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However, a quick glance at The Weather Channel this year might indicate the groundhog should predict an early spring for large parts of the U.S. Some lore says that if the groundhog “sees its shadow” there will be six more weeks of winter, and if it doesn’t, there will be an early spring. Weather forecasts over the next week indicate that much of that warmer weather will sweep Northern states. Therefore, a groundhog prediction of six more weeks of winter for California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Alaska would feel accurate for residents keeping their coats on. NOAA|National Weather ServiceWith warmer weather sweeping states used to snow, some are concerned that climate change is swinging the odds closer to an early spring each year.

Persons: Phil Organizations: U.S, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, National Weather Service Locations: Punxsutawney , Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Coast, California , Florida , Nevada , Arizona, Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota , Wisconsin , Iowa , Nebraska, Montana

☆ Colombia, a Usually Wet Nation, Reels Amid Widespread Wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Annie Correal | Genevieve Glatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Helicopters hauling buckets of water fly toward the mountains where fires burn, a thick haze periodically covers the sky, and residents have been ordered to wear masks and limit driving because of the poor air quality. For a full week, firefighters have been battling fires in the mountains around Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, as dozens of other blazes have burned across the country, in what officials say is the hottest January in three decades. The president has declared a national disaster and asked for international help fighting the fires, which he says could reach beyond the Andes Mountains and erupt on the Pacific Coast and in the Amazon. Colombia’s fires this month are unusual in a country where people are more accustomed to torrential rain and mudslides than fire and ash. They have been attributed to high temperatures and drought exacerbated by the climate phenomenon known as El Niño.

Locations: Bogotá, Coast

☆ Panama Canal Drought Slows Cargo Traffic
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Mira Rojanasakul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

PANAMA CANAL Colón Atlantic Ocean Lake Alajuela Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Ship traffic Pacific Ocean PANAMA CANAL Colón Lake Alajuela Atlantic Ocean Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Colón Lake Alajuela Atlantic Ocean Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colón Lake Alajuela Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Ship traffic Pacific Ocean PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colón Lake Alajuela Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colón Lake Alajuela Gatún Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic Source: MariTrace Ship movements from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21, 2024. Panama Canal Drought Slows Cargo TrafficThe lake that allows the Panama Canal to function recorded the lowest water level ever for the start of a dry season this year, which means that vastly fewer ships can pass through the canal. The Panama Canal Authority has reduced daily traffic through the narrow corridor by nearly 40 percent compared with last year. “The fact that the Panama Canal operates on freshwater is a major disadvantage compared to other water routes,” said Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, in a video address last month. But it may not be enough to meet the pressing demand for cargo traffic through the Panama Canal.

Persons: El, Jan, ”, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Gatún, Joshua Tewksbury, Gloria Arrocha Paz, Arrocha Paz Organizations: PANAMA Ship, Panama Canal Authority, Maersk, Panama Canal, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Demand, Times, Smithsonian Tropical Research Locations: PANAMA, Lake Panama, Panama City PANAMA, Lake Panama City PANAMA, Panama, East Coast, United States, Northeast Asia, South America, Tewksbury, Indio, Gatún, Panama City, Panama Canal Authority, What’s

☆ The world successfully tackled a dangerous pollutant. But did it accidentally warm the planet in the process?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

These ghost clouds look beautiful, but they are a visible sign of deadly air pollution. Of all of the theories, however, the impact of shipping regulations is swiftly becoming one of the most discussed. But this is not an argument against cutting air pollution, Diamond said, it’s an argument for tackling it alongside reducing carbon emissions. The cooling impact of air pollution is far outweighed by the heating impact of burning fossil fuels. It’s when air pollution is tackled without also reducing carbon emissions, that “we can get into trouble,” Diamond said.

