Hurricanes get their names from the World Meteorological Organization once winds reach 63 km/h or more. Names repeat every six years, with backups used if needed. Deadly storms can have names retired. Naming helps people track and discuss storms.

When does a storm get named, and who chooses the names? Hurricane naming explained

According to the latest forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is a 55% probability of transitioning from the current neutral climate conditions to La Niña during the period from December 2024 to February 2025.

WMO Predicts 'Weak, Short-lived' La Nina, Says 'Heat May Not Relent' | WION Climate Tracker

The World Meteorological Organization has stated that Asia was the world's most disaster-hit region by climate-related hazards last year. The body has also underlined that floods and storms caused the highest number of casualties.

Asia is world's disaster capital: Report

Heatwaves are expected to persist in a large part of the world throughout August, an adviser on extreme heat said on Friday, following on from record temperatures in recent weeks.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said earlier this week it expected temperatures in North America, Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean to be above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) "for a prolonged number of days this week as the heatwave intensifies".

"We should expect or at least plan for these extreme heatwaves to continue through August," Senior Extreme Heat Adviser for the WMO John Nairn told Reuters.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-orders-lower-stairs-on-air-force-one-opt-for-loafers-to-avoid-tripping-618092">Biden orders 'lower stairs' on Air Force One, opts for loafers to avoid tripping</a>

Southern Europe is grappling with a record-breaking heatwave during the peak summer tourist season, prompting the authorities to warn of an increased risk of health problems and even casualties.

Extreme weather has also disrupted the lives of millions of Americans, with dangerous heat stretching from Southern California to the Deep South. Sweltering heat has also hit the Middle East.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-to-spread-poland-to-move-soldiers-to-east-due-to-wagner-risks-618116">Will Ukraine war expand to other regions? Poland moving troops over Wagner risk from Belarus</a>

Nairn said climate change meant heatwaves would become more frequent and be spread across the seasons.

"We're on trend in seeing a rise in global temperatures that will contribute to heatwaves increasing in intensity and frequency," Nairn said.

"We've got quite clear indications that they're already growing out into spring."

Watch | UK by-election results declared: Conservative party loses Selby and Ainsty

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Some countries including the 27-member European Union are hoping all nations will agree at U.N. climate talks later this year to phase out the fossil fuel consumption that causes climate change.

Countries with oil and gas resources have opposed the idea.

"There is very strong evidence that if we were to eliminate fossil fuels, we would reduce a major contributor to what we are seeing," Nairn said.

"We can't turn it around in a hurry, but we certainly can take action."

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&nbsp;

Heatwaves are expected to persist in a large part of the world throughout August, an adviser on extreme heat said on Friday, following on from record temperatures in recent weeks.

Heatwaves are expected to persist in a large part of the world throughout August, an adviser on extreme heat said on Friday, following on from record temperatures in recent weeks. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said earlier this week it expected temperatures in North America, Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean to be above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) "for a prolonged number of days this week as the heatwave intensifies". "We should expect or at least plan for these extreme heatwaves to continue through August," Senior Extreme Heat Adviser for the WMO John Nairn told Reuters. Also Read | Biden orders 'lower stairs' on Air Force One, opts for loafers to avoid tripping Southern Europe is grappling with a record-breaking heatwave during the peak summer tourist season, prompting the authorities to warn of an increased risk of health problems and even casualties. Extreme weather has also disrupted the lives of millions of Americans, with dangerous heat stretching from Southern California to the Deep South. Sweltering heat has also hit the Middle East. Also Read | Will Ukraine war expand to other regions? Poland moving troops over Wagner risk from Belarus Nairn said climate change meant heatwaves would become more frequent and be spread across the seasons. "We're on trend in seeing a rise in global temperatures that will contribute to heatwaves increasing in intensity and frequency," Nairn said. "We've got quite clear indications that they're already growing out into spring." Watch | UK by-election results declared: Conservative party loses Selby and Ainsty × Some countries including the 27-member European Union are hoping all nations will agree at U.N. climate talks later this year to phase out the fossil fuel consumption that causes climate change. Countries with oil and gas resources have opposed the idea. "There is very strong evidence that if we were to eliminate fossil fuels, we would reduce a major contributor to what we are seeing," Nairn said. "We can't turn it around in a hurry, but we certainly can take action." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Extreme heatwaves to continue in many parts through August, says WMO adviser

Nearly two years ago, a lightning bolt crossed the sky in the United States for nearly 770 km, a world record, according to the United Nations.

