Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“2025’s extreme weather had the jet stream’s fingerprints all over it, from flash floods to hurricanes…
“During the summer of 2025… the polar jet stream shifted unusually far south and steered larger storm systems into the midlatitudes of the U.S. At the same time, the jet stream weakened, with two critical consequences.”
“Looking back over the last 12 months, all latitude bands observed above average temperatures. This was largest in the Arctic region.
“Plot shows zonal-mean surface air temperature anomalies, where latitude = x-axis (not scaled by distance). Data from NASA GISTEMPv4 (1951-1980 baseline).”
“Cars trapped and roads closed as heavy rain causes flooding in Wales.
“The Met Office has forecast up to 100mm of rainwater could fall during the amber weather warning and said that the risk of flooding is higher due to already saturated ground from recent wet weather.”
“Red alert continues in Almería [Spain] as torrential rain and storms batter region.
“Civil Protection has declared a red alert across Almería and surrounding areas as heavy rainfall and intense storms continue to batter the region. The Spanish meteorological agency (AEMET) has reported localised downpours reaching up to 150 litres per square metre…”
“US demands EU exempt its gas from methane emissions law, document shows…
“The world-first climate policy has faced opposition from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who has called it impossible to implement and warned it could disrupt U.S. gas supplies to Europe. European countries have increased imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas as they phase out oil and gas from Russia.”
“Another extraordinary warm spell in EUROPE – with MINIMUM temperatures 6/10C in Scandinavia and Baltic countries with hundreds of records of winter warmest night.
“Thousands of records have fallen everywhere in Europe these weeks, with the exception of Italy.”
“Poland has experienced its warmest December in 74 years, and 2025 is expected to bring continued above-average temperatures, News.Az reports, citing the Anadolu.
“Professor Bogdan Chojnicki told the Polish news agency PAP that multiple temperature records were broken this year, TVP World reported Sunday.”
“NORTH AFRICA RECORD HEAT – hot air from the Sahel reaches North Africa. Exceptional warm night in Algeria and Tunisia:
“Minimums up to 22.1C [71.8F] at In Guezzam monthly record and 2nd hottest December night in ALGERIA; Min 18.2 Mahdia, TUNISIA coast (Dec record 18.3C).”
“At least 37 dead after flash floods hit Morocco’s Safi.
“Just one hour of heavy rain left houses and shops flooded in old city; more heavy rain predicted for Tuesday… Images on social media showed a torrent of muddy water sweeping cars and rubbish bins from the streets in the town of Safi, located some 300km (186 miles) south of the capital, Rabat.”
“South Africa considers site near African penguin colony for third nuclear power plant…
““Bantamsklip is a globally unique coastal environment with extremely high ecological value, and the risks from infrastructure of this scale remain unacceptable,” Wilfred Chivell, founder of the nonprofit Dyer Island Conservation Trust, told Mongabay by email.”
“Survival of the fittest as water crisis bites in Tanzania.
“Residents of Dar es Salaam, Simiyu, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma and Arusha regions are grappling with one of the most severe water shortages in recent years, forcing households and businesses alike to adopt drastic coping measures to sustain daily life.”
“Somalia: Severe water crisis unravels as sources dry up.
“As drought deepens across Somalia, people are forced to trek for miles, even days, in search of water and food. The Government has declared a national drought emergency and called for urgent assistance to affected people.”
“Why floods threaten one of the driest places in the world [Arabian Peninsular]…
“The storm system first dropped the most rain the United Arab Emirates had seen since records began 75 years earlier. It swamped Dubai’s subway, flooded its airport (the second-busiest in the world) and led to a remarkable greening of the desert visible from space months afterward. It then swept across the coastal kingdom of Oman…”
“Egypt farmers behind world’s perfumes face climate fight alone.
“Jasmine production in Egypt’s Nile Delta is falling as rising temperatures and humidity linked to climate change reduce flower yields, affecting a key supply source for the global perfume industry.”
“Gaza authorities struggle to recover bodies from rubble amid winter storms…
“Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal called on the international community to provide mobile homes and caravans for displaced Palestinians rather than tents. “If people are not protected today, we will witness more victims,” he said.”
“Rain sweeps Israel from north to south as flooding closes highways.
“After a brief lull in precipitation following Storm Byron, rain returned across much of the country on Monday, from the Lebanese border to the Arava region. Roads in southern Israel were closed due to the downpours…”
“Türkiye’s Sapanca Lake water level drops below critical limit.
“According to an Anadolu Agency (AA) special report titled “Sapanca Lake Raises Alarm,” the decline is driven by reduced rainfall, rising temperatures, increased evaporation and intensive water use for drinking, industry and agriculture.”
“Iraq Faces Severe Water Shortages Despite Recent Rainfall: Report.
“On Sunday, the observatory reported that Iraq needs over 100 billion cubic meters of water to refill reservoirs and restore basic water security. It noted that recent rains only increased Iraq’s water supply by 1 to 2 percent, a minimal impact given the scale of the crisis.”
“Since the early 1990s, Tajikistan’s forest area has shrunk significantly. Currently, forests cover approximately 423,000 hectares, compared to about 20% of the national territory a century ago. In the 19th century, tugai forests alone spanned one million hectares, now reduced more than eightfold.”
“Iran’s record drought and cheap fuel have sparked an air pollution crisis—but the real causes run much deeper…
“The extremely dry conditions have worsened Iran’s already high levels of air pollution. In recent weeks, the capital Tehran was ranked as the most polluted city in the world, according to global air quality monitors. In November, its air quality index hit 200—a level classified as “very unhealthy”.”
“Flights disrupted and construction work banned after Delhi air pollution suddenly worsens.
“Construction work was halted and emergency pollution curbs reimposed across India’s capital on Monday after the air quality deteriorated sharply to some of the worst levels seen this winter, exposing millions to hazardous smog and disrupting flights.”
“From tech city to tanker city: Inside Bengaluru’s deepening water crisis.
““They have changed the tech city into a tanker city and left it to the water mafia,” he said, turning Bengaluru’s water crisis into a national talking point. The warning signs are no longer coming only from activists or researchers — they are now being sounded by the city’s own water utility.”
“Cyclone Ditwah takes heavy toll on Sri Lanka’s biodiversity-rich Central Highlands.
“Sri Lanka’s ecologically significant Central Highlands suffered severe but still largely undocumented ecological damage following the recent Cyclone Ditwah, which devasted unique yet highly vulnerable ecosystems harboring the country’s richest biodiversity and highest endemism.”
“RECORD HEAT IN BANGLADESH – Exceptional high temperatures for mid December.
“In particular: 32.0 Bandarban and 31.5 Khepupara; were just 0.1C from their monthly records, but which was recorded in the beginning of the month. More than a dozen stations >30C [86F]. Never happened so late.”
“Today, temperature difference between the north and south of China is close to 70C!
“As the cold wave moves away, daytime temperatures are beginning to rise sharply, and many weather stations are expected to break their mid-December warming records on Thursday!” [Jim Yang]
“Climate whiplash by 2064: Study projects extreme swings in rainfall and drought for Asia…
“Asia and broader tropical regions will face frequent “subseasonal whiplash” events, characterized by extreme downpours and dry spells alternating every 30 to 90 days which trigger climate disruptions with catastrophic impacts on food production, water management, and clean energy systems.”
“‘The City Was Gone’: Survivors Recount Flood Chaos During Rare Cyclone in Indonesia.
“By the time the floodwaters swallowed the ground floor of Muda Sedia hospital in Karang Baru, the building had become an island in a torrent of brown water and the power was failing. When the electricity finally cut out, a baby on oxygen support upstairs died.”
“The Love Bridge in Jubung Village Collapsed Due to Flooding [Java]…
“According to the Village Head of Jubung Bhisma Perdana, the bridge is not just a link between the two banks of the Bedadung River, but a symbol of community unity and an icon of hope that continues to grow.”
“Bushfires ravage Western Australia as temperatures soar.
“Extreme heat and bushfires have ravaged the parched landscape of Western Australia. With temperatures expected to continue soaring above 40C (104F) over the coming days, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning across much of the south-west.”
“Whanganui Lismore Forest fire still uncontained as crews battle wind [NZ]…
“Fire and Emergency NZ incident controller Assistant Commander Renee Potae said on Tuesday morning that the fire was burning through slash piles, cutover pine forest and underneath standing pine trees.”
“Havan’s Statue of Liberty falls in Guaíba after strong gusts of wind [Brazil].
“On the afternoon of this Monday (15), the Statue of Liberty installed in front of the Havan store, in Guaíba, in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, fell after being hit by strong gusts of wind.”
“Fire Encroaches on One of the Amazon’s Most Pristine Indigenous Lands.
“Located in the western portion of the Brazilian Amazon, Terra Indígena do Vale do Javari (Valea do Javari Indigenous Land) is one of the world’s largest continuous patches of pristine tropical rainforest and harbors the world’s highest concentration of noncontacted Indigenous peoples.”
“Death toll from Bolivia floods rises to 20; at least two dozen missing.
“The death toll in Bolivia from floods triggered by an overflowing river in the eastern Santa Cruz region has climbed to 20 and is expected to rise as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas, Deputy Civil Defense Minister Alfredo Troche said on Monday.”
“HISTORIC EVENT – CLIMATIC HISTORY JUST REWRITTEN:
“Insane Minimum 28.2C [82.8F] at Arriaga is HOTTEST WINTER NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN MEXICO (and ALL NORTH AMERICA if we exclude the ABC Islands which are geographically in South America). Record heat also all over the Caribbean.”
“Water dispute adds pressure to Mexico’s complex bilateral agenda with the United States…
“Republican politicians in Texas, the party’s most important stronghold, had long demanded that Washington take a tougher stand with Mexico to ensure it met its deficit obligations. Texas Senator John Cornyn… proposed cutting international aid to Mexico until it complied.”
“Water Shortages in South Texas Drive Downgrade of Corpus Christi.
“A drought in South Texas caused Moody’s Ratings to downgrade the city of Corpus Christi, which projects demand for water will outpace supply by the spring of 2027. The ratings company lowered the city of roughly 320,000 people to A1 from Aa2 and also cut its utility revenue bond rating to A1 from Aa3.”
“The Midwest was literally colder than the North Pole today!! With temperatures as much as 40° below normal, the Midwest Cold is some of the most deviant on Earth…
“As usual there’s always an equal & opposite reaction somewhere else. The US Arctic blast is due to strong blocking near the North Pole, with relatively warm air up to 55° above normal – with a pocket of highs above the freezing mark!” [Jeff Berardelli]
“Levee fails sparking emergency evacuations in Seattle after a week of torrential rain…
“The evacuation order from King County in Washington state covered homes and businesses east of the Green River in parts of Kent, Auburn and Tukwila. The National Weather Service, meanwhile, issued a flash flood warning covering nearly 47,000 people.”
“Kayaks being used to rob homes after flooding leaves town evacuated [Washington]…
“Lieutenant Glenn DeWitt advised residents to secure their valuables and warned potential looters that they would be found and arrested. The state is experiencing historic levels of flooding, with rivers reaching record depths…”
“El Niño Watch 2026: Latest Forecasts Show El Niño Returning with Global Weather Impacts.
“New analysis already shows changing global conditions, equal to those expected before an El Niño appears, adding support to the forecast outlook. In this article, we will cover the most important points for 2026 weather development in the Northern Hemisphere.”
“World heading toward ‘peak glacier extinction’ with up to 4,000 set to disappear a year…
“By the middle of the century, the number of glaciers disappearing is set to peak at up to 4,000 a year, if humans keep pumping out climate pollution, according to a study published Monday in Nature Climate Change. That’s equivalent to losing all the glaciers in the European Alps in just one year.”