Persons: ”, Michael Diamond, It’s, Olaf Morgenstern, ” Morgenstern, James Hansen, ” Hansen, ” Diamond, Piers Forster, Diamond, doesn’t, Jason Armond, Annica Ekman, it’s, ” Forster Organizations: CNN, International Maritime Organization, United Nations, Florida State University’s Department of, Atmospheric Science, National Institute of Water, Atmospheric Research, Atlantic, Leeds University, Shipping, Port, Los Angeles Times, Stockholm University Locations: New Zealand, El, Sahara, Tonga, Europe, North America, Asia, Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro , California, Sweden

CNN —Colombia declared a disaster situation on Thursday due to wildfires raging across several parts of the country, as the president warned the conditions could get worse. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro declared a “situation of disaster and calamity,” telling reporters that funds previously approved for other purposes are being redirected to deal with the crisis. The government is also seeking international help, he said, adding that the United States, Chile, Peru and Canada, “which has enormous experience [fighting fires],” have responded to the call. Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty ImagesAt least 25 active fires were reported on Thursday by the National Disaster Risk Management Unit. “We estimate that the phenomenon is composed of 70% fog and 30% smoke,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia said on X.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, ”, Petro, he’s, El Niño, Raul Arboleda Organizations: CNN —, United Nations, European Union, Getty, National Disaster Risk Management Unit, Civil Aviation Authority Locations: CNN — Colombia, United States, Chile, Peru, Canada, Bogota, AFP, El Dorado, Colombia

☆ Emergency declared in San Diego as wettest January day on record brings widespread flooding
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dennis Romero | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Damage is shown after a heavy rain storm causes a small river to overflow into a neighborhood in San Diego, California, U.S. January 22, 2024. SAN DIEGO — Winter storms for relatively dry San Diego are hit-or-miss, but mostly miss, so the wallop of a Pacific front Monday stunned California's second-largest city even as it was expecting rain. It was the wettest January day on record in San Diego, the National Weather Service said. Residents in the Southcrest neighborhood just southeast of downtown had to be rescued by firefighters as standing water quickly surrounded their apartment complex, according to authorities and coverage from NBC San Diego. "At least in the short term, it doesn't look like there's a whole lot on the horizon for Southern California," Maxwell said.

Persons: California's, Todd Gloria, weren't, Gloria, Gavin Newsome, Sean Mahoney, Brandt Maxwell, Maxwell, There's Organizations: DIEGO, National Weather Service, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, San Diego Fire Department, Residents, NBC San, Navy Base, ., Lincoln High School, Red Cross Southern, California Transportation Department, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, San Diego Locations: San Diego , California, U.S, San Diego, West Coast, Tijuana, Baja California, Southcrest, NBC San Diego, Navy Base San Diego, downtown, Las Vegas, San Diego Bay, La Mesa, Spring, Red Cross Southern California, Mission, Ocean, San Diego County, Oceanside, El Niño, Southern California, San, El, California, Washington, Israel, Gaza

☆ People Have a Right to Climate Data - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Justin S. Mankin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As a climate scientist documenting the multi-trillion-dollar price tag of the climate disasters shocking economies and destroying lives, I sometimes field requests from strategic consultants, financial investment analysts and reinsurers looking for climate data, analysis and computer code. These requests make sense: People and companies want to adapt to the climate risks they face from global warming. Venture capitalists are injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into climate intelligence as they build out a rapidly growing business of climate analytics — the data, risk models, tailored analyses and insights people and institutions need to understand and respond to climate risks. I point companies to our freely available data and code at the Dartmouth Climate Modeling and Impacts Group, which I run, but turn down additional requests for customized assessments. I regard climate information as a public good and fear contributing to a world in which information about the unfolding risks of droughts, floods, wildfires, extreme heat and rising seas are hidden behind paywalls.

