“Floods devastate Philippines, fuel concerns over extreme weather… The Philippines has been welcomed into the new year by incessant rain, fatal flooding and landslides in many provinces.
“Nearly every day so far in January, heavy rains have caused a town or city to issue emergency warnings, order evacuations or respond with relief efforts. At least 28 people have died this month, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday. More than 211,000 people have been displaced…
“That follows the 50 killed and more than 50,000 displaced during the holiday season by torrential rains that began Dec. 25 and continued through New Year’s Day.”
“Warming ocean waters in Western Australia are a ‘sentinel of climate change’, UWA researchers say.
“Researchers from the University of Western Australia say the WA’s waters are an international “sentinel of climate change”. Professor of marine ecology Thomas Wernberg and a team of academics presented their research to the 13th International Symposium of Temperate Reef Systems in Tasmania last week.”
“Australians have been told to brace for wild weather this week as one state swelters through an intense heatwave while another is plagued by heavy rain and floods.
“Up to one metre of rain is predicted to fall on Queensland’s north and the Whitsundays by midweek as heavy showers and flooding continues.”
“New lake created by Cyclone Hale being closely watched [NZ]…
“The lake, thought to be about 1km long and about 15 metres deep, has been formed in the Waiorongomai River, a tributary of the Tapuaeroa River, which enters the Waiapu River near Ruatoria. The lake was created by a massive landslide of earth and bush…”
“The tiny Enderby Island, located in the Auckland Islands archipelago at latitude 50S,an uninhabited territory of New Zealand, rose to 16.9C [62.4F] on 15 January.
“This ties the highest temperature on record for this island, which was set on 29 December 2005.”
“Drought alarm in Uruguay: the government will extend the agricultural emergency until April.
“The drought that affects the entire Uruguayan territory in recent weeks has become critical for the productive sector. Harvests are being severely affected, with consequences that will last throughout the year, according to specialists.”
“Due to drought, Argentina loses half a soybean harvest in its main producing area…
“”Although it was known that it would be a very difficult campaign due to the drought, what is seen has surpassed the worst nightmares of the producers,” explained the stock exchange entity of the city that concentrates the largest agro-export pole in the country, 310 km north of Buenos Aires.”
“At Least Two Dead and Multiple Rescues After Landslides in Tijuana Due to Storm.
“Carrillo mentioned that the incident was a consequence of the saturation of so much water that had fallen, which caused the slope to give way and fall on the house. The mayor of Tijuana, Montserrat Caballero issued a statement and lamented the death of the minors because of the effects of Sunday’s storms.”
“A World War II battery bunker tumbled down a cliff onto a San Francisco beach, officials said Monday.
“It’s the latest in a series of landslides across California, due to saturated ground. Record rain and floods have constantly belted the state since New Year’s Eve.”
“Second wettest water year on record reported for Reno already.
“Since October 1, Reno has seen 7.4 inches of liquid which surpasses the annual average of 7.35 inches. The best year on record was 2017 when 8.35 inches of precipitation fell in the Biggest Little City.”
“‘Our water tanks will be dry within days’: Arizona city cuts OFF water to neighbors amid drought…
“Scottsdale has blamed the ongoing drought for its decision to shut off tap water for its neighbors. The city says it can no longer afford to sell water to its neighbors and must concentrate instead on conserving water for its own residences.”
“Town where Martin Luther King Jr made historic march reels from tornado.
“As the US marked Martin Luther King Jr Day on Monday, the town of Selma, Alabama, that hosted his historic 1965 march was still reeling from a tornado that destroyed buildings, swept away roofs and tossed around mobile homes.”
“Historic cold in Cuba: The lowest temperature today was +1.5C at Indio Hatuey, only 0.9C from the official all time low of Cuba.
“Historic cold also in the eastern town of Guantanamo with 9.9C (49.8F): it’s the lowest temperature ever recorded. New record also at La Jiquima with 7.4C.”
“Florida citrus growers face challenges from lowest crop yield in more than 80 years.
“”Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced Thursday that the latest crop forecast is now worse than the original estimate. The biggest issues were freezes, tree disease and inflation.”
“Warm January confuses DC’s cherry blossoms… The traditional coldest month of the year in the nation’s capital has been more like spring or late fall…“
“Halifax [Nova Scotia] set to break record for least snowy winter, expert says…
““This has been the least snowiest year if I’m looking at the records for the Halifax airport, in the history of Halifax,” said Jim Abraham, president of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.”
“Part of Canada was nearly warmer than the entire U.S., see how it happened…
“Florida was at or below 14°C on Sunday morning, making St. John’s, N.L., warmer for several hours. It is a rare occurrence for part of Canada to be nearly as warm as the entire United States, especially in the middle of January.”
“NWT, warming faster than anywhere in Canada, feels it most in winter.
“The Northwest Territories has warmed more than any other jurisdiction in Canada, trends over the past 75 years show. Whereas the country has warmed 1.9C on average since 1948, the NWT’s temperature trend over that period shows a significantly higher 2.8C of warming.”
“Siberia Was Blasted By Temperatures Of -62°C This Weekend.
“Siberia is currently going through some dangerously cold weather. On Sunday, January 15, temperatures of -62.4°C (-80.32°F) were picked up in Tongulakh, a rural part of Sakha Republic, Russia. The temperatures were reported by Ventusky, a meteorological company based in Czechia. They explain that this is a “new all-time low” for the station at Tongulakh and the coldest temperature in Siberia since 2002.”
“Svalbard tourism faces restrictions as temperatures keep rising.
“Norway’s Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is in the midst of recording its mildest January in 90 years.Climate researchers think temperatures will keep on rising, so officials are trying once again to restrict tourism because of its contribution to climate change.”
“Latvian authorities on Sunday urged residents of certain central areas to evacuate their homes in response to the worst flooding the Baltic state has seen in decades. “It will be near impossible to get you out from among the ice cold sludge once it rushes into your homes,” Raivis Ragainis, mayor of the city of Jekabpils, warned on local radio.”
“Pictures show scale of flooding in the South West after days of heavy rain [UK].
“After days of relentless heavy rain, many areas in the West Country have been subjected to severe flooding. Rivers burst their banks, blocked drains flooded roads and many homes and businesses were left with debris when waters rose above ground level.”
“The Mont Blanc’s popularity poses a growing security and environmental challenge, local officials have warned. Warmer temperatures in recent years have melted permafrost, raising the risk of rock falls on the most popular routes.”
“From Ireland to Croatia, and from the Arctic to the Mediterranean sea, Europe saw examples of extreme weather in 2022 and experts are warning this could be the new normal.
