# Tavily Search Results: Dusty

**Query:** extreme weather events US and worldwide  
**Topic:** news  
**Results:** 5  
**Date:** 2026-05-18 12:06:57

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## 1. Global fire outbreaks hit record high as 'unprecedented' heat extremes loom, scientists say - Reuters

**URL:** [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/global-fire-outbreaks-hit-record-high-unprecedented-heat-extremes-loom-2026-05-12/](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/global-fire-outbreaks-hit-record-high-unprecedented-heat-extremes-loom-2026-05-12/)  
**Score:** 0.9300

### Summary

Fires from January to April have already caused unprecedented levels of damage, burning more than 150 million hectares (370.66 million acres) of land, 20% more than the previous record, according to data compiled by ​World Weather Attribution, a research group that studies the role played by global warming in extreme weather ​events.

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The researchers said temperature records could be broken this year, causing widespread drought as well as ⁠fires, with the impact of human-induced climate change compounded by an especially strong "El Nino" effect. [...] El Nino weather conditions, ​caused by the ⁠warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, are expected to start in May, the World Meteorological Organization said last month.

It could cause droughts in Australia, Indonesia and parts of southern Asia as well as flooding in other regions, and may ⁠drive up ​temperatures, the U.N. agency warned.

"If there is a strong El Nino ​later this year, there is a serious risk that the effect of climate change and El Nino ... will result in unprecedented weather extremes," said Friederike ​Otto, climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-founder of World Weather Attribution.

Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Kate Mayberry

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab [...] High rainfall produced more grass during the previous growing season, creating an abundance ‌of ⁠fuel to feed the drought- and heat-induced savannah fires of the last few months.

## EL NINO CONDITIONS DUE THIS MONTH

Asian fires have burned as much as 44 million hectares of land so far this year, nearly 40% more than the previous record year of 2014, with India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and China among the worst hit, Keeping said.

He warned that wildfire risks ​could worsen later this year, ​with El Nino increasing ⁠the likelihood of severe heat and drought in Australia, Canada, the United States and the Amazon rainforest.

"The likelihood of harmful extreme fires potentially could be the highest we've seen in ​recent history if a strong El Nino does develop," he said.

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# Global fire outbreaks hit record high as 'unprecedented' heat extremes loom, scientists say | Reuters

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## 2. Weather tracker: Europe braces for swing from Arctic chill to extreme heat - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/18/weather-tracker-europe-swing-arctic-chill-heat-temperatures-france-england-us](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/18/weather-tracker-europe-swing-arctic-chill-heat-temperatures-france-england-us)  
**Score:** 0.4149

### Summary

Later this week, a large area of high pressure is forecast to build across western parts of the continent, drawing in hot air from north Africa. By Friday, temperatures in countries including France and England could climb 15C higher than a week earlier, reaching the mid- to high-30s celsius in Spain and Portugal. Overnight lows in these regions may exceed daytime highs recorded last week.

Dramatic temperature contrasts are also unfolding across the US this week. In late spring, such swings can be especially pronounced. In the north-west, where temperatures soared to about 30C last week, cold air is sweeping south from Canada and interacting with low pressure to produce the region’s second winter storm of the month. [...] Significant snowfall is forecast across higher terrain in Wyoming, northern Colorado and north-east Utah early this week, with up to 46cm (18in) possible over the highest ground. Winds of up to 60mph (96km/h) are expected to whip up blizzards and create hazardous driving conditions in places.

Farther south-west, gusty winds and persistently low humidity have triggered red-flag warnings across several states, signalling a heightened risk of wildfires.

To the east, the sharp contrast between the cold air and warmer, more humid conditions across the central US is likely to fuel further thunderstorm development.

The Storm Prediction Center has warned of a 15% tornado probability for Monday across four central states, spanning a region home to almost 900,000 people. [...] Skip to navigationSkip to navigation

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Analysis

# Weather tracker: Europe braces for swing from Arctic chill to extreme heat

Brendan Wood (MetDesk)

Temperatures in France and England could rise by 15C, while hot air could to give way to snow in parts of US

After a prolonged spell of cool conditions across much of Europe, a dramatic swing in temperatures is expected in the coming days as warmer air surges north into western and central parts of the continent.

A large blocking high over the North Atlantic and slow-moving low pressure across southern Scandinavia dragged Arctic air southwards last week, sending temperatures 10-15C below the seasonal average for more than a week.

