JOSHUA LINN 
Wildfire Season Is Running Hot By the end of June 2026, more than 30,500 wildfires had already been reported across the United States. That’s 140% of the average for this point in the year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). And the hottest, driest months are still ahead. AccuWeather’s 2026 wildfire forecast projects … Read more
How clouds form is one of the simplest and most useful weather prediction tools available. Look up. The clouds above you right now are not random, they are telling you something. Every cloud has a story. It tells you what the air is doing, how much moisture is up there, and, if you know what … Read more
The 2026 wildfire season is already breaking records before summer officially begins. Across the western United States and the Southeast, hot, dry conditions are fueling fires weeks ahead of schedule. Here is what is driving this year’s extreme fire risk, and the practical steps that can protect your home and your family. In simple terms: … Read more
A sprawling June 2026 storm outbreak is putting more than 90 million Americans under severe weather alerts. From deadly tornadoes in the Midwest to flash floods in the Gulf Coast and a punishing heat wave on the West Coast, the nation is battling extreme weather on three fronts simultaneously. Here is what is happening, region … Read more
Climate change is making hailstorms bigger, more damaging, and more frequent in unexpected places. Two landmark 2026 studies published in Nature and Nature Climate Change provide the clearest picture yet: hail-prone conditions are shifting poleward, hailstones are growing larger, and the seasonal timing of hail is changing in ways that could catch farmers and insurers … Read more
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and forecasters are watching an unusual combination of factors that make this year harder to predict than most. Two powerful forces are pulling in opposite directions: a developing El Nino that suppresses hurricanes, and record-warm Atlantic waters that fuel them. Here is what the … Read more
Every June, the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains come alive with one of nature’s most extraordinary light shows: thousands of fireflies flashing in perfect unison. Unlike most firefly species that blink randomly, Photinus carolinus synchronizes its flashes, creating waves of light that ripple through the darkness. Here is the science behind this remarkable phenomenon, … Read more
In March 2026, temperatures hit 112F across the Southwest – in March, not July. Learn what a heat dome is, why it broke records, and how to stay safe.
Cities can be 5 to 15°F hotter than rural areas. Learn the science behind urban heat islands, why they matter, and practical cooling solutions.