May 2014 has seen extraordinary weather patterns affecting eastern Europe, including flooding and record-high temperatures. Here is an example of how flooding has affected this part of the world, as reported on wunderground.com:
Heavy rainfall began falling in the Balkans on May 14th and continued through the 17th. Some local precipitation reports for this period included 245 mm (9.65”) at Tuzla in Bosnia, 219 mm (8.62”) at Loznica, Serbia and 190 mm (7.48”) in Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade also experienced a 151 mm (5.94”) fall during a thunderstorm on May 4th, so their May monthly precipitation has already exceeded 370 mm (14.57”). For perspective, Belgrade’s normal May rainfall total is 74 mm (2.91”). The ensuing floods have now destroyed an astonishing 100,000 homes and businesses as well as at least 230 schools and hospitals according to latest press reports. Given the extent of the floods it is fortunate that only 43 flood-related fatalities have been reported so far. Some 2,000 landslides have also occurred in the region.
And the record-high temperatures, which have affected Estonia, Finland and Russia:
An all-time national monthly heat record was set in Estonia on Monday, May 19th when the temperature peaked at 33.1°C (91.6°F) at Kunda. This figure obliterated the previous highest observed May temperature in the country of 31.2°C (88.2°F) set at Pjanryi in May 2007. The capital city of Estonia, Tallinn, broke its May monthly heat record as well with 31.4°C (88.5°F) reading (previous record was 29.7°C/85.5°F on May 26, 1958).
Record-high temperatures were recorded in Russia in places such as Arkhangelsk (31.7°C (89.1°F) recorded on 20th of May) which, at 64° 34’ N latitude, lies close to the arctic circle. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/Earth Observatory)
To read more about the changing world and what you can do to prepare, visit: www.greatwavesofchange.org
