Story perspectives

Record El Niño Spurs Global Heat, US Snow Shortfall

8/4/2026

Summary

Guterres warns

The World Meteorological Organization forecasts temperatures >2.9 °C above average, the strongest El Niño since 1950, prompting U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to warn it adds fuel to a planet already on fire.
The agency projects temperatures Aug-Oct 2026, raising drought risk in Indonesia and flood risk from wetter-than-normal conditions in the United States.
Columbia University climate scientist Jeffrey Shaman warned the Northern Hemisphere could be hot a year from now, possibly unprecedented.

Summary

NOAA predicts snowfall

The Aug 13 NOAA outlook projects New England snowfall 10-30 inches below average in the south and up to 60 inches below in the mountains, threatening ski-area revenues.
Warmer temperatures are expected to produce mixed rain-snow, complicating slope maintenance.
Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah receive the strongest snow signal, potentially boosting tourism.
Colorado, Utah and the Tahoe region have only “equal chances” of snow, creating planning uncertainty.

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Guterres warns

The World Meteorological Organization forecasts temperatures >2.9 °C above average, the strongest El Niño since 1950, prompting U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to warn it adds fuel to a planet already on fire.
The agency projects temperatures Aug-Oct 2026, raising drought risk in Indonesia and flood risk from wetter-than-normal conditions in the United States.
Columbia University climate scientist Jeffrey Shaman warned the Northern Hemisphere could be hot a year from now, possibly unprecedented.

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