Weather in Europe 2021 - up

[Mark]

Alpine glaciers across Europe —from parts of Scandinavia, to the Pyrenees, and of course the Alps— have enjoyed another week of low temperatures and spring snow as ski areas commence their summer season openings.

Passo Stelvio, Italy, for example, is scheduled to open for summer skiing on June 1, but delays are expected due to its base hotels not having their access roads cleared owing to the late-season storms.

La Rosiere, France is also still busy clearing the way (below photo shot May 28):




This has been the theme across the Alps in recent months; that is, unprecedented spring dumpings, which are following, let's not forget, "Europe's best start to a ski season in memory" when record-breaking powder accumulated as early as October.

The Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (GLAMOS) has been measuring snow depths on Swiss glaciers for decades.

Incorporating measurements from 14 different locations, the latest GLAMOS report shows a significant uptick in snow cover across Switzerland's glaciers since the beginning of April, with heavy snow falling and totals soaring.

"Something special has happened in recent months," writes Brian Rodriguez for aviationanalysis.net. "So much snow has fallen that amounts are now at record levels."

Indeed, the snowfall on such glaciers as Ticino and Engadine has been "remarkable," Rodriguez continues, with new records set there. A host of other glaciers have also set records, a number in western Switzerland and also on the northern hills of the Alps.

On average, the snow is currently 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 ft) deeper compared to the same period last year. And compared to 2011-2020 norms, GLAMOS data reveals a snow surplus of between 12% and 60% across the 14 glaciers (the average being 31%).

Looking ahead, similarly cold and snowy conditions are forecast over the Alps in the coming week, as the calendar flips to June.

Taking a world view...
Recently, a late spring snowstorm was noted in the northern Rockies. Also, given the impressive end to the season across the Western US more broadly, Arizona’s Snowbowl has announced it will remain open into June for the first time in its history (1938).

While eyeing the Southern Hemisphere, further big snowfalls totaling more than a meter (40 inches) have hit the South American Andes. Chile has just opened its fourth ski area of the season as winter continues its transition from the NH to the SH.

South America's snow area extent has impressed in recent weeks, taking a monster (record-setting) step up:




Northern Hemisphere mass is also faring well, currently holding above 1998-2011 norms:



1,000 Years Of Hurricane Data Ruins The Narrative
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/summer-skiing-in-europe-after-record

[Mark]

https://electroverse.substack.com/p/europe-chills-it-was-a-cold-may-for
A depression over Benelux drove a cold front into France, causing rain and strengthening winds. Polar air is now following, leading to a significant temperature drop following the previous dip of June 6.

Following the disturbance, clear skies will allow temperatures to plummet to unusually low levels for mid-June across France.

Thermometers are widely dropping south of 5C (41F), with some areas such as Champagne, Normandy, and the Paris Basin expecting record-challenging June lows of 2C to 3C (36F to 37.4F).

Both Wednesday and Thursday mornings are forecast to remain very cold for the time of year. The strong June sun will moderate daytime temperatures, boosting the feels-like, but records are expected to fall, according to Météo-France.

The cold isn't just confined to France of course, the majority of Europe is 'blue':



GFS 2m Temperature Anomalies for June 12 [tropicaltidbits.com].

England, for example, is on for a very cold month, one ranking among the top-15 coldest Junes in books dating back 365 years to 1659 (currently on par with June, 1907).

[Mark]

Winter has made a return not only to the European Alps, as reported yesterday, but also Scandinavia, specifically Norway.

Among the resorts benefiting is Fonna near Hardangerfjord, which has received more than 3 feet of snowfall in recent days, creating ideal conditions for summer skiing. As of June 12, the snow depth at Fonna stood at an impressive 650 cm (236 inches) at the base and 760 cm (299 inches) at the summit, making it one of the best seasons in recent memory.

Scandinavia is coming off the back of a historically cold winter and spring that set the stage for the exceptional snowpack we're seeing now.

