Earth ChangesS


Cloud Precipitation

Worst flooding in 50 years hits Niger's capital Niamey

A child wades through muddy water early in September in the Kirkissoye district of Niamey, one of the worst hit by Niger river floods
© AFPA child wades through muddy water early in September in the Kirkissoye district of Niamey, one of the worst hit by Niger river floods
"At last, we're here!" Amina and Halima, who live in Niger's capital Niamey, exulted after reaching high ground following the worst floods to hit the city in 50 years.

Two weeks ago, authorities in Niamey declared a red alert when the waters of the Niger river -- the third biggest in Africa -- rose to a level "not seen in more than 50 years".

The floods have affected more than 6,300 people in the traditionally dusty city.

Nearly 60 have been killed and 130,000 displaced across the nation this rainy season, officials say.


Snowflake

Early snow comes early to northern city in Heilongjiang, China

snow
China's northernmost city Mohe in Heilongjiang province welcomed the first snow of the coming winter on Sunday, about 25 days earlier than last year, said the local observatory.

"Affected by cold air, a strong northwesterly wind hit the city on Sunday and the temperature dropped by 8 C," said Yu Jiayi, a forecaster at the observatory. "The lowest temperature over the following two days will be around-3 C and it is expected to increase slightly on Thursday."

The region, regarded as the coldest in China, usually sees winters lasting eight months. Its record low is-52.3 C.

While mountains around the city are enjoying colorful autumn leaves, the falling snow has turned the whole city into a white fairyland.

Comment: Snowfall was also recently recorded at the Chinese/ Pakistan border on September 11th:




Cloud Precipitation

Large hail pounds Glidden, Iowa

Chunks of ice the size of golf balls fell in Glidden Saturday in a small, quickly moving storm.

"I went, 'Oh my goodness,' " Glidden City Clerk Suzy Danner recalled. "It was just a shock."

Some of the hail exceeded 2 inches in diameter and caused small dents in vehicles. Danner said there was no known damage to city property.

The 4:15 p.m. storm was among several reports of hail that day across central Iowa, stretching from Glidden east to Eldora, according to the National Weather Service.

The first report of hail was in Dawson in Dallas County about 2:15 p.m. The final report was in Eldora in Hardin County about 6:30 p.m.

Large hail fell Saturday in Glidden. Most of it was about an inch in diameter, but some exceeded 2 inches
Large hail fell Saturday in Glidden. Most of it was about an inch in diameter, but some exceeded 2 inches

Cloud Precipitation

Floods kill 33 across northern Thailand

floods
Floods that have submerged large parts of northern Thailand for the last two weeks have killed at least 33 people, authorities said on Monday.

The floods, a result of torrential rains caused by two tropical storms, affected 28 provinces and had been especially devastating in the populous northeastern region known as Isan, where more than 22,000 people were evacuated, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said in a statement.


Cloud Precipitation

Rain, floods claim 1,422 lives so far this year in India

Monsoon 2019
© IANSMonsoon 2019
As many as 1,422 people were killed in India over the past couple of months in rain and flood-related incidents in several states of the country, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

The national daily, the Hindustan Times reported, "between June 1 and September 14, at least 1,422 people were killed because of rains, the highest since data started being compiled by the union home ministry nine years ago. Last year, the figure stood at 1,379 - of which Kerala alone accounted for 498 deaths."


Cloud Precipitation

More flash flooding hits Arganda Del Rey, Madrid - Less than three weeks after last deluge

Madrid flash flooding
© La Sexta

The Madrid suburb of Arganda Del Rey has been hit by flash flooding less than three weeks after another powerful storm caused havoc in the same area: Powerful storm hits Madrid, Spain - Cars swept away by rivers of hail. In August

Video footage shows cars and trucks floating down streets after torrential rain. Firefighters attended to over one hundred incidents in less than three hours in the region according to La Vanguardia.


Propaganda

Junk climate science - The new normal

climate cartoon
England had a hot day on July 25, which climate scientists immediately declared to be the "new normal" England's summer averaged five degrees cooler than the summer of 1976, during the ice age scare.


Snowflake

Early winter weather stuns western Norway

SNOW
Winter came early over the weekend, with stormy weather dumping up to 20 centimeters of snow in some areas of the mountains while also wreaking havoc over wide areas of Vestlandet (Western Norway).

Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving thousands without power, while others were evacuated after heavy rain led to more flooding and landslides.

It was another wild weekend, and many roads remained closed Monday morning. Among them were RV52 over Hemsedalsfjellet and 10 county roads from Lærdal and Geiranger to Stryn. The popular FV63 better known as Trollstigen was also abruptly closed because of the weather, disappointing autumn tourists.

The biggest problem were the powerful wind gusts that also swept over many areas where skies were blue and the sun was shining, including the Oslo area. The southern cities of Kristiansand and Arendal were hit hard, with local utility companies scrambling to restore electricity after countless trees fell over power lines

Bizarro Earth

Worst storm in 140 years hits Spain: 6 dead, 300,000 ha (741,000 acres) of prime agricultural land destroyed

floods spain severe weather
© Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty ImagesFloodwaters damaged cars on Thursday, September 12, 2019, in Ontinyent in the Valencia region of Spain.
At least six fatalities have now been confirmed from the harsh weather that has been affecting southeastern Spain since September 11, 2019. Authorities are describing it as the worst storm since 1879 when floodwaters killed over 1 000 in Murcia and Orihuela.

The worst-hit provinces included Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Albacete, Almeria, and Malaga.

Ontinyent, Orihuela, and Moixent experienced swelling of rivers leading to raging floods after 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain fell in 12 hours on top of days of heavy rain. This is 10 times the normal amount for the time of the year.


Comment: You may recall these incredible scenes of rivers of hail and water washing away cars in one suburb of Madrid in late August. Well, two days ago, it happened there again:






Cloud Precipitation

Algeria's capital Algiers hit with 3 months' worth of rain in 40 minutes

Algiers flash flooding
© Twitter
A flash flood in Algeria's capital inundated subway stations and the city's new airport, turned major boulevards into muddy rivers and trapped drivers in cars.

No deaths were reported, but civil security spokesman Karim Bernaoui said Friday that "the damage is enormous" from the Thursday evening downpour.

The Algiers mayor said 40 millimeters of rain fell in 40 minutes, the equivalent of three months of normal rainfall.


Comment: The same weather system caused havoc in southeastern Spain earlier in the week:

Torrential rain inundates Valencia region of Spain for second month in a row - Two dead as storm washes away hundreds of cars, spawns tornadoes