Persons: El Organizations: BlackRock, Venture, Dartmouth, Modeling

☆ Australia Sweats in Heatwave Lifting Bushfire Risk, Amid El Nino
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Large swaths of Australia sweltered on Sunday in a heatwave, the nation's weather forecaster said, raising bushfire risk in an already high-risk fire season amid an El Nino weather pattern. Heatwave alerts at "extreme" level, the highest danger rating, were in place for a second day for parts of Western Australia and were extended to South Australia, while areas of Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory were under "severe" warnings, the weather forecaster said. It cautioned that in Western Australia, the nation's largest state, the remote Pilbara and Gascoyne areas could hit high forties degrees Celsius (about 120 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday. On the east coast, parts of New South Wales' capital Sydney were forecast on Sunday to reach 40 C, almost 10 degrees above the average January maximum. The hot, dry conditions raised the risk of bushfires in some areas, the weather forecaster said, as Australia endures an El Nino weather event, typically associated with extreme phenomena such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts.

Persons: Sam McKeith, Sandra Maler Organizations: SYDNEY Locations: Australia, El Nino, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland , New South Wales, Northern, Gascoyne, Perth, Paraburdoo, Jan, New South Wales, Sydney, Turkey

☆ Western Australia on 'Extreme' Heatwave Alert, Raising Bushfire Risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Parts of Western Australia on Saturday were set to swelter through an "extreme" heatwave, raising the risk of bushfires in the vast state, the nation's weather forecaster said. The Bureau of Meteorology on Saturday had an "extreme heatwave warning" in place for the remote Pilbara and Gascoyne areas of Australia's largest state, warning temperatures there could hit high forties degrees Celsius on the weekend. The hot weather lifts the risk of bushfires in an already high-risk fire season amid an El Nino weather event, which is typically associated with extreme events such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts. "Very hot and dry conditions combined with fresh southerly winds and a fresh to strong west to southwesterly sea breeze will lead to elevated fire dangers on Saturday," the weather forecaster said on its website, regarding part of the Pilbara. The warning comes after hundreds of firefighters earlier this month battled an out-of-control bushfire near Perth amid soaring temperatures, prompting evacuations.

Persons: Sam McKeith, Sandra Maler Organizations: SYDNEY, Western Australia, Meteorology Locations: Gascoyne, Australia's, Paraburdoo, Perth, El Nino, Turkey, Sydney

☆ A critical climate goal may be ‘deader than a doornail,’ and scientists are bitterly divided over it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Anybody who understands the physics knows that.”Hansen’s words have heft — he is widely credited as the first scientist to publicly sound the alarm on climate change in the 1980s. Climate change is fueling storms in both the summer and winter. The year came within a whisker of breaching 1.5 degrees, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. “For all practical purposes we are only going to be looking at 1.5 degrees in the rearview mirror,” he said. Why 1.5 mattersFew scientists will dispute that the world faces a daunting path to limit warming to 1.5 degrees.

Persons: James Hansen, Lauren Owens Lambert, I’ve, Jim, ”, Michael Mann, Hansen, Friederike Otto, “, it’s, Niño, Hurricane Idalia, Joe Raedle, ” Otto, –, Storm Daniel, Karim Sahib, Bill McGuire, ” McGuire, Chris Smith, El Niño, Mann, Samantha Burgess, Copernicus, Otto said, ’ ” Smith, “ we’ve, McGuire, Otto Organizations: CNN, Getty, University of Pennsylvania, Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute, “, United, Hurricane, University College London, University of Leeds Locations: Hampton , New Hampshire, AFP, United States, Europe, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Paris, Libya's, Derna, kilter

PANAMA CITY (AP) — A severe drought that began last year has forced authorities to slash ship crossings by 36% in the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important trade routes. The new cuts announced Wednesday by authorities in Panama are set to deal an even greater economic blow than previously expected. On Wednesday, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said they would cut daily ship crossings to 24, after already gradually slashing crossings last year from 38 a day in normal times. It was a “significant reduction” for the country, Vásquez said. “The water problem is a national problem, not just of the Canal,” Vásquez said.

