World weather news, December 2024
- 1st
- Two men have died as torrential rains and gale-force winds cause flooding and damage across Greece. More than 30 cm of rain was reported to have fallen on the island of Rhodes - one of the first areas to be impacted by Storm Bora - since 30 November. The deaths occurred on the island of Lemnos where flooding damaged roads and buildings and residents were asked to evacuate their homes, amid fears that a dam could overflow. Damage has also been reported in Greece's second-largest city of Thessaloniki on the mainland.
- 14th
- France's Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been struck by the worst cyclone to hit the islands in nearly a century. There are fears that the death toll could rise into the hundreds, if not thousands, after Cyclone Chido made landfall, causing wind gusts of more than 225 km/h, with fears the death toll could rise into the hundreds. Most of the island's 300,000 or so inhabitants live in shacks with sheet metal roofs, and tens of thousands of people have lost their homes. Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert - the highest level - and a "strict lockdown for the whole population, including emergency services" was imposed. It has later lowered to red to allow emergency services to leave their bases.
- 14th
- At least four people were injured after a tornado struck northern California on this afternoon, according to local authorities. The tornado flipped over several cars and brought down power lines in Scotts Valley, located around 55 miles south of San Francisco, police said. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the tornado was categorised as an EF1, one of the weakest classifications, and that it lasted around five minutes. Earlier in the day, residents of San Francisco had been issued a tornado warning for the first time ever as thunderstorms swept through the region. The city last saw a tornado in 2005, though that struck without any clear radar signature, so no warning was issued in that case, NWS meteorologist Roger Glass said.
- 15th
- At least 34 people have died following "one of the most intense storms ever recorded" in northern Mozambique, the country's National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) has said. Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique today, after wreaking havoc in the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte. More than 34,000 Mozambican families have lost their homes to Chido, which brought winds of around 260 km/h. The cyclone made landfall in Cabo Delgado before travelling further inland to Niassa and Nampula.
- 23rd-26th
- Winter winds in the US have delivered deadly surf conditions to western states and reports of tornadoes to Texas, as parts of the US faced severe weather over the holidays. With waves as high as 30 ft in some areas of California, the US National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory for the US West Coast through to Sunday (the 29th) and cautioned inexperienced surfers and swimmers to stay out of the water. Meanwhile, storms across parts of Texas prompted tornado sightings and flight delays on Thursday (26th). A wharf in Santa Cruz, California, collapsed after it was struck by strong waves earlier this week. In a separate incident, the Marina Police Department responded to reports that an adult man had been swept out to sea on Monday (23rd). Rescue officials were forced to call off an air and sea search due to dangerous conditions.
- 28th-29th
- At least four people have been killed after dozens of tornadoes swept across the southern US, causing extensive property damage and leaving tens of thousands of people without power. On Saturday and Sunday, nearly 40 tornadoes were reported in Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia and Arkansas. Two of the deaths took place in Mississippi, with one more each in Texas and North Carolina. About 80 people are killed each year by tornadoes in the US, according to National Weather Service statistics.
World weather news, November 2024
- 4th
- The Spanish city of Barcelona was hit by flooding on Monday, as search and rescue efforts continue following devastating flooding around Valencia last week. Spain's state meteorological agency has placed parts of Catalonia on red alert for torrential rain, with local media showing footage of cars partially submerged on a highway. Parts of the Barcelona's El Prat airport, the second largest in the country, have been flooded. More than 80 flights have been cancelled or delayed, while rail services have been suspended.
- 6th
- Japan's Mount Fuji has seen its first snowfall after going through the longest period without snow since records began 130 years ago. Snow fell on Japan's highest peak about a month later than expected, as the country recovers from one of its hottest summers. Snow was spotted today by the Japan Meteorological Agency's branch in Shizuoka.
- 6th
- Hurricane Rafael made landfall in the Artemisa province of western Cuba in the afternoon as a major Category 3 storm. The US National Hurricane Center estimated wind speeds to be 115 mph on landfall. Heavy rain and a storm surge also affected many parts of the Caribbean island where at least 70,000 people were told to evacuate. Strong winds damaged power supplies and cut electricity to the whole island.
- 8th
- New floods have hit the region of Girona in north-eastern Spain, sweeping away around 30 cars in the town of Cadaques. No casualties were reported in the latest round of flooding to hit the country. Catalonia's meteorological service recorded 76.8 mm of rain in Cadaques on 7 and 8 November, with more than 100 mm logged in two other towns nearby.
- 13th
- Continuous rainfall led to flooding and infrastructural damage in Catania and nearby areas in Sicily. Torrential rain swept through the Metropolitan City of Catania, dragging vehicles toward the sea, trapping motorists, and flooding homes. In Giarre, 400 mm of rain fell in just 6 hours.
- 13th
- The latest Dana storm has hit the Malaga municipality of Almogía with particular virulence, where nearly 80 mm of rain fell in a short space of time. The strength of the rain caused more than 140 homes to be flooded. As a result of the rain, the river Campanillas, near the Las Palomas bridge, was on the verge of overflowing and causing major chaos in several areas. In just one hour, nearly a month's worth of rainfall inundated the city of Malaga, in Spain's Andalusia region, according to the country's meteorological agency AEMet. The southern Spanish province picked up roughly 100 mm of rain, 78 mm of which fell within an hour. Malaga normally averages 100.5 mm in the month of November.
- 14th
- Typhoon Usagi made landfall in Luzon in the far north-east of Philippines during the afternoon local time with sustained winds of around 175 km/h and gusts of up to 240 km/h. It also brought a three-metre storm surge and torrential rainfall exceeding 200 mm.
- 16th
- A super typhoon has made second landfall on the Philippines' main island of Luzon, with forecasters warning of "life-threatening storm surge", heavy rains and severe winds. Man-Yi, known locally as Pepito, first touched down on the country's eastern Cantanduanes island at 2140 local time (1340 GMT), with maximum sustained wind speeds of 195 km/h. More than a million people were ordered to evacuate. Man-Yi is the sixth typhoon to hit the Philippines in a month, with at least 160 people known to have died in the five previous storms. The storm did not lose any strength as it made landfall in the province of Aurora and began traversing the island of Luzon, with some gusts peaking at 305 km/h.
- 18th
- Air pollution in India's capital Delhi has soared to extremely severe levels, choking residents and engulfing the city in thick smog. Monitors recorded pollution levels of 1,500 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 1500 IST, 15 times the level the Word Health Organization (WHO) considers satisfactory for breathing. The toxic air has disrupted flight services, and had already prompted authorities to shut schools and ban construction work in the city. According to the WHO, air with AQI values above 300 are considered to be hazardous for health. Last week, the government banned all activities that involve the use of coal and firewood, as well as diesel generator use for non-emergency services.
- 22nd
- An atmospheric river swept through Northern California, dumping record rain and deep snow in the region. In Santa Rosa, the rainfall shattered a three-day record of about 10 inches set in October 2021. The weather event occurs when water evaporates into the air and is carried along by the wind. It followed a bomb cyclone that hit the US Pacific north-west and killed multiple people.
- 29th-30th
- A lake effect storm pummelled parts of the Great Lakes region, shutting down highways on one of the biggest travel days of the year in the US. Communities on the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario - in New York state, Pennsyvlania and Ohio - were left blanketed in snow, with the National Weather Service (NWS) urging residents to stay indoors. Almost 30 inches of snow had already fallen in spots along Lake Erie, the NWS said on the 30th.
- 30th
- Huge flooding caused by heavy rain in Malaysia has forced more than 122,000 people out of their homes across the country. Three people have also died, according to disaster officials. The flooding, which began earlier in the week, is mostly concentrated on the north-eastern state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand. So far, the number of those displaced surpasses that of 2014, which saw one of the worst floods in the country.
World weather news, October 2024
- 4th
- Flash floods and landslides in central Bosnia-Herzegovina have left at least 16 people dead, with towns and villages cut off and reports in some places of homes being almost submerged. Some of the worst scenes were in the area around Jablanica, a town on the main route between the cities of Mostar and the capital, Sarajevo, about 70 km to the north-east. A number of other people have been reported missing and a state of emergency has been declared. Roads, bridges and railway tracks were washed away or blocked by debris, while landslides left houses buried in rocks and earth as high as their upper storeys. The main M-17 route, which runs alongside the River Neretva was covered in debris close to Jablanica and a 17km-stretch of railway was badly damaged between nearby Ostrozac and Grabovica to the west. One 200m stretch of track was left hanging in the air by a landslide close to the river south of Jablanica. The flooding was not confined to Bosnia. In neighbouring Montenegro, roads were washed away leaving the village of Komarnica cut off. Water levels were also rising in some of Croatia's rivers, and the government in Zagreb said there was a risk of some areas in the city of Karlovac being flooded close the Kupa river.
- 10th-11th
- Storm Kirk has been affecting northern France and has flooded buildings used by politicians in Paris. Some parliamentarians took to social media to show the aftermath. What started out as Hurricane Kirk, over the Atlantic, was later downgraded to a tropical storm as it headed to Europe. It caused 300,000 people to lose power in Spain and Portugal.
