Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

India - The heaviest rainfall in over a century caused massive flooding across Tamil Nadu, driving thousands from their homes, shutting auto factories and paralysing the airport in capital Chennai. The national weather office predicted three more days of torrential downpours in the southern state of nearly 70 million people. No deaths were reported and the extent of damage would only become clear when the floodwaters recede. Air and rail traffic has ground to a halt.

South Africa - A heat wave has claimed the lives of two people in a shopping mall in Cape Town. Two people died in Khayelitsha Shopping Mall as the mercury reached 34°C.

Environment

July was Earth's hottest month on record

July was the hottest month on Earth since records began, averaging 16.6 C (61.9 F), according to US scientists.

That is 0.08 degrees higher than the previous record, set in July 1998 - a significant margin in weather records.

Environment

Heat Wave in Israel

Forecasters say high humidity levels to intensify heat; Jordan Valley gears up for temperatures up to 48º. A punishing heat wave wracking Israel was set to peak on Sunday, with temperatures projected to rise above 40°C (104°F) in some areas.

In the southern resort city of Eilat, vacationers were expected to brave a sweltering 46ºC (115ºF), while cities and towns in the Jordan Valley will endure a combination of high humidity and blazing heat, with temperatures up to 48ºC (118ºF). In Tiberias, temperatures are expected to climb to 45°C (113ºF). But with 35 percent humidity in the afternoon hours, it will feel more like 58° (136ºF). Meanwhile, at the Dead Sea, the 44ºC weather (111º F) will feel more like 48°C (119ºF) when factoring in humidity. Tel Aviv’s relatively benign 35°C (95ºF) will feel more like 45°C (113ºF), given a whopping 60% humidity rate. Elsewhere in Israel, temperatures were predicted to climb to 42ºC (108º F) in Beersheba, 39ºC (102º F) on the Golan Heights and 35ºC (95º F) in Haifa.

Environment

Heatwave in Egypt

A scorching heatwave gripped Egypt this week, killing at least 42 people, officials said on Tuesday. Egyptian summers are usually hot, but this week's temperatures in the south soared to 44°C.

The Health Ministry said 21 people died from the heat on Sunday, when temperatures topped 40°C in the country's north. Nineteen more died on Monday, authorities said, mostly elderly citizens.

Environment

Hong Kong Swelters

Hong Kong on Saturday recorded its hottest day since authorities began taking temperature readings 130 years ago, due to the influence of a nearby typhoon.

The daily maximum temperature hit 36.3 degrees Celsius, the Hong Kong Observatory said, with higher temperatures recorded in some parts of the city earlier in the day.

A layer of haze hung over the metropolis of seven million, as people wielding electric fans and umbrellas tried in vain to beat the boiling heat.

Europe in Heat Wave

Just one month after setting its all-time national heat record, Germany tied that mark on Friday at the same location, as yet another multiway heat wave swept across much of Europe. The German meteorological agency (Deutscher Wetterdienst) confirms that the town of Kitzingen reached 40.3°C (104.5°F) on Friday, the same national record it reached on July 5. More than 100 towns and cities in Germany either tied or broke their all-time record highs on Friday. Berlin's Kaniswall station hit 38.9°C (102.0°F)--the hottest temperature ever observed in the Berlin area, beating the old record of 38.6°C (101.5°F).

Record heat extended far across other parts of Europe on Friday. Friday’s high of 38.3C (100.9°F] at Genoa, Italy, topped the all-time airport record by a full 4°F. Records at the airport extend back to 1962; the previous reporting site for Genoa was located further inland, with a warmer microclimate. Even at that location, the previous Genoa record was 37.8°C (100.0°F) in July 1952.

Environment

Heat Wave in Europe

A heat wave has soared across Europe. The heat wave set a record in Germany as 104.54 Fahrenheit was measured in Kitzingen, northern Bavaria, on Sunday afternoon. It is the highest level in Germany since measurements began in 1881.

The heatwave caused the deaths of five elderly people, two cyclists and three beachgoers, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Environment

Massive Heat Wave Creates Subcontinental Inferno

Meteorologists in South Asia say that the recent heat that baked the region was only one factor in the high number of fatalities the brutal conditions caused.

Official death figures exceeded 3,000 across India and Pakistan before the onset of the southwest monsoon brought cooling and wet relief to many areas by late June.

A freak combination of low barometric pressure, oppressive humidity and an unusual lack of wind created the Indian subcontinent’s most deadly heat wave in three decades.

The Indian Meteorological Department said even coastal residents, who typically get relief from sea breezes late in the day, suffered into the night when those cooling winds did not kick in.

“We don't know what is driving those circulation patterns which are producing some kind of descending motion and maintaining the warm conditions,” said Indian climate expert R. Krishnan.

The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has long warned that heatwaves will become more extreme in South Asia.

Environment

Deadly Heatwave in Pakistan - Update

The death toll from the ongoing heatwave in Pakistan's southern Sindh province has passed 700, as mortuaries reached capacity. At least 744 people died in Karachi and 38 in other areas. Officials have been criticised for not doing enough to tackle the crisis.

On Tuesday as temperatures reached 45C (113F), Pakistan's PM called for emergency measures and the army was deploying to help set up heat stroke centres. There is anger among local residents at the authorities because power cuts have restricted the use of air-conditioning units and fans. Matters have been made worse by the widespread abstention from water during daylight hours during the fasting month of Ramadan. 612 people had died in the main government-run hospitals in the city of Karachi during the past four days. Another 80 are reported to have died in private hospitals.