“Biodiversity loss and land degradation fuel climate feedback loop, UN report warns…
“Loss of biodiversity and land degradation driven by human activity are increasingly disrupting the climate system, triggering atmospheric changes that in turn accelerate further ecological damage, according to the latest Global Environment Outlook report.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“Here’s an update on Arctic sea-ice extent, which is still at a record low for the date, about 180,000 square kilometers below the previous record daily low set just last year.
“Some Arctic warming ‘irreversible’ even if we cut atmospheric CO2.
“The Arctic will retain about 1.5°C of warming even if the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere returns to pre-industrial levels and the planet as a whole cools. The region is also predicted to retain about 0.1 millimetres per day of excess precipitation, regardless of whether we deploy large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects.”
“Hundreds of iceberg earthquakes detected at the crumbling end of Antarctica’s Doomsday Glacier.
“…the most prolific period of glacial earthquakes at Thwaites, between 2018 and 2020, coincides with a period of accelerated flow of the glacier’s ice tongue towards the sea. The ice-tongue speed-up period was independently confirmed by satellite observations.”
“Polar Bears in Warmest Greenland Are Rewriting Their DNA.
“New research published in Mobile DNA reveals these bears are doing something remarkable at the molecular level: they appear to be rapidly rewriting sections of their own genetic code in response to rising temperatures… This represents the first statistically significant link between warming temperatures and genome-level changes in a wild mammal population.”
“November 2025 observed more anomalous warmth across the entire Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The saturated red color indicates all of these areas were at least 5°C above the 1981-2010 average.
“December 2025 has already broken more records (monthly of individual stations) than any full month in history with nearly every single country and territory having broken at least one monthly record (some have broken hundreds).”
“Storm Bram breaks 11 high temperature records in Ireland…
“Storm Bram brought unseasonal warmth to December this week as wind and rain rattled much of Ireland. Met Éireann recorded especially high temperatures as the storm raged, breaking [monthly] heat records in 11 different weather stations.”
“Netherlands must brace for far more extreme weather, says Dutch meteorological institute…
“Experts sketch out scenarios ranging from intense heatwaves to runaway wildfires and the remnants of hurricanes sweeping across the country. By mapping these risks, they aim to help the government take timely action to make the country more resilient.”
“Hundreds of storks found dead near Madrid amid wider bird flu surge…
“The outbreaks are part of an unprecedented surge in bird flu cases across Europe this season, with thousands of wild bird cases reported in 29 countries, according to the European Food Safety Authority.”
“Portugal’s Wine Production Plunges 20% to Decade Low as Extreme Weather Hits Agriculture…
“These figures reflect how weather extremes and disease outbreaks have shaped Portugal’s agricultural landscape this year, affecting both crop yields and livestock numbers while influencing market prices at home and abroad.”
“Historic Santorini vineyards struggle against climate change and tourism…
“Historic estimates suggest that Santorini once had 3,000-4,000ha under vine. Today, around 1,000ha remains, much of it fragmented into small family holdings. Over the last three vintages, drought and heat have pushed production to record lows.”
“Türkiye reports sharp decline in November rainfall across regions.
“Türkiye’s hydrological landscape showed significant stress in November as nationwide precipitation fell well below both historical norms and last year’s levels, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology’s 2025 November Area-Based Precipitation Report. The data highlights broad-based declines across all regions, with variability that underscores intensifying climate pressures.”
“A recent assessment by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority found 684 sinkholes across the Konya Plain, a key wheat-growing region often referred to as the country’s breadbasket. New drone video shows the deep holes breaking up the agricultural region.”
“Brutally hot night in SOUTH AFRICA – the highest night temperatures ever seen in the central western highlands 30/32C [89.6F] all night in Beaufort area.
“At dawn temperatures eased a bit but remained exceptional in some areas with Mins 20/25C at 500/1500m above sea level.”
“Gang violence, thefts surge in post-cyclone Mayotte…
“Gang violence is increasingly exasperating the people of Mayotte, who are still suffering daily from the consequences of Cyclone Chido. A year after the disaster, reconstruction on the island has barely begun.”
“Climate crisis driving new disease threats in Africa…
““When rains come too late, not at all or too intensely, harvests fail. Hunger rises. Prolonged hunger leads to malnutrition … making people more vulnerable to infectious and non-communicable diseases.””
“Somalia Faces Deepening Drought as Seasonal Rains Fail to Arrive…
“Large swathes of the country are experiencing severe water shortages, with pastoralist communities — who depend on their livestock for survival — hit hardest. Reports from multiple regions indicate widespread livestock deaths and increasing pressure on already scarce resources.”
“Another insanely hot winter night in MIDDLE EAST:
“Minimum of 24.1C [75.4F] at Al Wakrah – second Hottest winter night ever recorded in QATAR (R 24.5 Umm Said). More of the same tomorrow: an absolutely crazy hot December.”
“Flooding destroys few remaining possessions of Palestinians in Gaza.
““The tents are gone, the clothes are gone, our food is gone.” Displaced Palestinians in Gaza fled Israeli bombardment with what little they could carry. Those items are now waterlogged and destroyed by flooding, as one man in Deir el-Balah told Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili.”
“Dozens rescued in severe flooding as Storm Byron wreaks havoc on Israel.
“14 Israelis rescued from vehicles across Yavne • Two students injured as tree collapses in Rishon Lezion • Netanya man found dead with severe hypothermia • 19-year-old from Bnei Brak still missing.”
“Iraq Water Crisis: Deadly Floods Sweep Northern Iraq, South Faces Water Crisis.
“Northern Iraq has been struck by deadly floods, leaving widespread destruction and forcing thousands to evacuate. Meanwhile, the southern region is grappling with an escalating water crisis, as shortages intensify and communities struggle to access clean water.”
“CENTRAL ASIA INSANE WARM NIGHT – MINIMUMS up to 19C [66.2F] In Uzbekistan In the Mountains like a summer night…
“TAJIKISTAN HOTTEST WINTER NIGHT EVER: 14.8 Isambaj, 14 Parkhar, 12.2 Kurgan Tjube; KAZAKHSTAN: Max. 15.2 Kamenskoe 1320m – they should all be freezing!“
“The UNDP reported 720,000 buildings were affected by the flooding, with over 16,000 kilometers (about 10,000 miles) of roads submerged, and over 270 kilometers of railway track damaged. Over 480 bridges were affected in the floods.”
“Exceptional warm day in EAST ASIA – temperatures which had nothing to do with winter up to:
“31.3 [88.3F] TAIWAN; 30.0 CHINA; 29.6 HONG KONG; 26 JAPAN; 21.4 SOUTH KOREA. Next days a cold front will bring a quick cooling followed by another exceptional warm spell with air coming from Middle East.”
“Indonesia floods were ‘extinction level’ disturbance for world’s rarest ape…
“Between 33 and 54 critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans (Pongo tapanuliensis) are estimated to have been killed in widespread floods and landslides after more than 1,000mm [40 inches] of rain fell over just four days in North Sumatra province.”
“Floods in Karangasem, Bali: Cars Swept Away, Dozens of Houses Affected.
“Floods hit several areas in the Manggis District, Karangasem Regency, Bali, on Thursday (December 11). The flooding in the Manggis District also went viral on social media. A video circulating showed a resident’s car being swept away by the floodwaters.”
“Severe heatwave cancels event, closes popular abalone fishing spot as season begins [Western Australia]…
“The WA Parks and Wildlife Service closed Penguin Island Conservation Park, one of the areas in which abalone fishing is permitted, on Friday, citing hot temperatures. The 2025/26 abalone fishing season began on Saturday morning.”
“Australia bushfires could be most dangerous since ‘black summer’.
“Bushfires have been ravaging Australia, with more than 50 burning throughout New South Wales, destroying homes and causing at least one death. Nine blazes remained out of control on Monday as flames ripped through homes and critical infrastructure.”
“Drought-hit Chilean region struggles with limited authority on water infrastructure.
“Chile’s Valparaíso region, one of the hardest hit by the drought that has affected the country for over a decade, has invested 69.2 billion (bn) pesos (US$75.7 million) since 2021 in water infrastructure. However, the local government still has limited authority when it comes to planning such works…”
“Floods force the evacuation of hospital 20 patients in northern Paraguay.
“A storm that hit the Paraguayan town of Santa Rosa de Aguaray, in the department of San Pedro (north), on Friday forced the evacuation, by land and air, of 20 patients confined in the regional hospital, which was affected by flooding due to the intense rains, said medical and government sources.”
“Extreme Weather Plunges Brazil’s Largest City Into Darkness.
“A worsening drought and strong winds across São Paulo are straining the country’s power supply, blacking out hundreds of thousands of Brazilian households and slowing commerce in South America’s largest economy… As of Thursday, about 1.3 million utility clients still lacked electricity in the metropolitan region of São Paulo…”
“The Amazon’s lakes are heating up at ‘alarming’ rate, research finds…
““You can’t even put a finger in the water. … It is so hot that your natural instinct is to withdraw your hand,” lead author Ayan Fleischmann, a researcher at the Brazil-based Instituto Mamirauá, told Mongabay by phone. “The temperature is beyond the tolerance limit for most Amazonian aquatic animals.””
“Thousands of animal species are permanently losing their habitats…
“Their results point to synergistic effects, combined harm bigger than each threat alone, when heat strikes places altered for people… Hotter and more built-up conditions overlapped most clearly in the Sahel, parts of the Middle East, and Brazil.”
“‘Hot mess,’ Salt Lake City experiencing its warmest December in city history.
“Yes, it’s only 11 days into the month, but we are currently on track to see one of the warmest Decembers on record. In fact, as of Thursday, if you look at the average temperature of each day this month, the current season is currently on top of the rankings.”
“Ancient lake from ice age comes back to life in Death Valley after record rainfall.
“Between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago, when ice covered the Sierra Nevada, a lake 100 miles long and 600 feet deep sat in eastern California in what is now the Mojave Desert… a November of record rainfall has brought the ancient lake, known as Lake Manly, back to life.”
“Historic rains and flooding trigger dramatic rescues in Washington state…
“Authorities have yet to estimate the costs, but photos and videos show widespread damage, with entire communities or neighborhoods flooded around western and central Washington. Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues, debris and mudslides have closed highways, and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges.”
“Another strong atmospheric river is forecast to move onshore over British Columbia & the Pacific Northwest on Sun 14 Dec, shifting southward along the US West Coast and into N. California during the beginning of next week.
“A casual reminder: humans have increased atmospheric CO2 from about 270 ppm pre-industrial to about 435 ppm today, an increase of about 165 ppm.
“That’s about the same increase as having 1650 people simultaneously urinating 250 ml (~1 cup) into an olympic sized swimming pool.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“10 years after Paris: as far as the recent past is any indication of the future, I don’t expect we will see the 3-year average going down below +1.5°C much ever again.” [Leon Simons]
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffeeor become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“10 years after the Paris Agreement, we have reached a ‘3-year average global temperature anomaly of +1.5°C in 2 or more datasets’!
“And we can’t blame El Niño for this, as ENSO was on average negative during this period.
“The Paris Agreement was doomed from the start.” [Leon Simons]
“A wind burst forming over remote ocean may affect global weather in 2026.
“A wind shift raises the odds of a planet-warming El Niño, with the potential to break temperature records… “This is concerning, because that would probably mean that we set another new global temperature record and possibly by a significant margin,” [Daniel] Swain said.”