The new record for the longest detected megaflash, measured in the southern US on April 29, 2020, stretched a full 768 kilometres, or 477.2 miles, across Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says that this is roughly equivalent to the distance between New York City and Columbus, Ohio, or London and Hamburg.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/florida-its-raining-iguanas-and-they-are-not-dead-449248" hreflang="en">Florida: It's 'raining' iguanas, and they are not dead</a>

The bolt zigzagged 60 kilometres further than the previous record set on October 31, 2018, in southern Brazil. &nbsp;

The committee of experts for weather and climate extremes of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also reported a new world record for the lightning flash duration.

It was set by a single flash that developed continuously through a thunderstorm on June 18, 2020 in northern Argentina and Uruguay. It lasted 17.1 seconds, which was 0.37 seconds longer than the previous record on March 4, 2019.

"These are extraordinary records from single lightning flash events," Randall Cerveny, the WMO rapporteur of weather and climate extremes, said in the statement.

"Environmental extremes are living measurements of the power of nature, as well as scientific progress in being able to make such assessments," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-bombogenesis-snowstorm-us-east-coast-begins-clean-up-449243" hreflang="en">After 'bombogenesis' snowstorm, US east coast begins clean up</a>

Lightning flashes can now be detected for greater lengths and durations thanks to technology that has improved dramatically in recent years.

In 2018, and in 2019, new satellite lightning imaging technology verified the previous "megaflash" records. These records are more than double the previous records based on ground-based technology.

"It is likely that even greater extremes still exist, and that we will be able to observe them as lightning detection technology improves," Cerveny said.

The WMO noted that the new record strikes occurred in the Great Plains in North America and the La Plata basin in South America, which are known hotspots for Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS), which enable megaflashes.

These flashes were not isolated events, but occurred during active and large-scale thunderstorms, making them all the more hazardous.

"Lightning is a major hazard that claims many lives every year," WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in the statement.

"The findings highlight important public lightning safety concerns for electrified clouds where flashes can travel extremely large distances."

The WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes preserves all such weather-related records.

Currently, the archive contains two other lightning-related extremes.&nbsp;

There is one record for the most deaths caused by a single direct lightning strike, with 21 people dying in Zimbabwe in 1975 while huddling in the hut hit by lightning.

A second instance involved an indirect lightning strike at Dronka, Egypt, in 1994, which caused a flood of burning oil and the deaths of 469 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nearly two years ago, a lightning bolt crossed the sky in the United States for nearly 770 km, a world record, according to the United Nations. The new record for the longest detected megaflash, measured in the southern US on April 29, 2020, stretched a full 768 kilometres, or 477.

Nearly two years ago, a lightning bolt crossed the sky in the United States for nearly 770 km, a world record, according to the United Nations. The new record for the longest detected megaflash, measured in the southern US on April 29, 2020, stretched a full 768 kilometres, or 477.2 miles, across Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says that this is roughly equivalent to the distance between New York City and Columbus, Ohio, or London and Hamburg. Also read | Florida: It's 'raining' iguanas, and they are not dead The bolt zigzagged 60 kilometres further than the previous record set on October 31, 2018, in southern Brazil. The committee of experts for weather and climate extremes of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also reported a new world record for the lightning flash duration. It was set by a single flash that developed continuously through a thunderstorm on June 18, 2020 in northern Argentina and Uruguay. It lasted 17.1 seconds, which was 0.37 seconds longer than the previous record on March 4, 2019. "These are extraordinary records from single lightning flash events," Randall Cerveny, the WMO rapporteur of weather and climate extremes, said in the statement. "Environmental extremes are living measurements of the power of nature, as well as scientific progress in being able to make such assessments," he said. Also read | After 'bombogenesis' snowstorm, US east coast begins clean up Lightning flashes can now be detected for greater lengths and durations thanks to technology that has improved dramatically in recent years. In 2018, and in 2019, new satellite lightning imaging technology verified the previous "megaflash" records. These records are more than double the previous records based on ground-based technology. "It is likely that even greater extremes still exist, and that we will be able to observe them as lightning detection technology improves," Cerveny said. The WMO noted that the new record strikes occurred in the Great Plains in North America and the La Plata basin in South America, which are known hotspots for Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS), which enable megaflashes. These flashes were not isolated events, but occurred during active and large-scale thunderstorms, making them all the more hazardous. "Lightning is a major hazard that claims many lives every year," WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in the statement. "The findings highlight important public lightning safety concerns for electrified clouds where flashes can travel extremely large distances." The WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes preserves all such weather-related records. Currently, the archive contains two other lightning-related extremes. There is one record for the most deaths caused by a single direct lightning strike, with 21 people dying in Zimbabwe in 1975 while huddling in the hut hit by lightning. A second instance involved an indirect lightning strike at Dronka, Egypt, in 1994, which caused a flood of burning oil and the deaths of 469 people. (With inputs from agencies)

