Key developments
Western Europe heatwave smashes May records
A late-May heat dome pushed Western Europe into record territory, with London reaching 35.1C, Wales 32.9C and County Clare 30C; France logged highs at more than 350 weather stations and 37.1C near Hossegor. Météo-France warned of peaks around 38C to 39C and unusually mild nights, while scientists including Friederike Otto said the event has the fingerprints of human-caused warming. Reported impacts included drownings and heat-related deaths during sports events in France.
Why it matters
The early-season heat shows Europe is facing dangerous temperatures well before peak summer, with health risks amplified by hot nights.
Sources & driving stories
EARTH.ORG · Martina Igini
Earth.Org coverageEURONEWS.COM · Liam Gilliver
Euronews.com coverageBBC NEWS
BBC News coverageForecasters predict below-average Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA and the National Weather Service opened the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season with a below-average forecast of 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes, citing a likely El Niño and stronger wind shear. Colorado State University issued a similar subdued outlook, but still put U.S. coastline landfall risk at 32% and warned that warm Atlantic and Gulf waters could still support rapid intensification. Forecasters stressed that a quieter season does not reduce the need for preparedness.
Why it matters
Even a below-average season can produce a major landfall, and warmer oceans can still turn a few storms into high-impact events.
Sources & driving stories
INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS · Amy Green
Inside Climate News coverageIndonesia's last tropical glaciers near disappearance
Project Pressure's November expedition to Puncak Jaya in West Papua documented the rapid collapse of Oceania's last tropical glaciers, with the largest remaining ice field down 95% in area since 2002. Indonesian researchers estimate Papua's tropical glaciers lost 97% of their ice mass from 1980 to 2024, four of six glaciers are already gone, and the final two could disappear by decade's end. The team used drones and satellite positioning during near-continuous rain to build a 3D model before the ice vanishes.
Why it matters
The remaining ice is approaching total loss, with implications for local water resources and a stark measure of climate-driven glacier retreat.
Sources & driving stories
THE GUARDIAN · Ajit Niranjan
The Guardian coverageTHE GUARDIAN · Klaus Thymann
The Guardian coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Permafrost thaw is acidifying streams
New measurements in Yukon and Mackenzie basins show thawing permafrost can generate sulfuric acid and push toxic metals to levels far above biological safety limits.
WORTH NOTING
World Cup stadium heat risk rising
Climate Central says 14 of 16 host venues now see more extremely hot June-July days than in 1970, underscoring player-safety and scheduling pressure.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Europe's early heatwave persist into summer?
Forecasters are already warning of above-average temperatures and unusually warm nights, so the key question is how long the health threat lasts.
OPEN QUESTION
Can a quieter hurricane season still turn severe?
Expected El Niño suppression may be offset by warm Atlantic and Gulf waters, which can rapidly intensify any storm that forms.