed in the waters of East Asia, both of which are expected to lash the region with strong winds and heavy rains in the coming days.”
“19th July more all time records of highest temperatures fell in Hokkaido. All time record also tied at Esashi, in Iwate Prefecture with 37.3C [99.1F]. See charts and tables courtesy of JMA.”
“Marlborough and Buller Floods [NZ]: Thousands wait to return home.
“Yesterday parts of the West Coast and top of the South Island had been cut off due to flooding, while states of emergency were declared in Marlborough and Buller districts. The Wairau River overflowed its banks…”
“Brazil power operator asks for maintenance delays amid drought…
“Brazil’s national power grid operator has asked electricity generators to postpone maintenance and technical work for as long as possible to help avoid worsening the energy crisis stemming from the country’s worst drought in almost a century.”
“Drought puts Amazon at risk of ‘large-scale dieback’, researchers warn.
“Increasingly severe climate conditions threaten to accelerate a “large scale dieback” of the Amazon rainforest, according to the authors of a new study finding that 2.5bn trees perished in the biome following a drought several years ago.”
“They stimulate rains in seven states of Mexico to combat the drought.
“The scheme, which consists of releasing silver iodide molecules in the clouds to precipitate rain, is currently being carried out through three polygons that include the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua and Durango, the federal agency reported.”
“US megadrought could trigger arsenic ‘death cloud’ and unleash catastrophe on West Coast.
“Great Salt Lake water level, Utah According to the company, it is at a record low… Vast lakes usually do not reach their lows until October. Kevin Perry, president of the University of Utah’s School of Atmospheric Sciences, warned that arsenic could be picked up by the wind when the soil dries.”
“In the US state of Oregon, the nation’s largest active wildfire has burned through more than 300,000 acres, prompting thousands of evacuations.
“Over 2,000 firefighters are tackling the so-called Bootleg Fire – one of the largest blazes in Oregon’s history. It is one of more than 80 major fires raging across 13 US states…”
“Heavy Smoke From Western Wildfires Leads To Flight Delays And Cancellations At Denver International Airport.
“More than 300 flights were delayed and eight flights were cancelled at Denver International Airport Monday as heavy smoke and haze from major western fires in California, Oregon and Idaho obscured runways making it difficult for planes to land.”
“In summer of record-breaking rain, these New Orleans neighborhoods reported most street flooding.
“A summer that has brought unprecedented heat waves to the Pacific Northwest, flooding to Germany and rainfall to Louisiana is also bringing a surge in street flooding issues in New Orleans.”
“Record July for rainfall in Worcester as Boston [Massachusetts] approaches historic mark.
“The National Weather Service said 1.74 inches of rain fell in Worcester on Sunday, bringing the total to 12.67 inches for July, shattering the previous 11.24-inch mark set in 1938. The new record could climb higher…”
“‘We can’t see each other’: Fires rage across Siberia amid driest summer in 150 years… Russian emergency officials are continuing to battle a series of wildfires in the country’s Far East region.
“Heavy smoke from wildfires covered the city of Yakutsk and fifty other Siberian towns on Sunday, temporarily halting operations at the city’s airport.”
“The world is facing unprecedented levels of drought.
“In the U.S., nearly half the mainland is currently afflicted, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The situation is especially dire in the Northwest, which is facing some of its driest conditions in over a century following a heat wave that killed hundreds of people.
“No continent, except Antarctica, has been spared, according to the SPEI Global Drought Monitor…
“Drought — low precipitation leading to water shortage — has existed forever. But scientists say that rising global temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are already leading to more frequent droughts and that the situation is likely to get worse.“
“California drought: La Niña could dash hopes of desperately needed rain this winter…
“The punishing drought conditions afflicting most of California are expected to endure for months… There is a 60% chance, NOAA experts said, of a La Niña event this winter — conditions that would likely bring about a cool and very dry winter.”
“NASA’s shocking before-and-after photos from space show devastating effects of California’s record drought that could become a mega-drought…
“The photos, released by NASA Thursday, reveal the effects the drought is having on the Golden State’s mountain snow, which is a crucial source of water for the region. The NASA photos show the snow progressively vanishing from the Sierra Nevada Mountains on March 31, May 18 and July 7.”