- 9th-10th
- At least 30 people have died after Hurricane Milton passed through Florida, though the total number of deaths could rise as rescue workers make their way through floodwaters and debris. More than three million homes and businesses lost power and thousands of people were rescued from flooded areas. Some Florida residents forced to abandon their homes have returned to find them destroyed or badly flooded. One of at least a dozen tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton tore through St Lucie County on Florida's east coast, killing at least five residents. Milton made landfall as a category three hurricane on Wednesday evening local time, bringing 200 km/h winds. Earlier in its life, it was categorised more than once as a category five hurricane. Tampa saw more rain falling in a day than its previous record rainfall for the whole of October, set in 1922. As much as 18 inches fell in some parts of Florida's west coast, with heavy downpours across the state and in nearby Cuba. St. Petersburg had 18.31 inches of rain. That included 5.09 inches in one hour, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
- 14th
- A major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Nigeria's Kogi State, where flooding from the Niger and Benue rivers has submerged over 200 communities, displacing more than 2 million residents as of today. The flooding is affecting nine of the state's 21 local government areas, including Lokoja, Kogi, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, and Omalla.
- 15th-16th
- Heavy rains triggered by the stalled Tropical Depression Al-Sayyal led to severe floods in parts of Oman. A total of 215 mm of rainfall was recorded in the city of Sur over 24 hours - more than what the city typically receives over the period of two years. The average annual rainfall in Sur is approximately 100 mm. The city experiences a very arid climate, with most of the rainfall occurring during the winter months, but overall, rain is infrequent and light. During the same period, Qurayat registered 170 mm, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali 117 mm, Muscat 112 mm and Masirah 96 mm, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
- 16th-17th
- A cold front brought heavy rains to Monterrey, Mexico, leading to severe floods and 3 deaths. The downpours started around 1800 local time (LT) on the 16th and intensified at around 2100 LT, dropping around 127 mm of rain over the Monterrey metropolitan area.
- 17th
- A slow-moving storm brought extremely heavy rains to parts of France. This led to widespread flooding and approximately 350 rescue operations. The Ardeche Cevennes region was hit by extremely heavy rainfall with some locations receiving over 500 mm of rain within 24 hours. Croix-de-Bauzon recorded the highest rainfall at 700 mm by 1200 LT. Six departments were placed under Red alert for rain and flooding, and schools in Ardeche were closed as a precaution. Twenty departments remained on Orange alert, with continued heavy rainfall forecast. The heavy rainfall was caused by the interaction of a quasi-stationary low-pressure area, an unstable air mass from the Mediterranean, and a 'cold drop' created by cyclonic vorticity. This resulted in intense storm convection over the Cevennes mountains known as the Cevennes episode.
- 20th
- At least six people have died as a result of Hurricane Oscar in Cuba. Oscar made landfall as a category one hurricane near the city of Baracoa in eastern Cuba on Sunday afternoon local time before weakening to a tropical storm. The province of Guantanamo was the worst hit, with more than 1,000 homes damaged by heavy rains and strong winds.
- 21st-25th
- A sudden and severe snowfall impacted various regions of Turkey, especially high-altitude areas, beginning in mid-October 2024. On October 21, the General Directorate of Meteorology issued a Yellow Alert for seven provinces, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Gumushane, and Artvin, warning of heavy rain and snowfall. Snow depths reached up to 50-100 cm in some regions, causing significant disruptions to transportation and daily life. Emergency crews were deployed to assist stranded individuals and clear roads as the unexpected early winter conditions caught many residents off guard, with temperatures plunging well below seasonal norms.
- 21st-23rd
- Heavy rains affecting Eastern Cape (South Africa) flooded entire neighbourhoods, destroyed roads and bridges, and left at least 10 people dead. Severe flooding was reported in parts of Gqeberha and Kariega, with Nelson Mandela Bay the worst affected. Thousands of families there were forced to evacuate. Damage to infrastructure included the collapse of at least 30 houses and the destruction of 12 bridges, which has also affected school attendance in the region. Displaced residents have been temporarily accommodated in community halls and recently constructed houses.
- 24th
- A tropical storm has dumped one month's worth of rains over large swathes of the northern Philippines, leaving more than 20 people dead and forcing 150,000 others to evacuate. Trami made landfall on the northeast coast of Luzon, the country's most populous island, and caused widespread flooding and landslides. More than two million people have been affected by the storm, authorities say. The rains also triggered volcanic mudslides or lahar in villages surrounding Mount Mayon, an active volcano in Bicol. The storm, known locally as Kristine, had dumped one month's worth of rain over 24 hours in Bicol, Ana Claren, a forecaster at the state weather bureau in Manila, said. The rainfall amount also exceeded what the weather bureau considers "normal" over 30 years of observation, she said. The storm, which was packing winds of up to 95 km/h, was forecast to leave the country's north-west coast in the evening. At least a dozen flights across the country had been cancelled. The Philippines is hit by an average of four typhoons annually, some of them deadly. However, recent years have seen typhoons with stronger, more destructive winds and heavier rains.
- 27th-29th
- Heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding across Saudi Arabia, with Mecca among the worst affected areas. Streets and pathways in the city, including the Grand Mosque, being heavily flooded, causing significant disruption for residents, pilgrims, and visitors.
- 28th
- Northern New South Wales (Australia) has been hit by "giant" hailstones up to 5 cm in diameter, inflicting damage and necessitating emergency measures. The incident occurred at around 1420 GMT. Simultaneously, Darwin in the Northern Territory has seen 14 days this month with temperatures above 35C, including a record-breaking 35.4C today. The severe hail affected the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands districts in NSW, including Maclean and Gulmarrad. At the same time, the extreme heat impacted Darwin and surrounding areas in the Northern Territory.
- 29th
- At least 158 people have been killed in the deadliest flooding to hit Spain for three decades after torrential rain battered the eastern region of Valencia, leaving roads and towns under water, local authorities said. Rescuers using dinghies worked in the dark to scour the floodwaters, rescuing several people, television pictures from the town of Utiel showed, and emergency services were still working to reach the worst-hit areas. Trains to the cities of Madrid and Barcelona were cancelled due to the flooding, and schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas. Spain's state weather agency AEMET declared a red alert on Tuesday in Valencia, a leading citrus-growing region, with some areas such as Turis and Utiel recording 200 mm of rainfall. ASAJA, one of Spain's largest farmer groups, said that it expected significant damage to crops. Spain is the world's largest exporter of fresh and dried oranges, according to trade data provider the Observatory of Economic Complexity, and Valencia accounts for about 60% of the country's citrus production, according to Valencian Institute of Agriculture Investigations. AEMET reported that the town of Chiva, in the Valencia region, recorded 491 mm of rain in just eight hours - the equivalent to a year's worth of rain.
- 29th
- Mount Fuji is still without snow, making it the latest time in the year the mountain has remained bare since records began 130 years ago. The peaks of Japan's highest mountain typically gets a sprinkling of snow by early October, but unusually warm weather has meant no snowfall has been reported so far this year. In 2023 snow was first seen on the summit on 5 October. Japan had its hottest joint summer on record this year with temperatures between June and August being 1.76 degC higher than an average.
- 31st
- Typhoon Kong-rey, the biggest typhoon to directly hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, has made landfall on the island's eastern coast; the storm hit at about 1340 LT. At one point before it made landfall, Typhoon Kong-rey was packing winds over 200 km/h close to its centre, making it the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane. Hundreds of flights and ferries, along with Taiwan's stock exchange, were suspended. It also caused power outages in half a million households. It is unusual for a typhoon this big to come so late in the year. Taiwan's typhoon season, according to its weather agency, generally falls between July and September. The eastern part of Taiwan, which is set to be hardest hit by Typhoon Kong-rey, may see up to 1,200 mm of rainfall between 29 October and 1 November, according to the island's weather agency forecasters.
World weather news, September 2024
- 3rd
- The ruins of a Greek village that lay submerged for decades have re-appeared after record temperatures caused a major reservoir to partially dry up. Residents of the village of Kallio were forced to evacuate their homes more than 40 years ago to make way for the Mornos dam in southern Greece, which supplies water to the capital, Athens. However, drought conditions in recent months caused the reservoir's water levels to drop dramatically - revealing what remained of several homes and a school. It is only the second time since Kallio was abandoned that the village has been seen, according to a former resident. The first time was in the 1990s during another period of drought. Greece experienced its hottest June and July on record this year and state water operator EYDAP said water levels at the Mornos dam were down by 30%.
