Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharinga link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“Earth just tied its hottest month on record, NOAA says…
“NOAA’s July global climate report calculated that July 2026 tied 2024 as Earth’s hottest July, with the planet’s temperature 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average… Among other areas of the globe with record warmth in July were the planet’s oceans.”
“Late Paleozoic Ice Age warming event hints at potential climate ‘tipping point’.
“It started small. A modest rise in global ocean surface temperatures… Melting permafrost released methane into the atmosphere, and that methane dramatically amplified the initial warming. By the time it was over, global sea surface temperatures had climbed by more than 7 degrees Celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit).”
“Climate models now unanimously expect the strongest El Niño on record this year.
“Eight of them expect the record-breaking margin to be wide — at least a degree Celsius. There is no modern precedent… And now, one of the strongest westerly wind bursts of the year is about to commence, which could once again bump up El Niño strength forecasts.” [Ben Noll]
“Phytoplankton dramatically decline following El Niño arrival…
“The impact of this subdued phytoplankton growth extends far beyond the open ocean. Phytoplankton support virtually all marine creatures, their absence triggers a domino effect up the food chain: zooplankton starve, leaving commercial fish stocks, seabirds and marine mammals without nourishment.”
“Greenland Meltwater Is Bending Europe’s Jet Stream Into Record Heatwaves.
“Cold blob south of Iceland deflects polar jet stream northward, parking heat domes over Europe each summer… Marilena Oltmanns, a climate physicist at the University of Bremen, led a 2024 study showing that the cold blob has a direct connection to European summer heat that goes through the jet stream.”
“‘Extreme heat is not a distant threat’: UK on the brink of warmest summer on record.
“The UK is on track to experience its warmest summer since records began in 1884, driven by a series of relentless heatwaves and severe human-caused climate change… Forecasters note that only average weather conditions are needed through the remainder of August to permanently shatter the record.”
“Nurses fainting in ‘inhumane’ conditions due to extreme heat, union warns [UK]…
“Amid growing pressure from Labour backbenches to fully acknowledge the urgency of adaptation measures as the climate crisis bites, Burnham said he was for now focusing on the immediate crises caused by an ongoing summer of extreme heat.”
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN EUROPE. Records from West to East:
“FRANCE – 28 Monthly records (see list by Meteociel). Hotter tomorrow. ALL TIME RECORDS: CROATIA – 40.2 [104.4F] Split (Min 30.5), 40.1 Dubrovnik, 39.8 Senj, Min 30.0 Rab. ITALY: 38.4 Udine AP, 39.2 R. Legionari tie.” [Extreme Temps]
“EU fuelling economic ‘doom loop’ by weakening climate rules during record heatwave, Dutch bank says.
“A Dutch bank has warned that Europe risks falling into a “doom loop” in which climate damage slows economic growth, prompting governments to weaken climate policy, and so leaving the continent even more exposed to future heatwaves.”
“A punishing European drought shrivels crops from Dutch potatoes to Bosnian corn…
“The drought that is roasting much of Europe this summer is taking a heavy toll on crops across the continent, from potatoes in the Netherlands to corn in Bosnia and grapes in Italy. Even when farmers try to adapt, the extreme weather is hitting their crops and water supplies.”
“The ice tunnel that has carried generations of mountaineers out of the Aiguille du Midi cable car station and onto the high ridge above Chamonix [France] no longer exists.
“After days of failed attempts to stabilize the structure amid a punishing summer heatwave, crews from the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc dismantled the tunnel this week, closing off — for now — one of the most iconic access points in the Alps.”
“The Bella-Tola Glacier in the Valais canton of Switzerland has completely melted away and disappeared.
“Local reports and photographic evidence confirmed that consecutive, extreme summer heatwaves have entirely erased the small ice mass on the northern slope of the 3,025-metre peak above Saint-Luc, leaving behind only rock, stones, and a few temporary snow patches.”
“Current Swiss summer has broken many 2003 records…
“The average temperature so far this summer has been around 0.7 degrees Celcius higher than that of the summer of 2003, which had previously been the hottest summer since records began in 1864. The number of hot days with temperatures above 30 degrees was also higher at most measuring stations.”
“The rising fiscal risk of wildfires and heat [Greece]…
“Arghyrou declined to say how much public funding would be allocated to the [resilience] strategy, but said additional investment would be financed largely through higher tax revenues generated by a crackdown on Greece’s informal economy.”
“The sea around Spain getting warmer leads to more flooding…
“”Annual temperature anomalies for the 40-year series show a clear upward trend over the last two decades, both in the Mediterranean basins and in the Atlantic, of 0.025C per year, and in the Mediterranean, with 0.037C per year,” the study says.”
“The punk and the bruiser: Invasive species thrive as global warming transforms the Mediterranean.
“Driven by rising global temperatures and facilitated by the Suez Canal, a non-native species now enters the Mediterranean roughly every two weeks. Scientists have identified over 1,000 alien species, completely disrupting native ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal economies.”
“Flash floods destroy homes, displace dozens in Sudan’s North Darfur…
“The latest flooding comes as Sudanese civilians continue to bear the brunt of a devastating war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023. “
“Strong floods sweep through one of the roads in Fofa, Sarwat Khawlan, in the Jazan region, amid heavy rains forming dangerous water flows [Saudi Arabia].
“Adventure Ends in Tragedy: In Jazan floods sweep away a car that tried to cross one of the valleys.” [Arab Storms]
“HARSHEST HEAT WAVE IN HISTORY – 52c DAY/39c NIGHT.
“World climatic history is being rewritten in Middle East – 52C [125.6F] KUWAIT CITY all time record after a MIN. of 38C. Crazy MIN 38.7C Delhoran IRAN; 35.0 Makkah, SAUDI ARABIA (August record).” [Extreme Temps]
“Water temperatures in the Persian Gulf, the hottest sea on the planet, have reached as high as 97°F (36°C), over the past week…
“Some cities in Iran have experienced weeks of temperatures near 50°C (122°F). The extraordinarily warm Persian Gulf is also fueling a brutal combination of heat and humidity, with the heat index reaching 145°F (63°C) on August 7 in Doha, Qatar.” [Colin McCarthy]
“Heartbreaking scenes.. The sound of a little girl crying and calling out «Daddy.. Daddy» during the floods sweeping through the village of Sheref Abad in Varzaqan province in the northwest of the country [Iran], amid widespread damage that affected nearly 400 beehives.”
“Another insanely hot night with MINIMUM up to 32C [89.6F] in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan after maxes up to 45C. The area has been with relentless record heat for months, breaking and rebreaking every record.” [Extreme Temps]
“Is India’s Indus Freeze a Warning for Every Shared River on Earth?
“…The same logic echoes across other contested basins. Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam has strained relations with downstream Egypt and Sudan… China’s dam building on the upper Mekong has repeatedly drawn complaints from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. The Colorado River compact between the United States and Mexico has come under renewed strain…”
“Schools shut in Bhopal, roads submerged in Barmer-Bikaner; Ganga spills onto UP highway [N India]…
“In Rajasthan, the Kanota Dam in Jaipur and the Kalikhad Dam in Jhalawar have overflowed following heavy rainfall. Sri Dungargarh in Bikaner received intense rain on Sunday night, leaving roads under 2-3 feet of water.”
“Deadly India landslide kills at least seven in Mumbai.
“Heavy rains triggered a landslide on Wednesday that killed at least seven people, and injured several others in India’s western Maharashtra state. Overnight precipitation caused a hillside to collapse onto several houses.”
“Heavy rain lashes Odisha, IMD issues ‘red warning’ for entire State [E India]…
“According to the Meteorological Centre (MC), Bhubaneswar, the highest rainfall of 236 mm [9.3 inches] has been recorded at Bhograi in Balasore district, followed by 230 mm at Shyamakhuntam 215 mm at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district and 204 mm at Rajghat in Balasore district.”
“Mass evacuations in Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin brings more torrential rain to China.
“Forecasters warned on Tuesday that the Chinese capital could receive more than 150mm of rain over the following 24 hours, with some districts forecast to exceed 200mm [8 inches] – more than one-third of Beijing’s average annual rainfall of 528mm.”
“Typhoon Dolphin brought torrential rain to Henan Province, with 419mm [16.5 inches] of rainfall in 24 hours causing severe flooding.
“Lushan County in Jiangxi Province was hit by extreme rainstorms due to the typhoon! 470.7 mm [18.5 inches] of rainfall occurred in 24 hours, triggering severe flash floods.” [Jim Yang]
“Record heat never ends in Japan, even the Hokkaido coldest spots are sweltering today. In particular, the 33.6C [92.5F] at Kamoenai is a new all time record of highest temperature.”
“Potatoes ‘boil’ in the ground as record heatwave sweeps across swathes of Asia.
“South Korean farmers are suffering in record heat, as Hong Kong reports its highest ever temperature and Japan swelters through newly designated ‘cruelly hot’ days. In a potato field in Yanggu county, 80 miles (130km) north-east of Seoul, Lee Sang-hyuk dug into the soil and found nothing worth saving.”
“South Korea issues nationwide mobilization order to combat drought in southeast.
“South Korea on Thursday mobilized military vehicles and firefighting water tankers from across the nation to supply water to South Gyeongsang province as a deepening drought grips the country’s southeast, according to local media reports.”
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT. Records are being broken everywhere, every day:
“AUGUST HIGHEST MINIMUMS – Min 30.5 [86.9F] Hong Kong AP and 30.2 Hong Kong Observatory all time record; PHILIPPINES: 27.9 Laoag and 27.4 Butuan; CHINA: 38.1 Qinzhou all time record; INDONESIA: 35.5 Tanah Merah Monthly record.” [Extreme Temps]
“Vietnam’s once relatively stable weather patterns are becoming harder to recognise as climate change intensifies heat, rainfall extremes and compound disaster risks.
“Climate change and its impacts are no longer a distant threat. They are becoming increasingly evident across Vietnam’s economic and social life.”
“Manila river clogged with rubbish after Typhoon Dolphin floods – in pictures.
“Days of rain has caused widespread flooding across the Philippines capital, Manila, and filled the city’s waterways with debris. A massive clean-up operation involving teams of workers and heavy machinery is under way.”
“Breaking News! Antarctic sea-ice extent is having a moment, now second lowest on record for the day and 3.78 standard deviations below the 1991-2020 average.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA. Records smashed everywhere, every day.
“Specially of high Minimums, typical of the hot season despite being the Austral cold season. MINIMUMS temperatures up to 28C [89.6F]. Over 220 countries and territories have broken [monthly and national] heat records this month (>95%).” [Extreme Temps]
“HISTORIC WINTER WARMTH IN CHILE. Yesterday 32.5C at Iquique (and Min 18.8) destroys the August records. Next days HISTORIC 40C+ [104F] in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia & Brazil.” [Extreme Temps]
“Brazil Supreme Court upholds laws that led to downfall of Amazon soy moratorium…
“The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, plays a critical role in regulating the climate far beyond South America. Scientists warn that forest loss could accelerate global warming and disrupt agriculture as far away as the U.S. Midwest and parts of Europe.”
“A ‘Super’ El Niño Could Push the Amazon Toward a Tipping Point, Scientists Warn.
“The Amazon rainforest, often called the lungs of our planet, is buckling under the pressure of rampant deforestation and climate change. Now, another threat is emerging, and scientists worry it could push this essential ecosystem over the edge.”
“Monthly and all time records smashed from North to South. Temperatures up to 43C [109.4F]. Absolutely historic. See list in 2 pages by IDEAM.” [Extreme Temps]
“Hours after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook Colombia, a powerful torrent of water and mud surged through the streets of the Kennedy neighborhood in Pereira’s Comuna Oriente, causing alarm among residents.”
“MEXICO – Manzanillo Min 29.1 [84.4F] Monthly record Max. 37.6 ALL TIME RECORD; COSTA RICA RECORD HIGH MINS 22.6 Pavas AP (West San Jose); 20.6 San Jose Observatory (0.2 from all time R, data since 1880s)… GUYANA Min 27.0 AP – HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT… COSTA RICA 38.3 Liberia also 0.1C from August National record.” [Extreme Temps]
“‘The crisis is now’: Nevada stares down unprecedented Colorado River cuts.
“Nevada’s Colorado River czar offered little concrete insight into the status of negotiations at a summit Wednesday as the state braces for the federal government to hand down a final operating plan its water managers aren’t happy with.”
“Stingray lashings up as marine heat wave off Southern California draws more to shore…
“Hemann, a 31-year-old tourist from New Mexico, said he was learning to surf when he hopped off his board and landed on what he thought was a sharp stick. “It hurt pretty bad,” he said…”
“Midwest faces fourth consecutive day of flooding after ‘catastrophic’ Indiana deluge.
“Relentless storms that unleashed catastrophic flooding in eastern Indiana are set to reload across the Midwest on Thursday, raising the risk of another round of dangerous flooding from Iowa and northern Illinois into the already inundated Ohio Valley.”
“Another 1000-YR Rain. In fact in some cases it exceeded the criteria by almost 2X.
