Records floods in Hawaii, record smashing heat in Arizona
As spring begins in the northern hemisphere, two stunning climate events are hardly getting through the headlines of war. While none of the events described are proof of the global climate emergency in and of themselves, the fact that they are happening simultaneously is powerful evidence. The speed and scale of the global disaster is unprecedented in millions of years
Arctic sea ice extent sets a new low record | Another exceptional heat wave in the Sahel, it’s one after another. Maximum Temperatures up to 44C [111.2F] | Fourteen states have set all-time March heat records, and the U.S.-wide record was tied or beaten on four consecutive days | The WMO’s 2025 climate report confirms the hottest eleven years on record, record ocean heat content, accelerating sea-level rise, and greenhouse gas concentrations at their highest in 800,000 years | Canary Islands are being pummeled by torrential rains and flooding as Storm Therese has created a state of emergency. | With snowpack melting weeks early, the critical Lake Powell reservoir is rapidly approaching critical level | Thailand recorded 2,145 wildfire hotspots in a single day, including 1,005 hotspots in protected forests and 884 in national reserved forests | The Texas oil hub of Corpus Cristi is running out of fresh water. Industry gets water first in Texas. | US to pay almost $1bn to French energy company to kill wind project plan | Absolutely crazy heat IN MEXICO 113F Sarqui Grande and 112 Casa Colorada Hottest 2026 day in Northern Hemisphere as well | thawing of permafrost makes it between 25 and 100 times more permeable, allowing more climate change forcing gases to escape | Every single Asian country has been smashing high temperature records from Saudi Arabia to Japan | Killer floods in Angola | killer floods in the Balkans, Yemen, Brazil, Turkey, Botswana and Russia.
Floods follow flames in Hawaii with unprecedented storm ferocity
Thousands were forced to evacuate their homes and power was knocked out for customers across the islands by flooding that began late last week and continued into the weekend, brought on by severe storms. The state has suffered an estimated $1 billion in damages, according to Gov. Josh Green. Oahu,
O’ahu and Maui, were hit hardest by the storms. The latter island was devastated by historic wildfires in 2023 and is struggling to recover.
5,500 Evacuated
The record breaking storm was the second Kona low to hit Hawaii in March, bringing 32 inches of rainfall. Thousands of people around the state lost power, with evacuation orders were issued for 5,500 Hawaiians north of Honolulu. An additional 200-plus people were rescued from the flooding over the weekend.
PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ESTIMATES EXCEED $1 BILLION.
90MPH winds drive Balkans megastorm
More than 15,000 people have been left without electricity in the affected areas as violent storms smashed the Zagreb region.
Authorities there also suspended classes Friday in primary and secondary schools because of bad weather. Wind speeds reached 90 MPH in an extreme weather event described as “aberrant” by authorities. There is a lot of that going around.
Official says warming is driving China floods
At least four are dead in unseasonal flooding that has submerged large areas of Guangdong in southern China.
Floods and landslides rock Turkey
Unrelenting torrential rains in Turkey have killed two and severely wrecked urban and rural infrastructure. The heavy rains have brought sudden flooding and landslides, submerging some cars and sweeping others away. A bridge over the Dalichay River was destroyed, closing a key highway for the foreseeable future.
90MPH winds drive Balkans megastorm
More than 15,000 people have been left without electricity in the affected areas as violent storms smashed the Zagreb region.
Authorities there also suspended classes Friday in primary and secondary schools because of bad weather. Wind speeds reached 90 MPH in an extreme weather event described as “aberrant” by authorities. There is a lot of that going around.
110 dead in Afghan landslides / floods
The death toll from extreme weather that has triggered widespread flooding and landslides in many parts of Afghanistan has increased to at least 110. Seven people were reported missing in separate incidents, all believed to have been carried away by floodwater.
958 homes have been completely destroyed and another 4,155 have suffered partial damage.
Dozens dead in Angola floods
Torrential rains in Angola’s Benguela and Luanda provinces have left 29 people dead, 17 injured, and three missing. According to authorities, the floods affected a total of 33,355 people in the two provinces, flooded 6,752 homes and caused 201 house collapses in Benguela..
