US weather, oceans, and climate agency under the Department of Commerce
A global study shows 79% of data-center capacity is exposed to acute climate hazards such as flooding and high winds, while chronic risks affect more than half of markets. Industry leaders urge investors to rethink site selection, cooling, and risk models as climate pressures intensify.
Recent studies show gray whales in the Pacific are experiencing high mortality rates, largely due to vessel collisions and Arctic food shortages. A whale found dead in Washington highlights ongoing threats, while efforts to reduce vessel strikes are underway. The population remains critically low, with fewer than 13,000 whales counted since 1970.
Temperatures have reached near-record highs across the US, with many areas experiencing 90°F+ in April. The heat is lasting longer than typical for this time of year, following severe storms in the Midwest. Experts warn this pattern is linked to climate change and will likely continue into the weekend.
Experts are monitoring a high likelihood of a strong El Niño developing this summer, which could lead to record global temperatures in 2027. The phenomenon may cause extreme weather events worldwide, including droughts and heavy rainfall, with a 62% chance of a super El Niño persisting into the end of the year.
Mkango has filed registration documents with the US SEC to raise international financing for Songwe Hill in Malawi, signaling a major step for the country’s mining sector. Economists warn the move heightens exposure to global commodity cycles unless a Sovereign Wealth Fund is established to manage revenues and safeguard macroeconomic stability.
The National Science Foundation has halted plans to remove or descale the Ocean Observatories Initiative, after lawmakers and scientists warned of risks to climate data, weather forecasts and coastal safety. An expert panel will assess future needs while equipment already removed will be redeployed. The move follows bipartisan pressure and a Senate bill to block decommissioning.
El Niño has formed in the Pacific and is expected to strengthen through late 2026, with a 63% chance of reaching a very strong level. Forecasts warn of hotter global temperatures and extreme weather, while impacts will vary by region. Scientists urge preparation and climate action as nations monitor evolving conditions.
SOLAR-1 has passed eight months of testing and now transmits coronal mass ejection images to NOAA within 30 minutes, improving early warnings for solar storms that could disrupt signals and infrastructure.
In the Mediterranean, invasive silver-cheeked toadfish have damaged nets and threatened swimmers. Greece has launched a program to cull and dispose of the fish, while authorities warn of their dangerous neurotoxin. Reports span Crete to Athens, with sites in Cyprus following similar measures. Scientists link arrivals to warm seas and the Suez Canal route.
AI models are delivering faster pattern recognition and higher accuracy for hurricane forecasts, with NOAA citing a 15-30% improvement over traditional methods. DeepMind and other labs are expanding high‑resolution data use to sharpen predictions and enable earlier evacuations.
Scotland’s ski season has defied expectations, with 2025/26 marking the best skier-days tally since 2017/18, at 139,445 across five resorts. Snowfall and weather variability complicate the picture, but the skier-days metric shows more people choosing Scotland’s hills despite conditions.
The AI data-center boom is driving calls for grid upgrades and new rules. Regulators have begun directing grid operators to streamline interconnections, with data centers paying upgrade costs while balancing reliability and consumer costs. Governments and communities are pushing for transparency as AI scales.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has argued that RMS Titanic Inc.’s plan to auction artifacts salvaged from the wreck would violate the company’s obligations to the site, prompting unsealed court documents and renewed debate over how these relics should be displayed.
Coastal authorities have repeatedly stressed calm responses to rip currents as lifeguards warn that these powerful channels carry more than 100 drownings annually in the U.S., with more than 80% of beach rescues tied to them. This year, at least 21 fatalities have been recorded as scientists note currents can reach up to 8 feet per second. The public is urged to flip, float, and follow safety guidelines.