Climate
Global Coral Cover Is Down 9.5%—Why Recovery Time Matters
A new global assessment finds hard-coral cover in 2020-2024 was 9.5% below historical levels and explains why shorter recovery windows are the central risk.
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Climate
Okefenokee Gets UNESCO Status. What Changes Now
Georgia's blackwater swamp joined the World Heritage List, but the designation is recognition, not a new layer of U.N. control.
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Bertha Dissipates Over Texas; Flooding Risk Lingers Tonight
Bertha dissipated over Texas late July 23, 2026. The NHC ended advisories, but isolated flash flooding and dangerous surf could continue overnight.
Climate
Controlled Burns Helped Save Ancient Sequoias, NASA Study Finds
A NASA-funded study gives forest managers stronger evidence that prescribed burns can protect giant sequoias as hotter, smokier fire seasons intensify.
ClimateNew
Little Fire Near Pleasanton: Check Orders Before Returning
The Little Fire near Pleasanton and Sunol burned 1,007 acres, injured one firefighter and left residents checking official evacuation maps before returning home.
ClimateNew
Bertha Warnings Cover New Orleans as Gulf Coast Winds Arrive
Tropical Storm Bertha had 60 mph winds Tuesday evening as warnings covered parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, including New Orleans.
Climate
Heat Index or HeatRisk? What to Check Before Going Outside
A practical heat-safety checklist explaining when to use heat index, NWS HeatRisk and wet bulb globe temperature before outdoor plans.
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Climate
Texas Flood Cleanup: Roads and Rivers to Check This Week
South Texas flood recovery is still active this week. Check official river forecasts, road closures, damage reporting and safe cleanup steps before returning home or driving through affected areas.
Climate
Tropical Storm Cone Maps: What They Show, and What They Miss
A practical guide to reading tropical storm forecast cones, watches, warnings, storm surge alerts, and local forecasts during the 2026 hurricane season.
Climate
Tropical Storm Watch vs. Warning: What to Check First
Here is how to read tropical storm watches and warnings, what the 48-hour and 36-hour windows mean, and what to check before a storm reaches your area.
Climate
Hurricane Categories Miss Storm Surge. Check These Risks First
A practical hurricane-season checklist for reading storm surge risk, evacuation zones and official warnings alongside the familiar Category 1-5 scale.
Climate
Tropical Depression Two Puts the Gulf Coast on Watch
Tropical Depression Two formed in the Gulf on July 19, 2026. Here is what the current NHC advisory means for Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas.
Climate
Heat Protections for Workers Draw Broad Voter Support
A Data for Progress poll found 88% of likely voters support state policies requiring worker heat protections, even as federal heat rules remain in process.
Climate
El Nino Forecast Raises Odds of a Wetter Southern U.S. Winter
NOAA's July El Nino forecast points to a potentially very strong event by fall 2026. Here is what the signal does, and does not, say about winter weather.
Climate
Endangered Species Act Change Ends Automatic Protection for Threatened Species
The Interior Department has finalized a change to Endangered Species Act rules that removes automatic protections for threatened species and shifts more decisions to species-specific plans.
ClimateNew
Kuwait Desalination Strike Shows Gulf Water Risk
Kuwait says a July 17 attack damaged a power and desalination plant. Here is why Gulf water systems are exposed when power, seawater intake and treatment plants are hit.
ClimateNew
Puerto Rico Water Rationing: What Changed and What to Check
Puerto Rico has begun 48-hour water rationing in parts of Canovanas and Rio Grande as drought deepens. Here is what changed, who is affected and what residents or travelers should verify before making plans.
Climate
Wildfire Smoke Postpones Guardians Game as Weekend Air Alerts Continue
Wildfire smoke forced a Pirates-Guardians postponement on July 17 as official air-quality alerts continued across parts of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast.
ClimateNew
Texas Flood Rescues Continue as New Warnings Shift West
Texas flood rescues continued on July 17, 2026, as officials warned that high water, damaged roads and downstream river flooding remained dangerous.
Climate
Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature: When It Matters More Than the Heat Index
A practical guide to wet-bulb globe temperature, how it differs from the heat index, and when to check each number before spending time outside.