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Showing posts from 2016

30th December - Today's News: 50 Dead in DR Congo Floods

DR Congo floods leave 50 dead in Boma In Canada snow, heavy winds wallop eastern Quebec, Atlantic whilst in the US Northeast storm intensifies amid reports of thundersnow U.S. records fewest tornado deaths in 30 years   Perth weather: Cool summer for Christmas holidays makes for tough time for beachside businesses - seems too hot to me ...... !  Norway’s December weather as warm as summer And the fake weather images that fooled the internet in 2016 - I wonder how many will reappear next year? The next news update will be on the 3rd January 2017 - so bliadhna mhath ur! 

29th December - Today's News: Yellowstone Geyser Turns to Snow

Blizzard will bury New England under two feet of snow today, ahead of bitterly cold New Year that could see a record-breaking 48 states below freezing and it's so cold that snow is 'erupting' from Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser Whilst heavy fog disrupts travel across southern England here in Evesham it's been perferct winter weather: bright and sunny with nice frosts.  -3.9c this morning after a max yesterday of +2.2c    Just as shame I'm stuck at work .... Melbourne storms: Flash flooding, mass road closures across Victoria but in NSW an extreme heatwave forecast to bring sizzling end to 2016 and in the NT Kintore residents "shaken up", still stranded after days of flooding Snow sweeps into Greece, dusting capital’s center Bolivia floods leave at least eight dead   Dense winter fog blankets Arab Gulf countries And there's a  warning of 'collapse' of buildings in Siberia's permafrost cities

28th December - Today's News: Christmas Storms and Record Heat

On Boxing Day, storm Conor brings snow and wind to Scotland In the US, thousands remain powerless after Christmas storm wreaks havoc but Charleston, other WV cities see record high temperatures with other record temperatures set on Christmas day in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Christmas Day in North Texas sees record-high temperature as well I also recorded my highest ever Christmas Day temperature (14.3c) - though records do only go back to 2003 .... Adelaide sets records for Christmas heat but it's followed by more wild weather hits state after Adelaide storm leaves trail of destruction Australia flood: Six found safe after record rainfall that brought waterfalls to Uluru  Charleston, other WV cities see record high temperatures - See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20161227/charleston-other-wv-cities-see-record-high-temperatures#sthash.FXxUvwnp.dpuf Canadians ice skate on the streets as 'freezing rain' turns roads in

24th December - Today's News: Storm Barbara Impacts Northern Britain

In Wales a school roof has been ripped off during Storm Barbara - actually, it was just caused by a squally cold font: "Barbara" was to the north of Scotland and only directed affected northern parts of the UK.  In Northern Ireland hundreds lefts without power as Storm Barbara hits and there was some disruption as Storm Barbara starts moving across Scotland .  The Christmas Day storm - now named Conor - will affect even less people.   Nothing like the storms we had this time last year! We could, however, have a record mild Christmas Day ..... though this does not mean the Daily Express were right when they forecast this just hours before predicting a "snow wall" ....  It's complete coincidence!  Signs of a settled, cooler, spell after Christmas and just maybe somethng wintry in the early new year. It looks like WA likely to avoid Christmas cyclone but nonetheless, on the Pilbara coast,  Broome swamped in wettest December on record   Millions

22nd December - Today's News: Duststorm Hits W.A. as Cyclone Yvette Approaches

Sinister footage of huge dust storm in Western Australia - as the state braces for tropical Cyclone Yvette whilst Adelaide set for hottest Christmas Day since 1945 as heatwave conditions hit South Australia A non uncommon occurrence this time of year:  fog causes delays to Christmas travellers at Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports And it says something about our winter when the BBC have a headline about a dusting of snow with wintry conditions in Scotland's hills ahead of Storm Barbara Rain totals were 400% of normal in parts of Northern California this fall   First snow covers war-torn Aleppo And biting cold below minus 60C brings out the best in Siberian face fashion