Climatologist Valerie Masson-Delmotte of Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat… said… “The Summer of 2022, for me, truly saw the materialisation of a new climate.” …Dr Matthius Huss, Climatologist, ETH, Zurich says the Swiss Alps lost 6% of their total remaining ice volume…”
“Almeria’s first forest fire of 2023 breaks out in Lubrin municipality [Andalusia, Spain].
“As reported this evening, Monday, January 16, by Plan Infoca on its official Twitter profile, a forest fire has broken out in Almeria’s Lubrin municipality in the Levante region. The blaze is believed to have originated in the so-called Cortijada del Chive de Arriba area at 4:50pm.”
“December 2022 in Montenegro was exceptionally warm with temperature anomalies ranging from +1.9C (Herceg Novi) to +6.2C (Rozaje) above the 1981-2010 normal and it was the warmest December on records.
“Preliminary data place 2022 as the 2nd warmest year on records in Montenegro.”
“‘False spring’ seen in Istanbul as trees begin to blossom in mid-January…
“Dr. Doğanay Tolunay from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Forestry, Soil Science and Ecology Department said that these seasonal shifts became more frequent in recent years. ‘‘While it used to be seen every 10 years, it is now seen every two to three years…”
“Algeria will take measures against drought and reactivates the “emergency plan”…
“The government of Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced its intention to “take urgent measures” in the face of the “growing shortage of rainfall due to climate change”. To this end, “the urgent plan approved during the last two years 2021 and 2022″ will be revived.”
“Kenya declares war on millions of birds after they raid crops.
“A drive by the Kenyan government to kill up to 6 million red-billed quelea birds that have invaded farms will have unintended consequences for raptors and other wild species, experts have warned.”
“Freezing morning continues in Plains of North India.
“Most farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have reported widespread frost in the farms during the early morning, Visuals are from Bathinda, Rewari, Siwani. Temperature continue to stay sub-zero for 3rd day in a row.”
“India to boost coal imports to cope with harsh weather, freight snags.
“India’s power utilities will likely boost coal imports this year to cope with surges in demand, made worse over the past year by extreme temperatures, and with freight bottlenecks that are disrupting domestic coal supplies, analysts and officials said.”
“Central Asia’s shorter winters are whittling away glaciers.
“[Central Asia’s glaciers] are not only melting due to higher temperatures. Glaciers today are also being starved of replenishing snowfall each winter. Instead, precipitation is increasingly falling as rain, which further speeds melting as it flows across the ice and down into the valleys.”
“Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: 4 homes destroyed, 40 partially damaged in lake outburst in Daimer.
“Two lake outbursts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Diamer’s Tangir Valley have resulted in the complete destruction of four homes and around 40 homes partially damaged, reported Dawn.”
“Insane warm spell in Japan in the past 3 days with 332 monthly records, 194 of which were highest Tmins set yesterday (see map) including Kobe, Hiroshima and Sendai.“
“Warning of unprecedented heatwaves as El Niño set to return in 2023…
““It’s very likely that the next big El Niño could take us over 1.5C,” said Prof Adam Scaife, the head of long-range prediction at the UK Met Office. “The probability of having the first year at 1.5C in the next five-year period is now about 50:50.””
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
Update: “On Friday, at least 71 January records were broken in Japan. Temps were about 10C higher than normal, enhancing snowmelt. An avalanche occurred in Hokkaido’s Mount Yotei in the afternoon. A European woman is showing no vital signs.”
“Organizers of winter festivals in Gangwon Province [S Korea], opening for the first time in three years, are concerned over rising temperatures.
On Thursday, the Korea Meteorological Administration reported daytime temperatures of 9-12 degrees Celsius in the inner regions, 10-12 degrees in the mountain ranges and 14-17 degrees on the east coast [several monthly records broken].
“Today, the central and eastern part of China is extremely warm, with more than 200 weather stations breaking records.
“Among the big cities, Harbin 3.9C and Changchun 4.5C, while Shenyang and Chengdu scored the same. The highest temperature in the country is 30.8C in Yuanyang!”
“A severe agriculture drought swept Central Asia in 2021 in its early growing season, causing mass die-offs of crops and livestock and leading to increased food prices. This harsh drought is not an independent event but an intensification of a drying trend since the 1990s…”
“Natural disasters are expected to be among the key factors weighing on the Australian economy in 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
“Flooding cost the Australian economy more than A$5 billion ($3.5 billion), the equivalent of a quarter of a point of GDP in the 2021-22 fiscal year, while also fueling inflation.”
“As most of southern Australia sweats under a prolonged heatwave, Sydney is on the verge of recording its longest spell of days below 30 degrees Celsius in 140 years [of record-keeping]…
“Tuesday’s maximum of 26.6 degrees at Observatory Hill marked the 323rd consecutive day under 30C, already the longest stretch in three decades.”
“NZ waters among highest for temperature rises amid record ocean heat, study shows.
“Contributor Dr Kevin Trenberth said the temperature increases were not uniform around the world. The Coral Sea, and north and south Pacific had experienced significantly greater warming. “In the South Pacific, the Tasman Sea and the New Zealand region, sea temperatures have been very warm.””
“‘Perfect storm’ of drought and infestations leave Kona coffee farms reeling [Hawaii].
“They’re calling it “farmageddon.” Kona coffee farmers are grappling with crop loss on a scale they’re never seen ― and some are facing closure. “It was really the worst case scenario for our growers,” said Suzanne Shriner, CEO of Lions Gate Farms and president of Kona Coffee Farmers Association.”
“Avocados and blueberries are marketed as superfoods in Europe.Nutrient-rich fruits bursting with health benefits. But in Chile, avocado farming is already causing massive water shortages; blueberry farms in Peru are currently undergoing huge expansion.”
“Deforestation ‘out of control’ in reserve in Brazil’s cattle capital.
“Forest destruction has ravaged Triunfo do Xingu, a reserve earmarked for sustainable use that has nonetheless become one of the most deforested slices of the Brazilian Amazon. Fires burned swaths of the reserve in recent months and forest clearing has surged…”
“Venezuela’s Yapacana National Park suffering increasing mining deforestation: report.
“Satellite imagery analyzed by NGO Amazon Conservation revealed that illegal mining operations in Yapacana National Park, located in the Venezuelan state of Amazonas, are clearing protected forest much faster than previously thought.”
“Tropical Forests That Recover From Tree Removal [incorrectly] Assumed as Carbon Sinks.
“Because new trees grow fast, tropical forests that have recovered after tree removal were assumed to be carbon absorbers. [However], the carbon released by soil and decomposing wood outpace the carbon absorbed by new growth, according to a recent study headed by Imperial College London researchers.”
“At least seven dead as storm system batters southern US with tornado leaving trail of destruction in Alabama…
“Ernie Baggett, the emergency management director in Autauga, told the Associated Press that between 40 and 50 homes had been damaged by the extreme weather, with the tornado dubbed “large and extremely dangerous”.”
