Arizona Sees August Snow; Europe Forecast Stark Temperature Drop; Australia's Solar Power Woes; + Data Show Ocean Currents Aren't Slowing Down...

...they might actually be speeding up.

Arizona Sees August Snow

The Arizona Snowbowl was hit with an early taste of winter on Saturday, as the mountain’s peak, at 11,500 feet, witnessed anomalous lows and rare August snows.

The NWS said that although the accumulation resembled hail, such were the frigid temperatures over the weekend that snow was mixed in. Video from the resort shows the summit coated in thin but noteworthy layer on the final day of August:

Arizona Snowbowl on X, Aug 31, 2024

Angela Grubb, marketing manager at Arizona Snowbowl, surprised by the early snow, went on to reflect on the remarkable 2023-2024 season just gone — the longest in the resort’s history and in the entire state, stretching all the way to June 1.

"We saw 281 inches of snow last season, with 55 inches falling in April alone," said Grubb. "Skiing in Arizona on June 1 was surreal—truly unbeatable."

Preparations for the upcoming season are already underway, which is currently scheduled to open on November 22.

"Usually, by late October, we see the temperature drop enough to start making snow," added Grubb. "Once those machines are running, we hope Mother Nature keeps the temperatures low and brings us plenty of natural snow, too."

Europe Forecast Stark Temperature Drop

Unusual warmth has been noted across Italy in recent days, mostly in Northern and Central regions. However, a “significant weather shift is imminent”, one that will see the majority of Europe turn uniformly 'blue'.