Global Weather Highlights

October 2021

EUROPE

A weather station in Cairo Montenotte, Province of Savona in the NW Italian region of Liguria, recorded 496 mm of rain in just 6 hours, breaking the country's 6-hour rainfall record of 472 mm set in 2011 (4th). While rain was recorded across the country,
the storm unloaded most of its power in the Savona area. Agenzia Regionale Protezione Ambiente Ligure reported 1-hour rainfall totals of 145.2 mm in Cairo Montenotte, 178.2 mm in Urbe and 181 mm in Vicomorasso - a new national record. Furthermore,
figures show the station at Rossiglione recorded more than 900 mm of rain in 24 hours.

Flash floods hit parts of the city of Marseille in southern France, after 173 mm of rainfall fell overnight, with most of it in the space of 2 hours (4th). The amount represents 2 months' worth of the city's average October rainfall. Travel was disrupted
in the region and a number of train services were suspended.

A powerful autumn storm named Aurore by Meteo France brought severe weather to France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, the Channel Islands, and parts of southern England (20th-21st). This is the year's first violent autumn storm in
Europe. In Germany, this storm is known as Ignatz. Aurore started affecting Brittany, France on Wednesday afternoon and continued eastward through the night with wind gusts up to 175 km/h. It downed thousands of trees and damaged many homes. According to
French Enedis utility, more than 250000 homes were left without power as of Thursday morning. According to Meteo France, wind gusts of 175 km/h were registered in Fecamp, and 153 km/h on top of Eiffel Tower in Paris. A large number of rail services were
disrupted by uprooted trees in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and neighbouring countries as well as in England. Four people were killed in Poland's Lower Silesia region. One person died when a van was blown off the road while a builder died after a
wall collapsed. In the western Polish city of Wroclaw, two people died when a tree crashed onto their car.

Exceptional rainfall hit Spain's Alicante Province on the 22nd, damaging homes and stranding numerous vehicles. According to the State Meteorological Agency AEMET, up to 102 mm of rainfall hit the town of Torrevieja, resulting in the evacuation of the
Dama de Guardamar school in Vega Baja del Segura. Video footage showed deep levels of water sweeping through buildings, while cars were seen submerged as streets in Alicante were left underwater.

SOUTH OF AMERICA

A sandstorm that lasted 20 minutes has caused significant damage to houses in the town of Catanduva in Sao Paulo, Brazil (6th). Sandstorms also blanketed other cities and towns in the state causing the sky to turn different shades of orange and brown.
The skylines across the state changed color as strong winds combined with a drought that has hit the country, lifting surface soil and dust into the atmosphere.

A severe hailstorm hit the Bolivian town of Taija, leaving impressive amounts of hail on the streets (31st). Parts of the city were covered in up to 60 cm of hail.

ASIA

More than 1.76 million people have been affected by severe flooding in China's northern Shanxi province, according to local media (10th). Torrential rain last week lead to houses collapsing and triggered landslides across more than 70 districts and
cities in the province. China's Meteorological Administration told local media that heavy and prolonged rainfall and storms are hampering rescue efforts. Shanxi is also home to a number of ancient monuments which are at major risk from the severe
rainfall. Authorities told the Xinhua news agency that more than 120,000 people have been urgently transferred and resettled, and that 17,000 homes have collapsed across Shanxi province. Shanxi's provincial capital Taiyuan saw average rainfall of around
185.6 mm last week, compared to the 25 mm monthly average during 1981-2010.

MEDITERRANEAN

The island of Corfu was declared in "state of emergency" later in the day after torrential rains from storm Ballos flooded homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, thus endangering human lives (14th). 69 people in total
had to be evacuated with boats or helicopters as they were trapped in the floods. One person was killed on the island of Evia after he was carried away by the rushing water during the storm. A month's rainfall was reported to have fallen in 24 hours
during the storm.

INDIA

At least 26 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages (11th-18th). There are fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing. Several houses were
washed away and people became trapped in the district of Kottayam in Kerala state. Kottayam and Idukki are two of the worst affected districts in the state, where days of heavy rainfall have caused deadly landslides. Swollen rivers have also washed away
bridges connecting many small villages. On Monday, a number of dams across Kerala state were opened to reduce the risk of dangerous overflows. The government had earlier said the decision on which dams to open would be made by an expert committee. "
District collectors will be notified hours before opening the dams so that local people have enough time to evacuate," said the office of Kerala's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. In a 24-hour period to October 12, Karipur recorded 255 mm of rain,
Kozhikode 216 mm, and Kannur 166 mm. The rain continued across the state, worsening over the last 2 days with Kochi recording 129 mm of rain in 24 hours to 17 October and Valparai 101 mm in 24 hours to 18 October. According to the India Meteorological
Department, the heavy rains were caused by a low pressure area over the SE Arabian Sea and Kerala.