“Monterey Peninsula residents could soon be living on an island as mammoth flooding threatens to cut them off from the rest of California.
“The state has been hammered by a cascade of atmospheric rivers… At least 18 people have died, neighborhoods have turned into lakes, and countless homes have been destroyed as a string of storms toppled trees and paralyzed communities over the past two weeks.”
“Reinsurers Retreat From US Disaster Hotspots on Climate Risks.
“Reinsurers are increasingly reconsidering their business in natural disaster-prone locations including California and Florida as losses mount, according to Moody’s Investors Service… Secondary perils’ share of total insured losses globally has reached over 60% on average over the last three years, Moody’s said.”
“Nebraska’s drought among nation’s billion-dollar weather disasters.
“Intense drought and powerful storms have again placed Nebraska on the unenviable list of billion-dollar disasters in 2022… Nebraska was the driest state in the nation last year when compared to average annual precipitation, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.”
“Bizarre January warm-up coming to Michigan, Great Lakes Region…
“We may not set record high temperatures, but we will probably set record warm low temperatures… Looking out two weeks, the exact numbers may not be incredibly warm but the consistency of above-freezing temperatures will be impressive. Winter continues to be on hold.”
“Bristol Bay experienced its largest wildfire season on record last year, underscoring a trend toward bigger and more numerous fires in southwest Alaska as the climate warms.
““We really have not seen anything like this,” said University of Alaska Fairbanks climate specialist Rick Thoman. “And the Bristol Bay region was the most extreme of all the extremes.””
“Torrential rain led to serious flooding in parts of Tralee [Ireland] on Thursday morning with homeowners in the worst affected areas battling to protect their properties since before dawn.
“With the ground already saturated after days of heavy rain a third night of severe downpours led to serious flooding on the main Tralee to Castlemaine Road.”
“UK weather: Flood warnings and alerts in place amid fears some areas ‘could be cut off’.
“Saturated ground caused by recent wet weather means that even areas which have avoided the worst of recent heavy rain could be at risk of flooding. People are being urged to “stay away” from “swollen rivers” and not attempt to drive vehicles through floodwater.”
“UK primary insurer Direct Line has said it no longer expects to declare a final dividend for 2022, as total weather claims for the year are estimated at nearly twice its original expectations.
“Direct Line Group LogoThe company says it currently expects to pay claims worth around £90 million due to freezing temperatures in December that resulted in burst pipes and other related damage.”
“‘Recycling’ plan aims to replace water from Thames with treated sewage.
“Thames Water has proposed to draw off tens of millions of litres of water a day from the Thames and replace it with treated effluent from the large Mogden sewage works in west London to help tackle water shortages.”
“Mild spell leaves EU grain crops at risk from cold snap.
“Unusually warm weather in Europe has stirred grain crops from winter dormancy, creating concerns that a subsequent plunge in temperatures could damage fields that have generally been in good condition, analysts said.”
“Spanish farmers furious over plans to cut water supplies to ‘orchard of Europe’…
“Fernando López, the conservative head of the Murcia region… noted that the water transfer from the Tagus irrigates 70 per cent of the fruit and vegetables exported by Spain. He warned that 25,000 jobs could be lost… Teresa Ribera, the environment minister, said the curbs were necessary to prepare the country for the effects of climate change.”
“Record January temperatures shut down Spain’s ski season.
“Spain is normally associated with beaches and sun holidays, but one of its lesser-known tourist industries revolves around the many snow-covered mountains around the country that are perfect for skiing… when the snow falls, that is.”
“Experts in Greece worry about no-snow winter, record high temperatures.
“Greece has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, prompting people to head for the beach instead of the ski resorts. However, the mild weather leaves scientists concerned.”
“It has been raining in Türkiye’s southern Antalya since Tuesday night and the storm, with a wind speed exceeding 120 kph (75 mph), has paralyzed city life.
“The storm in Antalya has dumped 173 kilograms [no idea what this equates to in cm/inches] of rainfall per square meter in the province in the hardest-hit areas.”
“Somalia faces a major food crisis driven by a historic drought.
“Fighting between the government and the militant group is driving people from their homes and complicating efforts to get food aid to those who are on the verge of starvation.”
“Namibia: Drought Also Blamed for Poor Exam Results.
“Since rural communities mostly depend on farming for their livelihoods, climate change in the form of drought may have contributed to last year’s poor Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary level examination results.”
“Another country under a heat wave in South Africa. Today Vioolsdrif in the Western Cape Province rose to 46.3C [115.3F], yesterday Agabries Falls (635m asl) to 45.8C.
“The warm air mass will move East and tomorrow it will be very hot in Western Cape and Free State with 40C even above 1000m.”
“The Impofu Dam, the most important storage dam of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, is at its lowest recorded level it has been since the dam was constructed in 1983.
““The pumps on the barge nearby the intake tower will soon reach the riverbed and will need to be moved. The drought situation is real, and we need everyone to take it seriously and reduce their water consumption,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Retief Odendaal.”
“Water scarcity: World’s dams to lose 1/4 storage capacity by 2050.
“Worldwide dam capacity is expected to drop trillions of cubic meters as nearly 50,000 large dams around the globe could lose more than a quarter of their storage capacity by 2050 as a result of sedimentation build-ups, eroding global water and energy security, according to United Nations research on Wednesday.”
“2022 was the warmest La Niña year on record. Scientists say this year will be warmer… the La Niña phenomenon typically has a cooling effect on global temperatures.”
“El Nino event is coming in 2023.How is it forecast to emerge, and what does it mean for seasonal weather and the next Winter season?
“The IRI official probabilistic ENSO forecast also shows the current La Nina lasting over Winter 2022/23. But it is typical for a new phase to emerge in late summer/fall with seasonal pressure changes. Below, you can see a strong probability increase of an El Nino event in 2023.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
Apologies to anyone struggling to access the site yesterday. My webhosting company was having connectivity issues; now hopefully resolved.
“Relentless Rise of Ocean Heat Content Drives Deadly Extremes.
“Ocean heat content reached a new record high for the fourth year in a row, scientists said Wednesdayas they released their annual measurements of ocean heat accumulating down to a depth of more than a mile.
“The findings published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Science show that just in the past year, the planet’s seas absorbed about 10 Zetta joules of heat—equivalent to 100 times the world’s total annual electricity production.”
“Relentless rain, record heat: study finds climate crisis worsened extreme weather… “The extreme nature of these events is very alarming,”said Stephanie Herring, a climate scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“”We need to understand if these events are signs that things are getting hotter faster than we had expected.””
“A world rapidly warming’: The past eight years were the eight warmest on record for planet.