“Catastrophic Flood underway, Flood Emergency for Indiana in Cambridge City, near New Castle, South of Muncie, east of Indianapolis. Stay safe folks, turn around don’t drown!” [Jeff Berardelli]
“At least five tornadoes tore through the Chicago area and northwest Indiana during a strong derecho storm on Tuesday that left damage across the region.
“In addition to the three tornadoes confirmed by National Weather Service crews in the hours after the storms, officials announced on Wednesday that two more twisters were confirmed from the “catastrophic” storms.”
“Sixteen inmates injured after lightning strikes US prison…
“Lightning struck an Ohio prison during severe weather in the state on Tuesday, injuring 16 inmates – including one who had to be airlifted to hospital. The prisoners were outside during the storm, moving between buildings after an evening meal.”
“Southern Alberta auto shops busy after hailstorm leaves widespread damage.
“Auto repair shops across southern Alberta are experiencing a massive surge in demand after a severe hailstorm swept through the region, leaving widespread damage to vehicles, homes, and crops.”
“B.C. winemakers and ranchers flee wildfires, facing uncertain future.
“Wildfires ripping through British Columbia’s wine country have ruined grapes, spoiled fruit on trees and caught cattle in dangerous areas as farmers and workers evacuate to church basements and friends’ homes. The impact on the wine industry will last years, said Ron Kubek…”
“Flesh‑eating bacteria are devouring limbs in warming waters worldwide − here’s how to protect yourself…
“…rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are creating new habitats for this type of bacteria, which can now be found along the East Coast as far north as New York and Connecticut. A recent study noted that Vibrio vulnificus wound infections increased eightfold between 1988 and 2018 in the eastern U.S.”
“One year on and the global plastics treaty ‘is going backwards’.
“Twelve months after formal negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty broke down in Geneva, the new Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee has released an Aid to Negotiations document intended to revive the stalled process.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffeeorbecome 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 August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“Severe marine heatwaves as climate change plays out ‘in front of our eyes’…
“Global sea temperatures reached a record high for the month of July… “Severe” marine heatwaves affected parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and western Mediterranean… Michael Meredith, an ocean and climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, said sea temperatures were “deeply concerning”.”
“August 8th saw a global surface temperature of 17.04°C setting a new daily record, as well as being the latest date in the year on record above 17.0°C. 2026 now has 12 days above 17.0°C, second only to 2024 with 18.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“It’s the first half of August currently and the Nino 3.4 region is flirting with warmest raw SST value recorded of all time…
“Just to give perspective to the magnitude of the El Niño event… for most alive we’ve never seen anything like this and it’s going to get a lot stronger believe it or not.” [BGWX]
“With all August model runs now in (except for SINTEX-F), we now expect this year’s El Niño event to peak sometime between October and December at a stunning 4C [old record was approx 2.8C] in the Niño3.4 region.
“To see all the latest numbers, check out the Climate Dashboard.” [Zeke Hausfather]
“Trump administration ends support for flagship Arctic climate reports…
“The Arctic Report Card has been supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for two decades… NOAA informed some of the report’s scientists on Monday afternoon and gave no reason for the immediate suspension of all agency support. News of the decision was first reported by Politico.”
“Chinese shipping company Sea Legend is launching the first regular container service through the Arctic, connecting China with the U.K. along Russia’s northern coast, according to a report on Monday.”
“Scotland’s historic gardens impacted by climate change…
“[The report] identified differing threats across the country, with those in the south east mainly concerned about drought stress and trees dying, while those in the north are seeing heavy rainfall, flooding and storm damage, and those in the south west are being hit by both extremes.”
“Wild salmon under threat from soaring river temperatures [England]…
“Feargal Sharkey, the rock star turned water campaigner, said: “When river temperatures rise to over 20C, you’re in the kill zone. There have been a number of fish kills already. These heatwaves could be the final nail in the coffin.””
“Firefighters spend second night battling ‘devastating’ New Forest blaze…
“The area hit by the blaze, which started after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday, is protected heathland that is home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest national park authority.”
“Three-quarters of England in drought as summer’s fifth heatwave looms [photo is of dust devil in Greenwich]…
“Prof Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said it was a “stark reminder that climate change isn’t just about rising temperatures – it’s making droughts develop faster and hit harder.”
“Jeremy Clarkson shares bleak farm update after punishing droughts…
“In his caption, the fed-up TV personality revealed that his harvest is ‘already f***ed’ in the aftermath of the driest July since records began 190 years ago… ‘May as well just enjoy it now,’ he added of the heat.”
“The French agricultural situation is no longer on the brink of the abyss, as it may have been in 2022: this time, it is in the abyss.
“It is now no longer inconceivable that we are experiencing one of the greatest agricultural catastrophes on a national scale since 1945, or even the most significant.” [Dr Serge Zaka]
“Western Europe lived through hottest June and July ever recorded.
“Climate change across Western Europe has brought a summer of heat, drought and wildfires to the region and put the combined average temperature from June through July at 21.62C – beating the 2022 record for the same period, the EU’s global warming monitor said Monday.”
“Europe braces for another heatwave after record-breaking temperatures.
“…in France, water-use restrictions have been applied on 70 percent of the country as drought conditions worsen amid successive heatwaves, the government said Monday. Restrictions apply to activities such as watering gardens and green spaces, filling swimming pools, washing cars and irrigating crops.”
“While Europe braces for yet another heat wave, prolonged drought conditions have dropped inland waterways to record-setting low levels, exposing long-submerged shipwrecks and affecting navigation and power supplies.”
“A strong hailstorm floods streets of Granada: AEMET warns of more storms this Saturday. [Spain]
“A strong storm of rain and hail has surprised Puebla de Don Fadrique, in Granada, where several streets have been flooded after an intense episode of precipitation. The storm arrives on a day marked by warnings from AEMET…”
“The ‘red gold’ of the Mediterranean is being wiped out by smugglers: Arrest on Skopelos sounds alarm over high prices and poor protections. Greek authorities have arrested members of an Italian coral smuggling ring apprehended on the Aegean island of Skopelos.”
“More exceptional heat in this extraordinary heat wave in MIDDLE EAST.
“Abu Dhabi Bateen Airport, EMIRATES has broken both its highest Maximum (48.3C / 118.9F) and Highest Minimum (36.4C) temperature records. Even hotter night in Abu Dhabi Cornice: Min 38.2C!” [Extreme Temps]
“Welcome to Dehloran, Iran – welcome to hell! Some figures since July 1st:
“Lowest maximum temperature: 47.4°C; 12 Tx > 50°C; maximum 52.1°C [125.8F]; Lowest minimum temperature: 28.7°C, highest 38.3°C… Of course, not a single rain drop. 35,000 people live there.” [Thierry Goose]
“Uttarakhand Cloudburst Washes Away Key Bridge Near India-China Border.
“Strong currents due to rising water level in a river following heavy rain in Uttarakhand swept away a bridge in the hill state’s Niti Valley region.In a video of the incident, a massive volume of water mixed with mud rushed downstream and slammed into the metal bridge in the valley which comes under Chamoli district.”
“Another MINIMUM of 30C [86F] at 1000m asl at Ekhingool. Mind blowing, unbelievable heat for months with every single record broken and rebroken continuously. Some records are broken by extreme margins like the Min of 24.3C at Baruunkharaa.” [Extreme Temps]
“All time records: 36.8 [98.2F] Sansha, 37.0 Shangchuanda. Also 7 Monthly records of Max. Temperature; 15 Monthly records of High Minimum, including 6 all time Highs. Insane MINIMUM of 31.9C at Ningde.” [Extrteme Temps]
“Hong Kong records hottest day ever [then hottest night] as temperature hits 98.4°F [36.9C].
“Hong Kong recorded its hottest day in history on August 9, with the Hong Kong Observatory measuring 98.4°F. The reading surpassed every previous high since official records began in 1884. Warm air surrounding Typhoon Dolphin drove the extreme temperatures.”
“One million evacuated as Typhoon Dolphin pummels east China…
“The typhoon made landfall in Yuhuan in China’s Zhejiang province about 5:30pm (09:30 GMT) on Sunday, according to China’s meteorological authorities. On Monday, Shanghai was badly hit with residents circulating the hashtag “Shanghai turns into the sea” on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.”
“… a rare, massive tornado tore through the Tamsui District of New Taipei City, Taiwan, spawned by the outer rain bands of Typhoon Dolphin… The phenomenon began as a waterspout over the ocean before moving ashore, transforming into a land tornado that lasted for roughly 30 minutes.”
“Record heat never ends in Japan. Deadly heat 24/7 with MINIMUMS locally >30C. More records of all time Highest Minimums broken yesterday… Heat indexes locally rises >50C [122F].
“First 10 days of August rank as hottest on record [S Korea].
“Korea saw a record hot summer this year with the nationwide average temperature, excluding Jeju Island, coming to 29.1C [84.4F] in the first 10 days of August, the highest on record, the state weather service said Tuesday.”
“South Korean authorities announced that 277,000 farmed fish had died across 27 aquaculture facilities in the port city of Pohang — the summer’s single largest documented aquaculture die-off, and the number that finally pushed the national government to acknowledge a structural vulnerability it had documented but not yet fixed.”
“Dozens of Indonesian schools were shuttered for a second day Tuesday against the spreading haze of wildfires plaguing the archipelago at the start of a long and intense dry season worsened by El Nino… Children will learn from home for as long as air quality remains poor
“At least 15 dead as Philippines hit by twice London’s annual rainfall in just nine days.
“Baguio recorded 1,413mm [55.6 inches] of rain between 1 and 9 August, the highest anywhere in the country, against a normal August total of 963mm, the weather service Pagasa said… Several parts of Metro Manila received about 90 per cent of the total August rainfall in the same period.”
“Record South Australia rainfall hits a claims pipeline that hasn’t cleared.
“A South Australian flooding event that broke August rainfall records across multiple towns… has arrived in a state market where prior-season claims remain unresolved – and where the regulatory mechanism designed to address slow claims resolution has slipped for the second time.”
“Native birds in captivity to be vaccinated against H5 bird flu as Australia prepares for more mass mortalities.
“The first mass mortalities occurred in South Australia and Victoria last week as H5 bird flu spread to new species, including silver gulls. The South Australian government said on Tuesday that a peregrine falcon was among 33 new suspect cases in that state. Last week, cases were detected in the Murray-Darling region of SA and New South Wales for the first time.”
“In Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest plastics.
“A study highlights the risks associated with microplastics in the air-breathing organs of the pirarucu, a giant fish that must rise to the surface to breathe. Studies conducted with Amazonian fish show microplastics in their gills and digestive tracts, and experiments with the tamoatá point to increased stress and weight loss.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN COLOMBIA 43 DEGREES [not helpful in aftermath of severe earthquake].
“Insanely hot day with records pulverized all over the country. 42.9 [109.2F] Valladupar All time record and COLOMBIAN HOTTEST AUGUST DAY BY FAR. 37.4 Barrancabermeja monthly record, 37.3 Ibague all time record.” [Extreme Temps]
“Record smashed everywhere from Bahamas to Bolivia. Last records include Min 28.9 Max. 35.0 ST Thomas VIRGIN ISLANDS – record August hottest night+ hottest day. August National Records fell in Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama and in Grand Bahamas.” [Extreme Temps]
“Puerto Rico rations water supplies due to intense drought [and ailling infrastructure]…
“Many households on the Caribbean island have been split into two groups – with each having their water supply shut off for 48 hours on a rotating basis. Residents in the capital, San Juan, where the taps were turned off on Friday, decried the rationing. Officials have not said when the measure will end.”
“The U.S. just had its hottest month in recorded history, surpassing Dust Bowl record…
“For the 48 contiguous states, the July 2026 average of 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) came in 0.12°F (0.07°C) above the value from July 1936. This makes last month the hottest calendar month in national data going back to January 1895.”
“Cincinnati’s East Side saw a month’s worth of rain on Friday, adding to historic summer totals.
“A historic amount of rain fell over Cincinnati’s East Side on Friday, coming on the heels of what has already been the wettest summer in the region’s recorded history.”
“Beloved Big Sur destinations under evacuation orders as Timber fire burns more than 1,700 acres.
“A fast-growing wildfire ignited in Big Sur, burning more than 1,700 acres and spurring evacuation orders that encompass some of the area’s iconic destinations such as Nepenthe restaurant, the Henry Miller Memorial Library and the Alila Ventana resort.”
“Residents warned to brace for the worst as Canada wildfire rages out of control [BC].
“A state of emergency has been declared after thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a fast-moving wildfire spread rapidly in western Canada, doubling in size since it was first detected on Friday.”
“AI will boost oil and gas production more than green energy, report finds.
“AI-driven productivity gains in the oil and gas industry will substantially increase global emissions, according to a report led by two former Microsoft employees, outweighing any potential gains from clean energy.”
“Forget Climate Doomerism. We Know What We Must Do to Protect the Planet…
“Michael Ash and I propose a policy to advance energy security both in the short run and the long run. The key to long-run energy security is to move to clean and renewable energy sources… Here’s how it works: (1) Set a timetable for the fossil fuel phasedown. We propose a 90 percent reduction over 25 years…”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers 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 August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“Breaking News! Code: y-Axis Alert!