A 768 kilometres long lightning flash!? UN reports a new record

The Arctic region recorded its highest temperature ever of 38°C (100.4°F) last year as per the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Reflecting on the adverse impact of climate change, the UN agency said devastating fires all across the globe were a driving factor of massive sea ice loss.&nbsp;

They played a major role in 2020 being one of the three warmest years on record. As a result, average temperatures over Arctic Siberia reached as high as 10 °C above normal for much of summer last year.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/wildfires-broke-emissions-records-this-year-in-these-countries-435158">Wildfires broke emissions records this year in these countries</a>

Meanwhile, the WMO said that the temperature in the Arctic region is more befitting for the Mediterranean region.

Verkhoyansk, where the record temperature was hit on June 20, 2020, is 115 kilometres (71 miles) north of the Arctic Circle,&nbsp;a region warming at more than double the global average.

According to &nbsp;WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas, “This new Arctic record is one of a series of observations reported to the WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes that sound the alarm bells about our changing climate. In 2020, there was also a new temperature record (18.3°C) for the Antarctic continent.”&nbsp;

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fires-floods-flying-insects-climate-fuelled-disasters-that-wreaked-havoc-across-world-432546">Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world</a>

“WMO investigators are currently seeking to verify temperature readings of 54.4°C recorded in both 2020 and 2021 in the world’s hottest place, Death Valley in California, and to validate a new reported European temperature record of 48.8°C in the Italian island of Sicily this summer. &nbsp;The WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes has never had so many ongoing simultaneous investigations,” he added.

"It is possible, indeed likely, that greater extremes will occur in the Arctic region in the future," the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a statement.

The record is now an official entry in the World Weather and&nbsp;Climate Extremes Archive, a sort of Guinness World Records for weather that also includes the heaviest hailstone and longest lightning flash. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Arctic region recorded its highest temperature ever of 38°C (100.4°F) last year as per the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Reflecting on the adverse impact of climate change, the UN agency said devastating fires all across the globe were a driving factor of massive sea ice loss.

The Arctic region recorded its highest temperature ever of 38°C (100.4°F) last year as per the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Reflecting on the adverse impact of climate change, the UN agency said devastating fires all across the globe were a driving factor of massive sea ice loss. They played a major role in 2020 being one of the three warmest years on record. As a result, average temperatures over Arctic Siberia reached as high as 10 °C above normal for much of summer last year. Also see | Wildfires broke emissions records this year in these countries Meanwhile, the WMO said that the temperature in the Arctic region is more befitting for the Mediterranean region. Verkhoyansk, where the record temperature was hit on June 20, 2020, is 115 kilometres (71 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, a region warming at more than double the global average. According to WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas, “This new Arctic record is one of a series of observations reported to the WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes that sound the alarm bells about our changing climate. In 2020, there was also a new temperature record (18.3°C) for the Antarctic continent.” Also see | Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world “WMO investigators are currently seeking to verify temperature readings of 54.4°C recorded in both 2020 and 2021 in the world’s hottest place, Death Valley in California, and to validate a new reported European temperature record of 48.8°C in the Italian island of Sicily this summer. The WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes has never had so many ongoing simultaneous investigations,” he added. "It is possible, indeed likely, that greater extremes will occur in the Arctic region in the future," the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a statement. The record is now an official entry in the World Weather and Climate Extremes Archive, a sort of Guinness World Records for weather that also includes the heaviest hailstone and longest lightning flash. (With inputs from agencies)

Arctic region recorded highest temperature ever in 2020, says World Meteorological Organization

The past decade has been the hottest on record, the UN said Wednesday, warning that the higher temperatures were expected to fuel numerous extreme <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-corrupt-pillars-of-climate-change-denial-265220">weather events in 2020 </a>and beyond.

The World Meteorological Organisation, which based its findings on analysis of leading international datasets, said it also confirmed data released by the European Union's climate monitor last week showing that last year was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/polar-bear-invasion-how-climate-change-is-forcing-them-to-change-their-hunting-habits-197555">second hottest on record</a>, after 2016.

