Scandinavia is bracing for an unprecedented cold spell this week, driven by the polar jet stream’s unusual position to the south and the increasing dominance of a high-pressure system. This atmospheric configuration will usher in frigid polar air, causing temperatures to plummet up to 20 degrees Celsius below the seasonal norm starting from Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday are anticipated to be the coldest days, with overnight temperatures in central Sweden and Norway expected to dip below -20°C. The chilly conditions are forecasted to persist through the weekend, potentially extending into the following week. However, a shift to more unsettled weather is anticipated from Friday as lower pressure systems move in from the west, creating the likelihood of significant snowfall over the weekend.
Conversely, South America, specifically Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, is grappling with unusually high temperatures. In the past few days, daytime temperatures have soared to over 40°C in certain areas, surpassing the seasonal average by more than 10 degrees. National meteorological organizations in the affected regions have issued multiple heat warnings, most of which extend until 12 November, with some areas hinting at a potential extension through 15 November. This marks the eighth heatwave Brazil has experienced in 2023, with the current event anticipated to have more severe consequences than those witnessed in August, September, and October. The influence of El Niño is being considered as a potential catalyst for these warmer conditions, as the warmer Pacific Ocean waters can impede cold fronts from reaching the region.
In the South Pacific, a tropical depression east of the Solomon Islands is intensifying as it moves southeast towards Fiji. Predicted to reach tropical cyclone intensity by late Monday, it is likely to be named Cyclone Mal by the Fiji Meteorological Service. The storm’s forecasted trajectory is to the southwest of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, where approximately 70% of the population resides. Gale and storm force wind warnings have been issued, valid through Wednesday daytime. Substantial precipitation is also anticipated, with 100-200mm possible in western Viti Levu during the storm.