“A California power plant likely will shut down for the first time ever because of low water during a prolonged drought, squeezing the state’s very tight electricity supplies, state officials said yesterday.
“The Edward Hyatt power plant, an underground facility next to Oroville Dam in Butte County, is expected to close in August or September…”
“‘What choice do we have?’ US farm workers battle deadly heatwave.
“…farm workers must often choose between their wages and their health… the largely poor and undocumented workers who harvest the bounty of California’s fields face impossible choices between wages they cannot miss and temperatures their bodies cannot bear.”
“Flagstaff declares state of emergency as Arizona hit by devastating floods…
“The flooding in Flagstaff, however, appears to have been aided by the scars of a severe 2019 wildfire that burned away vegetation across a large area of a nearby mountain, which allowed water to flow unimpeded into the city.”
“Oregon wildfire causes miles-high ‘fire clouds’ as flames grow…
“Authorities have put these clouds at the top of the list of the extreme fire behavior they are seeing amid the Bootleg fire, the largest wildfire burning in the US. The inferno grew on Friday to about 377 sq miles (976 sq km), an area larger than New York City…”
“Livestock producers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods during the ongoing drought in Manitoba, which the industry association for the province’s beef producers calls a “natural disaster.”
“Manitoba Beef Producers is currently working with the provincial government and other groups like the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation to find ways to help the struggling agricultural industry…”
“UK butterfly numbers hit by ‘disastrous’ spring weather…
“Butterflies across the UK have struggled with ‘disastrous’ spring weather that could be a consequence of climate change, conservationists have said… Though April was the sunniest on record, it was also cold, with a record number of frosts, while May was the wettest for 50 years.”
“‘It was insane’: Germany faced with biblical flooding scenes and more than 100 dead…
“Hohenlimburg was just one of hundreds of towns, villages and communities in western Europe that lay in ruins after freak floods swept the region, killing at least 126 people in Germany and Belgium and leaving hundreds more unaccounted for.”
“Climate scientists shocked by scale of floods in Germany…
“Some experts fear the recent jolts indicate the climate system may have crossed a dangerous threshold. Instead of smoothly rising temperatures and steadily increasing extremes, they are examining whether the trend may be increasingly “nonlinear” or bumpy as a result of knock-on effects from drought or ice melt in the Arctic.”
“More than 100 firefighters, seven ground teams, and volunteers were fighting the flames, while five water-dropping planes and six helicopters were deployed to assist from the air. “
“Forest fires break out across Turkey as mercury rises.
“Amid a sweltering heatwave in Turkey, forest fires in the country’s western and southern coasts have been ongoing over the past two days, with hundreds of hectares of forest land already burnt to ashes.”
“Thousands of flamingos die in drought in central Turkey…
“Thousands of baby flamingos have died at Turkey’s Lake Tuz in the past two weeks from a drought that environmentalists said was the result of climate change and agricultural irrigation methods.”
“6 dead, 2 missing as floods wreak havoc in northern Turkey.
“Fresh floods and landslides claimed six lives in the Rize province, part of Turkey’s flood-prone Black Sea region. The tragedy occurred one month before the anniversary of the last such disaster.”
“Mass die-off of fish and marine life on Durban [South Africa] coastline linked to chemical spill.
“Following a tumultuous week of rampant looting across much of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, further tragedy has befallen the coastal province as thousands of fish and marine creatures have washed up on the banks of river lagoons and on beaches north of Durban.”
“Heavy rains lash Hyderabad [India]; leave many areas inundated… Chegunta in Medak district recorded 226.5mm [8.9 inches] of rain… In October last year rain triggered flash-floods that wreaked havoc on the city…
“Here are some photos from Thursday after the city reported record-breaking rainfall:“
“China: Huge search launched to find 14 construction workers trapped as flash floods hit tunnel…
“Search and rescue crews are pumping out water in a bid to find the workers, who have been missing since the tunnel flooded around 3.30am local time on Thursday.”
