Record-Breaking November Warmth Hits Iceland: 22.9°C Sets New European High
- On Monday night, Iceland experienced record-breaking warmth.
- The unusual warmth was caused by a warm, moist air mass from the Azores.
- Meanwhile, Colombia faced heavy rain that led to flooding and landslides.
Record-Breaking Warmth in Iceland
On Monday night, Iceland experienced record-breaking warmth. Temperatures reached 22.9°C near Sauðanes on the Ólafsfjarðarvegur Road. Other weather stations in the area reported temperatures in the high teens and low 20s Celsius, making Iceland the warmest location in Europe that night. This also set a world record for the warmest November night above 60° latitude. These temperatures were 10-15°C higher than typical July averages.
The unusual warmth was caused by a warm, moist air mass from the Azores. This air mass interacted with the local landscape, leading to the Föhn effect. As the air rose over mountains, it lost moisture on the windward slopes. Then, it warmed as it descended the leeward slopes, causing the record highs.
Severe Weather in Colombia
Meanwhile, Colombia faced heavy rain that led to flooding and landslides. The president declared a nationwide state of emergency due to the damage across 27 of the country’s 32 departments.
Chocó, Colombia’s westernmost department, suffered greatly. The lower Río Atrato flooded, affecting entire communities of Afro-Colombians. Estimates show that 85% of Chocó was inundated, displacing over 50,000 families across 25 municipalities.
Storms in the Pacific
In the Pacific, four storms developed simultaneously this week. This is the first time since 1951 that this has occurred in November. By the end of the week, the Philippines will have experienced six typhoons in one month. The United Nations reported that extreme weather has damaged or destroyed 207,000 homes in the Philippines, leaving nearly 700,000 people seeking temporary shelter.