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Wildfire Smoke Forces School Closures in Manaus Amid Intensifying El Nino Event

Wildfire Smoke Forces School Closures in Manaus Amid Intensifying El Nino Event

The city of Manaus, the largest urban center in the Brazilian Amazon, has closed its public schools due to severe smoke from hundreds of wildfires. This decision, announced on Friday, aims to protect the health and well-being of students and education professionals. The region is currently experiencing an intensifying El Nino event, which is contributing to extreme weather conditions, including drought and increased wildfires in the north of Brazil. In September alone, the state of Amazonas recorded over 3,700 fire hotspots, a nearly fourfold increase compared to the previous year, according to satellite data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). On Wednesday, more than 749 fires were active, leading to poor air quality in Manaus, a city of 2.3 million residents. Temperatures in Manaus reached 40°C (104°F) on Thursday, and authorities have advised residents to avoid outdoor exercise. The city had previously experienced several days of smoke last month.

Monsoon Moisture Lingers in Southern Arizona, Bringing Weekend Storms and Rainfall

Monsoon Moisture Lingers in Southern Arizona, Bringing Weekend Storms and Rainfall

Despite the official end of the monsoon season on September 30, Southern Arizona continues to experience lingering monsoon moisture, leading to potential weekend storms and additional rainfall in areas like Green Valley and Sahuarita. National Weather Service Tucson meteorologist Julia Tetrault confirmed that the region has not yet pushed out the season's remaining moisture. Flagstaff, for instance, significantly surpassed its normal monsoon precipitation total, recording over three inches of rain in the latter half of September. The city's monsoon season concluded with 8.68 inches of precipitation between June 15 and September 30, exceeding its average of 7.68 inches by exactly one inch. This extended period of moisture indicates a more prolonged impact of the monsoon season than typically observed.

Eastern Iowa Anticipates Unseasonably Warm Weekend Followed by Midweek Weather Shift

Eastern Iowa Anticipates Unseasonably Warm Weekend Followed by Midweek Weather Shift

Eastern Iowa is preparing for an unseasonably warm weekend, with temperatures expected to reach the low-to-mid 80s on Saturday, making it the warmest day. A breezy south-southeast wind, ranging from 10-20 miles per hour, will accompany mostly sunny skies. Sunday will maintain pleasant conditions with highs around 80 degrees and mostly sunny skies, while overnight lows will drop into the 50s. Monday is also forecast to be warm, with temperatures in the low 80s and predominantly dry weather. However, this period of warmth is expected to conclude by the middle of next week, as rain and storm chances are predicted to return to the region. Following this weather system, significantly cooler air is anticipated to arrive by the subsequent weekend, with high temperatures potentially falling into the 50s.

United Nations Warns of Intensifying El Niño, Projecting Peak in December

United Nations Warns of Intensifying El Niño, Projecting Peak in December

The United Nations has issued a warning that the El Niño weather phenomenon is set to intensify further before reaching its peak in December. According to the World Meteorological Organization's monthly Global Seasonal Climate Update, this naturally occurring event is expected to bring above-average temperatures across much of the globe and alter rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of both drought and floods in various regions. The UN's weather and climate agency indicated that this El Niño could be among the strongest recorded since at least 1950, with its effects exacerbating the impacts of man-made climate change. The Philippines, for instance, is already taking steps to strengthen its use of climate and rice data to assist farmers in making timely decisions regarding planting, irrigation, and drought preparedness as the risks associated with El Niño escalate. The Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration are collaborating ...

Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya is leveraging emergency financing from the World Bank to enhance its preparedness and response capabilities for climate-related disasters and public health emergencies. This funding aims to provide the government with immediate resources to address severe shocks such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks without solely relying on pre-allocated domestic funds. The initiative is part of Kenya's broader strategy to fortify its health system against climate impacts. Preparations for the 2026 El Niño season include strengthening disease surveillance, safeguarding vulnerable health facilities, ensuring the availability of medicines and vaccines, monitoring water safety, and establishing emergency response teams across all 47 counties. Officials have highlighted that flooding can escalate the risks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and malaria, while simultaneously disrupting access to healthcare services. The World Bank's crisis-financing framework is designed to offer additional support for major na...