“The last eight years have been the eight warmest on record as the growing concentration of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere pushes global temperatures toward a dangerous tipping point, a new report shows… 2022 was the fifth-warmest year for the planet since records began.”
“Last summer was Europe’s hottest on record by a clear margin, new data shows.
“It was also the continent’s second-hottest year on record, exceeded only by 2020 and just slightly warmer than 2019, 2015 and 2014, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said.”
“Year 2022 in Andorra (long term Hydroelectric station as reference) was by far the warmest year on records.
“At an altitude of 1132m above sea level, the average temperature was a staggering 12.4C [54.3F], about 1C above the previous warmest year and 2C above the 1991-2020 average (+2.3C 80-00).”
“How fire turned a goat herder into a climate migrant in ’empty Spain’…
“Álvaro couldn’t afford to insure his herd, so the losses overwhelmed him. He had to sell his remaining goats and everything else he owned, and leave in search of a new way to make a living. He ended up working as a shepherd in France and Switzerland, taking care of other people’s herds.”
“A bottle of olive oil could soon set you back £11, with fears the UK could soon run out of supplies thanks to a devastating heat wave…
“Temperatures in southern Europe soared to more than 40°C last year, causing havoc in the Spanish province of Andalucía, which is known for producing more olive oil annually than the whole of Italy.”
“2022 in Russia was the 2nd warmest year on records after 2020.
“The largest anomalies in 2022 were in the north of the European territory, the Urals, Siberia and parts of Yakutia. See map of anomalies vs. 1961-1990 average (discount 1C+ vs. 1991-2020 normal) by Meteoinfo Russia.”
“Exceptional: Dzalinda (correct pronunciation Zhilinda) in Yakutia dropped to -62.1C [-79.78] on 10 January, a new monthly record (all time low is -63.5C) and first -62C in Russia since 2002.
“In the past a total of 37 Russian stations reached -62C but after 1984 this has become a rare event.”
“The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says that parts of the Western Cape will experience a heat wave with extremely high temperatures until Wednesday.
“Temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees Celsius [104F] are likely to occur in the Central and Little Karoo region and sweep through the Eastern Cape…”
“Madagascar’s unique wildlife faces imminent wave of extinction, say scientists.
“From the ring-tailed lemur to the aye-aye, a nocturnal primate, more than 20m years of unique evolutionary history could be wiped from the planet if nothing is done to stop Madagascar’s threatened mammals going extinct, according to a new study.”
“Saudi Arabia: Makkah mountains turn green after heavy rain.
“The mountains in and around the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia have turned green after weeks of heavy rain and last month’s flash floods, the Saudi Press Agency has reported. The agency shared a video clip on Twitter last Thursday showing the effect of the excessive rainfall.”
“Photos: Ladakh herders struggle on the frontier of climate crisis…
“Nestled between Pakistan and China, Ladakh has faced both territorial disputes and the stark effects of climate change. The region’s sparsely populated villages have witnessed shifting weather patterns that have already altered people’s lives through floods, landslides and droughts.”
“Hundreds of residents from rural towns across Australia have been told to prepare for the worst as bushfires spread out-of-control.
“Homes have already been destroyed and others remain under threat by blazes near Cedar Vale, Millmerran Woods, Cypress Gardens, Millmerran Downs, Thane and South Ripley as the Queensland of Fire and Rescue Services order more than 300 residents to evacuate.”
“Kimberley floods may have left hundreds homeless in region with longstanding housing crisis.
“Massive flooding in Western Australia may have left hundreds of people homeless, bringing the region’s pre-existing overcrowding crisis into sharp relief, local residents say.”
“River Murray flooding kills ‘thousands’ of wombats, but rescuers work to save survivors…
“The floods have soaked areas that had been dry for decades, undermining the burrows of southern hairy-nosed wombats throughout the region. “If they don’t get out of the burrow in time, they’re drowning, [or] they’re getting stuck in the mud and then eventually starving to death,” Ms D’Crus said.”
“New Zealand has again charted its hottest year on record, with 2022 taking the place of 2021 in the climate change-driven record books.
“New Zealand’s nationwide average temperature was 13.76 degrees [56.8F] in 2022, according to climate agency NIWA, which was 0.2 degrees higher than last year.”
“State of emergency remains in wake of Cyclone Hale’s torrential downpours.
“Torrential rain and flooding plunged parts of the North Island’s east coast into a state of emergency as Cyclone Hale swamped the region on Wednesday before moving down country… By the end of the storm, close to 400ml [15.7 inches] of rain will have fallen in parts of the Coromandel.”
“Coral reefs are under threat from hidden heatwaves, warns a new report…
“A new study has found coral reefs near the island of Moorea in French Polynesia ended up bleached in April and May 2019 despite the absence of warm El Niño winds which are normally the riskiest. The unexpected event was caused by anti-cyclonic eddies…”
“Heat wave: half of Argentina is under alert for extreme temperatures.
“After a December where various parts of the country exceeded the maximum of 40 degrees [104F], the heat continues to affect Argentina. In that sense, the National Meteorological Service issued a red alert for extreme temperatures for five provinces, while half of the country is with warnings of the yellow and orange level.”
“Wildfires rage in Uruguay; firefighters complain of lack of equipment…
“Since Saturday, they have been fighting the flames of a forest disaster in Salinas, in Canelones departmen. The fire has spread to several localities and crossed route 87, which was closed and caused traffic re-routing. The strong winds and high temperatures are hampering firefighting efforts…”
“Death toll in California storms hits 17 and ‘likely to grow’, says state’s governor.
“At least 17 people have been killed in California as a relentless string of storms batter the state, turning rivers into gushing flood zones and forcing thousands of people to evacuate from towns with histories of deadly mudslides.”
“‘It’s really devastating’: A tiny California town is underwater after storm deluge.
“The entire community of Planada, a town of about 4,000 people just east of Merced, was evacuated Tuesday morning amid rising waters from a breached levee. By late morning, street after street was flooded with brown water that sent cars bobbing along like boats, drifting near half-submerged stop signs.”
“Tampa saw record-breaking warmth and above normal rainfall in 2022.
“We saw an average annual temperature of 76.4 degrees [24.7C] in 2022 at the Tampa International Airport. This barely beat out 2017 and 2020 for the warmest year on record by a tenth of a degree.”
“Record mild January continues, wet weather likely later this week in Maine…
“Maine has already seen the warmest start to January on record.This month will likely end up as one of the warmest Januarys ever recorded in Maine… Thing do not look promising for snow…”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
With apologies, there will be no thread tomorrow as I must return for my third and final session at the dentist. Back on Wednesday, probably with another “climate” thread.
