Severe wildfires in southern China claim 4 lives, spawn huge pyroCb clouds

Severe wildfires in southern China claim 4 lives, spawn huge pyroCb clouds

Devastating wildfires have swept through Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in southern China since March 15, 2024, claiming four lives in Yunnan and leading to significant evacuations and damage. Reports from March 18 indicate that nearly 4 900 individuals have been evacuated in Sichuan’s Yajiang County alone, with the fires ravaging over 10 000 ha (24 710 acres) of land.

Extreme anticyclonic anomaly linked to catastrophic rainfall in Henan and marine heatwave

Extreme anticyclonic anomaly linked to catastrophic rainfall in Henan and marine heatwave

A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences has unveiled the unprecedented nature of an anticyclonic anomaly over Northeast Asia in July 2021, which played a key role in both the extreme precipitation in Henan Province, China and a severe marine heat wave in Japan Sea. This phenomenon resulted in significant ecological and economic impacts, including the deaths of 380 people in Zhengzhou and record-breaking losses to Japan’s coastal fisheries.

NMC issues Orange alert for severe cold, China

NMC issues Orange alert for severe cold, China

Severe weather warnings have been issued across China, with temperatures set to plummet in the south and Beijing experiencing snowy conditions. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) has renewed an orange alert, indicating significant temperature drops of 6 to 12 °C (10.8 to 21.6 °F) in southern regions and more than 20 °C (36 °F) in some areas. Beijing saw up to 4.1 cm (1.6 inches) of snow, affecting traffic and pedestrian safety. In Xinjiang, a new record low of -52.3 °C (-62.14 °F) was set, breaking a 64-year-old record.

Severe sandstorms hit parts of NW China

Severe sandstorms hit parts of NW China

Severe sandstorms hit Ruoqiang County in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the morning of February 17, 2024, reducing visibility to less than 100 m (330 feet) and prompting authorities to implement traffic control measures on many roads. In Turpan, local rescue teams were deployed to assist those stranded by the sandstorms.

Xinjiang records lowest temperature in history at -52.3 °C (-62.1 °F), China

Xinjiang records lowest temperature in history at -52.3 °C (-62.1 °F), China

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has set a new record for low temperatures, reaching -52.3 °C (-62.14 °F) in Fuyun County, leading to the death of numerous birds and surpassing a cold record held since 1960. Amidst the Chinese Lunar New Year’s return, this severe cold has resulted in extensive traffic disruptions and emergency responses across the region.

China issues first Orange alert for freezing rain and snow since 2010

China issues first Orange alert for freezing rain and snow since 2010

China’s meteorological authority issued the country’s first orange alert for freezing since 2010 on February 1, 2024, signaling expanding and intensifying freezing rain and snow. The severe weather, affecting areas from Henan to Chongqing, poses significant challenges to transportation in central China amidst the Spring Festival travel rush.

Very bright fireball over downtown Beijing, China

Very bright fireball over downtown Beijing, China

A very bright fireball was observed in the skies over downtown Beijing, China at 11:40 UTC (19:40 local time) on Monday, January 29, 2024, creating a spectacular sight for residents and visitors.

Very strong and shallow M7.0 earthquake hits Kyrgyzstan-China border region

Very strong and shallow M7.0 earthquake hits Kyrgyzstan-China border region

A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.0 hit the Kyrgyzstan – Xinjiang border region at 18:09 UTC on January 22, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 13 km (8 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 9 km (5.6 miles).