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Weather of 2020

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The following is a list of weather events that occurred on Earth in the year 2020.

The 22 weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in 2020.

Global conditions

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Three tropical cyclones present in the western Pacific Ocean simultaneously on October 28. From left to right: Molave, Goni, and a low-pressure area which later became Atsani (at bottom-right).

As 2020 began, sea surface temperatures were above normal in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator, which had the potential to develop into El Niño conditions. On January 9, a group of climate scientists writing for ENSO Blog published their forecast for atmospheric conditions. They believed that there was a 60% chance that the environment would remain in neutral conditions related to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO); this was based on the expectation that the above normal water temperatures would return to normal.[1] By March, there was little evidence of increased rainfall near the equator. Trade winds were enhanced in the central and tropical Pacific Ocean, and water temperatures remained above normal. On April 9, ENSO Blog reaffirmed their belief that environmental conditions would remain neutral.[2] However, the sea surface temperatures near the equatorial pacific began to cool well below average, indicating a developing La Niña. As a result, the ENSO Blog issued La Niña watch, stating a 50–55% chance of a strong La Niña.[3] In September, NOAA confirmed that the environment shifted to a La Niña pattern, based on lower than normal water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator. The ENSO Blog estimated a 75% chance that La Niña conditions would persist through the end of the year, in part due to a strengthening Walker circulation.[4]

Monthly summary

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January 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 55.65 °F (13.14 °C), which was 2.05°F (1.14°C) above the 20th century average. This made January 2020 the warmest January on record, surpassing 2016 by 0.04°F (0.02°C). The month's departure from the average was the fourth highest of any month ever recorded. January 2020 was also the warmest January on record in the Northern Hemisphere.[5]

February 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 55.91 °F (13.28 °C), which was 2.11°F (1.17°C) above the 20th century average. It was the second warmest February on record, behind only 2016.[6]

March 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 56.99 °F (13.88 °C), which was 2.09°F (1.16°C) above the 20th century average. The month was the warmest March on record for South America.[7]

April 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 58.61 °F (14.78 °C), which was 1.91°F (1.06°C) above the 20th century average. The month was the warmest April on record for the Caribbean, with reliable records for the area beginning in 1910. The global ocean temperature during the month was 62.39 °F (16.88 °C), which was the highest April temperature since global records began in 1880.[8]

May 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 60.31 °F (15.73 °C), tying 2016 for the warmest May on record. The temperature was 1.71°F (0.95°C) above the 20th century average. It was the hottest ever recorded May in the Northern Hemisphere, and for all of Asia.[9]

June 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 61.56 °F (16.42 °C), which was 1.66°F (0.92°C) above the 20th century average.[10]

July 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 62.06 °F (16.70 °C), tying 2016 for the second warmest July on record, and just shy of June 2019's record warmth. The temperature was 1.66°F (0.92°C) above the 20th century average. The Arctic sea ice extent was 23.1% below the average from 1981 to 2020, which was the smallest sea ice extent on record.[11]

September 2020 had an average global surface land and water temperature of 59.0 °F (15.0 °C) which was the highest global surface land and water temperature in 141 year record by 1.75°F (0.97°C) surpassing the record of 2015 and 2016 by 0.04°F (0.02°C).[12]

Summary by weather type

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Winter storms and cold waves

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North America

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Main article: 2020–21 North American winter

The winter season in North America, was harsh and the most significant weather events to affect North America in several years. It was the costliest on record with a damage total of at least $197 billion (2021 USD). This season included four storms with reaching Category 3 on Regional Snowfall Index scale, however these storms occurred in 2021. These damages were mostly contributed by a crippling cold wave occurred in mid-February. Along with that, several other major events occur such as an early-season severe ice storm in the South, a powerful nor'easter in mid-December, another major nor'easter on Groundhog Day, two widespread major blizzards in mid-February that affected the South and the Midwest, a major blizzard in March that affected the Rockies, and a late-season nor'easter that affected most of New England. It was also the deadliest winter season in over a decade, causing at least 235 fatalities. A La Niña weather pattern influenced most of the winter in North America during the season.

Floods

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In 2020, eighteen flood events occurred, of which twelve occurred in Asia, two occurred in Europe, two occurred in Africa, one occurred in North America and one occurred in South America.