“In places like Narsarsuaq and Julianehab temperatures have remained well above freezing for some days/nights in a row including with MINIMUMS +5C [41F], near the warmest winter Minimums ever recorded in Greenland (Julianehab 0.2C from the record).”
“No criminality has ever been established for the cause of Scotland’s largest ever wildfires, Police Scotland has confirmed.
“Blazes burned across an unprecedented 11,827 hectares of moorland and woodland on Dava Moor and by Carrbridge for several days from the end of June and continued on and off for a fortnight after.”
“Farmers and supermarkets worry that extreme weather will stop food getting to consumers [UK]…
“Extreme weather, like the floods and high winds of Storm Bram on December 9, is reshaping UK farming. A recent survey found that 87% of farmers have seen lower productivity because of droughts, floods or heatwaves, and major retailers now link higher food prices to weather-related harvest losses.”
“UK stadiums swap beef burgers for wild venison to cut carbon emissions.
“The humble beef burger is disappearing from menus at stadiums across Britain, as venues such as Brentford’s Gtech Stadium switch to wild venison in a bid to slash carbon emissions.”
“EXTRAORDINARY WARMTH ALL OVER EUROPE – hundreds of records of high max/high mins are being pulverized in the most record breaking event in European history. Maxes up to 25C [77F], ins locally >15C.
“Only Italy was skipped – the only country in the world with no records for months.”
“Europe in full overheating for this December 2025! The latest update of the American model projects a monthly anomaly of +2 to +4°C over a large part of the continent! (via NOAA).“
“A violent tornado struck the community of Zakros in the Municipality of Sitia on Friday (05/12), leaving behind a scene of extensive destruction. The phenomenon, which residents describe as unlike anything they have ever experienced, tore through olive groves and caused severe structural damage to local businesses.”
“North Cyprus sees extreme flooding due to torrential rainfall.
“Videos shared across social media during the freak weather showed dams and riverbeds overflowing, water cascading down mountain tops at alarming rates, and muddy floodwater sweeping through roads, homes and businesses, leaving devastation behind.”
“The rising cost of hailstorms and what it means for South African farmers…
“The high frequency and shifting nature of hailstorms now poses a significant threat to farmers in these regions, with direct consequences for agri-businesses and the country’s wider food system.”
“‘Climate whiplash’: East Africa caught between floods and drought.
“At dawn in the town of Mai Mahiu, Kenya, all is quiet. No goat bells ring, no voices call across farm fields, there is no rustle of maize leaves in the morning wind. Instead, the air smells of churned mud and uprooted vegetation, a reminder of the April 2024 floods that tore through this valley.”
“Nearly 2 million Kenyans face acute food insecurity, Kenya Red Cross warns.
“The humanitarian agency says severe water shortages, rising cases of malnutrition, and long treks to the few remaining water points are placing immense strain on families in the hardest-hit counties.”
“Saudi Arabia’s peak rainfall now shifting to December, climate data shows.
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a noticeable shift in its seasonal rainfall patterns, with the annual peak now moving from November to December, according to new scientific assessments from the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM).”
“Severe Floods Hit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia After Heavy Rainfall…
“Recent reports indicate heavy rainfall exceeded 179 mm [seven inches] in just six hours, far above the city’s November average of 23 mm and annual average of 55.6 mm. At least two fatalities have been reported, and many homes experienced power outages. Schools and universities in affected areas have been temporarily closed.”
“Dubai and Doha are unstoppable: they are on their way to their hottest year.
“DUBAI in 2025 is the world’s hottest place outside the tropics, while DOHA might become the northernmost place with an >30C [86F] yearly average temperature. Their warming in the past decades has been brutal.”
“Heavy rains flood tents sheltering the displaced, heaping misery on Gaza.
“Heavy rainfall in advance of Storm Byron began before dawn on Wednesday, submerging thousands of tents in several areas across the besieged and bombarded territory. Palestinian Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal warned in a video statement of an “imminent humanitarian disaster” resulting from the severe weather conditions.”
“Record rains trigger deadly floods across Kurdistan.
“The three-day deluge brought rainfall levels not seen in years, killing residents, destroying homes and public facilities, crippling infrastructure, and cutting roads across multiple districts.”
“Russia Revives Plan to Redirect Siberian Rivers [the river Ob in particular] as Central Asia Faces Worsening Water Crisis…
“Experts warned of large-scale flooding, disruptions to groundwater, damage to fish stocks, displacement of Indigenous communities, and unpredictable impacts on permafrost and regional climate systems.”
“Dust storm hits Issyk-Kul region: Wind reaches up to 35 meters per second [Kyrgyzstan].
“A powerful dust storm swept through Toru-Aigyr and several coastal settlements of Issyk-Kul, making movement nearly impossible. Visibility dropped sharply, in some places to just a few meters, eyewitnesses reported.”
“First rain of autumn falls in Iran’s capital, but the drought-ravaged nation needs far more…
““The current acute crisis is part of a longer-term water crisis in Iran and the wider region that results from a range of issues including frequent droughts with increasing evaporation rates, water-intensive agriculture and unsustainable groundwater extraction,” World Weather Attribution said in a recent report.”
“Iran launches cloud-seeding drones to combat drought and increase rainfall.
“Alalam News, a media partner of TV BRICS, reported that this project is part of Iran’s efforts to address the challenges of drought and water scarcity, which significantly affect agriculture and daily life in the country.”
“Soon Valley’s lakes shrink amid silent water crisis [Punjab, Pakistan]…
“In recent years, widespread electricity shortages and rising diesel prices have pushed farmers to replace traditional water pumps with solar-powered submersible systems. These solar pumps run throughout the day at zero operational cost, encouraging farmers to extract groundwater without restriction.”
“‘Even the animals seem confused’: a retreating Kashmir glacier is creating an entire new world in its wake.
“From the slopes above Pahalgam, the Kolahoi glacier is visible as a thinning, rumpled ribbon of ice stretching across the western Himalayas. Once a vast white artery feeding rivers, fields and forests, it is now retreating steadily, leaving bare rock, crevassed ice and newly exposed alpine meadows.”
“TMD issues warning No.8: heavy rain batters South for 6 days, flash flood risk in multiple provinces [Thailand]…
“TMD urges people in risk areas to watch for flash floods and run-off, especially in foothills, near waterways and low-lying zones. Mariners in the Gulf and Andaman Sea should navigate with caution and avoid storm areas…”
“‘Not normal’: Climate crisis supercharged deadly monsoon floods in Asia.
“The climate crisis supercharged the deadly storms that killed more than 1,750 people in Asia by making downpours more intense and flooding worse, scientists have reported. Monsoon rains often bring some flooding but the scientists were clear: this was “not normal”.”
“Floods and Landslides Hit North Sumatra’s South Nias.
“Floods and landslides struck several districts in South Nias regency in North Sumatra on Thursday, after heavy rain and strong winds lashed the region. In Ndraso Village, Maniamolo District, floodwater reaches up to 1.5 meters high and inundated 4 hectares of rice fields.”
“BMKG Reports Potential Cyclone 91S in Southwest Indian Ocean, Off the Coast of Lampung.
“The latest analysis from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicates that potential cyclone 91S is expected to continue causing rain in the southern region of Sumatra Island.”
“Nearly 1000 consecutive days breaking records every single day, without exception. Today it was the December hottest night in history at Catarman, PHILIPPINES with a Minimum of 26.4C [79.5F].”
“Heat stress, rare disease wipe out Goniopora coral colonies on Great Barrier Reef.
“Three-quarters of Goniopora corals at One Tree Reef have died after bleaching and black band disease. The losses occurred during the fourth global mass bleaching event, affecting 84% of reefs worldwide.”
“Australia heatwave warnings: 50C temperature range and fire danger.
“Wild weather can be expected in the days ahead, alongside elevated fire danger as scorching temperatures and likely thunderstorms plague Australia. Multiple heatwave warnings are in place for parts of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland…”
“Heavy rainfall triggered by an extratropical cyclone battering Southern Brazil caused widespread flooding on Tuesday, turning streets into rivers and hillsides into waterfalls across Florianópolis, São José, Palhoça, and Biguaçu.”
“Days After COP30, Brazil Weakened Amazon Safeguards.
“Despite claims of environmental leadership and promises to preserve the Amazon rainforest ahead of COP30, Brazil is stripping away protections for the region’s vital ecosystems faster than workers dismantled the tents that housed the recent global climate summit in Belém.”
“Amazon rainforest is transitioning to a ‘hypertropical’ climate — and trees won’t survive that for long…
“Currently, the Amazon rainforest experiences hot drought conditions a few days or weeks of the year. But due to climate change, the region’s dry season — which typically lasts from July to September — is getting longer, and the annual proportion of hotter-than-normal days is increasing.”
“‘It was a matter of time’: Illness affecting bats may have arrived in Las Vegas.
“The fungal disease is known as white-nose syndrome, and it’s considered to be the single most deadly wildlife disease outbreak in North American history. Scientists first documented the disease in New York in 2006, and it has since spread westward and killed about 6 million bats.”
“Utah just had its warmest November — and fall — on record.
“Utah just had its warmest November on record. The average temperature was more than one degree higher than the state’s previous record set in 2017, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Utah also broke the record for its warmest autumn.”
“Polar vortex sending ‘wrecking ball’ of cold air to central and eastern US.
“A polar vortex disruption is expected to flood the central and eastern United States with some of the world’s coldest air this weekend, bringing extreme wind chills and temperatures far below average…”
“72F [22.2C] at Yakima and 71F at Richland are the highest December temperatures ever recorded in both cities. Next night will be exception as well with many stations failing to drop below 50F. Atmospheric rivers will keep bringing warm air to the NW.”
“Tens of thousands in Washington could face evacuations as rain continues to pound the region…
““We feel very confident that we can handle a ‘normal flood,’ but no one really knows what a 41, 42 foot river looks like south of Mount Vernon,” Darrin Morrison, a commissioner for Dike District 3 in Skagit County, said during a public meeting Wednesday night.”
“Flooding in parts of B.C.’s Fraser Valley leads to major highway closures, state of emergency.
“Major highways between B.C.’s Lower Mainland to the Interior have been closed, and a travel advisory has been issued. A flood warning is in effect for the Sumas River, including Washington state’s Nooksack River — which is expected to overflow and send water north across the border.”
“Chemical traces of 2023 Canadian wildfires detected in Maryland months after smoke subsided…
“”Even when the Air Quality Index was good—long after the fires started to dwindle—we still found similar compounds that we saw during the Canadian wildfire event,” said study senior author Akua Asa-Awuku, a professor in UMD’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.”
“Global warming amplifies extreme day-to-day temperature swings, study shows.
“A new study has revealed that rapid, large-scale day-to-day temperature fluctuations have intensified amid global warming, representing a distinct climate hazard with impacts on human health. This growing volatility creates a weather pattern akin to a “climate roller coaster…”
“A marine pandemic is bringing some species of sea urchin to the brink of extinction, and some populations have disappeared altogether, a study has found.
“Since 2021, Diadema africanum urchins in the Canary Island archipelago have almost entirely been killed by an unknown disease… In the same period, mass deaths have been detected in species from the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Caribbean and western Indian Ocean.”
““It’s a real nightmare”— Spiders are becoming “more angry and aggressive” due to global warming.
“Spiders are generally not hostile towards human beings and only attack in self-defense if need be; however, a recent study has revealed that due to global warming, spiders are becoming angrier and more aggressive.”
