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Thu, 21 Oct 2021
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Blue Planet

The polar vortex just split into a double vortex - cold temps for Europe will persist

Polar vortex january 2018
© AER/Judah Cohen
Computer model simulation showing a split of the polar vortex into two pieces (blue areas), with an unusually mild area (red) in between.
The polar vortex, the notorious swirl of winds around a low pressure area in the upper atmosphere over the Arctic, has split in two. Since the polar vortex tends to be associated with some of the coldest air during the winter, the split - which is more like a temporary separation than a lasting divorce - means that ultra cold air is on the move.

A split in the polar vortex may sound like a complicated weather concept, but it has huge consequences for weather patterns from Canada to Eurasia. The latest split is likely to put Western Europe and much of Eurasia into the deep freeze for the rest of February, and will offer glimpses of hope for snow lovers along the U.S. East Coast.

Figuring out where the coldest air will go and how it will affect worldwide weather patterns for the next several weeks is a key task facing weather forecasters now.

Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rains cause widespread flooding across Jakarta, Indonesia

Motorists steer a stalled motorcycle to the median strip on Jl. Letjen Suprapto in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta
© kompas.com
Motorists steer a stalled motorcycle to the median strip on Jl. Letjen Suprapto in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, which was flooded on Feb. 15. Prolonged heavy rains on Thursday morning saw flooding in several areas across the capital.
Heavy rains on Thursday morning caused mild to severe flooding across Jakarta that paralyzed traffic along several major streets in the capital.

According to the official Twitter account of the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), at least six streets in Central Jakarta had been flooded since 10 a.m.

Floodwaters reached a height of 100 centimeters along an underpass in Kebon Kosong, Kemayoran.

Floods also hit Jl. Sukarjo Wiryopranoto, Jl. Letjen Suprapto, Jl. Agus Salim, Jl. Wahid Hasyim and Jl. Palbatu, with floodwaters reaching up to 40 centimeters.


Arrow Down

Three skiers killed by avalanche in the Pyrenees, France

avalanche
© AFP
Three skiers have been found dead in a resort in south-western France after being buried by an avalanche in an off-piste area, officials say.

The three French men, one aged 29 and two 38, had gone missing on Wednesday night in the Cauterets resort in the Pyrenees mountains.

On Tuesday, a 19-year-old skier died in an avalanche in the resort of Gavarnie, also in the Pyrenees.

Officials warn of the risks of going off-piste, where most accidents happen.

This year has seen heavy snowfall in the region and also across the Alps.

The bad weather reportedly continued in the Pyrenees and some lifts were closed.

Comment: Recently over a meter (3.5 feet) of snowfall in 3 days hit the Pyrenees.


Attention

59 dolphins strand themselves in Baja California Sur, Mexico, 21 die

Dead dolphins seen on a beach in Mexico on Tuesday

Dead dolphins seen on a beach in Mexico on Tuesday
On this Tuesday morning it was recorded the stranding of 59 dolphins, females and males, on the beach of El Saladito, 21 of which died before being able to be returned to the sea, says Hiram Rosales, collaborator of the Federal Attorney's Office Protection of the Environment (Profepa) and in turn of the Stranding Network of La Paz.

The specimens of gray color and white belly waved on a rocky beach called La Salinita, located in the north of La Paz Bay, capital of the state.

The research professor of the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) said that 38 specimens were returned to the sea with the support of some 40 people, including collaborators of the Network and students of the UABCS.

He mentioned that a tourist informed the Network about the massive stranding of dolphins on the beach located near the port of Pichilingue, around eight in the morning, so they proceeded to rescue the marine mammals.


Attention

Over 20 pilot whales die on the coast of Maio, Cape Verde Islands

More than two dozen pilot whales died

More than two dozen pilot whales died
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, the marine biologist at the May Biodiversity Foundation (FMB) Sara Ratão reported that the 26 pilot whales, a dolphin-like species, came ashore on Wednesday afternoon at Porto Cais and Farol Beach, north of the island.

