Weather & Earth Science News

Summer heat records smashed in Sydney and regional NSW with 9 consecutive days above 35c and the warmest January ever for average maximum, minimum and mean temperatures as intense heat grips eastern Australia .  But finally some (temporary) relief! Temperatures drop by a staggering 10C in just ten minutes in Sydney this afternoon. 300 people rescued in Altai region as snowstorm hit the roads Kashmir valley buried in snow - road and airport closures isolate Srinagar as avalanche risk remains high So far this winter high pressure over Britain means number of storms is down on recent years but it looks like turning quite windy later this week.  Could be "Doris"?  First-ever GPS data release to boost space-weather science - more than 16 years of space-weather data is now publicly available for the first time in history

For the second time in two years the polar vortex brings rare multi-coloured clouds to Britain - but nothing this far south (it was overcast anyway).  There was also an incredible UFO cloud spotted in Sweden Peru hotel collapses into swollen river after torrential rain 2 dead in wake of New Brunswick ice storm Queensland topples long-standing temperature records Kashmir avalanches kill 14 Indian soldiers Rain from thunderstorms is rising due to climate change - and my own observations of more rain falling during intense periods would seem to support this, though often it's not actually thunderstorms producing the rain.  This is Evesham!    Also worth noting that this is the reason for some predictions of less rain but more flooding. Image shows mountain hare with nowhere to hide in Cairngorms - I think there's even less snow than the infamous winter of 89! Descriptions of sites of wild land in Scotland published - inclu...

Deadly wildfire razes entire town in Chile: 'Literally like Dante's Inferno' with 6 dead in Chile´s worst wildfires in history - fuelled by an ongoing heat wave .  I n stark contrast, further north, f loods lash Bolivia and Peru Whilst Scottish ski resorts remain completely bare of snow (and there is none expected in the next few days at least) - with temperatures into double figures this week - in California Mammoth has received a record-breaking 20.5 feet of the white stuff this January with the associated good news that California drought shrinks to smallest level in years after onslaught of rain and snow New Brunswick's ice storm fallout: Still more than 61,000 without power WA cyclone alert: Pilbara warned of possible weekend cyclone And remarkable weather:  Londoners stunned as snow falls in capital during morning rush hour - they had a light flurry that didn't settle ..... ! Rigopiano Hotel avalanche: Last bodies recov...

At least 4 reported dead in California storms In east Texas at the weekend, a woman flew through a tornado in a bathtub and survived Thunderstorm asthma: ninth person dies from rare weather event in Melbourne Airliner causes rare fallstreak hole in clouds above South Australia's Riverland It's just been Darwin's wettest day in five years - but with a total only just higher than Evesham's wettest ever day  Sea level rise will disproportionately hit U.S. this century, NOAA warns .  And although sea levels were higher at the time, sea-surface temps during last interglacial period like modern temps - so is this more indication of how high sea levels could rise in the near future? China wants to make it rain over an area bigger than Britain and France   - but if the cloud seeding works, what will be the impacts elsewhere?  Clouds can only release their moisture once ..... Torrential rains leave hundreds stranded in Chile Wh...

The River Danube becomes a skaters' paradise as it freezes over for only the second time in 30 years as deep freeze descends on Europe Rigopiano Hotel avalanche: Five bodies found, 15 still missing .  Yesterday, it was reported that three puppies are pulled from devastation of Italian hotel hit by avalanche after four days bringing hope more survivors may yet be found Death toll up to 21 as heavy storm batters Eastern US with wind and heavy rain Travel and pollution warnings as UK's cold, foggy weather continues - just a boring light frost in Evesham though  Finally rain is beginning to fall, cooling off Sydney after another scorcher day NT weather: Crocs, floods, and food drops as Top End residents brace for more heavy rainfall There's constant snow for Japan In Thailand the south faces Round 3 of flooding  Some stunning images of Earth from America's newest weather satellite revealed Stunning images show...