- 7th
- At least 127 people have died as a result of super typhoon Yagi after the powerful storm ripped through Vietnam. Yagi, Asia's most powerful typhoon this year, injured 176 others, according to Vietnamese state media. It has now been downgraded to a tropical depression. But authorities are warning about the continued risk of flooding and landslides as the storm moves westwards. After it made landfall in northern Vietnam, the storm hit Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces with winds of up to 203 km/h, the Indo-Pacific Tropical Cyclone Warning Center said. It lifted roofs from buildings and uprooted trees, leading to power outages in the capital, Hanoi. In the port city of Hai Phong, several areas were under half a metre of flood waters on Sunday, with power lines and electric poles damaged. Before hitting Vietnam, the typhoon brought devastation to the Chinese island of Hainan and to the Philippines, killing at least 24 people and injuring dozens of others. On the 6th, China evacuated some 400,000 people in Hainan island. Trains, boats and flights were suspended, while schools were shut.
- 11th
- Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, as the Red River surges to its highest level in two decades, flooding the streets. By today, flood waters from the swollen river reached a metre high in parts of the city, forcing some residents to navigate their neighbourhoods by boat. Power has been cut to some districts because of safety concerns, while 10 of Hanoi's 30 administrative districts are on "flood alert", state media reported. Vietnam is suffering the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.
- 11th-12th
- Hurricane Francine has left hundreds of thousands without power and caused widespread flooding after slamming the coast of Louisiana before driving inland. It made landfall in Morgan City as a Category 2 hurricane at 1700 LT on the 11th, carrying winds of 100 mph, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Francine rapidly weakened into a tropical storm before diminishing further into a depression on Thursday (12th) morning. It was moving over central Mississippi on Thursday morning with 35 mph winds. Heavy rain blanketed roadways and poured into houses. About 350,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana had lost power as of Thursday morning (12th).
- 14th
- Severe flooding has hit Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi, with more than 230,000 people forced to flee their homes, according to officials. The floods have killed at least 33 people, the country's military says.
- 14th
- Four people have died in Romania due to floods caused by torrential rain sweeping through central and eastern Europe, emergency services have said. Elsewhere on Saturday, the highest flood alert was declared in 38 locations across the Czech Republic. In the capital Prague, the city's flood barriers have been raised, embankments have been closed to the public, and the zoo has been closed, Czech authorities said. Evacuations have also started in Poland as rivers rise to dangerous levels. In Poland, Interior minister Tomasz Siemoniak said residents in the small towns near the Czech border of Morow and Glucholazy, were facing a dangerous situation. In the Glucholazy the river level had exceeded a safe level by two metres and residents living in nearby streets have been evacuated. Since Thursday, Cyclone Boris has brought strong winds and torrential rain to parts of Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.The Jeseniky mountains could receive some 400mm over the next three days, and that water will then cascade down the River Oder and on towards Poland, passing a number of towns and villages on the way. Austria experienced its hottest August since records began, according to the Geosphere Austria federal institute. Now it is warning of 100-200 mm of rainfall in many regions in a matter of days. In some places, well over 200 mm is possible, especially in the mountains of Upper and Lower Austria and in northern Upper Styria. Heavy snow has already fallen in Austria's Tyrol. Railway network OEBB has advised all passengers to postpone non-urgent journeys. Part of the Tauern railway line between Bad Hofgastein and Bokstein in the province of Salzburg has been closed because of heavy snowfall.
- 16th
- Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated as a powerful typhoon made landfall near China's financial hub, Shanghai. Typhoon Bebinca hit at about 0730 LT (2330 GMT) in the coastal area of Lingang New City in Shanghai's east, the China Meteorological Administration said. It is the strongest storm to hit Shanghai in 75 years, according to Chinese state media. Hundreds of flights were cancelled as the city's two main airports grounded all flights. Train services were also cancelled and highways closed. Shanghai's 25 million residents had been advised to stay home as the storm batters the city. Authorities have issued a red alert for Bebinca, the highest level, as wind speeds of up to 151 km/h were recorded at the typhoon's eye.
- 19th
- After causing historic floods in central Europe, Storm Boris continues to bring devastating weather. With heavy rain now across northern areas of Italy, there is a continued risk of flooding. Red warnings for flooding and landslides have been issued for eastern Emilia-Romagna. Floods are already reported in the central city of Pescara, but some of the highest rainfall has been further north in Italy. Falconara on the Adriatic coast has seen 204 mm of rain since the 18th, well over September's average of around 67 mm. Over 300 mm of rain was recorded over the Apennine mountain region.
- 21st
- One person has died and seven others are missing, officials said, after "unprecedented" rains caused floods and landslides in the coastal quake-hit region of Ishikawa in northern Japan. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on Saturday issued its highest "life-threatening" alert level for the Ishikawa region, following torrential rains which are expected to last until midday on Sunday. More than 40,000 people across four cities have been ordered to evacuate after at least a dozen rivers in the region burst their banks. Two of the missing were carried away by strong river currents. More than 120 mm of rain was recorded in Wajima on Saturday morning, the heaviest downpour in the region since records began.
- 22nd
- Schools in Niger will start the new academic year almost a month late because of heavy rainfall and flooding. Over the last few weeks, the West African country has been battered by relentless downpours, resulting in over 300 deaths either due to drowning or buildings collapsing, according to the interior ministry. Like other countries in the semi-arid Sahel region of West Africa, Niger is suffering from the impact of climate change. As well as floods, it has also experienced droughts and crop failures in recent years. A few weeks ago, a 19th Century mosque made from wood and straw collapsed in Zinder, the country's second-biggest city.
- 23rd
- Planned power cuts in Ecuador have begun a day early as severe drought disrupts its hydroelectric plants. The country is suffering its worst drought in 60 years, with no significant rainfall in more than two months. Several South American countries are currently experiencing their worst droughts on record, which is also fuelling a number of wildfires. Hydroelectric plants cover 70% of Ecuador's electricity demand, but the water reserves that fuel it have fallen to critical levels. Sixty neighbourhoods in Quito have had their water supplies cut as part of rationing measures. The current drought is certainly not contained to Ecuador - several other countries in South America are suffering the impact of the worst drought in living memory. Extreme drought has devastated vast areas of the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. Earlier this week, Peru's government declared a 60-day state of emergency in the jungle regions bordering Brazil and Ecuador which have been worst affected by forest fires. Last week, the Brazilian Geological Service said water levels in many of the rivers in the Amazon basin had reached their lowest on record.
- 27th
- Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a category four hurricane, has now weakened to a tropical storm as it moves more inland over Georgia, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The agency says conditions are still "life-threatening" with storm surge warnings in places. The storm is moving across Georgia towards Tennessee and the Carolinas, after devastating Florida with fierce winds and flash flooding. It is one of the biggest ever to hit the Gulf Coast, with wind gust speeds of 140 mph. At approximately 420 miles wide - easily covering the whole of England and Wales - it comes just behind only two other hurricanes, Ida in 2017 and Opal in 1996 that were 460 miles wide. One person was killed in Florida by a falling road sign and two people died in Georgia. Roads and homes are underwater.
- 28th
- At least 43 people have died and millions left without power on Friday (27th) as Hurricane Helene roared through the south-eastern US. Insurers and financial institutions say damage caused by the storm could run into the billions of dollars. Helene, which had been a category four storm, came ashore on Thursday night and remained a hurricane for six hours after it made landfall, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The National Hurricane Center said a storm surge - heightened water levels mostly caused by high winds blowing water towards shore - reached more than 4.5 metres above ground level across parts of the Florida coast. The hurricane is the 14th most powerful to hit the US since records began. Because of its sheer size, the impact of strong winds and heavy rain have been widespread across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.
- 29th
- Major floods and landslides in Nepal have killed at least 100 people across the Himalayan nation. Dozens more were still missing after two days of intense rainfall, which has inundated the valley around the capital Kathmandu. People have been left stranded on rooftops with workers carrying out rescuers on rafts. Thousands of homes near rivers have also been flooded and many highways blocked.
World weather news, August 2024
- 2nd
- Halfway through the peak flood season, China has already experienced the highest number of significant floods since record keeping began in 1998, and the hottest July since 1961, authorities said today. This year so far it has recorded 25 "numbered" events, which the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources defined as having water levels that prompt an official warning or are measured at a magnitude of a "once in two to five years" event. Authorities said 3,683 river flood warnings and 81 mountain flood disaster warnings had been issued. Almost 5,000 reservoirs had been put into operation diverting 99bn litres of floodwater to prevent the relocation of more than 6.5 million people.
- 6th-7th
- Tropical Storm Debby unleashed prolonged downpours and flooding to historic southern US cities, as authorities warned residents to expect a "rough day" on the 7th. At least five people were killed after Debby slammed into Florida as a category one hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm. On the morning of the 7th, the storm was moving up the East Coast from Georgia to South Carolina, where it was expected to re-strengthen. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of a "life-threatening" flood threat as the slow-moving storm drenched historic southern US cities. More than 200 mm of rain have already fallen on Savannah and Valdosta, Georgia, the National Weather Service said. Charleston and Hilton Head, in South Carolina, have received between 250 and 300 mm of rain so far, with more on the way.
- 6th-7th
- Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across Yemen's Hodeida Governorate, including the city of Hodeida, overnight. The deluge, part of Yemen's ongoing seasonal rains, intensified overnight, leading to widespread damage and displacing thousands of residents. The floods inundated streets, homes, and infrastructure, causing significant disruptions to public services and road closures. Power outages were reported across the governorate, with some areas experiencing complete or partial blackouts. On the 7th local authorities reported 30 fatalities and 5 missing persons due to the flooding in the southern city of Hodeida.