Persons: Ricaurte Vásquez, Vásquez, ” Vásquez, “, ” Organizations: PANAMA CITY, Central American Locations: PANAMA, Panama

But as with many popular winter ski destinations right now, this resort town in Indian-administered Kashmir is facing a snow shortage due to unseasonably dry weather, disappointing both travelers and tourism operators. Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty ImagesDespite the lack of snow, a staff member of the Gulmarg Ski Resort reached by phone who did not wish to be named told CNN Travel their hotels have been experiencing very high occupancy rates in recent days. This is definitely affecting the tourism sector.”Tourists learn to ski on a gentle Gulmarg slope in February 2021. “What would they do here without the snow?”‘The demand is still there’Tourists visit the Gulmarg Ski Resort on January 10, 2024. So the loss of snow (will also be) compensated.”Yaqoob notes that the snowfall season in Gulmarg is traditionally from November to February-March.

Persons: Tauseef Mustafa, Asif Ahmad Bhat, “, ”, ’ Bhat, Sahil Ahmed Lone, Yawar Nazir, he’s, Lone, they’ve, Nasir Kachroo, Gulmarg –, Raja, it’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, ”, El Nino Locations: Gulmarg, Indian, Kashmir, Srinagar, India, Pakistan, AFP, “, Leh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand

☆ Hundreds of Firefighters Battle Western Australia Wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hundreds of firefighters on Sunday battled an out-of-control bushfire near Western Australia's capital Perth, prompting authorities to urge residents in the fire's path to flee. A high-risk bushfire season is underway in Australia due to an El Nino weather event, associated with events such as cyclones, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires. A state Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said 240 firefighters were battling the blaze, which was at emergency level, the highest threat rating. "If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place," the agency said on its website. The nation's weather forecaster on Sunday issued a warning for "extreme fire danger" in some parts of Western Australia state amid a heatwave alert in place since Saturday.

Persons: Australia's, Sam McKeith, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Sunday, of Fire, Emergency Services Locations: Western Australia's, Perth, Gingin, Chittering, Australia, El Nino, Western Australia, Turkey, Sydney

The latest calculations from several science agencies showing Earth obliterated global heat records last year may seem scary. Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen, often considered the godfather of global warming science, theorized last year that warming was accelerating. That’s 0.27 degrees (0.15 degrees Celsius) warmer than the previous record set in 2016 and 2.43 degrees (1.35 degrees Celsius) warmer than pre-industrial temperatures. NASA and the United Kingdom Meteorological Office had the warming since the mid-19th century a bit higher at 2.5 degrees (1.39 degrees Celsius) and 2.63 degrees (1.46 degrees Celsius) respectively. It’s the third time in the last eight years that a global heat record was set.

Persons: Nature, ”, Katharine Jacobs, Gavin Schmidt, El, NASA's Schmidt, Schmidt, Samantha Burgess, Europe's, Burgess, James Hansen, Daniel Swain, Russ Vose, Jennifer Francis, Katharine Hayhoe, Randall Cerveny, “, ” Cerveny, Natalie Mahowald, “ I've, Kim Cobb, ” ___ Read, Seth Borenstein Organizations: Associated Press, University of Arizona, El Nino, Service, NASA, AP, UCLA, U.S . National Oceanic, Administration, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental, United Kingdom Meteorological Office, . Records, World Meteorological Organization, Climate Research, Conservancy, NOAA, Arizona State University, WMO, Cornell University, The Associated Press Locations: British, El, Paris, Brown, AP.org

☆ The world hasn't been this warm in 100,000 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Data from ancient ice cores and tree rings suggest the world hasn't been this warm in 100,000 years. But climate scientists who track these trends were still shocked by how high temperatures soared. Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service made the official call this week. Carlo Buontempo, the service's director, said evidence suggests the world hasn't been this warm in 100,000 years, meaning no cities, farms, or other parts of modern society have ever endured this heat. AdvertisementBut the Copernicus climate scientists said that these weren't the only factors and that some required more research.

