Explore

1Weather1Weather
Polar Vortex and Super El Niño May Disrupt Winter 2026-2027

Polar Vortex and Super El Niño May Disrupt Winter 2026-2027

Meteorologists are closely monitoring the development of the polar vortex and a strong El Niño ahead of winter 2026-2027. The polar vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air over the North Pole, is forming stronger than usual for this time of year. Long-range forecasts suggest a potential weakening of the vortex around mid-winter, which could lead to significant atmospheric disruptions. Concurrently, a 'Super El Niño' is strengthening in the tropical Pacific, with NOAA predicting a greater than 90% chance of it reaching very strong levels during the Northern Hemisphere autumn and winter. This combination of factors could reshape the jet stream, alter storm tracks, and influence temperature patterns across the United States and Europe. However, forecasters emphasize that it is too early to confirm whether a major polar vortex disruption or sudden stratospheric warming event will occur.
USA TodayUSA Today
Winter forecast controversy. Can you trust an almanac?

Winter forecast controversy. Can you trust an almanac?

Almanacs publish easy-to-understand forecasts that predict what the upcoming seasons will be like. Scientists have thoughts.
1Weather1Weather
Polar Vortex and Super El Niño to Shape US Winter

Polar Vortex and Super El Niño to Shape US Winter

A strong El Niño event is expected to interact with the polar vortex this winter, potentially influencing weather patterns across the United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center (CPC), there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event during the fall and winter months, with a 75% likelihood of it being one of the strongest on record since 1950. The polar vortex, a large area of cold air and low pressure around the Earth's poles, typically strengthens in winter and can send Arctic air southward. While a strong polar vortex often leads to warmer-than-average temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, disruptions can still cause cold air outbreaks in the U.S. (Source time: not specified).
1Weather1Weather
NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern U.S.

NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern U.S.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has released its winter outlook for December 2026 through February 2027, highlighting a wetter-than-average season for the southern United States. The forecast, issued on September 17, 2026, indicates above-normal precipitation for regions including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of the southern Rockies. Meanwhile, the northern Rockies and Great Lakes are expected to experience below-normal precipitation. The temperature outlook suggests warmer-than-average conditions across much of the northern U.S., which could impact snowfall levels in some areas. The forecast is influenced by a strengthening El Niño, which is expected to shift the Pacific storm track southward, potentially bringing more moisture to southern regions.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
University of Alabama Hydrologic Scientist Position Supports NOAA's National Water Efforts

University of Alabama Hydrologic Scientist Position Supports NOAA's National Water Efforts

The University of Alabama is seeking a Hydrologic Scientist I to assist with hydrologic modeling and analysis projects. This position directly supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) national efforts on low-flow information, specifically through the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH). CIROH's mission is to collaboratively research, develop, and deliver state-of-the-art hydrologic analyses, forecasts, data, guidance, and equitable decision-support services, directly supporting NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction (OWP). The role also reinforces the mission of the National Weather Service (NWS) National Water Center (NWC) by promoting collaboration across the scientific community and accelerating the transition of research innovations into operational water prediction services. The Hydrologic Scientist will compile, process, and analyze data, build models, generate and analyze simulation results, and prepare reports and presentations for wide dist...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Former Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes Advocates for Improved Climate and Environmental Data Accessibility

Former Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes Advocates for Improved Climate and Environmental Data Accessibility

David J. Hayes, who served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior in three presidential administrations and as Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy, is emphasizing the critical need for accessible and usable climate and environmental data. Hayes, currently an Advisory Board Member and Co-Founder of the Center for Climate and Environmental Data (CCED) at the Data Foundation, highlights issues such as data fragmentation, lack of measurement standards, and insufficient granularity. He points out that greenhouse gas data, for instance, is spread across various federal scientific agencies like NASA, NOAA, and USGS, as well as policy-making bodies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy. This fragmentation makes it challenging for decision-makers, from foresters considering reforestation projects to city managers evaluating tree planting initiatives, to access and utilize the data effectively for actionable insights. Hayes's interest in en...
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
In slow hurricane season a surprise would-be Fay tries to form in the Atlantic

In slow hurricane season a surprise would-be Fay tries to form in the Atlantic

The 2026 hurricane season is record slow with just five named storms having formed and no hurricanes despite being deep into peak season.
1Weather1Weather
Kelvin Waves Explained: El Niño’s Hidden Ocean Pulse

Kelvin Waves Explained: El Niño’s Hidden Ocean Pulse

Kelvin waves are massive pulses of ocean or atmospheric energy that travel thousands of miles across the equatorial Pacific. A warm, downwelling Kelvin wave can move subsurface heat eastward, deepen the thermocline and help strengthen El Niño, although one wave does not guarantee an El Niño event. The current wave is forecast to reach California in late September and move toward San Francisco by early October, potentially raising coastal water levels by about 1 foot. That temporary rise could worsen flooding and erosion if it coincides with high tides, large surf or a coastal storm.
Asheville Citizen-TimesAsheville Citizen-Times
No sweater weather yet for Western NC as summer like weather continues

No sweater weather yet for Western NC as summer like weather continues

Western North Carolina and much of the South are bracing for scorching temperatures to continue as the first day of fall approaches.
Cincinnati EnquirerCincinnati Enquirer
Map shows Cincinnati peak fall color timeline, but falling leaves may be late

Map shows Cincinnati peak fall color timeline, but falling leaves may be late

Cincinnati can expect to see fall colors by mid-October this year, but leaves may not start falling until November. Here's why.
1Weather1Weather
Summer 2026 Declared Hottest on Record by NOAA

Summer 2026 Declared Hottest on Record by NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that summer 2026 is the hottest on record in the United States, surpassing previous records set in 2021 and 1936. The average temperature across the continental U.S. was 75.6°F (24.2°C), with daytime highs averaging 88.6°F (31.4°C). The southern and western regions experienced the most intense heat, while the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast saw near or slightly above-average temperatures. Arizona endured its second-hottest summer, with an average of 97°F (36.1°C) and 39 days exceeding 110°F (43.3°C). Nearly 60% of the country is also facing drought conditions, exacerbating the heat. NOAA attributes the extreme temperatures to persistent heat domes, drought, and a skewed jet stream pattern that trapped heat across the U.S.
1Weather1Weather
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Remains Quiet

2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Remains Quiet

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually quiet, with no hurricanes reported as of September 16. NOAA forecasts for this season predicted below-average activity due to strong El Niño conditions, which suppress tropical storm formation. Historically, the Atlantic hurricane season averages 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. This year, NOAA adjusted its predictions to 7-13 named storms, 2-6 hurricanes, and up to two major hurricanes. If no hurricanes form by November 30, it will be only the third time in recorded history that the season ends without a hurricane.