“China’s Heat Wave Is Pushing Coal Prices Toward Record Level…
“The power load in the eastern province of Zhejiang near Shanghai surpassed 100 million kilowatts per hour on Tuesday for the first time, the State Grid said in its newspaper. Usage has also hit records in nearby Jiangsu and the southern region of Guangdong…”
“Flooding, mandatory evacuations in Westport, Slips and flooding disrupt Wellington [NZ] – and the rain isn’t done yet…
“733mm [28.9 inches] recorded in 2 days in the mountains inland from Hokitika. Civil Defence has ordered Mandatory Evacuations in Westport… Evacuations in Marlborough, Buller and Tasman.”
“Study discovers microplastics in New Zealand’s seabed…
“A global problem, microplastics have been found across the planet, including in alpine soils, Antarctic waters and at the bottom of oceanic trenches, thousands of metres below the sea surface.”
“Russian forest fires engulf over one million hectares —- authorities.
“As many as 134 forest fires were reported in the Sakha region, fifteen fires are active in the Chukotka region, three wildfires in the Kamchatka region, and 30 forest fires are active in the Irkutsk region.”
“Wildfires are raging in Arctic Russia: How can we reduce the threat?
“…In May, scientists warned the warming Arctic tundra would make it harder to tackle climate change, as the thawing permafrost and wildfires release greenhouse gases not taken into account in global emissions agreements.”
“Scientists stunned by rare Arctic lightning storms north of Alaska.
“Meteorologists were stunned this week when three successive thunderstorms swept across the icy Arctic from Siberia to north of Alaska, unleashing lightning bolts in an unusual phenomenon that scientists say will become less rare with global warming.”
“A moon “wobble” will contribute to an increase in severe flooding in the mid-2030s, NASA has warned…
“In a new study, published by Nature Climate Change, NASA’s Sea Level Change Science Team calculated that the next wobble in the mid-2030s will amplify rising sea levels caused by climate change.”
“Grains – wheat set for biggest weakly gain in 4 years on weather worries…
“CBOT wheat up 11% this week on parched U.S., Canada spring crop, Heavy rain in west Europe…
“In Russia, forecasters have reduced harvest estimates, partly because of lower than expected yields in the key southern export region that has this summer faced heavy rain followed by hot, dry weather. A heatwave in the Black Sea region was also raising concern about corn crops…”
“Nine people have died and more than 70 are missing following severe floods [from “once in a generation” rain] in western Germany, police say.
“Four deaths were reported south of Bonn in the Ahrweiler district, which is a wine-growing region on the Ahr river that flows into the Rhine which burst its banks, bringing down six houses.”
“Switzerland suffered one of its heaviest rainfalls on record during a thunderstorm that caused flooding and travel chaos on Tuesday(13 July) in its financial capital, Zurich, writes John Revil, Reuters.
“More than 4 cm (1.57 inches) of rain fell on Zurich overnight and over 3.1 cm of rain fell in 10 minutes on Waldegg, just outside the city, broadcaster SRF said.”
“Heavy rainfall in Liège [Belgium] causes flash floods after river bursts.
“In Mery, near Esneux, cars were swept away by flood water, as the wider province of Liege was placed under a ‘red’ alert level. Over 100 mm [4 inches] more rain is expected to fall on part of the region, through the day into Thursday.” [Video]
“‘Sunny Day’ Floods Hit Record Along U.S. Coasts as Seas Rise.
“Record high-tide flooding washed over U.S. coasts in the past year, and rising sea levels are expected to send the deluges into streets, homes and businesses even more frequently over the next decade…”
“Severe storms lash the Northeast: Dozens rescued on rafts after ‘supersoaker’ storm dumps 10 inches of rain on Philadelphia sparking ‘100-year floods’ – as NYC faces wettest July since 1889.
“Severe storms have lashed the Northeast with a ‘supersoaker’ downpour dumping up to ten inches of rain on parts of Philadelphia.”
“How many 500-year floods must Detroit endure in a decade?
“At the end of June, Detroit experienced its second 500-year flood in seven years. In some areas, 6 inches of rain fell in just five hours. Rain for the whole month of June is typically three inches.”
