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Euronews
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
On thin ice: Why this legendary Dutch skating race may never happen again
ADVERTISEMENT From the Alaskan Iditarod to the Winter Olympics, climate change has put many winter sporting traditions at risk. While some have managed to adapt to rising temperatures and unpredictable snowfall, a time-honoured Dutch tradition may be gliding toward extinction. The Elfstedentocht – or 'Eleven Cities Tour' – is a legendary 200-kilometre ice-skating race and leisure tour that winds through naturally frozen canals in the northern Friesland region of the Netherlands. But 2025 will mark 28 years since the last event was held. According to new climate research, the odds of it happening again are shrinking fast. A once-every-four-years tradition may now only happen once a generation The Elfstedentocht requires perfect conditions to take place. It must be cold enough, for long enough, for the ice to become 15 centimetres thick along the entire course so that it can accommodate the pressure of the 15,000 amateur skaters who join the event. For that thick, stable ice to form, there must be at least 15 consecutive days of sub-4.2 °C weather – combined with dry conditions. In the 20th century, an Elfstedentocht could be expected every four to five years. According to a new study published in Climate Change, the Elfstedentocht might now take place just once every 32 years. Related Pumped up pollen: How climate change could be making your seasonal allergies worse Deadly floods, storms and heatwaves: Europe suffered the 'serious impacts' of climate change in 2024 Hans Visser and Arthur Petersen, two researchers who worked with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) on this study, warn that a warming planet wreaking havoc on weather patterns has made the ideal conditions increasingly elusive. A cultural icon on thin ice Since its official founding in 1909, the Elfstedentocht has only been held 15 times, with the most recent in 1997. In the decades since, there have been several 'close calls,' including a near-run in 2012, but the canals were never quite frozen enough. 'We still have the occasional outlier. Like in 2012, when it almost came to an Elfstedentocht,' Hylke de Vries of the KNMI told de Volkskrant. 'But then the winter in the weeks before hadn't been very cold, and the water was still relatively warm. Then it takes a few extra days for everything to freeze over. Snowfall can also lead to ice, but the ice doesn't get thicker quickly.' Other models using different forecasting techniques are slightly more optimistic about the Elfstedentocht. The KNMI estimates that optimal conditions might occur once every 14 years. Related Electric cars, leaky homes, and food: How does France plan to get emissions cuts back on track? Lego says new factory in Vietnam will make toys without without adding emissions to the atmosphere But researchers agree on one thing: without significant cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the Elfstedentocht may become a relic of the past. If emissions are drastically reduced, the chance of an Elfstedentocht will remain approximately the same as now in the decades to come. If emissions increase, there may not be another Elfstedentocht after the end of this century, according to the study. 'The chances of [proper conditions] decrease with global warming, no matter how you calculate that chance,' said de Vries. Winter sports everywhere are under threat The Netherlands is far from alone with the wintry disruptions it faces. Across Europe and beyond, winter sports have become increasingly vulnerable to climate change. ADVERTISEMENT A 2024 report by the World Meteorological Organization found that only 10 countries will have a climate-reliable outlook for snow sport events by 2040. Activists have also drawn attention to how ski resorts and sporting events are contributing to the problem, not just suffering from it. Last year, a group calculated that Audi's sponsorship of the Ski World Cup would contribute 103,000-144,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions to highlight environmental contradictions. Meanwhile, alpine regions are investing heavily in artificial snow – a money-, energy- and water-intensive process – and other infrastructure improvements to maintain ski seasons. ADVERTISEMENT But for events like the Elfstedentocht, there's no artificial fix. It's natural ice or nothing.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Storm Herminia map: Where winds and rain will hit UK today as more bad weather follows Storm Eowyn
A series of yellow weather warnings for wind and rain will continue through Tuesday after Storm Herminia caused disruption across large parts of England and Wales. The Met Office predicted heavy blustery showers and thunderstorms as it issued three weather warnings across the south of England and Wales. A wind weather warning that covers the whole south of England and Wales is set to expire at 6am on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a rain warning covering southern England will continue until 10am, while a separate rain warning covering southwest Wales and the West Midlands will continue until 9pm. These warnings were attributed to the latest low-pressure system - dubbed Storm Herminia by Spanish forecasters - which came hot on the heels of Storm Éowyn. The Met Office said: 'The system did not meet the criteria to be named by the Met Office's storm naming group, which includes Met Eireann and KNMI.' Nevertheless, Storm Herminia battered the UK. The forecaster recorded 84mph gusts of wind in the Isle of Wight, while 59.4mm of rainfall was recorded in Seathwaite, Cumbria. More than 50 flood warnings were in place which gradually petered off, while flood alerts increased to 170 throughout the day. Somerset declared a major incident on Monday morning after overnight flooding wreaked havoc in the region and more than 100 people were evacuated from their homes. The yellow rain warning across Wales and the West Midlands predicts some places seeing as much as 40mm of rain on top of a widespread 20 to 30mm of rain expected, as well as isolated totals of 50 to 60mm through Tuesday before rain and showers begin to ease in the evening. Some places could see up to 80mm of rainfall over the period from two separate spells of heavy rain and thundery showers, while 10 to 20mm should fall quite widely and 30 to 50mm could fall over high ground, the Met Office said. Flooding to homes and businesses could occur in the warning area, with power cuts and difficult driving conditions also possible. There is also a 'small chance' of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life, the Met Office said. Meteorologist Marco Petagna said: 'Things are going to stay unsettled in the next few days. We're getting successive spells of wet and windy weather, which is obviously adding to impacts. 'While not as powerful as Storm Eowyn, a low-pressure system was named Storm Herminia by meteorologists in Spain which was expected to feel the strongest winds.' Tuesday is forecast to see further heavy showers in the south with a risk of thunder. Longer spells of rain in the North West are expected to ease later. The wet and windy weather will remain in the south on Wednesday, and more settled conditions will be present later in the week.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why wasn't Storm Herminia included in the Met Office's list of names
