Climate
2026’s El Niño is record-breaking — and it’s not done yet
Within the ocean region where El Niños form, daily sea-surface temperatures are already more extreme than at any point in recorded history.
By Nikk Ogasa
MS-ESS2-6
Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
More Stories in MS-ESS2-6
- Space
Summer ‘space hurricanes’ are emerging high above Earth’s magnetic poles
A separation — and later recombining — of Earth’s magnetic field lines may be what churns up these super-high-altitude storms of plasma.
- Physics
Scientists Say: Coriolis Effect
Because Earth spins, airborne objects traveling far and fast — such as airplanes — experience deflections in their motion.
- Oceans
Explainer: Why are so many hurricanes strengthening really fast?
This dangerous trend appears relatively new — and growing. Studies also have begun linking it to our warming world.
- Earth
The sun shines brightest in South America’s Atacama Desert
Solar rays in this high-altitude desert at times rival the light intensity on Venus.
- Tech
Think of this new tech as sunglasses for our windows
Keeping buildings cool can use a lot of energy. Thanks to quantum computing, engineers designed a coating to cut the warming light that enters windows.
- Earth
Analyze This: Salt may quash lightning over the sea
Bits of airborne salt may help raindrops form, removing water from clouds before it can freeze as part of the process that makes lightning.
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- Climate
Heat waves appear more life-threatening than scientists once thought
This is bad news as a warming planet leads to growing numbers of excessive heat waves — and millions more people facing potentially deadly temperatures.
- Climate
Let’s learn about tornadoes
Tornadoes are often spawned by thunderstorms — but can also emerge from hurricanes and wildfires.