"The year 2020 has started out where 2019 left off -- with high-impact weather and climate-related events," WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement, pointing in particular to the devastating bushfires in Australia.

"Unfortunately, we expect to see much extreme weather throughout 2020 and the coming decades, fuelled by record levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," he said.

Watch | &nbsp;2019: 15 disasters - the soaring costs of climate change

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The UN agency said that average global temperatures during both the past five-year (2015-2019) and 10-year (2010-2019) periods were the highest ever recorded.

"Since the 1980s each decade has been warmer than the previous one," the UN agency said in a statement, warning that "this trend is expected to continue".

The United Nations said last year that man-made greenhouse gas emissions needed to tumble 7.6 per cent each year to 2030 in order to limit temperature rises to 1.5C -- the more ambitious cap nations signed up to in the landmark Paris climate deal.

Current pledges to cut emissions put Earth on a path of several degrees warming by the end of the century.

Significant warming

Taalas on Wednesday said that since modern records began in 1850, the average global temperature had risen by around 1.1 degrees Celsius, and warned of significant warming in the future.

"On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, we are heading towards a temperature increase of three to five degrees Celsius by the end of the century," he warned.&nbsp;

WMO also pointed to a new study published this week in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences with data showing that ocean heat content was at a record high in 2019.

The past five years, and past decade were also the warmest on record in terms of ocean heat content, that study showed.

Since more than 90 percent of excess heat is stored within the world's oceans, their heat content is a good way to quantify the rate of global warming, WMO said.

Scientists stressed the urgent need to do more to counter the warming trend.

"If we look at all the impacts around the world that are now occurring as a result of this warming, it is obvious that we are not succeeding in preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system," said Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The past decade has been the hottest on record, the UN said Wednesday, warning that the higher temperatures were expected to fuel numerous extreme weather events in 2020 and beyond.

The past decade has been the hottest on record, the UN said Wednesday, warning that the higher temperatures were expected to fuel numerous extreme weather events in 2020 and beyond. The World Meteorological Organisation, which based its findings on analysis of leading international datasets, said it also confirmed data released by the European Union's climate monitor last week showing that last year was the second hottest on record, after 2016. "The year 2020 has started out where 2019 left off -- with high-impact weather and climate-related events," WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement, pointing in particular to the devastating bushfires in Australia. "Unfortunately, we expect to see much extreme weather throughout 2020 and the coming decades, fuelled by record levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," he said. Watch | 2019: 15 disasters - the soaring costs of climate change × The UN agency said that average global temperatures during both the past five-year (2015-2019) and 10-year (2010-2019) periods were the highest ever recorded. "Since the 1980s each decade has been warmer than the previous one," the UN agency said in a statement, warning that "this trend is expected to continue". The United Nations said last year that man-made greenhouse gas emissions needed to tumble 7.6 per cent each year to 2030 in order to limit temperature rises to 1.5C -- the more ambitious cap nations signed up to in the landmark Paris climate deal. Current pledges to cut emissions put Earth on a path of several degrees warming by the end of the century. Significant warming Taalas on Wednesday said that since modern records began in 1850, the average global temperature had risen by around 1.1 degrees Celsius, and warned of significant warming in the future. "On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, we are heading towards a temperature increase of three to five degrees Celsius by the end of the century," he warned. WMO also pointed to a new study published this week in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences with data showing that ocean heat content was at a record high in 2019. The past five years, and past decade were also the warmest on record in terms of ocean heat content, that study showed. Since more than 90 percent of excess heat is stored within the world's oceans, their heat content is a good way to quantify the rate of global warming, WMO said. Scientists stressed the urgent need to do more to counter the warming trend. "If we look at all the impacts around the world that are now occurring as a result of this warming, it is obvious that we are not succeeding in preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system," said Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

UN warns of 'much extreme weather' after hottest decade on record

The smoke from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/residents-of-small-australian-communities-told-to-evacuate-as-fire-approaches-270749">Australian bushfires</a> will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website.

The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.7 kilometres above sea level.&nbsp;

Nasa said that ''once it has entered the stratosphere, it can affect the atmospheric conditions globally by travelling around thousand of miles''.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce5ec23a-6c3d-4397-8402-e04cb3e9b83d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_31.jpg" />

It was pushed across the Pacific from the eastern coast of Australia where the fire had been blazing for the past three months.

