10 Pics of Extreme Weather Around the World

1. Drought in the U.S.

2012 was the hottest year, ever, in the United States. More than half of the continental U.S. experienced drought, which dehydrated crops and sparked wildfires across the country. Photo via Mark Wilson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

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From heat waves and hurricanes to earthquakes and droughts, 2012 shattered weather records around the world. And more bizarre conditions are welcoming 2013 with a bang, as a snow storm blanketed palm trees in Jerusalem for the first time in 21 years on Thursday. In Australia, high winds are fueling more than 100 bush fires along the eastern and southeastern coasts.

SEE ALSO: 33 Stunning Weather Photos From Readers Around the World

Take a look through our slideshow of weird weather, featuring breathtaking -- albeit terrifying -- photos of floods in the Philippines, tornadoes in Italy and more.

What extreme weather moments did we miss? Let us know in the comments.

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