Saturday, December 22, 2012

Update on That Russian Winter Storm

Update on the Russian storm:
Close to 200 people have now died from a bitter cold snap across Russia and eastern Europe.

In Ukraine, more than 80 lives were claimed and more than 500 people hospitalised after temperatures dropped and stayed at minus 17 celsius.
Record snowfalls have trapped hundreds of vehicles, and the capital Kiev has experienced its worst snow since records began in 1881.
Forecasters expect another three days of similar weather.
Russian medical sources say 56 people have died there in the last week alone.
Temperatures as low as minus 47 degrees were recorded in Siberia.
Poland has also seen close to 50 deaths, where officials say most victims were homeless people, who had died of exposure. 
A state of emergency has been declared in 12 Bulgarian municipalities due to heavy snowfall.
Links to more eurozone/snowfall news here

4 comments:

  1. For folk that don't wander to world too much, you might consider converting celcius to farhenheit. Considering -17 celcius is only around -1.5 farhenheit, a lot of ND folk won't be too impressed and would wonder weather-wise Ukrainians are having so many difficulties.

    On the other hand, -40 celcius is also -40 fahrenheit, and that is pretty darned cold!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many folks in the "eastern bloc," as it used to be called, have no heat. You are correct. It speaks volumes that in the 21st century, a country used to cool weather, cannot cope with this relatively colder temperature.

      However, if one checks the climate of Ukraine, this is very much out of the ordinary.

      Delete
  2. Meanwhile the continent of enlightenment is setting on vast shale deposits that would release a treasure trove of natural gas if hydraulically fractured. As they say you can't fix stupid. Rather than fix their problem they cry to the world and the world should feel sorry for them and come to their rescue.

    Europe has rung that bell too many times in the past and it is really getting very old. Yes it is cold in Europe, so what? Do something to fix your problem. Should you not I guess all that needs to be said is you made your bed and now you will have to lay in it.

    Burrr!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree: you can't fix stupid.

      It seems this "cold in Russia" story is repeated every year, but I never see similar stories about "cold in Norway."

      Speaking of which, the happiest countries in the world are ... the Scandinavian countries.

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/06/world-happiness-report-2012_n_1408787.html

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.