Londoners will enjoy unseasonably warm weather this weekend, with temperatures reaching 18°C—hotter than Ibiza and Nice. The Met Office forecasts sunny spells and mild conditions, with highs of 17°C on Saturday and 18°C on Sunday. St James’s Park recorded 18.3°C on Thursday, far above March’s UK average of 9.2°C. However, the warmth may not last, as forecasters warn of a potential cold snap from mid-March due to a polar vortex collapse in North America. London temperatures could drop to 8°C by next week, reminding residents of the UK's unpredictable spring weather.

Recent analyses reveal significant warming across all UK seasons, with spring experiencing the most pronounced rise. Data from Climate Central shows that the average spring temperature has increased by 1.8°C, making it the fastest-warming season nationwide. England has seen the largest increase at 2°C, followed by Wales (1.8°C), Northern Ireland (1.6°C), and Scotland (1.5°C). This warming disrupts ecological events like pollination and migration, threatening biodiversity. Earlier flowering also poses risks to agriculture, with crops vulnerable to late frosts. Human health is affected as longer growing seasons extend the hay fever period.

The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia, a British territory, after nearly 40 years at sea. The 1,200-square-mile megaberg threatens vital feeding grounds for millions of penguins, seals, and endangered albatross. Scientists warn its breakup could disrupt ocean ecosystems by altering krill availability. A23a, which broke from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in 1986, drifted north in 2020. The iceberg now blocks key areas for marine life, while its melting releases vast amounts of fresh water into the ocean. Researchers fear Antarctic ice loss is accelerating due to climate change, impacting global ocean currents.

A state of emergency has been declared in South Carolina as wildfires burn across the state. Dry and windy weather has caused more than 150 fires, forcing evacuations in several areas. Soldiers used helicopters to drop water, and firefighters are working hard to control the flames. Some people have returned home, but others are still waiting. Fires are also burning in North Carolina and Georgia. Officials warn that strong winds and dry conditions are making the situation worse. Rain is expected soon, which may help. No injuries or major damage have been reported so far.

Japan is battling its worst forest fire in 30 years, with over 2,000 firefighters deployed to control the flames engulfing 5,200 acres near Ofunato. The blaze, fueled by record-low rainfall, has killed one person and forced 4,600 residents to evacuate. More than 80 buildings are damaged as authorities scramble to contain the spread. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assured Parliament that measures are in place to protect homes. Helicopters are dousing flames, but the fire continues raging. Japan’s 2024 heat records and extreme dryness have worsened conditions, raising concerns about climate change’s role in such disasters. Officials remain on high alert as firefighting efforts intensify.

An avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site near Mana village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, trapping 55 workers. Rescue teams, including the Army, ITBP, BRO, NDRF, and SDRF, faced challenging weather conditions during operations. By Saturday morning, 47 workers had been rescued, with efforts ongoing to locate the remaining eight. The rescued individuals received medical attention at the ITBP hospital in Mana, with some airlifted to Joshimath for further treatment. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami coordinated with central authorities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ensure all necessary assistance. The avalanche disrupted routes and communication, complicating rescue efforts. The workers hailed from various states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Nepal.

Japan is battling its largest wildfire in over three decades, with flames engulfing approximately 1,200 hectares in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, since Wednesday. The inferno has tragically claimed one life and led to the evacuation of over 1,000 residents, with more than 80 structures damaged. Around 1,700 firefighters nationwide are combating the blaze, supported by aerial efforts. The fire's magnitude surpasses the 1992 Kushiro wildfire in Hokkaido, which burned 1,030 hectares. Ofunato has experienced a mere 2.5 millimeters of rainfall this month, significantly below the February record low of 4.4 millimeters set in 1967. This dry spell, coupled with last year's record-high temperatures, underscores the escalating challenges posed by climate change.

Over the past two days, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) issued a yellow alert for potential avalanches in Uttarakhand. This warning preceded an avalanche in Chamoli district on Friday, which trapped at least 25 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers. In response, a red alert has now been issued for the next 24 hours. Experts attribute the increased avalanche risk to global warming and climate change, leading to retreating Himalayan glaciers and unstable slopes susceptible to landslides and avalanches triggered by rainfall, temperature fluctuations, or seismic activity. Authorities advise heightened vigilance and precautionary measures in affected regions.

Following a period of heavy snowfall and rainfall that led to road blockages and power outages, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing improved weather conditions. The state experienced significant disruptions, with three national highways and 218 roads closed due to landslides, prompting the closure of educational institutions in several districts. The inclement weather also led to the postponement of police recruitment drives in regions like Solan and Dharamshala. The Indian Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla, forecasting heavy precipitation. The administration has been actively working to clear the debris and restore essential services, leading to a gradual return to normalcy in affected areas. 

Persistent rainfall has caused landslides on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway near Karnaprayag, leading to multiple blockages, notably around Animath and Pagal Nala in the Jyotirmath Kotwali area. Efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore traffic. The highway's closure follows a significant avalanche in Chamoli district, which trapped several Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers at their camp near Mana village in Badrinath. State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman reported that 33 of the 55 trapped workers have been rescued, with search operations ongoing for the remaining 22. The Uttarakhand government has issued emergency helpline numbers: 8218867005, 9058441404, 0135 2664315, and toll-free 1070. Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured full support from the central government, emphasizing the priority of safely evacuating those affected.