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El Niño Causes Mass Starvation of Seabirds in California, Over 2,000 Found Dead

El Niño Causes Mass Starvation of Seabirds in California, Over 2,000 Found Dead

Over 2,000 seabirds, primarily common murres, have died from starvation along California beaches, a phenomenon attributed to the El Niño weather pattern and climate change. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed on March 27, 2026, that starvation is the primary cause of these increased mortalities, ruling out avian flu. Researchers, including those cited by National Geographic, view this as part of a broader issue across the Pacific Ocean. The warmer ocean temperatures, with Monterey Bay experiencing temperatures 13 degrees Fahrenheit higher than average, are disrupting marine life. This ecological shift has led to unusual occurrences, such as warm-water sea turtles nesting on Southern California beaches and disoriented dolphins in the Morro Bay estuary. Wildlife hospitals, like International Bird Rescue and Pacific Wildlife Care, are treating a record number of debilitated seabirds, indicating a significant environmental imbalance.

Sunderland on International Duty: Who’s Playing and When?

Sunderland on International Duty: Who’s Playing and When?

Almost 20 Sunderland players are heading off on international duty after the Chelsea win. Who's representing their country, and when can Black Cats fans watch them in action?

WHO Director General Urged to Convene Emergency Committee on El Niño as Global Health Threat

WHO Director General Urged to Convene Emergency Committee on El Niño as Global Health Threat

The WHO Director General is being urged to convene an emergency committee on El Niño, recognizing it as a significant global health threat. A "super El Niño" is currently underway, with tropical Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures at record highs, projected to be the strongest ever observed. This phenomenon is anticipated to cause an exceptionally severe period of extreme weather, with an early analysis suggesting nearly half a million deaths from extreme heat alone. Beyond heat, El Niño is expected to trigger epidemics of diseases like dengue fever and cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already designated El Niño as a "Grade 3" emergency internally, its highest operational designation, but has not yet recognized it as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under international law.

World Cup soccer could return to Seattle in 2031, according to new FIFA report

World Cup soccer could return to Seattle in 2031, according to new FIFA report

FIFA recently released a bid evaluation report for the 2031 Women's World Cup, which includes Seattle as one of twenty potential host cities.

Gatineau Park Maple Leaves Reveal Lingering Cold War Nuclear Testing Radiocarbon

Gatineau Park Maple Leaves Reveal Lingering Cold War Nuclear Testing Radiocarbon

A recent study led by the André E. Lalonde National Facility for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AEL-AMS) at the University of Ottawa has found that the radiocarbon legacy of Cold War-era nuclear weapons testing has only recently disappeared from the local biosphere in Gatineau Park. For over six decades, scientists have collected sugar maple leaves from the park, creating the longest continuous record of its kind. This research, published in Scientific Reports, analyzed these leaves, which act as a 65-year diary of the atmosphere. Above-ground nuclear tests conducted primarily by the United States and the Soviet Union in the late 1950s and early 1960s released significant amounts of radiocarbon, roughly doubling global levels in what scientists call the “bomb pulse.” The study indicates that while direct air measurements showed atmospheric radiocarbon dropping below pre-bomb levels around 2021–2022, local maple leaves only crossed this threshold in 2024, demonstrating a lag in biological systems.

University of Johannesburg Proposes AI Roadmap for Heat-Resilient African Livestock

University of Johannesburg Proposes AI Roadmap for Heat-Resilient African Livestock

Researchers from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have introduced a policy roadmap for an AI-driven precision farming approach aimed at bolstering the resilience of indigenous and other livestock breeds against extreme heat and drought. Published in the journal Agriculture, the study advocates for developing local artificial intelligence data models specifically trained on gut microbiome data from African livestock. This initiative seeks to support diverse farming operations across Africa, particularly as the continent experiences one of the strongest El Niño events on record, which poses significant challenges to maintaining livestock production. The core argument is that existing AI models, primarily calibrated for animals in the Global North and climate-controlled environments, are unsuitable for the distinct African climatic and farming systems. Dr. Keabetswe Tebogo Ncube, a researcher at UJ, emphasizes that African animals, climates, and farming practices are fundamentally different, necessitating ...

