Climate change "doesn’t automatically mean all hurricanes will become powerful,” @bmcnoldy.bsky.social said. But it makes it more likely that an average storm will encounter factors that help it intensify. How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:

Deadly rivers in the sky: How global warming is amplifying atmospheric moisture and helping to trigger catastrophic floods. Proud of my @washingtonpost.com colleagues for this one:

U.S. Forest Service staff cuts have translated to a 40% reduction in regular efforts to thin the vegetation that could fuel massive wildfires. Via @washingtonpost.com:

Does it taste like something is missing from your favorite chocolate bar this Halloween? It may be the chocolate.

Since the start of the summer, “Gulf of America” has been losing what little popularity it had as the "Gulf of Mexico" is still in use almost everywhere. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/nine... via @niemanlab.org

“It is not hyperbole to say that western Jamaica experienced something near to the worst tropical cyclone impacts our planet can produce.” @wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:

After staff cuts earlier this year, some veteran NOAA hurricane researchers are working on a volunteer basis to help collect data from Melissa and other storms. “With the losses, we have a very young remaining staff and not a lot of experience flying in hurricanes."

MacKenzie Scott is giving $60 million to a nonprofit focused on disaster recovery in marginalized and overlooked communities. It follows recent investments she made in HBCUs and preservation of Black history, and counters the Trump administration's pullback from DEI and changes to disaster aid.

NOAA isn't tracking billion-dollar disasters anymore. But the cost of such catastrophes continues to escalate, according to a revived disaster database from @climatecentral.org:

North Carolina counties that spent millions on Hurricane Helene recovery are still waiting for FEMA disaster aid that they thought would have been paid out by now. Via @washingtonpost.com:

Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.

Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:

Under President Biden, the Federal Reserve and FDIC began pushing big banks to account for climate risks. The rules have now been eliminated. Reported w/ @stacycowley.bsky.social:

Three months after the deadly floods in Texas Hill Country, FEMA disaster aid applications are moving slowly and being denied at elevated rates, @texastribune.org reports:

Absorb, fortify and retreat: Here's a look at what New York City is doing, and must do, to adapt to the rising threats of tidal flooding, intense rainfall and storm surge.

President Trump has said he wants to eventually shift the burden of disaster relief and recovery onto states. It’s already happening. Communities across the country are adjusting as FEMA slows down disaster reimbursements and cuts back programs that help them prepare for emergencies.

Before catastrophic floods swept through the Alaska Native village of Kipnuk on Sunday, the EPA canceled a $20 million grant intended to protect the community from extreme flooding. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/c...

Emergency crews rescued dozens of people in western Alaska on Sunday as flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered remote coastal communities and tore houses off their foundations, officials said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a new leader. Read what he has said about climate change, the dismantling of climate research and U.S. weather forecasting models: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/u...

The looming government shutdown is converging with key deadlines to fund disaster preparedness and federal flood insurance, threatening to expose thousands of Americans to flood losses and stall thousands of real estate sales. First byline for @nytimes.com:

Some professional news:

If you're worried about the energy demands of your ChatGPT queries, you should think more about your daily commute and whether to throw those burgers on the grill. From the Post's Climate Coach:

Nearly half the planet has experienced record or near-record high daily minimum temperatures this summer, according to a Washington Post analysis. Most of those areas also endured record or near-record levels of humidity since June. How surging summer humidity is making nights hotter:

For journalism: Do you have a memory of the Presidential physical fitness test? My team is reporting an article about the test — and its lasting legacy, with stories from those who participated. If you have a story to share, email -- [email protected]

A new Trump administration report promised a "critical review" of climate science. Experts say it cherry-picks data to downplay the realities of global warming. Here is our fact check:

The emergency manager in the Texas county where 108 people died in July 4 floods slept through the disaster, saying he knew of no flood risks. “The situation evolved faster than anyone could have predicted,” he said, adding, “We cannot rely on forecasting alone. We need systems on the ground.”

