Extreme Temperatures
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Snowflake

Early snowfall hits China's Gansu, Shanxi Provinces - earliest in 73 years for the latter

Early snowfall hits China’s Gansu, Shanxi Provinces
Early snowfall hits China’s Gansu, Shanxi Provinces
Cold spells have swept through parts of China recently, bringing unexpected snowfall to various regions.

In Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province, a section of National Highway 248, known as the "Locke Road," was hit by a sudden snow, with local authorities responding swiftly to ensure safety and smooth traffic on the road.

The Locke Road, starting from Zhuoni County and ending at Zhagana scenic area in Diebu County, experienced continuous snowfall from Saturday night. Heavy snow accumulation and ice on the road disrupted traffic.


Igloo

Siberia mid-October snow extent greater in 2024 than in past years. Could impact Europe's winter

Fall Snow in Siberia
By KlimaNachrichten

There is news from this part of Russia that often goes through the roof in the media. Forest fires or unusual summer temperatures come to mind. If only we had a speed limit in Germany, or at least installed more wind turbines, then it wouldn't be so bad.

We have already recommended Ventusky several times here. The site visualizes weather data in an excellent way.

The snow cover can be displayed and there is interesting data from Siberia. The snow cover in mid-October 2024 is greater than it has been in recent years.

Ventusky himself believes it could have an impact on the winter weather in Europe because such large areas are already covered in snow. A line was drawn at the westernmost boundary in 2024, so you can see what the extent has been in recent years.
Screenshot Ventusky
© Screenshot VentuskyCaption
It is likely that this anomaly will not reach the media. Yet it is good evidence of more moisture in the atmosphere. But one that can also have an effect on the weather and temperatures in the opposite direction. But that doesn't induce clicks so well.

Snowflake

Snow falls in Andalucia, Spain as Storm Leslie brings drop in temperatures

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Storm Leslie has brought a temperature drop throughout Andalucia as snow falls in some areas.

We're barely into autumn and Andalucia has already seen snow, with the Sierra Nevada mountains seeing their first smattering this week.

However, they might not be the only ones as Storm Leslie continues on her unforgiving path.

So far, the storm has brought rain, strong winds and a drop in temperatures to the region.

The Spanish Weather Agency (Aemet) still has rain warnings active in Cordoba, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Sevilla this Wednesday.


Snowflake

Foot of early snowfall at Jay Peak ski resort in Vermont

The top of the Flyer Express Quad at Jay Peak.
© Brian Irwin/The Boston GlobeThe top of the Flyer Express Quad at Jay Peak.
Skiers and riders could hardly contain their excitement on Wednesday after Jay Peak in Vermont reported a foot of snow.

The ski area, named the best ski resort in Vermont by Boston.com readers earlier this year, posted photos on social media of snowy trails amid foliage, writing, "Well today was certainly a treat, no tricks, thanks to a foot of snow near the summit and cover down to the base since this storm cycle started Monday. Gotta love the blending seasons and the foliage doing its best to hang on as winter takes over the top for now."

Thousands of followers promptly liked the Facebook post and hundreds commented on it.


Arrow Down

It's an emergency! Green plants spreading at alarming rate in Antarctica

Lesson #457 in how to lie with science

File this lesson away in the Decline and Fall of Enlightenment Science. Nature, formerly known as the esteemed science journal, is now achieving everything a captured tabloid industry sales mag could hope for. They've squeezed a disaster out of a tiny change in a short record, and from a good news story. Let's not forget, for the last 100,000 years most humans would have been happy that a bit of Antarctica was greening.

"Lush"? The only people who call this lush are penguins:
Antarctica Greening
© joannenova.com.au
To appreciate the Black Belt level of naked exaggeration going on here, consider the opening hyperbole:
A fast-warming region of Antarctica is getting greener with shocking speed. Satellite imagery of the region reveals that the area covered by plants increased by almost 14 times over 35 years — a trend that will spur rapid change of Antarctic ecosystems.