“As of August 5th, global sea-surface temperatures just set a new preliminary record high of 21.20°C [70.16F]. This breaks the previous record high of 21.17°C set on April 24, 2024. And yes, I had to extend the y-axis to plot this.”
“On August 1, the Northern Hemisphere reached an average temperature of 22.742°C — the highest daily mean temperature in the entire ERA5 record dating back to 1940. The previous record was 22.723°C also set on August 1, in 2023.”
“Latest multi model ensemble is out on this El Niño and it has trended stronger with a peak sea surface temperature anomaly around 4.2 to 4.5°C in the Niño 3.4 region with the Niño 3 region peeking at 6C above average.
“And it looks like this will peak now in December not November.” [David Schlotthauer]
“Siberian methane emissions have doubled in a decade, study co-led by UK scientists finds…
“The study, initiated as a collaborative project with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences during their stay at the University of Edinburgh, reveals that rapid warming, alongside increasing wildfires and shifting wetland activity, is driving a sharp rise in methane emissions from the vast permafrost regions of northern Russia.”
“All of England’s rivers and lakes polluted with chemicals, officials say.
“England’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters remain in a challenging state with only around one in seven classed as being in good ecological condition, according to the first comprehensive assessment of their health in six years. And no single waterway passed a separate test by the regulator for chemical pollution.”
“Bad news – latest modelling continues to suggest zero rainfall for southern England right out to the 22nd August.
“Have to take this with a slight pinch of salt but there remains no end in sight for this drought. Wisley is on 52 days with no rain.” [Met4Cast – UK Weather]
“Dutch sugar beet harvest threatened by drought and extreme heat…
“In several parts of the country, where groundwater levels have fallen sharply, sugar beets are barely growing any further, according to her. “If the drought continues for too long, they will die. Sugar beets have deep roots and can withstand higher temperatures to some extent, but there is a limit,” Drenth said.”
“In Bavaria, there are apparently 75% crop failures. In Baden-Württemberg, it’s probably also nearly 50% less. In northern West Germany, probably 30% less…
“In Switzerland and Austria, there are already emergency slaughters of cows… In a situation like this, I’d actually expect the Chancellor to deliver a speech to the nation.” [Michael Feise]
“There we go! The 2026 drought has become the most intense ever observed since the start of meteorological records in France, now surpassing the historic episodes of 1976 and 2022.
“…from Vendée to Saône-et-Loire, the soils are now completely drained of their water reserves… the situation is set to worsen further with the arrival of a fifth heatwave as early as Sunday.” [Dr Serge Zaka]
“The latest EDO Low-Flow Index for the third ten-day period of July 2026 shows severe and extreme low-flow along the Rhine, the Loire, the Danube and the Po, and much of the Alpine and Carpathian drainage network.”
“Europe’s wildfires have raised the danger posed by unexploded WWII bombs.
“Europe is full of buried explosives left over from 20th century wars, and the continent’s wildfires are now big enough, hot enough and last long enough to reach them… Explosive fillings can ignite or detonate when heated past a critical threshold.”
“Extreme heat is taking a toll on the glaciers of the Swiss Alps. Experts warn that melting is starting earlier and becoming more severe, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and water supply.”
“Severe storms have triggered flooding and mudslides in mountainous areas of western Austria, leaving hikers stranded at a mountain hut.
“Three mudslides occurred in the popular Zillertal holiday region on Thursday evening, temporarily blocking valley roads with mud and debris, police said on Friday.”
“Bad weather causes damage to Romagnano, Fara and other areas of Novara. [Italy]
“A violent storm supercell crossed this afternoon, Friday 7 August, the Novara and lower Valsesia, causing extensive damage between Sizzano, Fara Novarese, Briona, Sillavengo, Cavaglio d’Agogna and surroundings, and also touching Lenta and Gattinara.”
“40.3 Mozyr HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN BELARUS, 0.1C from the National record, broken in June. RECORDS: 40.3 Mozyr all time, 38.9 Zhitckovichi all time, 38.6 Vasilivechi all time, 38.3 Pinsk M, 37.6 Brest M, 37.3 Poleskaya M, 36.5 Vysokoye M, 36.0 Pruzhany M.” [Extreme Temps]
“Eastern/Central European Historic Heat Wave is ending… Almost:
“Two important records fell today – two capitals had their hottest night on record: Zagreb, CROATIA min 26.7C [80.1F] Gric and Kiev, UKRAINE min 26.0C.” [Extreme Temps]
“Serbia races to contain wildfires as Europe’s blistering heatwave grips Balkans.
“Thick grey smoke drifted over a wooded area in north-east Serbia on Friday as authorities raced to contain a major wildfire, while multiple other blazes raged across the country amid extreme heat and prolonged drought gripping the Balkans.”
“Dubrovnik’s Sea Is Now Warmer Than the Air in Many European Capitals as Heatwave Pushes Adriatic to 28°C [82.4F].
“The Adriatic Sea is beginning to feel more like a warm bath than the Mediterranean, as the relentless summer heatwave pushes sea temperatures off Dubrovnik to levels normally associated with tropical waters.”
“‘They draw blood’: Majorca tourists warned of ‘biting fish attacks’ at popular beach resorts…
“‘There are no studies into this, but the reason behind what’s happening could be that the temperature of the water is higher,’ Ron Farage, Assistant Curator at Palma Aquarium, previously told Ultima Hora, Majorca Daily Bulletin’s Spanish equivalent.”
“July was officially the hottest month on record for the Mediterranean Sea.
“From Climatologist Brian Brettschneider “July SSTs for the Mediterranean Sea. First time over 27C.” ~81F… Parts of the Mediterranean Sea are hotter than the Gulf of Mexico at 91.4°F!” [Jeff Berardelli]
“There are agricultural losses due to a powerful thunderstorm and sweeping floods that struck the Berkane area in the Guercif province in eastern Morocco today, Friday.”
“Cameroon: Three Killed as Torrential Rains Trigger Floods, Landslides in Limbe.
“Three members of the same family have died following devastating floods and landslides that struck Limbe in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after prolonged torrential rainfall across the city.”
“After the floods, hunger: Mozambique’s second disaster.
“Months after floodwaters tore through his neighbourhood, Joacim Pinto still walks past the empty plots where his crops once grew. The ground that once gave his family food and income now stands as a reminder of what was lost.”
“Torrential floods inundate the Madhba Tunnel in the capital Sanaa, causing vehicles to submerge and trapping several citizens following heavy thunderstorms.”
“Middle East is living something extraordinary with weeks >50C and nights 35/40C in dozens of stations.
“Records are broken everywhere, every day. Today it was QATAR HOTTEST AUGUST DAY IN HISTORY – 49.0 [120.2F] Abu Samra. It will get worse and worse.” [Extreme Temps]
“Sweltering temperatures, thunderstorms and dust storms to grip Kazakhstan.
“Almaty region is reported to observe rain, thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and squalls. Mercury will rise as high as 35–37°C. Extreme fire danger persists in the west, north, and south of the region, while high fire danger remains in the east.”
“‘I just want to find them’: deadly cloudbursts devastate Kashmir’s mountain communities…
“Scientists say rising temperatures are increasing the likelihood of short, intense rainfall events across the western Himalayas. In steep mountainous terrain, these rains can trigger rapid flooding and landslides, putting remote communities at increased risk.”
“Uttarakhand On High Alert As Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding, Waterlogging And Landslides.
“Incessant rainfall continues to batter Uttarakhand, with rivers in spate triggering flood-like conditions, waterlogging and landslides across several districts. Authorities remain on high alert as heavy showers persist across the state.”
“New Delhi on red alert as heavy rains pound the city.
“Heavy rains have pounded New Delhi and its surrounding towns, disrupting traffic and leaving commuters stranded in low-lying areas. India’s weather office has issued a red alert for the city and its environs with the situation expected to ease by Sunday.”
“Mind blowing record heat for weeks and weeks. Absolutely Crazy hot night MINIMUMS – 29.7 Ekhiingool is HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER IN MONGOLIA. Min. 28.6 Bayanotoorai 1100m asl. Maxes again till 40C and will get even hotter next days.” [Extreme Temps]
“Cars submerged, house collapses as flash floods tear through multiple regions in China.
“Severe flash floods struck multiple regions across China on August 5, with muddy floodwaters submerging residential streets in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, triggering a house collapse in Zhen’an County, Shaanxi, and inundating homes and farmland in Zigui, Hubei.”
“North Korean Border Military Base Ravaged By Floods.
“Reporters and satellite images confirm severe flooding from the Wangdang No. 2 dam collapse devastated Sin’gye County, destroying about 380 homes and damaging military infrastructure. Thousands were displaced by the sudden floodwaters…”
“North Korea gives unusual health advice as temperatures soar to hottest on record…
“To combat the extreme heat, North Korean state media has been promoting traditional remedies, including dog-meat soup, chicken broth (samgyetang), and other cooling foods like watermelon and cucumbers.”
“Hotter summers already locked in through 2050, climate scientist warns [S Korea]…
““Next summer could be even hotter, and we need to be prepared for it,” Kim Baek-min, a professor of environmental atmospheric sciences at Pukyong National University, said while appearing on CBS news radio program “Park Sung-tae’s News Show.””
“Record heat never ends in Japan, with nearly a thousand of records so far this summer. Today records fell from Hokkaido to the South (see below). More records on the way…”
“Typhoon Dolphin hits Okinawa, with China shutting ports ahead of landfall.
“The typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 162 kph with gusts reaching 216 kph [134 mph]. Okinawa and Amami island in Kagoshima Prefecture are the main areas expected to be affected in Japan.”
“Thousands displaced by Ayeyarwady floods face safety, food security concerns [[Myanmar].
“More than 14,000 villagers in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady region are now grappling with the fallout of severe weather, adding risks on public safety and food security. In Lemyethna township, a breached embankment triggered major flooding last week.”
“Durian growers in Malaysia struggle as climate change impacts their fruit crops.
“Durian lovers prize the Malaysian premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn, but their growers face a harsher reality. Climate change… is making it costlier for growers to produce quality durians, adding pressure as they compete with Thailand and Vietnam, which dominate a booming export market to China.”
“Submerged Indonesian village re-emerges as drought lowers water levels.
“Drone footage shows the remains of a submerged village re-emerging from Indonesia’s Karian Reservoir as water levels fall during the dry season. Officials say the reservoir remains within safe operating levels despite an 80 centimeter drop in water level.”
“Indonesia battles growing wildfire at Mount Bromo.
“The fire broke out on Monday near Mount Bromo in East Java, one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist destinations, which has now been closed to visitors until further notice. Authorities deployed two water-bombing helicopters to combat the blaze…”
“NEW ZEALAND COLD SPELL – among thousands of heat records each day, finally some records of low temperature:
“-5.6C [21.9F] at Rotorua is an all time low in its current location since 1972, Plus some other monthly low records for August. Remarkable cold spell in a generally mild Austral winter.” [Extreme Temps]
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA. Records smashed everywhere:
“Once again MARSHALL ISLANDS and MICRONESIA had their hottest nights in history for August (like for all months in the past 10 years) – Min 84F [28.9C] Majuro, 83F Yap. Records are falling in every single tropical country, every day.” [Extreme Temps]
“Winds over the equatorial Pacific near the International Dateline were the most westerly on record when averaged over the month of July, thanks to the developing El Niño.
“This likely contributed to an extended monsoon trough, which has spawned multiple intense typhoons already.” [Deelan Jariwal]
“In June, Suárez and others tallied 638 dead birds on the beaches of three provinces in Ecuador, about seven times the number found over the previous year and a half combined. “It’s painful,” he said. In July, they counted an additional 968.”
“A storm accompanied by a tornado [for the second week in a row] left one person dead, five injured and more than 2,300 people displaced in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the state Civil Defense agency said Friday…
“In total, the storm damaged homes, public buildings, schools and power networks in 114 municipalities. Wind gusts exceeded 130 km per hour in some areas.”
“How Saving Brazil’s Rainforest Pushed the Crisis Into Bolivia…
“In a remote part of the Amazon, on the western flank of Brazil, a freshly graded strip of red earth runs right up to the country’s border with Bolivia. Bulldozers are paving a road here, financed by agribusiness… as Brazilian ranchers and farmers find new economic opportunity next door — drawn by cheaper land and looser rules on clearing forest.”
“Record heat continues in all tropical America; it will just get worse with the strengthening El Niño. Last August records: MEXICO Min 30.1 [86.2F] Arriaga Monthly record (it broke every monthly record for YEARS) and DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 36.0 La Romana.” [Extreme Temps]
“Phoenix was hit by its second Category 5 dust storm of the season early Thursday morning, just days after a historic haboob blanketed the Valley earlier this week.
“Strong outflow winds from decaying thunderstorms near Tucson pushed a massive wall of dust into the metro area, impacting many of the air quality monitoring stations across the Valley.”
“Lake Mead hits lowest water level on record as Colorado River crisis deepens.
“Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has fallen to a record low — yet another sign that the Colorado River system is spiraling further into crisis. Water levels on Thursday in Lake Mead dropped to 1,040.5 feet, below the previous record low of 1,040.58 feet set in July 2022.”
