Scandinavia shivers: Record cold grips Nordic region
A frigid blast from Siberia has plunged Scandinavia into record-breaking chills, while storm Henk unleashed fury across Western Europe, causing disruptions and claiming a life, as reported by The Guardian.
Scandinavian Shivers: Temperatures in the Nordic region plummeted for the second straight day, with Kvikkjokk-Årrenjarka in Swedish Lapland experiencing a bone-numbing -43.6°C, the coldest January temperature in Sweden in 25 years. "Extreme cold, snow, and strong winds disrupted transport across the region," The Guardian reports, with bridges closed, trains suspended, and schools shutting down.
Arctic Chill Spreads: The icy grip extended to western Russia, pushing temperatures in Moscow and other areas to a frigid -30°C, well below average for January. Officials issued orange weather warnings, urging caution due to potential health risks.
Henk's Wrath: In the UK, storm Henk brought tragedy, with a driver losing his life when a tree toppled onto his car near Kemble. Power outages, transport woes, and property damage marred the storm's path across Britain, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
French Floods: Heavy rains since Sunday have impacted France's northern Pas-de-Calais and Nord regions, forcing the evacuation of around 200 people and leaving 10,000 households without power.
German Concerns: Germany's Lower Saxony braces for potential flooding, with more rain expected to exacerbate the existing situation.
Climate Change Concerns: This extreme weather event echoes the growing frequency and intensity of climate-related phenomena, prompting concerns about future impacts.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