Record-Strength El Niño Expected to Bring Wetter, Colder Winter to Texas and Gulf Coast

Record-Strength El Niño Expected to Bring Wetter, Colder Winter to Texas and Gulf Coast

A record-strength El Niño is anticipated to bring a wetter and colder winter to Texas and the Gulf Coast. El Niño is a natural climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-average temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean, which occurs every 2 to 7 years. What makes the current event unique is the unusually high ocean temperatures, with some areas of the eastern tropical Pacific more than 7°F warmer than average, making it potentially the strongest El Niño observed since records began in 1950. This warming shifts the jet stream, leading to a stronger and more active southern branch, which brings more storms and cold fronts across the southern United States, including Texas and the Gulf Coast.

Galápagos Islands Face Travel Disruptions Following El Niño-Induced Flooding on Santa Cruz

Galápagos Islands Face Travel Disruptions Following El Niño-Induced Flooding on Santa Cruz

On October 30 and 31, 2026, the Galápagos's Santa Cruz island experienced torrential rainfall, leading to overflowing waterways, neighborhood flooding, home damage, and disruptions to essential infrastructure. The local government declared an emergency, affecting over 2,000 people. While key tourism infrastructure was not damaged, local livelihoods, such as coffee harvests, were impacted. Most visitor sites in the Galápagos National Park have reopened, and transportation has resumed, though conditions remain subject to change. Other islands, like San Cristóbal, also experienced heavy rainfall, with some beach access restricted due to changing weather. Travelers are advised to check conditions for all destinations, maintain communication with tour guides, and consider travel insurance covering weather-related disruptions.

New Research Suggests Some El Niño Events Predictable Up to a Year in Advance, Especially During La Niña Conditions

New Research Suggests Some El Niño Events Predictable Up to a Year in Advance, Especially During La Niña Conditions

A new study indicates that certain El Niño events may be accurately predicted up to 12 months in advance, significantly extending the current reliable forecast window. This research, which analyzed 7,500 forecasts from nine different climate models, found that predictions initiated during La Niña conditions were consistently more reliable for forecasting events a year later. Conversely, forecasts made during neutral conditions were often inaccurate. This discovery challenges the long-held understanding of forecast limitations, particularly the 'Bermuda triangle' period between March and May, when predictions are typically unreliable due to atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The study suggests that La Niña conditions have a stabilizing influence on the climate system, making it less susceptible to the 'butterfly effect' and allowing for more accurate long-range predictions. This could provide valuable lead time for communities and governments to prepare for the extreme weather events often associated with ...

USMNT midweek viewing guide: Quiet time

USMNT midweek viewing guide: Quiet time

Follow along with all the action this week.

Toxic Lead Levels Found in Los Angeles Wildfire Smoke

Toxic Lead Levels Found in Los Angeles Wildfire Smoke

A recent study has revealed alarming levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead, in the smoke from the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Researchers found that during the peak of the fires, approximately 7 million residents were exposed to lead levels 80 times higher than typical background levels. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the unique chemical composition of urban wildfire smoke, which contains significantly more lead, arsenic, and halogens compared to wildland fire smoke. These findings underscore the growing risks posed by urban wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change and urban expansion. The study utilized advanced air quality monitoring technology to measure the real-time chemical composition of smoke, providing critical insights into its health impacts.

La Niña Conditions Enhance Accuracy of Long-Range El Niño Forecasts, Study Finds

La Niña Conditions Enhance Accuracy of Long-Range El Niño Forecasts, Study Finds

New research indicates that El Niño forecasts initiated during La Niña conditions are significantly more accurate up to a year in advance. The study, which analyzed 7,500 forecasts from nine different models, found a consistent pattern: predictions made when the Pacific was in a La Niña phase were most successful in foretelling future El Niño events. Conversely, forecasts made during neutral conditions were often incorrect. This discovery suggests that La Niña has a stabilizing influence on climate models, making their long-range predictions more reliable. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific that influences global weather patterns. While El Niño typically brings warmer global temperatures and altered weather, La Niña is characterized by cooler surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. The ability to predict El Niño events earlier could provide crucial lead time for communities to prepare f...