Tornadoes leave at least 19 dead as severe storm outbreak pounds the South Fierce snowstorm drops a foot of snow on Anchorage in 24 hours Tahiti flooding: Thousands left without power after heavy rain shuts down airport, forces evacuations   Snow and singing: How avalanche survivors made it through 40 hours in hotel wreckage - 23 people still remain unaccounted for in Italy Cold weather turns Austria into an ice-skater’s paradise   Chile forest fires: Troops join fight against worst fires in decades Sri Lanka hit by worst drought in decades Accusations that the UK Government 'tried to bury' its own alarming report on climate change And this morning in London, freezing fog sees hundreds of flights cancelled at Heathrow and City Airports

Hundreds trapped in vehicles overnight on Spanish roads as snow brings chaos with the first snow in more than a century in Torrevieja, Spain Scottish ski resorts have seen a slow start to season on the slopes because of lack of snow , but you can go sledging… in the Sahara! African desert region is hit by its biggest snowfall in living memory - there is still no sign of any snow fall for Britain in the near future.  Good news from Italy avalanche: Four more rescued from Rigopiano hotel meaning 9 people have now been recovered alive, though many still remain missing and the hotel dogs reunited with puppies after miracle avalanche escape In southern California heavy rain prevents Obama from landing in Palm Springs; causes mudslides, flooding across region And the Larsen ice crack continues to open up

Two bodies have been recovered as Italy avalanche rescuers race to find Rigopiano hotel survivors Italy avalanche: A cruel coincidence Heavy snowfalls on January 19 block several roads, cause train cancellation in Bulgaria Balkan locals help wildlife survive winter freeze - and especially stray dogs And the historic town of Ronda cut off as cold front reaches Costa del Sol In NZ visitors to Mt Ruapehu enjoying mid-summer snowfall WA's South West a 'canary in the coalmine' for climate change Climate change to shift global pattern of mild weather - and it looks like we'll get even more.  Especially in winter .... Green Sahara's ancient rainfall regime revealed   And a new theory may explain mystery of Fairy Circles of Namibia

More tragedy in Italy as up to 30 people are feared dead as Italian ski hotel is buried by avalanche after four earthquakes hit the region with the general situation described as a 'catastrophe' in central Italy on day of four big quakes There's been snow in the Balearics as Spain suffers January freeze with lots of amazing images of Spain's beaches in snow Sweden just set an incredible new wind record - nearly 107mph: the highest average wind speed since their records began (in 1951) Research by the Munich Re shows that flood disasters more than double across Europe in 35 years Motorists left stranded and cars are submerged in flood waters as more than five inches of rain pound Houston in just six hours Is it freezing inside that tornado? Why temperatures drop inside a vortex Heat from earth’s core could be underlying force in plate tectonics And, as expected, the latest data shows 2016 likely to be warmest year yet while...

Italy weather: Heavy snow grips earthquake region whilst social media turns white as Tunisia is blanketed in snow - though it's not as unusual and some might have you think.  Meanwhile Britain is almost bare of snow, even in the Highlands .....  Eastern Australia swelters under heatwave as hottest January on record looms But in NZ, bomb low weather arrives in Wellington with 160kmh winds still on the way Rome metro suspended as earthquake hits central Italy  Chinese authorities tell local weather forecasters to stop issuing smog alerts Aeolus wind mission heads for test and launch - when operational it should help improve weather forecasting with better data on wind speeds and direction    And a new model shows the inception of the last ice age in Eurasia - and why Siberia became a cold desert

Global sea ice is at lowest level ever recorded - though there is no doubt it has been lower in the recent geological past.  And, of course, much higher.    However, with ongoing declining axial tilt - which particularly impacts polar regions with reduced insolation, this should not be happening now, all else being equal. And an ice crack to put UK Antarctic base in shut-down French told to save power as cold snap threatens electricity supply - obviously they don't have enough windfarms!  There are thousands without electricity as snow and wind batter Italy   whilst Spain prepares for the big freeze as Siberian winter approaches .  Here it's just mild and grey.   We've had our snow for the year ..... New research shows 2015's giant Middle East dust storm caused by a changing climate, not human conflict And Venus wave may be Solar System's biggest

