CTV Edmonton meteorologist Josh Classen provided a sobering recap of a week dominated by severe and deadly weather events across the globe, highlighting the destructive power of nature.
A Trio of Weather Crises Unfolds
In his report published on December 04, 2025, Classen detailed three major meteorological events. The week featured a powerful storm battering the U.S. east coast, the significant tropical system known as Cyclone Ditwah, and a developing and dangerous situation on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The crisis in Sumatra involved deadly flooding and landslides, posing a severe threat to local communities and infrastructure.
Focus on the Sumatra Disaster
While the North American storm and the cyclone were major events, the developing situation in Sumatra captured particular concern due to its immediate human cost. The combination of torrential rains triggering deadly flooding and subsequent landslides created a complex emergency for responders. These events underscore the increasing volatility in weather patterns and the devastating impact on vulnerable regions.
A Global Pattern of Extremes
This week of wild weather, as summarized by Josh Classen, fits into a broader pattern of intense and frequent extreme weather events observed worldwide. The simultaneous occurrence of major storms in different hemispheres points to a dynamically active climate system. The loss of life and property damage in Sumatra serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of these escalating natural disasters.
Classen's recap, delivered on Thursday morning, brings these interconnected global events into focus for viewers, emphasizing the far-reaching effects of severe weather beyond local forecasts.