91É«ÇéƬ

extreme weather

Image taken: 2nd March 2023 SNOW WAY! The surreal site of snow-draped cacti in Arizona???s Sonoran Desert was captured in breath-taking detail by Jack Dykinga last week. The scenes, which meteorologists have described as ???once in a generation??? demonstrate a rare convergence of nature???s extremes. The Sonoran desert is typically known for its arid sub-tropical climate. Even in winter, days are sunny and mild. But this month the area saw 2-4 inches of snow that lasted about 4 hours. Dykinga, who has been photographing the Sonorn Desert since 1976, says the last big snow was a full decade ago. He described this year???s otherworldly scenes as ???pure magic, seemingly out of place and strikingly beautiful.??? Before the snow arrived, the Desert looked completely different, boasting an explosion of flowers and clear blue skies. The reason for the uncharacteristic snowfall is not fully understood. The current La Ni??a event (a cyclic weather pattern that influences global weather) is partly responsible, coupled with a persistent blocking pattern over the Pacific Ocean and cold air migrating south from the Arctic. Climate change also means extreme weather events are becoming more likely.

91É«ÇéƬ

Rare photograph of snow in the usually baking hot Sonoran desert

This striking image shows the fleeting moment that the Sonoran desert in a parched corner of North America was blanketed in 10 centimetres of snow

Regulars

The path taken by cyclone Freddy, starting near Australia and crossing the Indian Ocean to the coast of Mozambique

Environment

Tropical cyclone Freddy may be longest on record after lasting 32 days

News

TOPSHOT - An aerial photo taken on February 14, 2023 shows flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Awatoto, near the city of Napier. - New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on February 14 as Cyclone Gabrielle swept away roads, inundated homes and left more than 100,000 people without power. - New Zealand OUT (Photo by AFP) / New Zealand OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Environment

Do back-to-back disasters show first climate tipping point is upon us?

91É«ÇéƬ

A mangrove forest in Shenzhen Bay, China

Environment

Mangroves near Chinese cities can reduce storm surges by over 2 metres

News

Dry ground in a former lagoon

Environment

Rare triple-dip La Niña is mostly to blame for South America's drought

News

Loggerhead turtle

Life

Turtles stranded on UK beaches after storms send them off course

News

NICASIO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: In an aerial view, the Nicasio Reservoir is seen at 100 percent capacity after a series of atmospheric river events drenched Northern California on January 12, 2023 in Nicasio, California. As several atmospheric river events bring record rainfall to California, reservoirs across state are seeing their levels rise following several years of extreme drought. Marin County's seven reservoirs are now at 100 percent capacity and other major reservoirs in the state are closing in on historic averages. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Environment

California storms didn't solve the state's drought and water crisis

News

https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/hurricane-florence-viewed-from-the-space-station Astronaut Ricky Arnold, from aboard the International Space Station, shared this image of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 10, taken as the orbiting laboratory flew over the massive storm

Physics

How AI is shifting the limits of knowledge imposed by complexity

Features

A vehicle travels along a flooded street after

Environment

How California can capture stormwater to fight off the drought

News

Bulldozers on a large pile of snow

Environment

Winter storms in US set to continue while Europe sees record warmth

Weather warnings remain in place in many parts of the US with more heavy snow on the way, while parts of Europe are seeing record warmth for January

News

Environment

Polar vortex is set to drive record cold temperatures in the US

News

Earth

Wintry scenes top Weather Photographer of the Year competition

Regulars

Environment

COP27: Forecasting overhaul may reduce extreme weather hazards

News

Earth

Landslides can be triggered by small changes in atmospheric pressure

News

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