Two people were killed and the city of Erbil suffered extensive damage as flash floods hit northern Iraq on Saturday, with an estimated 80mm of rain falling, exceeding expectations of 30mm. Severe thunderstorms also swept across neighbouring Iran, while Storm Bruna is forecast to bring strong winds to Portugal, further snowfall is expected in Japan and Peru is experiencing air temperatures 5-10C above the seasonal average.
In Erbil, streets were inundated and homes and businesses damaged as torrential rain fell over a short period.
In Europe, Storm Bruna is forecast to bring strong winds of up to 50mph (80km/h) to Portugal's west coast this week, along with heavy rain that could total 200mm by the end of the week. The storm had already affected the Canary Islands, where Tenerife recorded a gust of 80mph on Saturday night.
Japan experienced a cold and snowy end to last week, with further snowfall expected in Hokkaido and parts of Honshu. Temperatures in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, are forecast to be about 10C below average, with a high of around 0C on Tuesday. Minimum temperatures could fall to -6C by Wednesday, with -8C forecast in other western parts of Hokkaido on Tuesday. Ski resorts are preparing for visitors after snowfall began on Friday, with totals of up to 50cm expected in Kiroro and Niesko, and 20-30cm in Furano, Rusutsu and Sapporo. Strong winds accompanied the snow, with gusts of about 75mph in Kiroko and Niesko.
Elsewhere, during a strong El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific were about 3.5C above the climatological average at their peak in late October. As a result, Peru has been experiencing air temperatures 5-10C above the seasonal average, and the unusual warmth is expected to continue into next week.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The floods in Iraq highlight the danger of flash flooding in urban areas when rainfall exceeds forecasts, leading to casualties and property damage.
- Storm Bruna threatens Portugal with damaging winds and heavy rain, potentially causing disruption and flooding.
- Japan's heavy snowfall and Peru's heatwave illustrate the range of extreme weather patterns influenced by a strong El Niño, with potential impacts on travel, tourism and daily life.
Background
Iraq occasionally experiences severe thunderstorms, particularly in northern areas. The strong El Niño event, which peaked in late October, has been linked to unusual weather patterns globally, including warmer temperatures in Peru and altered atmospheric circulation. Storm Bruna is part of an Atlantic weather system that has already affected the Canary Islands.
What to Watch
- The development of Storm Bruna as it moves across Portugal and possibly further into Europe.
- Snowfall totals in Japan, which could affect the start of the ski season and travel.
- Whether El Niño conditions persist, continuing to influence global weather.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDeadly floods hit Iraq as thunderstorms sweep across the region.World news | The Guardian: “Deadly flash floods hit northern Iraq on Saturday as severe thunderstorms swept across the region, including in neighbouring Iran.”
- SupportedTwo people were killed in the floods.World news | The Guardian: “Two people were killed in the floods.”
- SupportedErbil suffered extensive damage to homes and businesses.World news | The Guardian: “The city of Erbil, in Iraq, was particularly badly hit, with extensive damage to homes and businesses.”
- SupportedAn estimated 80mm of rain fell in Erbil, exceeding expectations of 30mm.World news | The Guardian: “Rainfall exceeded forecasts, with an estimated 80mm falling in the city, compared with expectations of 30mm.”
- SupportedSevere thunderstorms also swept across neighbouring Iran.World news | The Guardian: “severe thunderstorms swept across the region, including in neighbouring Iran.”
- SupportedStorm Bruna is forecast to bring winds of up to 50mph (80km/h) to Portugal's west coast this week.World news | The Guardian: “Storm Bruna is forecast to bring strong winds to Portugal this week, particularly along the west coast. Gusts are expected to reach 50mph (80km/h)”
- SupportedRain from Storm Bruna could total 200mm by the end of the week.World news | The Guardian: “The total rainfall could reach 200mm by the end of the week.”
- SupportedTenerife recorded a gust of 80mph on Saturday night.World news | The Guardian: “The storm has already affected the Canary Islands, where Tenerife recorded a gust of 80mph on Saturday night.”
- Partly supportedFurther snowfall is expected in Hokkaido and parts of Honshu.World news | The Guardian: “with further snowfall expected in Hokkaido and parts of the mountains in the main island Honshu.”
- SupportedDuring the strong El Niño, equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures peaked at about 3.5C above the climatological average in late October.World news | The Guardian: “During the strong El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific were about 3.5C above the climatological average at their peak in late October.”
- SupportedPeru has been experiencing air temperatures 5-10C above the seasonal average as a result of the El Niño.World news | The Guardian: “As a result, Peru has been experiencing air temperatures 5-10C above the seasonal average.”