“More than 90% of the world’s population is projected to face increased risks from the compound impacts of extreme heat and drought, potentially widening social inequalities as well as undermining the natural world’s ability to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere—according to a study from Oxford’s School of Geography…
“In the wake of record temperatures in 2022, from London to Shanghai, continuing rising temperatures are projected around the world. When assessed together, the linked threats of heat and drought represent a significantly higher risk to society and ecosystems than when either threat is considered independently, according to the paper by Dr. Jiabo Yin, a visiting researcher from Wuhan University and Oxford Professor Louise Slater.”
“Climate change could cause ‘disaster’ in the world’s oceans, say scientists.
“Climate-driven heating of seawater is causing a slowdown of deep circulation patterns in the Atlantic and Southern oceans, according to Earth system scientists at the University of California, Irvine, and if this process continues, the ocean’s ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be severely limited, further exacerbating global warming.”
“Scientists study how wavy jet stream plus ‘extra warmth’ fuels extreme weather.
“In the middle of 2022, the jet stream configured into five big waves and led to concurrent heatwaves around the world. This pattern is known as wavenumber 5… One theory is that amplified warming in the Arctic is reducing the temperature difference between the hot and cold airs that the jet stream separates, which is slowing down the current and making it wavier.”
“Warm weather pushes Northern Hemisphere snow cover to near record lows.
“…pulses of record warmth in North America and Europe have thwarted snow accumulation and, in some cases, depleted what’s on the ground. Now, Northern Hemisphere snow cover is near historical lows for midwinter.”
“Ski resorts across the northeast of the United States have been forced to close at a time of the year when it’s supposedly ‘peak season’ due to a lack of snow that’s tied to unseasonable warmth.
“The Northeast braced itself for several record-high temperatures around 60F to start the new year, following some of the coldest days of this winter registered on around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
“Great Salt Lake will disappear in 5 years without massive ‘emergency rescue,’ scientists say…
“Less than two weeks away from Utah’s 2023 legislative session, nearly three dozen scientists and conservationists released a dire report that calls on the state’s lawmakers to take “emergency measures” to save the Great Salt Lake before drains to nil.”
“‘This is no way to live’: Mississippians struggle with another water crisis.
“The faucets ran dry again. The showers produced nothing. The city of Jackson, Mississippi, plunged into its third major water outage in less than two years, crippled, leaking infrastructure withering before another bout of extreme weather.”
“New record set for January tornadoes in Oklahoma.
“Five tornadoes — all tracked in the same night — set the record for tornadoes in the month of January in Oklahoma. A system of severe storms moved through the state on Jan. 2, leaving behind enough evidence to confirm multiple tornadoes including two EF-1s.”
“California braces for ‘parade of cyclones’ after storms kill 12…
“Two overlapping phenomena – an immense airborne stream of dense moisture from the ocean called an atmospheric river and a sprawling, hurricane-force low-pressure system known as a bomb cyclone – have caused devastating flooding and record snowfall over the past week.”
“2022 was another exceptionally rainy year in the French Guiana, after the wettest year on records 2021.
“In the Cayenne Airport Matoury 5817.9mm [over 19 feet] fell – the new rainiest year ahead of 2021. Last 2 years together exceeded 11000m. December 2022 was cooler and wetter than average.”
“While Brazil has been unusually cool including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the heat is fierce in Central Argentina.
“Terrible heat in Rio Negro province with 43.6C [110.5F] in San Antonio Oeste (tmin 28C), 41.0C in Neuquen and 39.0C in Maquinchao (888m) which set a new all time record!”
“Last station in the world to set an all time temperature record in 2022 was Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas on 22 December with 22.4C.
“The first station to set an all time record for any month in 2023 was again in the Falkland: 23.2C [73.8F] at Weddel Island on 7 January.”
“Scientists Report a Dramatic Drop in the Extent of Antarctic Sea Ice…
““The current low sea ice extent … is extreme, and frankly we are working to understand it,” said Antarctica expert Ted Scambos, a senior research scientist with the Earth Science and Observation Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Scambos said the sea ice extent is about 270,000 square miles less than the previous low, set in 2018. That’s an area just a bit bigger than Texas…”
“Marine heatwave and La Niña brings record-high temperatures for Greymouth [NZ]…
“NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino told Morning Report Greymouth Airport on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature of 30.9C [87.6F] – the hottest in 76 years of record-keeping… This was the first time the temperature eclipsed 30C in the town, NIWA said, with the previous record 29.8C from February 2022.”
“Thousands of dead carp on northern Victorian farms after floods…
“”We were watering and there were fish everywhere … and then suddenly there were thousands of fish everywhere. I can’t even count, there are thousands of dead fish. It is completely feral.””
“Western Australia in grip of ‘devastating’ flood emergency, PM says. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday his government was ready to provide whatever support was needed to residents of Western Australia state as record-breaking floods isolated far-flung communities there.”
“Bad weather, flooding displace thousands in Aurora and Bulacan [Philippines]…
“In a social media post past 3 p.m., the provincial government of Aurora reported that 2,501 families or 10,353 individuals from 32 barangays have been affected by heavy rains… Some of the flood victims had to be rescued.”
“Flash floods inundated Meteseh areas of Tembalang District, Semarang City [Java, Indonesia] on Friday afternoon, January 6, 2023. One of the affected residential areas was Dinar Indah Housing Complex.
“As shown in the video that went viral on social media, the water level almost reached the roof of the houses and residents were struggling to save themselves.”
“An exceptional winter warm spell in kicking off in China and parts of Mongolia and later next week, also Koreas and Taiwan.
“Yesterday, 7th January, 4 monthly records were broken in China: Minquan (Henan), Qianyang (Shaanzi), Yiling and Wufeng (Hubei) and dozens more will come next week.”
“Summer, autumn of 2022 hottest in over 60 years for China [ie since record-keeping began]…
“The number of days with an average temperature across China above 35 degrees Celsius hit 16.4 [61.5F] in 2022, the highest [on record]… Central and east China saw a 79-day heatwave streak last year between June 13 and August 30, with around 15 percent of China’s meteorological stations reporting record-hitting daily peak temperatures…”
“Residents live in fear as sinking land cracks houses in Indian Himalayan town.
“The land in the environmentally fragile Himalayan region is developing enormous cracks due to movements called subsidence. It happens when large parts of the ground sink. Buildings, roads and highways in and around the town are also cracking, alarming residents as well as local authorities. The pattern intensified over the past two weeks…”
“Rainstorm leaves trail of destruction [Zimbabwe]…
“Heavy rains preceded by strong winds and thunderstorms claimed the life of an 80-year-old man and left a trail of destruction in some parts of Gwanda district in Matabeleland South province and Nkayi District in Matabeleland North province.”
“Water quality worries hang over Durban months after deadly flooding…
“Ever since deadly floods in April last year damaged an already ailing sewage and water system, millions of litres of untreated sewage have spilled into the beaches, rivers, harbours and ocean in and around Durban.”