- 8th
- A moderate to severe drought currently persists over western Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas (USA), with continued extreme to exceptional drought over the extreme W of Texas. Much-above-average temperatures rapidly intensified drought conditions across parts of the Southern Plains in late July and early August. Hurricane Beryl brought heavy rains to east Texas, missing the most drought-affected parts of the state.
- 9th
- An extreme rainstorm struck China's Shaanxi Province this morning, bringing in heavy rain totalling 172 mm that caused severe flooding that swept away many vehicles as it turned roads into raging rivers and caused destructive mudslides.
- 11th-12th
- A wildfire fuelled by gale-force winds is spreading to the edge of Athens (Greece), as thousands of residents are told to flee their homes. Houses caught alight in Varnavas, about 20 miles north-east of the Greek capital, and a children's hospital and military medical facility were evacuated at dawn. After the warmest winter on record, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960, and the summer season has seen fires burn daily. Temperatures were forecast to peak at 39C on the 12th in Greece on Monday, with wind gusts of up to 50 km/h. Greece registered its earliest recorded heatwave in June.
- 12th
- Typhoon Maria made landfall in the northeast Japanese prefecture of Iwate, unleashing record-breaking rainfall and severe disruptions across the Tohoku region. The fifth typhoon of the year, a severe tropical storm, landed around 8:30 a.m. local time, reported Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), warning of continued heavy rains and strong winds, particularly on the Pacific side of Tohoku, the country's northeast region. In the 48 hours leading up to this morning, Kuji City in Iwate received 450 mm of rain, while Otsuchi Town saw 255.5 mm - both the highest recorded since data collection began.
- 12th
- Violent thunderstorms swept through Switzerland this evening, causing significant disruptions, damage, and the evacuation of residents. The storms were accompanied by over 70000 lightning strikes, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, resulting in widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The village of Brienz, approximately 75 km south-east of Bern in Bern Canton, was among the hardest-hit areas. At around 1830 LT, the small Milibach River, swollen by torrential rains, burst its banks, carrying debris, boulders, and wood from higher elevations, and causing flooding and significant damage in the village. Cars were swept away, and the local train station was inundated.
- 14th
- Tropical Storm Ernesto swept through Eastern Puerto Rico causing widespread flooding. The winds reached 75 mph at the time according to the National Hurricane Center. The weather front then turned into a Category 1 hurricane after leaving the island as it headed to the British Virgin Islands.
- 18th
- Sicily is grappling with one of the most serious water crises in its history. The island, the largest and most populous in the Mediterranean, where a European record high temperature of 48.8C was reached in 2021, is at risk of desertification. In the last six months of 2023, only 150 mm of rain fell, and in May, the government in Rome declared a state of emergency. Sicily finds itself caught between water scarcity and a soaring influx of visitors who, despite the additional pressure they place on resources, remain appreciated as one of the main drivers of the economy. Because of the climate emergency, according to the Italian National Research Council, a 70% of Sicily is at risk of desertification. Most of the island's lakes are already almost dry. The artificial lake of Fanaco, in central Sicily, once had a capacity of 20m cubic metres of water, but today holds just 300,000. Sicily's orange farmers warned that searing heat and drought risked wrecking this year's production and called for help from regional and national authorities to save their business.
- 19th
- One man has died and six people are missing after a luxury yacht sank in freak weather conditions off the coast of Sicily. The 56 metre long British-flagged Bayesian was carrying 22 people - 12 passengers and 10 crew - when a heavy storm that created waterspouts over the water struck early today. It was reportedly anchored to the sea bed outside the harbour at Porticello, a small fishing village to the east of Palermo, when what the Italian coastguard described as a "violent storm" hit and the boat was hit by a downburst. The storm was so fierce that it caused waterspouts to appear over the sea nearby.
- 22nd
- About 100 mm of rain fell over Tokyo in an hour today, causing severe flooding across the city, overwhelming the drainage system, and causing manhole covers to blow off.
- 22nd
- Severe floods triggered by heavy torrential rains have inundated low-lying regions of Bangladesh. The rains and floods have stranded roughly 3 million people, claimed 2 lives, and caused severe damage to infrastructure, said a statement by the disaster management ministry of Bangladesh today. The most affected districts in Bangladesh included Feni, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Comilla, and Chittagong, where five major rivers were flowing above danger levels. Feni, the main port city of Chittagong, was the worst hit by the floods.
- 23rd
- Torrential rains struck Liaoning Province in northeast China, leaving 11 people dead and 14 missing in Huludao city. The floods damaged or destroyed 187 bridges, caused 40 powerlines to be shut off, and disrupted communications.
- 23rd
- A deadly landslide hit the island of Phuket in southern Thailand, following very heavy rain. The landslide claimed 13 lives and caused severe damage to more than 200 homes, prompting authorities to declare nine villages as disaster zones. Weather stations recorded around 200 mm of rain falling during the previous evening.
- 29th
- On of the most powerful typhoons to hit Japan in decades, Shanshan, has made landfall in Japan at about 0800 h LT, with three people already confirmed dead. The Japan Meteorological Agency had previously issued its rare "special warning" for the most violent storms, warning of landslides, flooding and large-scale damage. High winds of up to 252 km/h were reported on the island of Kyushu, and as much as 600 mm of rain over 24 hours was forecast for some areas of Kyushu, home to 12.5 million people. Airlines halted hundreds of domestic flights for Thursday and Friday (29th-30th), affecting around 40,000 passengers. Rail operators have suspended Shinkansen bullet trains in many areas of Kyushu, while hundreds of bus and ferry services have also been halted. More than 5.2 million people in Japan have been ordered to evacuate from their homes, Japanese authorities say; most of the orders are in place for the southern Kyushu island, but some are also in place for central Japan.
World weather news, July 2024
- 2nd
- A deadly hurricane which has been tearing through the Caribbean is intensifying as it moves towards Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl is now a category five storm. The storm made landfall on Monday (1st) on Carriacou, an island which is part of Grenada. So far, there are reports of three people dead as a result of the storm, two in Grenada and one in St Vincent. Thousands of people are still without power and many are in temporary shelters in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and St Lucia. Beryl hit land as a category four hurricane, with sustained winds of 150 mph. The National Hurricane Center said that Hurricane Beryl was the earliest category five storm in the Atlantic they had ever recorded in 100 years of records, forming much earlier in the hurricane season than usual. Meteorologists have also remarked on how quickly Beryl developed. The storm strengthened from a tropical depression into a major hurricane - category three or above - in only 42 hours.
- 3rd-4th
- Hundreds of thousands of homes in Jamaica are without power, after Hurricane Beryl thundered along the island's southern coast on Wednesday night. The category four storm - one of the most powerful to ever hit the country - has brought more than 12 hours of heavy rain, prompting concerns about flash flooding. It has left a trail of devastation across the Caribbean, and caused the deaths of at least seven people. Hurricane Beryl has already caused devastation in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela. At least seven people are known to have died.
- 5th-6th
- Hurricane Beryl has lashed Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula after wreaking havoc across the Caribbean, causing at least 10 deaths. It made landfall as a category-two hurricane early on the 5th, bringing winds of up to 110 mph. Beryl brought heavy rain to tourist hotspots of Cancun and Tulum. No major damage was reported but the high winds felled trees and caused power outages. Ahead of Beryl's arrival, Schools were closed, hotel windows boarded up, and emergency shelters were set up in areas facing the brunt of the impact. On the 4th, many homes and businesses were badly damaged in the Cayman Islands, particularly along the coastline, where entire neighbourhoods were inundated.
- 5th-7th
- A record-breaking heatwave that has already caused large wildfires in western US states shows no signs of ending. Around 130 million people were under some form of heat warning or advisory on the 6th. Nearly 57 million people remain under heat alerts, as at least one child has already died in heat-related circumstances in Arizona. Palm Springs in California reached 124F (51C) on the 5th, beating its previous all-time record of 123F (50.6C).
- 7th
- Las Vegas recorded its highest daytime temperature today with 48.9C at the Harry Reid Airport. The extreme heat in the region claimed 2 lives and left one hospitalized. The previous record was 47.2C, which was hit five times - in 2021, 2017, 2013, 2005 and 1942.
- 8th
- Kanchanpur district in Nepal experienced severe flooding after record-breaking rains. This was the heaviest rainfall for the region in the past 78 years, with some regions crossing the 600 mm mark. The flooding caused 4 deaths and 1 person was reported missing.
- 8th
- Mumbai experienced severe disruption due to heavy rains, with a downpour of 300 mm in just six hours. The extreme waterlogging delayed several flights, trains, and buses, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a Red alert for the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for schools and colleges in response to the weather conditions.