“Climate cooling [alone] isn’t enough to save cocoa, wine, and coffee…
“Climate change threatens crop yields despite cooling strategies like Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) intervention SAI reduces temperature but fails to control rainfall and humidity risks… Major brands invest in gene editing and cultivated crops for resilience…”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffeeor become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“2025 Set to Become the Second Hottest Year Ever Recorded.
“While 2024 remains the warmest year ever measured, 2025 is showing nearly identical temperature levels to 2023—pushing the planet further into unprecedented territory.”
“Monday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent [and volume] is currently the lowest on record (JAXA data).”
• about 840,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,390,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 2,050,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,510,000 km² below the 1980s mean [Zack Labe]
“An Extremely Extreme pattern builds this weekend. Surface Temps as much as 60°F below normal in Canada (lows -60°F) and 70°F above normal (Highs 40°F in Arctic Circle) in Russia. This is orchestrated by a record breaking 500mb block, ~4 standard deviations from the mean.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“While Lapland maintained its trademark cool this fall, the rest of Finland had what meteorologists classified as an unusually or exceptionally warm season.
““This was the second-warmest autumn on record at many of the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s observation stations,” the agency said in a statement.”
“Researchers solve a century-old North Atlantic cold spot mystery.
“A century-old North Atlantic cold patch is now linked to a long-term slowdown in the AMOC, the climate-regulating conveyor belt of ocean water…. This slowdown affects weather systems, jet streams, and marine life throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The discovery sharpens climate forecasts and highlights a major shift already underway.”
“UK weather: 90mph winds possible and travel disruption likely as Storm Bram hits.
“”Danger to life” weather warnings are in place as Storm Bram brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of the UK. The Met Office has put out an alert for areas of Scotland, Wales, and southwest England, with treacherous conditions expected throughout today and into tomorrow morning.”
“Record warmth on Sunday followed by spring-like weather Monday in the Netherlands.
“The Netherlands entered the new week with two highly unusual December weather events: a national warm-weather record on December 7 and temperatures rising again on Monday morning to levels more typical of spring than early winter.”
“Athens Enters Drought Emergency as Water Reserves Collapse…
“Sources familiar with NTUA’s assessment told To Vima that the report warns of a clear risk of water scarcity for the next two to five years — a reality that demands vigilance, accelerated action and system-wide reinforcement, though not panic.”
“Record again in Tanzania: 34.5C [94.1F] at Tabora 1200m asl on the highlands: hottest December day on record, after setting the hottest night and the heat will continue…
“Every single tropical country in every continent is smashing record after record, like never before.”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – record heat returned after sweeping every record on the first 2 days of December. Over 35C [95F] in SAUDI ARABIA.
“IRAN 31.0 Omidieh December record; In IRAQ December Records almost all over the country: Maxes 27-29C, Rutbah, Semawa, Diwaniya, Nkaib, Amarah, Baghdad.”
“The city of Yanbu [Saudi] was struck yesterday by a powerful tornado accompanied by severe thunderstorms and torrential rain, causing widespread damage in the area.
“Several buildings collapsed in various parts of the city, and many shops and cafes were damaged. Cafe facades were shattered, and trees fell.”
“‘A year’s worth of rain in hours’: Eilat reopening after southern Israel lashed by rare desert storms [Israel].
“Torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across the Arava and Negev, filling long-dry reservoirs and blocking every road into Eilat for 9 hours; dozens rescued from flash floods as authorities warn of further storms and lingering travel disruptions.”
“Turkiye withholds water despite new agreement with Iraq…
““Turkiye continues to withhold agreed water releases into the Tigris and Euphrates, leaving river levels unchanged since summer,” the Observatory stated, adding that southern marshes remain dry, and salinity in Basra’s waterways has not improved.”
““Bread has become a farmer’s sorrow”: Drought, shrinking farmland, and abandoned harvests in Nineveh [Iraq].
“In Nimrud, a southern subdistrict of Nineveh where land once shimmered gold with wheat and green with barley, farmer Abed Ibrahim stands above cracked soil. He bends down, gathers a trace of dry soil between his fingers, as if pleading for the life that vanished with the rain.”
“South Kazakhstan Braces for Irrigation Water Shortages in 2026…
“Agriculture in these arid regions depends heavily on water from the Syr Darya River, which originates in Kyrgyzstan… Farmers were urged to adopt water-saving technologies, limit the cultivation of water-intensive crops, diversify planting, and transition to drought-resistant varieties.”
“Iran Channels Desalinated Seawater Into Its Parched Heartland.
“Iran has launched one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects to date — an 800-kilometre pipeline transporting desalinated seawater from the Gulf of Oman to the central plateau.”
“Pakistan faces water crisis as 80% lack safe drinking water.
“Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warning over 80 percent of its population lacks clean drinking water. The 2025 Asian Water Development Outlook highlights rapidly depleting reserves and rising climate-linked vulnerabilities.”
“Kashmir valley faces water crisis as Jhelum and tributaries recede to record lows.
“The Jhelum river, the lifeline of the valley, has dropped below zero to record low levels at several key areas, deepening the water crisis. The water level is at -0.53 feet at the Sangam gauge station. At Ram Munshi Bagh…”
“Raging Forest Fire Ignites Landmines Along Line of Control.
“A forest fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district caused at least six landmines to explode near the Line of Control. The blaze, which began in the Balakote forest, continues to spread with efforts underway to extinguish it. There have been no reports of damage from the detonations.”
“Is New Delhi’s toxic smog making the city unliveable?
“The government has pledged to tackle the air pollution crisis, but the reality remains difficult. Amid fears that India’s capital is becoming unliveable, residents are now demanding real action after a decade of breathing the world’s dirtiest air.”
“…incredible mild night in MONGOLIA highlands: min -0.5 [32.9F] Ekhiingol warmest ever in winter.” [Extreme Temps]
“Today, two stations in NE China broke the record for the highest temperature in December, and 11 other stations broke the record for the warmest nighttime temperature in December.” [Jim Yang]
“60th record of December high Temperature so far this month in Japan:
“One of the coldest spots in Hokkaido, Shirataki had a minimum of just -0.3C yesterday, highest minimum ever recorded in winter (it means it has always frozen every day in winter history).”
“Forest fire at Mt. Myogi in Gunma spreads, prompts defense force deployment.
“A forest fire was reported Monday at Mt. Myogi, known as a scenic hiking spot in Gunma Prefecture northwest of Tokyo, with defense force assistance requested as the blaze continued.”
“Climate change is battering Asia’s water and power systems and putting millions in harm’s way, forcing countries to pour billions into shoring up basic services, according to two recent reports.
“Water-related disasters are rising across the region even as spending to protect communities falls short.”
“Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as Cyclone Ditwah death toll crosses 600…
“The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre said ongoing monsoon rains were hitting areas already devastated by the cyclone, further destabilising hillsides in the central highlands and northwestern midlands.”
“Indonesia counts human cost as more climate change warnings sounded.
“Indonesia reports 1,000 dead and close to 1 million displaced from rains as a report points at the threat posed by climate change and ecosystem decline across Asia… Several other countries in Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka and Thailand, have been hit hard by storms and floods in recent weeks.”
“Orangutans at risk as Indonesia floods devastate habitat…
“In total, around 119,000 orangutans live in Indonesia and Malaysia, according to World Wildlife Fund. “If there is no government help, the orangutans could go extinct here. Especially with this massive deforestation,” Siagian said.”
“375 residents evacuated after floods hit Batu Niah longhouses [Kalimantan].
“Roads connecting several villages in the Sepupok, Semalau and Sebatuk areas were impassable due to overflowing water. He said the water level of the Niah river had risen significantly following continuous rainfall since Monday afternoon.”
“‘It came from everywhere’: NSW town [Bulahdelah] counts the cost after bushfire hits…
“On Monday afternoon, the highway south of town was blanketed in thick, orange smoke. Water-bombing helicopters hovered overhead, assisting firefighters on the ground who were attempting to quash a blaze that had burnt 4,000 hectares since Friday.”
“Wellington North solar farm grass fire burns almost 100ha [NSW].
“The cause of a grass fire that started on one of Australia’s largest solar farms remains a mystery. The blaze broke out inside the Wellington North 425-megawatt solar farm in Central West NSW on Saturday afternoon, and burnt more than 92 hectares.”
“Record warm spring across country part of climate’s ‘new normal’ [NZ]. A record-breaking November pushed New Zealand to its warmest spring on record.
“Data from Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) shows the average temperature across the country was 13.5°C, which was 1.3°C hotter than the long-term average and the warmest spring since records began in 1909.”
“All Oceania is being swept by record heat like never before. Today it’s a historic day for The Republic of Kiribati: 35.9C [96.6F] Kanton Island HOTTEST DAY IN KIRIBATI HISTORY (for any month).”
“Trump slaps Mexico with 5 percent tariff over violations of water treaty…
“The US president’s message set a demand and a deadline. He called on Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water — equivalent to 246 million cubic metres — by December 31.”
“Almost 3 Decembers worth of rain in 24 hours in spots. Normal Dec rain is 2.5”. Downtown Tampa had double that! Areas like Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, East Lake, Odessa, Trinity, Keystone, Lutz, Wesley Chapel etc.., had 5 to 7 inches. Major drought relief, but a little too much, too fast, caused some extensive flooding.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“LA wildfire survivors rebuild holiday traditions after year of devastation…
“The Pacific Palisades fire was the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, destroying 6,800 structures and killing 12 people. To the east, the Eaton fire devastated the neighborhood of Altadena, with 19 confirmed fatalities.”
“Major ‘megafires’ are now primed to ignite across the US. All it needs is a spark.
“In the past two decades, the number of wildfires in the US has doubled compared to the late 20th century. In some regions, such as the Great Plains, the increase has been even more dramatic, with four times as many fires as before. The season itself has also stretched.”
“A 7,000-mile atmospheric river is stretching from Philippines to the U.S…
“While atmospheric rivers commonly hit the Northwest during fall and winter, the length of this one is very unusual. Spanning the length of the Pacific, this river in the sky is about three times longer than average and among the longest typically observed on the planet.”
“El Nino is set to become substantially stronger and more frequent, experts warn – triggering intense floods and storms…
“According to the researchers, this means much of the world will face back-to-back years of flooding and drought in an effect known as climate whiplash.”
“At 1.5°C, the atmosphere can hold over 10% more water vapor than it could in the pre-industrial period 1850-1900.
“The additional precipitation leads to car soup, airport soup, road soup, city soup, farm soup, and a hearty portion of global industrial civilization soup.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“The CO2 data for November, 2025, was just released by NOAA, and the 3-year mean rate of atmospheric CO2 growth hit yet another new record high, at 7.93 ppm per 3 years.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Additionally, it appears that all of EPA’s previously extensive “indicators of climate change” pages have been scrubbed entirely.
“The pages no longer exist; there are numerous dead links on the current/live EPA site, and no indication they have been moved to a new URL.” [Daniel Swain]
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar?Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“Storms in the Southern Ocean are producing more rain — and the consequences could be global…
“This change is not isolated, as it may reflect broader trends across the Southern Ocean, impacting global climate systems by altering ocean currents and carbon absorption, with significant implications for global weather patterns and climate change.”
“Friday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent is currently the lowest on record (JAXA data).”
• about 840,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,380,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 2,070,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,530,000 km² below the 1980s mean [Zack Labe]
“While the yearly minimum for Arctic sea-ice volume has been relatively stable for the last 15 years, this year saw a new record low for Arctic sea-ice thickness. By a lot.
“What’s going to happen in 2026? The Climate 8-ball is skating on thin ice.”
“In just 5 days December 2025 has broken more records than ANY FULL MONTH in history except November 2025.