Authorities also reported damage to boats and vehicles in Benguela, while in Luanda, telecommunications, electricity, health, and education infrastructure were affected, along with landslides and fallen trees.
Wildfires “Like a volcano erupting”
Wildfires are sweeping multiple mountain areas of Chiang Mai, with blazes likened to “volcanoes erupting” on mountain ridges.
Separate reports indicated that fires had spread extensively across Doi Luang, with no authorities yet able to reach the area to contain the blaze.
1000 mile “haboob” sand storm in Africa
A massive 1000 mile wide sand storm (known as a haboob swept across Northern Africa, creating a towering wall of sand and dust that blanketed areas in Algeria, Mauritania, and Morocco. These intense, thunderstorm-driven dust storms often exceed 90 km/h (56 mph), reducing visibility to near zero and causing severe hazards in desert regions
Thousands evacuated in Russian floods
Authorities declared a state of emergency in Dagestan after torrential rainfall flooded streets in Makhachkala, damaging homes, vehicles and infrastructure. Some areas recorded more than 2 inches of rain, an unusually high level for the area.
Russia’s emergency ministry said around 3,000 people had been evacuated as floodwaters cut electricity to more than 130 settlements and destroyed several bridges. Hundreds were also evacuated in Chechnya. .
New Zealand sees more extreme rain
Unprecedented levels of rain hit the north of New Zealand, causing the evacuation of over 400 people in the middle of the night.
MetService figures show Kaitāia received 210mm of rain in 10 hours from 10pm Wednesday to 8pm Thursday as a major tropical depression hit.
“This was an extraordinary event with very intense hourly rainfall which tested the [flood protection] scheme to its limits.”
Killer landslides across East Africa
Torrential rain storms have set off landslides that have killed at least 20 people n Tanzania in recent days, along with major damage across the region. Authorities predicted
more rainfall in the days ahead, and urged residents to evacuate.
88 dead in Kenya
In Kenya, flooding events have affected 21 counties and at least two rivers have burst their banks since heavy rains started earlier this month. At least 88 are dead across the region.
Syria floods displace over 20,000
Heavy rains that began in the middle of March continued to pond northern Syria, causing floods that impacted 20,000 people. The intensity and geographic range of the storms caused extensive shelter destruction, the collapse of vulnerable mud-built housing, contamination of water sources, significant agricultural losses and heightened protection risks in multiple districts. A new weather depression arriving on 24 March further deteriorated conditions in eastern Syria which is now seeing fast-flowing water for the first time after several years of drought conditions.
Canary Islands in a new flood emergency
Off the coast of Spain, the Canary Islands are being pummeled by torrential rains and flooding as Storm Therese has created a state of emergency. The island archipelago is in a state of emergency, as the military deploys to help with evacuations.
“We are facing historic circumstances in terms of the volume of rainfall and its impact on the island territory,” Antonio Morales, president of the Island Council..
Corpus Christi running out of water
Corpus Christi is weeks away from a potential water emergency, with reservoirs below 10% and demand outpacing supply. Temporary measures are buying time, like new wells, emergency approvals, and even bottled water plans for schools.
Much of Corpus Christi’s municipal water supply is used by industrial facilities like refineries.
When oil and water mix, oil wins.
Lake Powell heading for another record low
The critical Lake Powell reservoir is rapidly approaching critical level. The four states that depend on the Upper Colorado River for water are expecting a difficult year. The snowpack for western states has set a new record low.
The latest forecasts show Lake Powell dipping below the level where Glen Canyon Dam can generate electricity or sustainably release water downstream. The dam supplies water for 40 millions people.
“The reservoirs have never been drier,” Estevan López, New Mexico Colorado River negotiator.
Laos extreme hail storms
“More than 2,000 households across five villages were affected, with Viengkham and Chansavang villages suffering the most severe damage – each reported over 1,000 affected homes. Additional damage was recorded in Phonsomboun, Nongda and Tadthong villages.”