Persons: Carlo Buontempo, Buontempo, Copernicus, El Niño, Niño, Samantha Burgess, Burgess Organizations: Service, UN Locations: Business, Munich, Tonga, Paris

☆ El Niño's 'sweet tooth' means indulgent treats could soon be even more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Futures contracts on orange juice , cocoa , coffee and sugar have soared in part because of extreme weather and supply concerns related to El Niño. "You can say El Niño has a sweet tooth because it sort of eats or takes away much of the sugar in the world," Carlos Mera, head of agri commodities market research at Netherlands-based Rabobank, told CNBC. "Sugar prices have probably already been passed on [to consumers] but certainly for chocolate we should expect a big increase at retail level — and El Niño is certainly something to watch." Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThe effects of El Niño tend to peak during December, but the impact typically takes time to spread across the globe. It also warned that several crops could be adversely affected by El Niño early next year, while acknowledging there is the potential for some crops to benefit, citing those in the United States, southern Brazil and Argentina.

Persons: El, Carlos Mera, El Niño, Joe Raedle, Dave Reiter, Reiter, Sia Kambou Organizations: Future Publishing, Rabobank, CNBC, Getty, Reiter Capital Investments, Twitter, Workers, Afp Locations: Yichang City, China's Hubei, Netherlands, El, Orange, Miami , Florida, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Africa, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Florida, Hermankono

☆ Past decade was the hottest on record as climate change ‘surged alarmingly,’ WMO reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Laura Paddison | Brandon Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The decade between 2011 and 2020 was the hottest on record for the planet’s land and oceans as the rate of climate change “surged alarmingly,” according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization. This year is also expected to be the hottest year, after six straight months of record global temperatures. Scientists have said this year’s exceptional warmth is the result of the combined effects of El Niño and human-caused climate change, which is driven by planet-warming fossil fuel pollution. A separate analysis released Monday by the Global Carbon Project found that carbon pollution from fossil fuels is on track to set a new record in 2023 – 1.1% higher than 2022 levels. The WMO report comes partway through the UN-backed COP28 climate summit, on the day focused on energy and industry.

Persons: El, Petteri Taalas, ” Elena Manaenkova, Anupam Nath, –, ” Taalas, ”, Pierre Friedlingstein, Amy Cassidy Organizations: CNN, World Meteorological Organization, Global, Project, WMO, UN, EU, Copernicus, DG DEFIS, Reuters, El Niño, University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute Locations: Dubai, India, China, US, EU, Mayong, Gauhati, Assam, Greater London, Antarctica, Paris, El, COP28

☆ East Africa floods: More than 300 killed as heavy rains wreak havoc
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Bethlehem Feleke | Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The unusually heavy rains are largely caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon and are forecast to continue into the new year by the Kenya Meteorological Department. This phenomenon has been associated with severe flooding in eastern Africa, resulting in landslides, elevated waterborne diseases, and food shortages. Meanwhile, the northern and southern regions of the continent often endure prolonged periods of severe drought during El Niño events. That means the Horn of Africa may experience more drought as well as floods from heavy rain. In northern Tanzania, authorities said 49 people were killed by floods accompanied by mudslides following heavy rains in the country’s Manyara province.

Persons: William Ruto, Niño, Ruto, ”, Queen Sendiga, Samia Suluhu Hassan Organizations: CNN, Interior Ministry, Kenya Meteorological Department, Disaster, Communication, Somali, Afi, United, International Rescue Locations: East Africa, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mombasa, El, Africa, COP28, Dubai, Horn of Africa, Manyara, Hagadera

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ten of the top albums of the year, as chosen by Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman. Instead of embracing the antiquated practice of ranking very different albums against one another, we're celebrating the best next to the best. Leading the charge is Peso Pluma, whose third studio album, “Génesis,” became the highest-charting regional Mexican album of all time. “Hackney Diamonds,” The Rolling StonesPrior to “Hackney Diamonds,” the Rolling Stones hadn’t released an album of original material in 18 years. AP's Jocelyn Noveck put it best: This album is their best new work in decades — tight, focused, full of heart and swagger.

