Weather & Earth Science News

The last of the year! After a cold 2010, the Met Office announce (to no great surprise) that 2011 UK's second warmest year on record - the actual press release is here . Looks like being a mild but damp Hogmanay across many parts of Britain tonight, though hopefully not as wet for most as in NZ where New Year's Eve celebrations washed out . 34 die in south India cyclone And a record heatwave hits South Pole Why tornadoes take the weekends off in summer - it's all down to pollution World pays Ecuador not to extract oil from rainforest in an initiative that we may well see become commonplace in future decades. Cloud Appreciation Society's beautiful 2012 calendar is a hit with sky gazing fans - featuring a stunning photo of Nocties over Fort William taken by my good friend John Cameron.

As 'Thane' crosses the Indian coast, cyclonic storm leaves six dead in TN and Puducherry Freak foam storm swamps seaside resort of Cleverleys Across the UAE, nation offers prayers for rain More flooding in NZ as heavy rain hits Nelson and Tasman And as reports start coming in on 2011's weather records: Highest temperature reported in Austrian mountain areas since 1851 In Germany: 2011 was fifth warmest, third sunniest in record Perth swelters through hottest year

The Christmas Storm Dagmar cuts power, causes damage across Nordic regions as Sweden struggles with wrath of storm Dagmar and Norway counts cost of Christmas hurricane Meanwhile today, more floods expected as 90mph winds batter Scotland In Australia, violent summer weather cuts country in two Germany has 'mildest Christmas in decades' it's been Sweden's warmest December in 250 years and 2011 hottest year in France since 1900 And there's been a bumper crop of Christmas apples as 'two Springs and no Summer leave British plants in confusion . But mild weather could spell vegetable shortages come Spring. Eastern Canada braces for first major storm of the season Philippines storm death toll rises to nearly 1250 In India, high tidal waves lash Andhra coast as Cyclone Thane develops in the Bay of Biscay Taking the pulse of Ngozumpa , a Nepalese glacier that is producing a growing meltwater lake.

In stark contrast to one year ago, it've been a very mild, green Christmas in Britain this year - the warmest on record in N Ireland and overall the 3rd warmest for the whole country. Nonetheless, not good news for all as winds of 101mph recorded in Northern Isles Here in Evesham it was a breezy 12.3c which is a date record since 2003. Though in 2004 I recorded 14.4c on the 23rd December. Last year the max was -4.4c ! Which was also a date record... In Eire too, there's cheer for swimmers as unseasonal weather puts Greece in the shade Elsewhere, a rare white Christmas graces Texas panhandle and wild Christmas weather hits Australia as thousands mop up after hail barrage inflicts havoc on Christmas Day . And in the Philppines, more floods feared as new storm threatens Mindanao

After the Philippines floods: more than 1,000 remain missing New Zealand's Christchurh rocked by earthquakes again After heavy rain in Wales yesterday, flooding keeps Mid and West Wales fire crews busy Whilst following a landslide in the Highlands, tonnes of fallen rock block Lochcarron to Kyle road In the US, heavy snow closes roads, delays flights in West but in the NE, there's no snow, little go at ski resorts . Meanwhile, up in Fairbanks, with record setting weather another December to remember Whilst it;s going to be a mild Christmas in Britain, bear a thought for those in Western Australia where Pilbara sizzles again after 49.4c - the hottest WA DEcember day on record And in the SE of England don't take bath this Christmas as drought order is issued . Darwin on alert as cyclone develops offshore Airlines cleared to use Santa's short-cut - which can only increase Arctic warming And we all have just a year left as Mexico Maya begin 2012 'end of era' co...

The Daily Mail gets all confused with temperatures today as they ask will it be the warmest Christmas on record? There is in fact nothing at all amazing about a maximum temperature in December being higher than the April mean; and we're hardly looking at record temperatures when the predicted maximum temperature is still below the record highest minimum ! But that's journalists for you! And we'd need temperatures to get over 16c to have a chance of the warmest Christmas on record. I suspect around 12c will be closer the mark. But, at least they have some nice pictures to accompany their misleading nonsense. Meanwhile the Met Office provide this summary on how common a White Christmas is In Finland, unusually warm weather preventing birds flying south And how will warm weather affect your holidays? If you live in Toronto - which like so much of the northern Hemisphere is suffering a dearth of cold and snow this winter. Fourth hurricane-force windstorm blasting A...

Philippine floods: President declares national calamity with current estimates of up to 1,000 dead. It's a Christmas to forget in Mindanao . The Met Office supported charity Shelterbox assesses Philippines flood damage . In the US, deadly snowstorm halts travel across Great Plains But there's be no snow in Britain this Christmas - as indeed has looked the case since the beginning of the month. In fact, after a few days ago predicting a white Christmas, the tabloid press are now proclaiming Scotland in for hottest Christmas Day ever - not sure of that, although with southwesterly winds a fohn effect could bring very mild temperatures to the northeast. Looks like Piers Corbyn will be losing his bets this year! And on a more serious note, Scotland's cities' chances of a white Christmas rated with, on average, Aberdeen coming out top. But this years extreme weather baffles butterflies in Britain Aussies shiver in coldest start to summer in 50 years After recent r...