In January, Karasjok, Norway saw thermometers drop to -42C (-43.6F), marking the country’s coldest reading in decades. Nikkaluokta, Sweden endured -37C (-34.6F) on January 8, setting a new record there. While Sodankylä, Finland experienced a record-setting -39C (-38.2F) on January 7.

Scandinavia's extreme freeze extend through February and March, and also into April — initially impressive, northern Europe’s cold quickly proved unprecedented.

Nikkaluokta dipped to -34.1C (-29.4F) on April 3, marking 1) a new monthly record at the station, pipping the previous record (of -34C (-29.2F) from 1955), and 2) a new national low for the month of April.

Neighboring Norway posted a record-stretch of April chills and all, with April 5 seeing Cuovddatmokki log a fifth-consecutive sub -25C (-13F) reading in a row, beating the previous record of four-consecutive sub -25Cs set during the Aprils of 1977 and 1971.

Following a warm-up for some this June —for parts of Norway even, which contrasting the situation at Fonna has led to Stryn Ski Resort announcing its season's close “due the recent cold/snow returning too late"— winter-like conditions are once again sweeping much of Europe.

The historic June chills currently gripping the likes of Britain and France are forecast to persist as the month continues, with 'blues' and 'purples' set to prevail even as the calendar nears July:
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/feet-of-june-snow-hit-fonna-norway

[Mark]

A severe hailstorm combined with torrential rain on Wednesday evening flooded streets and homes in central and northern Bulgaria, damaging agricultural crops and snapping trees. Among the most affected were the regions of Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Shumen, Lovech, Yambol and Sliven. The Interior Ministry said that a total of 41 reports of accidents were received at the Fire Safety and Protection units in the affected regions, with no injuries reported.

The hailstorm caused material damage to buildings and cars in Veliko Tarnovo and surrounding settlements. Mayor Daniel Panov reported numerous reports of fallen trees, cars hit by trees and damage to the roof of a school, which caused Thursday to be declared a non-school day at the affected school.
https://www.sott.net/article/492222-Severe-hailstorm-hits-central-and-northern-Bulgaria

[Mark]

Story by Jovana Gec

Italian authorities declared a red weather alert in seven cities on Thursday, mostly in the central parts of the country but also the capital Rome and Trieste in the northeast. The heat conditions are aggravated by humidity and could affect healthy people as well as those with health conditions, authorities warned.
Similar warnings were issued in neighboring Croatia and further east and south. Croatia's main tourism resort, the southern Adriatic Sea town of Dubrovnik, recorded 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) at dawn, signalling there won't be relief when the sun goes down.

Forest fires have been reported this week in Albania, near the border with Greece, as well as in Bosnia and Italy.

A boy jumps in a lake in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, as temperatures exceeded 39 degrees Celsius (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
A boy jumps in a lake in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, as temperatures exceeded 39 degrees Celsius (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
© Provided by The Independent
Meteorologists said temperatures were even higher than officially reported in big cities where sizzling concrete radiates the heat above the ground and the asphalt softens under one's feet.

“It was impossible to breathe yesterday," said Antonela Spičanović, from the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica, where temperatures reached 39C (102F) on Wednesday. The city seemed deserted with many of its residents staying indoors or heading for the Adriatic Sea coast or the mountains.

Don't Install Solar Panels In Canterbury Until You Read This
Eco Experts
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/alerts-issued-across-europe-as-heatwave-leaves-many-in-lockdown/ar-BB1pOErp

[Mark]

A potentially record-smashing summer snowstorm has commenced in the European Alps, with a few models predicting as much as 5 feet of snow hitting the highest peaks this weekend.

