As Hurricane Beryl As Texas rages and extreme heat blankets much of the southern and western US, the world is braced for another week of wild weather that human-caused climate change makes more likely.
Beryl hit the central Texas coast near Matagorda with a dangerous storm surge and strong winds in the early hours of Monday. The powerful storm has already devastated parts of Mexico It is the Caribbean.
It is the first storm to reach the wind speed of a Category 5 hurricane, fueled by the ocean being as hot in June as it would normally be in September after months of summer sun.
Beryl is just one example of extremes fueled by climate change. Here’s what’s happening related to extreme weather and climate right now:
– A persistent heat wave is lasting through Monday in parts of the U.S. with an excessive heat warning — the National Weather Service’s highest warning — in effect for about 36 million people, or about 10% of the population. Several heat records have already been broken by this latest heat wave, with several parts of Northern California reaching 110 Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius).
— This heat is part of a global trend towards warmer weather: June marks the 13th consecutive month break a monthly heat record, according to the European climate service Copernicus. This wave may soon end, but not the chaos that accompanies a hotter planet, scientists say.
— Hot weather does not affect everyone equally. A New York City mortality report found that black residents die from heat stress at twice the rate of white residents. The Associated Press took a deeper dive into how heat exacerbates other socioeconomic inequalities In the cities.
— Elsewhere, landslides continue Sulawesi Island, Indonesia after torrential rains killed at least 11 people and left dozens missing in an illegal gold mining operation. Rain has hit the region since Saturday.
— Monsoon rains in India continue to wreak havoc across the country, hitting the western city of Mumbai. Last week it ended a dozen people died in landslides and floods in northeastern Assam state.
— South Africa is preparing for a week of damaging storms, with weather authorities warning that Cape Town and surrounding areas are expected to be hit by multiple cold fronts until at least Friday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and flooding. The hardest hit areas are expected to be the poor and informal settlements on the city limits.
– And finally, if you’ve seen some unfamiliar weather terms in the news recently, or if you’re wondering why some storms are classified as hurricanes, typhoons, or tropical storms, take a look this glossary of extreme weather conditions.
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QUOTABLE: “When you step out of the vehicle, it’s like putting your entire body inside an oven.” – Matthew Lamar, ranger at Death Valley National Park, where temperatures reached 128 Fahrenheit (53.3 Celsius) on Saturday and Sunday.
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