Latest news with #coldweather
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Tour de France star explains strange reason he stole fan's sign
Tour de France rider Julian Alaphilippe has apologised to a stunned fan for snatching her cardboard sign and ripping it up during Stage 14 of the 2025 event on Sunday. As temperatures plummeted while the field cycled through the Pyrenees mountains, the 33-year-old cyclist turned heads by grabbing a cardboard placard from a fan supporting his rival. The Frenchman then rode away, ripping the sign into pieces and discarding the bits he didn't need. Alaphilippe could then be seen stuffing a piece of cardboard inside his cycling suit to use as insulation in the brutal conditions. Alaphilippe's former teammate Zdenek Stybar said, 'Julian is really suffering from the cold.' After about 30km more riding, Alaphilippe stopped a camera motorbike and seemed to apologise for the incident before giving back the remains of the sign. The two-time world champ later apologised properly to the fan and even gave her a gift. 'In the end the story ended well, I apologised to the woman whom I took it from,' he said. 'I gave her a bib, and she took a picture with Wout [rider Wout van Aert]. In the end, thanks to this, she had a better time compared to what she would have experienced at the top of the Tourmalet.' Despite the light-hearted moment, Alaphilippe finished in 50th place, with Thymen Arensman claiming the stage win. It wasn't the only unusual incident with a fan of Stage 14, with viewers left stunned when a car knocked down a spectator on a mountain road. The fan had been stood in the road filming cyclists as they went by when the Ineos Grenadiers vehicle hit them, sending them sprawling and their phone flying. It is unknown what condition the fan is in but the car was travelling at a low speed behind the bikers as they climbed the Col de Peyresourde. Organisers told Reuters they were not aware of the accident while Ineos Grenadiers were not immediately available for comment. The Ineos Grenadiers team is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's minority owner, and was around 200 metres from the summit of the climb at the time of the accident. It was following Ineos' Thymen Arensman, with team-mate Carlos Rodriguez leading the chasing group behind him. Jerome Coppel, an analyst for RMC Sport, said: 'It's always very complicated on these passes. There are people on both sides of the road which isn't very wide.'
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Eastern states shivered through a chilly June, is a warmer winter still on the cards?
It is now two weeks past the winter solstice, and despite a prediction of a warmer winter, many Australians have been feeling the cold. Large parts of the country have shivered through sub-zero temperatures and there have been big dumps of snow and powerful storms. So, have temperatures been significantly cold, or has the country become acclimatised to milder winter temperatures? A look at overnight minimum temperatures, which typically occur first thing in the morning, indicates days have started particularly chilly in many parts of Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology's temperature anomaly map shows most of the country experienced "cooler than average" minimum temperatures for June, apart from southern WA, western South Australia and northern Queensland. Daytime maximum temperatures, however, were closer to average for most of the country, apart from WA, which was warmer than normal. BOM climatologist Qian Zhou said the cold mornings had made it New South Wales's coldest June in nearly 20 years, by minimum temperature, while Queensland had its coldest June minimums in over a decade. "In June, several cold fronts passed us through the south and south-east with cold air behind it," Ms Zhou said. "And after the cold front passed, high-pressure systems settled in, creating the clear skies and the light winds overnight, allowing heat to escape. The cold minimum temperatures included -10 degrees Celsius in Goulburn, in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands, on June 21, which was colder than some sites in Antarctica. Canberra had three mornings in a row below -7C, a record cold run for the city. Tasmania also saw some particularly cold mornings late in the month, with Liawenee plunging to -9C, while Queensland's typically mild weather was freezing on several occasions. While the frigid mornings have warranted a scarf and beanie, they have been far from remarkable by historical standards — with the month coming in as the 48th coldest June on record. "Although the minimum temperature in June across Australia was below average, it was not that remarkably low compared to history," Ms Zhou said. Barely more than a handful of sites with more than 20 years of data broke daily cold records. Ms Zhou said record cold temperatures were becoming less common because of climate change. Since 1910, Australia's average temperature has warmed by more than 1.5C, with most of that change occurring since the 1950s. It means all seasons are getting warmer on average. The last "colder than average" winter, for example, was more than a decade ago. While cold extremes have become rarer, warm extremes have been getting more common, according to Ms Zhou. "And there has been an increase in number of extreme heat events. "A big part of this is due to global warming." The exception was for extreme cold nights in parts of south-east and south-west Australia, where the frequency of