- 8th
- At least eight people have died after Hurricane Beryl slammed into south-east Texas and Louisiana, knocking out power for nearly three million people. Beryl hit the southern United States this morning as a category one hurricane, but it has since been downgraded to a tropical depression. Officials warned of destructive winds, up to 38 cm of rain and "life-threatening" storm surges. More than 1,100 flights were cancelled at Houston's main airport today. The storm also caused major destruction and at least 10 deaths in the Caribbean.
- 9th-10th
- Extremely heavy rains hit South Korea, claiming 4 lives and forcing thousands to evacuate for safety. The rains caused multiple flights and trains to be delayed and caused severe damage to infrastructure all over South Korea. South Korea's southern regions were hit by record heavy rains, marking the most intense downpour in 200 years, according to weather authorities. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that parts of North Jeolla Province were heavily affected, with Gunsan recording 131.7 mm of rain within one hour on the 10th, setting the new record the heaviest hourly downpour nationwide. This was over 10 percent of Gunsan's average annual rainfall of 1246 mm and is the highest since record-keeping began in 1907.
- 16th
- Record rainfall from three huge storms has flooded parts of Toronto, Canada, cut power and left drivers stranded on the major motorway through the city. Environment Canada reported that almost 100 mm of rain fell on Toronto today. Images and videos showed severe flooding across the city, cars nearly submerged, and water cascading down the staircases at Union Station. The storm left more than 167,000 customers without power, according to Toronto Hydro. Several flights were also delayed or cancelled out of Billy Bishop Airport, on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario. The Don Valley Parkway, a major motorway that runs adjacent to the Don river, was blocked in both directions by flooding. Ontario Highway 410 was also closed. The city had 25 per cent more rain in three hours than would normally fall in the whole month of July.
- 19th
- At least 11 people have died and more than 30 are missing after a highway bridge partially collapsed during torrential rains in northwest China. The bridge over a river in Shaanxi province's Shangluo city collapsed on Friday night due to a sudden downpour and flash floods. Rescue teams have recovered several vehicles that fell into the river. Large parts of northern and central China have been affected since the 16th by rains that have caused flooding and significant damage.
- 22nd
- The record for the world's hottest day has tumbled twice in one week, according to the European climate change service. Today the global average surface air temperature reached 17.15C, breaking the record of 17.09C set on the 21st. Parts of the world are experiencing powerful heatwaves including the Mediterranean, Russia and Canada. China has issued heat alerts this week, with central and northwestern areas of the country recording temperatures higher than 40C. Russia has been battling wildfires in Siberia, and Spain and Greece also endured days of high temperatures. Large swings in temperature are not unusual in Antarctica at this time of year - they also contributed to record temperatures in 2023.
- 24th-25th
- Typhoon Gaemi has hit China's south-eastern coast, after wreaking havoc in Taiwan and the Philippines. Three people died and hundreds more were injured when the storm passed over Taiwan earlier, while authorities in the Philippines say at least 21 people have died due to flooding and landslides. There has been particular devastation on the water, with officials rushing to contain an oil spill from a capsized ship near the Philippines; the MT Terra Nova sank in the Manila Bay while carrying 1.5 million litres of industrial fuel, prompting fears that it could be the worst oil spill in Philippine history - if not contained. Taiwan is cleaning up after being left battered by the full force of Typhoon Gaemi. The country's meteorological office says several areas of the island received more than 1000 mm of rainfall between Wednesday night and Thursday lunchtime. The southern city of Kaohsuing recorded and astonishing 1350 mm of rain, with large areas of the city being left under more than a metre of flood water.
- 26th
- A destructive wildfire continues to engulf parts of Jasper National Park and the adjacent town of Jasper in Alberta, Canada, leading to extensive evacuations and significant structural damage. As of this morning, the fire, which started due to lightning, has destroyed an estimated 30 - 50 % of buildings in the area. On the 25th temperatures fell slightly and rain started shortly after midnight. The 10-15 mm of rainfall in the national park led to a reduction in fire activity.
- 30th
- The death toll from the massive landslides that have hit the southern Indian state of Kerala has now crossed 158, with officials saying more than 220 people are still missing. Rescue workers say they are searching under collapsed roofs and debris of destroyed houses for possible survivors. Thick torrents of mud and water swept through the region early in the morning, flattening homes and uprooting trees. Heavy rains continue in the area, hampering rescue operations. The landslides are the worst disaster to hit the state since 2018, when floods killed more than 400 people.
World weather news, June 2024
- 2nd
- Eighteen people were injured in the Czech Republic after a tree they were sheltering under was struck by lightning, local emergency services said. The strike happened in the afternoon in the Liberec-Vratislavice castle park, located in the northern Liberec region about 55 miles north-east of the capital Prague.
- 3rd
- At least 10 people in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have died after flooding caused by torrential rains. Parts of the town of Tongaat in northern KwaZulu-Natal have been severely affected by a twister-like storm. The authorities have warned of more heavy rains in the coming days.
- 4th
- Floodwaters are continuing to rise in parts of southern Germany, and are now spreading down the Danube to Austria and Hungary. Five people are now known to have died since heavy rain led to rivers bursting their banks in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. One of the victims was a woman who died when her car left the road and became submerged west of Munich. A Bavarian firefighter is missing. Although the German weather service (DWD) has declared an end to the torrential rain that has hit southern Germany for days, water levels in the historic city of Passau, where three rivers meet, have now risen close to 10 m, the highest for more than a decade. River levels on the Danube have also been rising in Austria and Hungary. The Danube burst its banks in Austria's third-largest city Linz leaving areas close to the river banks submerged.
- 7th
- Aswan in Egypt recorded 50.9C, setting the highest reliable temperature ever recorded in Egypt and the hottest June day in African history. On the same day, Cyprus experienced its hottest June day ever with temperatures hitting 44C, breaking its record for the second time this month.
- 9th
- An Austrian Airlines plane has been seriously damaged, after it was caught up in an intense hailstorm during a flight this afternoon. The aircraft, which was flying from Spain to the Austrian capital Vienna, was forced to issue a mayday call and land after hail smashed the cockpit widows and tore off the front nose cone. In a statement, Austrian Airlines said the incident occurred after the aircraft flew into a thunderstorm "which was not visible on the weather radar", adding that no passengers were injured in the saga. One passenger on the flight said that the plane was on its final approach into Vienna when it was suddenly rocked by the storm.
- 9th-16th
- Extremely heavy rains in southeast China's Fujian province caused severe flooding and landslides, in which at least 4 people lost their lives and 2 remain missing. Hundreds of homes have been damaged and at least 36,000 people were forced to evacuate. From 9 to 15 June, northern Fujian was hit by continuous heavy rains, with cumulative rainfall reaching 500 mm - 810 mm. By the 16th, the cumulative rainfall reached 940 mm. Longyan was worst affected over the latter 24 hours, with a record-breaking 411 mm in just 12 hours.
- 11th
- Many flights to and from a popular Spanish airport have been cancelled after a massive storm caused flooding. Planes were unable to take-off or land at Palma in the afternoon, causing flights to divert to nearby airports on the Spanish mainland as officials activated the airport's flood emergency plan to try and stem the chaos. Several videos shared by airport workers and passengers show water running through the terminal building, including security control and check-in counters. Water reached knee high in the parking lot and became so flooded in parts that a couple of cars could be seen floating around following the sudden storm which hit the island around 2 p.m. The runway was completely flooded, making normal operation and operation impossible.
- 12th
- A tropical disturbance has brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of southern Florida as residents prepared to weather more heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday (13th-14th). Wednesday's downpours and subsequent flooding blocked roads, floated vehicles and delayed the Florida Panthers on their way to Stanley Cup games in Canada against the Edmonton Oilers. The disorganized storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory amid concerns that climate change is increasing storm intensity.
- 13th
- Lots of schools in Greece have shut as the country experiences its first heatwave of the summer. Temperatures were predicted to reach up to a sweltering 43C this week. Schools and nurseries were closed to protect students. Some famous tourist sites have also been shut to the public for the second day in a row, including the ancient Acropolis in the capital Athens. Although Greece is no stranger to very high temperatures during the summer, meteorologists say this is the earliest heatwave on record, with winds from North Africa pushing up the temperature. "This heatwave will go down in history," said meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos. "In the 20th century we never had a heatwave before 19 June. We have had several in the 21st century, but none before 15 June," he said. In Greece, heatwaves are temperatures which exceed 38C for at least three days.
- 14th
- More than 2,000 homes have been damaged and one person killed after heavy rains wreaked havoc across south and central Chile over the past couple of days. Bio Bio region is among the worst affected.
- 16th
- Severe storms hit parts of Ecuador, causing rivers to overflow, destroying homes, roads and bridges, and leaving at least 10 people dead, many injured and several missing. The worst affected was Baños, Ecuador, where a devastating landslide claimed the lives of at least eight people, leaving many more injured, and several missing
- 18th
- A damaging tornado swept through the village of Carlepont in the Oise department, France, at around 1730 LT, damaging 44 buildings and 2 powerlines. 55 firefighters and 25 engines were deployed to the scene to assess the damage. The tornado did not cause any casualties but significant damage was reported.