In January, a subtropical storm named Kurumĺ caused heavy rainfall in southeast region of Brazil. The highest rainfall occurred in the state Minas Gerais's capital Belo Horizonte. The flash flooding also caused mudslides in the region. In Europe, UK suffered a severe winter flooding. It initially started in November last year, but the flood continued in isolated regions during December and January. It got worsen after Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis affected in February and caused flash flooding, becoming the wettest month since records began in 1766. England and Wales had on average of 169.9 mm (6.69 in) rainfall in this month beating the record from 1833. Meanwhile Spain and France had recorded flash flooding thanks due to Storm Gloria.

In February, the southeast region of Kentucky experienced heavy rainfall and affected the counties of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Perry and Whitley counties. The governor of Kentucky declared state of emergency in these counties.

In March, a series of flood events affected the countries of Rwanda,[13] Kenya,[14] Somalia,[15] Burundi,[16] Ethiopia,[17] Uganda,[18] Democratic Republic of the Congo,[19] Djibouti and Tanzania[20] affecting at least 1.3 million people.[21] It began with heavy downpour which led to massive landslides and flooding.

Droughts, heat waves, and wildfires

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Main article: 2020 wildfire season

From May 16–19, a heatwave affected southeastern Europe, with temperatures reaching 104 °F (40 °C).[9]

In June, large wildfires spread across the Alaskan tundra. The Bush Fire burned across Arizona for several days, becoming the fifth largest ever recorded in the state.[10]

Tornadoes

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The EF4 tornado near Dalton, Minnesota.
Main article: Tornadoes of 2020

There were 1,058 tornadoes in the United States, as well as dozens of other tornadoes around the world. Worldwide, tornadoes have killed 90 people, including 78 in the United States. Tornadoes have caused US$4.4 billion in damage. For the first time in history, there were no tornadoes in the National Weather Service Wichita, Kansas coverage zone.[22]

The first significant tornado outbreak occurred on January 10 and 11. Tornadoes in the Southeastern United States killed 7 people,[23] and caused $1.1 billion in damage.[24] An EF2 tornado in Louisiana caused 3 deaths and $1.325 million in damage.[25][26][27]

On March 2-3, a tornado outbreak caused 25 deaths, and $1.607 billion in damage, mainly across Tennessee.[28] An EF3 tornado struck Nashville, causing 5 deaths, 220 injuries and $1.504 billion in damage.[29][30][31] Then, an EF4 tornado destroyed Cookeville and Putnam County.[32]

On April 12–13, an outbreak of 141 confirmed tornadoes affected the southeastern United States. The outbreak left $3 billion in damage and killed 32 people, making it the deadliest tornado outbreak since 2014.[33][34]

Despite the two months being the peak of the season, May and June together only featured 217 confirmed tornadoes in the US. May alone averages 276.[citation needed]

As Hurricane Isaias moved quickly north along the East Coast of the United States, it spawned an outbreak of 39 tornadoes[35] that left two fatalities, both of which related to an EF3 tornado near Windsor, North Carolina.[36] It was the strongest tornado spawned by a tropical cyclone in the United States since 2005.[citation needed]

Tropical cyclones

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Satellite image of Typhoon Goni in October in the West Pacific Ocean, the strongest storm of the year
Main article: Tropical cyclones in 2020

Throughout the year, 141 tropical cyclones formed throughout the world in bodies of water known as tropical cyclone basins. Of these, 104 were named, including a subtropical cyclone in the South Atlantic Ocean, by various weather agencies when they attained maximum sustained winds of 35 knots (65 km/h, 40 mph). The strongest storms of the year so far are Cyclone Harold in the South Pacific Ocean and Cyclone Amphan in the North Indian Ocean. The deadliest and costliest storm of the year was also Cyclone Amphan, causing over 100 fatalities in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Tropical cyclones have caused US$20.6 billion in damage and killed 255 people.[citation needed]

The Atlantic hurricane season was the most active on record, with a record 30 named storms, surpassing 2005. There was a record 11 tropical cyclones that struck the United States, with the strongest – Hurricane Laura – leaving $19 billion in damage when it struck Louisiana. In November, powerful hurricanes Eta and Iota struck Central America within a two week period, resulting in significant damage and loss of life.[37] The Pacific hurricane season had a record early start in late April,[38] although it did not feature a hurricane until July 23, one of the latest dates on record.[39]

