In this episode, we cover the latest climate anomalies and natural disasters that occurred worldwide over the past week (February 19–25, 2025).
Russia
Temperature chaos continues to baffle experts. In the Kola Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle, there were no frosts even at night, with daytime temperatures reaching +5°C.
Meanwhile, the southern regions faced abnormally cold weather with heavy snowfalls. In Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, and other areas of Kuban, water bodies froze over, forming ice ridges.
In Sochi, snow fell not only in the mountains — where snowdrifts reached 3 meters — but also along the coast. Green lawns, palm trees, and flowers were covered in thick snow, an extremely rare phenomenon for this region.
Georgia
Heavy snowfall disrupted transportation in western Georgia, leading to train cancellations.
In Kakheti, public transport was suspended, and in Poti, about 6,000 residents were left without electricity.
In Batumi, where winter temperatures usually hover around +10°C, severe cold and heavy snowfall paralyzed the city, forcing round-the-clock cleanup efforts.
Armenia
On February 20, a powerful snowstorm hit Armenia, causing a transportation collapse. More than 1,000 accidents were reported in just one day.
In the Mount Aragats area, snow cover reached 120 cm.
Greece
In northern Greece, temperatures dropped below -10°C. The extreme cold completely froze the Poly Potamos waterfall near Florina, astonishing even the locals accustomed to harsh winters.
Turkey
Turkey experienced its heaviest snowfall in 50 years. In Istanbul, transportation was severely disrupted, with large trucks stuck on inclines and at least 139 traffic accidents reported.
Shipping through the Bosphorus was halted in both directions.
Iraq
In northern Kirkuk province, residents witnessed an exceptionally heavy snowfall — the likes of which hadn’t been seen in decades.
Iran
Severe snowstorms and freezing temperatures affected 25 out of Iran’s 31 provinces, worsening the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
In the capital, Tehran, frequent power and gas outages forced the closure of all schools, universities, and government institutions.
USA
For the eighth time this winter, a powerful winter storm paralyzed dozens of states.
Snowstorms caused travel chaos, with around 4,000 flights canceled nationwide.
On February 19, Virginia Beach (Virginia) saw nearly 32 cm of snowfall.
In Oswego County (New York), where over 180 cm of snow fell in just a week, the weight of the snow caused 26 building roofs to collapse.
The Arctic cold and snowstorms led to more than 1,500 accidents and at least four deaths.
In Detroit (Michigan), vehicles were frozen solid in ice after a massive water pipe burst.
China
On February 20, a massive avalanche struck Meili Xue Shan Mountain (Yunnan Province) after prolonged snowfall.
Tourists caught in its path managed to take shelter in wooden structures, miraculously avoiding casualties or destruction.
Authorities reminded the public: “Do not panic, and do not stop to watch!” This advice seems obvious, yet human behavior during disasters raises many questions.
Why do people risk their lives — sometimes even the lives of their children — just for a dramatic photo near lava or for an adrenaline rush?
Why do some choose to film avalanches or landslides instead of running to safety?
Why, during earthquakes, do people prioritize saving material possessions instead of themselves?
Even in situations without an immediate threat — such as heavy snowstorms — some insist on venturing out for trivial errands, only to require emergency rescue later… if they’re lucky.
Observing global events, we find ourselves repeatedly asking: Why have people stopped seeing life as the highest and most irreplaceable value?
Beyond climate, economic, and political crises, the core issue of our time is the crisis of valuing life itself.
Survivors of life-threatening situations always say the same thing:
"The most important thing is that I’m alive and my loved ones are safe."
When we truly recognize the value of our own lives, we begin to appreciate the lives of others. The climate is giving us a chance to finally understand what truly matters.
The world is changing dramatically. The challenge we now face will determine not just our future but the survival of all people. Yes, this equation has many unknowns, but finding a solution is possible.
Life is worth fighting for.