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A fleet of NASA satellites 🛰️ working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.<a href="https://t.co/93geNvCBnU">https://t.co/93geNvCBnU</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZedZ199lvJ">pic.twitter.com/ZedZ199lvJ</a>
— NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGoddard/status/1215370818156466190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The adverse impact is not merely subjected to its nearby surroundings.

&nbsp;Not only has it visibly darkened the mountaintop snow but it has damaged the air quality in New Zealand.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;''The smoke that plummeted from the bushfire had crossed South America, turning its skies hazy It had already moved halfway across the Earth by January 8'', NASA said.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70794b3e-7c3e-4c65-810a-bbdb1763fe21" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_41.jpg" />

&nbsp;"Unusually large" number of pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) events which are fire-generated thunderstorms were produced by the massive bushfire.

&nbsp;A group of NASA satellites working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.&nbsp;

<img alt="NASA published pictures of the damade made by Australain bushfires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="558b3e67-890e-4bf8-86b8-8c98bea1d5c2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2839%29_0.jpg" />

&nbsp;Colin Seftor, a research scientist at Goddard said, “the higher the smoke plume, the larger the aerosol index value. Values over 10 are often associated with such events. The aerosol index values produced by some of the Australian pyroCb events have rivalled that largest values ever recorded.”

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/satellite-images-reveal-the-extent-of-australian-bushfire-damage-272645#cost-going-upto-$48559-million-272634">Also see:&nbsp;Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage</a>

The ash and smoke that had risen from the bushfire triggered these thunderstorms which provide a pathway for the smoke to travel more than 10 miles&nbsp;up into the stratosphere.

&nbsp;It was due to this reason that it succeeded in travelling ''halfway around the Earth'' and will eventually return to the nation itself.

The smoke from the Australian bushfires will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website. The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.

The smoke from the Australian bushfires will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website. The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.7 kilometres above sea level. Nasa said that ''once it has entered the stratosphere, it can affect the atmospheric conditions globally by travelling around thousand of miles''. It was pushed across the Pacific from the eastern coast of Australia where the fire had been blazing for the past three months. A fleet of NASA satellites 🛰️ working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.https://t.co/93geNvCBnU pic.twitter.com/ZedZ199lvJ — NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) January 9, 2020 × The adverse impact is not merely subjected to its nearby surroundings. Not only has it visibly darkened the mountaintop snow but it has damaged the air quality in New Zealand. × ''The smoke that plummeted from the bushfire had crossed South America, turning its skies hazy It had already moved halfway across the Earth by January 8'', NASA said. "Unusually large" number of pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) events which are fire-generated thunderstorms were produced by the massive bushfire. A group of NASA satellites working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia. Colin Seftor, a research scientist at Goddard said, “the higher the smoke plume, the larger the aerosol index value. Values over 10 are often associated with such events. The aerosol index values produced by some of the Australian pyroCb events have rivalled that largest values ever recorded.” Also see: Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage The ash and smoke that had risen from the bushfire triggered these thunderstorms which provide a pathway for the smoke to travel more than 10 miles up into the stratosphere. It was due to this reason that it succeeded in travelling ''halfway around the Earth'' and will eventually return to the nation itself.

Australian bushfire smoke will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation: NASA

A political poll showed&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-proposes-high-powered-inquiry-into-bushfires-response-273680">Scott Morrison</a>'s popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-bushfires-2000-homes-destroyed-military-buries-4000-animals-to-prevent-diseases-272607">bushfires crisis</a> that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

Monday's Newspoll comes as officials confirmed 11.2 million hectares have now been razed by fires that have been burning for months, nearly half the area of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/royal-family-fallout-uks-queen-elizabeth-calls-prince-harry-for-crisis-meeting-273672">United Kingdom</a>.

Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to an unprecedented crisis, even taking a family holiday to Hawaii while fires were burning.

Also watch:&nbsp;Australia Bushfires: Over 50,000 Sq Km of land consumed by fire

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&nbsp;

He acknowledged during a television interview on Sunday that he had made some mistakes.

"We have heard the message loud and clear from the&nbsp;Australian people," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million wildlife protection fund.

"They want to see a Federal Government adopt a very direct response to these natural and national disasters," Frydenberg said.

The Newspoll showed Morrison's approval rating dropped 8 points to the lowest level since he took over leadership of the Liberal Party in August 2018.

He was overtaken by Labour leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-leader-curtails-holiday-as-firefighters-killed-in-huge-blazes-269260">Anthony Albanese</a>. No margin of error was provided for the poll, which surveyed 1,505 people from Wednesday to Saturday, although it was about 2.5 percentage points in previous Newspolls.

