The lurking hypothetical planet
For much of 2023 the Amazon River Basin had been in a state of exceptional drought, driven by low rainfall and consistently high temperatures. These extreme conditions persisted into 2024, with water levels in many of the rivers in the basin reaching their lowest on record.
At the other extreme, a fair proportion of northern France ended up submerged early January following widespread flooding in the wake of heavy rainfall. The Aa River was one of several rivers to burst its banks, further compounding the situation.
Under the influence of a lingering anticyclone, Fennoscandia, which includes the Scandinavian and Kola peninsulas, mainland Finland, and Karelia, experienced bitterly cold winter temperatures during early January 2024. The mercury plunged as low as -47°F (-44°C) in certain laces.
The North American winter storm of January 13–16 brought widespread, significant, and deadly consequences from coast to coast in the United States. Over 30 fatalities were recorded, with damage estimated to be in the region of US$3 billion.
On February 4, a series of devastating wildfires broke out across central and southern Chile. The regions were tinder dry after a prolonged drought, with temperatures reaching 104°F (40°C). The death toll numbered 137, while damage was estimated at US$4.39 billion.
On February 7, a rain-induced landslide on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines killed five people and injured 31. The wall of mud engulfed two buses and houses in a mountainous region in Davao de Oro province.
A state of emergency was issued by the government of Pakistan late February after persistent rainfall flooded huge swathes of the country. Affected regions included Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Over 100 people died, and damage to infrastructure was significant.
A dangerous weather phenomenon known as a humid heatwave struck West Africa in mid-February, resulting in area average Heat Index values of 122°F (50°C). In Nigeria, doctors reported high incidences of heat-related illness; many people complained of poor sleep due to unbearably hot nights.
In Afghanistan, early March brought with it unseasonably heavy rains and resultant flash flooding. The bad weather extended into neighboring Pakistan, to bring further misery to a nation already coping with extreme weather. Over 1,000 people lost their lives, with thousands more injured and left homeless.
From March 7–13, West Sumatra in Indonesia was hit by flash flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains. Seventy people were known to have died and more than 4,000 people were displaced. Conditions on the ground were exacerbated on May 11 by a lahar (cold lava eruption) from Mount Marapi.
March 12 saw the most intense severe weather outbreak so far this year in the United States. Powerful storms brought baseball-sized hail and more than 20 tornadoes to portions of the Midwest, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. In California's Sierra Nevada, locals had to cope with blizzard conditions fueled by gusts of up to 190 mph (305 km/h).
Meanwhile, France was again the victim of severe flooding, this time in the country's western region. Heavy rains caused the Vienne River in Chinon to breach. More than a hundred people were evacuated from their homes in Indre-et-Loire and Vienne as a result.
Storm Kathleen brought turbulent weather to Ireland and the United Kingdom on April 4. Peak wind gusts of 40-60mph (65-95km/h) were recorded widely across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and western parts of England, which combined with high tides generated massive waves that pummeled coastal towns.
One of the most bizarre extreme weather events of 2024 was the unprecedented rainfall that covered the United Arab Emirates on April 16, the heaviest in 75 years. Floodwater closed numerous roads and freeways and disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs for international travel.
Extreme weather visited China's industrial heartland on April 28 when a tornado ripped through the city of Guangzhou, resulting in five fatalities and damaging approximately 140 factories.
From April 29 through to May, severe floods caused by torrential rains and storms devastated parts of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The unprecedented deluge caused numerous landslides and a dam collapse, and claimed the lives of at least 170 people. Damage was estimated to be in the region of US$3.7 billion.
At the beginning of May, a severe heatwave enveloped India that endured for weeks. Extreme heat in South Asia during the pre-monsoon season is becoming more frequent, but the broiling conditions experienced on this occasion were exceptional. Churu, a city in Rajasthan state, recorded 122°F (50°C), which was the highest temperature in India in eight years.
In another part of the world, the first week of May saw devasting floods visit Kenya. An estimated 267 people died in the deluge, which struck various regions of the country. Among infrastructure affected was the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Several lodges were flooded, which left tourists stranded with locals.
The 2024 wildfires in Canada began as an extension of the record-setting 2023 wildfires. By early May, large wildfires had broken out in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Later, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland and Labrador were also being licked by flames. West Jasper in Alberta was completely destroyed. While lightning and carelessness cause the majority of wildfires, scientists deduced that the climate crisis made the spate of Canada's wildfires twice as likely, with hot, fire-prone weather a major factor.
May 19 marked the beginning of a multi-day period of significant tornado activity along with significant derechos (wind storms) across the Midwestern United States and the Mississippi Valley. In total, an unprecedented 247 tornados were recorded, "twisters" that killed 21 people and caused US$7.3 billion in damage. Pictured is the damaged CenterPoint Energy Plaza in Houston.
Between June 14–19, an estimated 1,300 people on the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca died due to extreme heat. The hottest recorded temperature was a scorching 125°F (51°C), reported at the Masjid al-Haram (the Great Mosque of Mecca).
Extreme and persistent heat also overwhelmed parts of Mexico, areas that were lying under a large and lingering region of high pressure, known as a heat dome. Heat-related deaths numbered at least 125. The resulting drought decimated fish stocks as lakes, lagoons, and rivers dried up.