Thousands stranded as flash floods hit Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines Central US Ice Storm Falls Short of Dire Forecasts Queensland storm: 'Very dangerous' weather brings heavy rainfall, flash flooding to south-east It's reported that cold weather kills 180,000 alpacas in Peru although it appears the cause is more correctly a combination of lack of food, due to long term drought, coupled with a spell of wet weather. And Northern Ireland Police issue wanted poster for weatherman after failed snow forecast

Sydney weather: Heatwave breaks another hottest night record whilst in Queensland weather: South-east residents swelter as heatwave continues Good news as severe flooding avoided in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk - the storm surge wasn't quite as bad as expected But why did a slight dusting of snow close 11 schools?   A very good question when winters like 1979 and 1981/2 saw schools in rural areas remain open throughout.  I know - I was at them!   Even when it meant walking a mile through drifts to reach the road to stand in the bitter cold waiting for the bus ....  And teachers also had just as far to travel themselves as they do today. Icy weather in Europe causes more hardship and chaos as Storm Egon leaves two dead, thousands without power in Germany whilst a monster Baltic Sea wave sets new record and officials report that Ukraine freeze kills 40 people in two weeks Heavy snow falls in Sea of Japan areas as cold mass grips m...

Well, we finally saw some snow!  A few flakes on the back edge of yesterday's rain (blink and you'd miss them) and then a nice dusting from showers overnight.  Most has now melted though ....  But it was the first time there was snow on the ground in daylight since 2013. Snow, winds and flooding disrupts travel in Scotland Snow and strong winds lead to NI weather warnings and travel disruption There have been some school closures across Wales due to snow and ice And a fresh cold weather warning for capital after snow sparks rush hour chaos But compared with parts of Europe have had, it's been rather fine weather! There's also a storm surge flood threat to east coast of England though the danger doesn't appear to be as great as initially feared.  Nonetheless evacuations continue in Essex and Suffolk So how often does it snow in the UK, and is it getting rarer?   It's certainly getting rarer round here, with just 7 days of obs...

Will it won't it snow in Evesham?  We will know this time tomorrow ....   But already flights cancelled ahead of snowy conditions at Heathrow - even though it's quite possible they will see no snow at all .... and in Scotland a disruption warning for commuters despite bridge reopening In the US, Portland, parts of Washington buried by massive snowstorm   whilst there's a tornado, flooding, fatalities and a piles of snow as California deluge continues  Spectacular cloud photographed over Australia - not chemtrails, just gravity waves Thailand floods: Death toll rises to 36 with more heavy rain predicted to hit later in week And the Moon likely formed more than 4.5 billion years ago, scientists say - earlier than thought

Residents of a California town only 20 miles from San Francisco are evacuated following second round of storms battering Northern California and Nevada  Temperature peaked at 11.1c in my garden at 5.45z this morning - the highest this year.  All downhill now as it looks like a while before we will see temps quite that high.   And there are increasing sigfns we might even see some snow .....  (but nothing disruptive or lasting). As this latest spell of wintry weather (finally bringing snow to the Highlands after a week with barely a patch to be seen, even on the highest summits) gets underway, winds close Forth Road Bridge, cut power to homes Serbian 'miracle man' survives -20C ordeal in well Heavy snowfalls cause new round of road closures, power cuts in Bulgaria Snowfall keeps battering Istanbul, more expected to come Queensland heatwave sends temperatures soaring in state's central, southern regions The media report ...

The famous sequoia Pioneer Cabin Tree in California felled by storms as thousands in California and Nevada told to evacuate due to flooding Starting to get a little exciting now as Arctic cold snap to bring 'thundersnow' to parts of Britain - okay, so not here, but a brief flurry is possible and there should be copious amounts of snow over the Brecon Beacons to play in on Sunday!   After that a great deal of uncertainty, but a prolonged cold spell and further, more widespread, snow is not entirely beyond the bounds of possibility (sods law says the model output suggesting a quick return to milder conditions will prove right though...) Won't be quite as much as other parts of Europe, anyway, where after a weekend of snow chaos, more winter weather on the way for Italy   and Bulgaria appears set to break electricity consumption records as freezing temperatures persist as the Europe freeze brings deaths, power outages and closures in many other countries. ...