"It's the beginning of dramatic transformation," says Olly Bartlett, a remote-sensing specialist at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, UK, and an author of the study1, published today in Nature Geoscience, that reports these results.
All this shock and drama arise from an area of "less than a square kilometer" expanding all the way up to "nearly 12 square kilometers". These numbers "shocked us" say the PR team, I mean, the scientists, who continue on in their best Agony-Aunt impression: "It's simply that rate of change in an extremely isolated, extremely vulnerable area that causes the alarm." Sob sob, and Boo hoo too. It's a lonely peninsula. Can we find it a friend?

Everything about this shows the pathetic decay of Western Science. We're talking about 12 square kilometers of more habitable land on a continent with 14 million square kilometers of ice. The horrible affliction of unexpected tundra now covers 0.00009% of Antarctica.

Snowflake

Early snowfall causes traffic jams on Otmok pass, Kyrgyzstan

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Snowfall on Otmok pass is creating traffic jams on Suusamyr - Talas - Taraz road on October 15, drivers say.

The special equipment is cleaning the road surface.

Due to the sharp change in weather and snowfall, drivers moving on Bishkek - Talas route are recommended to have snow chains, not to drive on the oncoming lane during traffic jams, not to hinder the movement of special equipment to the place of traffic jams, not to use summer tires, change tires for winter tires, keep a safe distance between the cars.

The movement of trucks on Suusamyr - Talas - Taraz road has been suspended.


Snowflake Cold

Cold devastates UK growing season—second-worst harvest ever

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The UK is enduring its second-worst harvest on record (to 1983), with cold, damp weather crippling crops from wheat to grapes.

Despite analysts predictably blaming "climate change", the reality is that it's unseasonal cold and wet conditions—exactly the opposite of the warm, dry future they've long forecasted—that have devastated the growing season.

Wine production has suffered the biggest losses, as you might expect, with some regions seeing yields plummet by 75%. Wheat output is down 21%, while winter barley and oilseed rape have declined 26% and 32%. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) estimates a £600m hit for farmers, as key crop production slumped 15% overall.

The persistently cold and soggy conditions stunted growth and delayed planting, forcing a costly shift to less productive spring crops. Vineyards were plagued by mold and disease, and grape yields, particularly across the southwest, have proven a disaster.

Snowflake

Early snowfall turns Xinjiang, China into wonderland

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A recent snowfall has turned the Cheshi Ancient Trail scenic area in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region into a wonderland. 

The snow-carpeted Cheshi Ancient Trail, which dates back about 2000 years ago, is a shortcut through the Tianshan Mountains that historically linked trade routes along the Silk Road.


Bizarro Earth

Careful, talk of 'weather modification' could be a trap

Hurricane Milton
© NOAA
Last week, category 4 Hurricane Helene hit the eastern coast of North America causing massive flooding and devastation across the region, leaving people stranded and homeless.

This week, Hurricane Milton - a category five hurricane - is predicted to hit Florida's west coast after forming in the Gulf of Mesico and moving eastwards.

Two such storms in less than ten days have fueled online talk of "Weather modification" from Republican politicians and alternate media personalities:



Personally, I see reason to be cautious here.

Comment:

Latest article at Cassiopaea Substack; - Hurricanes, Weather Modification and 4D Battles


Snowflake

More big autumn snowfalls in the Alps - up to half-a-metre of snow

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Ski areas in the Alps have reported up to half-a-metre of snowfall on high slopes in the past 24 hours.

Although it's far too early to say that we're looking at a great start to the main season, still more than two months' away, this latest snowfall, coming after even bigger falls in mid-September, has certainly raised spirits.

Italy's Passo Stelvio, one of 10 glacier ski areas that have already opened for their 24-25 season in Austria, Italy and Switzerland is pictured top this morning after reporting 40cm of snowfall.

Austria's Schladming, due to start its season in late November, is pictured above.

Now we just need it to stay cold and keep snowing for the next 2-6 months.