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Blizzards in the US, 2022-2023 -

The US weathered one of the most devastating winters in its history as storms and blizzards engulfed vast areas of the county during the holidays in 2022. Erie County in the state of New York was particularly badly hit, reporting more than 30 deaths as a result of heavy snowfall and dangerously low temperatures. The city was buried in 52 inches (132 cm) of snow. Across the US an estimated 1.8 million homes were left without power and heating as the temperatures plummeted. Lows of -40°F were recorded in states like Montana and Wyoming. More than 60 lives were lost and wellness checks were being carried out all over the country for those who were potentially snowed in. Most of the deceased froze to death while trapped in their cars by the snow. Meteorologists say it was the worst storm to hit the US in 50 years.

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Typhoon Nanmadol in Japan -

One of the biggest storms in recent decades battered Japan with mudslides and flooding in September 2022. Typhoon Nanmadol killed four people and injured more than 100 others after making landfall on the southern island of Kyushu on September 18, BBC reported. Nine million people were told to evacuate, and more than 350,000 homes lost power as the super typhoon reportedly brought winds of up to 234 km/h (145mph), destroying homes and infrastructure, and bringing transportation to a halt. 

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Monsoon in Pakistan - Record-breaking monsoon rains submerged a third of the country between June and October in 2022. The floods killed 1,739 people, 647 of them children. More than 33 million people were affected, with at least four million hectares (9.8 million acres) of diverse agricultural land destroyed. Pakistan produces less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it ranks consistently in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, demonstrating how the climate disaster will unfairly unravel and giving an eerie preview to the rest of the world.

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Torrential rains in Australia -

Australia's east coast was hit with torrential rains in 2022 which brought a year's worth of rain in three days to some areas, according to Reuters.  Some regions reportedly received 800 mm (31.5 inches) of rain in that short period, far eclipsing Australia's annual average rainfall of around 500 mm (20 inches). Due to the dangerous flooding, which completely submerged roads and bridges, about 50,000 residents in New South Wales, most in Sydney's western suburbs, were told to either evacuate or warned they might receive evacuation orders, authorities said. The federal government also declared the floods a natural disaster, which helps flood-hit residents receive emergency funding support.

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Spring snowstorm in Colorado -

In less than 24 hours, Denver went from having 90°F (32°C) to 57°F (0°C) weather, causing a snowstorm in the middle of May. The shocking weather change knocked down trees around the city and saw power go out.

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Heat wave hits Antarctica -

In March 2022, the coldest location on the planet reached a shocking 70°F (20°C) above its normal temperature for more than three days in a row. The temperature was measured at 0°F (17.7-°C), which broke the record for the hottest ever in the region.

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Water levels in Lake Mead reached a record low -

Lake Mead, North America’s largest artificial reservoir, shrunk to about 30% of its capacity in 2022. The reservoir is a major source of water for Arizona, Nevada, and California, as well as part of Mexico, serving nearly 25 million people and huge agricultural areas.

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Record-breaking cold weather in Brazil -

The south of the tropical country experienced record-breaking cold weather in May 2021, threatening the homeless. São Paulo saw thermometers hit 43°F (6.6°C), while the southern state of Santa Catarina recorded temperatures under 35°F (2°C).

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Southern France records high temperatures in spring -

Several southern French towns sizzled in record high temperatures in May 2021. Towns such as Toulouse and Montélimar set records of between 92 and 96°F (33 and 36°C).

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Fires in Oregon -

July 2021 saw one of the largest blazes in Oregon’s history. More than 2,000 firefighters tackled wildfires, which took more than a month to contain.

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A tropical cyclone hits Mozambique -

The death toll rose to at least 50 people after tropical cyclone Gombe pummeled Mozambique in March 2022. The region has seen a rise in deadlier cyclones over time, which scientists believe is a result of the Indian Ocean getting warmer, fueling the strength of the cyclones.

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Deadly storm Malik hit Northern Europe -

Also known as "Nadia" in Germany, the deadly storm forced public transportation to stop and major bridges to shut down across Northern Europe in January 2022.

