Physical geography

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  Like 'skiing on Mars:' Orange snow blankets Eastern Europe

  Sure, we've all been warned about yellow snow, but what about orange snow? Thanks to dust blowing in from the Sahara Desert, folks in several Eastern European countries this weekend were surprised to see their snow turn a weird orange color. Skiers and snowboarders saw orange snow in at least four countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Romania. "We're skiing on Mars today," exclaimed one social media user as he skied down the slopes, according to CNN   Read More ...

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  Europe gives more post-cyclone assistance to Tonga

  The European Union is allocating a further $US360,000 in humanitarian funding to Tonga for communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Gita. Gita hit Tonga a month ago as a category four cyclone, leaving widespread destruction, particularly to the country's agriculture sector. The EU gave an initial $US120,000in post-cyclone assistance to Tonga last month. A European humanitarian aid operations expert was also deployed to take part in a rapid assessment of the situation   Read More ...

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  It's So Cold in Europe That the British Military Had to Help People Get to Work

  As a nor’easter plagued the East Coast of the United States Friday, Europe faced its own wintry weather. The cold ended up being so bad, the United Kingdom military was sent to help hospital employees trying to get to work, . The storm has been dubbed “The Beast from the East,” “Snow Cannon” and the “Siberian bear” in parts of Europe and is causing chaos throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland, the reported   Read More ...

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  Ireland shut as severe weather continues in Europe

  Severe weather continues to bring chaos to large parts of Europe, where at least 55 people have died amid sub-zero temperatures. Most transport and flights have been suspended in Ireland where strong winds brought by a storm left some 24,000 homes and businesses without power. Several other countries have faced disruptions caused by snow and ice. The death toll rose in Poland, and the public has been told to alert officials if they see people sleeping outside   Read More ...

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  Updated: Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Snow, high winds paralyse European airports, claim lives

  An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France, and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Europe Was Colder Than the North Pole This Week. How Could That Be?

  Subfreezing temperatures have spread across much of Europe over the past week, stretching from Poland to Spain. Snow fell in Rome for the first time in six years. Britain issued a “red alert” warning. Norway recorded the lowest temperatures of the cold snap: minus 43 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 42 Celsius) in the southeast part of the country on Thursday. If Europe feels like the Arctic right now, the Arctic itself is balmy by comparison   Read More ...

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  Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  GENEVA (AP) — An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  GENEVA (AP) — An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  GENEVA (AP) — An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

• Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  GENEVA (AP) — An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Snow, high winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  GENEVA (AP) — An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Snow, winds paralyze European airports, claim lives

  Geneva – An extreme cold snap across Europe claimed more lives, forced the closure of airports in Scotland, Switzerland, France and Ireland and left hundreds of drivers stranded on snowy highways Thursday. Heavy snow and high winds halted all flights in and out of Dublin Airport, with authorities saying they are unlikely to resume until Saturday. Irish Rail said no trains are likely to run until Saturday   Read More ...

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  Heavy winter weather batters UK, European mainland

  (AP) — Persistent snow and freezing conditions from a Siberian cold snap are causing delays in many parts of Britain and mainland Europe, with roads and train service hit particularly hard. Many rail systems were disrupted, in the northern and eastern parts of Britain, and several lines of London’s subway system were experiencing severe delays, including the Piccadilly Line that links central London to Heathrow Airport   Read More ...

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  At least 10 dead as Europe battles unusual icy weather

  A BLAST of Siberian weather sent temperatures plunging across much of Europe yesterday, causing headaches for travelers and leading to several deaths from exposure as snow carpeted palm-lined Mediterranean beaches. The icy weather is in stark contrast to conditions in the Arctic itself, which is experiencing an “off-the-charts” heatwave this week, according to the European Geosciences Institute. Meteorologists have documented temperatures above freezing in some parts of the Arctic, causing astonishment among many scientists   Read More ...