Early-season snow has been hitting Europe's mountains for weeks, but now it's intensifying, spreading to relatively low elevations, and even impacting nations such as the Czech Republic. Here, the Czech's saw their first snow of season on Thursday, September 12, down to 1,000m (3,280ft). Velký Javor was blanketed by a thin layer, and while the flakes didn't last long, melting in the early-September warmth, local forecasts are calling for an intensification through Friday, Saturday, and also Sunday.

The Czech Republic's first snow came on October 8 last year; September 18 the year before — the typical range.

This latest Arctic front, which has already plunged temperatures in Germany from balmy highs of 25C (77F) to winter-like lows, is colliding with moisture from the Mediterranean, resulting in a rare and powerful September snow event.

So far, accumulations have topped 35 cm (13 inches) in Germany with the snowline dropping to as low as 800 meters (2,625 feet). But this is thought to be just the beginning. Even heavier summer snow is forecast for much of the Alps through the weekend, with some models predicting totals exceeding 2 meters (6.6 feet), breaking September records with feet to spare.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/unprecedented-summer-snowstorm-begins

[Mark]

The mayor of a Polish city has asked all 44,000 residents to evacuate, as widespread flooding continues to batter central Europe.

Nysa mayor Kordian Kolbiarz asked people to head for higher ground, citing the risk of an embankment breaching and releasing a cascade of water into the town from a nearby lake.

The death toll from the floods that hit over the weekend rose to at least 16 on Monday, with seven confirmed fatalities in Romania. Casualties were also recorded in Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Budapest said it would close roads near the river Danube which runs through the Hungarian capital, citing the risk of flooding later this week.

"Please evacuate your belongings, yourselves, your loved ones. It is worth getting to the top floor of the building immediately, because the wave may be several metres high. This means that the whole town will be flooded," Nysa Mayor Kolbiarz wrote.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said one billion zloty (£197m) would be allocated for flood victims in the country, adding that Poland would also apply for EU relief funds. His government has also declared a state of natural disaster.
https://www.sott.net/article/494904-Polish-city-urged-to-evacuate-as-floods-batter-central-Europe

[Mark]

It's the largest September snowfall in living memory in parts of the Alps. Most will melt but some won't, with some superb autumn conditions. People are already skiing, but there have been several avalanches with caution urged.

Some eastern parts of the Alps saw the the biggest September snowfalls in living memory.

At altitude there was over 2m in places, with snow down to 700m.

It has made a difference to the glacier ski areas in Austria that are already open and ones opening shortly.

"The higher parts of the central and eastern Austrian Alps (e.g. Dachstein glacier, Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Obertauern) have seen 1.5m to 2m of snow in the last few days, with perhaps close to 2.5m in some favoured spots like the Höhe Tauern, though in most cases this snow has been very wind-blown and therefore difficult to measure," said the alpine weather expert, Fraser Wilkin, from weathertoski.co.uk

[Mark]

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.
https://www.sott.net/article/495579-Siberia-mid-October-snow-extent-greater-in-2024-than-in-past-years-Could-impact-Europes-winter

[Mark]

Comment: Update October 18

Reuters reports:
Major floods in southeast France cause significant damage, power cuts

Massive floods caused serious damage and power outages on Friday in parts of France's mountainous southeast region after days of heavy rain, though there were no immediate reports of any casualties.

France's weather authority Météo France placed six departments south of the city of Lyon on a red flood alert on Thursday. The alert was downgraded to 'orange' on Friday, indicating that water levels would come down again.

"At certain places in the Ardèche region, up to 700 milimetres of water has fallen in 48 hours. That's more than a year's rainfall in Paris, so it's absolutely gigantic," Agnes Pannier-Runacher, the environment minister, told BFM TV.

French news stations showed cars, traffic signs and cattle being swept away by the floods. The A47 highway close to Lyon was temporarily transformed into a giant stream of water.

The French interior ministry said Paris had dispatched 1,500 additional firefighters to the affected areas.
https://www.sott.net/category/4-Earth-Changes?page=1

[Mark]

A deep low-pressure system has plunged down from the Norwegian Sea, bringing early snowfall to northern Europe.