Why didn't one of the world’s biggest earthquakes trigger a monster tsunami? Scientists explained a few reasons to @kashapatel.bsky.social and I:

An enlightening display of tsunami waves from NOAA:

“Welcome to hell” We spoke to 16 Venezuelans the U.S. sent to a mega-prison in El Salvador. This is the most complete view yet of the conditions they faced — which, some experts said, may violate conventions against torture. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Chemtrails and cloud seeding conspiracy theories are increasingly moving from the fringe into GOP-sponsored laws. Latest from me: www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

The Trump administration has suspended work on a research tool designed to better predict extreme rainfall and prepare for floods like the ones that just hit Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina and New Jersey. via @sarahkaplan48.bsky.social:

In the week and a half since floods killed at least 130 people in Central Texas, deadly floods struck New Jersey and New Mexico. A subway station filled with water in NYC and high water stranded drivers near D.C. This is why there’s been so much extreme rainfall and flooding in the U.S.:

Through Thursday afternoon and evening, weather forecasting data showed Texas’s risk of torrential rain was rising, and gave reason to warn of higher flood risks as the Hill Country readied for Independence Day. But the forecast didn’t change.

There was no immediate sign the staffing shortages that have wracked the National Weather Service this year contributed to the tragedy in Texas. There are a handful of vacancies at two central Texas forecasting offices, according to a union representing meteorologists.

President Trump’s efforts to freeze climate research spending have sparked warnings of rippling consequences in years ahead. For many climate scientists, the consequences are already here. How the Trump administration is already cutting off climate research (gift link):

A flash flood watch had been issued across central Texas out of an abundance of caution, for a low-probability, high-risk flood event. Then, four months' worth of rain fell in just a few hours. Why the Texas floods were so severe (gift link):

Here comes the summer solstice! The days are about to start getting shorter again, but don’t worry — there’s plenty summer left. More at cwg.live

President Trump and DHS Secretary Noem today repeated plans to scale down FEMA and let states lead on disaster response. But that's causing confusion among emergency managers, because the states already lead, and can't always do alone. Now, they say, "We are planning that FEMA is not coming."

The National Weather Service finally got a long-awaited and critical hiring freeze exemption. Director Ken Graham called it “Big news! Fantastic news!” in a Monday email to staff. It's one of many examples of the federal government rushing to hire people, because DOGE let too many go.

It's almost summer, and the 🦟🦟🦟 are coming But it may be within our grasp to suppress some mosquitos out of existence with powerful gene-editing tools The big question now: Should we? Or is it ever ethical to deliberately drive a species extinct? www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

The U.S. has been launching fewer weather balloons since DOGE-led staffing cuts began in the National Weather Service this year. See what happens when the balloons fly — and what we lose when they don’t.

The U.S. has been launching fewer weather balloons since DOGE-led staffing cuts began in the National Weather Service this year. See what happens when the balloons fly — and what we lose when they don’t.

The uses of NOAA data go way beyond weather apps — it informs shipping routes, how homes get built, even what gets stocked on store shelves. But some in the private sector are worried that Trump’s funding cuts could hurt those programs. With @byscottdance.com www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

A tenth-consecutive above-normal hurricane season is forecast in the Atlantic this year, NOAA says:

I'm a health reporter at The Washington Post looking to talk to people who do not qualify under these narrowed criteria about why coronavirus vaccination matters to you If you're comfortable sharing your experiences for an article, please email me at [email protected]

A moving and thought-provoking piece that's worth your time, from my @niemanfoundation.bsky.social colleague @bernstein.bsky.social:

I joined @kvprnews.bsky.social to explain what is happening with staff shortages at National Weather Service offices in California and elsewhere, and what it means for hazard forecasting and public safety. Listen here:

The National Weather Service’s eastern Kentucky forecast office no longer has enough meteorologists to operate 24-7. When a violent tornado hit last night, the short-staffed team faced its latest test. wapo.st/4j6UTtu

See where the National Weather Service can no longer monitor conditions around the clock, because of DOGE-led staffing cuts:

Scoop: As the National Weather Service scrambles to fill vacancies, staffing at four local forecast offices is so critical that they are no longer operating 24-7. More offices are expected to follow soon. wapo.st/3S2tGNB