“Next week we will see >160/170 countries and dozens of thousands of stations smashing records in every Continent andNovember 2025 will be surpassed and wiped out big time.” [Extreme Temps]
“Stykkishólmur Approaches Its Warmest Year on Record [Iceland].
“The town hosts Iceland’s longest uninterrupted series of temperature observations, a dataset that extends back 180 years. Only a handful of European stations maintain comparable records. The story began in 1845…”
“How an invasion of purple flowers made Iceland an Instagram paradise – and caused a biodiversity crisis…
“Scientists expect lupin coverage to have tripled by the next assessment in 2027, turbocharged by a warming climate. In the coming years, one study estimates that the species could grow to cover nearly a sixth of Iceland.”
“North under pressure, lice load climbs as salmon farms fill up.
“Norway’s Institute of Marine Research (HI) has reported increased levels of salmon lice in northern farming regions, linking the rise to higher production and warning of greater infection pressure on wild salmon… HI said the warm summer in 2025 contributed to increased lice development and was classified as a marine heatwave event.”
“Number of days per summer with maximum zero degree limit above 4000 (light red) and 5000 m (dark red), derived from radiosondes in Payerne (Switzerland). Imagine the consequences for glaciers and permafrost! [Melaine Le Roy]
“High levels of a toxic “forever chemical” have been found in cereal products across Europe because of its presence in pesticides.
“The most contaminated food is breakfast cereal, according to a study by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), with average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water.”
“Collapse of key Atlantic current [AMOC] could bring extreme drought to Europe for hundreds of years, study finds.
“Southern Europe’s already scorching dry summers could get even worse over the next 1,000 years if a key ocean current system collapses — with a rise in extreme droughts and longer dry seasons, a new study suggests.”
“Europe faced record-breaking wildfires in 2025: Report.
“Europe experienced its “worst” wildfire season on record in 2025, according to initial estimates by the European Forest Fire Information Service (EFFIS), highlighting a growing trend of longer and more destructive fire seasons… A total of 8,343 fires were reported in 2024, more than four times the long-term average.”
“Storm Byron batters Greece, triggering school closures and widespread flooding.
“Intense downpours hit Attica, the southern and eastern Peloponnese, Crete, eastern Central Greece, Evia, the Sporades, eastern Thessaly, central Macedonia and islands of the eastern and northern Aegean from the early morning hours.”
“Attica prefecture, which hosts the Greek capital and roughly half the country’s population, witnessed record amounts of rainfall, which in some locations exceeded 200 millimeters [8 inches] over the past few days…
“The precipitation – usually welcome due to fears of a water shortage come summer – was expected to last until the evening, at least in southern Greece.”
“Researchers warn of a record marine temperature and extreme warming at 500 meters depth [Mediterranean]…
“Underwater observation platforms, including gliders and profiling buoys, allowed measuring the temperature up to 700 meters deep. “The summer of 2025 has reached a record of marine temperature in the deepest layers,” warns Juza.”
“Morocco to Triple Desalinated Water Share in 2030 Amid Drought Crisis…
“Rising temperatures increase evaporation from reservoirs. To limit losses, authorities installed floating solar panels on a dam near Tangier. Baraka said the method, which reduces evaporation by an estimated 30%, will expand to dams in southern and mountainous regions to protect national water reserves.”
“HISTORIC – 40.5C [104.9F] Mongo ties the HOTTEST DECEMBER DAY EVER RECORDED IN CHAD…
“Exceptional hot nights continue in West Africa with MIN. Temperatures of 28C in Benin, 27.1 in Nigeria at Lagos (December record); GHANA smashed December High Mins records as well: 27.3 Kete Krachi, 26.0 Akse, 25.4 Ho.”
“Climate crisis blamed as 60,000 penguins starve to death off South Africa…
“Over 60,000 African penguins starved to death off the coast of South Africa between 2004 and 2011 due to a severe collapse in sardine numbers… The drastic decline in sardine populations is attributed to the climate crisis and extensive overfishing in the region.”
“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Fading Relevance of International Water Law.
“In September, Ethiopia unveiled the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), hailing it as a “generational victory”… However, the celebratory atmosphere was marred by the glaring absence of representatives from Sudan and Egypt. For these downstream nations, the dam fundamentally alters their access to the Nile’s vital waters.”
“Temperature increase is accelerating in Arab Region, with escalating impacts.
“The Arab region had its hottest year on record in 2024, and the rate of warming has accelerated in recent decades, accompanied by more intense heatwaves and droughts as well as extreme rainfall and storms, according to the inaugural World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report on the State of the Climate in the Arab Region.”
“Iraq burns: Dust, drought ravage the nation’s core…
“Officials in the Ministry of Environment acknowledge the crisis. Climate shifts have reduced river flows, worsened drought, and increased dependence on water sources controlled by neighboring countries. Iraq’s share of the Tigris and Euphrates has fallen nearly 30% since 2000…”
“6 Big Questions About Iran’s Water Crisis And Tehran’s Day Zero…
“Officials have already reduced water pressure, imposed cuts, and openly discussed rationing, evacuation, and even moving the capital if the rain does not return. Here are six of the most frequent – and the answers that matter…”
“Sri Lanka’s extreme weather death toll rises to 607.
“Another 214 people remain missing, while more than 2 million people from 586,464 families have been affected nationwide, said the DMC… Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology says rainfall in some parts of the country will increase on Dec. 9-11 due to the northeast monsoon conditions.”
“In the autumn of 2025 (Sept.～Nov.), the average temperature in China was 11.1C (+0.8°C), with five provinces experiencing record high average temperatures…
“The average precipitation was 162.1 mm (+33.7%), breaking the record for the highest autumn precipitation.” [Jim Yang]
“A powerful cyclone with rain and snow caused flooding in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky [Russian far east].
“Heavy rain and snow paralyzed traffic in central Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The storm hit the city overnight, flooding the streets, according to local media… Schools were canceled early. In the morning, roads in the Spartak and Seaport districts turned into continuous streams of snow and water,”
“Unprecedented streak of hot nights continue in the most remote Japanese island: Minamitorishima (formerly Marcus Island): minimum Temperatures have been 24/26C every night. Tonight Minimum was 25.8C [78.4F], 0.3C from national December record.”
“Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides.
“Heavy rain in Vietnam triggered flooding that killed at least two people and caused more than a dozen landslides, state media said Friday, adding to what authorities calledthe “most unusual” year of natural disasters in the country’s history.”
“Flash floods hit Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia] as torrential rain overwhelms urban drainage systems…
“The intense downpour, which began Thursday evening, was accompanied by thunderstorms and extraordinary cumulonimbus cloud formations, rapidly triggering water accumulation along critical routes…”
“Sumatra Floods Updates: 867 Dead, 521 Missing as Search Expands…
“North Sumatra has 51,433 displaced residents, Aceh 775,346, and West Sumatra 22,354, bringing the total number of evacuees across the three provinces to 849,133 people… The scale of destruction has hampered rescue operations, with collapsed bridges and blocked roads slowing the delivery of aid and evacuation of survivors.”
“The Health Ministry’s director of surveillance and health quarantine, Dr Sumarjaya, said the diseases currently appearing include skin infections, acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, influenza-like illnesses, typhoid, leptospirosis, measles, pertussis, malaria and dengue.”
“Starvation fears as more heavy rain threaten flood-ruined Indonesia.
“Indonesia’s national weather agency said rain could return on Saturday to the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, where floods have swept away roads, smothered houses in silt and cut off supplies. Aceh governor Muzakir Manaf said response teams were still searching for bodies in “waist-deep” mud.”
“The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Malang City together with a joint team carried out flood management that hit a number of points in Malang City due to heavy rains, Thursday [Java].
“Head of BPBD Malang City Prayitno in Malang City, East Java, stated that handling flood events prioritizes disaster response processes that prioritize public safety.”
“Several homes have been destroyed in NSW, Australia as fires rip through bushland in heatwave-fuelled conditions.
“Emergency warnings were issued for residents near fires on the NSW Central Coast and in the Hunter region on Saturday as dozens of blazes burned across the state.”
“Waters are warming in Murihiku Southland at higher rates than elsewhere, with implications for fisheries and habitats… Phillips said sea surface temperatures were increasing about 34 percent faster in New Zealand than the global average.”
“Strong heat wave incoming in New Zealand where a combination of a marine heat wave, an high pressure and hot air from Australia+local fohn will certainly bring high temperatures.
“Exceptional heat continues in New Caledonia with insane minimums up to 27.5C [81.5], a tied national record.”
“To save jaguars from extinction, scientists in Brazil are trying IVF and cloning.
“Fragmented habitat has isolated jaguar populations, causing them to cross with members of the same gene pool. Today, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and cloning techniques have been improving the genetics of groups to avoid eventual extinction of the species because of inbreeding.”
“32.2C/90F today and record for December again in St Thomas, Virgin Islands.
“Record heat seems particularly unstoppable in this Territory, even compared to the rest of Caribbean, where record heat has been going on since 2023.”
“Newly released 911 calls from Texas floods reveal chaotic and desperate pleas for rescues…
“A firefighter clinging to a tree who watched his wife be swept away. A family breaking through their roof, hoping for rescue. A woman calling from an all-girls camp, waters swirling around and unsure how to escape.”
“Arctic blast slams Midwest, Northeast as snow prompts school closures in Mid-Atlantic…
“Record low temperatures were recorded across the Midwest and Northeast on Friday morning, including: 6 degrees in Scranton, Pennsylvania; minus 4 degrees in Plattsburgh, New York, zero degrees in Springfield, Illinois; and 3 degrees in Kalamazoo, Michigan.”
“New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds…
“The breakneck speed of New England’s transformation makes it the fastest-heating area of the US, bar the Alaskan Arctic, and the pace of its temperature rise has apparently increased in the past five years, according to the study. “The temperature is not only increasing, it’s accelerating,” said Stephen Young, a climate researcher…”
“Thawing permafrost is causing trouble for the Red Dog mine [Alaska]. Solutions could be costly.
“The problems stem from one of the more aesthetically jarring signs of climate change: Arctic streams are turning orange as thawing permafrost releases minerals once trapped in frozen ground. The phenomenon, known as river rusting, is occurring across the Arctic…”
“Another threat to reefs: Microplastic chemicals may harm coral reproduction…
“Most previous research on corals and microplastics has focused on the effects on adult corals of ingesting or absorbing plastic particles. Few studies have addressed larval stages of coral development or the impact of water contaminated with plastic residue, known as leachate.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to this month’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous but has asked me to post a link to this poem by their friend, Arthur L Wood. I’m no great shakes when it comes to literary criticism but I was moved by its tenderness and honesty, and heartily recommend giving it a listen.
“I just updated this graph with three more months of NASA CERES data it needs a bigger y-axis, again…
“There is so much more regional and global warming in the pipeline than most realize!
“This graph shows the regional increases in absorbed sunlight and outgoing heat radiation:”
“PIOMAS just posted their Arctic sea-ice volume data for September, October and November (catching up after the Gov’t shutdown). Here is the volume data, 1979 – 2025, showing a record low for both October and November… And “thickness” just set an all-time record low in October. [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Why glaciers are reaching their top speeds earlier each year…
“Using almost ten years of NASA satellite images, researchers tracked the seasonal speed of every land glacier on the planet larger than about two square miles. They found that warmer glaciers not only speed up more each year, they also tend to reach their top speeds earlier in the calendar.”
“6 km frontal retreat over 40 years for the 4th largest glacier in Iceland (900 km² in 2010), an outlet of the Vatnajökull ice cap! LIA max is tangent to coastline.” [Melaine Le Roy]
“Autumn 2025 marked by record rainfall in Luxembourg.
