Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic landmark and highest peak at 3,776 meters, recently saw its first snowfall this year —marking the end of the mountain's longest snow-free period since records began 130 years ago. Typically, Mount Fuji receives snow in early October, but unusually warm weather delayed snowfall until November. This delay follows...

During the second weekend of November 2024, the Spanish Canary Islands were affected by a light haze and record-breaking temperatures for the month. La Aldea de San Nicolás, a municipality of the island of Gran Canaria, reached 35.7°C on 9 November. This surpasses the previous record set in 2023, when the Islands were hit by the warmest...

In the Greek village of Kissos, chestnuts trees have been affected by months of extreme heat and drought following the country’s warmest winter and summer on record. Much of Greece's chestnuts have been similarly impacted, with this year’s harvest expected to be about half the average of the past five years. The extreme weather conditions have...

Las Vegas, USA, has emerged as a leader in sustainability thanks to policies promoting renewable energy, water conservation, recycling, and green buildings. Water consumption in the city has decreased significantly despite a large growth in population, and by 2030, half of electricity in the state of Nevada is expected to come from renewable...

The province of Antwerp, in northern Belgium, is leading the way in the energy transition. Bolstered by collaborations between climate conscious citizens and local authorities, the province is home to five energy cooperatives, most of which started as citizen initiatives.  The city of Mechelen, visible in this false colour image acquired by one...

In early November 2024, Hurricane Rafael, visible in this Copernicus Sentine-3 image acquired on 7 November 2024, made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm, destroying hundreds of homes and other infrastructure and causing island-wide power outages.  Over 283,000 people have been evacuated, including nearly 100,000 people in Havana. Rafael,...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in October 2024.The bulletin reports that October 2024 was the second-warmest October on record globally, surpassed only by October 2023. The month was 0.80°C warmer than the 1991-2020 October average, with an absolute...

Traditional Finnish ice preservation methods have inspired modern snow storage solutions to support Europe’s ski resorts amid warmer temperatures and shorter winter seasons.  The Levi ski resort in Kittilä, Finland, visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 15 September 2024, is an example of the several European resorts which...

Since 2023, the Amazon River has been affected by a severe drought. The consequences of the crisis are far-reaching, affecting local economies and resources. In Colombia, the depleted river has isolated some rural Indigenous communities which depend on rain and river water to survive, especially for food, drinking water, and navigation. In...

Extensive destruction and the tragic loss of over 200 lives have resulted from severe flash floods which struck the Community of Valencia, Spain, on 29 October 2024. As of 4 November, recovery operations continue in previously inaccessible areas in the region. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated (EMSR773) to...

On Germany’s northern coast, the rising levels of the North Sea pose a threat to nearby communities and ecosystems. Encroaching sea water impacts not only sites along the shore, but also those further away by affecting farmland and habitats located more inland. In the village of Harlesiel, as in many places along the shore, sea dikes are being...

On 29 October 2024, the Community of Valencia in Spain has been hit by severe flooding, causing widespread devastation and the tragic loss of more than 200 lives. In response to the crisis, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated (EMSR773) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the extent of the flooding in the...

This data visualisation compares two Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite acquisitions over the area south of Valencia, Spain, captured on 26 and 31 October 2024, before and after the devastating floods which hit the area during the evening of 29 October. On 26 October, the area appears well delineated, with clear separations between densely...

Parts of southern and eastern Spain are still reeling from the effects of flash flooding after record rainfall hit the region on 29 and 30 October 2024. Over 150 deaths have been reported, making this the country’s deadliest natural disaster in decades. On 31 October, emergency operations continued to rescue stranded residents and locate...

On 29 October 2024, parts of southern and eastern Spain were affected by severe flash flooding following record rainfall. Dozens of deaths have been reported as emergency workers continue operations to rescue stranded residents from their homes and cars. Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to support...

Since July 2024, heavy rainfall and rising water levels in major rivers, including the Chari River, have caused severe flooding in the Far North region of Cameroon, affecting more than 400,000 people as of 11 October 2024.  The flooding has impacted schools, health centres, and farmland. In neighbouring Chad, approximately two million people...

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 21 October 2024 shows Vienna, Austria, which has been voted the most livable city in the world.  This rating is partly due to the city’s accessible public transit system. Three out of ten people in Vienna use public transport, while over a third commute by walking. In 2022, 792 million passengers...

Along the coast of Ballyheally, Ireland, sea levels have risen 20 centimetres since the 19th century. Higher levels have led to storm surges, which increase the rate of coastal erosion. In this part of Ireland, which has a soft sediment coast that is particularly vulnerable to erosion, coastal buildings are being threatened as sea levels...

At over 100 metres in height, Dune du Pilat in France is the tallest sand dune in Europe. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and a vast pine forest to the east, the dune is composed of fine, shifting sands, shaped by wind and tides over thousands of years. The dune’s surrounding area features coastal wetlands and diverse ecosystems,...

The Bieszczady National Park (BNP), at the southernmost point of Poland, is the country’s third biggest national park. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, it is home to diverse wildlife, including rare species such as the European bison. Eighty percent of the park consists of deciduous and mixed forests, which transform into a vibrant mix...