“Denver just pulled off one of the wildest weather whiplashes imaginable:
“102°F record high Monday → 47°F record low Wednesday → back up to 96 or 97°F later this afternoon. That 47°F low was Denver’s first daily record low in 532 days, dating all the way back to February 19, 2025. A 55°F plunge… then nearly all the way back up again. Absolutely insane.” [The Global Warmer]
“Helicopter fighting Utah wildfire crashes with two people onboard, officials say…
“The US Forest Service initially declined to comment on the condition of the helicopter’s passengers, asking the public for “patience while we focus on response efforts” in a statement.”
“Three new wildfires across Oregon brought evacuations on Aug. 7, while fire crews near Mount Hood prepared for red flag conditions on the 50,000-acre Grasshopper Fire.
“The Woodrat Fire near Jacksonville grew to 272 acres, the Wright Springs Fire near Chiloquin roared to 8,000 acres and the Hidden Forest Fire outside Bend was listed at 20 acres.”
“Lake levels hit record lows in Okanagan halfway through summer [British Columbia].
“An “extremely concerning” point has been reached with the Okanagan’s water situation. Lake levels have hit record low points, and we are just halfway through a summer fraught with wildfires, heat and drought. Both Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes are below historic lows.”
“Southwold declares state of emergency after ‘250-year’ rainfall event washes out roads [Ontario]…
“Mayor Grant Jones said about 230 millimetres of rain, or just over 9.2 inches, fell in about 90 minutes in parts of the township, an amount he said the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority identified as exceeding a 250-year rainfall event.”
“Global food prices at three-year high as heatwaves and wars push up crop costs.
“The FAO cited heatwaves as a factor hitting wheat yields in several key producing countries, while sugar prices were driven up by fears over “persistent hot and dry weather on crop yields in the European Union” and of damage caused by the rapidly developing El Niño weather system.”
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Monday with an “Economic” thread.
Huge thanks to August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“How Climate Change Is Priming More of the World to Burn…
“Rising temperatures are worsening wildfire risk. It’s happening in two ways at once. First, traditional fire country is becoming hotter and drier in all regions. Second, the range of landscapes that can sustain destructive blazes is growing broader.”
“Last month set a new record for the hottest average global sea surface temperature in the month of July!
“Record warmth is found in both the deeper ocean and at the surface. This isn’t necessarily a surprise, but it will have consequences around the world.”
“Record El Niño Threatens Fragile Economies Squeezed by War…
“The compounding shocks of a record-breaking El Niño event and intense geopolitical conflicts like the war in Iran are creating a catastrophic economic crisis for fragile developing nations.”
“It’s remarkable for us scientists to witness El Niño’s evolution. If you had asked us if something like this was possible a year ago, it would have probably been a definitive no. But here we are… already more than 1C (and 3 months) ahead of the next strongest episode in 1997.”
“This week we breached +2.5°C sea surface temperature anomaly in the East-Central Tropical Pacific. That alone qualifies this as an elite event. But we still have 4 months of temperature rise to go. So we are headed into outer space.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“Breaking: El Niño strength forecasts have just taken another step higher.
“The new ECMWF outlook shows the event peaking near +4.0˚C in December — obliterating the previous record. This will have sweeping implications on global climate patterns from late this year into 2027.” [Ben Noll]
“It’s a peculiar summer (year) in the Arctic. This is one of the largest contrasts in sea ice conditions that I can remember seeing between the Atlantic (near record low) and Pacific sides (highest in decades).”
“Reykjavík Records Wettest July on Record as Much of Iceland Stays Warm and Dry.
“Reykjavík experienced its wettest July since records began, even as much of the rest of Iceland enjoyed a warmer and drier than average month, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s latest climate summary.”
“Fifteen fire crews are tackling a large wildfire on heath-land at Cannock Chase, in the second blaze to break out in the same area in less than a week [Staffordshire, England]
“Emergency services were called to reports of smoke at Sherbrook Valley, off Chase Road, at about 14:30 BST.”
“England starts to resemble outback in Europe’s devastating furnace.
“…authorities have declared more than half of England, including London, in drought, amid record temperatures. Images emerged this week of parched farmland typical of Australia’s outback, but almost unheard of in normally green England.”
“Jersey and Guernsey hit hottest month on record for third straight time after successive heatwaves.
“More temperature records have been broken across the Channel Islands after a prolonged spell of hot weather. Jersey and Guernsey both recorded their warmest July ever, beating previous highs set in 1983, with average temperatures of 21.3°C and 19.5°C respectively.”
“For me, the summer of 2026 marks a turning point. After the one in 2022, it becomes hard not to talk about “ecological rupture” or “point of no return” for a portion of France’s aquatic environments.” [Dr Serge Zaka]
“Italy to place all 27 of its major cities on highest heat alert…
“As temperatures in some areas of Italy have edged up towards 40C in recent days, authorities have warned people to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm, to stay indoors where possible and drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day.”
“Large Rockfall on the Matterhorn/Cervino [Alpine Italy] Sends Huge Dust Cloud into the Air…
“The collapse took place on the mountain’s south face and was captured in footage that has since circulated widely online. The images show the dust cloud expanding rapidly below the rock face, making the event clearly visible from the surrounding area.”
“Amid record temperatures, Austria’s largest glacier splitting in two.
“…the country’s largest glacier – Pasterze – continues to disappear at an alarming rate. Scientists warn it is likely to split into two sections this year as Europe’s relentless heatwaves accelerate the melting, threatening one of the country’s most beloved natural landmarks.”
“Temperatures in Central Europe soared to extreme levels again on Wednesday with Slovakia and Austria both having their hottest day on record.
“For Slovakia, it was also the third time this summer that temperatures reached a record high.” [both also had their hottest nights on record, as did Hungary with 28C / 82.4F in Budapest]
“Budapest goes dark amid a drought-driven power crunch.
“Decorative lighting on the Hungarian Parliament and historic bridges has been turned off to limit municipal power usage… Major manufacturing hubs have pledged voluntary demand reductions during peak hours.”
“Europe’s Heatwave Is Hitting Refineries And Power Supplies…
“Climate-related disruptions are compounding existing Middle East supply concerns, tightening Europe’s refined fuel market and adding further upward pressure on diesel prices.”
“Nearly Half of Inspected Homes in Fire-Battered Area Declared Uninhabitable [Attica, Greece]…
“Officials from the climate crisis and civil protection ministry inspected 82 homes during the first day of assessments in Porto Germeno, a coastal settlement, concluding that 40 had sustained such severe damage that they were classified as uninhabitable and slated for demolition.”
“Attica has lost 42% of its forests to fires in just ten years [Greece].
“About 42% of the forests that until just ten years ago covered the Attica region, which includes and surrounds the Greek capital, have been destroyed by fire since then, data released Tuesday showed.”
“Malaga recorded twice as many days with temperatures above 40 degrees in July [Spain].
“Aemet’s statistical data confirms that the number of such days has risen from seven over the last 25 years of the 20th century to 14 so far in the 21st century… Every July for the past seven years, temperatures have reached 40 degrees, and such a long run of this sort has never been recorded before.”
“Othman Bensouda, regional director of the National Agency for Water and Forests in Sefrou, told Anadolu that authorities deployed three Canadair amphibious firefighting aircraft and Moroccan army personnel to support efforts to contain the blaze.”
“Warming oceans threaten South Africa’s marine life and coastal livelihoods.
“While the cause of thousands of dead sardines washing ashore in the Western Cape has not yet been confirmed, experts say climate change is disrupting marine food chains and fish migration patterns.”
“East Africa’s iconic snow peaks will soon disappear for good – what will be lost when they melt…
“The current glacier retreat is unprecedented, outside the range of its natural variation. During the past decade we recorded 40%-60% glacier area loss in east Africa. So, half of the ice melted within 10 years.”
“The Al-Azariq District in Al-Dhalea Governorate [Yemen] witnessed heavy rains and sweeping torrents that swept through several villages.
“Residents managed to rescue a vehicle trapped by the floods in the final moments, in a scene that embodied the spirit of mutual support and cooperation among the inhabitants.” [Arab Storms]
“Brutal hot nights – unprecedented MINIMUMS IN EMIRATES: 39.2 [102.6F] Musaffah, 38.2 Dubai, 37.0 Al Ain… MAX. Temperatures up to 51.2C Bada Daffas. Records smashed everywhere and will get even worse!” [Extreme Temps]
“Apocalyptic scenes after swarm of locusts fill up sky [Dagestan, southern Russia]…
“Locusts and grasshoppers pose a serious threat to food security and livelihoods in the Caucasus and Central Asia as they can destroy crops that end up on their way. The animals can travel up to 93 miles per day.”
“The glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) and cloudburst followed by an abnormal surge in temperature have heaped misery on Chitral residents by ravaging infrastructure and suspending internet service.”
“Karakoram Highway closed, Ghizer worst hit by more flash floods [Gilgit, Pakistan].
“Flash floods triggered by cloudbursts and rapid glacial melting wreaked havoc across Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday, damaging homes, roads, bridges and agricultural land, while leaving hundreds of tourists and local residents stranded in several districts.”
“Floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people across India since July, according to official data, with thousands forced to flee flooded homes.
“The annual monsoon brings rain that farmers depend on, but scientists say climate change is making it increasingly deadly across South Asia.”
“Sri Lanka shuts schools as floods and mudslides kill 7…
“The heavy downpours struck the country’s mountainous tea-growing region, which is still struggling to recover from the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. The storm killed nearly 640 people and caused an estimated $4.1bn in damage when it struck last November.”
“At least 14 killed by lightning in a day in eastern India…
“Ten of the deaths were in Giridih district in Jharkhand, a state of about 40 million people in India’s mineral belt, where most of the country’s coal is mined. At least seven others were injured in the strikes on Tuesday, police said…”
“Shaanxi evacuates over 115,000 people amid torrential rains: local authorities [central China].
“A total of 49,925 households, or 115,756 people, have been evacuated and relocated to safety across Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province during the latest round of rainfall, China Central Television (CCTV) News reported on Tuesday.”
“A powerful rainstorm struck Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, on August 4, 2026.
“The extreme weather brought intense rainfall, widespread urban flooding, and significant disruptions across the metropolitan area. The sudden weather event overwhelmed parts of the city’s drainage system.”
“Today, 13 stations in northern China broke hottest August records.
“(Tonghua 37.7C [99.9F], broke all-time record), and 14 stations broke August Tmin records (6 weather stations broke all-time Tmin records). Tomorrow will be the final peak of the heatwave in Northeast China.” [Jim Yang]
“Japan and South Korea hit by record heat wave as climate change intensifies extreme weather…
“The prolonged heat has… inflicted heavy losses on the agricultural sector. Tens of thousands of livestock, including poultry and pigs, have died from heat stress, while aquaculture farms have reported significant fish mortality as water temperatures continue to rise.”
“No relief, even after dark: Record tropical nights add to Korea’s heat crisis…
“Tropical nights have been increasing faster than heat waves in recent decades. There was an average of 16.9 heat wave days between 2020 and 2024, a 2.2-fold increase from the average of 7.7 days in the 1910s. Over the same period, the average number of tropical nights increased more than fourfold, from 6.7 to 28 days.”
“Min 29.7 [85.5F] Tak is HOTTEST AUGUST NIGHT EVER IN THAILAND. Records smashed in every region of the country. Min 28.4 Tagbilaran PHILIPPINES and 27.2 Palu INDONESIA.” [Extreme Temps]
“Lightning strike kills footballer, injures nine during match in southern Thailand…
“Police said 24-year-old Thai player Safwan Awae died after being taken to hospital despite efforts by emergency teams to save him. Nine others suffered injuries, including burns, among them a Malaysian player. The match was abandoned following the strike.”
“According to the Forestry Ministry’s Sipongi wildfire monitoring platform, around 107,000 hectares of land and forest, an area nearly twice the size of Jakarta, burned nationwide in the first half of the year. The figure is 120 percent higher than during the same period in 2019.”
“Major bird flu outbreak risks new inflation spike [Australia].
“Economists warn that a major outbreak of bird flu in Australia could add to inflationary pressures unless governments and industry can limit the spread of the disease in the poultry and dairy sectors.”
“Brazil’s police raid suspects accused of using chemicals to clear Amazon rainforest.
“Police in Brazil on Tuesday targeted a group suspected of using chemicals to clear a vast area of the Amazon rainforest in the northern state of Para, officials said in a statement.”
“Puerto Rican cities hit with water rationing measures during record drought…
“More than 180,000 Puerto Ricans will be without water for 48 hours at a time on a rotating basis starting Friday, as Puerto Rico scrambles to find a solution to the deepening crisis amid continuing extreme heat warnings. “This situation is out of our hands,” Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez said late Tuesday…”
“A Rare Category 5 Dust Storm Hit Phoenix Monday Night…
“”Our consortium of central Arizona meteorologists… are using the PHX-DUST ranking index that we published last winter,” wrote Randall Cerveny by email. “Definitely a huge dust event! And the bizarre thing is that it is still (technically) on-going!”
“Relentless storms dump heavy rain on already saturated Midwest, triggering flash flood threats for million.
“Heavy rain is plaguing the Plains and Midwest this week, prompting flash flood threats through Thursday morning—a scene the region is all too familiar with this year. In fact, many locations are already running significantly above average for year-to-date rainfall.”