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[Analysis](/tone/analysis)

# Weather tracker: Europe braces for swing from Arctic chill to extreme heat

Brendan Wood (MetDesk)

Temperatures in France and England could rise by 15C, while hot air could to give way to snow in parts of US

After a prolonged spell of cool conditions across much of [Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/world/europe-news), a dramatic swing in temperatures is expected in the coming days as warmer air surges north into western and central parts of the continent.

A large blocking high over the North Atlantic and slow-moving low pressure across southern Scandinavia dragged Arctic air southwards last week, sending temperatures 10-15C below the seasonal average for more than a week.

Overnight frosts affected gardeners and farmers, including in France, where grape growers lit fires to protect vineyards. Such widespread and persistent cold weather has become increasingly rare in recent decades as Europe continues to warm faster than any other continent as a result of the climate crisis.

The cool, unstable air also combined with strong May sunshine to trigger widespread thunderstorms. Between 11 and 16 May, about 750,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Europe and the surrounding areas.

Serbia’s national weather and hydrological service issued red warnings for strong winds, heavy rainfall and hail. Over the weekend, an extension of low pressure farther to the north-west of Europe cut off the northerly flow and winds turned more westerly.

Later this week, a large area of high pressure is forecast to build across western parts of the continent, drawing in hot air from north Africa. By Friday, temperatures in countries including France and England could climb 15C higher than a week earlier, reaching the mid- to high-30s celsius in Spain and Portugal. Overnight lows in these regions may exceed daytime highs recorded last week.

Dramatic temperature contrasts are also unfolding across the US this week. In late spring, such swings can be especially pronounced. In the north-west, where temperatures soared to about 30C last week, cold air is sweeping south from Canada and interacting with low pressure to produce the region’s second winter storm of the month.

Significant snowfall is forecast across higher terrain in Wyoming, northern Colorado and north-east Utah early this week, with up to 46cm (18in) possible over the highest ground. Winds of up to 60mph (96km/h) are expected to whip up blizzards and create hazardous driving conditions in places.

Farther south-west, gusty winds and persistently low humidity have triggered red-flag warnings across several states, signalling a heightened risk of wildfires.

To the east, the sharp contrast between the cold air and warmer, more humid conditions across the central US is likely to fuel further thunderstorm development.

The Storm Prediction Center has warned of a 15% tornado probability for Monday across four central states, spanning a region home to almost 900,000 people.

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## 3. ‘It’s no longer exceptional’: Karachi struggles under brutal new reality of extreme heat - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/17/its-no-longer-exceptional-karachi-struggles-under-brutal-new-reality-of-extreme-heat](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/17/its-no-longer-exceptional-karachi-struggles-under-brutal-new-reality-of-extreme-heat)  
**Score:** 0.3961

### Summary

The World Weather Attribution group has looked at the current extreme heat in Pakistan and India and found that “human-caused climate change approximately tripled the probability of an event like this happening, making it no longer exceptional in today’s climate. The same heat event would have been about 1C cooler in a pre-industrial climate.”

Yasir Darya, founder of the Climate Action Center, said Karachi’s humidity often makes temperatures below 40C feel significantly hotter. He also noted that unusually warm nights – once rare in the city – are now becoming more frequent, affecting sleep, health and overall living conditions. [...] Abdul Sattar, a fisherman with more than three decades of experience, recalled how one of his colleagues collapsed from heat exhaustion during the recent heatwave. “We gave him lemon water and rushed him to a doctor,” he said. “He regained consciousness after receiving intravenous fluids.”

The community still carries painful memories of Karachi’s catastrophic 2015 heatwave, when thousands of people died across the city, including several fishers from Ibrahim Hyderi. More recently, heat-related deaths reported during the summer of 2024 again highlighted Karachi’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. [...] India has also been experiencing intense heatwave conditions in recent weeks, particularly across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and parts of northern and central India, where temperatures in several cities have crossed 45C. Authorities in multiple states have issued heatwave alerts as extreme temperatures increase health risks, strain electricity supplies and disrupt daily life for millions. Climate experts say the recurring heatwaves across south Asia reflect a broader pattern of rising temperatures and increasingly severe weather linked to the climate crisis.

