Arctic Sea Ice “Low Maximum Extent” trend shows record declines
Yet another new record daily low was set for Arctic sea-ice extent, over 50,000 km² below the previous record daily low, previously set on March 17, 2017.
The low maximum is not a contradiction. It means:
- In winter, the Arctic ice pack expands its area
- Satellites measure the maximum extent each season, usually in March
- The reference to low maximum extent means total area continues to shrink year to year.
The 2025 Arctic daily sea ice maximum extent reached a record low of 5.53 million square miles) on March 22, 2025 the lowest in 47 years of satellite records. 2026 is about same, or slightly less.
Extreme storm delivers 135 MPH winds, 62 in. rainfall and major devastation in Hawaii
Hawaiians are just beginning to recover from a historic storm in early March that shattered decades-old rainfall records and left a trail of destruction from Hanalei to Kihei to Hilo.
From 135 mph wind gusts on Hawaiʻi Island to 62 inches of rainfall on Maui, a recent Kona low system brought weather conditions usually reserved for major hurricanes to the state.
Alongside immense flooding, the storm brought destructive winds. The Hawaiʻi Mesonet station at Kaiāulu Puʻuwaʻawaʻa on Hawaii Island recorded a maximum wind gust of 135.4 mph. Winds were briefly sustained at speeds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, averaging 105 mph over a 15-minute period.
Maui was hit the hardest, with peak rainfall totals reaching 62 inches in localized regions.
A similar Kona Low system is heading towards Hawaii on March 19, bringing additional rain and gusty windsto the island.
Global deforestation continues to grow
According to the FAO, from 2015 to 2025, the planet lost an average of 10.9 million hectares of forest per year. The highest rates of deforestation are in Africa and South America, where forests are burned out to be replaced by cropsand pastures for cattle..
Kenya flood death toll rises to 71 as forecasters warn of renewed heavy rainfall
At least 71 people have died in flood-related incidents across Kenya since March 6, 2026, with Nairobi the hardest-hit area, as the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a Heavy Rainfall Advisory on March 18, warning that rainfall will intensify again across most parts of the country through March 24.
Flash floods had begun affecting the region since March 6–7, when overnight rainfall caused the Nairobi River to burst its banks.
Currently, a total of 36 fatalities have been confirmed in Nairobi, 19 in the Eastern Province, 8 in the Rift Valley, 4 in Nyanza, 3 in Coast, and 1 in the Central Province. Most of the fatalities were caused by the overflow of the Nairobi and Ngong Rivers.
At least 2 622 people have been displaced and sheltered, and several homes and roads have been destroyed; damage to power lines and water infrastructure has also been reported.
More Intense rain events hit southern Italy
Severe weather triggered flooding and landslides across parts of southern Italy, with the worst impacts reported in Calabria, particularly in the province of Cosenza. Intense rainfall exceeding 200 mm in just 24–36 hours overwhelmed rivers including the Trionto River and Fiumarella River, leading to rapid flooding across urban areas. Towns such as Crosia, Corigliano-Rossano, and nearby coastal communities experienced landslides, submerged roads, and evacuations as unstable hillsides collapsed under saturated conditions. Emergency services responded to over 100 incidents, while dozens of residents were evacuated from high-risk zones. Authorities warn that ongoing soil instability and elevated river levels may continue to pose risks, even after rainfall decreases, highlighting the growing impact of extreme weather across southern Italy..
Flash floods in Tripoli continue pattern of lethal weather events
Heavy rain and strong winds caused flooding across the Libyan capital of Tripoli. The National Meteorological Centre warned residents in western regions, particularly in Tripoli and surrounding areas, to remain indoors overnight into Tuesday morning as severe weather continues. Emergency services said they had received distress calls from motorists stranded on several roads, including parts of the capital’s ring roads, after rising rainwater levels left vehicles trapped.
A teenager was electrocuted and killed by a downed power line while attempting to rescue people trapped in floodwaters in Tripoli’s Tajoura district overnight.
Upwards of 10,000 people were killed by floods in Sept. 2023.
Of Note:
- A Super El Nino looks increasingly likely for the middle of the year. This cyclical pattern drives higher temperatures and extreme weather.
- “Extreme weather has wiped out cereal production equivalent to more than a tenth of England’s arable land, raising alarm over the growing threat to UK food security.
- Heat records continue to fall in the Middle East as March high temperatures: reach 105.1F and lows hover at 85F. These temperatures are typical of May-June.
- “Analysis of satellite data by Down To Earth (DTE) shows that over the past decade forest fires in high-elevation areas in the western Himalayas have quadrupled.“
350 evacuated in Norway due to wildfires
The fire, which broke out near residential areas, prompted authorities to take urgent safety measures and evacuate the population. The large-scale fire began on the afternoon of 17 March in a forested area on one of the islands where the city is located.
Due to the immediate threat to private homes, approximately 350 residents of the area were forced to leave their homes.
This event reflects the under the radar trend toward rapidly increasing wildfire events in the Arctic.