- 20th
- About one in five Americans - more than 70 million people - are currently subject to warnings about excessive temperatures as high pressure has formed a "heat dome" which traps warm air underneath. There are also warnings in force across four Canadian provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. While much of the continent struggles with the heat, Mexico and southern Texas have been hit by the first named storm of the North Atlantic hurricane season; three people died on the Mexican coast while the US National Hurricane Centre has warned of "life-threatening" flooding and mudslides in north-eastern Mexico and southern Texas.
- 20th
- Extreme heat in Saudi Arabia is being blamed for the deaths of a number of Muslim pilgrims in Mecca. By the 24th more than 1,300 people had died while undertaking the annual Hajj pilgrimage. While there have been deaths at Hajj before due to crushes and fires, the Saudi national meteorological centre reported a high of 52C earlier this week at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
- 20th
- Three people have died after the Mexican coast was hit by the first named storm of the North Atlantic hurricane season, which made landfall today. Storm Alberto also drenched southern Texas with heavy rain. The US National Hurricane Center earlier warned of "life-threatening" flooding in both countries. Officials in Mexico said the three deaths occurred in the northern Nuevo Leon state. The onset of Alberto comes as much of the continent is again baked by high heat. As of today, 95 million Americans - one in four of the population - are living in warning areas. Alerts are also in place in seven of Canada's provinces. Boston was among the eastern American cities that sweltered - breaking a 101-year-old record temperature for 19 June with a reading of 98F (37C).
- 23rd
- More than a million people are under flood warnings in the upper US Midwest after days of heavy rain that forced evacuations and rescues in several states. The hardest hit have been Iowa and South Dakota, where some rivers are expected to reach record-high levels over the next few days. Other states under weekend flood warnings include Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Illinois. In Iowa, officials said river levels have risen above those of a 1993 flood that killed 50 people. Up to 450 mm of torrential rain fell in some areas over this weekend.
- 22nd-24th
- Preliminary information from the National Weather Service shows the recent flooding brought record-high river levels at more than a dozen locations in South Dakota and Iowa, surpassing previous crests by an average of about 0.5 metres. The Big Sioux River reached nearly 12 m in Hawarden, Iowa, on Saturday (22nd) and nearly 14 m in Sioux City, Iowa, on Monday (24th), exceeding previous highs by 1.5 to 2.1 m, respectively.
- 26th
- In less than six months, Sydney, Australia, has received more than a year's worth of its average rainfall, marking this the start of its sixth wettest winter since 1859. Last week the New South Wales city recorded 60 mm of rain in 48 hours ending on the 23rd at 0900 local time. This brought the city's total rainfall for the month to 361 mm, making this Sydney's wettest June since 2007.
World weather news, May 2024
- 3rd
- In southern Brazil, a dam burst after days of heavy rains have triggered massive flooding, killing more than 30 people. Officials say another 60 people are missing in Rio Grande do Sul state. About 15,000 residents have fled their homes since Saturday (27 April). And at least 500,000 people are without power and clean water across the state. The burst dam triggered a two metre wave, causing panic and further damage in the already flooded areas. The dam is located between the municipality of Cotipora and the city of Bento Goncalves. The extreme weather has been caused by a rare combination of hotter than average temperatures, high humidity and strong winds. In some areas, the flooding is so severe that helicopters have been unable to land and have had to winch residents to safety.
- 10th
- Hundreds of people are feared dead after flash flooding hit northern Afghanistan, with warnings the toll could rise after further storms across the region. Officials say at least 150 have been killed, while the World Food Programme says more than 300 have died, after heavy rainfall hit five districts in Baghlan province overnight. The country has been hit by unusually heavy rainfall over the last few weeks, with floods killing scores of people since mid-April. Experts say a relatively dry winter has made it more difficult for the soil to absorb rainfall. Vast areas of farmland have also been submerged.
- 11th
- At least 41 people were killed after flash floods and "cold lava" flowing from a volcano hit the western Indonesian island of Sumatra. Hours of heavy rain on Saturday swept torrents of ash and rocks down Mount Marapi, the most active volcano in Sumatra. The mudslides inundated two districts, swept people to their deaths and damaged more than 100 homes, mosques and public facilities. Seventeen people are still missing. The phrase cold lava is a translation of the term "lahar" in Indonesian and Tagalog. Temperatures range between 0C and 100C, according to how they are formed, but are typically below 50C, according to several academic reports on the phenomenon. A moving lahar resembles a "roiling slurry of wet concrete" that can grow in volume as it incorporates other debris in its path, said the US Geological Survey.
- 16th
- More than 120,000 people remained without power in Texas on the 22nd, days after fierce thunderstorms and a series of tornadoes swept across the state. At least eight people were killed in the storms, which also battered the nearby states of Louisiana and Mississippi today. In Houston, the power cuts left many without air conditioning during sweltering heat and humidity. Hurricane-force winds were recorded during the storms, blowing glass out of high-rise buildings and toppling trees, cranes and power lines. Nearly one million people were without power over the weekend (18th-19th). Temperatures in the area were expected to rise to 91F with relative humidity levels of around 80%.
- 17th
- Storms and heavy rainfall have left many parts of northern Italy under water, with the cities of Padua and Vicenza particularly affected. Emergency services have been using dinghies to rescue people from their homes, and footage from the scene shows cars floating in the streets. Meanwhile the south of Italy is experiencing an unseasonal heat wave, with temperatures reaching up to 35C in Sicily. In the early hours of today, the banks of the Muson dei Sassi river in the Padua area gave way due to the heavy rain, resulting in severe flooding. In Borgo Mantovano, Lombardy, a freight train was overturned by gusts of between 90 and 120 mph. Milan experienced up to 130 mm of localised rain in a single day, resulting in flash floods. Local observers said that such rain intensity had not been recorded in May for more than 170 years. In the south, Sardinia is experiencing very dry conditions, and is already dealing with another bad season for local wheat farmers, who are expecting half the usual harvest due to the lack of water, according to local newspaper L'Unione Sarda.
- 20th
- An extreme hailstorm hit Yuma, Colorado, causing massive damage to homes and cars. Hail accumulation was so thick that some cars ended up stuck in hail drifts. Some hailstones were the size of a softball, wreaking havoc on homes, cars, and power lines, and plunging the area into chaos. The intensity of the storm was so severe that some vehicles became trapped in thick drifts of hail.
- 20th
- A severe hailstorm caused significant flooding in the western Polish city of Gniezno. The storm, part of a series of violent weather events sweeping across the country, left streets inundated and disrupted daily activities. Footage captured residents depicted chaotic scenes of vehicles and pedestrians navigating through the flooded streets, with massive hail accumulations visible across the city. The storm's intensity overwhelmed local drainage systems, leading to widespread water accumulation.
- 21st
- One person has been killed and several others injured on a Singapore Airlines flight from London that was hit by severe turbulence. The Singapore-bound Boeing 777-300ER was diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545 h local time. Flight SQ 321 was carrying a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew, the airline said in a statement.
- 24th
- Parts of northern India continue to reel under a prolonged heatwave. On the 23rd, temperatures soared beyond 45C in many states and touched 48.8C in Rajasthan state's Barmer city. Several regions are facing water and electricity shortages due to spikes in power consumption. On the 22nd, Delhi's peak power demand reached 8,000 MW, the highest in the history of the Indian capital. Delhi is experiencing a brutal heat spell, with temperatures hovering around 45-46C through this week. Weather experts say that the heat index - or the apparent or experienced temperature - has crossed 50C because of the high levels of humidity.
- 25th-26th
- At least 13 people have been killed as tornadoes tore across three US states, destroying homes in minutes and cutting power for hundreds of thousands. Four people were killed in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma and seven in Texas. Scores more were injured, and almost 500,000 across several states were without electricity. The twisters overturned lorries, shut a highway near Dallas and left tens of thousands of people without power throughout the region. The storms in Texas overlapped with record-breaking heat in some parts of the state, with residents receiving triple-digit temperature warnings over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
- 26th
- Twelve people have been injured due to turbulence on a flight from Doha to Dublin. The Boeing 787-9 dreamliner experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey, the operator of Dublin Airport, the DAA, said. Six passengers and six crew members have reported injuries - of these, eight people were taken to hospital.
- 26th
- Heavy rains caused floods in Armenia and Georgia, with the Debed, Aghstev, and Tashir rivers bursting their banks. Three people have been confirmed dead, with 269 people evacuated from the area. Several bridges in the region collapsed. Several transportation links have been closed, including trains between Yerevan and Tbilisi as well as the main border crossing between Armenia and Georgia.
- 29th
- Parts of northern and central India are sweltering under a severe heatwave, with a provisional record temperature of 52.3C registered in Delhi. If verified, it would be the highest ever recorded in India. More than 37 cities, external in the country recorded temperatures over 45C this week. Warnings of heat-related illnesses have been issued, with at least three deaths reported so far. The India Meteorological Department described the recording as an "outlier compared to other stations", which had recorded temperatures ranging from 45.2C to 49.1C in different parts of Delhi.
