Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Severe Sandstorm Grips Iraq, Disrupting Travel and Health
Iraq experienced its most intense sandstorm of 2025 this week, transforming daytime skies into an ochre haze. The severe weather event dramatically reduced visibility to under half a mile, causing significant travel chaos. Two major airports suspended flight operations, and streets in Basra, southern Iraq’s largest city, became largely deserted. Hospitals reported thousands of admissions due to respiratory problems linked to the dust-laden air. Neighboring Kuwait was also affected, with wind gusts exceeding 50mph and near-zero visibility in some areas.
Dust Storms Intensify Across Region
The extensive dust cloud originated in Saudi Arabia before sweeping across Iraq. While dust storms are a recurring phenomenon in Iraq, experts anticipate that climate change will exacerbate these events across the region. This intensification is attributed to increasing desertification in Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam Batters New Zealand’s North Island
Meanwhile, the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam have unleashed severe weather on the northern regions of New Zealand’s North Island. Swirling in the Tasman Sea, the storm has triggered widespread damage, including power failures, fallen trees, inundated roadways, and flight delays at Auckland Airport. The storm first made landfall on Wednesday evening, unleashing wind gusts exceeding 80mph at Cape Reinga, the island’s northernmost point. This represents the strongest wind speed recorded there since 2017.
Understanding Ex-Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones develop over warm ocean waters, where rising air generates powerful winds and torrential rainfall. As they move into cooler waters, they transition into ex-tropical cyclones. Despite losing their initial tropical energy source, these systems remain potent. They draw energy from temperature variations in the atmosphere, expanding in scale and bringing substantial rainfall and powerful winds across broad areas.
Heavy Rainfall and Continued Warnings in New Zealand
Strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms have impacted numerous locations in New Zealand. Rainfall totals have reached 200mm in Coromandel, near Auckland, and Tasman, in the northern part of the South Island. Further severe weather advisories are in effect as the ex-cyclone tracks southward, disrupting Easter weekend plans with travel interruptions and postponements of sporting events.
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Storm Hans Disrupts Alps Amid Easter Travel Surge
Separately, Storm Hans, identified as the most significant European windstorm of the 2024-25 season, has impacted the Alps since Thursday. This weather system is causing widespread disruption across northern Italy, southern Switzerland, and southeastern France, just as the busy Easter weekend commences. The French ski resort of Tignes was compelled to close, along with adjacent roads, due to snow accumulations reaching up to one meter. An additional meter of snowfall is anticipated following the storm’s passage. Popular ski destinations such as Val d’Isère, Chamonix, and Les Menuires have also experienced substantial snowfall.
Avalanche and Flood Risks in Europe
A level 5 avalanche alert, the highest level, has been issued in the most severely affected zones of the Alps. Simultaneously, intense rainfall at lower elevations has triggered landslides and flooding, leading to road and rail closures throughout the region.