At least 46 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand (19th). Images and videos from the state show flooded roads, submerged homes and fallen bridges. Experts say the Himalayan state, a popular
tourist spot, is seeing the effects of both climate change and rampant construction. Floods have also ravaged the southern state of Kerala, where at least 26 people have died in recent days. Both states have recorded excessive rainfall this year,
according to data from India's weather department. Kerala, for instance, recorded 453.5 mm rainfall as opposed to the 192.7 mm that is considered normal during this time of the year. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the districts
that observed heavy to extremely heavy rainfall were Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Pauri and Chamoli from 8.30 a.m. on Monday till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. There were several reports where people called the rain "
multiple cloudbursts". But the IMD terms rainfall of 100 mm or above in just one hour as a cloudburst. The previous records of 24-hour rainfall in Uttarakhand was held by Pant Nagar that received 228 mm rainfall on 10 July 1990, but was now broken by the
current 403.2 mm rainfall. The observatory has records since 25 May 1962, when it was established there, IMD Dehradun data said. Similarly, at Mukteshwar, where the observatory was established on 1 May 1897, the previous record was of 254.5 mm rainfall
on 18 September 1914, was broken by recent fall of 340.8 mm of rainfall.

AFRICA

Heavy rains caused severe floods in parts of the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, leaving homes damaged, roads blocked and vehicles stranded (22nd). Attecoube, one of the 10 urban communes of Abidjan, registered 106 mm of rain in a 12-hour period while
Youpogon registered 105 mm. 60 mm of the total fell in just 30 minutes. Yopougon, Attecoube, Abobo and Adjame were the worst affected. At least 4 people were killed and 4 others injured.
24th-26th
Massive flooding hit Italy's port city of Catania over two days with the city receiving its average yearly rainfall in just about 48 hours. Massive damage was reported across the city, at least 2 people have been killed and one remains missing. The rains
were brought by a non-tropical low pressure area, located just south of Sicily, which consolidated into a Medistorm "Gloria" on the 26th. A weather station at Lentini, Sicily received 275.4 mm on the 24th, with a maximum hourly intensity at 153.4 mm. In
24 hours ending the 25th, 312.2 mm of rain was recorded at a weather station at Linguaglossa and 279.8 mm at Lentini. The rains continued over the next day, surpassing the yearly average of 586 mm in about 48 hours.

UNITED STATES

A rapidly intensifying coastal storm affecting parts of the Northeast U.S. during the 25th-27th brought strong winds and flooding, from New Jersey into most of southern New England. This is the first nor'easter of the season. Parts of New Jersey received
up to 125 mm of rain by 1100 LT on the 26th. Central Park in New York City received 68 mm of rain by 1300 LT while Islip on Long Island received 66 mm. As the storm continued intensifying, the number of customers without power in Massachusetts rose to
189000 with 21620 in Maine, and 9030 in New Hampshire.

TROPICAL

Hurricane Sam finally weakened below major hurricane strength on Sunday morning (3rd), ending a remarkable 7.75-day odyssey across the central Atlantic as one of the longest-lived major hurricanes on record. According to Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State
University, Sam is tied with Hurricane Edouard of 1996 for fourth-most consecutive days as an Atlantic major hurricane since the satellite era began in 1966. Sam is also in the top-ten list of Atlantic hurricanes for the length of time at category 4
strength. Sam's long life as a major hurricane was enabled by its relatively slow forward speed, avoidance of land areas, and warmer-than-average ocean waters.

At least 13 people have been killed after tropical cyclone Shaheen battered parts of Oman and Iran (3rd-4th). There was widespread flooding along Oman's northern coast as the storm made landfall on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 150 km/h.
Omani authorities reported the deaths of seven people in North al-Batinah province on Monday. Four others drowned or were killed in landslides on Sunday. In Iran, state media said the bodies of two fishermen had been found. Infrastructure, including
electrical facilities and roads, was also damaged. Parts of the United Arab Emirates were placed on standby as the storm moved south-westwards over land on Monday and weakened. Residents of al-Ain were told to avoid leaving home except for emergencies.
It is rare for storms of this power to hit Oman's northern Arabian Sea coast. Authorities said 369 mm of rain fell on al-Khaboura, north-west of Oman's capital city, Muscat, while more than 200 mm was recorded in Muscat itself. The average October
rainfall for Muscat is 0.8 mm, and the average yearly rainfall is 89.7 mm. Shaheen's high winds also caused waves of up to 10 m along the coast.

Another tropical storm affected storm-weary Philippines as the country received a devastating blow from Tropical Storm Kompasu (11th). As a result of Kompasu, five people were killed in flash floods in the Palawan Province while four others were killed
as a result of a landslide in the Benguet Province. By Wednesday, the death toll had climbed to 13 in the Philippines with more than 21000 residents displaced from their homes, according to CNN Philippines. Additionally, at least one death was blamed on
Kompasu in Hong Kong, according to the South China Morning Post. Baguio, located on the western part of the island of Luzon, recorded a 515 mm of rain in just 24 hours as Kompasu made its closest approach.

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