Latest news with #UKMetOffice
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Climate
- See - Sada Elbalad
Drought Officially Declared in North West England
Israa Farhan The UK government has officially declared a state of drought in North West England following an unusually dry spring, marking the region's driest start to the season in decades. The prolonged lack of rainfall has led to a sharp decline in river and reservoir water levels, raising concerns about long-term water security. According to the UK Met Office, March, April, and May brought exceptionally sunny conditions across the country, making it one of the sunniest springs on record. However, the significantly reduced rainfall has triggered warnings about the sustainability of water supplies in the coming months. The Environment Agency reported that water storage levels in reservoirs across North West England, which includes the Lake District as well as the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, are now lower than during previous drought years—specifically 1984, 1995, and 2022. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and severity of droughts to climate change, warning that drier summers and reduced rainfall events are becoming more common across the UK. Environmental experts are urging policymakers to prioritize sustainable water management and invest in infrastructure to prepare for a future shaped by more extreme weather patterns. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
'50 tonnes per day': Fishermen report a big jump in Octopus population along English Channel indicating a stress in deep ocean
Unusually warm sea temperatures in the North Atlantic are disrupting marine ecosystems, leading to a sharp rise in octopus catches along the English Channel and raising concerns among scientists and fishing communities. Fishermen along the English Channel have reported a dramatic increase in octopus hauls this season, with some landing nearly 50 tonnes in a single day — a massive rise compared to previous years. The octopus boom is being linked to unusually warm waters caused by persistent high-pressure weather patterns that have affected sea temperatures this spring. Sea Surface Temperature Rise Up To 2.5°C above normal Data from the UK Met Office shows sea surface temperatures near the UK rose by up to 2.5°C above normal in May — the highest levels on record. Waters west of Ireland warmed by as much as 4°C. The weather patterns have reduced cooling winds and limited the mixing of deeper, colder water with surface layers, contributing to a rapid rise in ocean temperatures. Ecosystem balance under stress The warmer waters are favourable for octopus development, leading to higher survival rates among eggs and larvae. But the growth in octopus numbers has come at the expense of shellfish populations, which are their primary prey. This shift in the food chain highlights the uneven effects of marine heat waves on different marine species. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Quanto Costano le Case Prefabbricate? Guarda i Prezzi! Case prefabbricate | Ricerca annunci Undo While species such as jellyfish and sea bass are also thriving in the warmer seas, cod — a traditional mainstay in British fisheries — is facing adverse impacts. In addition, the rise in sea temperature is affecting plankton, a key foundation of marine ecosystems. Long-term risks remain high Though recent changes in weather have brought some cooling, ocean temperatures in the region remain above average. Meteorologists warn that further high-pressure systems expected during the summer could push temperatures up again. The combination of short-term weather shifts and long-term climate trends is raising the risk of more severe marine heat waves in the coming months. Live Events Potential for broader environmental damage Marine heat waves can cause serious disruptions beyond shifting fish populations. Warmer waters can trigger algae blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the sea, potentially creating dead zones where marine life cannot survive. These blooms can also release toxins and pathogens that affect human health, coastal tourism, and seafood safety. Fishermen are currently seeing short-term gains from the octopus boom, with strong demand from European seafood buyers. However, experts remain concerned about the broader impact on fisheries, marine biodiversity, and the long-term stability of ocean ecosystems.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Brace for years of extreme heat, UN climate report warns
"We have just experienced the ten warmest years on record," said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett, in a statement. "Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years, and this means that there will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet." Arctic warming is also predicted to rise at more than three times the global average. "Every additional fraction of a degree of warming drives more harmful heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, intense droughts, melting of ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers, heating of the ocean, and rising sea levels," the WMO said in a statement. Climate report by the numbers 80% chance that at least one of the next five years will exceed 2024 as the warmest on record 86% chance that at least one of next five years will be more than 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) above the 1850-1900 average 70% chance that 5-year average warming for 2025-2029 will be more than 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). Arctic warming predicted to continue to outstrip global average More people at risk Last year, the hottest year on record, saw the first breach of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which committed countries to avoid global warming of more than 1.5 degrees C. From this year until the end of 2029, the mean near-surface temperature globally is forecast to be between 1.2 degrees C and 1.9 degrees C (2.2 degrees F and 3.4 degrees F) higher than pre-industrial levels of the years 1850-1900, the WMO said, adding that this would fuel more extreme weather. "With the next five years forecast to be more than 1.5 degrees C warmer than preindustrial levels on average, this will put more people than ever at risk of severe heat waves, bringing more deaths and severe health impacts unless people can be better protected from the effects of heat," Richard Betts, head of climate impacts research at the UK Met Office and a professor at the University of Exeter, told the Associated Press. "Also we can expect more severe wildfires as the hotter atmosphere dries out the landscape." Arctic warmth is soaring In the Arctic, the above-average projected warming will accelerate ice melt in the Arctic and northwest Pacific Ocean. The report said Arctic warming was predicted to be more than three-and-a-half times the global average, at 2.4 degrees C (4.3 degrees F) above the recent average temperature over the next five winters. Contributing: Reuters
India Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Earth to cross 1.5°C temperature rise threshold by 2029, warns UN