frost had been relatively unchanged since the 1980s. Ms Zhou said this was because those regions were also facing a rainfall decline during the cooler months, resulting in more time under clear skies and more "heat loss from the surface" — just like this year. The official winter outlook strongly favoured warm days and nights for June for almost the entire country. June was warmer than average for maximum temperatures. So, in that case, the outlook was accurate. But for the minimum temperatures, the outlook showed strong odds of warm minimum temperatures and for most places, that did not eventuate. Ms Zhou said it demonstrated how individual weather events, which were not able to be detected in the long-range outlook, could change the outcome of a month or season. "The long-range forecasts are unable to predict individual weather events more than one or two weeks in advance," she said. "Those weather systems are short timescales, but the long-range outlook is providing a forecast of the overall trend for the season. "In June, there were at least two major cold fronts with cold outbreaks, which brought abnormally cold air to much of the country and particularly to the east, which the long-range forecast was unlikely to be able to resolve at a long lead time." Technically, though, the outlook can not be wrong because it is not declaring what will happen, but just presenting the odds. Even though there was an 80 per cent chance of it being warmer than average, there was still a 20 per cent chance of it being colder than average. In this case, the outside chance won. Just because June was cold, it does not mean the rest of winter will continue that way. You only need to look to last year as an example. Frigid temperatures in June 2024 saw many calling it the "coldest winter in living memory" and criticising the BOM for getting their forecast wrong. But by the end of August, it was Australia's second-warmest winter on record. The Bureau of Meteorology has softened its forecast for the rest of this winter though. For the most part, it is still expected to be warmer than normal for July and August. But what was a fairly emphatic signal of warmth for the entire country is now looking more patchy, depending on where you live. Parts of South Australia are now expected to have cooler-than-average minimum temperatures in July, though maximum temperatures are still expected to be above average for most. And by August, large parts of inland Australia are showing even chances of above- or below-average maximum temperatures — meaning it could go either way. As for rainfall, July is forecast to be average to below average for most places, apart from coastal NSW, which is expected to be wetter than normal. This changes in August, with rainfall largely favoured to be above average for most of the NT, Queensland, NSW and parts of South Australia.
Sustainability Times
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sustainability Times
'We Finally Cracked the Cold': Engineers Unveil Breakthrough That Makes EVs Charge 6× Faster in Freezing Temperatures
IN A NUTSHELL ⚡ Scientists have developed a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery technology, reducing charging times by up to five times in cold weather. technology, reducing charging times by up to five times in cold weather. 🔬 The innovation involves structural changes and chemical reaction adjustments to combat the thickening of electrolyte liquid in freezing temperatures. in freezing temperatures. 💡 A laser technique creates pathways in the battery anode, while a layer of lithium borate-carbonate prevents lithium deposition. prevents lithium deposition. 🌍 This advancement promises enhanced electric vehicle performance in cold climates without major changes to current manufacturing processes. As the world moves towards sustainable energy solutions, the demand for efficient electric vehicles is skyrocketing. However, cold weather remains a significant hurdle for electric vehicle (EV) performance, particularly in terms of battery charging speed. A recent breakthrough could revolutionize the way lithium-ion batteries function in frigid temperatures. This innovation promises to reduce charging times by up to five times during cold spells. By adapting both the structural design and chemical reactions within the battery, researchers have paved the way for enhanced EV performance in winter, potentially transforming the EV landscape in colder regions. Revolutionary Advancements in Battery Technology The cornerstone of this breakthrough lies in the innovative modifications made to lithium-ion batteries. Scientists have succeeded in significantly improving the charging speed of these batteries at temperatures as low as 14°F. The research, published in the journal Joule, highlights a dual approach: altering the battery's structure and adjusting the chemical reactions that occur during charging. These modifications work in synergy to combat the thickening of the electrolyte liquid caused by cold weather, which typically slows down the movement of lithium ions and extends charging times. The adverse effects of cold temperatures on battery performance are well-documented. As the electrolyte thickens, the electric current is reduced, leading to longer charging durations. Traditional solutions, such as thickening the electrodes, have often exacerbated the issue by further limiting fast charging capabilities. However, the new technique offers a promising alternative that effectively addresses these limitations. 