Climate Chaos: Killer winter storms predicted to impact UK for next 30 years

December 9, 2013 – LONDON – KILLER freezes, floods and heat-waves will devastate Britain during the next 30 years, climate ­experts have warned. Many people could die as extreme weather becomes common. There will be more freak winds like the October storm, which killed four people. Heat-waves will be lethal and the sea level will rise, leaving coastal towns at risk of being swamped by storm surges. Sir Brian Heap, president of the European Academies Science Advisory Council, said he felt “obliged” to issue the warning after a new study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It comes on the back of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, which has killed more than 5,000 people. Sir Brian said: “Given the tragic events this year in the rest of the world and the recent IPCC report, EASAC feels obliged to draw attention to the growing impact of extreme weather in Europe.” The continent’s leading experts had made a detailed study of likely extreme weather, he said. Sir Brian warned: “From the major loss of lives in heat-waves to the economic and human costs of floods and storms, the implications are worrying. “They present the European Union and Member States with significant challenges in preparing Europe for a future with greater frequency of extreme weather.” –Daily Star

Winter blast rewrites Oregon history: The record cold temperatures throughout Oregon continues to rewrite the history books, or at least add new chapters to them.  The city of Portland has not had a day with temperatures in the single digits since 1989 — a quarter-century ago. KOIN 6 News meteorologist Sally Showman said Portland stands a good chance of dropping into the single digits early Sunday morning. The high in the city on Saturday was only 30, the third day in a row with highs in the 30s. Sunday will also be cold, and the record low for December 8 is 8 degrees, set in 1972. The city of Portland opened up warming shelters for people to stay warm and keep warm. But the biggest problem is there is not enough space. JD Dilts is one of the people living on the streets since he lost his job. He’s thankful for the help of the Red Cross. “Man, it’s cold,” he said. “You take you gloves off your hands hurt.” That city-funded center helps hundreds of people stay warm, but it can only open when the temperature dips below 25. “It’s 26 degrees. When you start getting in the 30s, that’s cold,” Dilts said. Will Harris is the associate director of JOIN, a non-profit organization that helps people get back on their feet. He and others have been out helping people stay warm. “The main job is to keep them alive. We’ve been out the last six days helping people get the gear they need,” he said. “If they don’t, we will make sure they do.” Donations are necessary — blankets, coats, other winter items. Call 211 for more information on a drop center. –KOIN

Summer snow in Australia: This is just the beginning. The really cold air and the really heavy snow is due later in the day, but snow is already falling today across the high country of New South Wales and Victoria. And yes, it’s December 5. The fifth day of summer. Your calendar is not wrong. Snow is not a freak event in southern Australia in the warmer months. A small dusting usually appears on the higher parts of the Australian Alps at least once each summer.  –News