Heat deaths, forest fires and worry about the next storm.
North America is currently feeling the consequences of climate change more than clearly.
An overview of recent events.
New York - North America is currently experiencing unsettled weather.
One unwanted weather phenomenon chases the next.
Canada and the US coasts are affected.
On top of that, there is an unusual accident in Mexico.
The sea is on fire.
Weather in Canada: Record temperatures of almost 50 degrees - around 500 heat deaths
In western Canada, an unprecedented heat wave caused around 500 deaths. In the province of British Columbia, 486 deaths were recorded in five days, while the average number of reported deaths over such a period is 165. Record temperatures of 49.6 degrees had previously been measured on site. According to the German Weather Service, it is an "unprecedented event" - which is now drawing wider circles.
In the meantime the heat has cooled down somewhat, but the persistent drought and continued high temperatures favored forest fires.
The Canadian military is on alert over the risk of forest fire.
In British Columbia alone, authorities listed 174 fires on Saturday.
The small town of Lytton, which had been almost completely destroyed by a rapidly spreading fire, had been hit worst there.
West Coast Weather: Forest fires around California
Forest fires are also a concern of California's people.
Due to the high fire risk, the authorities have issued a “Red Flag” warning for northern California.
Dry thunderstorms with lightning strikes could exacerbate the situation.
Several fires have already caused severe damage in the region, benefiting from strong winds and drought.
Further south, in the US states of Washington and Oregon, there were also record-breaking temperatures.
The fires have already burned almost 40,000 hectares, including a popular tourist area.
The extremely high temperatures are triggered by the phenomenon of the "heat dome".
This means that the high pressure in the atmosphere keeps the hot air in the region.
Global climate change leads to the more frequent occurrence of heat waves.
For the coming week, high temperatures are again forecast for Northern California.
California has already recorded around 600 more forest fires this year than in the same period last year - 2020 was the worst year in recent history in terms of forest fires.
Weather on the east coast: "Elsa" sweeps through the Caribbean - Florida worried
On the east coast, people are currently preparing for the tropical storm "Elsa".
It is expected to reach Cuba and Jamaica on Sunday.
There is a threat of heavy rains and storm surges.
"Elsa" is expected on Monday on the east coast around the US state of Florida.
The consequences of the weather phenomenon cannot yet be precisely estimated.
"Elsa" was originally classified as a hurricane, but then lost some of its force and has been considered a tropical storm ever since.
Two people from the Dominican Republic died as a result of "Elsa".
There is said to have been a death on the island of St. Lucia.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 15 counties.
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"Elsa" reaches the coast of the Dominican Republic.
At least two people have died.
A 15 year old and a 75 year old.
© Orlando Barría / imago-images
Weather in Mexico: "Fire eye" after the pipeline accident
It is an unusual and terrifying sight at the same time.
The Gulf of Mexico was on fire on Friday (July 2nd).
A gas leak in an underwater pipeline caused fire in the sea off Mexico.
The fire was extinguished after five and a half hours, there were no injuries.
The shocking images stayed in the memory: fiery gas balls that shot to the surface of the water, creating a kind of fire eye.
Memories of a volcanic eruption became loud.
Even if the event has nothing to do with weather phenomena, it fits into the destructive image of nature that North America is giving off these days.
The current weather disasters are hitting North America hard and are by no means the only ones in the recent past. The continent is severely affected by climate change due to numerous weather phenomena. A 2019 study states: "Human-induced climate change has increased the likelihood of some extreme events." Forest fires and floods are cited as examples.
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