Dandelions, Raspberries Blooming In Parts Of Southern Siberia - Warmest November In 70 Yrs.

[hatrack]

SIBERIA is basking in its warmest November for 70 years, putting its permafrost, wildlife and even the human population at risk. Russian scientists warned on Thursday that southern Siberia, already known as one of the fastest warming regions on the planet, is facing grave consequences as a result of the unnaturally temperate start to its typically harsh winter.

November is normally a month when silence swathes the vast evergreen forests as migratory birds depart for warmer climes and resident mammals settle down to hibernate. This year, though, the forests are alive with uneasy sound. Bears and badgers have yet to hibernate, while hares, whose coats have changed from grey to white in anticipation of snow, have become easy prey.

Even the plants seem confused. For the first time in memory, dandelions and raspberries have bloomed in several parts.

Some areas are recording highs of 12 degrees, with temperatures across southern Siberia seven to 10 degrees warmer than normal. A 984,000-square-kilometre expanse of permafrost has started to melt, releasing into the atmosphere large quantities of methane and carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/siberian-heatwave-brings-chilling-warning/2006/11/17/1163266786030.html

[Richard D]

1. We're screwn

"releasing into the atmosphere large quantities of methane and carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming . . . "

Runaway global warming here we come.

[Sequoia]

2. White bunnies can be seen! This is not good at all.

The animals haven't had time to adjust to global warming. Scary.