Israel has experienced an exceptional heatwave, breaking temperature records for late November. Over the weekend, temperatures soared to between 10°C and 12°C above average, with low-lying areas reaching 30°C to 35°C and locally exceeding 35°C. The previous record for the latter third of November was 34.9°C.
On Friday, Beit Dagan near Tel Aviv recorded 36.2°C, compared to an average November high of around 24°C. The following day, Eilat on the Red Sea coast reached 37.3°C, well above its average of 27°C. Even at higher altitudes, temperatures were significantly above normal; Jerusalem, at over 700 metres, hit 27°C against an average November high of 19°C.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has been hit by extreme rainfall, with south-central areas receiving nearly 2 metres of rain over the past week—close to the annual average for the region. The downpours have caused flooding and landslides, destroying or damaging hundreds of thousands of buildings and leaving many without power. River levels swelled to record highs, with strong currents sweeping away a suspension bridge over the Ða Nhim River. At least 90 people have died, and the agricultural sector has suffered severe losses, including an estimated 3 million animals and 80,000 hectares of crops.
In Western Australia, the Kimberley region is bracing for Tropical Cyclone Fina, which is expected to make landfall on Monday. The cyclone, equivalent to a category 3 hurricane, developed in the Timor Sea and passed Darwin on Saturday with winds exceeding 85mph, damaging trees, houses, and power lines. Darwin airport recorded 168mm of rain. Fina is forecast to dump 100mm to 150mm of rain over the northern Kimberley, with warnings of flash flooding and high winds, though it is expected to weaken later on Monday.
Fiji has been placed under a major flood alert due to a persistent trough of low pressure bringing heavy rain. More than 100mm could fall across the islands, potentially causing flash flooding and inundating low-water bridges and crossings.