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  PICS: Heavy winter weather batters UK, European mainland

  London - Persistent snow and freezing conditions from a Siberian cold snap snarled transit Wednesday and caused a handful of deaths across a swathe of Europe from Britain to the Balkans. In the UK, where the weather system has been dubbed "the beast from the east," the weather office issued an alert for Scotland warning that heavy snow and strong wind would bring widespread damage, disruption and risk to life late Wednesday and early Thursday   Read More ...

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  Heavy winter weather batters UK, European mainland

  LONDON (AP) -- Persistent snow and freezing conditions from a Siberian cold snap snarled transit Wednesday and caused a handful of deaths across a swathe of Europe from Britain to the Balkans. In the U.K., where the weather system has been dubbed "the beast from the east," the weather office issued an alert for Scotland warning that heavy snow and strong wind would bring widespread damage, disruption and risk to life late Wednesday and early Thursday   Read More ...

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  Heavy winter weather batters UK, European mainland

  LONDON — Persistent snow and freezing conditions from a Siberian cold snap snarled transit Wednesday and caused a handful of deaths across a swathe of Europe from Britain to the Balkans. In the U.K., where the weather system has been dubbed "the beast from the east," the weather office issued an alert for Scotland warning that heavy snow and strong wind would bring widespread damage, disruption and risk to life late Wednesday and early Thursday   Read More ...

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  UK braced for more snow

  Temperature fell to -10 degrees in some parts of the country, making it the coldest winter night in five years. The Met Office issued a severe weather warning in London, Scotland, the East Midlands, the north-east and the south-east. The forecast is for another six inches of snow over the coming 24 hours, accompanied by strong easterly winds. The snow showers will inevitably bring travel chaos, it said   Read More ...

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  Heavy winter weather batters UK, European mainland

  LONDON (AP) — Persistent snow and freezing conditions from a Siberian cold snap are causing delays in many parts of Britain and mainland Europe, with roads and train service hit particularly hard. Many rail systems were disrupted, in the northern and eastern parts of Britain, and several lines of London's subway system were experiencing severe delays, including the Piccadilly Line that links central London to Heathrow Airport   Read More ...

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  Temperatures plunge across Europe

  A blast of Siberian weather dubbed "The Beast from the East" sent temperatures plunging across much of Europe early yesterday as commuters braced themselves for another day of travel chaos. Freezing temperatures have claimed at least seven lives across the continent in recent days with particularly acute fears for rough sleepers in the bitter cold. The weather in Europe is in stark contrast to the Arctic itself, which is experiencing an unusually warm period despite it being the depths of winter when the sun never even rises above the horizon   Read More ...

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  Chester zoo animals enjoy snow as Europe faces icy weather

  Animals in the Chester zoo, central England, enjoy a snowy day as a blast of Siberian weather sent temperatures plunging across much of Europe on Tuesday.   Read More ...

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  Deep freeze hits Europe, but leaves Iceland in relative warmth

  By Rachel MorisonBloomberg Iceland will be warmer than parts of the Mediterranean this week as an icy blast from Siberia brings bitter cold to Europe along with the risk of travel delays and power cuts. Very dry Arctic air from the east will drive weather conditions for the coming days after temperatures plunged to as low as minus-32.8 Fahrenheit in Finland — more than 70 degrees below levels in Iceland, forecasters said   Read More ...

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  Rome blanketed by snow as Arctic storm sets European records

  By NICOLE WINFIELD / Associated Press ROME (AP) — The Arctic storm dubbed the "Beast from the East" set record temperatures across much of Europe on Monday and brought a rare snowstorm to Rome, paralyzing the city and giving its residents an unusual chance to ski, sled and build snowmen in its famous parks and piazzas. Rome's train, plane and bus services were crippled and Italy's civil protection agency even mobilized the army to help clear slush-covered streets as a city used to mild winters was covered by a thick blanket of snow   Read More ...