Persons: Maria Sherman, “ Barbie, “, Carín León, ”, Pluma, Olivia Rodrigo, Rodrigo, —, Joan Didion, ” Rodrigo, “ Lucky, Megan Moroney Let’s, Morgan Wallen’s “, Luke Combs, Tracy Chapman’s, Megan Moroney, Taylor Swift, Charlie Watts, Andrew Watt, Post Malone, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, AP's Jocelyn Noveck, Raven, Kelela, Shaadi Devereaux, ” Karol G, reggaetón, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G's, there's, Ojos, Shakira, It’s, Carlos Niño, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar’s, Arlo, Arlo Parks Organizations: ANGELES, Associated Press, banda, Tennessee, “ Hackney, Ojos Ferrari, Sun, Chicago, NFL, Carolinas, — Locations: Mexican, Mexico, Kelela, Será, Puerto Rican, Panamanian, , New York, Colombian, “ Carolina, California, Sunbeams, ”

But that came after they had sold petroleum in eight of the previous nine weeks, reducing their position by a total of 342 million barrels. In the premier NYMEX WTI contract, funds had amassed bearish short positions amounting to 116 million barrels by Nov. 28, up from 20 million barrels eight weeks earlier. Funds purchased the equivalent of 10 million barrels split between U.S. gasoline (+2 million), U.S. diesel (+4 million) and European gas oil (+4 million). Funds held a net long position in gasoline of 66 million barrels (72nd percentile) up from 26 million barrels (19th percentile) six weeks earlier. Related columns:- Record U.S. oil output challenges Saudi mastery (December 4, 2023)- Investors bet against OPEC+ raising oil prices (November 28, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: de Wouw, John Kemp, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Port, REUTERS, ICE, Fund, U.S, . Funds, U.S ., Funds, Saudi, OPEC, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Rotterdam, Netherlands, Brent, Saudi Arabia, United States, U.S

REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil production set a record for the second month running in September, highlighting the challenge to Saudi Arabia and its OPEC⁺ partners as they cut their own production to boost prices. Lower 48 production climbed to a record of 10.8 million b/d, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 10.5 million b/d set in December 2019. Drilling activity usually turns down around 4-5 months after prices and production turns down 10-12 months after prices fall. Production growth has slowed consistently since the middle of 2022 in response to the sharp fall in prices. Related columns:- U.S. oil output hits record as producers boost drilling efficiency (November 1, 2023)- U.S. oil producers reprieved by Saudi output cut (October 3, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Mike Segar, OPEC’s, John Kemp, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Bayway, REUTERS, OPEC, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Cooperation, Energy Information Administration, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Phillips, Linden , New Jersey, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, OPEC, United Kingdom, Russia, Soviet, Vienna, Brazil, Guyana, El, Saudi

☆ El Niño rains in Kenya have caused devastating flooding and killed over 120 people. Here's what it looks like.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The weather event El Niño is impacting the climate patterns, causing temperatures to rise. The UN World Meteorological Organization expects the warming El Niño weather to last into 2024. AdvertisementMass flooding in Africa is displacing hundreds of people in Kenya by flooding roads and communities. The chaotic weather stems from the El Niño Southern Oscillation, a weather event that occurs naturally and irregularly about every two to seven years. In eastern Africa, El Niño typically causes wet conditions, according to the WHO.