World weather news, April 2024
- 5th
- South-eastern Australia has been experiencing heavy rain since Thursday (the 4th) night, which will continue until Saturday (the 6th) morning local time. New South Wales will be particularly badly affected, with cumulative rainfall totals of 150-200 mm along coastal stretches. Hourly totals are expected to reach 10-20 mm at times, with the worst-affected areas potentially receiving 50 mm within three hours. Strong winds are expected to accompany the heaviest downpours, with gusts of about 45 mph at times. Sydney is expected to be hit hard, and authorities have warned of life-threatening floods, notably along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River to the north-west of the city. These conditions come as a result of cooler polar air moving in from the south meeting warmer tropical air to the north and forming a frontal boundary. This pattern repeated many times in 2022, Sydney's wettest year on record.
- 7th
- Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from 10 northern regions in Kazakhstan because of floods in the area, the authorities have said. The worse than usual seasonal floods have been caused by melting snow. Across the border in Russia, an oil refinery in the city of Orsk has stopped operations because of the floods. Russian authorities said on the 6th that they had evacuated almost 4,500 people in Orenburg region in the area around Orsk. Russia's weather monitor has warned that water levels on the Ural river in the city of Orenburg will reach dangerous levels over the next three days. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that it was the worst natural disaster to hit Kazakhstan for 80 years.
- 11th
- A severe weather system has caused widespread flooding and tornadoes, bringing storm damage to the south of the USA. Large areas across the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were affected, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). One death was earlier reported in Scott County, Mississippi. Amid severe conditions on the 10th, tracking site PowerOutage.us showed a peak of more than 200,000 customers across the region without power - a number that reduced over time. Flash flooding was reported in the New Orleans area, where more than a month's worth of rain was recorded over just a few hours, and several suspected tornadoes caused damage across the Gulf Coast region. Earlier, the same storm front brought severe weather to Texas, with another suspected tornado touching down outside of Houston overnight on the 9th.
- 12th
- About ten million residents of the Colombian capital Bogota are being forced to ration water amid crippling shortages due to a severe drought. It comes as the El Nino climate phenomenon pushes reservoir levels to their lowest point in decades. Officials have split the region around the capital into nine zones - each zone taking turns to switch off water services for 24 hours. A lack of rain and unusual heat has seen Colombia's reservoirs dry up at an alarming rate. The Chuza reservoir, part of the system which provides around 70% of the city's water, is at less than 17% capacity. The mayor said this was the lowest point in 40 years.
- 16th
- At least 39 people have been killed in Pakistan after days of unusually heavy rains battered the country's southwest. Some of those killed were farmers struck by lightning while harvesting wheat, authorities said. Images online show swathes of farmland engulfed by rainwater. Flash floods have also disrupted power supplies and transportation networks. Some of the areas affected by the 2022 floods, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, are being impacted again by the recent storms. Pakistan's most populated province Punjab has suffered the highest death toll so far, with 21 people killed by lightning between Friday and Sunday, AFP news agency reported. At least eight were killed in the westernmost Balochistan province according to AFP, where authorities have declared a state of emergency. Schools in the province were ordered to shut on the 15th and 16th. Heavy flooding has also been reported in neighbouring Afghanistan. At least 33 people have been killed and hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed, Afghan authorities said on the 14th.
- 14th-17th
- Heavy rain has been battering Gulf states, causing flash floods that have killed 20 people and disrupting flights at the world's second-busiest airport. Dubai Airport said it was facing "very challenging conditions" on Wednesday. It advised passengers not to turn up as runways were inundated with water. Further north, a man died when his car was caught in flash floods. In Oman, rescuers found the body of a girl in Saham, bringing the death toll in the country to 19 since the 14th. The United Arab Emirates, Oman's northern neighbour, experienced on the 16th its largest rainfall event since records began 75 years ago; the National Centre of Meteorology announced that 254.8 mm had fallen on Khatm al-Shakla, in the emirate of al-Ain, over less than 24 hours. The country averages 140-200 mm of rainfall per year, while Dubai typically receives only 97 mm. The monthly average for April is only about 8 mm.
- 22nd
- Authorities have evacuated nearly 60,000 people from their homes in Guangdong, as days of heavy rain caused massive flooding in China's most populous province. Eleven people have gone missing, while no casualties have been reported so far. Several major rivers have burst their banks, and authorities are closely monitoring "dangerously high" water levels. They had warned that the level of a river in northern Guangdong could hit a "once in 100 years" peak on Monday morning (the 22nd), though this had yet to materialise by noon.
- 27th
- A tornado struck the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, killing five people and damaging more than 140 factory buildings, state media said. The China Meteorological Administration said the tornado struck about 3 p.m. in the Baiyun district of Guangzhou. Authorities said that another 33 people were injured and 141 factory buildings were damaged, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Tornado warnings were issued for other parts of Guangzhou and there were unconfirmed reports that a second tornado appeared to have hit another district in the city later in the afternoon. Hailstones the size of golf balls were seen hitting the ground in the city of Guangzhou.
- 27th
- At least five people have been killed after dozens of tornadoes ripped through the central US causing serious damage. Tens of thousands of residents were left without power following separate storms that began on Friday (26th). Four of the deaths happened in Oklahoma, where a state of emergency has been declared in a dozen counties. A fifth person died from their injuries in Iowa after a separate storm system hit the Midwest. The National Weather Service said a preliminary investigation had confirmed some of Saturday's tornadoes had gusts of above 136 mph. The storms - which swept from Texas to Missouri - also saw up to 180 mm of rain fall in some places within hours. The town of Sulphur, in eastern Oklahoma, was hit particularly hard. Video of the aftermath showed flattened homes and overturned vehicles.
World weather news, March 2024
- 2nd
- A massive blizzard is pounding parts of California and Nevada in the western United States. The snowstorm has closed major roads, shut down ski resorts and left tens of thousands of homes without power. The blizzard was especially severe in the mountainous Sierra Nevada region, where wind gusts reportedly reached 190 mph. People have been warned of a "high to extreme avalanche danger" there, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. Up to 10 feet of snow was expected at higher elevations, a US National Weather Service meteorologist said, which could create "life-threatening concern" for people living near Lake Tahoe. Several ski resorts around Lake Tahoe that closed on the 1st remained shut today.
- 8th
- St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland, Canada, received 53 cm of snow today, breaking the previous daily March snowfall record of 50 cm from 4 March 2005. This marks the second storm to bury parts of the region in less than a month. Today now stands as the snowiest March day recorded for St. John's International Airport, with records going back to 1942.
- 10th-12th
- Extremely heavy rains have struck Western Australia over the past couple of days, causing significant flooding that has severed the main route connecting Western Australia with the rest of the country. The flooding has also left seven people missing. A stationary trough situated over southern-eastern Western Australia combined with a moist air mass drawn southward from the tropics, dropping over 155 mm of rain over Rawlinna, situated 900 km east of Perth. This is more than half the yearly rainfall for the region within just 24 hours, leading to the closure of key transport routes such as the Trans-Australian Railway line and Eyre Highway, crucial for freight between Western Australia and South Australia.
- 11th
- A wave of exceptionally hot weather has led to the shattering of thousands of temperature records across Africa. Nations from Cameroon to Mauritius have experienced unprecedented heat, marking historic highs for the month of March. In Cameroon, Garoua recorded 45.5C, setting a new national record for the hottest March day. Similarly, Ghana's Navrongo reached 43.8C, also marking a national record for March.
- 12th
- Severe Tropical Storm 'Filipo' made landfall on the northeastern coast of Inhambane Province, Mozambique, close to Inhassoro City around 0300 GMT. The storm brought over 150 mm of rainfall in 12 to 18 hours, destroying homes, schools, and electrical infrastructure, and leaving many in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
- 15th
- Severe weather has left a trail of destruction across parts of the US, with tornadoes and funnel clouds reported in several states. The storm system struck Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. At least three people died as a consequence of the extreme weather. Multiple homes were damaged, with residents also dealing with knocked down trees and power lines.
- 22nd
- Heavy rains in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state resulted in at least 20 fatalities, with Petropolis being the hardest hit. 270 mm of rain (more than the monthly average) fell within 24 hours, significantly impacting the region and leading to numerous incidents, including landslides and house collapses. The storm then moved to the neighbouring state of Espírito Santo, dropping more than 200 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. The city of Petropolis, located approximately 69 km north of Rio, was the worst affected area.
- 22nd
- Intense rainfall and hailstorms struck western, causing widespread damage, including downed trees, power outages, and flash floods. The National Electricity Union reported over 260,000 users without electricity in provinces such as Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and Havana. Places in Havana recorded more than 300 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Significant wind gusts between 65 and 75 km/h were recorded during the storm. In addition, unusual hailstorms left large amounts of ice across many areas.
- 22nd-23rd
- Heavy rain, snow, and ice blanketed portions of the interior Northeast and New England (USA), causing widespread power outages, traffic chaos, and flight delays and cancellations. The storm left more than 300 000 customers in Maine, New York and Hampshire without power. New York City experienced its third wettest March day on record on the 23rd, receiving 93 mm of rain, with the majority falling within six hours. The record for the wettest March day in New York City's Central Park stands at 108 mm set on 25 March 1876.
