Weather Tracker: Impact of Hurricane John and Flooding in India as Europe Faces Cold Weather
Hurricane John made landfall in Mexico, causing severe flooding and mudslides with over 400 mm of rain recorded. In Pune, India, historic rainfall led to flooding, while Europe braces for another cold wave bringing temperatures 5-10C below average.
On Monday, Hurricane John made landfall along the southern Pacific coast of Mexico after rapidly intensifying from a tropical storm into a category 3 hurricane within a mere 24 hours. The hurricane struck with sustained winds reaching 120 mph, resulting in significant storm surges and subsequent destructive flooding. However, by Tuesday morning, the storm had weakened back to a tropical storm with winds dropping to 50 mph. The slow movement of Hurricane John resulted in an accumulation of over 400 mm of rainfall within a few days, contributing to widespread flooding and mudslides that have claimed two lives. Currently, as John has drifted slightly towards the east and into the sea, forecasts predict that it may regain hurricane status, progressing slowly north-east along the coast of Mexico and bringing additional heavy rainfall. By the weekend, parts of southwestern Mexico might experience total rainfall exceeding 700 mm in the week ahead. In India, rather severe flooding has impacted the city of Pune in the western state of Maharashtra this week, who experienced its third wettest September day since 1901, with over 130 mm of rain falling within a 24-hour period. Although high rainfall levels during the monsoon months of June, July, and August are typical, such amounts in late September are increasingly uncommon. The persistence of the monsoon season, which has demonstrated a slower retreat in recent years, has contributed to these unusual late-month downpours. The recent heavy rain has been attributed to an excess of moisture over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, paired with a low-pressure system in the vicinity. Forecasts indicate that additional heavy rainfall is anticipated in the upcoming days. In Europe, the region braces for yet another wave of cold weather expected to envelop northern and western areas this week, following closely behind a previous cold spell less than two weeks prior. As a low-pressure system dissipates eastward, a northerly airflow is anticipated to introduce Arctic air into regions as far south as Portugal by Friday. It is projected that temperatures will generally fall 5-10 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average across considerable portions of northern and western Europe, as well as parts of central Europe, lasting into the weekend. Following a brief return to nearer average temperatures next week, another drop below the seasonal norm is expected midweek.
This report highlights recent extreme weather events occurring across various global regions, specifically focusing on the powerful impact of Hurricane John in Mexico, unprecedented rainfall causing flooding in Pune, India, and a predicted return of cold weather in Europe. These events underscore the broader implications of climate variability and changing weather patterns, illustrating how such phenomena affect different locations in varying seasonal contexts. The surge of rainfall during what is typically the tail end of the monsoon season in India, as well as the abnormal temperature fluctuations in Europe, reveal the challenges posed by climate change and the need for heightened awareness and preparedness.
In summary, Hurricane John has caused significant flooding and destruction in southern Mexico, while Pune, India faces unprecedented rainfall leading to severe flooding. Simultaneously, Europe prepares for a cold snap, indicating abrupt seasonal changes. These weather patterns reflect broader climate trends that are affecting various regions, necessitating continuous monitoring and comprehensive strategies to mitigate impacts globally.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