“Reno thermometers have topped the century mark 12 days so far this year, smashing the city’s previous record.
“The last time Reno came close to experiencing as many smoking-hot days this early in the summer was in 2013 and 1940, when the city had seven 100-plus degree days through July 11.”
“Death Valley Records [Earth’s] Hottest [Ever] Average Temperature Over 24 Hours.
“On Sunday, July 11, a weather station at Stovepipe Wells in northern Death Valley National Park recorded an average temperature of 118.1 degrees Fahrenheit, the highest average daily temperature observed on Earth.”
“Arizona and Texas see record migrant deaths on Mexico border as temperatures top 43C.
“The non-profit group Humane Borders, which maps the recoveries of bodies in Arizona, said 43 sets of human remains were found in the state’s border region last month – the hottest June on record for Phoenix.”
“Desert plant life in California disappearing due to climate change, UC Irvine study says.
“The steady decline of plants in Southern California’s portion of the Sonoran Desert… is caused by climate change-driven heat increases… the area grew hotter by 3 degrees over the study period, 1984 to 2017…”
“17 million gallons of sewage floods and closes California beaches…
“The sewage was released from the Hyperion Water Reclamation plant, one of the largest treatment plants in the world, situated near Dockweiler State Beach.”
“How to help relieve drought? Limit the growing amount of dust blowing from deserts to mountains, where it melts the snowpack and robs rivers of water.”
“The United States Department of Agriculture is authorizing emergency procedures to help agricultural producers impacted by extreme drought conditions.
“USDA’s Risk Management Agency is working with crop insurance companies to streamline and accelerate the adjustment of losses and issuance of indemnity payments to crop insurance policyholders…”
“Relentless heat wave and lack of rain scorching Saskatchewan crops.
“Adrienne Ivey and her husband farm about 10,000 acres near Ituna, 134 kilometres northeast of Regina… “The crops were looking like they were under a lot of stress and really starting to burn up,” Ivey said.”
“Satellite reveals devastating glacier melt on Washington’s Mount Rainier following historic heatwave.
“Mount Rainier, the iciest peak in the US, lost 30 per cent of its snowpack as a consequence of the heatwave… A deadly heatwave, exacerbated by the climate crisis, smashed temperature record after temperature record in the US Northwest and Canada…”
“Yet another major heat wave is set to roast the western U.S. and Canada by the weekend.
“It’s happening. Again. For the fourth time in five weeks, a punishing heat wave is set to bake the West and adjacent western Canada. This time, the most exceptional heat is expected to focus in the central and northern Rockies…”
“More than 60 wildfires rage across US west – including blaze bigger than Portland…
“The fires have torched homes and forced thousands to evacuate from Alaska to Wyoming, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Arizona, Idaho and Montana accounted for more than half of the large active fires.”
“Eastern Amazon sites have warmed by as much as about 0.6 °C per decade during the dry season over the past 40 years. This is more than three times the rate of global warming and about the same rate as for the Arctic.”
“Thousands displaced by floods in southwest China.
“Flooding in southwest China has displaced thousands of people after days of heavy rain – and more could be on the way, authorities warned. Across Sichuan province, rainstorms have pushed up water levels in 14 rivers…”
“At least six dead, several missing after India landslides and floods.
“Rescuers in northern India were digging through rocks and mud searching for the missing on Tuesday, after heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and flash floods in two states, killing at least six people…”
“Water scarcity threatens agricultural production in Turkey’s breadbasket.
“Lack of rainfall and excessive use of underground water in the past year has triggered drought alert for the Konya Plain, which is at the heart of the country’s agriculture capital, raising concerns over the production of future crops.”
“Central Asian drought highlights water vulnerability.
“A severe drought in Central Asia is causing mass livestock die-offs and shortages of water for irrigation. In two provinces of Kazakhstan, more than 2,000 domesticated animals have died… In Kyrgyzstan, farmers have staged multiple protests…”
“June 2021 was the second-hottest June in Russia’s recorded history, with even more record-breaking heat to come…
“Average June temperatures in Russia were approximately 3 degrees Celsius higher than normal, scientists from the St. Petersburg-based Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory told The Moscow Times last week.”