The biologist explained that the foundation received the alert at the end of the day, having moved teams to the place, where they found the whales already dead.

She said that since it was dark, it was only this morning that the technicians returned to collect samples and make measurements of cetaceans.

Sara Ratão indicated that the whales are mostly adults, with a maximum length of five meters, and there is still one calf.

Attention

Dead sperm whale leaves stink in the air at Papamoa Beach, New Zealand

The dead whale found on Papamoa Beach today by John Howlett.
© John Howlett
The dead whale found on Papamoa Beach today by John Howlett.
"It's pretty whiffy out on the East Papamoa Beach today," says fisherman John Howlett.

John is describing the smell in the air left by a dead whale he found on his way to a fish at the Kaituna cut.

He could still smell it when he got to the cut, which is about 2km downwind of the decaying carcass.

From its teeth in the narrow jaw and the square front to its head, it looks like a sperm whale, but not fully grown.

John sent his photos through to the Tauranga Department of Conservation office and a whale expert is on his way to inspect the find.

"It washed up with the last high tide overnight," says John.

Windsock

Dust storm hits Melbourne, Australia

Dust storm hitting Melbourne
Incredible footage has emerged of a dust storm currently sweeping over Melbourne.

A combination of Victoria's recent dry weather and Wednesday's strong winds have caused a significant amount of dust unearthed and displaced across the city.

A severe weather warning has been issued due to a strong cold front which will cross Victoria this morning and early afternoon.

Cloud Precipitation

Four people killed by landslide in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Sanba hits (VIDEOS)

Tropical Storm Sanba was acquired from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite as it continued moving over the Philippines.
© NOAA/NASA Rapid Response Team
Tropical Storm Sanba was acquired from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite as it continued moving over the Philippines.
Four people were killed in the southern Philippines early Tuesday as a tropical storm unleashed heavy rain and triggered deadly landslides, police said.

Tropical Storm Sanba slammed the east coast of the main southern island of Mindanao Tuesday with gusts of 75 kilometres an hour.

The heavy rain triggered landslides that hit mountain villages outside the mining town of Carrascal -- 760 kilometres south of the capital Manila -- killing four people, municipal police chief James Alendogao told AFP.

"These areas are currently inaccessible and we do not know the extent of the damage," he added.

The state weather service said the storm was expected to move swiftly northwest over the next 24 hours, bringing moderate to heavy rain across the central Philippines.


Snowflake

Record snowfall piles up around the world

Snow Spain

Snowfall in Spain
Record snowfall in Windsor, Ontario - February 11, 2018 - A record 18.4 cm of snow fell on Windsor on Friday, according to Environment Canada. Read more

Snow-covered beaches of Barcelona - February 11, 2018

10 Feb 2018 - Snowfall on a good part of Spain. Read more

Comment: The list goes on and on: These past few months have proved to be particularly brutal, and there are no signs of it letting up just yet; its also in line with scientists predictions of what we can expect in the years ahead:


Ice Cube

Unusual hailstorm kills 2 and damages crops in India

India hailstorm
© India Express
While the hailstorm was particularly intense over the weekend, parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada had also reported thunderstorms since Monday.
Some parts of rural Maharashtra woke up to a white blanket this morning, with an unusual spell of hailstorms. The unusual spell of hailstorm and heavy rainfall that started early this morning has claimed two lives in Maharashtra. The gusty winds and hailstorm have also destroyed standing crops of wheat, grapes and chickpea in Jaalna, Beed, Buldhana, Washim, Amravati and Akola districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

Not just that, the heavy rainfall has destroyed most of the winter crop that was ready to be harvested.

On February 7, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an advisory stating the possibility of hailstorm in parts of Maharashtra. However, the MET officials stated that this was just an advisory issued at a very primary stage but not a warning.

Taking a serious note based on the advisory issued by MET, the state government on Saturday(February 10) had warned the farmers to be prepared for a hailstorm.


Comment: The hailstorms have also killed more than 500 birds in the Maharashtra region.