Currently in Portland — November 2nd, 2023: More rain on Thursday

The weather, currently.

Yep, more rain is coming on Thursday, (and Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday…) so I hope your wet weather gear is fully unpacked and in rotation at this point. I also hope you’re remembering your gloomy weather toolkit, as we’re losing daylight savings time this weekend, too. Get ready to light candles, make soup, and do all the things that get you through the long wet, dark, and cold months in Portland!

— Stella Harris

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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