Weather
Light Pollution Puts Chile’s Atacama Night Skies—and Global Astronomy—Under Pressure
Chile’s Atacama Desert is prized for its dry climate, high altitude and isolation from urban light, delivering more than 300 clear nights a year for world-class observatories. Scientists say growing development and unclear regulations could erode the darkness that makes the region a uniquely powerful window on the universe.
La Réunion’s Record Rainfall: How Geography and Cyclones Combine to Drench an Indian Ocean Island
La Réunion Island set a world record in 1966 when 71.8 inches of rain fell in a single day. Its volcanic peaks and repeated cyclone impacts help explain why the island is often described as one of the wettest places on Earth.
Southeast Drought Intensifies Ahead of Summer, Raising Heat, Fire and Water Concerns
Drought has expanded and worsened across nearly the entire Southeast, with several states fully in drought and Florida facing its worst conditions in 25 years. A brief uptick in rainfall is forecast, but longer-term outlooks still point to worsening drought into summer, with implications for wildfire risk, water restrictions, soil moisture and travel planning.
Why a Key Atlantic Ocean Current May Slow Sooner Than Expected
New research suggests the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a major ocean “conveyor belt” that helps regulate weather worldwide—could weaken more sharply by 2100 than many earlier projections indicated, with wide-ranging implications for temperatures, rainfall, sea level and storm patterns.
How a Quieter Hurricane Season Could Influence Drought Across the South and Southeast
A strong El Niño expected to develop in the coming months is linked to forecasts for fewer Atlantic hurricanes. That may reduce a key source of warm-season rainfall for parts of the South and Southeast, where drought coverage has expanded sharply over the past year—though heavy rain and flooding can still occur even without a tropical system.
Early Outlook Suggests 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Be Below Average
A forecast from The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2 points to a below-average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, citing El Niño conditions and relatively lukewarm Atlantic waters as key influences. The outlook also raises the question of how this projection compares with other seasonal forecasts released so far.
Rain and Mountain Snow Return to the West, Bringing Relief After a Dry Winter
After a winter and early spring that fell well short on spring showers and mountain snowfall, a shifting weather pattern is delivering rain to lower elevations and feet of snow in higher terrain across the West. The moisture will help, but extremely low snowpack means the region still has a long way to go.
Severe Storm Threat Targets Plains Early Week, May Expand Into Midwest and Mississippi Valley
Severe storms are possible across the Plains over the next few days, with the threat potentially spreading into parts of the Midwest and the Mississippi River Valley by mid-week. Hazards may include hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, with several major cities in the potential impact zone.
What a “Super El Niño” Could Mean for Weather and Climate Across the U.S.
El Niño is expected to form later this year. Meteorologist Jennifer Gray explains what a “super El Niño” is and why it matters, including what it could mean for weather and climate patterns across the United States.
Thousands Mark the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge and Glastonbury Tor
The winter solstice signals the start of astronomical winter. In England, thousands gathered at Stonehenge and Glastonbury Tor to observe the day, reflecting traditions that view the solstice as a turning point in the sun’s annual cycle.
1 / 5