The Arctic is expected to warm at more than three and a half times the global average. (Photo: Getty) India Today Environment Desk The Arctic is expected to warm at more than three and a half times Winter temperatures projected to be 2.4°C above the recent 30-year baseline South Asia is likely to continue experiencing wetter years The world is on track to experience continued record-breaking temperatures over the next five years, sharply increasing climate-related risks for societies, economies, and sustainable development, according to a new report released by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The WMO's latest decadal forecast, compiled with input from the UK Met Office and other global climate centers, projects an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will surpass 2024 as the warmest on record. There is also an 86% probability that at least one of these years will see global temperatures more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 average). The five-year average warming for 2025-2029 is now 70% likely to exceed the 1.5C thresholdâ€'a sharp increase from last year's prediction. The Paris Agreement aims to limit long-term warming to well below 2C. (Photo: PTI) The report warns that every fraction of a degree in additional warming intensifies heatwaves, extreme rainfall, droughts, melting of ice sheets and glaciers, ocean warming, and rising sea levels. The Arctic is expected to warm at more than three and a half times the global average, with winter temperatures projected to be 2.4C above the recent 30-year baseline. Sea ice reductions are anticipated in the Barents, Bering, and Okhotsk seas. Rain patterns are also shifting, with wetter-than-average conditions forecast for the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska, and northern Siberia, and drier conditions expected over the Amazon. South Asia is likely to continue experiencing wetter years, although seasonal variations will persist. Rain patterns are also shifting across the world. (Photo: AP) 'Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years,' said Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy Secretary-General. 'There will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet.' The Paris Agreement aims to limit long-term warming to well below 2C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5C. However, the WMO stresses that temporary exceedances of these levels are becoming more frequent as global temperatures rise. With COP30 set for later this year, the report points to the urgency for updated climate action plans to mitigate the mounting impacts of climate change. The world is on track to experience continued record-breaking temperatures over the next five years, sharply increasing climate-related risks for societies, economies, and sustainable development, according to a new report released by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The WMO's latest decadal forecast, compiled with input from the UK Met Office and other global climate centers, projects an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will surpass 2024 as the warmest on record. There is also an 86% probability that at least one of these years will see global temperatures more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 average). The five-year average warming for 2025-2029 is now 70% likely to exceed the 1.5C thresholdâ€'a sharp increase from last year's prediction. The Paris Agreement aims to limit long-term warming to well below 2C. (Photo: PTI) The report warns that every fraction of a degree in additional warming intensifies heatwaves, extreme rainfall, droughts, melting of ice sheets and glaciers, ocean warming, and rising sea levels. The Arctic is expected to warm at more than three and a half times the global average, with winter temperatures projected to be 2.4C above the recent 30-year baseline. Sea ice reductions are anticipated in the Barents, Bering, and Okhotsk seas. Rain patterns are also shifting, with wetter-than-average conditions forecast for the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska, and northern Siberia, and drier conditions expected over the Amazon. South Asia is likely to continue experiencing wetter years, although seasonal variations will persist. Rain patterns are also shifting across the world. (Photo: AP) 'Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years,' said Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy Secretary-General. 'There will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet.' The Paris Agreement aims to limit long-term warming to well below 2C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5C. However, the WMO stresses that temporary exceedances of these levels are becoming more frequent as global temperatures rise. With COP30 set for later this year, the report points to the urgency for updated climate action plans to mitigate the mounting impacts of climate change. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The forecast for the next five years: More deadly heat, more extreme weather
Global temperatures are forecast to reach record or near-record levels during the next five years, setting the stage for more deadly extreme weather, according to an annual report from two of the world's top meteorological agencies. There is now a 70% chance that global warming over the next five years will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, Wednesday's report from the World Meteorological Organization and UK Met Office found. More than 1.5 degrees of global warming increases the risks of more severe impacts, including triggering tipping points in the climate system. Melting sea ice and glaciers could soon reach a point of no return, with dramatic implications for sea level rise, scientists have warned. There is an 80% chance that at least one year in the next five will be the warmest on record, the report suggests. It also for the first time raises the possibility, albeit remote, that one of those years will have an average temperature that is at least 2 degrees warmer than the era before humans began burning large amounts of planet-heating fossil fuels. It's an outcome with a 1% probability, forecasters said, but that 'non-zero' chance is significant, and mirrors how the odds of a 1.5-degree year have climbed during the past decade. 'We have just experienced the ten warmest years on record. Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years, and this means that there will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet,' World Meteorological Organization Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett said in a statement. Global warming of 1.5 degrees would take the world one step further toward breaching the stretch goal of the Paris climate agreement, which many nations — particularly low-lying small island states — view as essential to their survival. The agreement calls for limiting warming to well below the 2-degree level over the long-term, though a single year at that mark would not break the pact's goal. Warming in the Arctic is expected to continue to dramatically outpace the rest of the world, with warming of more than 3.5 times the global average during the polar winter, Wednesday's report states. Along with melting ice sheets and rising sea levels, each fraction of a degree of warming translates to more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as heat waves and heavy rainfall. Last year was the hottest on record and marked the first calendar year to breach the Paris agreement's 1.5-degree limit. The past five years have featured worsening extremes around the world, from unprecedented heat waves to deadly inland flooding from rapidly intensifying hurricanes like Helene last year. The WMO and Met Office report includes findings from more than 200 projections from computer models run by 15 scientific institutes around the world. This group's past five-year forecasts have proven to be highly accurate on a global scale, the report noted, with less accuracy for predictions on more regional levels. CNN's Laura Paddison contributed to this report.
