The Pacific Northwest is bracing for a prolonged winter storm that is forecasted to last through the weekend, threatening the region with a mix of heavy rain in the coastal ranges and lower Cascades and significant snowfall in the mountain passes. This event corresponds with the CW3E’s forecast of several atmospheric rivers, set to affect the area from Saturday, December 2, through the following week.
Strombolian activity continues at Etna’s Southeast Crater on November 30, 2023. Additionally, an M2.5 earthquake was recorded at 06:52 UTC today close to Piano Pernicana, ENE of the crater.
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from November 22 – 28, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 19 volcanoes.
Heavy rainfall continues affecting Kenya, causing widespread flooding. As of November 28, 2023, the floods have claimed at least 120 lives in 38 counties, with Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera Counties bearing the brunt of the disaster. The crisis has affected over 500 000 people and displaced almost 90 000 households (around 360 000 individuals). Key infrastructure, including parts of the Garissa-Nairobi Highway, is severely impacted, and authorities are monitoring the Tana River’s major dams. Forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The ongoing Deyr rainy season continues to unleash devastating floods across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, wreaking havoc on an unprecedented scale. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) confirms that as of November 29, the crisis has affected 2 million people, displaced 746 000, and caused 96 deaths. The most severely impacted areas are in Somalia’s south-west, especially the Bay, Gedo, and Middle Juba regions.
On November 1, 2023, a new island was born approximately 1 km (0.62 miles) off the southern coast of Iwoto Island, Japan, following intense volcanic activity. This latest addition to the Ogasawara island chain, now nearly merging with Iwoto, was first identified by military personnel stationed there.
Eastern Europe is still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Bettina, a severe snowstorm that rapidly intensified over the Black Sea and impacted the region on November 26 and 27, 2023. Ukraine has reported significant casualties, with at least five deaths and 19 injuries in the Odesa region. The storm has not only disrupted life in Ukraine but also inflicted damage and caused fatalities in neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia.
A severe snowstorm hit Quebec, Canada on November 27, 2023, resulting in widespread power outages that affected more than 150 000 Hydro-Québec customers.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea at 21:46 UTC on November 27, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 8 km (5 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blizzards, unleashed by Storm Bettina, have led to severe weather-related incidents and extensive damage in parts of Romania and Bulgaria on November 26 and 27, 2023. The storm resulted in the deaths of at least 3 people and left dozens injured in several countries, including Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia.