21st December - Today's News: Desert Snow

Merry Solstice one and all.  Ring out those bells and let the 12 days of Christmas begin!   Algerian villagers stunned as snow falls in the Sahara for the first time in 37 years and we can also watch how Saudis are celebrating the snow .   In contrast, there's not even any snow on the highest Scottish hills as freak heatwave causes meltdown on Inverness mountain .  There should at least be some snow up there over the next week though.  But nothing on the horizon for Evesham.  ‘Industrial snow’ gives Swiss village very own white Christmas - something we have had before in Evesham - caused, bizarrely, by trains in the station! - but not for 2 weeks.  And interesting to note that White Christmas to remain a dream in Switzerland as well. Thundersnow hits Hawaii's volcanoes   In Scotland, it's predicted that tree felling by beavers may save millions in flood repairs Arctic lakes thawing earlier each year NOAA's November climate report says 2016 on

20th December - Today's News: Warning Out for Pre-Christmas Storm Barbara

There's already an amber Storm Barbara warning for Scotland for Friday into Christmas Eve with uncertainty still as to whether there will be a second storm on Christmas Day - current indications are that if there is, it won't be quite as bad.  And down south it'll just be windy.  But mild ...  Sand 'tornado' terrifies little nippers on Gold Coast beach Fiji floods: Flood threat continues with major concerns for Rewa River communities Smog chokes China cities for fourth day of 'airpocalypse', grounding flights and closing roads In parts of Mongolia the temperature expected to reach 50 celsius next week .  That's cold! It's claimed that Arctic ice melt 'already affecting weather patterns where you live right now' - perhaps we need to see a big refreeze then?  Maybe then we'd finally get a cold winter here! The "Clovis Comet" debate continues as studies refute hypothesis on what caused abrupt clim

19th December - Today's News: Severe Floods Hit Fiji

Fiji floods: Days of torrential rain causes severe flooding and landslides, with more rain forecast Bitter cold weather breaks records in Midwest, Plains - nothing like that heading this way, but we could be in for a very stormy Christmas if current model output verifies ..... Storm Barbara set to bring rain, 70mph gales and even a little snow for December 25 (snow showers only in the north, though blizzards are possible in the Highlands) A dangerous storm hits southeast Queensland Man swept to his death in violent flood as Spain battles fierce storms Water bodies freeze in Kashmir as cold weather persists in North India Jacob Zuma speech: Tent blows away in the middle of a speech by the SA President Farmers in Sudan battle climate change and hunger as desert creeps closer Papua New Guinea earthquake: Residents flee to hills after magnitude-7.9 quake, tsunami threat passes And Beijing factories ordered to shut or cut output after pollution red alert

17th December - Today's News: Record Chilean Heatwave

Earlier this week, Chilean heat wave breaks record temperature set a century ago As major storms barrel into California: 'Every field is a big lake' whilst elsewhere, after first bitter blast, U.S. faces second wave of frigid air this weekend Warm sea temperature readings signal more and stronger cyclones in Australia this summer The Earth’s driest desert once had lakes   Abnormally warm Arctic spurs planet to second-warmest November on record A new article from the AMS: Explaining Extreme Events from a Climate Perspective looks at events in 2015 and finds strong anthropogenic signals Researchers dial in to 'thermostat' in Earth's upper atmosphere that cools us down after corornal mass ejections Met Observer needed on Tasmania's Maatsuyker Island: Volunteers wanted to really 'get away from it all' at remote lighthouse Antarctic research into warm water causing rapid glacial ice melt And is there

15th December - Today's News: Winter Storm Decima Brings Snow to Portland

Winter Storm Decima triggers avalanches in Oregon, cripples evening commute in Portland 2016 set to be New Zealand's hottest year on record New weird landforms appear due to thawing permafrost on Yamal peninsula This strange 'spherical' cloud appeared in the sky over Japan - but it was probably just perspective that made it look unusual And the oldest water on Earth found in Canada

14th December - Today's News: The Highest Wave Ever Recorded

On the 4th February 2013 we had the highest wave in history: UN confirms six-storey-high North Atlantic wave is a record setter Sydney weather: Overnight temperature is record high for December, BOM says but there was less frolicking in the water further north as Ekman Transport weather system blamed for frigid waters off Queensland coast Arctic blast marches eastward, bringing record low temperatures to the northern U.S. In Israel, winter is finally here: Temperatures drop, snowfall on Mt. Hermon whilst rain brings fears of flash flooding Chennai, adjacent districts grapple with cyclone havoc Change in the Arctic this year was unlike any ever seen before, scientists say  Spy satellites reveal Himalayan melt 'Smart boulders' record huge underwater avalanche off the California coast And genuine concerns of a new "Spanish Inquistion" against science?  Or just paranoia?  Scientists are frantically copying U.S. climate data,