Thousands of people are being treated in the Sindh province, and some of them are in serious condition. Many of the victims are elderly people from low-income families. Hot weather is not unusual during summer months in Pakistan, but prolonged power cuts seem to have made matters worse. Sporadic angry protests have taken place in parts of Karachi, with some people blaming the government and Karachi's main power utility, K-Electric, for failing to avoid deaths.

The body's normal core temperature is 37-38C. If it heats up to 39-40C, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets in. At 40-41C heat exhaustion is likely - and above 41C the body starts to shut down. Chemical processes start to be affected, the cells inside the body deteriorate and there is a risk of multiple organ failure. The body cannot even sweat at this point because blood flow to the skin stops, making it feel cold and clammy. Heatstroke - which can occur at any temperature over 40C - requires professional medical help and if not treated immediately, chances of survival can be slim.

Environment

Heat Wave in Pakistan/India - Update

At least 10 people have died in the Sehwan district of Sindh province of Pakistan due to the ongoing heat wave conditions. They died during the 763rd Urs celebrations of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the heat wave in India has already claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people.

The highest daytime temperature was recorded at Sweihan, Abu Dhabi on Wenesday. The temperature climbed to 50.5C at 12pm local time.

Environment

Heat Wave in India - Update

More than 1100 people have now died in a major heatwave sweeping India, authorities said Wednesday, as forecasters warned searing temperatures would continue.

Southern India has borne the brunt of the hot, dry conditions and many of the victims are construction workers, elderly or homeless people unable to heed official advice to stay indoors.

Roads have melted in New Delhi, where forecasters said they expected the high temperatures to continue into next week - adding to the misery of thousands living on the capital's streets with little shelter from the hot sun.

Brahma Prakash Yadav, director of Indian Meteorological Department, said top temperatures in the capital would remain around 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) - the national benchmark for a heatwave.

Environment

Heat Wave in Odisha, India

Intense heat has claimed the lives of at least three people in Odisha, India. The Met Office has recorded temperatures of over 46 degree Celsius in several parts of Odisha.

The hottest temperature (48 degree celsius) has been recorded in Churu in Rajasthan.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Hot Saturday sparks fresh Victoria fires. Victorian firefighters have been kept busy battling two major fires in the state's east, whilst also tackling a flurry of blazes closer to Melbourne.

Western Australia's Health Department has issued a heat wave warning for Perth and warned people to remain indoors and hydrated.

Environment

Sweltering Conditions in Australia

Victoria in Australia is set to experience some of its worst fire conditions since Black Saturday, with most of the state expecting temperatures above 40°C on Friday, as well as fresh northerly winds. In Victoria's northwest, Mildura is tipped to have six days in a row above 40°C.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storm Wukong hits the Philippines

-The eye of the storm Wukong hit on Samar island on Wednesday.

-Flood and landslide warnings are issued across the central and southern Philippines.

-The Philippines is hit by about 20 major storms or typhoons each year.

 

Flood in Malaysia

-More than 10,8000 people displaced due to flood in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Recent floods have affected Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang areas of Malaysia.

-The Kelantan River at the Guillemard Bridge in Tanah Merah, Golok River in Jenob, Tanah Merah and in Rantau Panjang are running above the danger level.

-A total 52 flood relief centres were now open all over Terengganu.

-Flood in Kuantan is expected to be worst since 1971.

 

Winter Storm in USA brings White Christmas - and Tornadoes

-A major winter storm system swept through the southern United States on Tuesday, bringing widespread snowfalls across the Midwest, spawning tornadoes in several states and killing two people in weather-related road accidents.

-A tornado struck Mobile, Alabama, home to about 200,000 people, at about 5 p.m. local time (2300 GMT). There were reports of damage to trees and widespread power outages, along with some structural damage, but no injuries or fatalities.

-Tornadoes also touched down in Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana, flattening houses and causing some injuries, according to the NWS.

Cold wave in Mahottari, Nepal

-Cold wave in Mahottari district of Nepal killed one people.

-People of Dhanusha, Mahottari and other eastern Terai districts of Nepal has been badly affected due to low temperature.

-So far 7 people have died due to bitter cold wave in the district this month.

Heat wave in Buenos Aires, Argentina

-A heat wave was hitting Buenos Aires province on Christmas Eve (34.4 degrees)

-The National Meteorological Service has issued an alert for heavy rain and hail for today.

Wildfires

Wildfires in south-western France amid heat wave warnings.

Wildfires burn in the peat swamp forests of Thailand. Authorities believe the fires were deliberately lit by politicians seeking to expand their palm and rubber plantations.

 

Heat Wave and Drought

Heat waves hit southern Europe, wilting the corn crop and reducing yields. Corn supplies are expected to be under severe pressure worldwide over the present season. Southern Africa estimates a shortfall of more than 8 million tonnes. Corn/maize being the staple food for millions of people in the region.

 

Climate Change

An unprecedented heat wave across south-eastern and midwest USA. 3 200 high temperature records have been broken or tied during the last month.

University of Adelaide researchers have found that certain Australian plants are narrowing their leaves in response to changes in climate.