The National Weather Service in the US has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, until Thursday, as temperatures are expected to hit the high 30s Celsius. Burbank, a suburb north of Los Angeles, recorded 39C on Saturday, a few degrees shy of the October record for the region set in 1987. A persistent area of high pressure will remain in place this week, leading to further hazardous hot weather and increased fire risk. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Wildfires in Indonesia
Parts of Indonesia are in the midst of an extreme wildfire season, which has peaked over the past month. Western Kalimantan (Borneo) and southern Sumatra have been particularly badly affected. The lack of rainfall has dried the usually water-logged tropical soils, meaning that fires have been able to spread quickly, above and below the surface. Indonesia’s soils are also extremely rich in peat, meaning that the smoke produced from the fires contain higher levels of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Cities in surrounding areas and as far as Malaysia and Singapore have experienced reduced air quality in recent weeks as a result. Drought and wildfires are more common in this part of the world during El Niño events owing to suppressed thunderstorm activity.
El Niño and tropical cyclones
On the flip side, El Niño is contributing to an extremely active period for tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean. After recent hurricanes in the eastern half of the basin, Super Typhoon Choi-Wan is now active and a category 4 typhoon to the south-east of Japan, while on a strengthening trend. After developing on 30 September, Choi-Wan moved through the Northern Mariana Islands as a tropical storm, causing power outages on the island of Tinian, forcing the closure of schools and government offices. Choi-Wan underwent rapid intensification after clearing the islands on Sunday, and as of Sunday night has sustained winds of 150mph, and gusts of up to 180mph. The system is expected to curve away from mainland Japan and areas affected by Typhoon Dujuan last month, while steadily weakening over the coming week.
Fire risk in California
The persistent area of high pressure in southern California is increasing fire risk. The 39C recorded in Burbank on Saturday was a few degrees shy of the October record set in 1987. The National Weather Service is urging residents to be cautious. The hot weather is expected to persist until Thursday.
Impact of Indonesian fires
Smoke from the fires in Indonesia has spread to neighbouring countries, reducing air quality in Malaysia and Singapore. Peat-rich soils allow fires to spread underground, making them difficult to extinguish. During El Niño events, suppressed thunderstorm activity exacerbates drought.
Typhoon Choi-Wan's effects
Choi-Wan developed on 30 September and moved through the Northern Mariana Islands. Power outages occurred on Tinian, and schools and government offices were closed. On Sunday, the typhoon rapidly intensified, with sustained winds of 150mph and gusts up to 180mph. It is expected to curve away from mainland Japan and weaken over the coming week.