weather News

CPC Forecasts Weak El Niño for Northern Hemisphere Winter

The U.S. national weather forecaster still expects the much-feared El Niño phenomenon, which can wreak havoc on global weather, to remain weak into the Northern Hemisphere winter, even after its development slowed last month. In its monthly assessment, the Climate …

WMO Expects El Nino Development in Sept-Oct

An El Nino event, usually associated with significant changes in rainfall, is likely to develop this month and next in the Pacific, affecting global climate patterns, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday. The phenomenon, characterized by unusually warm …

El Nino Seen Having ‘Modest Impact’ on Australia

An emerging El Nino weather pattern is likely to have only a modest impact on crops and mining in Australia and could benefit sugar cane growers in Queensland, a senior forecaster said. Drier conditions have already settled in over much …

IBC Estimates Alberta Wind, Thunderstorm Insured Losses over $100 Million*

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports that the estimated insured damage caused by the recent severe thunderstorm event that hit the Edmonton area in July amounts to more than $100 million. The IBC noted that the estimate, “reported by …

Aon Benfield Monthly Cat Report Highlights China Floods; Agriculture Losses

The latest report on the world’s catastrophes from Aon Benfield, the global reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon plc, highlights flooding in China that generated more than $8.3 billion in economic losses across the country in July. Paradoxically the …

Guy Carpenter Report Focuses on Asia-Pacific 2011 ‘Climate Issues’

The Guy Carpenter Asia-Pacific Climate Impact Centre (GCACIC), a joint initiative of Guy Carpenter and City University of Hong Kong, has released its third annual report, which presents the findings of the 27 research projects conducted by GCACIC members on …

Weather Forecasters Say El Nino Could Return in Q3

The feared El Nino weather phenomenon could strike as early as the third quarter of 2012, raising prospects of wreaking weather havoc from North and South America to Asia, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said on Thursday. “Overall, the …

Cold Snap Bruises Bitterroot Apple Growers

Apple growers in the Bitterroot Valley say a cold snap at the same time apple trees were in full bloom and at their most vulnerable will likely dent this year’s apple crop. Al Pernicle of Al and Mary Pernicle’s Frost …

Swiss Re Plays Leading Role in Private Sector Plan for African ‘Food Security’

Swiss Re announced that CEO Michel Liès has signed a letter of intent to participate in a “New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition,” which will begin work following the G-8 summit at Camp David. Those private sector companies involved …

ABI Warns UK Homeowners of Subsidence Risks from Drought

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is urging homeowners not to worry unnecessarily, but to be aware of the ongoing drought conditions currently afflicting the UK. The extremely dry weather, with little or no rainfall across many parts of the …