Weather warnings for wind and heavy rain have been issued across the country on Monday as Storm Herminia strikes. The Met Office has said the storm will likely bring further damage and disruption – especially to Wales and southern England – on the back of Storm Éowyn. More than one million people were left without power over the weekend due to snow, ice and wind speeds of more than 100mph. Éowyn was the fifth-named storm of the year, with the Met Office working its way through the alphabet. There has, therefore, been some confusion over the naming of the storm – especially with Storm Floris the next on the list of storm names. Here is why we have seemingly jumped ahead to Herminia. The Met Office names storms alongside its equivalent weather agencies in Ireland and the Netherlands, the Met Éireann and KNMI. It decides on an alphabet every August for the following year, which runs September to August. We have already felt storms Ashley, Bert, Conall, and Darragh. Storm Éowyn began on January 21 and does not, as of Monday, have an end point. The next storm named by the three agencies will be called Floris. It's important to note this is not Storm Floris – but, instead, Storm Herminia. The Met Office has not skipped ahead on its list. Nor has Floris been forgotten about. If and when we do reach H, it will be called Storm Hugo. Storm Herminia originated in Spain and France and has blown over to northern Europe. Therefore, it was named by the Spanish weather agency and is not considered to be on the Met's list. 'This not unusual, in 2023, we had Storm Otto and Storm Noa before Storm Antoni,' the Met Office notes. Spain, France, and Portugal all work together in the same way that Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands do. This bloc also takes in Belgium and Luxembourg. There is also cohesion between Scandinavian countries Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
What's after Storm Herminia? Future names for 2025 revealed
The Met Office has already confirmed the storm names to be used across 2024 and 2025 - as the UK hit by Storm Herminia. It comes as a major incident has been declared in Somerset after overnight flooding as rain and wind continue to batter parts of the UK. Residents in the worst affected areas of Somerset have been evacuated from their homes, with more than 50 flood warnings in effect across England and two in force in Scotland as the UK recovers from Storm Eowyn. A series of weather warnings – including a fresh yellow rain alert issued on Monday morning – are in place to cover the potential impacts from the less powerful Storm Herminia, a low pressure system named by meteorologists in Spain, which is expected to feel the strongest winds. The new storms list – first launched in 2015 – for each year generally runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn. James, Lewis and Mavis are all included in the new list in honour of figures from the Met Office's 170-year history. The forecaster said James is named after Group Captain James Stagg, who was the chief meteorologist responsible for advising General Dwight Eisenhower on the weather forecast for the D-Day landings. Lewis is included because of Lewis Fry Richardson, who devised a theory to use maths and physics to make weather forecasts using computers. Mavis is named after Mavis Hinds, who worked on the earliest Met Office computers. Along with Met Eireann in Ireland and KNMI, the Dutch weather service, meteorologists name storms so that the communication of severe weather is easier. Last week Storm Lilian, which brought strong winds exceeding 70mph to northern parts of England and Wales, became the 12th named storm of the 2023/24 season and the first time the letter L has been used for the name. Storm Herminia map: Where 80mph winds and rain will hit UK today as more bad weather follows Storm Eowyn Will Lang, who leads responses in times of severe weather for the Met Office, said: 'This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, it's great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services.' The full list for 2024/25 is: Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Eowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne and Wren.
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
What comes after Storm Herminia? Future storm names for 2025 revealed
The Met Office has already confirmed the storm names to be used across 2024 and 2025 - as the UK hit by Storm Herminia. The new storms list – first launched in 2015 – for each year generally runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn. James, Lewis and Mavis are all included in the new list in honour of figures from the Met Office's 170-year history. The forecaster said James is named after Group Captain James Stagg, who was the chief meteorologist responsible for advising General Dwight Eisenhower on the weather forecast for the D-Day landings. Lewis is included because of Lewis Fry Richardson, who devised a theory to use maths and physics to make weather forecasts using computers. Mavis is named after Mavis Hinds, who worked on the earliest Met Office computers. Along with Met Eireann in Ireland and KNMI, the Dutch weather service, meteorologists name storms so that the communication of severe weather is easier. This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, it's great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services Will Lang, Met Office Last week Storm Lilian, which brought strong winds exceeding 70mph to northern parts of England and Wales, became the 12th named storm of the 2023/24 season and the first time the letter L has been used for the name. Will Lang, who leads responses in times of severe weather for the Met Office, said: 'This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, it's great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services.' The full list for 2024/25 is: Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Eowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne and Wren.