“The storm that flooded parts of Norfolk [Virginia] on Tuesday afternoon was a “one in 100-year event,” according to the National Weather Service.
“In about a 2-3 hour period, the Ghent neighborhood received the highest rainfall total at 6.11 inches while other parts of the city tracked by the weather service received greater than 3 inches.”
“Climate change means extreme fire seasons in Canada are here to stay…
“The large numbers of simultaneous fires across Canada and their rapid growth under extreme fire weather conditions are stretching available personnel and firefighting resources (e.g. aircraft, equipment) and resulting in extensive impacts to property and public health.”
“How the Climate Crisis Is Becoming a Financial Stability Risk…
“‘If you destroy nature, you destroy the core on which our economies depend,’ he said. ‘This is not some kind of flower-power, tree-hugging exercise. This is core economics. This is core financial stability, core price stability.’”
“Butterflies Take Flight in Face of Climate Change and Extreme Weather.
“More than 1,700 butterfly species across 105 countries are not living where they once did, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. That translates to nearly one in 10 butterfly species with a new range.”
“An episode this week focuses on the dangerous effects of warming, without mentioning climate change… In the show, viewable on Netflix and PBS Kids, Elmo, Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Grover and Snuffleupagus prepare for an incoming storm, then assess the damage after the clouds clear.”
I rely on donations and tips from my readers 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 August’s sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous. At his request, I’m sharing a link to his brief but fascinating essay about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the origins of Britain’s enslavement of Africans. He welcomes feedback in the comments section.
“The Arctic is cooking. Across northern Russia… temperatures this week have routinely surpassed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius), adding to the mountain of broken heat records this summer has racked up so far…
“Rising temperatures are unlikely to let up anytime soon… thanks to a strong El Niño expected this year.”
“Another El Niño Record [subsurface Pacific heat has already beaten 1997’s peak by 0.36°C]!
“That means there’s a lot more heat waiting under the surface to intensify our current El Niño event. It lends more evidence that this will be the strongest El Niño on record, and may end up reaching the high-end model scenarios.” [Jeff Berardelli]
“…what’s even more concerning is another round of extreme Westerly wind burst activity by the middle of August…
“…this will coincide with a very active MJO as it moves into phase 6, and even phase 7, which historically allow El Niño to intensify even further by deepening the thermocline in the central and Eastern Pacific.” [David Schlotthauer].
“The Stats Just released from the UK Met office are Truly Remarkable for us here in Southern England [some places had no measurable rainfall for the first time on record].
“The Driest July On Record (since 1836); The Driest Month on Record (since 1836); The Sunniest July on Record (since 1910); The Sunniest Month on Record (since 1910); The Warmest July on Record (by mean temps).” [Paul Blight]
“Jim Wayman of 3Ms, an East Anglian potato-growing conglomerate, which supplies supermarkets including Marks & Spencer and Aldi, told The Telegraph: “We’ve been chucking water on them, but in this heat they’re not growing. It’s like watering a corpse.””
“Wildfires still burning in France and Spain amid fears of more to come…
“Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, and scientists warn that rising temperatures, prolonged drought and strong winds are turning southern Europe, especially France and Spain, into a far more flammable landscape…”
“Forest fire spreads in southern Netherlands nature reserve, authorities say…
“It was the latest in a string of wildfires to hit western Europe, following deadly heatwaves that have dried up riverbeds and vegetation, extreme weather events scientists have linked to human-made climate change.”
“Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe’s rivers…
“Last week, levels were measured in Cologne in western Germany and in Lobith, where the Rhine crosses from Germany into the Netherlands, that were lower than at any point since records began.”
“For only the second time in history, summer skiing has come to an end on Plateau Rosa.
“The extraordinary glacier and ski area, accessible from Cervinia in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland, has been devastated by extreme heat. An infinite sadness.” [Mambo Italiano]
“Cervinia, the stream overflows and a wall of water descends from the mountain: the video of the cloudburst [Italian Alps].
“Twenty minutes of a particularly violent storm were enough to overflow, in Breuil-Cervinia, in Valle d’Aosta, two streams that caused serious damage to the 18-hole golf course. The water bomb caused a flow of mud and debris that invaded the green and destroyed two bridges on the route.”
“HISTORIC DAY in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein – 38.5C [101.3F] at Balzers HOTTEST DAY IN LIECHTENSTEIN HISTORY.
“It broke the record set few days ago! Also record warm night: the capital Vaduz had its August warmest night in history, first Min >23C.” [Extreme Temps]
“40C [104F] AGAIN IN AUSTRIA. 54 Monthly records, many of which are all time records.
“CZECHIA & SLOVAKIA: 40 DEGREES AGAIN; HISTORIC DAY …39.9 Bratislava all-time record… 39.9 Straznice all-time record… HISTORIC HOT NIGHT… The Minimum of 28.7C is the highest ever recorded anywhere in Slovenia by a huge margin.” [Extreme Temps]
“Storm ‘supercells’ fell trees, tear off roofs across western Poland.
“Thunderstorm ‘supercells’ have ravaged western parts of Poland, pulling up trees and tearing off roofs… Meanwhile, in Silesia further south, power cables were damaged and roads flooded. Dramatic footage and images were posted online by local ‘Storm Hunter’ groups…”
“The consequences are becoming increasingly tangible. During June’s heatwave, the Danube Regional Waterworks warned that unless households immediately reduced consumption, “the water supply network could completely implode” — potentially disrupting supplies across central Hungary.”
“Record low Danube levels prompt central European governments to take emergency action…
“In Romania, where the Danube’s water flow has reportedly dropped to 1,500 cubic meters per second, the country’s navy has carried out a controlled explosion to clear rock near the river’s Bala Canal in an effort to maintain the required water flow for the safe operation of Romania’s Cernavodă nuclear power plant.”
“Two crew killed after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece…
“Video of the incident some 65 km (42 miles) west of the capital Athens shows one of the two Bell helicopters hitting the rotors of the other, which bursts into flames and crashes in a ravine. The other aircraft made an emergency landing.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN NORTH AFRICA continues and intensifies with >48C in MOROCCO and MINIMUMS >36C [96.8F] at Tata.
“Record hot nights smashed including at Fez with min 29.9C. In Just 1 day, nearly 200 countries and territories have broken August records.” [Extreme Temps]
“Western Cape’s driest July in decades hints at parched summer as El Niño looms [South Africa].
“Though not El Niño-related, the Western Cape’s dry spells in July are not helping South Africa as it prepares for the predicted monster El Niño, which is expected to be felt far and wide.”
“Ethiopia landslide kills 14 at monastery ritual, search continues for missing.
“A landslide on Monday (August 3, 2026) triggered by heavy rainfall [much more of that in East Africa with El Nino] in Ethiopia’s Amhara region killed 14 people and injured seven others, while an unknown number of people remain unaccounted for as search and rescue efforts continue.”
“Heatwave in Gaza compounds Palestinian suffering.
“Thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza are enduring extreme temperatures amid a heatwave. Families sheltering in makeshift plastic tents are using whatever means they can to cool down amid appalling living conditions.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“52 [125.6F] DEGREES AT DAY 38 AT NIGHT in Iran, Kuwait, Oman…. HUNDREDS OF RECORDS pulverized all over the area. MOST EXTREME HEAT WAVE IN WORLD HISTORY and will get worse and worse.” [Extreme Temps]
“Water shortages hit 40 villages in Iraq’s Diyala.
“Nearly 40 villages south of the Bahraz subdistrict in Iraq’s Diyala province are facing severe water shortages due to drought and encroachments on the rivers and canals that supply the area, a provincial council member told Shafaq News on Monday.”
“Heavy localised downpours and cloudbursts battered Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, triggering flash floods that inundated homes, damaged roads, washed away crops, and disrupted normal life from south Kashmir’s Pahalgam to north Kashmir’s Lolab Valley.”
“The [whiplash] effects are felt most severely in agriculture, which employs 43% of India’s workers. Farmers plan their sowing on the basis of the approaching rains. Both flooding and extended breaks from rain play havoc with their crops.”
“At least 15 dead in India’s south after landslides and floods.
“The death and devastation began in the hills of central Kerala, where the heaviest rain fell on Friday night and Saturday, and spread north towards the coast, with four people killed in Malappuram and three in Kottayam, among them a child who drowned in a water tank.”
“Authorities have warned of further landslides… Beijing and Inner Mongolia also issued weather warnings on Sunday as China’s weather observatory warned of heavy rain, high winds and thunderstorms across a large stretch of the country from the southwest to the northeast.”
“China warns of crop risks as heatwave sweeps agricultural regions.
“China’s corn, rice and cotton fields are at heightened risk of crop damage in the coming days as a heatwave sweeps through key agricultural regions in the country’s north and east.”
“Dozens of all time records trashed in pieces. Already nearly 1000 heat records have fallen in over 20 days of record breaking heat every single day and thousands more in the rest of East Asia. and guess what ? It will get worse and worse.” [Extreme Temps]
“Three female lions, aged three, 11, and 15, died of suspected heatstroke at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo between 28 July and 2 August.
“Post-mortem examinations indicated widespread dehydration and multiple organ failure in the animals, with final confirmation awaiting laboratory results.”
“‘Stop all outdoor activities’: South Korea records its highest ever temperature…
“The south-eastern city of Yangsan saw the temperature reach 42.5C [108.5F] on Sunday afternoon, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, the highest temperature reported since modern weather observation began in 1904.”
“Several regions in North Sumatra were hit by floods in the past few days despite the intensifying dry season across much of the country.
“Thousands of homes in Binjai, Pematang Siantar and Simalungun were inundated by knee-deep floodwaters on Friday after torrential rain pounded the areas overnight on Thursday.”
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN INDONESIA. We are witnessing something beyond imagination:
“All Oceania and SE Asia are smashing ever record over and over again, only to be rebroken one day later. Today 36.2C [97.2F] Bengkulu [Sumatra] rebroke the August record set yesterday. Will it hold for over one day?” [Extreme Temps]
“Suspected mass bird flu deaths found in second state as Murray Watt warns ‘this is the beginning’.
“The environment minister, Murray Watt, said on Monday Australia had begun “a long and difficult journey” as CSIRO analysis confirmed Australia’s first mass mortality event at Baudin Rocks off South Australia’s coast.”
“Record heat everywhere ,specially at night. ECUADOR had its hottest August night in history with a Min of 25.9C [78.6F] at Manta. Expect records all 31 days of the month, because of the strong ENSO+ influence.” [Extreme Temps]
“August records yesterday: 34.2 [93.6F] Lomitas, 33.2 Abrego, 30.5 Palonegro. Not a single day has passed in Colombia without breaking records in months.”
“43.1 [109.6F] Santa Rosa de Lima Hottest July temperature in Central America history. Some local records were broken several times during the month. Unprecedented.”
“Lake Mead inches from all-time low as park service warns boaters of emerging hazards.
“As of Monday August 3, 2026, Lake Mead is sitting at 1,040.98 feet above sea level, just inches from its all-time record low of 1,040.58 feet, set in July 2022.”
“Strong winds and a dust storm are being blamed for a large train derailment that happened on Saturday, Aug. 1 in Hidalgo County, New Mexico.
“The Hidalgo County Fire Rescue 1 responded to a train derailment Saturday evening along the Interstate 10 corridor at the mile 34 marker, about 10 miles east of Lordsburg.”
“Incredible footage captured a colossal “firenado” whirling in southeast Oregon on Friday, July 31, as wildfires swept across the pacific northwest…
“Phillip Sitz told Storyful he was working on the Coleman Creek fire as part of the US Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) when he spotted the massive “fire whirl” in Malheur County.”
“Insurers are turning to catastrophe bonds to pass on historic levels of wildfire risk to the capital markets.
“Issuance of cat bonds that include exposure to wildfires has already soared to more than $5 billion so far this year, according to data published on Monday by industry specialist Artemis. That’s approaching the record amount sold during all of 2025, which was roughly double the level issued the previous year.”
“Wildfires rage across Washington as drought and heat fuel painful summer: ‘It’s not normal’.
“Firefighters in Washington state are battling wildfires that have forced 60,000 people to flee and destroyed hundreds of buildings as drought and extreme heat fuel an “extraordinary” fire season in the Pacific north-west.”
“Trump says he’s decided on a punishment for Canada over wildfire smoke blanketing the US: ‘You’ll find out’…
“Trump has accused Canada of mismanaging its forests and previously vowed the country would be “held responsible” for the smoke that has drifted south. He renewed the threats Sunday evening in a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One.”
“Shock as tropical shark caught off Massachusetts in sign of warming waters.
“A rare sighting off Cape Cod has underscored the escalating impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, after two brothers unexpectedly caught a tropical tiger shark.”
“Great white sharks are ‘already in UK’ as they venture further north than ever…
“Experts say we may start seeing more hammerheads in UK waters – joining great whites, which are ‘already here’… The discovery comes just days after lifeguards had to ask people to get out of the water in Jersey after a reported sighting of a large shark, reportedly between 10 and 12ft, off St Ouen’s Bay on August 1.”
