Climate scientist and writer who coined the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
El Niño has strengthened and is forecast to reach the strongest category by fall, bringing droughts, heavy rains, heat waves, and shifts in hurricane activity. Forecasts indicate the event will influence global weather patterns this fall and winter, with warnings of significant regional impacts.
El Niño has strengthened, with forecasters warning it will be among the strongest on record. Regions across Africa, South Asia, and the Americas face droughts, floods, and rising food prices as climate impacts intensify. Aid groups warn that vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers will bear the brunt as aid budgets tighten.
A sweeping heat dome has kept tens of millions under heat alerts from the Midwest to the East Coast. Overnight temperatures are failing to cool, heightening health risks and straining power grids. El Niño is intensifying the heat, and cooling centers, water, and hydration remain critical.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
A AP-NORC poll finds extreme heat is increasingly affecting Americans’ daily lives, from electricity bills to travel plans, with West and Midwest hardest hit and Democrats more likely to report major impacts. The survey, conducted July 23–27, 2026, shows a shift in perception of climate change and growing energy costs.