The poll was taken after Morrison announced a A$2 billion bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers - responses that were viewed as too slow.

Morrison said on Sunday he would take a proposal to Cabinet to hold a Royal Commission national inquiry into the bushfires, including examining the response to the crisis, the role and powers of the federal government and the impact of climate change.

After weeks of raging fires whipped up by erratic winds and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions eased over the weekend with showers forecast for New South Wales (NSW), the worst hit state, over the next few days.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-megablaze-brought-under-control-273841">Australian 'megablaze' brought under control</a>

"If this BOM (Bureau of Metereology) rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed," the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Twitter.

Here are key events in the crisis:

*Frydenberg announced A$50 million in funding on Monday for protecting wildlife and restoring damaged habitat, with a focus on threatened species, like koalas, with heartbreaking images of rescues of burned animals having gone viral around the world.

*Since October, thousands of&nbsp;Australians have been subjected to repeat evacuations as huge and unpredictable fires scorched more than 11.2 million hectares, an area nearly half the size of the United Kingdom.

*Across New South Wales, 111 fires were still burning late on Sunday, 40 of them not yet contained, but none at emergency level.

*A number of fires burning in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and into Victoria have merged across more than 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. They do not pose a threat, authorities say, despite being in an area hard to reach.

*The government said on Sunday it would provide A$76 million&nbsp;for mental health counselling and healthcare consultations to firefighters, emergency workers, individuals and communities.

*Western&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday an out-of-control and unpredictable fire that is moving slowly in the state's south, poses a possible threat to lives and homes in the area.

*South&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;said on Sunday that more than 32,000 livestock animals, mostly sheep, had died in recent fires on Kangaroo Island, while fire services are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected worsening weather conditions on Monday.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-reveal-the-extent-of-australian-bushfire-damage-272645">Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage</a>

*Thousands of&nbsp;Australians took to the streets on Friday to protest against government inaction on climate change, and were supported by protesters in London.

*Australia's wildfires have dwarfed other recent catastrophic blazes, with its burnt terrain more than twice the extent of that ravaged by 2019 fires in Brazil, California and Indonesia combined.

*Westpac estimated total bushfire losses to date at about A$5 billion, higher than the 2009 bushfires in Victoria but smaller than the Queensland floods in 2010/11. It forecast a hit of 0.2 percent&nbsp;to 0.5 percent&nbsp;on gross domestic product.

*The Insurance Council of&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;increased to more than A$900 million its estimate of damage claims from the fires, and they are expected to jump further.

*About 100 firefighters from the United States and Canada are helping, with 140 more expected in coming weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-strengthens-bushfire-defences-as-economic-environmental-costs-mount-272815">Australia strengthens bushfire defences as economic, environmental costs mount</a>

*The fires have emitted 400 megatonnes of carbon dioxide and produced harmful pollutants, the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme said.

*Smoke has drifted across the Pacific, affecting cities in South America, and may have reached the Antarctic, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization said.

A political poll showed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a bushfires crisis that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

