Second Typhoon Strikes Philippines, Halting Rescue Missions
The Philippines is reeling from the impact of Typhoon Fung-Wong, which made landfall on Sunday evening. This weather system, known locally as Uwan, is the second typhoon to hit the nation in less than a week, following the destructive path of Typhoon Kalmaegi.
The national meteorological agency recorded sustained winds of 115mph (185 km/h) with powerful gusts reaching approximately 140mph. Authorities issued urgent warnings for dangerous storm surges and heavy rainfall that pose a significant threat to life across much of the country.
Widespread Impact and Forecasted Path
By the time Typhoon Fung-Wong moves away from the Philippines early this week, the populous island of Luzon is expected to have been deluged with more than 200mm of rainfall. The arrival of this new typhoon has forced the suspension of rescue operations for the more than 100 people still missing after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left at least 224 people dead.
After crossing Luzon, the typhoon is forecast to track north-westwards into the South China Sea by Tuesday, before veering north towards Taiwan. While its exact path shows some variability, Taiwan is likely to face heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding around the middle of the week.
Global Weather Extremes: From European Storms to Falling Iguanas
Meanwhile, other parts of the world are experiencing their own weather extremes. South-western Europe, particularly the Iberian peninsula, is bracing for heavy rain. Cumulative rainfall by the end of the week is predicted to exceed 100mm across western Portugal and Spain's Galicia region, with some localised areas seeing totals over 200mm. Strong winds with gusts topping 60mph are also expected on Tuesday.
Across the Atlantic, a dramatic shift is occurring in the south-eastern United States. The region is preparing for its first significant cold spell of the season as polar air pushes south. Temperatures in northern Florida are forecast to plunge to about 15°C (30°F) below the seasonal average.
This sharp temperature drop, from highs near 30°C over the weekend to around 0°C by 7am local time on Tuesday, is predicted to have an unusual consequence: falling iguanas. As cold-blooded reptiles, iguanas become temporarily paralysed when temperatures dip below 10°C, causing them to lose their grip and fall from trees. Authorities have issued warnings for people to be watchful for this bizarre phenomenon, particularly on Tuesday morning.