13th December - Today's News: Several Dead as Cyclone Vardah Hits India

Cyclone Vardah: Several dead as storm lashes Indian coast Two dead as US winter storm wreaks havoc Commuter chaos as heatwave shuts down 30 Sydney trains whilst across the country, high temperatures, fire warnings signal concerning season ahead, BOM says Much loved and respected weatherman Ian McCaskill dies, aged 78 Scottish avalanche information season to begin on Friday - although the risk currently remains extremely low on account of there being almost now snow cover .... As high pressure continues to dominate, fog blankets large parts of Asia and Europe World's largest reindeer herd plummets due to climate changes in Siberia, whilst a 'mass death' threatens roe deer in Altai and eastern Russia due to freak snow falls The world's wet regions are getting wetter, the dry regions are getting drier Scientists find a nickel clue to 'dinosaur killer' asteroid The first exoplanet weather report shows clouds of ruby and sapphire And, ne

12th December - Today's News: Snowstorms Cancel Flights in US & Sweden

Plane slides off runway as a snowstorm sweeps across US Midwest Snow and ice disrupt flights and roads in Sweden In deepest Siberia children get a day off school, but only because thermometer hits minus 45C or below And as it remains snowless in Britain (and likely so over Christmas), there were even stunning photos of Victoria's Alps dusted in snow as wild weather sees temperatures plummet to -2.4C Tropical cyclone Vardah barrels towards eastern India After last week's Solomon Islands earthquakes: Disaster preparedness helped 'save lives', World Vision says Australian scientists prepare to unveil 'holy grail of climate change' amid $45m funding boost - a million year ice core And climate change was to blame for the deadly 2016 avalanche that killed nine yak herders in Tibet, researchers claim

8th December - Today's News: Record UK Warmth

For the second year running we saw the UK date maximum temperature date record broken yesterday with 17.0c in Harwarden - the previous record set last year was 16.4c in Gogerddan, West Wales.  And in Northern Ireland the warmest December day since 1994 recorded .    The highest temperature ever recorded in the whole UK in December though was 18.3c in 1948  Interestingly, most UK coastal flooding caused by moderate, not extreme storms In the US, some ND residents stuck indoors after blizzard sweeps through State but whilst winter is finally arriving in some parts, this fall was the warmest on record, 2016 will be at least second-warmest year Despite La Nina, Australia's Top End residents could be waiting until Christmas for a bit of rain relief Indonesia quake: Search for survivors continues Is mining to blame for the drought in Bolivia?   No. The drought is caused by a lack of rain!   But mining activities do use a lot of water that could otherwise h

7th December - Today's News: Many Dead in Indonesian Earthquake

Deadly magnitude 6.5 earthquake hits Aceh in Indonesia Brisbane weather: Thunder and lightning as storms light up south-east Queensland whilst a US backpacker killed by lightning strike on Australian mountain and cricket fans treated to spectacular Canberra sunset It may be the start of Europe’s winter but it looks like it's the end of ours ..... much milder here for the next week or so, with just the glimmer of hope of more seasonal conditions near Christmas Andaman: Rains leave tourists stranded on India island Sea ice extent in Arctic and Antarctic reached record lows in November A giant flash across Siberian sky: meteor, missile, fallout from spacecraft?   And it seems tsunamis threaten Britain’s nuclear power plants, scientists warn - although the likelihood is miniscule ... But it hasn't stopped the tabloid press telling we're all about to die.  Again.

6th December - Today's News: Snow Causes Slo-mo Montreal Pile-up

There is slo-mo snow mayhem in Montreal as buses, cars and trucks crash NSW weather: Severe thunderstorm works its way from Sydney to state's north Southern US hit by record rain In Thailand, southern floods spread, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan declared disaster areas  There were 12 weather records broken in 2016 for Hong Kong A warning that extreme downpours could increase fivefold across parts of the US And corporate growth still driving deforestation, CDP shows - which is no good for man nor beast.  Nor plant ...

