Currently in Philadelphia — November 2, 2023: Cold and frosty

The weather, currently.

Things got cold pretty fast. The record heat we had last week seems like some kind of dream now. The Weather Service says we’ll see “widespread frost” this morning, so maybe head out a few minutes early so you can scrape down your windshield. Otherwise, temperatures are settling into typical fall weather, reaching a high of 50˚F today, and the sky will be clear and sunny, much like yesterday. Good day for one of those colorful fleece sweaters everyone likes so much.

— Abe Musselman

What you need to know, currently.

With water temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean at far-and-away record highs, one of the strongest-ever cyclonic storms to hit northwest Europe made landfall in the UK early Thursday.

According to the UK Met Office, Storm Ciarán underwent “explosive cyclogenesis” on Wednesday, rapidly deepening to a central pressure of 950mb — one of the strongest ever recorded in western Europe. According to UK-based climate scientist Ed Hawkins, “Only two other similar events for pressure in observational records - 25/02/1989 and 25/12/1821.”

Heavy rain and strong winds around hurricane-force will affect Ireland, the UK, France, Spain, and Portugal on Thursday.

— Eric Holthaus

What you can do, currently.

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One of my favorite organizations, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, serves as a hub of mutual aid efforts focused on climate action in emergencies — like hurricane season. Find mutual aid network near you and join, or donate to support existing networks: