JOSHUA LINN 
Spring in Japan is one of the most spectacular seasonal transitions on Earth: cherry blossoms, mild temperatures, and landscapes that shift from snow to green in a matter of weeks. But if you are planning a trip, the weather matters more than the postcards suggest. Here is what to actually expect from Japan’s spring climate, … Read more
As of June 2026, 61% of the contiguous United States is experiencing some form of drought, affecting nearly two out of every three Americans. From extreme drought in the Southeast to a millennium-scale crisis in the Colorado River basin, the country is drying out on a scale with few modern precedents. Here is what broke … Read more
Hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful forces, capable of spanning hundreds of miles, packing winds over 150 mph, and reshaping coastlines in hours. Every year between June and November, warm water, moist air, and the Earth’s rotation combine to create these storms over the Atlantic. Here is the science behind how hurricanes form, why they … Read more
Illinois has seen 140 tornadoes in 2026, more than any other state. Here’s why climate patterns, a developing El Niño, and shifting storm tracks are turning the Midwest into the new Tornado Alley.
Forests do not just grow where it rains, they actively create rain through a process scientists call biotic pumping. A single large tree can release hundreds of liters of water into the air every day through transpiration. Multiply that by millions of trees, and a forest becomes a massive water pump that moves moisture across … Read more
Seasons exist because of one number: 23.5 degrees, the angle of Earth’s axial tilt. This tilt stays pointed toward the North Star all year as Earth orbits the Sun, meaning different parts of the planet receive more or less direct sunlight depending on the time of year. It is not distance from the Sun that … Read more
The 2026 FIFA World Cup faces a silent opponent more dangerous than any team: extreme summer heat, with one in four matches projected to exceed the player safety limit. The World Weather Attribution group analyzed all 104 matches across 16 host cities. The results are sobering: 26 matches likely to hit dangerous heat levels, 9 … Read more
2026 marks the peak of the solar maximum, an 11-year cycle where the Sun produces more solar flares and coronal mass ejections than at any other time, making this the best Northern Lights viewing window in over a decade. More solar activity means more frequent, more vibrant, and more widespread aurora displays. This window will … Read more
A phone vibrates on a kitchen counter. Outside, the sky has turned the color of bruised steel. When a tornado warning arrives, knowing how tornadoes work can turn a few minutes of confusion into a clear safety decision. Tornadoes are rotating columns of air that can level buildings, toss vehicles, and reshape landscapes in minutes, … Read more