Heavy rains plagued much of Switzerland throughout June, with mudslides and landslides causing major damage in various regions across the country. Flooding claimed at least 18 lives and significantly impacted transport infrastructure.
In June, the Pantanal in Brazil, the world's largest wetland, experienced unusually extreme hot, dry, and windy conditions that fueled wildfires. Climate change was blamed for the "supercharged" infernos that consumed more than 1.3 million hectares of the wetland, devasting flora and fauna.
On July 6, a huge landslide swept over a gold mine facility operating illegally in Bone Bolango on Sulawesi, Indonesia. The mass casualty event occurred as a result of torrential rainfall that degraded the surrounding hills.
Scorching temperatures in July affected many countries bordering the Mediterranean, including Greece, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. The heatwave caused at least 23 fatalities, widespread wildfires, and brought public life to a standstill.
On July 30, a series of devasting landslides in Kerala, India, wiped out entire communities and killed hundreds of villagers. Exceptional rainfall, deforestation, seismic sensitivity, poor building construction, and global warming were all identified as possible causes for the disaster.
Typhoon Gaemi (known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Carina) was a powerful and destructive cyclone that swept across the Western Pacific region in late July. The storm impacted Taiwan and the Philippines, and also mainland China, which was unusual given that cyclone-based rainfall is uncommon so far inland in China.
In August, heat and drought continued to fuel Brazil's wildfire pandemic. In São Paulo state, heavy, gray smoke enveloped the state capital and other cities.
India experienced extremely heavy rainfall events on 22 out of the 31 days from August 1 to August 31—a 30% increase over the previous year. Rajasthan, Tripura, and Gujarat states were especially affected, with precipitation levels far greater than usual.
In August, the Eastern United States saw more rain than usual, including areas lashed by Hurricane Debby, which caused widespread flooding across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In Japan, 2024 is turning out to be the hottest year the country has ever experienced. While El Ninõ is partly to blame for the heatwave, temperatures such as the daily low of 87°F (31°C) recorded in Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture, throughout August exemplified the unrelenting heat experienced in the country during this period.
In September, widespread flooding across Central Europe destroyed buildings from Austria to Romania. The unprecedented rainfall came as no surprise to climate scientists, having already predicted that an event of this scale and intensity was expected with climate change.
In Poland, flood barriers in Głuchołazy failed, flooding much of the historic town and prompting the government to declare a state of natural disaster.
Nigeria experienced its worst flooding in 30 years after unusually heavy rain caused the collapse of a dam on September 10. A wall of water submerged Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state, and collapsed the walls of a correctional facility, allowing the escape of 300 prisoners.
Portugal declared a state of calamity mid-September as over 100 wildfires raged across north and central regions of the country, devouring land and property and causing several deaths, including a number of firefighters who died while battling the flames. While arson is suspected in some cases, high temperatures and windy conditions contributed to the destruction.
The river port in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon rainforest, reached its lowest level since 1902 due to a drought that disrupted grain exports and essential supplies. Below-average rainfall has affected the Amazon and much of South America since last year, contributing to the worst wildfires in over a decade in Brazil and Bolivia. Researchers attribute these issues primarily to climate change
Countries like Ecuador, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, faced severe energy shortages due to the lack of water. Indigenous communities along the Amazon, who depend on the river for their livelihoods and way of life, were also gravely impacted. As water levels recede, access to food, transportation, and essential resources becomes increasingly challenging.
On October 29, eastern and southern Spain were hit by torrential rains that caused flash floods in several parts of the country. The heavy rains have been attributed to a weather phenomenon known as the gota fría, or “cold drop,” which occurs in the Mediterranean coast.
After the last flash flood, the death toll reached over 200, with some people still missing. It was the worst storm in a decade and within hours the country experienced a year’s worth of rain. Valencia was the worst-hit area, as it was caught in a Dana weather system.
Sources: (Climate Council) (World Weather Attribution) (DW) (The Guardian) (Associated Press) (National Centers for Environmental Information) (France 24) (Reuters) (Carbon Brief) (Copernicus Climate Change Service)
See also: 'Bomb cyclone' and some of the worst natural disasters of this millennium
The extreme weather so far experienced around the world in 2024 has led scientists to declare a "climate crisis." Exceptional rainfall, heat, droughts, and wildfires have all decimated land and property and claimed thousands of lives. The impact on the environment, meanwhile, has been catastrophic, with entire ecosystems left in danger of collapse. And just recently, the devasting floods that swept across Central Europe have only served to heighten the consequences of climate change. So, where in the world is this climate crisis hitting hardest?
Click through this gallery and discover the places impacted the most.
2024 climate crisis: key events and effects
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LIFESTYLE Environment
The extreme weather so far experienced around the world in 2024 has led scientists to declare a "climate crisis." Exceptional rainfall, heat, droughts, and wildfires have all decimated land and property and claimed thousands of lives. The impact on the environment, meanwhile, has been catastrophic, with entire ecosystems left in danger of collapse. And just recently, the devasting floods that swept across Central Europe have only served to heighten the consequences of climate change. So, where in the world is this climate crisis hitting hardest?
Click through this gallery and discover the places impacted the most.