INTERNATIONAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009: FIRE AND FLOODING

摘要

In contrast to the Atlantic's relatively tranquil tropical cyclone season, cyclones brought devastating flooding to the western Pacific Basin during 2009. In Australia, drought and extreme heat combined to create ideal conditions for wildfires, and the country's deadliest fire outbreak in history took place on "Black Saturday."rnAs in the United States, wintery weather left its mark in Europe early in the year. The United Kingdom experienced an early January cold snap and snowstorm, and the Amsterdam canals in Holland froze over for the first time in 12 years. In early February, the heaviest snowstorm in 18 years left up to 20 centimeters (eight inches) of snow on London, crippling transportation.