Persons: —, El Organizations: UN World Meteorological Organization, Service, El, World Health Organization, WHO Locations: Kenya, Africa, Southern

☆ Floods kill more than 20 people in northern Tanzania
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 3 (Reuters) - At least 20 people have been killed by floods after heavy rain in the Manyara region of northern Tanzania, the ministry of health said on Sunday. Severe flooding caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon has killed hundreds of people in Kenya and Somalia in recent weeks. "We are very shocked by this event," President Samia Suluhu Hassan said in a video message posted online by the Tanzanian ministry of health. The more than 20 people were killed in Katesh village in the Hanang district of Manyara, the president said. The heavy rain on Saturday night caused landslides in some areas of Mount Hanang, domestic media outlets reported, adding that the waters also swept away livestock.

Persons: Samia Suluhu Hassan, Nuzulack Dausen, Duncan Miriri, Alison Williams Organizations: DAR, SALAAM, El, Tanzanian, Thomson Locations: Manyara, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, East Africa, Katesh, Hanang, Mount Hanang

Finally Souza, an innkeeper and community leader in Bela Vista do Jaraqui, said he rallied two dozen neighbors to drill a 60-meter well in the heart of the world's largest freshwater basin. With rivers forming the backbone of transportation across the Amazon region, the drought has disrupted access to food and medicine in dozens of cities. The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, is regarded by scientists as a bulwark against climate change because its dense vegetation absorbs carbon and emits oxygen. The five researchers predicting a 2026 recovery said the effects of the drought could endure even longer if El Nino is prolonged. That would release huge amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change and wiping out a wealth of plant and animal species found only in the Amazon.

Persons: Bruno Kelly, Raimundo Leite de Souza, Souza, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Michael Coe, we're, El Nino, Coe, El, Philip Fearnside, Henrique Barbosa, Eduardo Taveira, Taveira, Paulo Brando, Brando, Barbosa, Brad Haynes, Jake Spring, Ana Mano, Andre Romani, Suzanne Goldenberg Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Rio, cobras, United, Reuters, Research Center, National Institute of, Research, University of Maryland, Honda, LG, Positivo, GIANTS, Yale University, Sao Paulo, Thomson Locations: Tefe, Amazonas, Brazil, Rights MANAUS, caimans, Bela Vista, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, United Nations, U.S, South America, South, Pacific, North America, El Nino, University, Baltimore, Western Europe, Brazil's Amazonas, Manaus, Itacoatiara, Madeira Rivers, Sao Paulo, Sao

☆ 2023 Hurricane Season Ends, Marked by Storms That ‘Really Rapidly Intensified’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( William B. Davis | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

During the Atlantic hurricane season, 20 storms formed, seven of which reached hurricane strength, meaning sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Storms that experienced rapid intensification Rapid intensification Atlantic storms Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. wind speed Hilary Lidia 100 50 0 4 0 6 8 2 10 12 14 16 Days since start of storm Atlantic storms Rapid intensification Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. Despite its strength, the slightly cooler waters near Mexico’s Baja Peninsula would rapidly weaken Hilary to a tropical storm. The background graphic shows the storm moving from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall on Oct. 25.

Persons: El Niño, ” James P, ”, Kossin, Otis, Hilary Lidia 100, Philip Klotzbach, Klotzbach, Hurricanes Lee, Idalia, Hilary, Hurricane Hilary, “, Eric Blake Organizations: Canada New York United States Houston, Canada New York United States, Houston, Canada New York United, Canada New York United States Los, PACIFIC, ATLANTIC, Eastern, OCEAN United, OCEAN United States Los, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico City, Atlantic, University of Wisconsin, El, Pacific, National, Colorado State University, East, Hurricanes, Hurricane, U.S, National Hurricane Center Locations: Canada, Canada New York United States Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Canada New York United States, PACIFIC OCEAN, Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, OCEAN United States, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico, Eastern, North America, Pacific, Madison, Florida, United States, Florida’s Big Bend, Cuba, Caribbean, Cancun, Gulf, Mexico, Bend, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida , Georgia, North Carolina, California, Peninsula, Baja California, Southern California, Death, Acapulco

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