Weather Updates: Storms in Europe & Cold Snap in Asia – A Global Overview
The Iberian Peninsula has been relentlessly battered by severe weather, with Storm Marta arriving just days after the devastating impacts of Storms Kristin and Leonardo. These storms have brought deadly flooding and significant damage to Spain and Portugal, highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Iberian Peninsula Under Siege
Storm Marta swept across the region on Saturday, unleashing torrential rainfall and tragically claiming two lives. This follows the grim toll of Storm Kristin, which resulted in at least five fatalities after making landfall on January 28th, and Storm Leonardo, which claimed another victim last Wednesday. The situation remains precarious, with forecasts predicting continued rainfall across Spain, Portugal, and France this week.
North-west Portugal is particularly vulnerable, with potential rainfall exceeding 100mm in the first half of the week. The heavy rain is expected to shift towards southern Italy, western Greece, and Turkey later in the week. Understanding weather patterns is crucial for preparedness.
South Africa Braces for Impact
The severe weather isn’t limited to Europe. Parts of South Africa and Lesotho are also bracing for significant rainfall. Provinces including the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape could see widespread rainfall totals of 80-100mm by Saturday, with localized areas potentially receiving up to 50mm per day due to intense showers and thunderstorms.
The South African Weather Service has already issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, including risks of excessive lightning, strong winds, and hail. This could lead to widespread flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage, potentially affecting over 10 million people. Staying updated with local weather forecasts is vital.
Cold Snap Grips Japan and Korea
While Europe and Africa deal with excessive rain, Japan and Korea are experiencing a starkly different weather scenario – a prolonged cold snap. Temperatures have remained below average throughout the past week, peaking over the weekend. Tokyo saw temperatures plummet to nearly 10°C below average on Sunday, struggling to rise above freezing, with snowfall reported.
Despite Tokyo’s latitude being similar to northern Africa and Athens, snowfall isn’t uncommon, occurring roughly once or twice a year. This is due to Japan’s unique geographical position, situated between a cold northerly flow from continental eastern Asia and moisture sources from the Sea of Japan and the Philippine Sea. The Hokuriku region experienced particularly heavy snowfall, accumulating over 50cm in just 24 hours.
Fortunately, temperatures are expected to rise rapidly later this week, with Tokyo potentially reaching mid to high teens by the weekend. For more information on global weather conditions, you can visit the AccuWeather website or the World Weather Online.
Staying informed about these global weather events is crucial for safety and preparedness. Remember to check local forecasts and heed any warnings issued by authorities.