Weekend forecast calls for 'first widespread snowfall'

Weekend forecast calls for 'first widespread snowfall'

Oddly, moisture from a Pacific hurricane will contribute as forecasters predict snow across parts of the Northern Rockies.

Record Heatwave Hits Southern California

Record Heatwave Hits Southern California

A significant heatwave during the first week of October 2026 shattered temperature records across the western United States, particularly in Southern California. San Diego experienced a maximum temperature of 105°F (40.6°C) on October 3, far exceeding the normal daytime high of 76°F (24.4°C). Overnight lows also remained unusually warm, with temperatures staying above 70°F (21.1°C), compared to the typical low of 64°F (17.8°C). Denver, Colorado, recorded its warmest October low temperature in 72 years, highlighting the widespread impact of this heatwave. Cooler temperatures and rain have since arrived in Los Angeles, signaling the end of the extreme heat conditions. [Source: NRCS Water & Climate Update, October 8, 2026]

Research Links Atlantic Climate Variability to North African Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Outbreaks

Research Links Atlantic Climate Variability to North African Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Outbreaks

New research has established a coherent link between climate variability originating in the Atlantic Ocean and year-to-year changes in cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in North Africa. This vector-borne disease, transmitted by infected female sandflies, causes approximately 1 million cases globally each year, leading to skin lesions, ulcers, and potential permanent scarring. The study, conducted by Adrià San José Plana and Xavier Rodó, found that slowly varying temperatures in the Atlantic influence large-scale atmospheric circulation and the strength of westerly winds. These winds, in turn, transport moisture towards North Africa, affecting rainfall in leishmaniasis-prone areas. The rainfall then impacts vegetation growth in arid ecosystems, which subsequently influences rodent populations that act as reservoirs for the Leishmania major parasite, as well as the conditions suitable for sandflies to thrive. These ecological changes are directly reflected in the patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis transm...

California Flood Experts Highlight Atmospheric Risks

California Flood Experts Highlight Atmospheric Risks

California's leading flood experts are emphasizing the importance of understanding atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events, which are key drivers of flooding in the state. According to the California Institute for Water Resources, these phenomena are closely tied to hydrometeorology, streamflow forecasting, and flood-control applications. Experts from institutions like UC San Diego and UCLA are collaborating to provide science-based insights into flood risks, climate variability, and the impacts of El Niño. Their work aims to support public agencies, communities, and resource managers in preparing for and mitigating flood-related hazards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across California.

Record Pacific Heat Signals Powerful El Niño

Record Pacific Heat Signals Powerful El Niño

Record-breaking heat in the Pacific Ocean is signaling the onset of a powerful El Niño event, which could have significant global weather implications in 2027. El Niño, a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, often disrupts typical weather patterns worldwide. This development raises concerns about increased risks of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and hurricanes, in various regions. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation as the Pacific heat levels continue to rise, potentially making this one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history. Source time: not specified.

El Niño's storm-killer winds and climate's warming waters in fight over future of Hurricane Isaias

El Niño's storm-killer winds and climate's warming waters in fight over future of Hurricane Isaias

A supersized El Niño’s decapitating winds and the Gulf of Mexico’s hot storm-fueling waters are battling for the core and future of land-approaching Hurricane Isaias and the storm’s tilt and eye show who’s winning

Summerlike Warmth Followed by Fall Cooldown in Minnesota

Summerlike Warmth Followed by Fall Cooldown in Minnesota

The Twin Cities in Minnesota are experiencing unseasonably warm weather starting Friday, with temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 70s °F (21-24 °C). Saturday is expected to bring near-record highs in the 80s °F (27-32 °C), accompanied by strong south winds gusting up to 40 mph. This combination of heat, wind, and dry air has raised fire concerns, particularly in western Minnesota. Sunday will remain warm with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s °F (25-28 °C), but a cold front is forecast to bring a sharp temperature drop late in the day. Fall-like conditions are expected to return early next week.