New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on December 20, 2022, 07:21:19 AM
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A fierce cold wave engulfing the majority East Asia is busy felling long-standing records.
Low temperature benchmarks are falling across North and South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, to name just five, with -28C (-18.4F), -19C (-2.2F), -4C (24.8F)–at sea level, 5C (41F) and 0C (32F) logged, respectively.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued both a ‘frost warning’ and a ‘cold weather alert’ on Sunday. While Taiwan’s -4C (24.8F), registered at Emei, was a nationwide record low for a non-mountain area, according to the Central Weather Bureau.
Sea level frosts have been suffered in China, a nation which has suffered historic cold in recent weeks.
While in Japan, the mercury in Hokkaido has plunged to -24.3C (-11.7F), with widespread frosts sweeping the likes of Honshu. Miyama, Kyoto observed -6.6C (20.1F) on Monday, the locale’s lowest December temperature on record (tying with 1980).
https://electroverse.co/cold-wave-grips-east-japan-historic-snow-moscow-christmas-freeze-north-america/
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Temperature records are being shattered in countries across Asia as a brutal April heat wave continues to grip large portions of the continent, with little relief in sight.
In Southeast Asia, some countries posted their highest ever recorded temperatures this week, while searing heat in the Indian subcontinent has killed more than a dozen people.
Laos is the latest country to set a new all-time record as Luang Prabang reached 42.7°C (109°F) Tuesday, according to weather historian Maximiliano Herrera.
Over the weekend, Thailand topped 45°C (113°F) for the first time in its history, according to Herrera, using data from the Thai Meteorological Department. The northwest city of Tak reached 45.4°C Saturday, but large portions of the country have been in the upper 30s to low 40s since late March.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/19/asia/asia-heat-records-intl-hnk/index.html
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The activity of Mount Merapi issued incandescent lava flows, in Tunggul Arum, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia on July, 20, 2024.
Report of the Center for Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development (BPPTKG) conditions of Mount Merapi in Sleman.
Issuing 19 Lava Flows with a Maximum Glide Distance of 1.7 Kilometers and weakly pressurized crater smoke observed in white with moderate intensity and a height of 10-20 meters above the crater, the current status of Mount Merapi is still alert level III.
https://www.sott.net/category/4-Earth-Changes
https://youtu.be/X3G7mW3-9p0
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Snowfall on Otmok Pass, a mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan connecting the Suusamyr and Talas valleys, caused significant traffic jams on Tuesday, October 15 — a theme playing out across much of Asia, particularly central and eastern parts.
Despite road-clearing equipment, conditions remain difficult. Authorities advise drivers to use snow chains, switch to winter tires, and avoid blocking road-clearing efforts. Truck traffic has been suspended for safety.
This early snow in Kyrgyzstan is part of a larger pattern hitting Central and East Asia, with the likes of Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan also experiencing rapid accumulations.
In Russia, Siberia and the Far East have already seen disruptions, while Mongolia's nomadic communities face challenges, with forecast calling for another deadly 'dzud'. Early snowfall in northern China threatens agriculture, and Japan's mountainous regions are preparing for heavy snowfalls with associated risks like avalanches.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/early-snows-sweep-asia-cold-records
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South Korea's capital, Seoul, and surrounding regions continue to contend with record snowfall and all-round icy conditions, which have so far led to at least five fatalities.
With the month almost over, the country is experiencing its coldest November on record, and one of its snowiest and all.
More than 16 inches buried Seoul on Wednesday, its heaviest November snows since records began in 1907, and another 12 inches was added Thursday. This grounded 142 flights from the capital, disrupted 76 ferry routes, and forced the closure of 1,285 schools across Gyeonggi province.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/six-dead-as-record-snowfall-hits
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Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai saw a stark temperature drop on Jan 2, with the surface hitting -3.2C (26.2F) — rare for Thailand.
A high-pressure system traversing the country's north drew large numbers of visitors to Doi Inthanon in Chom Thong District. Folk here arrived before dawn to witness the rare frosts. To help alleviate traffic, shuttle services were put on from Kiew Mae Pan to the summit for 30 Baht per trip.
Thursday morning marked the 10th frost event of the winter season so far.