“Siberia wildfires: Russia army planes and thousands of firefighters battle blazes…
“Russia has seen its annual fire season become more ferocious in recent years, as climate change has driven unusually high temperatures across the northern Siberian tundra. This year, temperatures have already hit new record highs.”
“Alaska’s thawing permafrost is undermining the supports that hold up an elevated section of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, putting in danger the structural integrity of one of the world’s largest oil pipelines.”
“Glaciers Are Disappearing and So Too Might the Microbial Ecosystems Within…
“If the glaciers vanish, so too might our chance to discover new knowledge and acquire new medical or agricultural tools from the life forms these unique landscapes support.”
“June 2021: Earth’s fifth-warmest June on record, warmest over land areas…
“The relative coolness of June, by recent standards, was partially the result of the lingering effect of a La Niña event in the Eastern Pacific that had dissipated earlier in the year: Its cool waters limited global ocean temperatures to their sixth warmest June on record, while global land areas experienced their warmest June on record.”
“Europe, U.S. and Canada Slammed by Record Weather Catastrophes in June.
“June 2021 left Europe with its costliest severe storm period on record. Meanwhile, over in the U.S. in Canada, record-setting heatwaves caused significant damage, according to Aon’s latest natural catastrophe report.”
A rare Sunday thread, as I have to be away from my desk Monday through Wednesday. Back Thursday!
“Death Valley, Calif., soared to a searing 130 degrees on Friday. If confirmed, it would match the highest known temperature on the planet since at least 1931, which occurred less than a year ago.
“Death Valley also hit 130 degrees last August, which preliminarily ranks among the top three highest temperatures ever measured on the planet.”
[The two higher readings in Death Valley, 1913, and Tunisia, 1931, are of questionable accuracy].
“Abnormally high nighttime temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related hospitalizations and deaths because prolonged stretches of hot weather prevent people from cooling off from the day’s heat.”
“‘We live in a desert. We have to act like it’: Las Vegas faces reality of drought…
“Lake Mead, the vast reservoir that supplies Las Vegas with 90% of its water, has now plummeted to a historic low, meaning Nevada faces the first ever mandatory reduction in its water supply next year.”
“In California’s interior, there’s no escape from the desperate heat: ‘Why are we even here?’
“…Researchers have been warning of such extreme heatwaves for decades, he said, but the barrage of heat surges that California and the western US have been alarming, he said. Temperature records are being broken earlier than expected or predicted.”
“California: strong winds form fire tornado during Tennant blaze – video…
“Newly released footage of the Tennant fire in California, filmed on 29 June, shows a fire tornado near the Klamath national forest. Large wildfires can heat air so much that huge clouds develop. In strong winds, these can rotate and sometimes produce a tornado, or fire whirl.”
“A massive wildfire in Plumas County north of Lake Tahoe ballooned in size overnight Friday and remains only 8% contained, the U.S. Forest Service reported Saturday.”
“Dire drought warning: California says ‘nearly all’ salmon could die in Sacramento River.
“The drought is making the Sacramento River so hot that “nearly all” of an endangered salmon species’ juveniles could be cooked to death this fall, California officials warned this week.”
“Baby hawks in Oregon bailed from nests amid heatwave: ‘They had no choice’…
“…the center took in nearly 50 nestling Swainson’s and Cooper’s hawks after they leaped from their nests in the extreme heat wave that baked the Pacific Northwest last week. Thirteen of the raptors suffered injuries severe enough they had to be euthanized.”
“Smoke, extreme heat pose harsh test for West Coast vineyards.
“The heat wave that recently hit the Pacific Northwest subjected the region’s vineyards to record-breaking temperatures nine months after the fields that produce world-class wine were blanketed by wildfire smoke.”
“Canadian farmers face failure of canola, wheat crops.
“The all-important Canadian canola crops, used to manufacture cooking oils and animal feed, is maturing weeks early due to the extreme heat the area is witnessing. The early crops may not produce the pods containing the small dark seeds crushed for their oil.”