5th December - Today's News: Two Dead in Spanish Flash Floods

Two drown in flash floods as torrential rain hits southern Spain Hawaii snowfall: Parts of state receive weather warning And last winter's flooding 'most extreme on record' in UK

3rd December - Today's News: Tennessee Wildfire Toll Rises to 13

Couple among 13 dead in Tennessee fire A sunny and dry November breaks Scottish records Unusual 'fog dome' spotted in North Wales Another Brisbane storm: Teen struck by lightning, thousands without power in Queensland storms whilst Sydneysiders flock to Bondi Beach to cool off as 30C heatwave hits the east coast Winter digs in for Europe and the Middle East And climate change will drive stronger, smaller storms in U.S., new modeling approach forecasts

2nd December - Today's News: How CO2 Induced Global Warming Created Martian Canyons

Heatwave to scorch Queensland 'well into next week', BOM warns Tennessee wildfires killed at least 11, officials report A mystery as researchers find extreme tornado outbreaks are spawning more twisters than ever before - or are we just better at recording them? Flooding, road closures as heavy rain pounds Israel Cyclone Nada weakens, coastal Tamil Nadu receives heavy rain Where the 1430s the coldest decade of the millennium? Environmental vandalism is nothing new: Fires set by Ice Age hunters destroyed forests throughout Europe And how climate cycles may explain how running water carved Mars' surface features - with CO2 as a major factor ....  Of particular interest to those who argue such a small trace gas can have no effect here on Earth.

1st December - Today's News: Toll Rises in US Storms & Wildfire

The first day of the meteorological winter and I have already recorded a lower temperature than last winter .....  Although only -4.0c so not nearly a cold as yesterday. There are now seven people dead in Tennessee wildfire whilst tornadoes and storms kill five in US South Queensland weather: 'Very dangerous' thunderstorms cross south-east Queensland with tennis ball sized hail Heatstroke: Darwin researchers find links between fear and feeling symptoms of heat stress Rare hair ice spotted in Highlands Homes destroyed as heavy rains hit the Caribbean Cyclone Nada, 350 Km away from Chennai, has weakened, says Met Office 6,000 years ago the Sahara Desert was tropical, so what happened? And Earth warming to climate tipping point, warns study

30th November - Today's News: Alabama Tornado Kills 3

Temperature in my garden fell to -5.9c this morning.  Joint second lowest temp I have ever recorded in November and also the coldest it has been here since February 2012.   A nice start to winter! 3 people killed, 4 children critically injured as powerful storms hit Alabama Aerial photos show trail of devastation left behind by raging Tennessee wildfires which have left three dead In Ontario, Thunder Bay crews busy as 80 mm of rain falls and floods parts of city - a near record for the month Brisbane storm: Woman struck by lightning, thousands lose power in south-east Queensland as locals warned to prepare for the worst ahead of forecast weekend with the hottest December day in 15 years being forecast In Switzerland, November one of warmest on record despite early snow India sees a record November day temperature in Pune, Mahabaleshwar Arctic sea-ice struggles to build volume - a one-off?  Or a sign of things to come?  Meanwhile the

29th November - Today's News: Wildfires in US South

In the US, storms take aim at large wildfires in South but in Gatlinburg terrified guests are trapped inside a burning Hilton hotel as huge wildfire engulfs Tennessee resort .  Scottish man stands above clouds to capture astonishing night skies Summer starts hot in Australia as BOM forecasts Queensland, northern NSW heatwave with 40C temperatures tipped Melbourne thunderstorm asthma death toll rises to eight Tehran goes sub-zero Biggest exposed fault on Earth discovered The MetO go public with their  Winter Outlook for December 2016 to February 2017 And Scottish avalanche incidents in 2015/16 involved 109 people, says SAIS