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  Freeze engulfs Europe, rare Rome snow disrupts flights

  ROME (Reuters) - Bitterly cold weather gripped parts of Europe causing travel chaos on Monday, and a rare snow storm in Rome prompted Italian authorities to call in the army to help clear the streets. A Siberian weather system British forecasters dubbed the “beast from the east” brought snow, strong winds and the coldest temperatures for years to many regions. The freeze was expected to continue for much of the week, and the World Meteorological Organization said daily minimum temperatures below 0 C were expected even in southern Europe   Read More ...

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  Snow in Rome causes Italian soldiers to be deployed to capital's streets as arctic blast sweeps across Europe

  Rome has been covered in a blanket of snow as an Arctic blast ushers in freezing conditions across much of Europe. Soldiers were deployed across the Italian capital after moderate snowfall sparked school closures and public transport chaos. Rome’s Mediterranean climate and proximity to the sea usually results in mild winters, with restaurants often keeping outdoor seating open even through the coldest months of the year   Read More ...

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  Europe’s Record-setting Cold Weather Just Switched Directions and Is Heading for the U.S.

  As much of the country enjoys a warmer-than-usual end to February, a storm is brewing in Europe that will change the course of weather patterns on this side of the Atlantic. Next week, weather goes in reverse! The flow turns east to west...sending Europe's weather toward the U.S. Interesting times for weather watchers. pic.twitter.com/x5U0RzWrs9. — Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) According to predictions from Weather   Read More ...

• EU supports the victims of cyclone Gita in Tonga

  Suva, 21 February 2018 – The European Commission has mobilised its emergency assistance tools following significant damage caused by tropical cyclone Gita in the South Pacific, in particular the islands of Tonga. Initial emergency assistance of €100 000 (TOP 265 390) has been provided to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help provide life-saving aid, starting with the most urgent needs for shelter, water and sanitation, as well as health assistance   Read More ...

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  Europe's cities face more extreme weather than previously thought

  Landmark study of all 571 European cities shows the impact of flooding, droughts and heatwaves by 2050-2100 will exceed previous predictions. The research, by Newcastle University, UK, has for the first time analysed changes in flooding, droughts and heatwaves for all European cities using all climate models. a worsening of heatwaves for all 571 cities increasing drought conditions, particularly in southern Europe an increase in river flooding, especially in north-western European cities for the worst projections, increases in all hazards for most European cities Cork, Derry, Waterford, Wrexham, Carlisle, Glasgow, Chester and Aberdeen the worst hit cities in the British Isles for river flooding Even in the most optimistic case, 85% of UK cities with a river - including London - are predicted to face increased river flooding Using projections from all available climate models (associated with the high emission scenario RCP8   Read More ...

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  Former Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand, bringing floods and high winds

  Although its been downgraded to a storm its high winds have brought gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour and a state of emergency has been declared in seven districts. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said soldiers have been mobilised to the worst-hit areas where people have been advised to stay indoors until the storm passes. The storm has also confused meteorologists after it split into two eyes over South Island   Read More ...

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  EU to refuse to sign trade deals with countries that don't ratify Paris climate change accord

  The European Union will refuse to sign trade deals with countries that do not ratify the Paris climate change agreement and take steps to combat global warming, under a new Brussels policy. Cecilia Malmström, the ’s trade chief, said a binding reference to the Paris agreement would be “needed in all EU trade agreements” from now on, noting that it had been included in a deal with Japan She said upcoming deals with Mexico and the South American trade bloc Mercosur would also include the clause   Read More ...

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  Brexit could threaten environmental rules that transformed UK into 'clean man of Europe', Government climate change adviser says

  Brexit could threaten environmental rules that have transformed the UK into the “clean man of Europe”, a senior government climate change adviser has said. Conservative former environment secretary Lord Deben said it was “barmy” to walk away from the bloc, as the UK would have to continue to replicate EU rules on things like emissions but without the power to shape the decisions   Read More ...