“Record Brazilian drought causes coffee prices to spike to highest level in years…
“Rainfall in the agricultural region of Minas Gerais was the lowest on record in the summer months, which stretch from January to April in Brazil. That’s normally when coffee plants soak up moisture… But this year, the rains never came.”
“Colombia – Over 5,000 Families Hit by Floods in Magdalena After Rivers Overflow...
“As of 07 July, as many as 5,576 families were affected. The Governor of Magdalena, Carlos Caicedo, said humanitarian aid including drinking water, food, and medical supplies has been distributed to 2,000 residents of nine neighbourhoods.”
“Subiaco [Western Australia] is a bit wet today. Earlier today we reported a Perth weather warning with heavy rainfall and damaging winds expected to hit today.
“And hit they did! Crazy video footage shared by friend of So Perth, David Gardiner shows that it’s a wee bit wet in Perth today.”
“Japan’s weather agency issued a heavy rain warning for parts of Japan on Saturday, leading local authorities to direct some 245,000 residents to take immediate action to stay safe as per the highest level 5 alert…
“According to the weather agency, rainfall in Satsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture was 96.5 millimeters [nearly 4 inches] per hour, setting an hourly rainfall record for the town…”
“Nepal Floods: At Least 51 Died As Heavy Rains, Landslides Wreak Havoc In The Country.
“The Himalayan Nation, Nepal has been witnessing heavy floods, landslides and, inundation induced by heavy rainfall for more than a month now… Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have claimed the lives of many people…”
“Worsening flood situation in the north [of Bangladesh], thousands marooned…
“We are deeply concerned regarding the worsening floods in Sirajganj and Lalmonirhat districts, due to the rising water levels of Jamuna and Teesta rivers.”
“Beating the merciless heat is hard in the Indian desert city of Sri Ganganagar, a reality facing millions across the vast country as the climate changes in the coming decades.”
“Watch rescuers save this bedridden Turkish woman from floods.
“Heavy rains cause massive flooding and evacuations in northwestern Turkey. This bedridden 85-year-old woman was one of those affected but couldn’t leave her home because she couldn’t walk.”
“Holidaymakers flee Greek wildfires as village evacuated.
“Firefighters in Greece today battled over 50 wildfires fanned by high winds, sparking the evacuation of a coastal village. “Today, 51 fires broke out,” civil protection deputy minister, Nikos Hardalias said in a televised emergency media briefing.”
“Dramatic pictures have emerged of what appears to be a tornado forming the North East UK… Several cone-shaped funnel clouds – tornadoes that do not touch the ground – have been seen across the UK in the past week…
“It comes after a tornado is believed to have ripped through east London last month, unleashing widespread damage…”
“Finland on course for record hot summer as heatwave stifles Nordic region.
“A stifling and persistent heatwave is sending Finns flocking to beaches and emptying stores of air conditioners, replicating extreme climatic conditions at similar latitudes across the Atlantic, where record temperatures have killed hundreds.”
“Wildfires ravaging northeastern Siberia have spread by nearly 70,000 hectares in the past day, marking a 17.5% increase in a single day, the Kommersant business daily reported Friday, citing the regional emergencies ministry.”
“Russia’s powerful oil and gas sector is increasingly feeling the pressure. But the industry leaders have no intention to cut drilling and battle climate change. Instead, they call for ‘climate adaptation’ and argue that new grand projects in the Arctic are developed in a “green” and environmentally friendly manner.”
“Why it matters that climate change is shrinking birds.
“Because size determines organisms’ behaviors, survival and contributions to the functioning of natural systems, widespread shrinking of birds has important implications for the ecosystem services that birds provide to people.”
“As climate change makes itself felt through heatwaves and floods, are our mega-cities ready?
“…There is already cause for some concern, as shown by the heatwave earlier this month which saw temperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius higher than normal in parts of the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada.”
“A study published in the journal Science finds that our earth’s oceans are warming 40 percent faster than the IPCC reported in 2013.
“This means rising sea levels, stronger, wetter and larger storms, and more intense droughts.”
[Transcript of Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished senior scientist with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, speaking with Living on Earth’s Steve Curwood.].
You can read the previous ‘Climate’ thread here. I have to be away from my office Monday through Wednesday next week but I’ll be back on Thursday probably with the climate.