“Earth’s Energy Imbalance is now higher than at any known point in the history of our planet!
“Don’t underestimate the rate of global heat uptake and how it can result in rapidly accelerated sea level rise.
“No coastal country or city can adapt to multiple meters of sea level rise within decades, which has a significant probability, from a risk perspective.”
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“What’s Behind the Heat Wave Scorching Huge Parts of the World?
“Summer heat is about to go from bad to worse, as multiple regions around the world face another round of record-breaking temperatures. A combination of El Niño, unusually hot ocean waters, and jet stream changes is sending temperatures soaring in the US, Europe, and Asia.”
“Strong El Nino ‘adding fuel to a planet already on fire’, warns UN chief…
“Pacific waters driving the El Nino have never been this warm this early, he said, with a new forecast by the WMO finding sea-surface temperatures now averaging 3C (5.4F) above normal… “Taken together, that risks shattering every seasonal record – and driving even more severe effects worldwide,” said Guterres. “We are in uncharted territory.””
“In the latest CFSv2 run for the Nino 3.4 region, there is now no model run that peaks below 4.1°C [mean is roughly 4.4C].
“Fortunately, cities and local governments around the world are already preparing for what could be the most significant global climate event in 150 years. Oh, wait.” [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
“Sea surface temperatures are substantially warming around the entire Arctic Ocean in July during the satellite-era. This is especially large in the Kara Sea. Note the blue shading mostly corresponds to areas of sea ice.
“England and Wales are on course for their driest July since records began 190 years ago.
“The Met Office reports that England has seen just 5.6mm of rainfall up to 30 July – just 8% of its long-term meteorological average for the month and less than half of the previous record of 13.4mm set in 1911.”
“‘It’s too fast, too big’: speed of climate crisis is devastating crops, say farmers [UK]…
“Prof Pete Falloon, the Met Office’s science lead on food security, who is advising the government on the resilience of our food systems, says a movement to more regenerative approaches, better flood management, water storage and using crop varieties that are more heat or drought tolerant is essential.”
“Why are so many dead bumblebees appearing on sidewalks? [UK and EU]
“Bumblebees naturally have short lives, but extreme heat and human activity are making survival harder. Pesticides can poison bees or destroy the flowers they depend on, while habitat loss leaves them with fewer safe places to live and feed.”
“The month of July 2026 ends today. Its climate summary confirms the historic nature of this July [France].
“In 1st place for the hottest (+3.8°C/average); in 3rd place for the driest (-68% rain/average) after 2022 and 2020; in 2nd place for the sunniest (+35%/average) after 2022.” [La Chaîne Météo]
“Bordeaux, France, has now recorded more days above 40°C in 2026 alone than during the entire 105-year period from 1920 (when observations began) to 2025.
“Climate change fuels record-breaking fires in Spain’s hottest July on record…
“The agency’s data, shared with EL PAÍS, indicates that the average daily temperature in July in mainland Spain was 25.7ºC. This is 2.6ºC hotter than what is considered normal, taking the period between 1991 and 2020 as a reference.”
“Insurers Are ‘Actively Evaluating’ New Catastrophe Risks as Europe Burns…
“Insurers, reinsurers and brokers contacted by Bloomberg are already predicting increased premiums and bigger losses tied to natural catastrophes. Importantly, they don’t see the latest bouts of extreme heat as a temporary shock, but as a long-term trend.”
“ECB official warns climate crisis poses growing threat to ‘core financial stability’…
“In an interview with the Guardian before the current devastation across Europe, Elderson said it was clear the rising frequency of natural disasters linked to global heating pose a threat to financial stability.”
“Severe Storms Paralyze Germany Following Record 41-Degree [105.8F] Heatwave.
“A devastating sequence of severe thunderstorms, torrential rain, and massive hail has battered southern and eastern Germany, fracturing infrastructure and paralyzing transit hubs. The violent weather systems follow immediately on the heels of a record-breaking heatwave…”
“HISTORIC HEAT IN SWITZERLAND 39.7C [103.5F] – it ties the HIGHEST RELIABLE TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN SWITZERLAND (Grono in 2003 is not reliable-39.3C 2km apart).
“Alps hydro inflow nears record low, no relief in sight – analyst.
“Hydropower inflow in Europe’s Alpine region is “close to an all-time low”, with no short-term relief in sight as the current dry spell was set to persist, said Montel EQ analyst Eylert Ellefsen on Thursday.”
“HOTTEST JULY DAY IN HISTORY OF AUSTRIA – 40.3C [104.5F] Wieselburg.
“71 JULY RECORDS DESTROYED, most of which are ALL TIME RECORDS… Thousands of records smashed in Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, Hungary…”
“Thousands lose water supply in Hungary as Paks output is cut and red warnings are issued.
“Hungary is facing mounting pressure from an unprecedented heatwave, with thousands of residents temporarily left without drinking water, water restrictions introduced in several municipalities, and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant forced to reduce electricity production as the Danube reaches record-low levels.”
“Danube drought exposes everything from shipwrecks to centuries-old projectiles…
“As the Danube recedes, more and more of the riverbed is being exposed. The situation is so extraordinary that the president of the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club, Gábor Dezső Kürti, was able to cycle along the riverbed all the way from Budapest to Vác.”
“Blazes burning with the intensity of ‘atomic bombs’: Europe enters a new era of mega fires…
“This all follows from Europe’s record-breaking fire season last year, with experts saying the continent is joining a long list of regions — from Siberia to the Amazon — which now endure back-to-back extreme fire seasons.”
“Greece orders partial evacuation of Athens suburb as wildfire burns…
“The blaze was being fanned by gale force winds that were hampering water-dropping aircraft from flying over the area. The air turbulence meant that only one helicopter was able to take on water from the sea to fight the blaze.”
“Thousands of people have been evacuated on the Greek island of Crete as wildfires fanned by strong winds menace tourist resorts and villages.
“Two firefighters died on the island on Wednesday when they became trapped while tackling a fire near Krya Vrysi in the Rethymno region. A third firefighter died on the Greek mainland, near the port town of Gytheio in the Peloponnese.”
“Tunisian wildfires expose failing infrastructure, community vulnerabilities…
““The fire was scorching … and came from every direction,” Abdeli told Al Jazeera. “They kept telling us there was no water to extinguish it. All they could do was evacuate us.” Some of his flock managed to escape into the surrounding hills, but Abdeli said he now has little means to keep them alive.”
“Torrential rains in one of the world’s wettest countries have caused severe flooding, leaving families homeless and thousands at risk of waterborne diseases.
“Liberia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has warned more downpours are likely in the rain-soaked West African nation in the coming weeks.”
“The Nile is receding in Sudan. Is Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam to blame?
“Egypt and Ethiopia are fighting a proxy war inside Sudan, which makes trusting each other over a shared river a much harder task… Imagine three neighbours sharing a single water tank that sits on the property of just one of them. [One] neighbour – Ethiopia – decides how much water flows out to the other two.”
“Pakistan warns of urban floods in Punjab as monsoon death toll reaches 122…
“Pakistan is among countries considered most vulnerable to climate change and has experienced increasingly erratic weather in recent years, with more frequent heatwaves, droughts and extreme monsoon rainfall.”
“Cloudburst Hits Kishtwar, Sweeps Away Vehicles; Schools Shut in Chenab Valley [Kashmir].
“A cloudburst struck the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in the early hours of Saturday, triggering flash floods that are believed to have washed away several vehicles and caused damage to property, officials said.”
“Mumbai Submerged Again as Island City Records Wettest July in Five Decades.
“Relentless monsoon showers have once again brought Mumbai to a grinding halt, submerging critical infrastructure and leaving millions of commuters stranded across India’s financial capital.”
“Four killed as heavy rains unleash flash floods, landslides in Kerala [SW India]… certain areas received more than 30 cm rainfall [12 inches] within a span of eight hours.
“Bringing back memories of the catastrophic 2018 floods that inundated the state, triggered a series of landslides and left 483 dead, Central Kerala districts received extreme rainfall on Friday night which set off flashflood, landslide and devastation…”
“Cauvery Water Dispute Escalates: Karnataka Urges Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to Postpone Talks [SE India].
“…the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordered Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka has argued that deficient rainfall, drought conditions, and concerns over drinking water supplies make it difficult to comply with the order.”
“Death toll from floods in India’s Assam state rises to 82 [far eastern India].
““Relief camps, relief distribution centres and restoration efforts continue to support affected families as the situation steadily improves,” Disaster Management Authority said… More than 1.1 million people have been affected in the state, according to officials.”
“Multiple highways blocked across nation as landslides and floods sever transport links [Nepal].
“Persistent rainfall, landslides and flash floods have triggered severe disruptions across major national highways, stranding commuters and cutting off vital road links. Authorities strongly advise travelers to verify real-time road conditions with security agencies before embarking on journeys.”
“Authorities in northwest China’s Shaanxi and Gansu provinces issued emergency alerts and closed dozens of tourist sites on Thursday as heavy rain raised the risk of floods and landslides, state media reports showed…
“In Gansu, a landslide in a valley in early July killed 21 people. On Sunday, 10 people died after a scenic area was hit by heavy rain that triggered flash floods.”
“Massive Floods Hit Heilongjiang, China: Bridge Collapses, Railway Destroyed, Jingpo Lake Overflows [northeastern China].
“Floodwaters swept away Xiahe Bridge along National Highway G201, damaged railway foundations near Dougouzi Railway Station, inundated homes and farmland, and disrupted electricity, water supplies, internet access, and transportation in several communities.”
“79 records broken Today: 39.8C [103.6F] Bayantuhushuo July Hottest day. 78 stations had their July hottest night, 39 the hottest night ever. Every day of July broken dozens/hundreds of records all over China, for a total of thousands. And it will get worse!” [Extreme Temps]
“South Korea records highest-ever temperature of 41.4 C [106.5F] as heatwave intensifies.
“South Korea recorded its highest temperature on Friday since modern weather observations began, as a prolonged heatwave pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for a third straight day in parts of the country.”
“July Highest Minimums: nearly 500 records have fallen in the past few weeks an hundreds more will be smashed next days. Deadly heat 24/7 and heat indexes even >50C [122F]. Worst nightmarish heat wave in East Asia history BY FAR.” [Extreme Temps]
“Powerful Typhoon Dolphin, also known as Typhoon No. 13, is moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour near Japan’s Minami-Torishima Island… there is a high possibility that the southern part of the islands will enter the typhoon’s storm-force wind zone.”
“First Australian mass mortality event suspected as deadly bird flu virus rapidly escalates among native birds.
“More than 80 dead and sick birds seen on rocks off the South Australian coast are suspected to be the first mass mortality event from the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, only six weeks after the disease arrived in Australia.”
“Scientists warn that something unusual is happening in the Southern Ocean…
“In late June, whale watchers in southwest Western Australia sounded the alarm… A week later, birdwatchers spotted a “once in a lifetime event” as large numbers of rarely seen albatrosses and petrels appeared off Australia’s east coast… Many birds were in poor condition.”
“RECORD AGAIN IN PERU – 23.6C [74.5F] the Minimum in Piura, it breaks again its July record of Highest Minimum.
“from Tomorrow, nearly ANYWHERE on the Pacific coast from Ecuador to Chile there will be records of August hottest night, every night. The Niño doesn’t forgive.” [Extreme Temps]
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN.
“Every single country from Mexico to Chile is smashing every record: Never happened anything like this. In PANAMA 36.5 David re-broke its July record; in COSTA RICA 37.1 Liberia Airport as well; COLOMBIA 41.2 [106.2F] [Valledupar.” [Extreme Temps]
“Cuba is living the most extreme heat wave in history with records smashed every day only to be rebroken the following day. 38.8C [101.8F] Today at Camaguey not only broke its all time record but also HOTTEST JULY DAY EVER RECORDED IN CUBA.”
“As sargassum seaweed piles up, Caribbean bets on boats, barriers and biofuel…
“Brian Barnes, research assistant professor at the university’s College of Marine Science, who works in the lab, told Reuters… “Before 2010 there’s nothing, and since then we’ve gone to up to 1 million metric tons over the entire area in 2011 to 40 million last year,” suggesting the seaweed could be doubling in mass every five years.”
“July shaping up to be hottest month on record in the US – and more dangerous heat is on the way.
“…dangerous heat events fueled by climate change are becoming the “new normal,” Steven Cohen, director of the sustainability management program at Columbia University, told NPR.”
“U.S. Raises Threat of Steep Water Cuts in Lower Colorado River Basin…
“Communities and farms across Arizona, Nevada and California face potentially drastic cuts in the water they can use from the Colorado River over the next decade under a plan the Trump administration published on Friday… The proposal raises the potential for complex legal battles that could play out for years…”
“The Feds Just Opened Public Lands to AI Data Centers—Starting Near Lake Mead…
“Located near Boulder City, Nevada, the proposed center comes at a time when more than 95 percent of the Colorado River Basin watershed is experiencing drought and researchers are measuring water levels in Lake Mead at historic lows.”
“Meteotsunami hits Lake Winnebago after Wisconsin tornado.
“On July 27, 2026, a tornado struck the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin, destroying a wide swath of the city of Menasha. The tornado-producing storm system also triggered a meteotsunami in neighboring Lake Winnebago.”