Thailand wildfires kill at least 18
Thailand recorded 2,145 wildfire hotspots in a single day, including 1,005 hotspots in protected forests and 884 in national reserved forests. Activity intensified across Chiang Mai, where authorities reported 207 hotspots across 20 districts on Wednesday morning,
Neighbouring countries reported even higher figures, led by Myanmar with 6,495 hotspots, followed by Laos (3,047), Vietnam (683), Cambodia (631), and Malaysia (178).
Oman Floods inundated by storms
Ramadan was wrecked in Sanliurfa, Turkey by intense rainfall, turning streets, avenues, and roads into lakes. Drivers navigating the flooded roads experienced difficult moments. The water level also rose in Balıklıgöl, one of the city’s historical and tourist spots
Climate Trends Spring 2026
Global ocean surface temps still climbing
Earth’s global 2m surface temperature posted the hottest March 23rd on record, and likely the hottest of that date in the last 120,000+ years
The year 2025 saw another year of relentless uptick.
“Last year was a bonkers, crazy warming year – that’s the technical term. The peer-reviewed scientific term is ‘bonkers’.” John Abraham, Professor of Thermal Science, University of St. Thomas
The world’s oceans are its largest heat sink, absorbing more than 90 percent of the excess warming trapped in the atmosphere.
Hailstorms causing $billions in damage
Hail has now become a leading driver of insured losses, with modern storms now able to cause financial losses comparable to a Category 4 hurricane, a recently published Cotality report has revealed.
“For insurers and reinsurers, this shift demands a move away from historical data averages toward property-specific modelling.”
Third Pole is thawing fast
The towering Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges form the lifeline for millions of people across northern India and Pakistan. These regions host thousands of glaciers – sometimes called the “Third Pole” – because they store more ice than anywhere outside the Arctic and Antarctic. These glaciers feed the Indus, Ganges, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, sustaining agriculture, hydropower, and drinking water supplies.
However, over the last two decades, climate change has begun to transform these icy giants at an alarming pace, resulting in glacial retreat, increased meltwater, and a higher frequency of disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Climate Events Spring 2026
Heat records continue to fall in Southwest
Martinez Lake, Arizona reached 112°F degrees in late March, breaking a record for the highest March temperature recorded in the United States. The week long heat wave is being followed up with another scorcher that will bring dozens of new records.
Globally, heat records are also falling in South America and the Middle East.
Mozambique floods kill at least 18
A second wave of heavy rains has triggered floods across Mozambique, leaving 18 people dead, thousands displaced, and infrastructure damaged, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD)
According to INGD, the 2025-2026 rainy season has affected nearly 1 million people nationwide, killed 285, flooded tens of thousands of homes, and damaged schools, roads and agricultural areas.
Sanliurfa, Turkey inundated by storms
Ramadan was wrecked in Sanliurfa, Turkey by intense rainfall, turning streets, avenues, and roads into lakes. Drivers navigating the flooded roads experienced difficult moments. The water level also rose in Balıklıgöl, one of the city’s historical and tourist spots
Arizona breaks all time US March heat record
Martinez Lake, Arizona reached 112°F degrees in late March, breaking a record for the highest March temperature recorded in the United States. The week long heat wave is being followed up with another scorcher that will bring dozens of new records.
Globally, heat records are also falling in South America and the Middle East.
Huge moorland fire in Northern England
A huge moorland fire has broken out this evening near Greater Manchester with smoke seen for miles. The blaze has erupted at Scout Moor, between Ramsbottom and Whitworth.
Pictures and videos shared on social media show thick plumes of smoke billowing from the scene with roaring flames captured over the moorland. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance, along with crews from Greater Manchester.
Sahel heat records continue with 112°F
The Sahel region of West Africa is undergoing another severe, record-breaking heat wave that scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group describe as “impossible without human-induced climate change.” Maxiumum temperatures reaching 112°F and overnight minimums of 86°F. The Sahel is experiencing intense, prolonged dry conditions and a massive food crisis, with millions on the brink of starvation and 3.4 million people displaced.