A huge thank you to all my Patreons and anyone who has donated. It is enormously appreciated and helps incentivise me to keep grinding these out, even on days when I’m swamped or knackered.
“As far as I know, your work is unique in pulling together stories from all over the world. Very sobering but a better and more complete view. Terrific and necessary work. Thank you!” – Simon
“With the inundation of so much depressing news, Justin Panopticon presents it in a succinct format that one can quickly go thru and see the big picture of climate and economics/politics to stay current and if a particle topic is of interest one can delve into the details… I try never to miss any of his posts…I am a Patreon of his work.”
– Karina S.
Search
About This Site
Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“UK weather: Northern Ireland ‘breaks temperature record’ for third time in a week.
“Historic and exceptionally rare tropical night in Ireland on 22nd July. 
“Yesterday [22nd July] the island of Islay in the Hebrides recorded its highest temperature on record with 26.8°c [80.2F]. 
“…the average temperature in Akureyri, North Iceland this July was 14.4°C [57.92°F], more than one degree higher than ever recorded at this time of year. 
“Arctic community of Old Crow in northwestern Canada sets temperature record amid 2nd summer heat wave… ‘Arctic people… aren’t used to this kind of weather,’ says Brandon Kyikavichik
“Arctic Lightning sparks nine blazes near Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson [NWT, Canada] overnight.
“Russia deploys military to help contain raging Siberian wildfires. 
“Melting ice within permafrost in the Russian arctic is revealing ancient life that has been buried there for thousands of years…
“Abnormal heatwave in Russia threatens this year’s harvest…
“Germany floods: Dozens still missing as more heavy rain forecast for weekend.
“23rd July was another record day in Morocco:
“‘Nothing left’: A catastrophe in Madagascar’s famine-hit south… more than one million people in Madagascar are in need of food in a vast area spread over 110,000 sq km (42,000 square miles).
“Turkey: cars float down flooded streets as residents rescued – video.
“Nonseasonal floods kill 14 people in south and east of Yemen.
“Seven people were killed by floods and another one was killed by lightning in 16 provinces [of Iran], Mahdi Valipour, an official with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, said on Friday…
“Over dozen killed in rain related incidents in KP [Pakistan] Some two dozen wounded, several houses destroyed…
“Frantic search for survivors as India flooding toll rises [currently 125 killed].
“The popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar which is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra has received a record 380 mm rainfall [nearly 15 inches] in just 12 hours. 
“Russia’s Trans-Siberian railway blocked after flooding damages bridge.
“From coal to cars, Chinese floods tangle supply chains.
“China evacuates tens of thousands as storm spreads north, death toll rises…
“Philippines evacuates thousands as monsoon rains flood Manila…
“We talked about the cold spell in South Australia. But in the Northern Territory it’s record heat: 37.7C [99.9F] on 23rd July at Victoria River Downs. 
“Amazon and Cerrado deforestation, warming spark record drought in urban Brazil… Southern and central Brazil are in the midst of the worst drought in nearly 100 years…
“NASA study finds tropical forests’ ability to absorb carbon dioxide is waning.
“Chilean Raisins Are Latest Crop Hit by Extreme Weather. As tumultuous weather patterns take hits on crops across the world, raisins have become the latest victim of the volatility.
“A flash flood watch and exceptional drought: Arizona’s in both at the same time.
“The drought-stricken Western U.S. braces for ‘water wars’.
“Drought forces North American farmers to turn food crops to hay.
“Wildfire smoke blowing across the U.S. is more toxic than we thought…
“Fire tornadoes, haze, clouds: US blazes create their own weather systems.
“Sweltering temperatures expected across U.S. next week as heat dome descends on Midwest, Great Plains.
“Three degrees of global warming is quite plausible and truly disastrous.
“Extreme weather takes climate change models ‘off the scale’…
Turkey’s all time temp record from 1961 falls – the new record: 49.1C [120.4F] recorded at Cizre
“
“‘The desert is covered in rivers’:
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“The heatwave in 
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“J
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
Farmington NM 106F/41.1C new record 
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“