“Climate change is leaving African elephants desperate for water.
“African elephant numbers have dropped from about 26 million in the 1800s to 415,000 today. While this is largely due to European colonisation, poaching and habitat loss, these majestic animals now face another grave challenge. Climate change is causing droughts in much of Africa to become longer and more severe.”
“December 2022 in Turkey was exceptionally warm and had an average temperature of +8.0C [46.4F] which is 3.2C above the 1991-2020 normal and was the warmest December on records.
“Year 2022 as a whole had an average temperature of 14.5C, 0.6C above average and was the 7th warmest.”
“Insufficient rainfall has caused severe drought throughout Turkey, especially in the highly populated western and northwestern regions, according to data released Thursday.
“Rainfall during the Oct. 1, 2022-Jan. 3, 2023 period dropped 31 percent compared to the previous same period across the country… With a 51.8 percent drop in rainfall compared to seasonal norms, Istanbul, a city of over 16 million residents, was hit the worst…”
“2022 warmest year on record as climate change felt in Gibraltar.
“Last year was the warmest on record according to the Met Office, with Gibraltar feeling the effects of ‘human-induced climate change’. Principal Meteorological Officer Chris Burton told GBC that Gibraltar saw a mean temperature of 19.5°C [67.1F], with the previous record set in 1997 with 19.3°C.”
“December 2022 in Portugal had an average temperature of 12.72C which is 2.76C above the 1971-2000 (about +2.2C vs 1991-2020) and was the warmest December on records.
“It was also very wet: Average rainfall was 250.4mm which is 174 % of normal.”
“Absolute chaos was unleashed yesterday in downtown Porto [Portugal] following little more than 20 minutes of intense rain.
“Meteorologists estimate that 25 litres of water per square metre fell in this small time period, transforming parts of the city into a raging river. Considering northern areas have up till now avoided the kind of flooding horrors experienced in urban areas of Lisbon just before Christmas, Saturday’s deluge has seriously worried city authorities.”
“France suffered hottest year and record rain shortfall in 2022.
“The average temperature for the year was 14.5 [58.1F] degrees Celsius (58.1 Fahrenheit), “very far above 2020 which held the previous record” of 14.07 degrees Celsius, Meteo France said in a statement. The heat was “a symptom of climate change,” it added.”
“Water security in focus as England faces threat of another summer drought…
“The heatwave in 2022 put the spotlight on issues of water security and leakage as scientists warned climate change would lead to hotter and drier summers in future. The focus reignited the debate about the effectiveness of England’s privatised water system, in which a fifth of the water supplied is lost every year.”
“Flies are taking over thanks to climate change — while moths and other pollinators disappear.
“…sadly, climate change is rapidly shifting the relationships between plants and certain bugs. And in Scandinavia, that has meant that flies are taking the place of moths and other more charismatic insects. The takeover of the flies speaks to the biodiverse history of the region that is being lost as the climate warms.”
And for interest: “Lightning in the ‘cataclysmic’ Tonga volcano eruption shattered ‘all records’.
“… the eruption set off more than 25,500 lightning events in just five minutes. Over the course of just six hours, the volcano triggered nearly 400,000 lightning events. Half of all the lightning in the world was concentrated around this volcano at the eruption’s peak.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
“Half the planet’s glaciers will have melted by 2100 even if humanity sticks to goals set out in the Paris climate agreement, according to research that finds the scale and impacts of glacial loss are greater than previously thought. At least half of that loss will happen in the next 30 years.
“Researchers found 49% of glaciers would disappear under the most optimistic scenario of 1.5C of warming.”
“In northernmost Alaska, a battle is on to limit the damages of permafrost thaw…
“The soil here has warmed over the past decade from minus-6 degrees Celsius to minus-3 , or from 21.6 degrees to 26.6 degrees Fahrenheit, said Iwahana, who works at UAF’s International Arctic Research Center. “That’s a lot,” he said.”
“Last month was the wettest December on record in Anchorage…
“Anchorage saw 41.2 inches of snow last month, capping off its wettest year on record, according to the National Weather Service. Juneau also recorded its wettest year on record in 2022.”
“Spring sunny heat waves caused record snow melt in 2021, adding to severe water supply impacts across the Western US…
“They found that in April 2021, record-breaking snowmelt rates occurred at 24% of all mountain snowpack monitoring sites… further compounding the impacts of extended drought conditions. Rapid snowmelt increases the time when our natural snowpack reservoir is emptied and when this water is most needed later in the warm season.”
“San Francisco has experienced the wettest 10-day period since 1871, says NWS…
“Downtown San Francisco received 10.33 inches of rain from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4, says NWS. The last time SF received that much rain was all the way back in 1871. NWS says the all-time 10-day record was 14.37 inches in January 1862.”
“California’s sudden jump from withering drought to violent floods is a warning for the whole world…
“Drought can make flood hazards worse by leaving brittle trees and landslide-prone wildfire scars. This drought-flood weather whiplash is becoming more common and severe as global temperatures rise.”
“Burst of bewildering winter warmth sets numerous records in eastern U.S…
“It’s the second pulse of springlike warmth during the past week. The first delivered numerous records to the Northeast and Florida over the weekend… Washington has hit at least 60 degrees on each of the first four days of January, for the first time on record.”
“Argentina continues in emergency due to forest fires.
“The emergency was declared in January of last year for a period of one year, but the Executive Branch decided to extend it for 12 more months, according to Decree 2/2023 published this Thursday in the Official Gazette.”
“…In a healthy rainforest, the concentration of carbon should decline as you approach the canopy from above… But her samples showed the opposite: At lower altitudes, the ratio of carbon increased. This suggested that emissions from the slashing and burning of trees — the preferred method for clearing fields in the Amazon — were actually exceeding the forest’s capacity to absorb carbon.”
“Rapid deforestation of the Amazon rainforest could influence the temperature and precipitation over the Tibetan plateau 15,000 kilometres away…
“The researchers found that since 1979, warm temperatures in the Amazon correlated with warm temperatures over the Tibetan plateau and the West Antarctic ice sheet; more precipitation in the Amazon was associated with less precipitation in those regions.”
“The UK recorded an annual average temperature of more than 10C [50F] for the first time last year, the Met Office said as it confirmed 2022 was the hottest year on record.
“And research by Met Office scientists has found that climate change driven by humans made the UK’s record-breaking annual temperature around 160 times more likely to occur.”
“The Mer De Glace or Sea of Ice glacier is the largest valley of ice in France but, due to climate change, it is shrinking fast.
“Along the tourist route is a lonely sign that shows where the ice used to be back in 1985 – some 38 years later it is now 150 meters lower. It comes after the UK and many other parts of Europe faced record temperatures last year.”
