Top ten case studies for 2020
January–December 2020
A look at our most popular case studies from 2020.
05 January 2021
21 December 2020
We've taken a look back at the case studies entries we've produced this year and compiled a list of our most popular studies in 2020.
Our case on pollution levels dropping during the first COVID-19 lockdown gained the most visits and the most engagement on social media.
2020 case studies
1: Pollution levels drop during COVID-19 lockdown
The COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 had a visible effect on pollution.
2: Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 2020
In September 2020 the Arctic sea ice extent shrunk to the second lowest in the 42-year satellite record, behind September 2012. Meanwhile, October 2020 became the lowest on record.
Read the Arctic sea ice case study
3: Urban flash flood in Zagreb
Extreme rainfall on the evening of 24 July 2020 left the Croatia capital Zagreb under water.
4: Super Tropical Cyclone Amphan in Bay of Bengal
Low pressure area that formed on 13 May intensified into a Super Tropical Cyclone Amphan on 18 May, due to exceptionally warm waters in the Bay of Bengal.
5: Cold spell in Europe
In Europe, March 2020 ended with a cold spell, due to a strong cold air outbreak from the north.
6: 2018 and 2019 Drought and Heatwaves in Europe
In depth analysis looking at the exceptionally dry, hot summers of 2018 and 2019.
Read about the drought and heatwaves
7: Dusty Dry Conveyor Belt
The Dry Conveyor Belt (DCB) is usually free of clouds in the mid and higher levels, so barely traceable on solar imagery, but in February 2020 it could be seen due to dust transport.
8: Aralkum Desert dust pollutes air in South-East Europe
High values of particulate matter (PM10) were recorded in the air in many places across South-East Europe on 27 March 2020. The source of dust was traced back to Aralkum Desert.
9: Smoky hurricane
A large smoke cloud was sucked into Hurricane Paulette in September 2020, changing microphysical properties of associated cloud bands.
10: Storms hit France in early October
Europe was battered during the first October weekend in 2020, with extensive storms, extreme rainfall and flooding.