The Pacific typhoon season was fairly inactive for the first half of the year, with its first storm, Vongfong, forming in late May and moving across the Philippines; the typhoon caused around ₱1.57 billion (US$50 million) in damage, and killed 5 people.[40][41] For the first July on record, the month did not include a single typhoon.[42] In October, Super Typhoon Goni made landfall in The Philippines with 319 k/mh (195 mph) winds, making it the strongest storm to ever make landfall on record.[43]

The North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone was slightly above average with nine tropical cyclones, five cyclonic storms, four severe cyclonic storms, three very severe cyclonic storms, and one super cyclonic storm. The first storm, in the Bay of Bengal, formed on May 16 from a low-pressure area. It went on to strengthen into a super cyclonic storm, being designated Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan, and make landfall in India three days later, becoming the costliest storm ever recorded in the basin. Amphan simultaneously dissipated. In June, Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga became the first storm in the new thirteen-list naming system. After Nisarga dissipated, there was no activity between June 4 and October 11 – one of the longest gaps in inactivity on record. Then, on October 11, after the inactivity gap came to a close, Deep Depression BOB 02 formed. It made landfall in Andhra Pradesh and caused extensive damage. Two more depressions formed in October, and none were named – one of only a few occurrences on record. Gati formed on November 21, causing one of the longest naming gaps in history. Gati later became a Category 3 tropical cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and made landfall in the Horn of Africa near Ras Hafun which became later the strongest cyclone to make a landfall Somalia since reliable records began in 1891. Two more storms formed in the Bay of Bengal – Nivar and Burevi, both impacting South India. Nivar was in late November and affected South India at Tamil Nadu. Burevi formed on November 30, and made a landfall in North Sri Lanka, but it stalled near Comorin and dissipated.[citation needed]

Events in meteorology

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See also: Timeline of meteorology § 21st century

Timeline

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This is a timeline of weather events during 2020.

January

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February

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March

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April

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May

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June

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  • June 1–12 – Tropical Storm Cristobal
  • June 1–4 – Cyclone Nisarga kills six people and caused $803 million (2020 USD) in damage across India. Nisarga became the strongest storm to strike the state in the month of June since 1891.
  • June 1–August 18 – Floods in Kerala, India killed 140 people, with 12 missing, injured 40 others, and caused $254 (2020 USD) in damage.
  • June 3 – A derecho sweeps through Pennsylvania and New Jersey cutting power to 850,000 and killing 4.
  • June 5–July 23 – The Bighorn Fire in Arizona injured seven people and burned 119,987 acres.
  • June 10 – A strong tornado in Vietnam killed three people and injured 18 others.
  • June 10-11 – A rare derecho sweeps through Colorado and moves northeast through the Rockies and Great Plains.
  • June 18 - *The longest lasting lightning strike at 17 seconds takes place over Uruguay. This was verified on January 31, 2022.[55]
  • June 20 – Verkhoyansk, Russia, located about 10 km (6 mi) north of the Arctic Circle, recorded a temperature of +38.0 °C (100.4 °F), its highest ever temperature on record, and potentially the highest ever recorded temperature in the arctic.[56]

July

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July became the wettest July on record in Newark, New Jersey.[57]