'Shortest X-Ray Pulse in History': US Scientists Smash Records With Ultrabrief Bursts That Could Transform Atomic Imaging Forever Structural Modifications with Laser Precision A key component of this innovation involves creating pathways in the anode of the battery. Researchers achieved this by using lasers to drill holes into the graphite layers of the anode. This technique, initially tested in 2020, facilitates faster movement of lithium ions, significantly enhancing charging speed. However, in cold conditions, this approach previously led to unwanted lithium deposition. To counteract this issue, scientists applied a thin layer of lithium borate-carbonate to the battery. This material, renowned for its ability to improve the efficiency of solid-state batteries, has proven instrumental in increasing charging efficiency by an impressive 500% in cold weather. These structural modifications not only accelerate ion flow but also prevent detrimental side reactions, ensuring the battery performs optimally even in icy conditions. 'They Gave the Drone an Elephant Trunk': Flexible Robot Arm Grabs, Bends, and Slips Into Tightest Spaces With Shocking Precision Unprecedented Performance in Cold Climates The modified batteries have exhibited remarkable durability, retaining 97% of their capacity after undergoing 100 cycles of rapid charging in freezing temperatures. This resilience underscores the potential of these innovations to be seamlessly integrated into existing battery manufacturing processes. As noted by Neil Dasgupta, these advancements do not necessitate major overhauls in production, making them highly feasible for widespread adoption. This breakthrough is poised to enhance the performance of EVs during winter months, which is a significant selling point for consumers in regions with harsh winters. By mitigating the effects of cold weather on battery efficiency, these innovations could encourage more consumers to switch to electric vehicles, thereby contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. 'Gates-Backed 'Flying Blades' Begin Spinning': This Radical U.S. Wind Tech Is Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before The Broader Implications for Electric Vehicles Cold temperatures are notorious for impacting the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. As the electrolyte liquid thickens, the movement of lithium ions between electrodes is hindered, leading to a reduction in electric current and increased charging times. This phenomenon also affects the energy efficiency of the vehicle, as chemical reactions become less effective in cold weather, resulting in reduced driving range. Manufacturers have explored various strategies to address these challenges, such as increasing electrode thickness, but these have often led to further complications with fast charging. The recent study provides a more effective approach to overcoming these obstacles, offering a pathway to improved battery performance without compromising on charging speed or capacity. The advent of these advanced battery technologies represents a significant leap forward for electric vehicles, particularly in winter conditions. By addressing the fundamental challenges posed by cold weather, these innovations have the potential to transform the EV market and accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation. As we look to the future, how will these advancements shape the global adoption of electric vehicles, and what further innovations might emerge to support this transition? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
Reuters
03-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Argentina cuts industrial gas supply amid record cold snap
BUENOS AIRES, July 2 (Reuters) - Argentina will limit the supply of natural gas for industrial use as residents braving a recent cold snap are using more energy to heat their homes, the South American nation's energy secretariat said on Wednesday. The coldest weather in 30 years has created record demand, with the National Gas Regulatory Entity (Enargas) expecting Wednesday's usage to be 25% higher than the same day last year. "Distributors... were forced to interrupt supplies to CNG (compressed natural gas) contracts and industries," the secretariat said. The government of President Javier Milei, which slashed energy subsidies as part of its public spending cuts, blamed the situation on the lack of infrastructure investment in previous years. In Argentina, as well as in its neighbors Chile and Uruguay, the cold weather caused unexpected snowfall in some areas.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Argentina cuts industrial gas supply amid record cold snap
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Argentina will limit the supply of natural gas for industrial use as residents braving a recent cold snap are using more energy to heat their homes, the South American nation's energy secretariat said on Wednesday. The coldest weather in 30 years has created record demand, with the National Gas Regulatory Entity (Enargas) expecting Wednesday's usage to be 25% higher than the same day last year. "Distributors... were forced to interrupt supplies to CNG (compressed natural gas) contracts and industries," the secretariat said. The government of President Javier Milei, which slashed energy subsidies as part of its public spending cuts, blamed the situation on the lack of infrastructure investment in previous years. In Argentina, as well as in its neighbors Chile and Uruguay, the cold weather caused unexpected snowfall in some areas.