“If the last three months have seemed a damp, it’s because they officially were – especially September… September saw several precipitation records broken across the Grand Duchy, with all weather stations registering unusually high rainfall, as the month marked the start of a notably damp autumn.”
“A tornado hits the Taranto coast, uprooting trees in Manduria and San Pietro in Bevagna [Italy].
“A tornado struck Manduria, in the province of Taranto. The vortex hit a predominantly agricultural area toward San Pietro in Bevagna. The severe weather struck the Taranto area late this afternoon, Tuesday, December 2nd, causing damage…
“On Friday, storms are forecast to intensify, with red alerts issued for Pieria, Imathia, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Thessaly, the Sporades, Evia, the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, with localized high risk also in the Cyclades and Crete.”
“While Central Mediterranean has been wintry for weeks, abnormal warmth never ends in Eastern Mediterranean.
“Next days we will see insane tropical nights in parts of Turkey, perhaps Cyprus and the Levant. There had never been anything like this in December: expect dozens of records.”
“Severe weather: several neighborhoods flooded in Algiers…
“Cities were indeed flooded. This was especially the case in the capital, Algiers, where several neighborhoods were submerged in the early evening following heavy rains that continued for several hours.”
“New research in North Africa is validating calls for communal rain prayers as a means of tracking droughts in the region… “I was trying to find a proxy, something that would tell me when food production was impacted or soil moisture was impacted at this regional [scale],” he said. The call for rain prayers, he realized, could be a key data point…”
“Gauteng and KZN face severe weather: Flooding and hail warnings in effect [South Africa].
“Authorities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have issued urgent warnings as Level 4 and Level 5 severe weather alerts remain in place, with thunderstorms already causing flooding, hailstorms and disruptions to services.”
“Israel braces for weekend storms after record-warm November.
“After an unusually hot, dry November marked by two heat waves, Israel faces a sharp weather shift with thunderstorms, cooler temperatures and flash flood risks in the south and east as conditions turn unsettled heading into the weekend.”
“Experts warn of looming water crisis in northwestern Türkiye.
“Water levels at two vital reservoirs supplying Çanakkale, northwestern Türkiye, have fallen dramatically amid persistent drought conditions, triggering serious concerns about the city’s ability to meet drinking, irrigation and general water needs in the coming months.”
“HISTORIC WINTER HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – records destroyed with insane margins.100% UNPRECEDENTED.
“KUWAIT: 33.6 [92.5F] Managish, 33.3 Al Wafra, 32.5 Int. AP; December National record smashed by 2C. All stations broke their records! IRAN: 31.6 Abadan, 31.0 Omidieh; IRAQ: 31.3 Al Salman, 31.2 Basra.”
“Facing Severe Drought Iran Plans to Purchase Water From Neighboring Countries.
“Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Ali Abadi said that the government is now exploring external options to meet urgent domestic needs. “If there is a country willing to sell water, we will buy it,” he stated, according to remarks carried by German news agency DPA.”
“Himalayan Glaciers Melting Faster: India Intensifies Large-Scale Monitoring Through Multiple National Missions And Early Warning Systems.
“The Centre has informed Parliament that Himalayan glaciers are showing signs of accelerated and uneven mass loss, prompting an expansion of monitoring efforts and early-warning mechanisms across the region.”
“Will glacier melt lead to increased seismic activity in mountain regions?
“…The scientists sought to determine whether glacial meltwater driven by global warming could play a hand in increasing seismic activity too. “Our study provides the first direct observational link between climate-change-driven snow and glacier melt and a measurable increase in short-term seismic hazard.””
“Climate disasters deepen food insecurity in the Punjab…
“The child has faced circumstances far beyond anyone her age should have. The floods that wreaked havoc on the Punjab region in India and Pakistan in August submerged her family’s farm for over a month, destroying an entire season’s worth of crops and killing some of their livestock. Her only cow was not spared.”
“Tamil Nadu Reels Under Torrential Rain; Chennai Residents Rescued by Boats.
“Coastal and interior Tamil Nadu were battered by torrential rainfall throughout Wednesday as the remnants of cyclonic storm Ditwah, now degraded into a well-marked low-pressure area over the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, continued to dump massive volumes of water, transforming streets into rivers and residential colonies into isolated islands across multiple districts.”
“‘No one helped us’: The Sri Lanka community left in a mass of mud and loss after cyclone…
“Many locals say they were not warned about the threat Cyclone Ditwah posed here before it struck last Friday, and weren’t told to evacuate. They say they’ve received very little help since. Resourceful neighbours were left to try to help rescue survivors.”
“Families on rooftops, homes buried by mud: Asia floods show water is overtaking wind as main threat…
“A review by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projected that south and south-east Asia will suffer more intense rain as temperatures rise, with a “large increase” in flood frequency striking monsoon regions.”
“Forecasts of fresh rain on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries…
“Two separate weather systems dumped massive rainfall on all of Sri Lanka, Sumatra, parts of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia last week.”
“South Korea’s Autumn Was the Second-Warmest and Second-Rainiest on Record.
“This year’s autumn was characterized by sustained high temperatures, resulting in the second-highest average temperature on record. Frequent rain from September through October also led to the second-highest number of precipitation days for the season.”
“14 rain records shattered as November storms devastate central Vietnam.
“Fourteen rainfall records were shattered as three consecutive storm systems devastated central and south-central Vietnam in November, causing historic flooding and economic losses estimated at VND29.32 trillion (US$1.11 billion).”
“Floods paralyze National Highway 1 in Lam Dong, boats swept away [Vietnam]…
“Torrential rain overnight caused severe flooding across Lam Dong province, submerging key areas and rendering National Highway 1 impassable. Emergency evacuations were carried out as water levels continued to rise.”
“Filipinos wade through floodwaters due to sinking land, rising sea & corruption.
“Flooded homes and submerged roads are now reshaping life in coastal and island communities in the Philippines, showing how a combination of hazards are influencing the way communities adapt and struggle to cope with climate change.”
“Thailand pushes for climate change legislation to address rising weather extremes…
“Pirun stressed that while policy collaboration could help Thailand meet its 2030 targets, achieving the 2035 and Net Zero 2050 goals will require new tools, such as the Climate Change Act.”
“Where Floodwaters Turned Piles of Timber Into Floating Battering Rams [Sumatra]…
““Everywhere you look — left and right along the road — there are piles of timber,” said Sarma Hutajulu, a voluntary rescue worker who was helping clear debris in Tukka District. “Those are what smashed into people’s homes.””
“‘Holy crap, this is insane’: mineworkers describe being caught in huge outback dust storm [NT, Australia].
“Lachlan Marchant and his colleagues were driving their golf buggies back to their shed when they saw the earth sweeping towards them. “It reminded us of Uluru, the sheer size and width of this thing,” Marchant said. “It was just rolling at us.””
“Tens of thousands of cars damaged after hailstorms lash Queensland and parts of New South Wales.
“The Insurance Council of Australia says about 40,000 motor vehicle insurance claims have been made after storms in Queensland and parts of New South Wales since late October. Claims have included things like smashed windscreens and dents, with some vehicles written off completely.”
“Heatwave warning for large parts of Australia as temperatures expected to reach low 40s.
“Communities across large parts of Australia have been urged to take precautions as temperatures begin to soar ahead of severe and extreme heatwave conditions, with parts of western Sydney expected to reach the low 40s by Saturday.”
“A bushfire emergency warning has been activated in Tasmania amid multiple uncontrolled blazes across the state. Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) issued the warning for an area at Dolphin Sands in the state’s east, with an emergency alert advising people to “seek shelter now”.”
“As for temperature, not only is it increasing in all the mountainous areas of the planet, but it is growing more rapidly than in the surrounding plains.”
“Ulapes: Classes and activities suspended after severe storm [Argentina]
“Norma Corzo, deputy mayor of Ulapes, one of the towns hardest hit by the severe storm that struck Tuesday afternoon, reported this to MEDIOS RIOJA. “More than 100 millimeters [4 inches] of rain fell in 40 minutes,” she stated…”
“Brazil enters red alert: rainfall of up to 100 mm/day, flooding and landslides put 3 states at extreme risk..
“Forecasts of heavy rain, risk of flooding, and instability on slopes have put three states on high alert, while meteorological agencies and emergency teams are reinforcing their precautions for possible impacts in the coming hours.”
“GUYANA AGAIN – 2023, 2024, 2025 : 36 months out of 36 breaking records in Guyana. December didn’t have to wait much: – min 26.2 [79.2F] Lethem December hottest night on record.
“Here we are again and again – record after record in every corner of the tropics.”
“Forest loss, fires and invasions soar in Nicaraguan wildlife refuge, watchdog warns.
“The Rio San Juan Wildlife Refuge in southern Nicaragua is part of the best-preserved humid forest in Central America, but illegal invasions, deforestation and mining have destroyed nearly a third of this protected area in less than 10 years, according to an NGO.”
“While a harsh cold spell in battering USA and Canada, the abnormal heat persists in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, almost all countries are with record heat.
“In Mexico 32C/90F is being reached every day above 1600m asl/5250 ft like at Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca State.”
“Fire in Everglades explodes in size; smoke impacts South Florida…
“Billowing clouds of smoke from the fires has begun drifting toward populated areas, including the inland towns of Coral Springs and Miramar as well as coastal beach communities such as Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach.”
“California wildfires extinguished but investors’ concerns remain…
“The January 2025 California wildfires continue to affect the communities and individuals that endured them. The wildfires are also having an impact on investors, with climate risk now being factored in or at the very least considered.”
“Where low temperature records from the 1800s may be broken this week.
“Temperature records from the 1800s are forecast to be broken on Thursday and Friday as an air mass from Nunavut, Canada, reaches the Midwest and Northeast. Then, more record-breaking cold is possible late in the weekend and next week when more freezing air, currently located near the North Pole, reaches the central and eastern United States.”
“Tiny cup corals show accelerating ocean acidification in the Salish Sea [off British Columbia]…
“The findings shocked them. Their research showed that the Salish Sea has become 40% more acidic than other parts of the ocean in the 200 years since the start of the industrial revolution. This much faster pace is due to the constant deep upwelling off the west coast…”
“‘Creeping catastrophe’: Climate change is driving global rise in infectious diseases, leading health experts warn.
“Data gathered in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America identified that experts throughout the world consider vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue as the most rapidly escalating threats, followed by tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.”
“Why Solar Geoengineering Is Now a Moral Imperative.
“As we confront the aftermath of a disastrous COP30, we not only face a warming planet, but we also find ourselves approaching a crisis of hope… one of America’s most influential climate scientists, James Hansen, believe that solar geoengineering may be the only tool that could allow us to avoid these tipping points.”
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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.
“2025’s extreme weather had the jet stream’s fingerprints all over it, from flash floods to hurricanes…
“Looking back over the last 12 months, all latitude bands observed above average temperatures. This was largest in the Arctic region.
“Cars trapped and roads closed as heavy rain causes flooding in Wales.
“Red alert continues in Almería [Spain] as torrential rain and storms batter region.
“US demands EU exempt its gas from methane emissions law, document shows…
“Another extraordinary warm spell in EUROPE – with MINIMUM temperatures 6/10C in Scandinavia and Baltic countries with hundreds of records of winter warmest night.
“Poland has experienced its warmest December in 74 years, and 2025 is expected to bring continued above-average temperatures, News.Az reports, citing the Anadolu.
