1. North America:
ANOTHER ARCTIC BLAST
Temperatures averaged 10°C to 15°C below normal across the Dakotas
while weekly departures of -6°C to -10°C dominated the remainder
of the region from northern Oklahoma northwestward to the central portion
of the Northwest Territories of Canada. Meanwhile, readings were 3°C
to 6°C below normal along the fringes of the region. Lows of -20°C
to -32°C prevailed across Canada and the northern United States, pushing
as far south as southern Kansas. Meanwhile, readings of -10°C or lower
pushed as far south as southern Oklahoma, and subfreezing lows dominated
all the way to the Gulf Coast. The mercury failed to reach the freezing
mark as far south as southern Nebraska. As the Arctic air plunged southward,
wintry weather disrupted travel across much of the United States [COLD
- Up to 7 weeks].
2. Northern Argentina:
STILL VERY WET
Moderate to heavy rains (25 to 100 mm) fell on northern Argentina, with
more than 100 mm reported at one location in southern Cordoba. Between
100 and 400 mm of rain has fallen on the region since late October, resulting
in short-term moisture surpluses of 50 to 300 mm [WET - Up to 11 weeks].
3. Europe:
UNSEASONABLY MILD WEATHER DOMINATES
Weekly departures of +3°C to +10°C dominated most of the Continent,
with the mercury climbing above the freezing mark throughout Europe, except
in parts of northern Sweden. Furthermore, highs exceeded 20°C as far
north as northern Spain and southern Bulgaria [WARM - Up to 13 weeks].
4. Northern and Western Europe:
ABUNDANT PRECIPITATION CONTINUES
Moderate to heavy precipitation (50 to 200 mm) fell on extreme western
Spain and extreme northern Portugal, northern Scotland, Wales and western
England, southwestern Ireland, northwestern France, and southwestern Norway
while precipitation totals of 25 to 50 mm were observed to the east of
the aforementioned areas. In sharp contrast, only light precipitation (up
to 25 mm) fell on eastern England and most of France and Spain. During
the last 8 weeks, between 100 and 500 mm of precipitation has fallen on
most of the region, yielding moisture surpluses of 100 to 400 mm. Meanwhile,
Switzerland reported 200 to 800 mm during the same 8 weeks, allowing precipitation
excesses to reach as high as 500 mm [WET - Up to 16 weeks].
5. Southeastern Europe:
ABNORMALLY DRY CONDITIONS PREVAIL
Fewer than 25 mm of precipitation fell on southeastern Europe, except for
moderate amounts (25 to 50 mm) along the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Most
locations received less than 100 mm of precipitation during the last 8
weeks, allowing shortfalls of 50 to 150 mm to accumulate [DRY - Up to 20
weeks].
6. Siberia and Northern Japan:
BITTERLY COLD AIR SPREADS EASTWARD
Weekly departures of -3°C to -6°C prevailed across the southeastern
half of the region while temperatures were 6°C to 12°C below normal
across the northwestern half. The mercury plummeted below -20°C across
Siberia, and reached -52°C at Verhojansk (68°N). Meanwhile, readings
dropped below -10°C on Hokkaido, Japan, but highs managed to reach
above freezing on the island [COLD - Up to 10 weeks].
7. Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia:
UNUSUALLY HIGH TEMPERATURES REPORTED
Temperatures were 1°C to 4°C above normal last week, with highs
ranging from 30°C to 35°C. The mercury remained above 20°C
across the region, except for some interior portions of Thailand [WARM
- Up to 5 weeks].
8. Northern Australia:
INCREASED CLOUDINESS RESULTS IN UNSEASONABLY COOL CONDITIONS
Weekly departures of -2°C to -6°C dominated the northern tier of
Australia as increased storminess prevailed across northern portions of
Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland. Despite the unusually
cool conditions, highs were generally in the thirties (°C) and lows
were in the twenties (°C) [COLD - Up to 3 weeks].
9. Northeastern Australia:
HEAVY RAINS PERSIST
Torrential downpours (100 to 200 mm, with locally heavier amounts to 500
mm) drenched many locations in central and northern Queensland while moderate
to heavy rains (50 to 100 mm) dominated the remainder of the region. Since
October 22, the region has received 100 to 570 mm of rain, allowing moisture
excesses of 100 to 370 mm to accumulate [WET - Up to 12 weeks].
10. Southern Australia:
ABNORMALLY WARM WEATHER CONTINUES
Temperatures averaged 2°C to 6°C above normal, with the mercury
soaring above 40°C across interior portions of central Western Australia,
northern South Australia, and northwestern New South Wales. Lows failed
to reach 20°C along the northern fringes of the region [WARM - Up to
6 weeks].
11. Southeastern Australia:
MORE VERY DRY WEATHER
Little or no rain fell on Victoria and Tasmania as unusually dry conditions
persisted, but 8-week precipitation shortfalls were less than 100 mm [DRY
- Up to 7 weeks].