“Record average temperatures in driest December in 17 year [Cyprus]
“The average daily maximum temperature recorded at Athalassa weather station throughout the month was calculated at 21.4C, the highest ever since its installation in 1983. The highest ever average daily temperature was also recorded at the Polis Chrysochous weather station, with an average of 22.7C [72.9F], the highest since it became operational in 1968.”
“Cars submerged, roads flooded as heavy rains hit Gauteng [South Africa].
“Gauteng emergency services issued warnings on Thursday amid heavy rains that have resulted in flooding in parts of the province… The Ekurhuleni Municipality warned motorists and residents who lived in low-lying areas that they were at a higher risk of being affected by flooding.”
“Rewind 2022: KZN still recovering from April floods that left thousands homeless, destroying lives and livelihoods…
“Almost eight months later, parts of KZN are still on the road to recovery from the horrific floods that claimed over 400 lives, left over 40 000 people displaced and destroyed over 12 000 homes including other infrastructure such as roads, health centres, schools, in April 2022.”
“Pakistan floods: 9 million more risk being pushed into poverty, warns UNDP.
“Knut Ostby explained that crops had been lost from the last harvest and from the missed planting season. “Agricultural prices – food prices – are therefore increasing and could push, double the amount of people into food insecurity, increasing that number from seven to 14.6 million,” he continued.”
“Last December was India’s warmest [in] 122 years [of record keeping].
“The average maximum, minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during December 2022 were 27.32 degrees C [81.2F], 15.65 degrees C and 21.49 degrees C respectively, against the normal of 26.53 degrees C, 14.44 degrees C and 20.49 degrees C.”
“At 1,958.6 mm [77+ inches], Bengaluru received record rainfall last year.
“According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the previous wettest year for the Karnataka capital was 2005, when the city received 1,608.5 mm rainfall.”
“Floods force road trains supplying Kimberley to detour extra 7,400km via SA and NT.
“Triple road trains delivering essential supplies to Western Australia’s flood-stricken Kimberley communities face week-long 12,000km return trips from Perth as they are forced to detour halfway across the country due to washed-out roads and bridges.”
“River Murray floods breach levees and threaten drinking water, as crews confront brown snakes.
“An aerial operation is underway to protect a pump that supplies drinking water to almost 300 properties in South Australia, but some homes in the area have already been engulfed, after the main levee failed to hold back River Murray floodwaters.”
“Charles Sturt Adjunct Lecturer in Wildfire Investigation Mr Richard Woods… is urging residents not to become complacent because of recent rainfall this bushfire season… Mr Woods said recent rainfall has resulted in prolific grassland growth in eastern Australia, adding extensive fuel loads for grassfires has occurred.”
You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
If you found value in this content, please help me continue this work by becoming a patron of my work via Patreon. And if you are already a subscriber or have donated – thank you! It is an enormous help as the cost-of-living crisis ratchets up here in the UK.
“Outback towns have experienced their worst flooding in history due to downpours from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie – as the government issues an emergency warning.
“The deluge has inundated Fitzroy Crossing and nearby areas in the Kimberley in Western Australia.
“Cyclone Ellie has brought continuous rainfall that’s lifted the Fitzroy River to its highest level ever, resulting in homes being flooded, roads being turned into rivers and residents forced to use boats to get around.”
“Farmers in central and northern Victoria are assessing broken windows, flattened crops and damaged driveways today after a storm passed through the area late yesterday…
“”Probably the most devastating thing for us is we’ve got a maize crop in and about 40 hectares of that now looks like it’s had a shredder through it.””
“Australia could swing from three years of La Niña to hot and dry El Niño in 2023.
“Bureau of Meteorology climate models indicate sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific may exceed El Niño thresholds by June… “The Pacific must be quite charged with heat ready to have an El Niño,” Cai Wenju, a senior CSIRO climate scientist, told Guardian Australia.”
“Scorcher: 2022 was NZ’s hottest year on record, climate expert says.
“New Zealand and Auckland may have had their hottest ever year since records began, according to one climate scientist’s calculations… Niwa meteorologist Seth Carrier confirmed that 2022 was one of the top three warmest years on record, since 1909, but that the final ranking was still being determined.”
“The shocking images of the extreme drought that plagues the countryside [of Argentina] with all its strength.
“The climate continues to affect agriculture, livestock and dairy in the main producing areas of the country. The images show the seriousness of the situation, while producers and political sectors demand measures to face it.”
“Mendoza [Argentina] on alert for a new heat wave.
“This week the intense heat returns to Mendoza. It is that, from this Wednesday until Tuesday, January 10, the province will be hit by an intense heat wave, with maximums that may reach 40ºC / 104F. In this regard, meteorologist Fernando Jara said that “it is an extraordinary phenomenon for the time that will persist for a few days.””
“Biden declares Arizona floods a federal disaster for Havasupai tribe…
“Last October, the village experienced drastic flooding which damaged extensive parts of the reservation. The floods “destroyed several bridges and trails that are needed not only for our tourists, but for the everyday movement of goods and services into the Supai Village”, the tribe said.”
“With the ongoing drought, it will come as no surprise to many that 2022 made new meteorological history.
“According to the National Weather Service in Omaha, 2022 was the driest year on record in Norfolk. The NWS said the northeast Nebraska town saw just 13.7 inches of liquid precipitation. That’s less than half the amount Norfolk gets in a normal year.”
“Water rescues are underway in parts of Kentucky to save people trapped in cars and flooded homes as a powerful storm continues to batter the central United States.
“The multi-hazard storm rolled across the country Tuesday with the risk of strong tornadoes and flooding to the South, and ice and snow to the Plains and Upper Midwest, after bringing deadly floods to California.”
“Atmospheric river expected to trigger ‘bomb cyclone’ and more flooding in California.
“Millions of California residents recovering from a deluge that killed at least one person over the weekend and contributed to flooding, mudslides and power outages are bracing for the arrival of another atmospheric river, a long, narrow band of moisture drawn from the tropics.”
“Dungeness Crab Season Is Finally Here — But Good Luck Finding Them in the Bay Area…
“The humpback whale population in the San Francisco Bay this year made Dungeness crab an impossibility for Thanksgiving dinner… The Chronicle adds the increase in whale population seems to be related to a marine heat wave, the same that drove up the anchovy population like crazy this summer.”
“Warming waters are driving Bering Sea crashes, but Alaska’s fishing industry is quiet on climate.
“A marine heat wave, combined with what had been a booming crab population, likely drove the die-off, as the crabs’ metabolism rose with warmer water temperatures and they ran out of food. Warming ocean and river temperatures are also likely driving major declines in chum salmon…”
“Photos from space show 11,000 beavers are wreaking havoc on the Alaskan tundra as savagely as wildfire.
