19th December - Today's News: Another Storm Batters Britain & Ireland

Another stormy day yesterday and though calmer in the south today, in Ireland winds of 110kmh expected today as tributes paid to storm victim whilst in England, sailor search continues after gales batter Britain.  Power restored to 10,000 NI properties after storm

There's likely to be snow over most hills in Britain over the next week, but though it should generally be a bit colder for the rest of the month, there's no signs of anything of consequence for low lying England as yet.   But its not just us missing out: there's no snow in Siberia?  Locals marvel - and worry - at the 'snow shortage'

It's hot down under as mercury hits 43.4c in Adelaide and higher than 46c in South Autralia's north as summer takes hold whilst Melbourne baked and flaked in 40c
 

November temps set new global high, NOAA says -  full report here

In China, experts pour cold water on cloud seeding plans to combat smog

While flash floods hit southern China

 And finally, how sad to see that primitive superstition is alive and well in Israel as an ignorant Rabbi claims winter storm a 'message from heaven'