White Christmas For Europe; Bengaluru's Record Cold; Xinjiang Plummets To Record -42.5C; Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Higher Now Than In 1979; China's Starlink; + Science Will Win Out...

...eventually, and inevitably.

White Christmas For Europe

A powerful polar air mass is about aid in the delivery of feet of Christmas snow to much of Europe, including Italy.

Italian's should expect the first heavy snows this Thursday, Dec 19, which will focus on the Alpine arc, where the border valleys of Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Lombardy, and South Tyrol will bear the brunt.

Severe snow will hit Friday, Dec 20, as frigid air combining with a system over the Tyrrhenian Sea triggers widespread precipitation totaling in the feet.

Temperatures will plunge as icy winds descend down from the north, bringing flakes to the central-northern Apennines. Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, and even inland areas of Lazio are set to see heavy snowfalls, while in the south, accumulations will build in regions such as Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, and Calabria.

Ski resorts across the central Apennines, including Terminillo, Roccaraso, Majelletta-Blockhaus, and Campo Imperatore, are preparing for significant snow. Fresh powder could reach depths of 3 feet, with peaks exceeding that (above 5,900 feet).

The below GFS run takes us through Christmas day — expect disruptions.

GFS Total Snowfall (cm) Dec 18 - Dec 25 [tropicaltidbits.com].

You'll note that it isn't just Italy set for a festive burial. All of the Alps, the Balkans, much of Romania, western Ukraine, a lot of Germany, and the majority of of Scandinavia being hit. From Scotland to eastern Turkey, in fact, a white Christmas is on the cards.

Bengaluru's Record Cold

Bengaluru, India is set to experience its coldest December night in decades this week. Temperatures have already dropped to 12.2C/54F (in the early hours of Dec 17), the lowest minimum in 14 years, but a further plunge is on the cards.