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The graphics and statistical information on this page fill gradually as they become available, with some not available until the next day.
The page is updated every 30 minutes at about 20 and 50 minutes past the hour.
If you are looking for weather news as it happens, use the links on the Severe weather real-time news reports page.
Monday 12: Heatwave set to envelop eastern states
An unusually broad northerly stream of hot air is forecast to give widespread heatwave conditions to SA, NSW and VIC early this week with maximum temperatures in Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney likely to reach from the low to mid 30s for two or three days. It is unusual for all capitals to experience heatwave conditions simultaneously, the last occurrence of heat of this magnitude in December being 51 years ago according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Monday 12: Extreme winter robs SE Australia of its cherries
A long cold, wet winter in Australia's SE states of NSW, VIC, TAS and SA has reduced the annual cherry harvest to around 40% of those last year, making the fruit the "most expensive ever grown in history", according to the President of the Cherry Growers Association of Australia. The harvest is 3 weeks to a month behind normal in some areas according to this ABC News report.
Monday 12: Sudden rise in methane gas emissions blamed on increased food production
Carbon dioxide is held responsible for around 80% of increased atmospheric warming, but methane gas contributes to it even more efficiently. While carbon dioxide is beginning to plateau, and projected to grow at just 0.2% next year, methane emissions have been growing ten times faster since 2007.
Nearly 100 scientists from around the world, who are compiling data for the Global Methane Budget, show the biggest spike in methane concentrations in the atmosphere in 20 years, according to an article in The Conversation. They believe rapidly increasing food production is behind the increase, with agriculture and livestock production the dominant drivers. A second article can be found by Reuters.
Monday 12: Guides to Trump advisers, and how they are likely to handle climate change
Two articles in The Guardian today go into depth on the way in which US President-elect Donald Trump is likely to be advised in the directions he takes on climate change. The first points out that every agency dealing with climate change will be directed by climate sceptics, with a guide to each appointee and the views they hold.
The second suggests, however, there may be a battle emerging for the President-elect's heart and head. His first daughter, Ivanka, however is "positioning herself...as a bridge to moderates and liberals disgusted and depressed with the tone and tenor of the new leader of the free world," according to Politico. She is likely to have one ear of the new President while Big Oil, among others, has the other.
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