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  Snow forces Eiffel Tower to close as snow blankets Paris

  The Eiffel Tower has been closed because of bad weather conditions amid snowfall that has covered the French capital. Visitors had to admire the snow-covered wrought iron lattice tower from the now-white fields covered near the Paris monument, clutching umbrellas as the snow continued all day Tuesday. Il semblerait que pour les joies de la neige, Paris semble plus indiqué que les Alpes dans les jours à venir   Read More ...

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  National Weather Service: No East Coast tsunami warning

  A routine National Weather Service test Tuesday resulted in a false push notification to mobile phones warning of a tsunami warning, giving jolt to many residents on the East Coast. A glitch meant some people received what looked like an actual warning, NWS meteorologist Hendricus Lulofs said. The National Weather Service is trying to sort what went wrong, he said. Officials said it appeared to be an issue with the popular Accuweather app   Read More ...

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  Carbon dioxide removal 'no silver bullet' to fighting climate change, scientists say

  LONDON (REUTERS) - Technologies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to help tackle global warming only have limited potential and more effort should be made to reduce emissions, European scientists said in a report on Wednesday (Jan 31). Proposals to use climate technologies, ranging from spraying sun-dimming chemicals high above the Earth to capturing and storing carbon dioxide underground, have been gaining more attention as the urgency to act on climate change mounts   Read More ...

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  Paris braces for floods after exceptionally heavy rains

  (26 Jan 2018) Dozens of Paris residents were forced to leave their homes on the Seine river banks as waters kept rising on Friday in the wake of exceptionally heavy rains. The manager of a building on the right bank in the west of the French Capital told the Associated Press he had the ground floor windows boarded. In 2016, exceptional flooding destroyed most of residents' belongings. Joao De Macedo said residents of the building he manages all left three days ago. "They put everything up on concrete blocks," De Macedo said, adding he had noticed the water was also making its way into the building through the cellar's floor and was penetrating the walls   Read More ...

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  Paris river surges to record levels as heavy rainfall threatens flooding

  A mere 18 months after the Seine rose to its highest level in nearly 35 years, Paris is again on high flood alert. Already way above normal after weeks of heavy rain, the river is predicted to surge this weekend peaking at around six metres. Boat traffic has been interrupted and roads along the Seine's banks remain closed. In the south of the French capital, dozens of riverside buildings have been inundated by water, cutting power and forcing around 1000 people to evacuate   Read More ...

• EU approves EUR 9 mln in support to rain-hit Lithuanian farmers - The Baltic Times

  VILNIUS - The European Commission has allocated 9.12 million euros to Lithuanian farmers who last year suffered losses due to heavy rains, with the money to be paid by late September, however, the Agriculture Ministry plans on paying the money earlier. The EU's executive body has approved a total of 15 million euros in support for all three Baltic countries and Finland, the Lithuanian Agriculture Ministry said   Read More ...

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  Davos 2018: Climate change, Europe's future, protectionism and globalisation top day two

  The World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday started with a special address by Brazil’s president Michel Temer. During the speech Temer said Latin America’s largest economy is on the road to recovery. In line with this year’s Davos theme creating a shared future in a fractured world’ Temer also joined other world leaders in warning against protectionism.” The anti-protectionism and anti-free trade comments are widely seen to be directed towards U   Read More ...

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  Europe to see above normal temperatures in February-April: The Weather Company

  LONDON (Reuters) - Most of Europe will experience above-normal temperatures from February to April, The Weather Company said on Tuesday. “While the major energy-demand centers of the eastern U.S. and east Asia have experienced a cold winter so far, the atmospheric pattern has not favored persistent cold in Europe,” said Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist with the company. “And most of the meteorological evidence suggests that this dearth of cold will continue through the remainder of winter into early spring, as the type of ‘blocking’ needed to get cold in Europe will likely not materialize,” he said   Read More ...