SINGAPORE: Strong winds and heavy rain swept across Singapore on Tuesday night (Sep 17), toppling trees in various places. The sudden storm was likely brought about by a Sumatra squall, experts told CNA. What is this weather phenomenon and how often does it happen? What is a Sumatra squall? A squall is simply a sudden burst … Read more
One woman has died, schools have been shuttered and tens of thousands of people were without power Monday, as wild storms lashed Australia. Police said a 63-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a cabin in the country’s southeast. “Destructive” winds of more than 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour are lashing the region, … Read more
During the summertime, it’s routine for Everton resident Susan Johnson to go to her backyard and check on her milkweed plants in the garden. Milkweed plants are the only host plant for monarch caterpillars. It provides the nourishment the monarch needs to transform into an adult butterfly. Without it, the monarch cannot complete its life … Read more
After multiple water main breaks and floods across the country this summer, municipalities and experts are warning that urban flooding could become more common as Canada’s infrastructure ages. “We have good infrastructure in Canada. The challenge is it’s aging and we’re not keeping up,” John Gamble, president of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of … Read more
For once, that buzzing sound in your ear this summer might not be a mosquito, but part of Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) multi-faceted strategy to keep the insects — and the potentially dangerous viruses they can carry — in check. The public health agency is deploying drones capable of carrying and dispersing larvicides to kill mosquitos. The technology … Read more
A perfectly preserved burrow of fossilized snakes shows that the reptiles have been social creatures for almost 40 million years, says a new research paper co-authored by a University of Alberta paleontologist. It’s well known that snakes today gather in burrows for all kinds of reasons, including breeding and surviving cold temperatures by piling together … Read more
A trove of documents detailing more than two centuries of tornado events in Canada is now available to anyone with an internet connection. The files were housed in Environment Canada’s archives, and have been digitized and posted online as part of a multi-year project spearheaded by the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) at Western University in … Read more
The Current21:31Why tornados continue to fascinate The summer blockbuster Twisters has taken the box office by storm and has boosted an already-established interest in storm chasing. And while meteorologist and storm chaser Sean Waugh says even though parts of the film are exaggerated, the science, gear, and lingo accurately represent what it’s like to research and … Read more
The eastern coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang have prepared for the approaching typhoon by suspending air travel, ships and trains and closing outdoor scenic spots. The Fujian Meteorological Bureau activated a Level 1 emergency response – the most serious category – for typhoons and rainstorms on Thursday. It is expected to be the second-strongest … Read more
MELAKA: Seventeen trees have been uprooted after heavy rain and strong wind lashed the state since early Sunday (July 14). A Melaka Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said they attended to dozens of distress calls on fallen trees since 3am on Sunday. The spokesman described the situation as “outrageous” as firemen had to rush from … Read more
