1. Rare snowstorm in Southern United States
At the beginning of the new year, the South of the United States witnessed a rare phenomenon in January. An unusual snowstorm made the Gulf of Mexico, which is sunny and warm all year round, colder than Alaska. Record snowfall in Florida and Louisiana created a century-old climate paradox.
2. Sea ice area reduced to the lowest level
February recorded a red alert level for the environment as global sea ice area fell to its lowest level in history. Scientists determined that the cause was unusual heat waves in the Arctic that prevented the natural ice process.
3. March with the most winds in history
The United States has experienced the most severe month of March ever recorded in terms of wind power. Widespread strong gusts of wind have flared up fierce forest fires, causing chain accidents and creating dust storms covering the sun in the Central region of the country.
4. The return of EF5 super tornado
After 12 years of absence, the highest-level tornado EF5 reappeared in North Dakota in June. The terrible tornado with winds of 338 km/h, more than 1.6km wide, plowed up the ground, leaving a giant scar that can be clearly seen from satellite images.
5. Hot sun knocks down 3,000 temperature records
Summer comes early and brutally with a week-long heatwave at the end of June. More than 3,000 daily temperature records across the United States have been broken. Many major cities have suffered the hottest days in more than a decade.
6. The longest lightning bolt in the world
In July, the World Meteorological Organization confirmed a new record for the longest single lightning bolt in history. This giant lightning bolt stretched up to 829km, crossing the sky from Texas to Missouri, far exceeding all previous records.
7. Super typhoon with destructive wind power
October marks the appearance of super typhoon Melissa. This storm set a record for wind speed measured by parachute devices of up to 405 km/h. This is recorded as the third strongest storm in history to ever appear in the Caribbean Sea.
