Sunday, December 14News That Matters

Tag: heat wave

Solar Flare Triggers Radio Blackouts Across Pacific Region

Solar Flare Triggers Radio Blackouts Across Pacific Region

Breaking News, Disasters, Space
A recent powerful solar flare originating from sunspot region AR3654 caused widespread radio blackouts across the Pacific region. The eruption, which lasted for 12 minutes on April 30, released near X-class solar flares, the most potent type. Solar flares are associated with sunspots, where magnetic fields are strongest. According to NASA, solar flares occur when powerful magnetic fields in and around the Sun reconnect, releasing magnetic energy that builds up in the solar atmosphere. These flares are classified based on their strength, with X-class flares being the most powerful, followed by M-class, C-class, and B-class flares. The April 30 flare, measuring M9.53, was just below an X-class solar flare, ionizing the upper atmosphere upon hitting Earth. Mariners and ham radio operato...
Rising Temperatures in India’s Metro Cities Understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect

Rising Temperatures in India’s Metro Cities Understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As the calendar flips to May, India's major metropolitan cities are experiencing a surge in temperatures, with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru all recording high mercury levels. The phenomenon is not merely a seasonal shift but is closely linked to the urban heat island effect, significantly impacting urban environments. The urban heat island effect describes a situation where urban areas exhibit higher temperatures compared to their rural surroundings. This disparity arises primarily due to human activities and the infrastructure in cities, which absorb and retain heat more efficiently than natural landscapes. Causes and Effects Urban areas, with their abundance of concrete and asphalt, absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, leading to elevated temperatures, pa...
Record-Breaking April Temperatures Grip Eastern and Peninsular India Amid General Elections

Record-Breaking April Temperatures Grip Eastern and Peninsular India Amid General Elections

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As the nation remains gripped by the ongoing polling for the 2024 general elections, eastern and peninsular India has been facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking levels throughout April. Scientists attribute this scorching heat to the looming climate crisis, underscoring the urgent need for climate action. According to data from the Meteorological Department, April marked the warmest on record in eastern and northeastern India in terms of night temperatures since 1901, and the third warmest in mean temperatures. Similarly, it was the second warmest April in the peninsula in terms of maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures. The sweltering conditions have been exacerbated by factors such as El Nino and climate change, as explained by OP Sreejith,...
India Braces for Searing Summer, IMD Predicts Heat Waves and Rainfall Variations

India Braces for Searing Summer, IMD Predicts Heat Waves and Rainfall Variations

Breaking News, Disasters
As India gears up for the summer months ahead, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of searing temperatures and potential heat waves across much of the country from April to June. While many regions are expected to experience above-normal temperatures, pockets of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, may see relief with 'normal to below-normal' day temperatures. In its seasonal outlook for the next three months, IMD also forecasted 'normal to below-normal' night temperatures in isolated areas of northeast and northwest India, including the capital. Additionally, Delhi may receive 'normal to above-normal' rainfall in April, offering some respite from the heat. However, despite the variations in temperature and rainfall patterns, IMD cautioned that heat wave c...