28th November - Today's News: Snows Falls in Saudi Desert

Below zero? Snow covers sand in Saudi regions - there is, of course, no sign of any snow here in the near future (and contrary to stories in the media, the Met Office are no more predicting a white Christmas than they are a hurricane on Boxing Day) Thunderstorm asthma: sixth person dies in Melbourne while three remain critical   Cold weather kills 20 in north Afghanistan Man missing in Zakynthos flood found dead Two dead after heavy storms across northern Italy as drone footage captures the moment devastating landslide sweeps through Italian village and more pictures here from the aftermath of Turin floods And southern Africa cries for help as El Niño and climate change savage maize harvest

26th November - Today's News: "Unprecedented" Snowfall in Almaty

Reportedly, the snowfall in Almaty is unprecedented with new abnormal snowfalls expected in Kazakhstan in December Heavy rain hammers south-east Queensland flooding Brisbane suburbs Thunderstorm asthma claims fifth life in Victoria Portugal sees roads closed due to snow and rain Tropical storm Otto kills nine in Costa Rica India court bans fireworks in Delhi after Diwali smog Although the reported 19.2c in Siberia last weekend was erroneous, there have nonetheless been very high (relatively speaking) temperatures around the Arctic recently (including Siberia).  And here's an expert’s view on unusually warm Arctic temperatures . And as a consequence of this, the average Arctic temperature in Svalbard 'could end up above freezing for first time in history'

25th November - Today's News: Deaths as Hurricane Otto Hits Central America

Otto weakens to tropical storm after passing over Nicaragua but there are deaths as storm hits Costa Rica Heavy rain causes floods in northern Italy whilst a mini tornado causes havoc in southern France In Canada, it's been the latest Winnipeg snowfall on record Qatar hit by tornadoes Heavy snowfall temporarily clears 'life-threatening' air pollution in Tehran So much for it slowing down, Gulfstream may strengthen with more precipitation in the far north And by the end of this century US record high temperatures could outpace record lows 15 to 1

24th November - Today's News: First November Snow in Tokyo for 54 Years

Tokyo stunned to wake up to snow in November for the first time in 54 years - although it had been well forecast .... Hurricane Otto: Costa Rica declares national emergency as storm heads for coast NZ records its hottest November temperature in 15 years Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier's huge glacier retreat triggered in 1940s  although a study of expedition log books reveals that around the coast Antarctic ice has hardly melted in 100 years Air pollution 'causes 467,000 premature deaths a year in Europe' whilst summer heatwave may explain surge in deaths in England and Wales this year. A huge reduction in African dust plume impacted climate 11,000 years ago Meanwhile, 400 people have died in Tehran in the past fortnight as clouds of filth envelop Asian cities And three striking weather events photographed in Glen Coe in one single picture (although the inversion is neither striking nor rare)

23rd November - Today's News: Hurricane Otto Forms in Southern Caribbean

The last of the season?  Hurricane Otto threatens Costa Rica and Nicaragua - it's also very unusual to have a hurricance form so far south in the Caribbean.  Earlier, Tropical Storm Otto kills four in Panama After Melbourne's 'Thunderstorm asthma': Four people now believed dead, could have been more, minister says Bolivia schools close early as drought empties reservoirs - La Paz is running out of water .... Study sheds new insights into global warming 'hiatus' Mars ice deposit holds as much water as Lake Superior And how US super satellite will 'revolutionise' weather forecasts

22nd November - Today's News: Floods Hit England & Wales

A wet day yesterday with nearly an inch in Evesham but a lot more elsewhere with weather chaos: Homes flooded, roads closed and ferry stuck in Wales, Greater Manchester faces disruption during heavy rain and floods and a woman in life-threatening condition pulled from the sea as Environment Agency issues 44 flood warnings across battered Britain . Yesterday also saw temperatures reach six-year low for November as north-east plummets to -12C (actually -12.1c in Braemar) whilst on Sunday a stunning image of a rare fog bow is captured by a photographer over the snow-covered Scottish moors So, there's no global warming in Siberia, Donald Trump?   Temperatures  in Verkhoyansk in the Arctic Circle reached 19.2c on the 18th - the average is around 0c.   That said, western Siberia and the Urals have been cold.  Which just goes to show you should never use individual extremes as evidence of anything. U.S. record heat poised to outpace record cold by factor of 15 late this centu

