Widespread damage after Storm Emellinde hits Germany
At least one person has been killed and more than 50 were injured on May 20, 2022, when a violent storm named ‘Emmelinde” hit Germany, spawning several tornadoes and leaving widespread damage.
Damaging tornado rips through Levin, New Zealand
A damaging tornado hit the town of Levin, New Zealand’s North Island on May 20, 2022, causing widespread damage and injuring several people. New Zealand’s Met Service recorded a wind gust of 140 km/h (86 mph) in the town but at the time of press, it was still not able to determine whether it was indeed a tornado that caused the damage, or a thunderstorm collapsing on itself.
Drastically colder air to surge across the western U.S., culminating with a late-season wintry weather event
Drastically colder air will surge across the western U.S., culminating with a late-season wintry weather event over the central Rockies/High Plains late Friday into Saturday, May 20 into 21, 2022.
Unusually powerful Subtropical Storm “Yakecan” hits Uruguay and Brazil
Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain brought by Subtropical Storm “Yakecan” hit parts of Uruguay and Brazil over the past couple of days, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power and at least 2person dead.
Record high wheat prices after India declares immediate export ban, massive protests after 300% food price increase announced in Iran
Wheat prices in Europe and Australia hit record highs this week after India – the world’s second-largest wheat producer – announced an immediate export ban due to a severe heatwave affecting the country since March. Global wheat prices have soared 40% since February 2022, increasing famine and sparking social unrest.
Earthquake swarm in the Reykjanes/Svartsengi volcanic system, Aviation Color Code raised to Yellow, Iceland
More than 3 000 earthquakes have been automatically detected near Eldvörp in the Reykjanes/Svartsengi volcanic system in the past week, the Icelandic Met Office reports. In addition, recent deformation observations identified the onset of a new inflation event west of Thorbjörn which is likely caused by magma intrusion.
Worst drought in 40 years affecting Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its fourth consecutive failed rain season and the worst drought since 1981. At least 15 million people across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are already affected and there are fears this number could jump to 20 million.
Destructive derecho slams Midwest and Northern Plains, creating rare dust storm over Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, U.S.
A fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms, known as a derecho, developed in central Nebraska on May 12, 2022, bringing hurricane-force winds and creating a rare, large wall of dust that swept over parts of Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, creating near-zero visibility on state highways.
Large explosions at Stromboli volcano, Italy
A series of strong explosions took place at Stromboli volcano, Italy on May 13, 2022. The first event was a moderately strong explosion at 14:42 UTC, followed by a dozen other events over the next three minutes of which the most energetic was at 14:43 UTC.
Alert level for Awu volcano raised to 3, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
The Volcanic Alert Level for Awu volcano, located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, was raised from Level 2 to 3 on May 11, 2022, after earthquake energy values showed a drastic increase on May 9 and 10. The last eruption of this volcano took place in June 2004 (VEI 2).
