• Europe hit by abrupt weather shift as heat dome collapses, bringing early snowfall, torrential rainfall and cold blast

    Europe is experiencing a sharp weather shift following the collapse of a persistent heat dome that had brought record-breaking temperatures across the continent in early September 2024. As the heatwave subsided, parts of central Europe transitioned abruptly from extreme summer heat to unusually cold and wet conditions. Austria, for example, saw early snowfall shortly after temperatures had soared above seasonal norms. This sudden weather shift, caused by a breakdown of the high-pressure system, is now leading to prolonged rains and cold blasts in central Europe.

  • Death toll rises to 28 as heaviest rains in 50 years batter Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India

    At least 28 fatalities have been reported across the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, due to very heavy rains that have been battering the states since August 30, 2024. Floods and other rain-related incidents have claimed 16 lives in Telangana and 12 in Andhra Pradesh so far. 31 238 people have been evacuated and 450 000 people have been affected due to the downpours across both the states, rescue and relief operations are underway.

  • Cyclonic Storm “Asna” forms in the Arabian Sea; Gujarat reports 32 dead, more than 32 000 evacuated

    Gujarat’s Saurashtra-Kachchh region has been battered by torrential rains produced by a deep depression that intensified into Cyclonic Storm “Asna” today. The resulting flooding has led to 32 deaths, and the evacuation of more than 32 000 people. The intense flooding has also led to crocodiles taking over the city of Vadodara. Asna is the second named storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.

  • Rare daylight fireball over Eastern Cape, South Africa, explosions heard over 200 km (120 miles) away

    An amazing dayling fireball was seen and heard over Eastern Cape, South Africa on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Initially thought of as space junk, it was later confirmed to be a car-sized meteor that entered the atmosphere between 06:30 and 07:00 UTC (08:30 and 09:00 LT). Reports of the following sonic boom were heard more than 200 km (124 miles) away from the site of the original sighting.