“On geological timescales, the Earth is a dynamic place. Tectonic plates shift. Continents move. Mountains rise and fall. But during humanity’s tenure on Earth, the ground beneath our feet has largely stayed put. That stable period may now be at an end.”
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“As far as I know, your work is unique in pulling together stories from all over the world. Very sobering but a better and more complete view. Terrific and necessary work. Thank you!” – Simon
“With the inundation of so much depressing news, Justin Panopticon presents it in a succinct format that one can quickly go thru and see the big picture of climate and economics/politics to stay current and if a particle topic is of interest one can delve into the details… I try never to miss any of his posts…I am a Patreon of his work.”
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About This Site
Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“Earth just tied its hottest month on record, NOAA says…
“Late Paleozoic Ice Age warming event hints at potential climate ‘tipping point’.
“Climate models now unanimously expect the strongest El Niño on record this year.
“Phytoplankton dramatically decline following El Niño arrival…
“Greenland Meltwater Is Bending Europe’s Jet Stream Into Record Heatwaves.
“‘Extreme heat is not a distant threat’: UK on the brink of warmest summer on record.
“HISTORIC HEAT – MONTHLY RECORDS: 
“Nurses fainting in ‘inhumane’ conditions due to extreme heat, union warns [UK]…
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN EUROPE. Records from West to East:
“EU fuelling economic ‘doom loop’ by weakening climate rules during record heatwave, Dutch bank says.
“A punishing European drought shrivels crops from Dutch potatoes to Bosnian corn…
“The ice tunnel that has carried generations of mountaineers out of the Aiguille du Midi cable car station and onto the high ridge above Chamonix [France] no longer exists. 
“The Bella-Tola Glacier in the Valais canton of Switzerland has completely melted away and disappeared. 
“Current Swiss summer has broken many 2003 records…
“The rising fiscal risk of wildfires and heat [Greece]…
“The sea around Spain getting warmer leads to more flooding…
“The punk and the bruiser: Invasive species thrive as global warming transforms the Mediterranean.
“Flash floods destroy homes, displace dozens in Sudan’s North Darfur…
“Strong floods sweep through one of the roads in Fofa, Sarwat Khawlan, in the Jazan region, amid heavy rains forming dangerous water flows [Saudi Arabia].
“HARSHEST HEAT WAVE IN HISTORY – 52c DAY/39c NIGHT.
“Water temperatures in the Persian Gulf, the hottest sea on the planet, have reached as high as 97°F (36°C), over the past week…
“Heartbreaking scenes.. The sound of a little girl crying and calling out «Daddy.. Daddy» during the floods sweeping through the village of Sheref Abad in Varzaqan province in the northwest of the country [Iran], amid widespread damage that affected nearly 400 beehives.”
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CENTRAL ASIA:
“Is India’s Indus Freeze a Warning for Every Shared River on Earth?
“Schools shut in Bhopal, roads submerged in Barmer-Bikaner; Ganga spills onto UP highway [N India]…
“Deadly India landslide kills at least seven in Mumbai.
“Heavy rain lashes Odisha, IMD issues ‘red warning’ for entire State [E India]…
“Mass evacuations in Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin brings more torrential rain to China.
“Typhoon Dolphin brought torrential rain to Henan Province, with 419mm [16.5 inches] of rainfall in 24 hours causing severe flooding.
“RECORD HEAT IN JAPAN:
“Potatoes ‘boil’ in the ground as record heatwave sweeps across swathes of Asia.
“South Korea issues nationwide mobilization order to combat drought in southeast.
“SE ASIA RECORD HEAT. Records are being broken everywhere, every day:
“Vietnam’s once relatively stable weather patterns are becoming harder to recognise as climate change intensifies heat, rainfall extremes and compound disaster risks.
“Manila river clogged with rubbish after Typhoon Dolphin floods – in pictures.
“Breaking News! Antarctic sea-ice extent is having a moment, now second lowest on record for the day and 3.78 standard deviations below the 1991-2020 average.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA. Records smashed everywhere, every day.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SOUTH AMERICA:
“Brazil Supreme Court upholds laws that led to downfall of Amazon soy moratorium…
“A ‘Super’ El Niño Could Push the Amazon Toward a Tipping Point, Scientists Warn.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN COLOMBIA:
“Powerful mudslide hits Pereira [Colombia].
“More EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN TROPICAL AMERICAS:
“‘The crisis is now’: Nevada stares down unprecedented Colorado River cuts.
“Stingray lashings up as marine heat wave off Southern California draws more to shore…
“Midwest faces fourth consecutive day of flooding after ‘catastrophic’ Indiana deluge.
“Another 1000-YR Rain. In fact in some cases it exceeded the criteria by almost 2X. 
“At least five tornadoes tore through the Chicago area and northwest Indiana during a strong derecho storm on Tuesday that left damage across the region.
“Sixteen inmates injured after lightning strikes US prison…
“Southern Alberta auto shops busy after hailstorm leaves widespread damage.
“B.C. winemakers and ranchers flee wildfires, facing uncertain future.
“Flesh‑eating bacteria are devouring limbs in warming waters worldwide − here’s how to protect yourself…
“One year on and the global plastics treaty ‘is going backwards’.
“Severe marine heatwaves as climate change plays out ‘in front of our eyes’… 
“Breaking News! 
“It’s the first half of August currently and the Nino 3.4 region is flirting with warmest raw SST value recorded of all time…
“With all August model runs now in (except for SINTEX-F), we now expect this year’s El Niño event to peak sometime between October and December at a stunning 4C [old record was approx 2.8C] in the Niño3.4 region.
“Trump administration ends support for flagship Arctic climate reports…
“Chinese shipping firm launches 1st regular Arctic service.
“Scotland’s historic gardens impacted by climate change…
“Wild salmon under threat from soaring river temperatures [England]…
“Firefighters spend second night battling ‘devastating’ New Forest blaze…
“Three-quarters of England in drought as summer’s fifth heatwave looms [photo is of dust devil in Greenwich]…
“Jeremy Clarkson shares bleak farm update after punishing droughts…
“The French agricultural situation is no longer on the brink of the abyss, as it may have been in 2022: this time, it is in the abyss. 
“Western Europe lived through hottest June and July ever recorded.
“Europe braces for another heatwave after record-breaking temperatures.
“Photos: European Rivers Fall to Record Lows.
“The Findel proglacial lake (2,555 m asl) has grown so much that it now threatens the Zermatt Valley! [Switzerland].
“A strong hailstorm floods streets of Granada: AEMET warns of more storms this Saturday. [Spain]
“Coral trafficking ring exposed on Aegean island.
“More exceptional heat in this extraordinary heat wave in MIDDLE EAST.
“Welcome to Dehloran, Iran – welcome to hell! Some figures since July 1st:
“Uttarakhand Cloudburst Washes Away Key Bridge Near India-China Border.
“ABSOLUTE INSANITY IN MONGOLIA:
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN CHINA:
“Hong Kong records hottest day ever [then hottest night] as temperature hits 98.4°F [36.9C].
“One million evacuated as Typhoon Dolphin pummels east China…
“Affected by Typhoon Dolphin, Shanghai was hit by the strongest rainstorm in more than 150 years of meteorological records! 
“A rare tornado in Taiwan.
“JAPAN RECORD HEAT:
“First 10 days of August rank as hottest on record [S Korea].
“Marine Heatwave Kills 277,000 Fish Across Korea…
“Schools closed as Indonesia battles wildfires.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. Records everywhere:
“At least 15 dead as Philippines hit by twice London’s annual rainfall in just nine days.
“Record South Australia rainfall hits a claims pipeline that hasn’t cleared.
“Native birds in captivity to be vaccinated against H5 bird flu as Australia prepares for more mass mortalities.
“In Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest plastics.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN COLOMBIA 43 DEGREES [not helpful in aftermath of severe earthquake].
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT ALL OVER AMERICAS:
“Puerto Rico rations water supplies due to intense drought [and ailling infrastructure]…
“The U.S. just had its hottest month in recorded history, surpassing Dust Bowl record…
“Cincinnati’s East Side saw a month’s worth of rain on Friday, adding to historic summer totals.
“Beloved Big Sur destinations under evacuation orders as Timber fire burns more than 1,700 acres.
“Residents warned to brace for the worst as Canada wildfire rages out of control [BC].
“AI will boost oil and gas production more than green energy, report finds.
“Forget Climate Doomerism. We Know What We Must Do to Protect the Planet…
“Breaking News! Code: y-Axis Alert!
“NEW NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TEMPERATURE RECORD! 
“Latest multi model ensemble is out on this El Niño and it has trended stronger with a peak sea surface temperature anomaly around 4.2 to 4.5°C in the Niño 3.4 region with the Niño 3 region peeking at 6C above average. 
“Siberian methane emissions have doubled in a decade, study co-led by UK scientists finds…
“All of England’s rivers and lakes polluted with chemicals, officials say.
“Bad news – latest modelling continues to suggest zero rainfall for southern England right out to the 22nd August. 
“Dutch sugar beet harvest threatened by drought and extreme heat…
“In Bavaria, there are apparently 75% crop failures. In Baden-Württemberg, it’s probably also nearly 50% less. In northern West Germany, probably 30% less…
“There we go! The 2026 drought has become the most intense ever observed since the start of meteorological records in France, now surpassing the historic episodes of 1976 and 2022.
“Drought update in Europe.
“Europe’s wildfires have raised the danger posed by unexploded WWII bombs.
“Record-breaking snowmelt in the Swiss Alps.
“Severe storms have triggered flooding and mudslides in mountainous areas of western Austria, leaving hikers stranded at a mountain hut.
“Bad weather causes damage to Romagnano, Fara and other areas of Novara. [Italy]
“UNBELIEVABLE 42 DEGREES [107.6F] IN SLOVAKIA. This is like a damned European Cup of Heat records.
“UNBELIEVABLE HEAT: 40C [104F] AGAIN IN BELARUS: 
“Eastern/Central European Historic Heat Wave is ending… Almost:
“Serbia races to contain wildfires as Europe’s blistering heatwave grips Balkans.
“Dubrovnik’s Sea Is Now Warmer Than the Air in Many European Capitals as Heatwave Pushes Adriatic to 28°C [82.4F].
“‘They draw blood’: Majorca tourists warned of ‘biting fish attacks’ at popular beach resorts…
“July was officially the hottest month on record for the Mediterranean Sea.
“There are agricultural losses due to a powerful thunderstorm and sweeping floods that struck the Berkane area in the Guercif province in eastern Morocco today, Friday.”
“Cameroon: Three Killed as Torrential Rains Trigger Floods, Landslides in Limbe.
“After the floods, hunger: Mozambique’s second disaster.
“Torrential floods inundate the Madhba Tunnel in the capital Sanaa, causing vehicles to submerge and trapping several citizens following heavy thunderstorms.” 
“Middle East is living something extraordinary with weeks >50C and nights 35/40C in dozens of stations.
“Sweltering temperatures, thunderstorms and dust storms to grip Kazakhstan.
“‘I just want to find them’: deadly cloudbursts devastate Kashmir’s mountain communities…
“Uttarakhand On High Alert As Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding, Waterlogging And Landslides.
“New Delhi on red alert as heavy rains pound the city.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MONGOLIA:
“Cars submerged, house collapses as flash floods tear through multiple regions in China.
“North Korean Border Military Base Ravaged By Floods.
“North Korea gives unusual health advice as temperatures soar to hottest on record…
“Hotter summers already locked in through 2050, climate scientist warns [S Korea]…
“HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN JAPAN.
“Typhoon Dolphin hits Okinawa, with China shutting ports ahead of landfall.
“Thousands displaced by Ayeyarwady floods face safety, food security concerns [[Myanmar].
“Durian growers in Malaysia struggle as climate change impacts their fruit crops.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SE ASIA. Records of High Minimums everywhere:
“Submerged Indonesian village re-emerges as drought lowers water levels.
“Indonesia battles growing wildfire at Mount Bromo.
“NEW ZEALAND COLD SPELL – among thousands of heat records each day, finally some records of low temperature:
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN OCEANIA. Records smashed everywhere:
“Winds over the equatorial Pacific near the International Dateline were the most westerly on record when averaged over the month of July, thanks to the developing El Niño. 
“Birds Are Dying. Clues Point to El Niño…
“A storm accompanied by a tornado [for the second week in a row] left one person dead, five injured and more than 2,300 people displaced in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the state Civil Defense agency said Friday…
“How Saving Brazil’s Rainforest Pushed the Crisis Into Bolivia…
“CENTRAL AMERICA RECORD HEAT:
“Phoenix was hit by its second Category 5 dust storm of the season early Thursday morning, just days after a historic haboob blanketed the Valley earlier this week.
“Lake Mead hits lowest water level on record as Colorado River crisis deepens.
“Denver just pulled off one of the wildest weather whiplashes imaginable:
“Helicopter fighting Utah wildfire crashes with two people onboard, officials say…
“Three new wildfires across Oregon brought evacuations on Aug. 7, while fire crews near Mount Hood prepared for red flag conditions on the 50,000-acre Grasshopper Fire.
