An Arctic blast brought several intense winter storms and heavy snowfall to northern Europe, causing widespread disruption and travel delays. Countries such as Sweden, Finland, and parts of the Alps saw significant snow accumulations, with some areas receiving up to 27 inches (70 cm) of snow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine experienced record-breaking snowfall, with some areas seeing up to 31 inches (79 cm) of snow. This extreme weather event was driven by a powerful cold front that swept across the region, causing road closures, power outages, and challenges for transportation and emergency services.
The heavy snowfall also had a significant impact on agriculture and infrastructure, affecting rural areas already struggling with the consequences of the military conflict.
A toddler was mauled to death by a leopard in a gruesome attack as he played in his back garden, according to reports.
Local reports said the 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by the big cat in Sharhama village in the disputed Indian region of North Kashmir's Handwara area on Friday evening, local time. After finding the toddler in a pool of blood, locals raced to take the child to the health centre in Qalamabad where he was treated for his injuries.
Despite doctors' best efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries. Local reports identified the child as Hasnain Nisar, the only child of his family. He is understood to have been playing in the garden of his home when he was attacked. Authorities confirmed the child died in the attack.
The death is one of several instances where people have been killed by wild animals in the country. Leopards have been seized following similar attacks in the border region between Pakistan and India.
Heavy rain, floods close Boston tunnel and knock out power for thousands
About 1 to 4 inches of rain has fallen across portions of New England Wednesday as steady to heavy rain continued into the evening amid another wave of precipitation.
A potent cold front pushing into the region from the west was unleashing about an inch of rain an hour in some areas.
Many locations were expected to see an inch or two more of precipitation by midnight from the downpours.
Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island saw the greatest rainfall, with numerous flooded streets reported.
T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, R.I., was drenched with 4.65 inches of rain. Attleboro and Coventry, R.I., saw just over 4 inches, while Providence saw 3½ inches, according to the National Weather Service.
A tourist who went to explore one of Thailand's most popular National Parks was trampled to death after being chased by a wild elephant.
Jiranan Panyaprasertying, 49, was exploring the site with a pal and set off on a hike to see a waterfall when they came across the hostile jumbo at the Phu Kradueng National Park on December 11. The violent animal charged at the pair, and while her friend managed to escape, the mum tripped while fleeing. Her skull was then brutally crushed as she was set upon.
Adisorn Hemthan, head of Phu Kradueng National Park, said the alarm was raised at 9:47am. Rangers were dispatched to the trail, where Jiranan's lifeless body was found splayed on the grass. Police Major General Pongpipat Siripornwiwat, commander of the Loei Provincial Police, said: "We co-ordinated with the Wing 24 Unit in Udon Thani province to send a helicopter to the park.
Warnings for blizzards and life-threatening cold affect Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba as residents brace for winter's worst.
Winter regions across Canada are bracing for severe weather, with multiple warnings issued as extreme conditions sweep through the prairie provinces and Ontario. Citizens are urged to stay updated and prepared as heavy snowfall and dangerously low temperatures set the stage for hazardous conditions.
Heavy snow and extreme cold have triggered warnings across several parts of Ontario and the Prairie regions, with Environment and Climate Change Canada outlining potential life-threatening conditions. According to meteorological reports, blizzard warnings were initially set for areas including Owen Sound and Wingham on December 12, 2024. Snowfall accumulations are expected to reach between 15 and 20 centimeters by the end of the storm, along with wind gusts reaching up to 80 km/h, drastically reducing visibility.
"Travel is expected to be difficult to nearly impossible," stated the warning, clearly indicating how serious the situation is for those who might need to move about during the storm. Even as conditions began to stabilize somewhat Thursday afternoon, snowfall continued to drench parts of southwestern Ontario.
Although the storm's effects are hitting hard, the regions are not alone. Further to the west, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are experiencing equally harsh arctic air, which saw Winnipeg plunge to temperatures of -30.7 C. The prevailing Arctic front has pushed daytime highs well below normal, from -7 C to -26 C, with the wind chill making it feel even colder, dropping temperatures to between -20 C and -40 C at times.
Main Street in Findley Lake is decorated for Christmas, complete with more than enough snow.
Officially, winter begins on Dec. 21, but in Findley Lake, like so many towns along the Great Lakes, winter weather came in hard and fast the day after Thanksgiving.
According to Dr. Lin Baylis, Executive Director of Community Connections at Findley Lake, the total snowfall from Black Friday until the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4, measured 79 inches. And it has continued to fall . . .
Baylis said the total snowfall for the winter of 2023-24 was only 94 inches, which is about a foot more than the accumulated total for this year. She has been helping to keep track of snowfall amounts since 2001, she said, when Bill Boria, former county water resource specialist at the Chautauqua County Health Department started a weather station in Findley Lake.
Baylis said the equipment is hardly scientific. "That would be a snow box and ruler," she said. "The snow box was built by Bill, according to the weather standards of the time. I measure the snow in the box in each corner and the middle and then take an average."
An ice jam on the Matane River in Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula prompted flooding and the evacuation of dozens of homes and businesses in the city of Matane on Thursday.
Blocks of jagged ice and logs could be seen filling the entire river surface and spilling onto nearby properties in the city's downtown. Emergency services and provincial police were called to the area before 9 a.m. as the river was getting higher. Soon after that, ice began to cover large swaths, stilling the flow and prompting the evacuation order.
Residents were asked to vacate 84 buildings in the city of about 14,000 people. A disaster services centre was established at the city hall's civic centre.
The fierce lake-effect snowstorm is nearing its end across the Great Lakes.
Heavy snow continues to pummel areas east of lakes Erie and Ontario, but relief is on the horizon as the storm is expected to weaken by Friday evening. Eden, New York, has been buried under over 3.5 feet of snow since Thursday,while other surrounding areas have received over 2.5 feet.
The combination of strong winds and heavy snowfall has led to dangerous travel conditions and prompted a state of emergency in parts of New York state.
Tamil Nadu has experienced unprecedented rainfall over the past 24 hours, leading to significant water accumulation in major reservoirs and prompting flood alerts in several regions.
The state witnessed heavy downpours, with Tenkasi's Ayikudi recording over 30 cm of rainfall, propelling the district from a deficit to an excess in the northeast monsoon season.
In Tirunelveli district, Oothu received a whopping 54 cm, while Ambasamudram and Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district each recorded 37 cm. Other notable measurements include Kannadaian Anicut and Kakkachi in Tirunelveli with 35 cm each, and Manjolai at 32 cm.
The intense rainfall has led to substantial inflows into key reservoirs. Poondi reservoir is getting inflows close to 13,000 cusecs prompting the Water Resources Department to release 12,000 cusecs of water to manage the surplus.
Comment: Related: Watch: Snow blankets Malaga while heavy rain floods the Costa del Sol amid cold snap in Spain