“Beavers are invading Alaska’s Arctic tundra as it warms, transforming the landscape like wildfire… The animals are taking advantage of climate change, but their dams could also accelerate warming.”
“Today 3rd January it’s a very warm day in Eastern USA with some historic records for January:
“Some remarkable values include: TN 81F [27C] at Crossville Station January record pulverized, 2F from State record; AL Huntsville 81F Station January record; GA 81; SC 80; NC 79; VA and WV 75; KY 73.”
“PM Update: D.C. soars to record high with warmest January low possible tonight…
“The warmest January low of 60 was established in 1932 and matched in 1950. The 1950 record came on Jan. 4, as well. Tonight’s lows range from the mid-50s to around 60. The city could stay above 60.”
“Scotland braces for more extreme weather as further flooding likely.
“Residents in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are being advised to be mindful of potential disruption in the next few days as a week of unsettled weather is expected… Impacts across the country were significant, with levels at the River Nith being the highest ever recorded, and higher than Storm Frank in 2015 and flooding in December 1982.”
Nice overview of Europe’s remarkable New Year heatwave:
““We can regard this as the most extreme event in European history,” Herrera said. “Take the case of July 2022 UK extreme heatwave and spread this sigma (magnitude) in a much huger area, encompassing about 15 countries.””
“Spain in 2022 experienced the hottest year since records began, the country’s national weather service said… Nations across the globe grappled with extreme weather including scorching temperatures and drought across Europe which last year fuelled wildfires, damaged crops and led to water use restrictions.”
“Drought continues to unveil underwater fairy chimneys in Lake Van [Turkey].
“The drought affecting Türkiye’s Lake Van continues to worsen, bringing with it many challenges, but it has also unveiled great historical treasures, like 800,000-year-old underwater fairy chimneys once hidden in the lake’s depths.”
“The number of children suffering terrible drought conditions across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia has more than doubled in five months, according to a UNICEF press release published in December, 2022.
“Approximately 20.2 million children were threatened with severe hunger, thirst and disease in December… This surge is due to climate change, conflict, global inflation and grain shortage.”
“Twenty-two people rescued as bus swept away by flash floods on Jordan desert road…
“Last week, heavy rainfall hit the ancient desert city of Petra in Jordan, causing severe flooding in the area. Water from nearby mountains in Jordan gushed into the iconic rose-red city, which has been standing for 2,000 years.”
“Man dies after being swept away by floods in Makkah.
“A man was swept away to his death by floods after torrential rain in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, videos posted online appeared to show… Thunderstorms were forecast for the Makkah area on Wednesday.”
““We Have Given Up Hope”: Why Residents of Ghatal [West Bengal] Are Tired of Frequent Floods…
“Overall annual rainfall is decreasing slightly… The number of dry weather days with no rain have increased in three weather stations–Mohanpur, Kalaikunda and DP Ghat–which means that rain is concentrated on fewer days.”
“Hundreds of families evacuate as floods hit Lanao del Norte towns [Philippines].
“Mayor Dionisio Cabahug Jr. of Tubod town, Lanao del Norte, ordered the suspension of work in private and public offices on Tuesday morning, January 3, due as heavy rain overnight caused severe flooding… The flash floods came after a devastating Christmas flooding that hit Oroquieta City and other towns in neighboring Misamis Occidental…”
“The amount of microplastics found at the bottom of oceans has tripled in 20 years, researchers have found.
“Tiny pieces of plastic debris – smaller than the human eye can see – have been building up on the sea floor at a depth of more than 100 metres, the study reveals.”
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Weekday updates on both climate change and the global economy. Stay current with what’s happening around the world with a quick scan of top news.
“Floods devastate Philippines, fuel concerns over extreme weather… The Philippines has been welcomed into the new year by incessant rain, fatal flooding and landslides in many provinces.
“Warming ocean waters in Western Australia are a ‘sentinel of climate change’, UWA researchers say.
“Australians have been told to brace for wild weather this week as one state swelters through an intense heatwave while another is plagued by heavy rain and floods.
“New lake created by Cyclone Hale being closely watched [NZ]…
“The tiny Enderby Island, located in the Auckland Islands archipelago at latitude 50S,an uninhabited territory of New Zealand, rose to 16.9C [62.4F] on 15 January.
“Drought alarm in Uruguay: the government will extend the agricultural emergency until April.
“Due to drought, Argentina loses half a soybean harvest in its main producing area…
“At Least Two Dead and Multiple Rescues After Landslides in Tijuana Due to Storm.
“A World War II battery bunker tumbled down a cliff onto a San Francisco beach, officials said Monday.
“Second wettest water year on record reported for Reno already.
“‘Our water tanks will be dry within days’: Arizona city cuts OFF water to neighbors amid drought…
“Town where Martin Luther King Jr made historic march reels from tornado.
“Historic cold in Cuba: The lowest temperature today was +1.5C at Indio Hatuey, only 0.9C from the official all time low of Cuba.
“Florida citrus growers face challenges from lowest crop yield in more than 80 years.
“Halifax [Nova Scotia] set to break record for least snowy winter, expert says…
“Part of Canada was nearly warmer than the entire U.S., see how it happened…
“NWT, warming faster than anywhere in Canada, feels it most in winter.
“Siberia Was Blasted By Temperatures Of -62°C This Weekend.
“Svalbard tourism faces restrictions as temperatures keep rising.
“Latvia hit by worst flood in decades.
“Pictures show scale of flooding in the South West after days of heavy rain [UK].
“Avalanche in French Alps kills British woman…
“From Ireland to Croatia, and from the Arctic to the Mediterranean sea, Europe saw examples of extreme weather in 2022 and experts are warning this could be the new normal.
“Almeria’s first forest fire of 2023 breaks out in Lubrin municipality [Andalusia, Spain].
“December 2022 in Montenegro was exceptionally warm with temperature anomalies ranging from +1.9C (Herceg Novi) to +6.2C (Rozaje) above the 1981-2010 normal and it was the warmest December on records.
“‘False spring’ seen in Istanbul as trees begin to blossom in mid-January…
“Algeria will take measures against drought and reactivates the “emergency plan”…
“Brutal heat in South Africa:
“Kenya declares war on millions of birds after they raid crops.
“Freezing morning continues in Plains of North India.
“India to boost coal imports to cope with harsh weather, freight snags.
“Central Asia’s shorter winters are whittling away glaciers.
“Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: 4 homes destroyed, 40 partially damaged in lake outburst in Daimer.
“Warning of unprecedented heatwaves as El Niño set to return in 2023…
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“While Brazil has been unusually cool including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, 
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And for interest: 
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Nice overview of Europe’s remarkable New Year heatwave:
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