“Lake levels hit record lows in Okanagan halfway through summer [British Columbia].
“Southwold declares state of emergency after ‘250-year’ rainfall event washes out roads [Ontario]…
“Global food prices at three-year high as heatwaves and wars push up crop costs.
“How Climate Change Is Priming More of the World to Burn…
“Last month set a new record for the hottest average global sea surface temperature in the month of July! 
“Record El Niño Threatens Fragile Economies Squeezed by War…
“*2026 El Niño Ahead by a Mile*.
“Breaking: El Niño strength forecasts have just taken another step higher.
“It’s a peculiar summer (year) in the Arctic. This is one of the largest contrasts in sea ice conditions that I can remember seeing between the Atlantic (near record low) and Pacific sides (highest in decades).”
“ARCTIC RECORD WARMTH – the world’s Northernmost places above 80N had exceptional temperatures up to +17C / 62.6F] (Station Nord, Greenland).
“Reykjavík Records Wettest July on Record as Much of Iceland Stays Warm and Dry.
“Fifteen fire crews are tackling a large wildfire on heath-land at Cannock Chase, in the second blaze to break out in the same area in less than a week [Staffordshire, England]
“England starts to resemble outback in Europe’s devastating furnace.
“Jersey and Guernsey hit hottest month on record for third straight time after successive heatwaves.
“This drought is extremely serious [France]…
“Dozens of records of hot nights broken again in GERMANY (see below tables courtesy of Michael Theusner).
“Italy to place all 27 of its major cities on highest heat alert…
“Large Rockfall on the Matterhorn/Cervino [Alpine Italy] Sends Huge Dust Cloud into the Air…
“Amid record temperatures, Austria’s largest glacier splitting in two.
“Temperatures in Central Europe soared to extreme levels again on Wednesday with Slovakia and Austria both having their hottest day on record.
“Budapest goes dark amid a drought-driven power crunch.
“Europe’s Heatwave Is Hitting Refineries And Power Supplies…
“Nearly Half of Inspected Homes in Fire-Battered Area Declared Uninhabitable [Attica, Greece]…
“Attica has lost 42% of its forests to fires in just ten years [Greece].
“Malaga recorded twice as many days with temperatures above 40 degrees in July [Spain].
“A buoy in the Mediterranean measured a sea surface temperature of 33°C [91.4F] today. 
“Morocco battles Sefrou forest fire for 5th day.
“Warming oceans threaten South Africa’s marine life and coastal livelihoods.
“East Africa’s iconic snow peaks will soon disappear for good – what will be lost when they melt…
“The Al-Azariq District in Al-Dhalea Governorate [Yemen] witnessed heavy rains and sweeping torrents that swept through several villages.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST:
“Apocalyptic scenes after swarm of locusts fill up sky [Dagestan, southern Russia]…
“Glof, cloudburst ravage Chitral [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan].
“Karakoram Highway closed, Ghizer worst hit by more flash floods [Gilgit, Pakistan].
“Floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people across India since July, according to official data, with thousands forced to flee flooded homes.
“Sri Lanka shuts schools as floods and mudslides kill 7…
“At least 14 killed by lightning in a day in eastern India…
“Shaanxi evacuates over 115,000 people amid torrential rains: local authorities [central China].
“A powerful rainstorm struck Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, on August 4, 2026. 
“Today, 13 stations in northern China broke hottest August records.
“Japan and South Korea hit by record heat wave as climate change intensifies extreme weather…
“No relief, even after dark: Record tropical nights add to Korea’s heat crisis…
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SE ASIA:
“Lightning strike kills footballer, injures nine during match in southern Thailand…
“Early wildfire surge raises alarm in Indonesia.
“Major bird flu outbreak risks new inflation spike [Australia].
“Mango producers in northern Peru hoping to see a recovery in the 2026/27 harvest have been dealt a blow following the hottest July on record.
“Brazil’s police raid suspects accused of using chemicals to clear Amazon rainforest.
“Puerto Rican cities hit with water rationing measures during record drought…
“A Rare Category 5 Dust Storm Hit Phoenix Monday Night…
“Relentless storms dump heavy rain on already saturated Midwest, triggering flash flood threats for million.
“The storm that flooded parts of Norfolk [Virginia] on Tuesday afternoon was a “one in 100-year event,” according to the National Weather Service.
“Climate change means extreme fire seasons in Canada are here to stay…
“How the Climate Crisis Is Becoming a Financial Stability Risk…
“Butterflies Take Flight in Face of Climate Change and Extreme Weather.
“Climate change comes to Sesame Street…
“The Arctic is cooking. Across northern Russia… temperatures this week have routinely surpassed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius), adding to the mountain of broken heat records this summer has racked up so far… 
“Another El Niño Record [subsurface Pacific heat has already beaten 1997’s peak by 0.36°C]!
“…what’s even more concerning is another round of extreme Westerly wind burst activity by the middle of August…
“The Stats Just released from the UK Met office are Truly Remarkable for us here in Southern England [some places had no measurable rainfall for the first time on record]. 
“Heatwaves trigger potato crisis [UK]…
“Wildfires still burning in France and Spain amid fears of more to come…
“Forest fire spreads in southern Netherlands nature reserve, authorities say…
“Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe’s rivers…
“For only the second time in history, summer skiing has come to an end on Plateau Rosa.
“Cervinia, the stream overflows and a wall of water descends from the mountain: the video of the cloudburst [Italian Alps].
“HISTORIC DAY in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein – 38.5C [101.3F] at Balzers HOTTEST DAY IN LIECHTENSTEIN HISTORY.
“40C [104F] AGAIN IN AUSTRIA. 54 Monthly records, many of which are all time records.
“Storm ‘supercells’ fell trees, tear off roofs across western Poland.
“In Hungary, a wetland paradise lost…
“Record low Danube levels prompt central European governments to take emergency action…
“Firefighters spray water on locals in Albania amid heatwave.
“Two crew killed after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece…
“Now that the month is over, it’s time to look at some regional SST series. The Mediterranean had its warmest July on record with a 2.08K anomaly.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN NORTH AFRICA continues and intensifies with >48C in MOROCCO and MINIMUMS >36C [96.8F] at Tata.
“Western Cape’s driest July in decades hints at parched summer as El Niño looms [South Africa].
“Ethiopia landslide kills 14 at monastery ritual, search continues for missing.
“Heatwave in Gaza compounds Palestinian suffering.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST – WORLD CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN:
“Water shortages hit 40 villages in Iraq’s Diyala.
“Cloudbursts ravage Kashmir.
“India’s monsoon is getting weirder.
“At least 15 dead in India’s south after landslides and floods.
“NW China: Dozens dead in Gansu flash floods.
“China warns of crop risks as heatwave sweeps agricultural regions.
“ABSOLUTE INSANITY IN JAPAN 40C [104F] again.
“Three female lions, aged three, 11, and 15, died of suspected heatstroke at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo between 28 July and 2 August.
“‘Stop all outdoor activities’: South Korea records its highest ever temperature…
“Several regions in North Sumatra were hit by floods in the past few days despite the intensifying dry season across much of the country.
“EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN INDONESIA. We are witnessing something beyond imagination:
“Suspected mass bird flu deaths found in second state as Murray Watt warns ‘this is the beginning’.
“SOUTH AMERICA RECORD HEAT:
“Endless record heat in COLOMBIA:
“EL SALVADOR HISTORIC HEAT WAVE:
“Another exceptional hot day with an avalanche of records in The West. MINIMUM of 97F/36.1C at Phoenix – hottest night in history tied again.
“Lake Mead inches from all-time low as park service warns boaters of emerging hazards.
“Strong winds and a dust storm are being blamed for a large train derailment that happened on Saturday, Aug. 1 in Hidalgo County, New Mexico.
“Incredible footage captured a colossal “firenado” whirling in southeast Oregon on Friday, July 31, as wildfires swept across the pacific northwest…
“Insurers are turning to catastrophe bonds to pass on historic levels of wildfire risk to the capital markets.
“Wildfires rage across Washington as drought and heat fuel painful summer: ‘It’s not normal’.
“Trump says he’s decided on a punishment for Canada over wildfire smoke blanketing the US: ‘You’ll find out’…
“Shock as tropical shark caught off Massachusetts in sign of warming waters.
“Great white sharks are ‘already in UK’ as they venture further north than ever…
“Earth’s Energy Imbalance is now higher than at any known point in the history of our planet!
“What’s Behind the Heat Wave Scorching Huge Parts of the World?
“Strong El Nino ‘adding fuel to a planet already on fire’, warns UN chief…
“In the latest CFSv2 run for the Nino 3.4 region, there is now no model run that peaks below 4.1°C [mean is roughly 4.4C].
“Sea surface temperatures are substantially warming around the entire Arctic Ocean in July during the satellite-era. This is especially large in the Kara Sea. Note the blue shading mostly corresponds to areas of sea ice.
“England and Wales are on course for their driest July since records began 190 years ago.
“‘It’s too fast, too big’: speed of climate crisis is devastating crops, say farmers [UK]…
“Why are so many dead bumblebees appearing on sidewalks? [UK and EU]
“The month of July 2026 ends today. Its climate summary confirms the historic nature of this July [France]. 
“Bordeaux, France, has now recorded more days above 40°C in 2026 alone than during the entire 105-year period from 1920 (when observations began) to 2025. 
“Climate change fuels record-breaking fires in Spain’s hottest July on record…
“Insurers Are ‘Actively Evaluating’ New Catastrophe Risks as Europe Burns…
“ECB official warns climate crisis poses growing threat to ‘core financial stability’…
“Severe Storms Paralyze Germany Following Record 41-Degree [105.8F] Heatwave.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN SWITZERLAND 39.7C [103.5F] – it ties the HIGHEST RELIABLE TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN SWITZERLAND (Grono in 2003 is not reliable-39.3C 2km apart).
“Alps hydro inflow nears record low, no relief in sight – analyst.
“HOTTEST JULY DAY IN HISTORY OF AUSTRIA – 40.3C [104.5F] Wieselburg.
“Thousands lose water supply in Hungary as Paks output is cut and red warnings are issued.
“Danube drought exposes everything from shipwrecks to centuries-old projectiles…
“Blazes burning with the intensity of ‘atomic bombs’: Europe enters a new era of mega fires…
“Greece orders partial evacuation of Athens suburb as wildfire burns…
“Thousands of people have been evacuated on the Greek island of Crete as wildfires fanned by strong winds menace tourist resorts and villages.
“Tunisian wildfires expose failing infrastructure, community vulnerabilities…
“Torrential rains in one of the world’s wettest countries have caused severe flooding, leaving families homeless and thousands at risk of waterborne diseases.
“The no-winter continues in Southern Africa with max. temperatures close to 30C [86F] on the highlands even >1500m asl and warm nights:
“The Nile is receding in Sudan. Is Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam to blame?
“Today, may God have mercy on him Aayed Dalbooh drowned in the flash flood of Wadi Kahla – Saudi Arabia.
“Pakistan warns of urban floods in Punjab as monsoon death toll reaches 122…
“Cloudburst Hits Kishtwar, Sweeps Away Vehicles; Schools Shut in Chenab Valley [Kashmir].
“Mumbai Submerged Again as Island City Records Wettest July in Five Decades.
“Four killed as heavy rains unleash flash floods, landslides in Kerala [SW India]… certain areas received more than 30 cm rainfall [12 inches] within a span of eight hours.
“Cauvery Water Dispute Escalates: Karnataka Urges Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to Postpone Talks [SE India].
“Death toll from floods in India’s Assam state rises to 82 [far eastern India].
“Multiple highways blocked across nation as landslides and floods sever transport links [Nepal].
“Authorities in northwest China’s Shaanxi and Gansu provinces issued emergency alerts and closed dozens of tourist sites on Thursday as heavy rain raised the risk of floods and landslides, state media reports showed…
“Massive Floods Hit Heilongjiang, China: Bridge Collapses, Railway Destroyed, Jingpo Lake Overflows [northeastern China].
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CHINA:
“South Korea records highest-ever temperature of 41.4 C [106.5F] as heatwave intensifies.
“Another avalanche of records in JAPAN:
“Typhoon Dolphin Approaching Ogasawara Islands.
“First Australian mass mortality event suspected as deadly bird flu virus rapidly escalates among native birds.
“Scientists warn that something unusual is happening in the Southern Ocean…
“RECORD AGAIN IN PERU – 23.6C [74.5F] the Minimum in Piura, it breaks again its July record of Highest Minimum.
“HISTORIC WINTER HEAT IN SOUTH AMERICA – 39.2 [102.6F] Mariscal Estigarribia is HOTTEST JULY DAY EVER RECORDED IN PARAGUAY.
“EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN.
“HISTORIC HEAT IN CUBA:
“As sargassum seaweed piles up, Caribbean bets on boats, barriers and biofuel…
“July shaping up to be hottest month on record in the US – and more dangerous heat is on the way.
“U.S. Raises Threat of Steep Water Cuts in Lower Colorado River Basin…
“The Feds Just Opened Public Lands to AI Data Centers—Starting Near Lake Mead…
“Meteotsunami hits Lake Winnebago after Wisconsin tornado.
“Climate Change Is Moving Mountains.