Canada's booth at the IPY Conference in Oslo. Credit: Mark Terry. CanadianGeographic.ca
THIS TIME: Arctic Tundra to Shrink by 51 Percent / Arctic aboriginals wonder if they’ll be pawns again in the new rush to develop the North / Methane Releases From Arctic Shelf May Be Much Faster Than Anticipated /
Arctic sea ice cover heading towards another record low?
OSLO, May 31, 2010: The September 2007 sea ice minimum was probably the lowest extent of sea ice aerial extent in the Arctic in 50 years, definitely since satellite observations began in 1979. Last week the sea ice cover fell below the recorded extent at the same time in 2007. Over the two upcoming weeks, shrinking sea ice will thus be one of the hottest science topics… Read more at IPY-OSC.no
Arctic Ice May 2010
May 6, 2010 – The Arctic melt already more rapid than average this year, has begun to accelerate. No doubt that by the end of May 2010, there will be much less sea ice than there was in May 2007… More info & the graph at ScientificBlogging.com
First Soil Atlas of the Northern Circumpolar Region published
May 4, 2010 – The JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) has published the first Soil Atlas of the Northern Circumpolar Region bringing together soil data for all the land masses above the latitude of 50° North. The maps describe the major soil types found in this region, together with their principal properties and characteristics, their main forming processes and their use… Read more at Eoportal.org.
Sewage, jet fuel spilled in Arctic
CBC, May 31, 2010 – Millions of litres of harmful contaminants — including sewage and jet fuel — have been spilled across great swaths of Canada’s pristine Arctic in recent years, an analysis by The Canadian Press has found… All facts at CBC News.
Polar Bears not at Risk: Nunavut, Canada
NUNAVUT, May 31, 2010 – Polar bears have most recently been considered to be a species of special concern in Canada. A federal scientific committee has recommended that the same status apply to the species again. The Nunavut government does not think the polar bear should be classified as a species of special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act, says territorial Environment Minister Daniel Shewchuk… Read more at EyeOnTheArctic
Sir David is filming for a BBC 1 series, Frozen Planet
Sir David Attenborough has realised a life-long ambition and reached the North Pole, the BBC has said.
The broadcaster, 84, is filming in the Arctic Circle for Frozen Planet, a BBC One series due to air in late 2011.
Sir David, who has also visited the South Pole for the series, said it was a “huge privilege” to reach both Poles.
The BBC said the seven-part series is the “ultimate polar expedition to the last great wilderness on the planet – before the regions change forever”.
Speaking from the Svalbard archipelago, 700 miles from the North Pole, Sir David said: “The Poles – North and South – look superficially very similar.
Winter Weather
Deep Daisy remains until Monday with snow and hurricane
9. January 2010, 18:08 Clock
The feared chaos is largely failed in Germany. Between meter-high snow drifts on Ruegen and a truck-mile traffic jam in the direction of Alsace, the winter is raging in Germany still capable. And another is announced only a few parts of the country clear.
The Russians are tougher in taking – In the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk reign minus 31 degrees - Is cycled anyway.
After Deep has “Daisy” laid over Germany on Saturday, a huge snow blocked roads and submerged rail, is also no improvement in the weather for Sunday in sight. According to a forecast by the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach, and it continues to snow at temperatures between zero degrees at the North and Baltic Seas and minus ten degrees in the south and east. “Stay midwinter.
8.1.2010 – 18:10 Uhr – Quelle dpa
Fear of “Daisy” – winter chaos in Europe
Hamburg (dpa) – Before the snow storms and shortages at the weekend and weather experts have warned authorities. Other experts felt it was scaremongering. The depression “Daisy”, meanwhile, is getting closer.
Especially in the night on Friday and Saturday during the day, the focus of snowfall is expected. Photos: HSt-Archiv/dpa, montage: Chris Petersen
Threaten chaotic traffic conditions, power outages and heavy snow drifts across Germany. The German Weather Service (DWD) warned of torrential rain storms are common especially in the north and in the mountains. In some places the snow could pile up to 50 centimeters.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster advised to stock up on food. Any unnecessary driving should be avoided. Sufficient drinking water, a drug store and candles should be in the house, said the President of the Federal, Christoph Unger, in Bonn. Good would be a battery-operated radio for the “always” possible case of a power outage.
The Agency for Technical Relief prepared but prior to a major operation: “We are taking the storm warnings seriously and to monitor the situation developing in Germany,” said THW President Albrecht Broemme. Must be reckoned with flight failures, train delays as well as ice and snow on many streets.According to the Meteomedia storm center had reached on Friday first feeble offshoot of “Daisy” Germany.
07.01.2010 – 14:33 Winter has Europe firmly in its icy grasp, as a low pressure front develops over the Mediterranean into a winter storm.
Schools closed, flights cancelled as winter bites.
And it’s headed right for Germany!
Much of the UK has already been left in chaos after heavy snow, while the Dutch were able to don their ice skates thanks to some permafrost.
In Eastern Europe, slightly milder temperatures have led to dangerous ice – but Norway has been suffering in arctic minus 41 degrees Celsius conditions.
A new low-pressure system named “Daisy” is set to wreak yet more havoc over the weekend. Up to 20 centimeters of snow are expected in parts of Central Europe. Source Photo: — SpiegelOnline
The whole continent has the shivers!
Now Germany must prepare for the low pressure front, called ‘Daisy’. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), it is “pumped full of moisture” and will pass over the country and then into Poland.
In the weather video above, you can see ‘Daisy’ as a circling red point from Portugal over the Med towards Central Europe.
In cold air a lot of snow is set to fall in the south and east of Germany on Friday, according to meteorologist Dorothea Paetzold, with parts of the country set to see 45cm.
And the “very explosive mixture” is set to bring in dangerous storms on Friday and Saturday.
The weather is playing havoc across the continent, with train services badly affected and supplies of road salt running low. Factories are working around the clock to produce more.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Snow was piled so high in Iowa that drivers couldn’t see across intersections and a North Dakota snowblower repair shop was overwhelmed with business as heavy snow and wind chills as low as 52 below zero blasted much of the Midwest on Thursday.
Vehicles travel in white out conditions caused by blowing snow on Interstate 80 west of Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. A storm system with sub-freezing temperatures and high winds is traveling through the Midwest. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Frigid weather also was gripping the South, where a rare cold snap was expected to bring snow and ice Thursday to states from South Carolina to Louisiana. Forecasters said wind chills could drop to near zero at night in some areas.
Dangerously cold wind chill levels hit the Midwest early Thursday including 52 below zero in northern North Dakota, negative 40 in parts of South Dakota and minus 27 in northeast Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service. Equally disturbing chills were expected overnight Friday. (more…)
Snowball fight in DC. Dec. 19, 2009. Photo by Scanpix.
Dec. 19, 2009, Washington, DC – A jolly snowballs fight at 14th and U came into the conflict with police. When young people were fighting with snowballs, a cop was passing on his car through the ‘battle’ scene. One of snowballs hit his car. A police officer got anger. He started to threaten students with a pistol. Youth didn’t like that move, and the conflict took place. A policeman called the support. The arrived colleague failed to resolve the situation. The DC police was forced to start the investigation. That’s it.
Further, please, see videos from the scene. (more…)
This December turned out to be very strange in Russia’s West, South and Primorye. Sudden frost replaced unseasonal warmth.
The current month began in Moscow without usual snow. On December 3, Russia’s capital experienced 8.2 degrees Celsius. Bears at the zoo were unable to begin hibernating, and mushrooms started growing in nearby forests. On Tuesday everything was changed.
2009 (c) ColdUnited.com