August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Emily Becker (January 9, 2020). "January 2020 ENSO update: new year, new you". Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  2. ^ Michelle L'Heureux (April 9, 2020). "April 2020 ENSO Update: Alternative Communication". Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  3. ^ "July 2020 ENSO update: La Niña Watch! | NOAA Climate.gov". www.climate.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  4. ^ Becker, Emily (10 September 2021). "September 2020 ENSO update: La Niña is here!". Climate.gov. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in January 2020". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  6. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in February 2020". 6 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in March 2020". 10 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in April 2020". 11 May 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Assessing the Global Climate in May 2020". 9 June 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Assessing the Global Climate in June 2020". 10 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in July 2020". 12 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Assessing the Global Climate in September 2020". 13 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Rwanda – Heavy Rain and Storms Cause Fatalities – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  14. ^ "Kenya – Hundreds of Families Displaced by Flooding in Western Counties – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  15. ^ "Floods drive over 650,000 Somalis from their homes in 2020". UNHCR US. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  16. ^ "Burundi – Floods and Rain Leave 1 Dead, Hundreds Displaced – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  17. ^ "Ethiopia – 240,000 Impacted by Heavy Rains and Floods, 29 Dead, Says UN – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  18. ^ "Uganda: Floods and Landslides - May 2020 | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  19. ^ "DR Congo – Thousands Affected by Floods in Maniema Province – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  20. ^ "Tanzania – Homes Damaged After Floods in Pwani Region – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  21. ^ "Eastern Africa Region: Floods and Locust Outbreak Snapshot (May 2020) - Ethiopia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2020-05-12. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  22. ^ https://www.benningtonbanner.com/wapo/the-tornado-drought-of-2020-plains-lacked-trademark-twisters-this-past-year/article_a1782eaa-4ba2-11eb-b7b5-a37873169581.html
  23. ^ Lozano, Juan A. (11 January 2020). "Authorities blame severe storms sweeping across southern portions of the U.S. and into the Midwest for the deaths of at least 11 people, including two first responders". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Events". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  25. ^ Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  26. ^ Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Weather Service. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  28. ^ "NCDC Tornado Summaries". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  29. ^ "Tennessee Event Report: EF3 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Tennessee Event Report: EF3 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  31. ^ "Tennessee Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  32. ^ "Tennessee Event Report: EF4 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  33. ^ "At Least 41 People Have Died After a Tornado Outbreak Ravaged the South". TIME USA. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Events". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  35. ^ "August 3-4, 2020 tornadoes". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Weather Service. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  36. ^ "North Carolina Event Report: EF3 Tornado". National Weather Service. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  37. ^ "Summary". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  38. ^ David Zelinsky (April 25, 2020). "Tropical Depression ONE-E". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  39. ^ "Hurricane DOUGLAS Forecast Discussion Number 9". National Hurricane Center.
  40. ^ "Sitrep No.15 re Preparedness Measures and Effects for Typhoon "AMBO" (I.N. "VONGFONG")" (PDF). NDRRMC. May 27, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2021.
  41. ^ "5 dead, P80 million lost in Typhoon 'Ambo' wake". Manila Standard. May 18, 2020.
  42. ^ "A typhoon-free July in Japan would be first since records began in 1951". 27 July 2020.
  43. ^ Super Typhoon Goni slams into Philippines as strongest landfalling tropical cyclone on record, Yale Climate Connections, November 1, 2020
  44. ^ Press release (24 March 2020). "Drop in aircraft observations could have impact on weather forecasts". European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  45. ^ "WMO certifies Megaflash lightning extremes". World Meteorological Organization. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  46. ^ Cappucci, Matthew (25 June 2020). "World record lightning 'megaflash' in South America — 440 miles long — confirmed by scientists". Washington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  47. ^ "700-km Brazil 'megaflash' sets lightning record: UN". phys.org. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  48. ^ Jacksonville Ties January's Record High of 85; Colder Air Moving In Saturday, WJCT, January 3, 2020
  49. ^ More warmth is likely ahead for February, News4Jax, February 1, 2023
  50. ^ Israel – Flash Floods Leave 4 Dead, Dozens Rescued, FloodList
  51. ^ a b "An Antarctic base recorded a temperature of 64.9 degrees F. If confirmed, it's a record high". NBC News. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  52. ^ Freedman, Andrew (14 February 2020). "Temperature in Antarctica soars to near 70 degrees, appearing to topple continental record set days earlier". Washington Post. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  53. ^ "Severe storms rip through northern Vietnam, leaving 5 people dead, over 350 homes destroyed and 6 800 damaged". The Watchers – Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  54. ^ "World record 477-mile-long lightning 'megaflash' confirmed over U.S." The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  55. ^ "World record 477-mile-long lightning 'megaflash' confirmed over U.S." The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  56. ^ "100-Degree Fahrenheit Temperature Confirmed in Siberia; 90s Measured at Russian Arctic Coast". The Weather Channel.
  57. ^ A July for the Record Books, Northeast Regional Climate Center
  58. ^ July 2020 was Buffalo's warmest month on record, WGRZ, August 1, 2020
  59. ^ "Death Valley's brutal 130 degrees may be record if verified". abcnews.go.com.
Global weather by year
Preceded by
2019		 Weather of
2020		 Succeeded by
2021
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