A political poll showed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a bushfires crisis that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes. Monday's Newspoll comes as officials confirmed 11.2 million hectares have now been razed by fires that have been burning for months, nearly half the area of the United Kingdom. Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to an unprecedented crisis, even taking a family holiday to Hawaii while fires were burning. Also watch: Australia Bushfires: Over 50,000 Sq Km of land consumed by fire × He acknowledged during a television interview on Sunday that he had made some mistakes. "We have heard the message loud and clear from the Australian people," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million wildlife protection fund. "They want to see a Federal Government adopt a very direct response to these natural and national disasters," Frydenberg said. The Newspoll showed Morrison's approval rating dropped 8 points to the lowest level since he took over leadership of the Liberal Party in August 2018. He was overtaken by Labour leader Anthony Albanese. No margin of error was provided for the poll, which surveyed 1,505 people from Wednesday to Saturday, although it was about 2.5 percentage points in previous Newspolls. The poll was taken after Morrison announced a A$2 billion bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers - responses that were viewed as too slow. Morrison said on Sunday he would take a proposal to Cabinet to hold a Royal Commission national inquiry into the bushfires, including examining the response to the crisis, the role and powers of the federal government and the impact of climate change. After weeks of raging fires whipped up by erratic winds and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions eased over the weekend with showers forecast for New South Wales (NSW), the worst hit state, over the next few days. Also read: Australian 'megablaze' brought under control "If this BOM (Bureau of Metereology) rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed," the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Twitter. Here are key events in the crisis: *Frydenberg announced A$50 million in funding on Monday for protecting wildlife and restoring damaged habitat, with a focus on threatened species, like koalas, with heartbreaking images of rescues of burned animals having gone viral around the world. *Since October, thousands of Australians have been subjected to repeat evacuations as huge and unpredictable fires scorched more than 11.2 million hectares, an area nearly half the size of the United Kingdom. *Across New South Wales, 111 fires were still burning late on Sunday, 40 of them not yet contained, but none at emergency level. *A number of fires burning in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and into Victoria have merged across more than 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. They do not pose a threat, authorities say, despite being in an area hard to reach. *The government said on Sunday it would provide A$76 million for mental health counselling and healthcare consultations to firefighters, emergency workers, individuals and communities. *Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday an out-of-control and unpredictable fire that is moving slowly in the state's south, poses a possible threat to lives and homes in the area. *South Australia said on Sunday that more than 32,000 livestock animals, mostly sheep, had died in recent fires on Kangaroo Island, while fire services are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected worsening weather conditions on Monday. Also see: Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage *Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Friday to protest against government inaction on climate change, and were supported by protesters in London. *Australia's wildfires have dwarfed other recent catastrophic blazes, with its burnt terrain more than twice the extent of that ravaged by 2019 fires in Brazil, California and Indonesia combined. *Westpac estimated total bushfire losses to date at about A$5 billion, higher than the 2009 bushfires in Victoria but smaller than the Queensland floods in 2010/11. It forecast a hit of 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent on gross domestic product. *The Insurance Council of Australia increased to more than A$900 million its estimate of damage claims from the fires, and they are expected to jump further. *About 100 firefighters from the United States and Canada are helping, with 140 more expected in coming weeks. Also read: Australia strengthens bushfire defences as economic, environmental costs mount *The fires have emitted 400 megatonnes of carbon dioxide and produced harmful pollutants, the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme said. *Smoke has drifted across the Pacific, affecting cities in South America, and may have reached the Antarctic, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization said.

Australian Prime Minister's approval rating singed by bushfires

Paris authorities on Sunday announced that they have removed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-heatwave-burns-on-but-eases-from-record-highs-231887">heatwave alert across the city</a> as the temperature began to ease slightly.

The French capital was under heatwave alert since June 23.

The World Meteorological Organisation said last&nbsp;week that the European heatwave was "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

This year is on track to be among the hottest ever and that would make 2015-2019 the world's hottest five-year period on record,&nbsp;World Meteorological Organisation further added.

It is too soon to definitely attribute Europe's current blistering heatwave to climate change but it is "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations agency said.

Around seven people have died across Europe due to hot temperature.

Although temperatures have eased mostly in the north of the country, Meteo France says average temperatures remain high in the south, with several administrative regions still on the 'level three amber' heatwave alert.

Paris authorities on Sunday announced that they have removed the heatwave alert across the city as the temperature began to ease slightly. The French capital was under heatwave alert since June 23.

Paris authorities on Sunday announced that they have removed the heatwave alert across the city as the temperature began to ease slightly. The French capital was under heatwave alert since June 23. The World Meteorological Organisation said last week that the European heatwave was "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. This year is on track to be among the hottest ever and that would make 2015-2019 the world's hottest five-year period on record, World Meteorological Organisation further added. It is too soon to definitely attribute Europe's current blistering heatwave to climate change but it is "absolutely consistent" with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations agency said. Around seven people have died across Europe due to hot temperature. Although temperatures have eased mostly in the north of the country, Meteo France says average temperatures remain high in the south, with several administrative regions still on the 'level three amber' heatwave alert.

Paris no more under heatwave alert: French authorities

The last three years were the hottest on record, the United Nations weather agency said today, citing fresh global data underscoring the dramatic warming of the planet.

Consolidated data from five leading international weather agencies shows that &quot;2015, 2016 and 2017 have been confirmed as the three warmest years on record&quot;, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.

It added that 2016 remains the hottest year ever measured, due to the warming effect of El Nino, while 2017 was the warmest non-El Nino year beating out 2015 by less than one hundredth of a degree.

&quot;The long-term temperature trend is far more important than the ranking of individual years, and that trend is an upward one,&quot; WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

The 21st century has so far been a period of the hottest weather, accounting for 17 of the 18 warmest years on record.

