Satellite imagery has captured the dramatic movement of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell as it swept across Western Australia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm system, which developed from a weak tropical low over the Northern Territory in early February, intensified rapidly due to warm ocean waters, evolving into a powerful category three cyclone.
Impact on Western Australia
Affected coastal regions endured heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides, and strong winds throughout last weekend, resulting in significant damage to farms and local businesses. Mitchell eventually made landfall in westernmost Western Australia, weakening back to a tropical low but continuing to fuel stormy weather across southern parts of the state on Monday.
Global Weather Patterns
Meanwhile, Cyclone Genzani struck Madagascar's east coast on Tuesday, bringing winds of 155mph and causing major flooding that damaged hundreds of buildings. This marks the second cyclone to hit the island nation this year, following Tropical Cyclone Fytia just ten days prior, which resulted in 14 fatalities and displaced 31,000 people.
Europe's Extreme Cold
In contrast, Europe has been grappling with an exceptionally cold winter, driven by a blocked weather pattern that brought dry and frigid conditions to northern and eastern regions. This resulted in the continent's coldest January since 2010, with two notable cold snaps producing extreme temperatures.
Record Low Temperatures
The first cold spell in early January saw temperatures plummet to -42.8°C in Tulppio, Finland, and -41.5°C in Karasjok, Norway, disrupting travel and straining energy supplies. A second wave in late January pushed Arctic air south into eastern Europe, with Lithuania recording -34.3°C and Poland experiencing temperatures about 20°C below average, leading to fatalities and the freezing of parts of the Baltic Sea.
This analysis highlights the stark contrasts in global weather events, from tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere to historic cold in Europe, underscoring the diverse impacts of climate phenomena on communities worldwide.