“NORTH AFRICA RECORD HEAT – hot air from the Sahel reaches North Africa. Exceptional warm night in Algeria and Tunisia:
“At least 37 dead after flash floods hit Morocco’s Safi.
“Exceptional heat in NORTH AFRICA – from the Gulf of Guinea to Libya and Algeria, an exceptional winter heat wave is sweeping the whole area.
“South Africa considers site near African penguin colony for third nuclear power plant…
“Survival of the fittest as water crisis bites in Tanzania.
“Somalia: Severe water crisis unravels as sources dry up.
“Why floods threaten one of the driest places in the world [Arabian Peninsular]…
“Egypt farmers behind world’s perfumes face climate fight alone.
“Gaza authorities struggle to recover bodies from rubble amid winter storms…
“Rain sweeps Israel from north to south as flooding closes highways.
“Türkiye’s Sapanca Lake water level drops below critical limit.
“Iraq Faces Severe Water Shortages Despite Recent Rainfall: Report.
“Absolutely crazy December warmth continues in CENTRAL ASIA. In mountainous areas temperatures are locally more than 20C above normal.
“Tajikistan’s Forests on the Brink of Extinction.
“Iran’s record drought and cheap fuel have sparked an air pollution crisis—but the real causes run much deeper…
“Flights disrupted and construction work banned after Delhi air pollution suddenly worsens.
“From tech city to tanker city: Inside Bengaluru’s deepening water crisis.
“Cyclone Ditwah takes heavy toll on Sri Lanka’s biodiversity-rich Central Highlands.
“RECORD HEAT IN BANGLADESH – Exceptional high temperatures for mid December.
“Today, temperature difference between the north and south of China is close to 70C! 
“Record heat in the PHILIPPINES seems eternal. Almost 1000 consecutive days breaking monthly heat records every single day, without an exception.
“Climate whiplash by 2064: Study projects extreme swings in rainfall and drought for Asia…
“‘The City Was Gone’: Survivors Recount Flood Chaos During Rare Cyclone in Indonesia.
“The Love Bridge in Jubung Village Collapsed Due to Flooding [Java]…
“Bushfires ravage Western Australia as temperatures soar.
“Whanganui Lismore Forest fire still uncontained as crews battle wind [NZ]…
“Havan’s Statue of Liberty falls in Guaíba after strong gusts of wind [Brazil].
“Fire Encroaches on One of the Amazon’s Most Pristine Indigenous Lands.
“Death toll from Bolivia floods rises to 20; at least two dozen missing.
“HISTORIC EVENT – CLIMATIC HISTORY JUST REWRITTEN:
“Water dispute adds pressure to Mexico’s complex bilateral agenda with the United States…
“Water Shortages in South Texas Drive Downgrade of Corpus Christi.
“The Midwest was literally colder than the North Pole today!! With temperatures as much as 40° below normal, the Midwest Cold is some of the most deviant on Earth…
“Levee fails sparking emergency evacuations in Seattle after a week of torrential rain…
“Kayaks being used to rob homes after flooding leaves town evacuated [Washington]…
“El Niño Watch 2026: Latest Forecasts Show El Niño Returning with Global Weather Impacts.
“World heading toward ‘peak glacier extinction’ with up to 4,000 set to disappear a year…
“Biodiversity loss and land degradation fuel climate feedback loop, UN report warns…
“Here’s an update on Arctic sea-ice extent, which is still at a record low for the date, about 180,000 square kilometers below the previous record daily low set just last year.
“Arctic climate rankings are in for November 2025: zacklabe.com/archive-2025/. A historic boreal fall for sea ice conditions (and not in a good way).”
“Some Arctic warming ‘irreversible’ even if we cut atmospheric CO2.
“Hundreds of iceberg earthquakes detected at the crumbling end of Antarctica’s Doomsday Glacier.
“Polar Bears in Warmest Greenland Are Rewriting Their DNA.
“November 2025 observed more anomalous warmth across the entire Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The saturated red color indicates all of these areas were at least 5°C above the 1981-2010 average.
“December 2025 has already broken more records (monthly of individual stations) than any full month in history with nearly every single country and territory having broken at least one monthly record (some have broken hundreds).”
“Storm Bram breaks 11 high temperature records in Ireland…
“Netherlands must brace for far more extreme weather, says Dutch meteorological institute…
“Hundreds of storks found dead near Madrid amid wider bird flu surge…
“Portugal’s Wine Production Plunges 20% to Decade Low as Extreme Weather Hits Agriculture…
“Historic Santorini vineyards struggle against climate change and tourism…
“Türkiye reports sharp decline in November rainfall across regions.
“Nearly 700 massive sinkholes consume Turkey farmland fueled by extreme drought…
“RECORD HEAT IN CONGO:
“Flash floods cause chaos in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
“Brutally hot night in SOUTH AFRICA – the highest night temperatures ever seen in the central western highlands 30/32C [89.6F] all night in Beaufort area.
“Gang violence, thefts surge in post-cyclone Mayotte…
“Climate crisis driving new disease threats in Africa…
“Somalia Faces Deepening Drought as Seasonal Rains Fail to Arrive…
“Another insanely hot winter night in MIDDLE EAST:
“Flooding destroys few remaining possessions of Palestinians in Gaza.
“Dozens rescued in severe flooding as Storm Byron wreaks havoc on Israel.
“Iraq Water Crisis: Deadly Floods Sweep Northern Iraq, South Faces Water Crisis.
“CENTRAL ASIA INSANE WARM NIGHT – MINIMUMS up to 19C [66.2F] In Uzbekistan 
“Sri Lanka: Cyclone aftermath disrupts economic recovery…
“Exceptional warm day in EAST ASIA – temperatures which had nothing to do with winter up to:
“Indonesia floods were ‘extinction level’ disturbance for world’s rarest ape…
“Floods in Karangasem, Bali: Cars Swept Away, Dozens of Houses Affected.
“Severe heatwave cancels event, closes popular abalone fishing spot as season begins [Western Australia]…
“Australia bushfires could be most dangerous since ‘black summer’.
“Drought-hit Chilean region struggles with limited authority on water infrastructure.
“Floods force the evacuation of hospital 20 patients in northern Paraguay.
“Extreme Weather Plunges Brazil’s Largest City Into Darkness.
“The Amazon’s lakes are heating up at ‘alarming’ rate, research finds…
“Thousands of animal species are permanently losing their habitats…
“‘Hot mess,’ Salt Lake City experiencing its warmest December in city history.
“Ancient lake from ice age comes back to life in Death Valley after record rainfall.
“Historic rains and flooding trigger dramatic rescues in Washington state…
“Another strong atmospheric river is forecast to move onshore over British Columbia & the Pacific Northwest on Sun 14 Dec, shifting southward along the US West Coast and into N. California during the beginning of next week. 
“A casual reminder: humans have increased atmospheric CO2 from about 270 ppm pre-industrial to about 435 ppm today, an increase of about 165 ppm.
“10 years after the Paris Agreement, we have reached a ‘3-year average global temperature anomaly of +1.5°C in 2 or more datasets’!
“A wind burst forming over remote ocean may affect global weather in 2026.
“The average thickness of Arctic sea ice reached a new all-time minimum this year (in this dataset)… 
“Abnormal mildness in GREENLAND:
“No criminality has ever been established for the cause of Scotland’s largest ever wildfires, Police Scotland has confirmed.
“Farmers and supermarkets worry that extreme weather will stop food getting to consumers [UK]…
“UK stadiums swap beef burgers for wild venison to cut carbon emissions.
“EXTRAORDINARY WARMTH ALL OVER EUROPE – hundreds of records of high max/high mins are being pulverized in the most record breaking event in European history. Maxes up to 25C [77F], ins locally >15C.
“Europe in full overheating for this December 2025! The latest update of the American model projects a monthly anomaly of +2 to +4°C over a large part of the continent! 
“Tornado Ravages Olive Groves in Zakros [Crete].
“North Cyprus sees extreme flooding due to torrential rainfall.
“The rising cost of hailstorms and what it means for South African farmers…
“‘Climate whiplash’: East Africa caught between floods and drought.
“Nearly 2 million Kenyans face acute food insecurity, Kenya Red Cross warns.
“Saudi Arabia’s peak rainfall now shifting to December, climate data shows.
“Severe Floods Hit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia After Heavy Rainfall…
“Dubai and Doha are unstoppable: they are on their way to their hottest year.
“Minimum 21.7 [71.1F] Salmiya – KUWAIT HOTTEST WINTER NIGHT broken for the 3rd time in a row!
“Heavy rains flood tents sheltering the displaced, heaping misery on Gaza.
“Record rains trigger deadly floods across Kurdistan.
“Russia Revives Plan to Redirect Siberian Rivers [the river Ob in particular] as Central Asia Faces Worsening Water Crisis…
“Dust storm hits Issyk-Kul region: Wind reaches up to 35 meters per second [Kyrgyzstan].
“First rain of autumn falls in Iran’s capital, but the drought-ravaged nation needs far more…
“Iran launches cloud-seeding drones to combat drought and increase rainfall.
“Soon Valley’s lakes shrink amid silent water crisis [Punjab, Pakistan]…
“‘Even the animals seem confused’: a retreating Kashmir glacier is creating an entire new world in its wake.
“TMD issues warning No.8: heavy rain batters South for 6 days, flash flood risk in multiple provinces [Thailand]…
“‘Not normal’: Climate crisis supercharged deadly monsoon floods in Asia.
“Floods and Landslides Hit North Sumatra’s South Nias.
“BMKG Reports Potential Cyclone 91S in Southwest Indian Ocean, Off the Coast of Lampung.
“Never ending record heat in SE ASIA:
“Heat stress, rare disease wipe out Goniopora coral colonies on Great Barrier Reef.
“Australia heatwave warnings: 50C temperature range and fire danger.
“Lives and homes are under threat across Perth’s south-east and north-east as two fast-moving bushfires reach emergency level.
“Southern Brazil hit by extratropical cyclone.
“Days After COP30, Brazil Weakened Amazon Safeguards.
“Amazon rainforest is transitioning to a ‘hypertropical’ climate — and trees won’t survive that for long…
“‘It was a matter of time’: Illness affecting bats may have arrived in Las Vegas.
“DECEMBER SUMMER IN CALIFORNIA – an exceptionally long winter warm spell of 2 weeks is persisting in the West: Today up tp 91F/33C at Pala.
“Utah just had its warmest November — and fall — on record.
“Polar vortex sending ‘wrecking ball’ of cold air to central and eastern US.
“RECORD WINTER WARMTH IN WASHINGTON:
“Tens of thousands in Washington could face evacuations as rain continues to pound the region…
“Flooding in parts of B.C.’s Fraser Valley leads to major highway closures, state of emergency.
“Chemical traces of 2023 Canadian wildfires detected in Maryland months after smoke subsided…
“Global warming amplifies extreme day-to-day temperature swings, study shows.
“A marine pandemic is bringing some species of sea urchin to the brink of extinction, and some populations have disappeared altogether, a study has found.
““It’s a real nightmare”— Spiders are becoming “more angry and aggressive” due to global warming.
“Climate cooling [alone] isn’t enough to save cocoa, wine, and coffee…
“2025 Set to Become the Second Hottest Year Ever Recorded.
“Monday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent [and volume] is currently the lowest on record (JAXA data).”
“Arctic in Disarray!!
“While Lapland maintained its trademark cool this fall, the rest of Finland had what meteorologists classified as an unusually or exceptionally warm season. 
“Researchers solve a century-old North Atlantic cold spot mystery.
“The whole Northern Hemisphere extratropics [sea surface temperature anomalies] are now above the tropical El Niño peak.”