For reference, yesterday's low of -3.2C (26.2F) recorded on Doi Inthanon is notably cold for Thailand, thought to be the coldest reading since the -5C (23F) from Dec 21, 2017. It is also ways off the all-time national record of -8C (17.6F) set Jan 7, 1974.
The cold will persist over the coming days, intensify even, threatening that 2017 benchmark.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/thailand-freezes-record-snow-in-japan
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South Korea was hit by snow Sunday night through Monday, disrupting travel and raising safety concerns. Another bout of heavy snow is expected nationwide starting Tuesday.
Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Chungcheong received sizable snow into Monday morning. Gangwon was the worst hit, receiving 49.6 cm (19.5 inches) as of 6 AM. Goseong-gun had followed with with 39.2 cm (15.4 inches).
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/heavy-snow-sweeps-south-korea-flakes
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Spring in Seoul has been abruptly halted by snow. The city recorded its first mid-April snowfall since 1907, turning streets of cherry blossoms into scenes of winter.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/cold-front-batters-northern-china
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Taiwan just recorded one of its coldest springs on record, with an average temperature of 20.4C (68.7F), according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).
For climate reporting, Taiwan defines spring as February through April. And during that period in 2025, cold air masses from the north dominated, sinking temperatures and triggering extended cool spells, explained CWA Director Chen Yi-liang.
Two notable cold waves struck in February, while March and April saw sharp fluctuations between standard warm and biting cold. The average temperature across 11 lowland stations came in at 20.4C (68.7F), 0.4C below the long-term multidecadal average.
Taipei logged 30 days below 14C (57.2F) this spring. third highest on record — the most being 39 days in 2011.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/taiwan-shivers-through-cold-spring
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Reservoirs and hydroelectric dams upstream of these rivers, already swollen from the torrential rains, began discharging water to maintain structural safety.
Huong Dien Hydropower Plant released water at a rate of over 1,600 cubic meters per second, Binh Dien at more than 900 cubic meters per second, and Ta Trach Reservoir at over 400 cubic meters per second.
As a result, floodwaters inundated multiple areas in the city.
https://youtu.be/BIxBHs0dZ3s
https://www.sott.net/article/500096-First-in-a-century-Unprecedented-summer-flood-submerges-Vietnams-Hue-City-almost-3-FEET-of-rain-in-3-days
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Chieu Luu, Caroline Qiqige Wang
South China Morning Post
Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:16 UTC
mmmmm
Typhoon Lingling swept across Japan's Kyushu island on August 21, 2025, prompting officials to issue flood and landslide warnings.
Eyewitness video posted on social media showed heavy rain pouring onto a street in Kagoshima prefecture, with pedestrians wading through ankle-deep water.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9Ebr75UnVx8?feature=share
https://www.sott.net/article/501385-Typhoon-Lingling-slams-into-Japans-Kyushu-island-prompting-flood-and-landslide-warnings
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On Wednesday, Super Typhoon Ragasa made landfall in southern China.
https://youtu.be/HZs40IsiOeg
https://youtu.be/imN0eT6Wx6w
https://www.sott.net/article/501991-Super-Typhoon-Ragasa-causes-flooding-as-its-violent-winds-tear-through-southern-China
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The circulation of Typhoon Matmo have unleashed catastrophic flooding and landslides across northern Vietnam, claiming three lives, leaving four missing, and submerging nearly 10,000 hectares of paddies and crops.
As of October 7 evening, more than 4,800 houses were inundated and suffered damage, while major transport networks were badly affected. Local authorities are racing against time to settle the typhoon aftermath and ensure safety for residents in high-risk areas.
Floods, landslides, and traffic congestion were recorded at 493 locations on major routes in Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Thanh Hoa provinces, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control.
Notably, a 5-metre-wide breach was found at Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam in Tan Tien commune, Lang Son province, prompting the evacuation of downstream residents.
https://youtu.be/dKnrx8VU43s
https://www.sott.net/article/502245-Typhoon-Matmos-circulation-wreaks-havoc-across-northern-Vietnam-13-7-inches-of-rain-in-a-day
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A powerful late-season snowstorm struck Astana, Kazakhstan, bringing blizzards and severe cold across the capital and surrounding steppe.
Air travel was disrupted, and roads quickly became hazardous, with a seven-vehicle pileup reported on the Astana–Karaganda highway.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/blizzards-batter-central-asia-europes