Residents in the village of Ubrique, located in Cadiz in south-western Spain, have been confronted with devastating scenes as streets were submerged under floodwaters. This occurred after the Iberian peninsula was battered by a series of severe storms, including Marta, Leonardo, and Kristin, highlighting a period of intense and dangerous weather activity across the region.
Third Storm Brings Fresh Torrential Rain and Fatalities
Storm Marta swept over Spain and Portugal on Saturday, unleashing torrential rain that resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals. This event follows closely on the heels of Storm Kristin, which claimed at least five lives in Portugal last week, and Storm Leonardo, which caused one fatality last Wednesday. The consecutive storms have inflicted major damage through widespread flooding, disrupting communities and infrastructure.
Outlook for More Rain Across Europe
The meteorological forecast for this week predicts continued rainfall across Spain, Portugal, and France, with particular intensity expected in north-west Portugal. Here, more than 100mm of precipitation is possible during the first half of the week, exacerbating the already critical flooding situation. Later in the week, the heaviest rain is anticipated to shift towards southern Italy and western parts of Greece and Turkey, potentially spreading the impact of these weather systems further across the continent.
Severe Thunderstorms Threaten South Africa and Lesotho
In a separate but equally concerning development, high rainfall totals are projected for parts of South Africa and Lesotho this week. By Saturday, provinces such as Free State, KwaZulu Natal, and Eastern Cape in South Africa could experience fairly widespread rainfall totals ranging from 80 to 100mm due to heavy showers or thunderstorms. Daily rainfall totals might reach 50mm in areas where storms are particularly intense, posing significant risks.
Warnings Issued for Infrastructure Damage and Flooding
The South African Weather Service has already issued warnings and advisories for severe thunderstorms through the first half of this week. These storms carry a risk of excessive lightning, gusty winds, and hail, which could lead to flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure damage. This severe weather event is expected to potentially affect more than 10 million people, underscoring the scale of the threat.
Japan and Korea Grapple with Unusual Cold and Snowfall
Meanwhile, Japan and Korea continued to experience unusually cold weather last week, with temperatures remaining below average and peaking over the weekend. In Tokyo, temperatures fell to almost 10 degrees Celsius below average on Sunday, struggling to rise above zero, accompanied by snowfall. Although Tokyo sits on a similar latitude to northern parts of Africa and Athens, snow is not uncommon, occurring about once or twice a year on average.
Factors Behind Japan's Snowfall and Warming Trend
This phenomenon is driven by Japan's geographical position between a cold northerly flow from continental eastern Asia and a moisture supply from both the Sea of Japan to the north and the Philippine Sea to the south. Western areas of Japan, such as the Hokuriku region, tend to see the most significant snowfall, with more than 50cm recorded in 24 hours during this recent event. However, temperatures are expected to rise quickly later this week, reaching the mid to high teens in Tokyo by the weekend, offering some relief from the cold spell.
This analysis of global weather patterns, from the Iberian peninsula to South Africa and East Asia, highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, raising concerns about climate impacts and preparedness worldwide.