&quot;And the degree of warming during the past three years has been exceptional,&quot; Taalas added.

The WMO also highlighted the intensification of weather and climate related disasters, which hit record levels in the United States last year, while multiple countries were devastated by cyclones, floods and drought.

The WMO findings were based on data provided by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US space agency NASA, Britain&#39;s Met office, the European Centre for medium range weather forecasts and the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Using those inputs, the UN said that the average global surface temperature last year was 1.1 degrees Celsius (1.98 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

&quot;Basically, all of the warming in the last 60 years is attributable to human activities,&quot; said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA&#39;s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York.

Reacting to the results, experts warned that the planet is moving closer to a set of red lines laid out in the historic 2015 Paris climate agreement.

That treaty calls for capping global warming at &quot;well under&quot; two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

&quot;When even &#39;colder&#39; (non-El Nino) years are rewriting the warmest year record books we know we have a problem,&quot; said Dave Reay, the Carbon Management chair at the University of Edinburgh. 
&quot;Global temperatures will continue to bob up and down from year to year, but the climate tide beneath them is rising fast.&quot;

There is mounting global consensus on the need to slash CO2 and methane emissions, improve energy efficiency, and develop technologies to remove CO2 from the air.

But US President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to withdraw from the Paris accord has rattled the international community and complicated efforts at forging joint action -- even though many US state governments insist they remain committed to cut emissions.

Since industrialisation took off in the early 19th century, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by nearly half, from 280 parts per million to 407 parts per million.

Trump will head to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, an annual gathering of global elite, where he will confront some of the political and civil society leaders who fought hard for the Paris deal.

&quot;Collaborative efforts&quot; to combat unprecedented shared challenges will be a major theme of meeting, WEF boss Klaus Schwab said this week.

&quot;The record temperature should focus the minds of world leaders, including President Trump, on the scale and urgency of the risks that people, rich and poor, face around the world from climate change,&quot; said Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the London School of Economics.&nbsp;

Consolidated data from five leading international weather agencies shows that "2015, 2016 and 2017 have been confirmed as the three warmest years on record", the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said

The last three years were the hottest on record, the United Nations weather agency said today, citing fresh global data underscoring the dramatic warming of the planet. Consolidated data from five leading international weather agencies shows that "2015, 2016 and 2017 have been confirmed as the three warmest years on record", the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. It added that 2016 remains the hottest year ever measured, due to the warming effect of El Nino, while 2017 was the warmest non-El Nino year beating out 2015 by less than one hundredth of a degree. "The long-term temperature trend is far more important than the ranking of individual years, and that trend is an upward one," WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said in a statement. The 21st century has so far been a period of the hottest weather, accounting for 17 of the 18 warmest years on record. "And the degree of warming during the past three years has been exceptional," Taalas added. The WMO also highlighted the intensification of weather and climate related disasters, which hit record levels in the United States last year, while multiple countries were devastated by cyclones, floods and drought. The WMO findings were based on data provided by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US space agency NASA, Britain's Met office, the European Centre for medium range weather forecasts and the Japan Meteorological Agency. Using those inputs, the UN said that the average global surface temperature last year was 1.1 degrees Celsius (1.98 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. "Basically, all of the warming in the last 60 years is attributable to human activities," said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. Reacting to the results, experts warned that the planet is moving closer to a set of red lines laid out in the historic 2015 Paris climate agreement. That treaty calls for capping global warming at "well under" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). "When even 'colder' (non-El Nino) years are rewriting the warmest year record books we know we have a problem," said Dave Reay, the Carbon Management chair at the University of Edinburgh. "Global temperatures will continue to bob up and down from year to year, but the climate tide beneath them is rising fast." There is mounting global consensus on the need to slash CO2 and methane emissions, improve energy efficiency, and develop technologies to remove CO2 from the air. But US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris accord has rattled the international community and complicated efforts at forging joint action -- even though many US state governments insist they remain committed to cut emissions. Since industrialisation took off in the early 19th century, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by nearly half, from 280 parts per million to 407 parts per million. Trump will head to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, an annual gathering of global elite, where he will confront some of the political and civil society leaders who fought hard for the Paris deal. "Collaborative efforts" to combat unprecedented shared challenges will be a major theme of meeting, WEF boss Klaus Schwab said this week. "The record temperature should focus the minds of world leaders, including President Trump, on the scale and urgency of the risks that people, rich and poor, face around the world from climate change," said Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the London School of Economics.

Last three years hottest on record: UN