A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit off the coast of Oregon, U.S. at 20:15 UTC on October 30, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit near the coast of Papua New Guinea at 12:18 UTC on October 30, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 521 km (323 miles).
A powerful storm system hit eastern Spain this week, delivering more than a year’s worth of rain in just one day and causing historic flooding in Valencia, where at least 62 people lost their lives on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The town of Chiva set a new 24-hour rainfall record, reporting 491 mm (19.33 inches) in just eight hours, while several other areas recorded rainfall totals between 100 mm (3.94 inches) and 200 mm (7.87 inches) on the same day.
The United States experienced a record-breaking 24 “billion-dollar” weather and climate disasters thus far in 2024, each incurring significant economic damage and resulting in the loss of 418 lives. This year’s toll greatly exceeds the long-term annual average of 8.5 events recorded between 1980 and 2023 and surpasses the recent five-year average of 20.4 events.
Northern New South Wales experienced intense hailstorms on October 28, 2024, with “giant” hailstones up to 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter damaging property and disrupting daily life. At the same time, Darwin, in the Northern Territory, has been enduring record-breaking heat, reaching 35.4 °C (95 °F), marking the 14th day above 35 °C (95.72 °F) this month.
Tropical Storm “Trami”, struck Central Vietnam’s Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang regions on Sunday, October 27, 2024 flooding more than 28 000 homes and isolating 58 villages in Quang Binh Province. With at least three casualties and one person missing, authorities have mobilized rescue teams as rain and high tides continue to impact the area.
A Level 4 flood warning has been issued for China’s Hainan province after the outer rain belt of Tropical Cyclone “Trami” brought record-breaking rainfall to parts of the province leading to severe floods in the cities of Sanya and Wanning.
Heavy rainfall since October 27, 2024, has led to severe flooding across Saudi Arabia, with Mecca among the worst affected areas. Streets and pathways in the city, including the Grand Mosque, are heavily flooded, causing significant disruption for residents, pilgrims, and visitors.
A powerful, isolated high-altitude depression brought severe weather conditions to Andalusia on Monday, October 28, 2024, with the province of Almería being particularly impacted by the heavy rainfall, hail, and thunderstorms. The storm, which began Sunday night, October 27, led to road closures and widespread damage, including hailstones up to 5 cm (1.97 inches) in diameter.
Typhoon “Kong-rey” is rapidly intensifying as it moves west-northwest toward Taiwan. The current forecast track calls for landfall on Taiwan’s southeastern coast within the next 48 – 60 hours. However, a shift westward could also lead to a direct landfall on Batanes, Philippines. Kong-rey is forecast to significantly strengthen and potentially reach super typhoon status as it approaches Taiwan.
