Eastern Spain is one of the most important habitats for nesting birds in Europe. In 2023, the number of nesting pairs in the area reached an all-time high, totalling over 43,407 pairs of breeding waterbirds belonging to 48 different species. The most prevalent species were seagulls, glossy ibises, and flamingos. In the Albufera Natural Park,...

The ancient oasis of Cuatro Cienegas is the most important wetland in Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. The wetland contains many important species endemic to the area, and the geological uniqueness of the region can help scientists study climate change, the origin of Earth, and the probability of life on Mars. Farmers have undertaken agricultural...

A massive dust storm originating in the Saharan Desert moved into Europe last week. The storm has so far reached the Spanish Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, bringing hazy, orange skies. In Portugal, the Directorate-General of Health issued an air quality warning and recommended limiting time outdoors. In some of the affected areas,...

With a population of more than 2 million inhabitants, Paris is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks. The city embodies a vibrant tapestry of life. This image of the city and its suburbs was acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 7 October 2023. The data provided by the Copernicus Sentinel...

Agriculture along the Uruguay River thrives in the rich, iron-laden, red sand that blankets the region. This vibrant agricultural landscape allows for a diverse array of crops, including cotton, tobacco, yerba mate , rice, and various fruits. The Uruguay River basin is an important hub for agricultural activity, supporting local economies and...

The last eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 18 March 1944 resulted in widespread devastation in nearby villages and towns, including San Sebastiano al Vesuvio and Massa di Somma. Lava flow and ash clouds engulfed surrounding areas, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Though the eruption forced thousands of residents to flee...

Unprecedented Sea Surface Temperatures are being recorded across the global ocean, with historical record temperatures being measured in vast areas of the tropical seas.   This data visualisation, based on the data of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, gives an overview of the evolution of daily Sea Surface Temperatures since 1979. It shows...

In Paraguay, more than 100 forest fires have broken out amid a heatwave. The fires have devastated large areas and caused significant environmental damage. Authorities are working to contain the fires and prevent further destruction, but the situation remains challenging due to extreme weather conditions. The fires have raised concerns about...

Tropical Cyclone Megan, a category three system, has made landfall on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, prompting local authorities to order the evacuation of residents of Borroloola in Northern Australia.  The cyclone has brought heavy rain and winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, but is expected to weaken rapidly after landfall....

The ski resorts of Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, Spain, have benefitted from record snowfall this season. Out of 112 km of ski trails, 97 km are currently open. This surpasses previous records and underscores the region's reputation as a prime destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The substantial snow accumulation has delighted skiers and...

The Canadian government is planning to create a marine protected area off the coast of Ontario to help safeguard biodiversity and habitats. This proposed protected area spans approximately 2,050 square kilometers and will help conserve various marine species and ecosystems, including freshwater fish habitats and important spawning grounds....

Severe and unrelenting weather conditions caused by Storm Monica have affected the serene landscape of the Camargue region, unleashing torrents of heavy rainfall that have flooded rivers and inundated low-lying areas upstream. The storm had catastrophic consequences in upriver regions, with local residents reported missing and emergency...

After last year’s historical deluge, Death Valley National Park, renowned for its extreme heat and arid landscape, recently gone through an unusually heavy rainfall episode. The rainwater transformed parts of the park into temporary lakes, allowing adventurous kayakers to paddle through the usually dry landscape of the park. The event showcases...

The katabatic winds in Antarctica are among the most remarkable meteorological phenomena on our planet. These winds are a result of gravity pulling denser air downwards towards lower density air. Katabatic winds can reach astonishing speeds, sometimes blowing at the speed of a hurricane. These winds shape the landscape of some regions of...

At the end of last week, Portugal found itself in the grip of an intense storm that originated in the north Atlantic Ocean. As the area of low pressure moved from the Bay of Biscay southwards, it unleashed a score of extreme weather phenomena across Portugal, resulting in heavy rain, sporadic snow, and strong winds. Along Portugal's west coast,...

The recent drought in the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Formentera has created significant challenges, affecting agriculture, water reserves, and the overall ecosystem. Erratic rain patterns and increasing demand for water on the islands have resulted in critically low water reserves while farmers struggle to irrigate their crops. The drought...

At the end of February, Texas was devastated by the worst wildfire in its recent history, which engulfed nearly 486,000 hectares of land in just a few days. The scale of destruction prompted the Governor to declare a state of disaster in 60 counties. The fire has caused at least two casualties and has displaced thousands of inhabitants. In this...

The Aral Sea, historically a lifeline for communities in Asia, has fallen victim to the rapid pace of climate change. Human activities dating back to the 1920s, coupled with increasingly erratic weather patterns associated with climate change, have resulted in a drastic reduction in the size of the water body. Once a thriving inland body of...

Star dunes are one of the largest and most complex sand formations on Earth. Because these dunes are formed by opposing winds that change direction, understanding their age provides insights into the climates of previous eras. Scientists  recently discovered that the Lala Lallia star dunes in Morocco were formed 13,000 years ago. Using...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) recently released its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, which highlights the fact that February 2024 was the warmest February on record globally. With an average surface air temperature of 13.54°C, the month surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by 0.12°C. This marks the ninth consecutive month of...