Newsletter Issue 47 (September 2024)




The Weather of August 2024 – An exceptionally hot August


Mainly attributing to the warmer than normal SST over the northern part of the South China Sea and a stronger than usual southwesterly flow in the lower atmosphere over the coast of southern China, August 2024 was exceptionally hot in Hong Kong. The monthly mean temperature of 29.6 degrees, monthly mean min temperature of 27.7 degrees and monthly mean max temperature of 32.3 degrees were respectively the second, one of the second and the fourth highest on record for August.



Second-warmest September globally and in Europe


The extended streak of extraordinarily high temperatures has continued, and the year so far has been the warmest on record for the globe, according to three leading international datasets. It was the warmest August on record, marking the 15th consecutive month of record-high global temperatures, which it itself is a record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.



WMO Update predicts 60% chance of La Niña


TThere is a 60% chance of La Niña conditions emerging towards the end of this year, according to a new Update from the WMO.
– La Niña has relative short-term cooling impact on global climate
– It generally has opposite impacts to El Niño – Longer-term global warming continues
– “Neutral” El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions currently prevail
– Early warnings and seasonal predictions help climate adaptation



Climate and health data must be integrated


Climate change is the most significant challenge to global health, and the integration of climate information into routine decision-making in the health sector is critical. “We are at a unique moment where the convergence of climate science, technology, and public health provides us with unprecedented opportunities. By combining the expertise of the meteorological community with that of the health community, there is tremendous potential to support the most vulnerable.”



CFMis-China Financial Meteorological indexes and services unveiled


On September 1, the CMA unveils CFMis-China Financial Meteorological indexes and services in Beijing, with the aim of deepening the integrated development of meteorology and finance, developing new quality productive forces of meteorology, and vigorously underpinning the high-quality development of the green finance. The platform can enable meteorological departments to better serve the financial industry, widen the scope of professional meteorological services, and promote meteorological data to empower the modernised economic system.



Scientists looked deep beneath the Doomsday Glacier. What they found spells potential disaster for the planet


Scientists using ice-breaking ships and underwater robots have found the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is melting at an accelerating rate and could be on an irreversible path to collapse, spelling catastrophe for global sea level rise. Their findings, set out across a collection of studies, provide the clearest picture yet of this complex, ever-changing glacier. The outlook is “grim,” the scientists said in a report published, revealing the key conclusions of their six years of research.



Ocean robots illuminate deep ocean warming


New research shows that using data collected by deep ocean robots, called Deep Argo floats, combined with historic data from research vessels has increased confidence that parts of the global deep ocean are warming at a rate of .002 to .004 oC each year. “This study confirms the previously reported deep ocean warming, and reduces the uncertainties about the global ocean heat uptake in waters below 2000 meters, a key area of the ocean for predicting sea level rise and extreme weather.”



WMO Ozone and UV Bulletin published


The WMO Ozone and UV Bulletin explores the role of meteorological conditions and a major volcanic eruption on the Antarctic ozone hole in 2023, whilst highlighting growing evidence that the ozone layer is indeed on track to long-term recovery. Atmospheric abundances of tropospheric chlorine and bromine from long-lived ozone-depleting substances have continued to decline. Given that some ozone-depleting substances also function as greenhouse gases, their phaseout is an added bonus for the climate, whilst stressing the need for continued monitoring and to avoid complacency.



Membership renewal is now more convenient


Payment through Faster Payment System (FPS) is now available (Our FPS ID: 166920512). Support your society, don’t forget to renew your membership!


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The news in the Newsletter will be presented in the originating language only.