Heavy snow, icy weather grip Italy, Greece and Turkey through the weekend with eight dead after freezing weekend in Italy Meanwhile, there is actually a very small chance we could see a few flakes of snow here later this week ......  I did say very small! In the US, northern Nevada braces for worst flooding in a decade whilst winter storm in northern California becomes a 'serious situation' as widespread flooding, evacuations occur and another icy winter storm causes accidents and deaths in south and eastern US too. New Zealand had its hottest ever recorded year in 2016 South Australia endures another sweltering day of 40C as summer hits its stride with predictions that some places in the east could see 47 degrees by Friday: 'Stubborn' heatwave  brings sweltering weather to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Polish cities provide free public transport due to high smog levels whilst earlier last week China issues first-ever national red aler...

Three dead as winter storm sweeps eastward and heads for the Deep South while in the west, Yosemite braces as huge storm approaches Central California with flood concerns. Europe continues to be cold and snowy: Will snow rescue Swiss Alps after dry start to winter?   Germany shivers in coldest winter night so far Seven die of hypothermia as mercury plunges in Poland Snow blizzards cause havoc in the Balkans Istanbul paralysed as heavy snowstorm hits Turkey Tourists stranded in Swedish Arctic as trains axed again due to extreme cold And in Russia, Siberians mock Muscovites for panic over record freezing temperatures Here, we're not even expecting another frost till at least the end of next week! In Australia, grassfires brought under control as heatwave sweeps across Victoria A dozen left dead as torrential rain submerges parts of southern Thailand Large-scale tornado outbreaks increasing in frequency in the US ...

Blizzards, icy weather grip parts of Europe with severe snowstorms cause road closures, power cuts in Bulgaria while there's been flooding, strong winds hit Poland .   Switzerland freezes in coldest night of winter so far and  Italy's in for a freezing, snowy long weekend .   Here it just looks mild and a bit wet .... In the US, winter storms take aim at West, South as record snow and rain stretches across parched U.S. west Top End floods cut off NT communities as severe weather warning issued whilst in South Australia there are lightning strike fears as heatwave continues and lightning, tornadoes and mice: the science of bushfires Six dead as floods spark chaos in Thai south Warnings of a food security crisis in southern Africa after drought Meet the highest weather station in Siberia... with a toilet teetering on cliff edge Huge Antarctic iceberg poised to break away   How ice creates mini-mountains known as p...

Violent storm brings floods to north, snow to south Germany as Storm Axel brings worst Baltic Sea flooding in decade .  The same storm system meant a 100-year flood hits Denmark And although Britain was otherwise unaffected, there was also flood drama along coast as storm surge hits East Anglia There's also been extreme weather in Finland: Cold record snaps at -41.7, lightning strikes Porkkala  whilst the bitter cold snarls mass transit   and across the border, Swedes get stuck for hours on a freezing train in minus 40, shrug it off With more snow forecast in eastern Europe, Bulgaria declares ‘code orange’ dangerous weather warning in 20 regions for January 6 And there's Freezing weather across France   too Needless to say, althought at -4.4c this morning was colder than any in the past four winters, there's no sign of any snow for us yet!   In the US, Winter Storm Helena kills 1 in Oregon; schools closed, avalanches triggered ...

In the US, one dead as Winter Storm Gregory begins its cross-country trek whilst further south storms kill 4 in southern Alabama 2016 shatters record for Alaska's warmest year Britain's New Year begins with ice, snow, rain and sleet Weather is upside down as London freezes and Scotland bakes in 11C heatwave From the Met Office 2016: A year in weather statistics New Year's Eve saw snow chaos in eastern Bulgaria Huge wildfire burns homes in Valparaiso, Chile Birds migrating earlier as temperatures rise And stately homes tell BBC to cheer up their weather forecasts in bid to improve visitor numbers  - though the irony that " The association even tried to organise a survey of its members to see if the Met Office’s forecasts were matched by the reality on the ground.  However, the August 2015 Bank Holiday weekend was a wash out, with torrential rain, which meant that the survey was a failure. " seems lost on the...