The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: December 22 – 28, 2021

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: December 22 – 28, 2021

New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from December 22 to 28, 2021. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Ambae, Vanuatu | Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, Tonga Islands | Krysuvik-Trolladyngja, Iceland…

Temperature in China’s Inner Mongolia drops to -46.9 °C (-52.4 °F)

Temperature in China’s Inner Mongolia drops to -46.9 °C (-52.4 °F)

Severe cold wave sweeping through northern China dropped the temperature in the city of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia autonomous region to -46.9 °C (-52.4 °F) on December 23, 2021. The cold snap continued over the Christmas weekend and into the new week. While…

Alaska sets new December temperature records, U.S.

Alaska sets new December temperature records, U.S.

Temperatures in Alaska are again making rounds in the international news, with several high and low records broken or obliterated. The temperature at Kodiak Tide Gauge, Alaska hit 19.4 °C (67 °F) on December 26, 2021, setting a new December high temperature…

Sierra Snow Lab records snowiest December on record, California

Sierra Snow Lab records snowiest December on record, California

A prolonged period of heavy snow falling over the Sierra Nevada mountain range since December 10 dramatically increased its snowpack and by December 27 piled up to 455 cm (193.7 inches) at the UC Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Laboratory. At the University of…

Record snowfall hits western Japan, disrupting traffic and stranding vehicles

Record snowfall hits western Japan, disrupting traffic and stranding vehicles

Strong winter pressure pattern continues bringing strong winds and dropping heavy snowfall along the coast of the Sea of Japan for the 7th day in a row, disrupting traffic and stranding many vehicles. At least 10 people were injured over the past weekend due to…

Volcanic activity at Ambae increased to major unrest level, Vanuatu

Volcanic activity at Ambae increased to major unrest level, Vanuatu

The Volcanic activity on Ambae Island has now increased from minor to major unrest level in December 2021. Accordingly, the Volcanic Alert Level increased from Level 1 to Level 2 on December 27. New analyses suggest that activity at the volcano has significantly…

Extreme rainfall hits Brazilian state of Bahia, causing catastrophic damage

Extreme rainfall hits Brazilian state of Bahia, causing catastrophic damage

Weeks of heavy rainfall over the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia (population 15 million) caused massive floods and damage, leaving at least 18 people dead, nearly 500 000 affected, and 35 000 displaced. Parts of the state, including capital Salvador, have…