Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size, duration and scope.

Heavy rains brought by strong positive IOD impact East Africa, hundreds of thousands affected. The 2019 IOD event is going to be one of the strongest ever recorded.

Posted by Julie Celestial on October 24, 2019 Watchers.news

Hundreds of thousands in East Africa are now being affected by torrential rains influenced by the very strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which was predicted to cause extreme rainfall in the region from October to December. The current positive IOD event has strengthened significantly over the past month. The latest weekly value of +2.15 °C is the strongest positive weekly value since at least 2001 (when the BOM’s weekly dataset commenced), and possibly since 1997, when strong monthly values were recorded.

IOD, also called Indian Niño, is the irregular swinging movement of the temperature on the surface of the seas, in which the western Indian Ocean becomes warmer and then colder as compared to the eastern part.

According to Dr. Saji Hameed, one of the scientists who discovered IOD and studied the phenomenon at the University of Aizu in Japan, the 2019 IOD event is going to be one of the strongest ever recorded.

In October, the western Indian Ocean has been warmer than the eastern, and as a result, higher evaporation off the African coastline is being dumped inland as rainfall.

Hameed added that equatorial East Africa is very likely to be unusually wet from October to December, and “November is the most dangerous month as far as IOD impacts are concerned, as enhanced rains reach far into highlands and the watersheds of several rivers.”

Intergovernmental Authority on Development Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) in Kenya has confirmed the pattern.

“High rainfall events associated with flooding in [parts] of Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Kenya are likely related to this positive IOD state,” ICPAC climate modeling expert Zewdu Segele said.

Moreover, rainfall in early October has already been wetter than average, according to the monitoring by Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum.

Hameed said people can get a glimpse of what to expect this year from the 2006 East Africa weather conditions. During that year, the region experienced heavy rains, floods, and also widespread health issues. The wet conditions impacted the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, which affected not only humans but also animals. By March 20017, it caused 155 Kenyans to perish. Meanwhile, in Somalia, 450 000 locals were displaced by the 2006 floods.

On October 21, 2019, the UN reported that around 600 000 to 800 000 people are affected by seasonal flooding in South Sudan, which was heavier than usual. Furthermore, unprecedented floods around the Maban town have affected 200,000 people.

According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization, local rainfall and increased river flow in Somalia from Ethiopia makes flooding in October very likely in a lot of southern areas in the former.

“We are seeing localized flooding and that is likely to increase,” said Justin Brady, head of UN’s emergency aid coordination in Somalia.

From 2016 to 2017, a negative IOD or the reverse effect was linked to drought in Somalia and southern Ethiopia. “A lot is made of El Niño, but the dipole is what has the most impact in Somalia,” Brady said.

In Kenya, the Red Cross Society is preparing supplies as a response for about 30,000 people affected.

“It is a serious event [and it] may get much worse,” Red Cross climate advisor Maurine Ambani said. “Everyone needs to be alert, so getting out the message is important.”

The Meteorological Department in Kenya has provided a forecast in September for the Kenya Red Cross, saying there was a strong chance of rains higher than average in most parts of the country. Ambani also said that the Red Cross is also looking for funding as a preparation for possible scenarios. The agency has also called for early humanitarian action following the forecasts.

A strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole continues to influence Australian and global climate, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said on October 15, 2019.

“The current positive IOD event has strengthened significantly over the past month,” it continued.

“The latest weekly value of +2.15 °C is the strongest positive weekly value since at least 2001 (when the Bureau’s weekly dataset commenced), and possibly since 1997, when strong monthly values were recorded. Over the past month, strong easterly trade winds across the tropical Indian Ocean aided upwelling of cooler water in the eastern Indian Ocean. At the same time, very warm waters off the Horn of Africa have caused an even greater temperature gradient across the basin.

“Given the strength of the trade winds, the IOD may strengthen further over the next fortnight. However, international climate models surveyed by the Bureau indicate the positive IOD is unlikely to persist far into summer. IOD breakdown occurs when the monsoon trough moves into the southern hemisphere in early December. With the monsoon trough having a record-late retreat from India this year, the shift into the southern hemisphere may also be later than usual.

“Typically, a positive IOD brings below-average winter–spring rainfall to southern and central Australia, with warmer days for the southern two-thirds of the country. Positive IOD events are often associated with a more severe fire season for southeast Australia.”