21st November - Today's News: Storm Angus and Heavy Rain Batter Southern Britain

A wet morning as Britain braces for day two of storm chaos after the first named storm of the season brought heavy rain and gales to the south coast on Sunday as a cargo ship hits barge in Storm Angus .   It's also been pretty chilly with Balmoral remaining below freezing all day yesterday as many parts of Wales wake up to snow as numerous flooding problems also hit the country But as Storm Angus sweeps Britain, skiers celebrate Alps snow perfection Winter storm causes 340 crashes as it sweeps through Minnesota leaving at least one person dead And in Kazakhstan: Capital Astana paralysed by cold weather as the temperature drops to -32c

18th November - Today's News: Squalls and Snow Hit Parts of Britain

Rather surprised this morning to read that thundersnow strikes! Chaos on the roads as Britain wakes up to a wintry blanket .  There is, of course, nothing here, nor anything expected for some time yet!  Meanwhile a squally cold front crossed yesterday producing quite a bit of damage with roofs ripped off as storms hit parts of mid and west Wales whilst a mini tornado strikes JCB headquarters in Staffordshire and winds of up to 84mph and 'tornadoes' cause chaos in Shropshire .   It was alleged that another tornado spotted as strong winds batter Coventry - but the video - of a funnel cloud - does not appear to have been taken yesterday (note lack of low levels winds and rather green, leafy trees!)  It's likely in most cases at least that the damage was caused by straight line winds. The US Lower 48 has basked in exceptional November warmth, but hints of a radical shift In Colorado it's been Denver's first snow in 201 days - not far off a record snow-free

17th November - Today's News: Stormy Weather Hits NZ Quake Zone

Storm lashes New Zealand quake zone, more buildings evacuated as it's revealed  that New Zealand's earthquake was so powerful it lifted the sea floor two metres, exploding rocks through the sand Last year's Indonesian fires exposed 69 million to 'killer haze' Wildfires rage in central Chile New research suggests a less gloomy outlook for subtropical rainfall Climate change may prevent volcanoes from cooling the planet And new analysis adds support for a subsurface ocean on Pluto - is that where the Mi-go are hiding?!

16th November - Today's News: Impacts of Climate Change in the Arctic

The impacts of climate change in the Arctic:  80,000 reindeer have starved to death as Arctic sea ice retreats whilst research shows that Arctic ice pack the size of Florida melted after ‘extreme cyclone’ in December last year.  Alaska sees 'astounding' rise in temperature in October.   And why the Arctic waters are reluctant to freeze this winter after record low Arctic sea ice minimum observed in 2016 In NZ, cars shelter under trees as hail stones the size of golf balls hit Ashburton during storm whilst a mini tornado causes damage in Kapiti And once again the value of naval warships in non-combatant activities is shown after the New Zealand earthquake: Warships head to Kaikoura with Australian, Canadian and US vessels joining the evacuation effort.  Researchers solve mystery of historic 1952 London fog and current Chinese haze Dominican Republic floods displace more than 20,000   Cop 22 told of UAE research on pulling more rain from clouds

15th November - Today's News: Floods Hit New Zealand as Quake Recovery Continues

New Zealand earthquake: Kaikoura evacuations under way after the town was entirely cut off by landslides.  And cows stranded on island of land saved by rescuers, local media say .  Elsewhere, rain is the issue as Wellington cut off: State highways 1 and 2 closed due to flooding 2016 'very likely' to be world's warmest year - though that's always looked likely to be the case Is it the best start to the season ever? Ski resorts in the Alps open early thanks to stellar snowfall The incredible swirls surrounding Saturn's giant hexagonal storm revealed in stunning new Cassini image And our view of the Supermoon is vanquished by Supercloud! - Although I did see it myself this morning,  Looked just the same as a normal moon .....

