In the first part of this editorial, we explored Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification, its devastating landfall in Florida, and the subsequent destruction caused by tornadoes. We also looked at the role of the current ENSO state. We compared Milton with recent Mediterranean storms such as Helios and Daniel. In this second segment, we will [...]

Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 5 storm that eventually made landfall in Florida as a Category 3, represents yet another grim testament to the evolving nature of extreme weather events in the context of climate change. From its explosive intensification to its catastrophic impacts, Milton is the latest in a string of weather phenomena that [...]

In early September 2023, Storm Daniel emerged as a formidable and tragic demonstration of the Mediterranean's growing vulnerability to extreme weather events fueled by climate change. Originating near Greece and later intensifying into a powerful Mediterranean cyclone, Daniel charted a destructive course that would profoundly affect multiple nations, skimming Malta and leaving a trail [...]

In July 2023, Malta found itself in an unprecedented "Cerberus" heatwave. The searing temperatures and stifling humidity disrupted daily life and underscored the profound vulnerabilities posed by extreme heat events in the Mediterranean. This was not an isolated incident but a harbinger of the escalating impacts of climate change, where heatwaves are becoming more frequent, [...]

The Wrath of Storm Helios and Malta's Vulnerability In a dramatic display of nature's force, Storm Helios struck Malta on the night between the 9th and 10th February 2023, bringing a record-breaking deluge of 44.37 billion litres of rain over the island. This rare Mediterranean hurricane, or "medicane," triggered severe flooding and infrastructure damage [...]