To close out the week, this icy front will deliver harsh winter conditions to Russia's Kola Peninsula, located just east of Scandinavia and bordered by the Barents and White Seas.

In the Murmansk Region of Russia, significant snowfall is forecast, and strong, gusty winds will add to the chill. Temperatures will plunge to -3C (27F) at night and hover between struggling to climb above the freezing mark during the day.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/early-winter-hits-northern-europe

[Mark]

en.apa.az
Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:20 UTC
mmmmmm
Italian police said they didn't give up hope on locating a man swept away by flash floods on the island of Sardinia on Sunday, and the search will continue on Tuesday, APA reports citing Xinhua.

Davide Manda, a 41-year-old sailor, was carried off in his Jeep Wrangler by swift currents during a violent thunderstorm in southern Sardinia early Sunday morning, near Monte Arcosu. Local rescue teams began searching by land and helicopter on Sunday, resuming efforts at first light on Monday before halting as night fell. The search is set to continue Tuesday morning.
https://www.sott.net/article/495784-1-missing-after-flash-flood-and-severe-weather-hit-Italy
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9cxCgYZACE4?feature=share

[Mark]

8 November 2024 - 12:51
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Heatwave in Kirkenes Yr.no
11.6°C is the temperature recorded in Kirkenes, Arctic Norway, on 8 November 2024. It's 2.8 degrees warmer than the previous highest temperature ever recorded in Kirkenes in November.

"We are surprised. We expected snow here," a tourist from Singapore, Sap, told the Barents Observer in Kirkenes on Friday morning.

Sap and her friend Yee said they had come to Kirkenes to see the aurora borealis and also booked a snowmobile tour:


Temperature records registered at Kirkenes airport since 1964 Norwegian Meteorological Institute
"We are disappointed that the snowmobile tour has been canceled. But the tourism company has promised to replace it with an extra lunch," said Yee, "It's global warming - it's happening everywhere. We just have to accept it," she added.

The reindeer sleigh ride Yee and Sap had booked the day before in Finnish Lapland was canceled as well.

The heatwave on 8 November was also recorded in other places inside the European part of the Arctic Circle:
https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/we-expected-snow-here-record-november-heat-in-the-north/420010
 

[Mark]

A severe Arctic blast is set to grip much of Europe, tanking temperatures to below -30C (-22F) in Alpine regions and to potentially record-breaking levels across the likes of the UK. Heavy snowfalls and widespread disruptions are expected as the polar air plunges south, impacting nations from Scandinavia through Italy to Ukraine.

The UK could face temperatures below -12C (10.4F) which would rival the record low for the date: -14.9C (5.2F) from November 18, 1905 (Braemar, Aberdeenshire).
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/winter-deepens-across-india-europe

[Mark]

France 24
Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:58 UTC
nnnnnnn
Some 200,000 homes remain without power in France, and many roads are severely disrupted due to poor traffic conditions caused by storm Caetano. Details by Elitsa Gadeva.

[Mark]

Following last week's heavy snow across the UK, mainland Europe is now copping an early-season dumping with unprecedented snowfall and icy temperatures sweeping the likes of France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.

Ski resorts are embracing the bounty, with many opening early.

France has seen remarkable snowfall in recent days, with Paris experiencing its most significant early-season accumulation in 55 years, since 1969. The snow that fell late last week transformed the City of Light, blanketing it white:
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/france-sees-heavy-snow-turkey-blanketed

[Mark]

Severe winter weather is returning to the UK, with Scotland the first to feel the brunt.

With heavy snow and plunging temperatures creating hazardous conditions across the country, the Met Office has issued multiple warnings, including another 'amber' alert for snow and ice, set to remain in place until at least Thursday.

