Dokkum, located near the Wadden Sea, is a historical city in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its dynamic tidal flats and barrier islands. The region is characterised by a mix of agriculture, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems which support diverse wildlife. This image, acquired by one of...

In early February 2025, the world’s sea ice fell to a record low, with the combined Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent totalling 15.76 million square kilometres. Arctic sea ice has consistently declined for decades, while Antarctic ice, once stable, has entered a new phase of decreasing extents.   This Copernicus Sentinel-3 image, acquired on...

Jan Mayen is a Norwegian island situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, around 600 km northeast of Iceland and 950 km west of Norway. The island, with an area of 373 km2, is home to the world’s northernmost active volcano above sea level, called the Beerenberg.  Its Arctic environment is characterised by cold temperatures, strong winds, and...

Romania was affected by its coldest week of the winter between 17 to 24 February 2025. The extreme temperatures, which dropped as low as -20°C in some mountainous regions, were accompanied by heavy snowfall. Authorities issued a yellow weather warning for much of the country’s south and southeast regions, including the capital Bucharest, due to...

On 17 February 2025, the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) in Belgium recorded the coldest night of the current meteorological winter. In Uccle, the temperature dropped to -4°C, equalling the low observed on the night of 13 to 14 January. Meteorologists at the RMI noted that temperatures below freezing and a general frost were observed...

Amsterdam Island, part of the UNESCO-listed French Southern and Antarctic Lands, is a remote French territory in the southern Indian Ocean. It is a crucial refuge for biodiversity and home to Martin-de-Viviès, a key climate research station. However, since 15 January 2025, the island has been ravaged by a wildfire that has burned more than half...

On 13 February 2025, a powerful storm struck central Italy, and in particular the island of Elba and inland Tuscany, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides. In the province of Grosseto, between the towns of Orbetello and Albinia, many homes were isolated as floodwaters rendered roads impassable. Emergency rescue crews were dispatched...

Mount Etna, located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, is known as the most active stratovolcano in the world, with regular, ongoing volcanic activity. As of 8 February 2025, a new eruptive phase of Etna has begun.  The volcano spewed out ash clouds and a lava flow extending approximately 3 kilometres. As a result of the volcanic activity,...

In early February 2025, large swaths of Japan were affected by what the national meteorological agency deemed the strongest cold front in several years.   Many areas in northern Japan were covered in heavy snow, disrupting rail and air travel. Hokkaido prefecture and the coast of the Japan Sea were among the worst-hit regions.  As of 10...

The Grampians National Park, a nature reserve in Victoria, Australia, is known for its waterfalls, wildlife, and Aboriginal heritage. However, since December 2024, the park has been affected by a series of bushfires which have destroyed homes and devastated wildlife.  The first of the fires, called the Yarram Gap fire, was started by lightning...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in January 2025. The bulletin reports that January 2025 was the warmest January on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 13.23°C, which is 0.79°C higher than the average for the month between 1991...

Starting on 27 January 2025, heavy rainfall in western France from Storm Ivo led to the worst flooding in decades in the departments of Ille-et-Vilaine and Loire-Atlantique.   The tributaries in the upstream Vilaine basin are facing major flooding, with overflow occurring in parts of the Seiche and Vilaine rivers.  On 29 January 2025, the...

Since 27 January 2025, the Cyclades Islands have been struck by more than 1,000 undersea earthquakes, with some exceeding a magnitude of 5.0. The earthquakes’ epicentres have mainly been located between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos.  The continuous tremors have prompted thousands to leave Santorini. Approximately 6,000 people have...

On 2 February 2025, Spanish authorities issued a yellow warning for precipitation ahead of snowfall which affected the Sierra Nevada region on 3 February. At the Sierra Nevada ski resort, the snow provided optimal conditions for winter sport enthusiasts. Authorities mandated the use of snow chains for vehicles traveling on parts of certain...

On 2 February 2025, residents in southern Italy were affected by a cloud of Saharan dust transported there by a cyclone originating in North Africa. The dust was carried by strong gusts of wind to Sicily and Calabria, where the sky turned a yellowish hue. The suspension of dust in the atmosphere can affect air quality, visibility, and...

The Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest and second-largest national park in Argentina. On 25 December 2024, a wildfire broke out in the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina. Started by a thunderstorm, the fire has so far burnt over 6,900 hectares of land as firefighters work to contain the flames. On 26 January 2025, authorities urged...

The Indo-Gangetic Plain stretches from the delta of the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers to the Indus River valley, covering northern India, eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and most of Bangladesh. With forty percent of India’s population residing in the region, it is one of the most densely populated areas of the Indian subcontinent. The region...

On 27 January 2025, Storm Herminia struck parts of Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, and Ireland. In western France, the storm led to severe flooding in regions such as Normandy and Brittany, affecting road conditions and rail services. The national meteorological service issued warnings for flash floods as rivers and streams overflowed. In...

Since December 2024, many locations in the U.S. state of Alaska have recorded warmer temperatures than usual for the time of year. In the capital, Anchorage, the average temperature reached −6.4°C on 15 January, which is 2.4°C above the five-year historical average for that date. These unseasonably warm conditions have led to concerns about ice...

On 24 January 2025, Storm Éowyn hit Ireland as one of the most intense storms to affect the country in recent years. In addition to causing power outages in over 725,000 homes, Éowyn led to school, office, and airport closures and disrupted transport services. Coastal regions bore the brunt of the storm, with record winds reaching over 180...