Earth ChangesS


Fire

Mexico: New eruption at Popocatépetl volcano spews huge ash plume

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A new strong eruption was reported at Popocatépetl volcano near Mexico City on Tuesday, February 20. This video shows a huge ash plume seen from the capital.


Snowflake

Nearly 3 feet of snow in 5 days for St. John's, Newfoundland

Snow-weary Mount Pearl residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall Monday.
© Peter Cowan/CBCSnow-weary Mount Pearl residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall Monday.
Snow-weary St. John's residents are digging out from snowfall after snowfall, and as the fluffy white flakes continue to fall from the sky, some say it feels like there's snow end in sight.

"I feel it in my muscles," said Mount Pearl resident Cyril Tobin, leaning on the handle of his shovel in front of a large pile of snow. "Tired and sore."

Over the past five days, depending on the region, around 60 to 90 centimetres of snow has fallen in the St. John's metro area, according to Environment Canada.

A winter storm battered much of the island last Wednesday through to Friday morning, and on Sunday, another dump of snow fell on much of the Avalon Peninsula.

The flakes continue to fall Monday afternoon, according to Environment Canada, with snow expected to taper off in the early evening.


Snowflake

Heavy snowfall disrupts communication links and block roads in northern Pakistan - 4 feet of snow in 3 days

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Three days of continuous heavy snowfall have severely disrupted communication links and blocked roadways, affecting popular tourist destinations in Upper Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Nathiagali, Donga Gali, and Thandiani.

During the three-day heavy snowfall period, Galyat received over 2.5 feet of snow, while Kaghan and Naran received up to 4 feet, resulting in sub-zero temperatures.

In Galyat, the main Murree Road, a vital route connecting multiple destinations, has been closed due to a snow avalanche at Toheedabad all vehicular traffic to Galyat and roads connecting to Murree have been blocked.


Snowflake

Gulmarg covered by 3 feet of snow in 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Gulmarg amasses 3-ft snowfall in 48 hours
Gulmarg amasses 3-ft snowfall in 48 hours
Gulmarg and the higher reaches in the Kashmir Valley have accumulated a significant amount of snow, with the world-famous skiing resort recording nearly 3 feet of snowfall within 48 hours until Tuesday morning.

Quoting a meteorological department official, GNS reported that plains largely received rainfall with Srinagar recording 41.4mm in two days including 29.0mm in 24 hours.

He said, mercury witnessed drop with Srinagar recording a low of minus 0.7°C against 2.0°C on the previous night. It was below normal by 1.6°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund received 76.8mm of rain in 24 hours till 0830 hours and recorded a minimum of 0.0°C against 36°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.

Pahalgam received 40.1mm of rain during the 24 hours and recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against 0.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.


Snowflake

Heavy snowfall cuts off 228 roads, 4 National Highways in Himachal Pradesh, India - 53 inches of snow in 24 hours

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According to the weather department, Rohtang Pass received 135 cm of snow in the past 24 hours -- the highest in the region. Killar (Pangi) received 90 cm, Chitkul and Jalori Jot 45 cm, Kukumseri 44 cm, and Gondla 39 cm of snow.

Killar (Pangi) received 90 cm, Chitkul and Jalori Jot 45 cm, Kukumseri 44 cm, and Gondla 39 cm of snow. Keylong received 35 cm of snow and Sissu, Koksar and Hansa 30 cm each.

Kothi got 20 cm and Kalpa 11 cm of snow, the department said. The region is still witnessing intermittent snowfall.


Attention

Basking shark washes up on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick - experts say it is a rarity in winter

Photographer Gary Weekes said the sight of a 7.6-metre basking shark is something he’d never experienced.
© Gary WeekesPhotographer Gary Weekes said the sight of a 7.6-metre basking shark is something he’d never experienced.
An unusual find on the southeast shore of Grand Manan Island is attracting the attention of locals and visitors.

A 7.6-metre basking shark washed up on the island's shore earlier this month.

Island resident Debbie Bath first came across the carcass while out for her evening walk.

"Just very surprised," said Bath of her reaction. "We didn't realize what it was until we got up to it and then it was the initial, 'Wow, this is a very large fish.'"


Tornado2

Florida Keys tornado caught on camera

Sparks fly as waterspout turns into a tornado and makes landfall in Florida
Sparks fly as waterspout turns into a tornado and makes landfall in Florida
A waterspout was seen moving over southern Florida on Sunday, Feb. 18, blowing debris into the air as it made landfall.

Weather authorities later described the waterspout seen at around 12:02 p.m. in Cudjoe Bay, located in the lower Florida Keys, as a "confirmed tornado."

No injuries were reported, but authorities said one structure had suffered damage.


Fire

'Zombie Fires' burning at an alarming rate in Canada

Smoke from a zombie fire pictured here in Fort Nelson, BC
© Sonja LeverkusSmoke from a zombie fire pictured here in Fort Nelson, BC
Even in the dead of Canada's winter, the embers of last year's record-setting wildfire season remain. So-called zombie fires are burning under thick layers of snow at an unprecedented rate, raising fears about what the coming summer may bring.

People driving on the highway through the town of Fort Nelson, British Columbia (BC) in the winter can easily see - and smell - the clouds of white smoke flowing from the soil around them.

Sonja Leverkus, a firefighter and scientist who is local to the small north-eastern BC town, recalled driving during a snowstorm in November, but the snowfall didn't look white.

Rather, she said, it was blueish-grey because of the smoke in the air.


Black Cat

Cougar attacks five mountain bikers on a trail in Washington state

A cougar
© DreamstimeA cougar
A group of five cyclists were riding on a trail in Fall City, Wash., when they were attacked by at least one cougar this past weekend.

The incident occurred on Saturday around 12:30 p.m., according to the King County Sheriff's Office, in a wilderness area along Tokul Creek approximately five miles north of the city of Snoqualmie.

A 60-year-old female was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, but is in stable condition, according to a statement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"We are thankful that the victim is stable after the incident this weekend," said Lieutenant Erik Olson. "The people on scene took immediate action to render aid, and one of our officers was able to arrive within minutes to continue medical aid and coordinate transport. We may have had a very different outcome without their heroic efforts."

Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike kills mother and daughter in Uganda

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70 year old Veronica Nekesa and her daughter Nasio Baseke, have been struck dead by lightning Monday night in Nakigo village, in Malongo sub county, in Mayuge district. The duo were struck dead while in a grass thatched house, which also caught fire after the lightening.

Ismael Ntale, who stays in the neighbouring house located about 10 meters, away says that he heard a big blast at about 3.00am and he tightened his house door, only to notice flames from his mother's hut.

Ntale says that he broke into the burning house only to notice the lifeless bodies of his mother and sister lying on the ground, which confirmed his suspicion that they had been struck dead by lightning.