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...

Since 1985, the European Commission has named cities across Europe as Capitals of Culture to showcase the diversity and richness of European cultures, strengthen citizens' sense of belonging to a shared cultural space, and promote the role of culture in urban development. Cities are chosen through a detailed, multi-year selection process. Once...

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...

2 February is World Wetlands Day, dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the essential role wetlands play in preserving biodiversity and supporting environmental health.  An example of one of these important ecosystems is Secoveljske soline, a Ramsar Site in Slovenia containing tidal mudflats, salt pans, and saltmarsh. This site...

Sørvágsvatn, visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 4 September 2024, is the largest lake on the Faroe Islands. Located near the village of Sørvágur on the island of Vágar, the lake covers approximately 3.4 square kilometres.  From a particular viewpoint, the cliff near the lake's edge creates the illusion that Sørvágsvatn is...

In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 27 January 2025, the partially frozen Niagara Falls can be seen from above. Situated on the border between Canada and the USA, the Niagara Falls were partially frozen after an Arctic air mass passed through the region starting on 20 January, bringing historically cold temperatures for the month to...

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...

In 2024, renewable energies made up 59 percent of Germany’s total electricity generation, up from 56 percent in 2023. For the first time, wind and solar overtook fossil fuels as energy sources, thanks in large part to renewable energy deployment policies, including more accessible wind permits and an increase in solar energy installations....

Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, is the European Union's smallest Member State in terms of surface area and number of inhabitants. Founded in 1962, BirdLife Malta is the island’s oldest environmental organisation, dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats. The organisation manages four nature reserves which...

Cyprus, a beautiful Mediterranean island known for its rich history and strategic location, is modernising its infrastructure to better support economic growth and connectivity in light of its position as a key centre for trade, tourism, and maritime activities. The European Commission funded significant projects to promote sustainable...

Between 15 and 18 January 2025, an eruptive phase of Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano was recorded, making it the fourth episode since 23 December 2024.The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the eruption was confined to the Halemaʻumaʻu crater within the Kīlauea summit caldera. The activity included episodic fountaining, a phenomenon not...

Between 17 and 18 January 2025, Morocco was affected by significant snowfall, particularly in mountainous regions above 1,400 metres. In Ifrane, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Morocco", heavy snowfall transformed the city into a picturesque winter landscape. In the face of a severe cold wave and snowfall, authorities in Morocco have...

On 20 January 2025, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Tropical Cyclone Sean to a Category 4 storm off the coast of Western Australia. Though not predicted to make landfall on the Australian mainland, the cyclone brought intense rainfall and flooding to the city of Karratha, where an almost 20-year rainfall record was broken after...