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Deadly storm Malik hit Northern Europe -

The storm brought on hurricane-level winds and floods, and at least 130,000 homes in England lost power. Several people were killed, and Berlin declared an emergency order for residents to stay home.

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Cyclone Seroja reached Western Australia -

In April 2021, 160 people died in Indonesia after a tropical cyclone hit several islands, displacing 22,000. It reached Western Australia days after, damaging several cities.

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Record-breaking snowfall in Madrid -

In the first weeks of 2021, storm Filomena brought record-breaking levels of snow to Madrid. The heavy snowstorm brought the city to a standstill.

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Flooding in China -

More than 300 people died when China’s Henan province experienced severe rainfall and flooding in July 2021. Twelve people lost their lives in a Zhengzhou metro train when water leaked through the carriage’s doors.

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Tornado outbreaks in Kentucky -

Kentucky experienced the most tornado outbreaks in US history in 2021. More than 30 tornadoes hit Kentucky and seven other states, claiming the lives of at least 90 people, and leaving thousands homeless.

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Wildfires in Greece -

Huge wildfires ravaged large regions of Southern Europe in August 2021, claiming lives in Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Greece’s second-largest island, Evia, was even evacuated.

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Saharan sand took over Europe -

Dust from the Sahara drifted into Europe, covering the Iberian Peninsula in an ominous orange glow. Known in Spain as calima, it occurs when a burst of dusty, warm wind forms during sandstorms in the Sahara, and then moves north.

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A heat dome in the Pacific Northwest -

The Pacific Northwest faced soaring temperatures in 2021, causing extreme heat in the region. The meteorological phenomenon led to evacuations across several states.

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Flooding in New South Wales, Australia -

In March 2021, Sydney and New South Wales residents felt the effects of extreme flooding. Residents were urged to take care of both their physical and mental health. Thousands evacuated from their homes.

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Hurricane Ida in the American South -

More than one million homes and businesses were left without power in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Ida struck on August 29, 2021. Ida hit with maximum sustained winds of 150mph.

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India's hottest month in 122 years -

The month of March in 2022 was the hottest month on record for India in 122 years. The country skipped spring and went straight into summer, which has been gradually happening year after year.

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Record temperatures in Moscow -

In 2021, as temperatures reached 93°F (34.8℃) in Moscow, it became the absolute record for any day in June. The record heat wave was also recorded in cities like Vologda and Petrozavodsk.

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Severe cold in the US -

In early February 2022, the Northeast was pounded with snow and ice. From New Mexico to New England, the freezing cold front buried several neighborhoods under snow.

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Malaysia hit by major floods -

In January 2022, more than 125,000 people had to evacuate as heavy rain caused massive floods in Malaysia. The country's annual monsoon season usually brings a lot of rain, but this time the country faced an unusually heavy rainfall.

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Storm Christoph hit the UK -

North Wales and North West England faced one of the wettest periods on record in 2021, with residents having to evacuate their homes due to the floods. Once storm Christoph cleared, significant snowfall also led to travel disruption with icy conditions and road closures.

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Storm Megi hit the Philippines -

The first big storm of 2022 ravaged the Philippines, especially the city of Baybay. Landslides from the relentless rain killed at least 123 people. About 139,000 were affected by the storm.

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Storm Izzy left the Southeast without power -

In January 2022, storm Izzy brought on freezing temperatures, high winds, and snow to the southeast region of the US. Some 100,000 people were left without power.

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Monsoon floods in India and Nepal -

Several Nepalese regions and two Indian states were hit by heavy late monsoon rains in October 2021. The deadly floods took the lives of more than 180 people.

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Alabama had the most tornado warnings in the US -

In 2022, the southern state endured floods, hail storms, and dangerous winds. And on top of that, it had the most tornado warnings out of all the states.

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Dust storms in China -

China reported the worst dust storm in a decade in 2021, which canceled flights and shut down schools. The minuscule particles could cause health risks if drawn deep into the lungs.

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Cyclone Ana in Fiji -

In January 2021, cyclone Ana swept over Fiji. The cyclone caused more than 10,000 people to take refuge in 318 evacuation centers across the country. 

Sources: (People) (The Week) (France 24) (The Atlantic)

See also: Cities with the best weather in the world

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