- 27th
- A cyclone that hit northern Madagascar left at least 11 people dead and forced 2,000 out of their homes. Local news reports say that 'flooding caused significant damage' with roads and bridges affected. "It's rare to have a cyclone like this. Its movement is nearly stationary," Gen Elack Andriakaja, the disaster management programme director-general, is quoted as saying. "When the system stops in one place, it devastates all the infrastructure. And that has serious consequences for the population. And significant flooding.'
World weather news, February 2024
- 1st
- The Spanish region of Catalonia has declared a state of emergency as it faces its worst drought on record. From the 2nd residents will be banned from washing their cars and filling up empty swimming pools under a measure brought in to tackle the crisis. More than six million Catalans will be affected across 200 towns and cities, including the capital Barcelona. The restrictions were announced after reservoirs fell to close to 16% of their capacity. Spain is used to dry conditions and other areas of the country are also suffering droughts, including Andalusia in the south and the eastern region of Valencia. However, Catalonia, which borders southern France, is less used to such conditions, forcing officials to consider bringing in water by ship to Barcelona should it run dry. This measure was previously adopted in 2008.
- 6th
- At least three people have been killed by falling trees as a powerful storm drenches California bringing flooding, mudslides and power outages. Fire officials have responded to over 130 flooding incidents and conducted several rescues since the deluge began. The storm is due to an "atmospheric river" effect, a phenomenon in which water evaporates into the air and is carried along by the wind, forming long currents that flow in the sky like rivers flow on land. This slow-moving storm is the second atmospheric river to hit California in two weeks. Mudslides and debris flows have been reported in the Los Angeles area. On the 5th, 16 residents were forced from their Hollywood Hills homes after mudslides flowed through houses, knocking buildings off their foundations and rupturing gas lines. Strong winds of up to 70 mph have also caused power cuts and downed trees. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that on the 4th 4.1 inches of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles, surpassing the previous record of 2.5 inches set in 1927. By Monday (5th) afternoon, parts of LA County had recorded over 11 inches of rain since the weekend - approaching the nearly 15 inches that the region normally experiences in an entire year. The storm and associated flooding has also forced schools to close from Malibu to Sonoma County, near San Francisco.
- 13th-14th
- The north-eastern US coast has been hit by one of the worst snow storms in two years, blanketing cities with over a foot of snow and causing travel chaos. Around 1,200 US flights - mostly in New York and Boston - were cancelled, while another 2,700 were delayed. Snow began falling quickly in the early morning hours on Tuesday (13th) from eastern Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, leaving nearly 50 million people under winter weather alerts. Some areas saw the heaviest snowfall in years, including Farmington Connecticut, which recorded 39 cm of snowfall. The conditions made travel dangerous, leading to minor car accidents in both Boston and New York City. Some areas placed a ban on a commercial vehicles on the roads, while officials urged residents to avoid travel if possible. Tuesday's storm ended a 744-day relative snow drought for New York City, which hasn't seen more than 2.5 inches of snow in over two years. Some 3.2 inches of snow falling in Central Park, making it New York's snowiest day since January 2022.
- 14th
- Nearly half a million homes were left without power in the Australian state of Victoria after a storm knocked out parts of the network. One dairy farmer was killed - authorities suspect he was struck by flying debris while on a tractor. The wild weather also hampered efforts to fight massive bushfires in the state's west. A catastrophic fire weather warning had been issued in one region - Australia's highest level of bushfire danger.
- 19th
- Hundreds of towns and villages in Bolivia have been put under alert as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc. Officials say 33 people have died since November due to the rains, which have triggered landslides and caused rivers to burst their banks. Officials are carefully monitoring a number of dams which they fear could overflow. The heavy rains have hit Bolivia after a prolonged drought and one of the hottest winters the country has experienced. Back in October, hundreds of people had gathered at the Incachaca reservoir - which is now close to overflowing - to pray for rain.
- 19th
- This winter, Mongolia has experienced its most severe snowfall since 1975, according to an announcement by the Mongolian government today. The extreme weather, characterized by severe colds and blizzards, has already resulted in one fatality and has taken a significant toll on livestock, with nearly 668000 animals perishing as of the 18th.
- 19th
- On the 16th the Brazilian Navy identified a subtropical depression ESE of Rio de Janeiro, which intensified into Tropical Storm Akara by today. Akara is the first named tropical storm to develop in the South Atlantic Ocean since Iba in 2019 and the basin's first named storm in February since Bapo in 2015.
- 21st
- A large and destructive tornado swept through four districts in Sumedang and Bandung Regencies of West Java, Indonesia today, affecting more than 60 homes and injuring at least 22 people. According to local media reports, the tornado hit at around 1600 LT, affecting sub-districts of Cicalengka and Rancaekek in Bandung Regency where 20 people were injured, and Jatinangor and Cimanggung in Sumedang Regency where 2 people were injured. Most of the injuries were caused by falling house materials and trees.
- Summary
- Last month was the world's warmest February in modern times, the EU's climate service says, extending the run of monthly records to nine in a row. Each month since June 2023 has seen new temperature highs for the time of year. The world's sea surface is at its hottest on record, while Antarctic sea-ice has again reached extreme lows. Temperatures are still being boosted by the Pacific's El Nino weather event, but human-caused climate change is by far the main driver of the warmth. February 2024 was about 1.77 degC warmer than "pre-industrial" times - before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels - according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. This breaks the previous record, from 2016, by around 0.12 degC. The 12-month average now sits at 1.56C above pre-industrial levels.
World weather news, January 2024
- 4th
- People who got trapped in 1,000 vehicles in heavy snow for more than 24 hours have been evacuated, Swedish authorities say. Rescuers worked through the night to free people stuck on the main E22 road in the Skane area of southern Sweden. Many of those trapped were evacuated by rescue teams and told to return to their cars later. The travel chaos occurred amid plummeting winter temperatures across the Nordic countries. Extreme cold weather has hit parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway, and snow storms in Denmark have left drivers trapped on a motorway near Aarhus since Wednesday. The Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka weather station in northern Sweden recorded its coldest night for 25 years on Tuesday (2nd-3rd) night, with temperatures dropping to -43.6C.
- 9th
- At least three people have died and over half a million homes are without power after a series of powerful winter storms swept through parts of the eastern US and Canada. Strong winds flipped cars and knocked over homes in Florida, where several tornadoes were reported. More than 1,300 flights in or out of the US were cancelled today, according to data from FlightAware. Dozens of counties in Florida have declared a state of emergency, where storms have blown roofs off homes and knocked down power lines. Twelve tornadoes were reported across Florida, Alabama and Georgia by midday, causing significant damage and, in some areas, prompting search and rescue operations. The storms also left roadways impassable in Panama City, ripped roofs off of buildings and brought hail the size of baseballs. More than 30 cm of snow fell in the US interior, stranding motorists and interrupting presidential campaigning in Iowa.
- 12th
- Floods have wreaked chaos in Kinshasa - the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo - with water pouring into homes and residents navigating submerged roads via canoe. The overflowing River Congo, passing through much of the country, has also swamped places outside the capital. The vast, vital waterway has reached its highest level in six decades. More than 300 people have died in floods over the past months, officials say.
- 15th
- Torrential rain and flooding have hit Mauritius and the French territory of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean, as Cyclone Belal crosses the islands. One person was killed in Reunion, where the population of about 860,000 was ordered to shelter at home, but the eye of the storm has avoided the island. Around a quarter of households on the island had no electricity and thousands were without running water.
- 19th
- More than 70 million people across the US were put under winter weather alerts this past week, from Oregon to Maine. Temperatures fell to -45C in some areas, and the National Weather Service issued a wind chill warning across parts of Texas through last weekend, with warnings of hypothermia and frostbite from wind chills of -32C. Additionally, nearly 25 cm of snow fell across parts of Iowa, and other states across the Mid-west received 15-25 cm of snow last weekend. A further winter storm across the Pacific north-west is also thought to have played a part in the deaths of at least 27 people this week owing to hypothermia and car crashes on frozen roads.
- 22nd
- More than 90 weather-related deaths have been recorded across the US after the country was pummelled by ferocious winter storms for the past week. The deaths include at least 25 in Tennessee and 16 in Oregon, which remains under a state of emergency following severe ice storms. Tens of thousands of people also remain without power across wide swathes of the country.
- 25th
- Temperatures in southern Spain today reached just over 28C - the second-highest value recorded in January since 1985. AEMET, Spain's state meteorological agency, reported that maximum temperatures recorded at one observatory in the Mediterranean region of Murcia hit 28.2C. At another, provisional data showed the temperature peaked at 28.5C. The unusually warm weather came close to breaking records, becoming the second-highest value recorded at one observatory for January in 38 years. Many other parts of Spain also enjoyed temperatures in the 20s, including Alicante which had a maximum temperature of 25C and Granada with 26C.
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Last updated 1 January 2025.