Record Rainfall in Argentina and Weather Impacts in Indonesia and Europe
Bahía Blanca, Argentina, experienced record rainfall of over 400mm in eight hours, resulting in 10 deaths and widespread flooding. Similar heavy rains impacted Java, Indonesia, where cloud seeding was used in an attempt to redirect rainfall. Southeast Europe is currently seeing elevated temperatures, accompanied by dust transport from Africa, potentially affecting visibility.
Bahía Blanca, Argentina, set a record for rainfall on Friday, receiving over 400mm (15.7in) in just eight hours, surpassing the previous record of 175mm from 1930. This amount is roughly equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall. The recent heatwave created high atmospheric instability and humidity, setting the stage for severe thunderstorms as a cold front moved through the area, leading to extensive rainfall and storms towards Buenos Aires over the following weekend.
The extreme weather has resulted in at least 10 fatalities in Bahía Blanca and prompted the evacuation of over 1,300 residents. Flash flooding caused significant destruction, sweeping away vehicles, damaging bridges, and leaving certain areas inundated with more than 2 meters of water. The situation underscores the impact of intense rainfall following a heatwave, further highlighting climate vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s main island, Java, faced flash flooding due to heavy rain preceding Thursday. Authorities attempted to deploy cloud-seeding technology to redirect rainfall away from Jakarta, releasing cloud-condensing nuclei into the atmosphere. This method promotes cloud formation and serves to control the timing and location of rain. However, the technique remains experimental, and its efficiency and repercussions are under careful observation.
Java anticipates additional heavy rainfall this week, which may exacerbate flooding across the Indonesian archipelago. In Europe, particularly Southeast Europe, a warm south-westerly air mass is predicted, raising temperatures by 5-15°C above seasonal averages, with highs in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius in several nations, such as Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. However, this air mass also carries dust from Africa, which may impair visibility and contribute to fog formation.
The recent weather events in Bahía Blanca and Java highlight the drastic effects of extreme rainfall and climate phenomena, resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. While technical methods like cloud seeding are being tested to manage rainfall in Indonesia, severe storms continue to threaten various regions, reminding us of the need for effective disaster preparedness and monitoring. Furthermore, climatic changes are bringing unusual temperatures in Europe, emphasizing the interconnected nature of global weather patterns.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