14th November - Today's News: Mag 7.8 Earthquake Strikes New Zealand

Thankfully one two deaths reported so far as New Zealanders count cost of earthquake - which interestingly has coincided with the Moon being the closest it has been to Earth in nearly 70 years. Today, slip dam breached on New Zealand river, residents urged to seek higher ground .  And "earthquake lights" may have been filmed as the sky flashes 'green and blue' in rare lights phenomena Mini-cyclone rips through areas of Brisbane .  Well, thunderstorm ....  Dust storm sweeps through NT town of Katherine September's South Australian storms included seven tornadoes, Bureau of Meteorology says And Australia will be hit with intense storms more often - with Sydney the worst affected, new report says Romania and Ukraine witness eight inches of snow Stockholm defends 'gender-equal' snow-clearing after the chaos caused by last week's snow Heavy snow cuts off power for thousands in central China Global carbon gr

12th November - Today's News: Severe Storms Hit Southeastern Australia

Sydney cops a drenching and Adelaide is hit with golf-sized hailstones as severe storms lash northern Victoria with buildings damaged, thousands without power after 'mini tornado' wreaks havoc in Mildura   Jo'Burg's deadly flash flooding was once-in-a-100-year occurrence How lightning strikes can improve storm forecasts Climate change: Nations will push ahead with plans despite Trump Can we meet global energy demands with nuclear power? And a super-drought on Mars may have wiped out alien life on the red planet leaving it a barren, hostile world

11th November - Today's News: Unusual Warmth Persists Across North America

North America is flooded in warmth and there is no sign of real winter Weak La Niña forms in Pacific Ocean Adelaide pelted with huge hailstones as severe storm follows 31C heat - though I am not sure why that make an issue of the forecast saying there was "only" a 40% chance of rain - that's quite high!  Truck drivers explain how they saved lives in floods in South Africa on Wednesday Snow causes traffic chaos in western Austria earlier this week Thawing ice makes the Alps grow Peculiarities of huge equatorial jet stream in Saturn's atmosphere revealed And it appears that climate change already dramatically disrupting all elements of nature .  Except in Trumpland, where it's just a hoax invented by the Chinese .....

10th November - Today's News: Record November Snow in Stockholm

Man, 77, rescued in Yorkshire as UK tackles first snow of winter - well, first to affect roads in England that is!   More pictures from across the continent as snow comes to Europe as Stockholm just had snowiest November day in 111 years and a winter white-out to continue in eastern Finland Meanwhile, it's forecast that Denmark to face 'significantly colder' winter - but will the cold make it west to Britain?! But is a new mini-ice age on the way?   No ...  And in the US, this fall has been so warm, some cities are setting records for latest first freeze whilst the Deep South reels from drought In South Africa, 6 killed in Gauteng flood horror   Major ocean current is widening as climate warms And Bookies takes bets on next Scottish earthquake after rise in frequency this year

9th November - Today's News: WMO Confirm 2011-5 the Warmest 5-Year Period on Record

The global climate 2011-2015: Hottest five-year period on record Theresa May puts 1,200 soldiers on standby to tackle winter floods - despite nearly an inch of rain overnight, the most in a 24 hour period since June, it's been a dry autumn here and there no signs of any significant storms on the horizon.   But my feeling is we may see the Atlantic properly awaken in the new year, with a better chance of snow and decent cold weather before, rather than after, Christmas .... (bit like 2010/11 in terms of pattern, though certainly not nearly so cold) Svalbard escapes winter rainstorm unharmed Flooding sends Albania into chaos Heavy snowfall comes early to Japan Patagonian fossil leaves reveal rapid recovery from dinosaur extinction event , relatively speaking And could we survive a nuclear winter?   Yes.  Though winters would be quite a bit cooler ....

8th November - Today's News: Predicted Heavy Rain Forces Evacuations in Svalbard

Svalbard residents evacuated ahead of 'extreme' storm due to unusually high amounts of rain being predicted and fears of flooding and landslides.  Down to -2.9c in my garden this morning. the lowest November temperature I have recorded since 2010.  Pershore (Throckmorton) dropped to -5c with snow on the way for Scotland and northern England overnight.  But it wont last. In Pics: Snow falls thick and fast in southern Germany and prepare to be hit by 'snow cannons', Sweden warned - they mean 'lake effect' snow.  Any excuse to show a girl in a bikini .....  ! Study reveals huge acceleration in erosion of England's white cliffs Brisbane and south-east Queensland battered by hailstones in huge storm Haiti floods kill at least 10 people after heavy rain Middle East dust storm not caused by conflict, study finds   .... it was climate change Wind farms could be killing 80,000 bats a year, new study finds A successful ca