Greetings everyone. Good to see you again. June arrives this weekend and with it, the official start of Atlantic hurricane season. If you live anywhere near a coastline or in a region touched by tropical weather, now is the time to read NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook and make your plan. Inland, severe weather and tornado season remain in full swing with no signs of slowing. This week I’ve curated a selection of articles that connect in ways worth paying attention to…from what’s happening over Europe right now to what’s building quietly in the Pacific. The new Tornado Quest Chronicles quarterly essay is also live, and it’s one I think you’ll want to sit with. Settle in, stay curious, and as always, stay safe out there.
- Despite federal climate rollbacks, cities and states across the U.S. are implementing innovative local solutions to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate. You can listen or read the transcript about how local innovations are taking place.
- Nations around the globe overwhelmingly adopted a landmark climate ruling affirming that inaction can lead to reparations, a testament to the strength of collective action, even as the most powerful nations retreat into isolationist stances.
- With Western Europe baking under an unprecedented early heat dome, a chilling new report warns the UK’s outdated infrastructure is ill-equipped to protect its people from a sweltering future that could overheat 90% of homes by 2050.
- Residents in hail-prone regions should brace for a future where warming skies don’t just bring rain, but unleash increasingly massive ice projectiles capable of shattering homes and vehicles.
- As intense storms batter the U.S., a paradoxical deepening of droughts reveals a fractured water cycle that demands urgent answers.
- With record-breaking wildfires already scorching the U.S. amid worsening drought, experts warn the situation could deteriorate further, leaving communities to grapple with an unprecedented fire season.
- Western Europe is currently trapped in a suffocating heat dome that has shattered May temperature records across England, France, and Spain. Is this a stark preview of warm seasons we are no longer prepared to handle?
- A massive swell of warm water is surging across the Pacific towards the Americas. This sets the stage for an El Niño that could reshape weather patterns and disrupt daily life across the globe in the months ahead.
- ICYMI: NOAA released its official 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook. Check out all of the details here. This is essential reading if you live in a region of the USA that is prone to hurricanes or tropical storms. While it’s quiet, it’s also time to prepare.
SEVERE WEATHER AND TORNADO SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
NOAA WEATHER RADIO
Here’s your weekly reminder to check your NOAA weather radio’s batteries, programming, settings, and reception. NOAA has a comprehensive page on NOAA weather radio…a feature of the National weather Service in the USA that has saved countless lives.
US DROUGHT MONITOR
Last week, the U.S. saw dramatic temperature swings as a cold front swept the East while the West remained scorching. Heavy rains across the central and southeastern states alleviated only slightly current drought conditions. Looking ahead, a late-season storm will bring moisture to the West Coast, while the Plains and Southeast face continued showers. Exceptional Drought (D4) conditions will still persist in parts of AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, NE, OK, SC & TX. Over the next two weeks, temperatures are expected to normalize in the East, stay warm in the West and North, and keep the southern tier of states wetter than usual.
- NOAA’s US Drought Monitor website has the full regional details.
- The latest daily fire weather outlooks can be found at the Storm Prediction Center’s website.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen science lets everyday people actively shape real research by sharing observations and data. Join now to make a tangible impact, discover new insights, and become part of a global community driving scientific breakthroughs!
- The CoCoRaHS project invites weather enthusiasts to become citizen scientists by submitting daily precipitation reports that support forecasting and climate research even on dry days.
- Another path into becoming a citizen scientist is using the free mPING app! Your weather reports go directly to the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma!
That’s a wrap for this week! Thanks for stopping by! See you next Saturday!
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