WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.wmo.int/media/news

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WCRP calls for strengthening ocean observations
25 February 2016
The World Climate Research Programme’s ocean observations community has contributed a commentary to Nature Climate Change warning that the ocean observing system is showing signs of degradation. The observing system that has been built up over the past several decades has made possible an unprecedented database of ocean observations. This has enabled scientists for the first time to measure deep ocean heat content, which is a critical part of the global energy budget, as well as pan-oceanic salinity, which is a critical part of the global water budget. Unfortunately, just as this observing system has started to generate this invaluable data it is starting to suffer from a lack of new investment.

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Tropical Cyclone Winston causes devastation in Fiji
22 February 2016
Severe tropical cyclone Winston caused widespread damage and destruction as it hit the Fiji islands on 20 and 21 February as a Category 5 intensity storm, the highest category of cyclones, with winds averaging 220 kilometers per hour and gusts of 315 kilometers per hour.
The Fiji National Disaster Management Office is coordinating the response and has activated the National Emergency Operation Center. A 30-day state of natural disaster has been declared. Reports of casualties are rising.

Winston was one of the strongest cyclones ever to hit Fiji, with wind speeds more than enough to lift an airplane. Its intensity is comparable to that of Tropical Cyclone Pam, which caused devastation in Vanuatu on 14 March 2015. In addition to the high winds, storm surge, heavy swells and torrential rains led to serious flooding.