Treacherous driving conditions have been reported across the country, with trucks sliding off roads and cars overturning.
https://electroverse.substack.com/p/snow-returns-to-scotland-and-wider

[Mark]

Euronews
Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:50 UTC
mmmmm
Southeastern Europe is experiencing much lower than expected temperatures this week, bringing heavy snowfall and flooding risks.

Freezing temperatures and heavy snow have caused disruptions in several parts of southeastern Europe, ranging from transport issues to schools being forced to shut.

A storm system has brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snowfall in mountainous areas across parts of countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.

More than 70 schools were closed in Albania on Monday after access to several villages was blocked by severe weather. Authorities have been clearing snow from roads and restoring traffic in the Balkan nation's northern and southeastern parts.

Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Italy have also issued alerts for heavy snow in recent days. In Bulgaria's Smolyan region, snow cover reached 40 centimetres on Monday.



The heavy snowfall caused problems at the Predel Pass, where two trucks crashed and had to be removed with snow-clearing machinery. Despite the large amount of snow and severe traffic, there were no major traffic jams, according to local media reports.

In North Macedonia, in the region of Prilep, the authorities put restrictions on cargo vehicles due to the snowfall. The local traffic authorities announced that the situation on the regional roads was complicated, but under control.

"They have been working (the emergency crews) for 36 hours continuously since the snow started to fall," said Sasho Vasilevski, the manager of the country's public road management service.

Municipalities located above 800 metres in the Italian region of Puglia have also experienced significant snowfall. The wave of cold air coming from northeastern Europe significantly worsened weather conditions in the province of Foggia, where snowfall was recorded in mountain locations such as Faeto and Monteleone.

The cold temperatures also brought flood risks to lower altitude areas. On Tuesday, Sicily issued a yellow alert due to heavy thunderstorms affecting the entire island. France has also issued an orange flood warning for the north, and there are avalanche alerts across the western Alps.

[Mark]

Sicily faced chaos on Friday as torrential rains triggered severe flooding across the island. Catania saw dramatic scenes, including fire brigade workers rescuing a man trapped in a submerged car.

The Alcantara River overflowed in Taormina, while gales toppled trees and masonry in Caltanissetta. Relentless storms cut off the Aeolian Islands, including Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli, forcing school closures.

Sardinia and parts of Calabria also enacted similar measures as a weather alert remained in effect. Authorities reported 315 emergency responses in Sicily, with Catania, Enna, and Ragusa hardest hit. In Randazzo, 14 people were evacuated as the Annunziata torrent rose dangerously.

Rescue operations doubled in scale as teams secured structures and cleared fallen trees. Meteorologist Antonio Sanò warned that the extreme weather, driven by a Tunisian vortex, would continue to unleash heavy rain and raise the risk of further flooding in Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria.


https://www.sott.net/article/497326-Italy-Floods-and-gale-force-winds-batter-Sicily-as-rescue-efforts-intensify

[Mark]

The snowfall has bolstered base depths with Avoriaz, Chamonix and Les Arcs all now posting 3m/10 feet plus lying on their higher slopes. This is seen as good news for the remainder of the season, especially with Easter Sunday at the later end of its range, not arriving until the latter half of April. That's translating into an uptick in interest in later season ski trips, according to travel companies.

"We're seeing a big increase in bookings of Easter ski holidays, with some customers saying they had planned not to ski this year but the incredible snowfall is too good to miss. There's still quite good availability booking is brisk which means discounts will vanish so, if you want to enjoy some of the best skiing in years with your kids, now is the time to book," says Richard Sinclair of SNO Ski Holidays.

It's also worth noting that snowfall was heavy into Austria (the Stubai Glacier is pictured below this week) and further east in Italy and Switzerland where some ski areas had been struggling with very little snowfall this season until this week. Livigno in Italy saw its base depth more than double after it saw over half a metre (20") of snow.
https://www.sott.net/article/497665-Up-to-1-2m-4-feet-of-snowfall-in-3-days-in-the-Alps