Temperatures over 35C break November records in Israel while Tropical Cyclone Fina approaches Western Australia
Exceptionally high November temperatures have roasted Israel in recent days, breaking records for late November. During the heatwave, which peaked over Friday and Saturday, temperatures soared to between 10C and 12C above average, as low-lying parts of the country widely reached between 30C and 35C and exceeded 35C more locally. Israel’s previous record for the latter third of November was 34.9C.
On Friday, temperatures reached 36.2C in Beit Dagan, near Tel Aviv, where the average November high is around 24C, while on Saturday they reached a peak of 37.3C in Eilat on the Red Sea coast, where the average is 27C. Though temperatures were less extreme at higher altitudes, they were still well above average; Jerusalem, at an altitude of more than 700m, reached around 27C, in comparison with an average November high of 19C.
In Vietnam, the rainy season reached extreme levels in south-central parts of the country over the last week, with relentless downpours delivering nearly 2 metres of rainfall to some areas – around the annual average for the region. This caused flooding and landslides, leaving hundreds of thousands of buildings destroyed, damaged or without power, while river levels swelled to record highs, with strong currents sweeping away a suspension bridge over the Da Nhim River. Major blows have also been dealt to the local agricultural industry, with estimated losses of 3 million animals and 80,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of crops. At least 90 people are known to have died.