“UK weather: 90mph winds possible and travel disruption likely as Storm Bram hits.
“A tornado swept through an East Sussex coastal town at the weekend, causing “substantial damage” to homes in the area, experts have confirmed.
“Record warmth on Sunday followed by spring-like weather Monday in the Netherlands.
“Athens Enters Drought Emergency as Water Reserves Collapse…
“Never ending record heat in the Gulf of Guinea area. In GHANA Akatsi had its warmest December night on record with a Min of 26.0C [78.8F].
“Record again in Tanzania: 34.5C [94.1F] at Tabora 1200m asl on the highlands: hottest December day on record, after setting the hottest night and the heat will continue…
“HISTORIC HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – record heat returned after sweeping every record on the first 2 days of December. Over 35C [95F] in SAUDI ARABIA.
“The city of Yanbu [Saudi] was struck yesterday by a powerful tornado accompanied by severe thunderstorms and torrential rain, causing widespread damage in the area. 
“‘A year’s worth of rain in hours’: Eilat reopening after southern Israel lashed by rare desert storms [Israel].
“Turkiye withholds water despite new agreement with Iraq…
““Bread has become a farmer’s sorrow”: Drought, shrinking farmland, and abandoned harvests in Nineveh [Iraq].
“South Kazakhstan Braces for Irrigation Water Shortages in 2026…
“Iran Channels Desalinated Seawater Into Its Parched Heartland.
“Pakistan faces water crisis as 80% lack safe drinking water.
“Kashmir valley faces water crisis as Jhelum and tributaries recede to record lows.
“Raging Forest Fire Ignites Landmines Along Line of Control.
“Is New Delhi’s toxic smog making the city unliveable?
“…incredible mild night in MONGOLIA highlands: min -0.5 [32.9F] Ekhiingol warmest ever in winter.” 
“60th record of December high Temperature so far this month in Japan: 
“Forest fire at Mt. Myogi in Gunma spreads, prompts defense force deployment.
“Climate change is battering Asia’s water and power systems and putting millions in harm’s way, forcing countries to pour billions into shoring up basic services, according to two recent reports.
“Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as Cyclone Ditwah death toll crosses 600…
“Indonesia counts human cost as more climate change warnings sounded.
“Orangutans at risk as Indonesia floods devastate habitat…
“375 residents evacuated after floods hit Batu Niah longhouses [Kalimantan].
“‘It came from everywhere’: NSW town [Bulahdelah] counts the cost after bushfire hits…
“Wellington North solar farm grass fire burns almost 100ha [NSW].
“Several communities in Tasmania’s north-east are being threatened by a bushfire, which started on Tuesday.
“Record warm spring across country part of climate’s ‘new normal’ [NZ]. A record-breaking November pushed New Zealand to its warmest spring on record.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN OCEANIA:
“Exceptional heat in PARAGUAY:
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN. From Mexico to Colombia record heat everywhere: Never happened anything like this in December.
“Trump slaps Mexico with 5 percent tariff over violations of water treaty…
“Unbelievable rain totals for Florida dry season!
“LA wildfire survivors rebuild holiday traditions after year of devastation…
“Major ‘megafires’ are now primed to ignite across the US. All it needs is a spark.
“A 7,000-mile atmospheric river is stretching from Philippines to the U.S…
“While the US has near record early December snow cover, Eurasia and the Northern Hemisphere has record low snow cover.”
“El Nino is set to become substantially stronger and more frequent, experts warn – triggering intense floods and storms…
“At 1.5°C, the atmosphere can hold over 10% more water vapor than it could in the pre-industrial period 1850-1900. 
“Breaking News! Code Yikes!
“The EPA website showing this insightful 800,000 year methane concentration graph has been taken offline…
“Additionally, it appears that all of EPA’s previously extensive “indicators of climate change” pages have been scrubbed entirely. 
“Storms in the Southern Ocean are producing more rain — and the consequences could be global…
“Friday ice update – Arctic sea ice extent is currently the lowest on record (JAXA data).”
“While the yearly minimum for Arctic sea-ice volume has been relatively stable for the last 15 years, this year saw a new record low for Arctic sea-ice thickness. By a lot.
“In just 5 days December 2025 has broken more records than ANY FULL MONTH in history except November 2025.
“La Niña continues… for now. ⏳
“Stykkishólmur Approaches Its Warmest Year on Record [Iceland].
“How an invasion of purple flowers made Iceland an Instagram paradise – and caused a biodiversity crisis…
“North under pressure, lice load climbs as salmon farms fill up.
“Human-induced freezing height [climbing]!
“High levels of a toxic “forever chemical” have been found in cereal products across Europe because of its presence in pesticides.
“Collapse of key Atlantic current [AMOC] could bring extreme drought to Europe for hundreds of years, study finds.
“Europe faced record-breaking wildfires in 2025: Report.
“Storm Byron batters Greece, triggering school closures and widespread flooding.
“Attica prefecture, which hosts the Greek capital and roughly half the country’s population, witnessed record amounts of rainfall, which in some locations exceeded 200 millimeters [8 inches] over the past few days…
“Researchers warn of a record marine temperature and extreme warming at 500 meters depth [Mediterranean]…
“HISTORIC UNBELIEVABLE MINIMUMS – 20.5 [68.9F] Famagusta is CYPRUS HOTTEST WINTER NIGHT EVER.
“Morocco to Triple Desalinated Water Share in 2030 Amid Drought Crisis…
“HISTORIC – 40.5C [104.9F] Mongo ties the HOTTEST DECEMBER DAY EVER RECORDED IN CHAD…
“SOUTH AFRICA RECORD HEAT. Record heat seems never ending in South Africa with thousands of records falling every single month of the past 10 years.
“Climate crisis blamed as 60,000 penguins starve to death off South Africa…
“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Fading Relevance of International Water Law.
“Temperature increase is accelerating in Arab Region, with escalating impacts.
“Iraq burns: Dust, drought ravage the nation’s core…
“6 Big Questions About Iran’s Water Crisis And Tehran’s Day Zero…
“Sri Lanka’s extreme weather death toll rises to 607.
“In the autumn of 2025 (Sept.
“A powerful cyclone with rain and snow caused flooding in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky [Russian far east].
“EXTRAORDINARY WINTER WARMTH IN SE JAPAN.
“Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides.
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT. Record heat in Southeast Asia seems eternal: thousands of records have fallen in the past 3 years every day without exception.
“Flash floods hit Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia] as torrential rain overwhelms urban drainage systems…
“Sumatra Floods Updates: 867 Dead, 521 Missing as Search Expands…
“Disease spreads among Sumatra flood victims.
“Starvation fears as more heavy rain threaten flood-ruined Indonesia.
“The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Malang City together with a joint team carried out flood management that hit a number of points in Malang City due to heavy rains, Thursday [Java].
“Several homes have been destroyed in NSW, Australia as fires rip through bushland in heatwave-fuelled conditions.
“Murihiku’s waters warming faster [NZ]
“Strong heat wave incoming in New Zealand where a combination of a marine heat wave, an high pressure and hot air from Australia+local fohn will certainly bring high temperatures.
“Record heat is sweeping every single tropical country and Ecuador is not an exception.
“To save jaguars from extinction, scientists in Brazil are trying IVF and cloning.
“32.2C/90F today and record for December again in St Thomas, Virgin Islands.
“Record heat continues in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, everywhere, every day s
“Newly released 911 calls from Texas floods reveal chaotic and desperate pleas for rescues…
“Arctic blast slams Midwest, Northeast as snow prompts school closures in Mid-Atlantic…
“New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds…
“Thawing permafrost is causing trouble for the Red Dog mine [Alaska]. Solutions could be costly.
“Another threat to reefs: Microplastic chemicals may harm coral reproduction…
“From plummeting house prices to insurable homes, climate change is impacting the property market around the world.
“I just updated this graph with three more months of NASA CERES data it needs a bigger y-axis, again…
“Breaking News! Code Yikes!
“Why glaciers are reaching their top speeds earlier each year…
“Breiðamerkurjökull (SE Iceland) 1984 | 2025
“Autumn 2025 marked by record rainfall in Luxembourg.
“A tornado hits the Taranto coast, uprooting trees in Manduria and San Pietro in Bevagna [Italy].
“Storm sweeps into Greece, raising alert level…
“While Central Mediterranean has been wintry for weeks, abnormal warmth never ends in Eastern Mediterranean. 
“Severe weather: several neighborhoods flooded in Algiers…
“When a Prayer Is Also a Climate Signal.
“Gauteng and KZN face severe weather: Flooding and hail warnings in effect [South Africa].
“Israel braces for weekend storms after record-warm November.
“Experts warn of looming water crisis in northwestern Türkiye.
“HISTORIC WINTER HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – records destroyed with insane margins. 
“Facing Severe Drought Iran Plans to Purchase Water From Neighboring Countries.
“Himalayan Glaciers Melting Faster: India Intensifies Large-Scale Monitoring Through Multiple National Missions And Early Warning Systems.
“Will glacier melt lead to increased seismic activity in mountain regions?
“Climate disasters deepen food insecurity in the Punjab…
“Tamil Nadu Reels Under Torrential Rain; Chennai Residents Rescued by Boats.
“‘No one helped us’: The Sri Lanka community left in a mass of mud and loss after cyclone…
“Families on rooftops, homes buried by mud: Asia floods show water is overtaking wind as main threat…
“Forecasts of fresh rain on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries…
“South Korea’s Autumn Was the Second-Warmest and Second-Rainiest on Record.
“14 rain records shattered as November storms devastate central Vietnam.
“Floods paralyze National Highway 1 in Lam Dong, boats swept away [Vietnam]…
“Filipinos wade through floodwaters due to sinking land, rising sea & corruption.
“WINTER SCORCHER IN THAILAND – after the November cool, heat came back with strength in Thailand.
“Thailand pushes for climate change legislation to address rising weather extremes…
“Where Floodwaters Turned Piles of Timber Into Floating Battering Rams [Sumatra]…
“‘Holy crap, this is insane’: mineworkers describe being caught in huge outback dust storm [NT, Australia].
“Tens of thousands of cars damaged after hailstorms lash Queensland and parts of New South Wales.
“Heatwave warning for large parts of Australia as temperatures expected to reach low 40s.
“‘Seek shelter now’: Bushfire emergency warning issued in Tasmania amid multiple uncontrolled blazes.
“Marinelli Glacier (Cordillera Darwin) 1913 | 2024 – another mind-boggling comparison!
“Global warming accelerates in the mountains.
“Ulapes: Classes and activities suspended after severe storm [Argentina]
“Brazil enters red alert: rainfall of up to 100 mm/day, flooding and landslides put 3 states at extreme risk..
“GUYANA AGAIN – 2023, 2024, 2025 : 36 months out of 36 breaking records in Guyana. December didn’t have to wait much: – min 26.2 [79.2F] Lethem December hottest night on record.
“Forest loss, fires and invasions soar in Nicaraguan wildlife refuge, watchdog warns.
“While a harsh cold spell in battering USA and Canada, the abnormal heat persists in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, almost all countries are with record heat.
“Fire in Everglades explodes in size; smoke impacts South Florida…
“California wildfires extinguished but investors’ concerns remain…
“Where low temperature records from the 1800s may be broken this week.
“Tiny cup corals show accelerating ocean acidification in the Salish Sea [off British Columbia]…
“‘Creeping catastrophe’: Climate change is driving global rise in infectious diseases, leading health experts warn.
“Why Solar Geoengineering Is Now a Moral Imperative.