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# ‘It’s no longer exceptional’: Karachi struggles under brutal new reality of extreme heat

Experts say the unseasonably hot weather across south Asia shows the impact of the climate crisis

An intense and prolonged heatwave has been causing misery for millions across [Pakistan](https://www.theguardian.com/world/pakistan) and India.

In southern Pakistan throughout April and May, temperatures have risen far above seasonal norms. In Sindh, daytime temperatures have frequently crossed 44C to 46C, forcing residents indoors during peak afternoon hours and severely affecting outdoor labourers, transport workers and farming communities.

India has also been experiencing intense heatwave conditions in recent weeks, particularly across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and parts of northern and central [India](https://www.theguardian.com/world/india), where temperatures in several cities have crossed 45C. Authorities in multiple states have issued heatwave alerts as extreme temperatures increase health risks, strain electricity supplies and disrupt daily life for millions. Climate experts say the recurring heatwaves across south Asia reflect a broader pattern of rising temperatures and increasingly severe weather linked to the climate crisis.

In Pakistan, the city of Karachi – usually moderated by sea breezes from the Arabian Sea – has struggled to escape the extreme conditions. During the first half of May, temperatures in the city crossed 40C on multiple occasions. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Karachi recently recorded a maximum temperature of 44.1C, the city’s highest reading since 31 May 2018, when temperatures touched 46°C. Meteorologists have warned that hotter days may still be to come.

The impact has been particularly severe in Karachi’s coastal settlements, where prolonged electricity outages and water shortages have compounded the effects of extreme heat. In Ibrahim Hyderi, one of the city’s largest fishing communities, residents say survival is becoming increasingly difficult.

Abdul Sattar, a fisherman with more than three decades of experience, recalled how one of his colleagues collapsed from heat exhaustion during the recent heatwave. “We gave him lemon water and rushed him to a doctor,” he said. “He regained consciousness after receiving intravenous fluids.”

The community still carries painful memories of Karachi’s catastrophic 2015 heatwave, when thousands of people died across the city, including several fishers from Ibrahim Hyderi. More recently, [heat-related deaths reported during the summer of 2024](https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/24/weather-tracker-pakistan-heatwave-continues-wild-changes-in-weather-patterns) again highlighted Karachi’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The strain is also becoming visible in local healthcare facilities. Dr Suresh Kumar, who heads the children’s ward at Ibrahim Hyderi government hospital, said the number of children visiting the outpatient department has risen sharply since the last week of April.

“On normal days, we would see around 50 to 60 children,” he said. “Now the number has crossed 200 daily.”

According to Kumar, most children are being treated for diarrhoea, stomach infections and dehydration – illnesses commonly linked to extreme heat and unsafe water conditions.

Climate experts warn that rising temperatures are no longer isolated incidents but part of a worsening long-term trend driven by climate change and rapid urbanisation.

The World Weather Attribution group [has looked at the](https://mcusercontent.com/854a9a3e09405d4ab19a4a9d5/files/3b4f8fb2-ac1f-4947-a432-940871c3f909/FINAL__WWA_Scientific_Report_South_Asia_Heatwave.pdf) current extreme heat in Pakistan and India and found that “human-caused climate change approximately tripled the probability of an event like this happening, making it no longer exceptional in today’s climate. The same heat event would have been about 1C cooler in a pre-industrial climate.”

Yasir Darya, founder of the Climate Action Center, said Karachi’s humidity often makes temperatures below 40C feel significantly hotter. He also noted that unusually warm nights – once rare in the city – are now becoming more frequent, affecting sleep, health and overall living conditions.

“The intensity of heat has sharply increased since 2024,” Darya said, warning that Karach

*[Content truncated...]*

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## 4. Lasers in the sky: hi-tech missions track record snowpack loss in US west - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/11/critically-low-snowpack-west](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/11/critically-low-snowpack-west)  
**Score:** 0.3666

### Summary

## A record-breaking ’spigot shut off’

The national drought picture is increasingly grim. According to the latest US Drought Monitor, more than 60% of the lower 48 states are now gripped by drought. It’s the most widespread spring dry spell since the monitor began in 2000. While the south-east is now battling “summer-sized” wildfires in Georgia and Florida, the west is facing a different kind of crisis: a snow drought-fueled water shortage.

A record-warm winter followed by a blistering March heatwave, both fuelled by heat-trapping pollution, has decimated the western snowpack. According to Climate Central, the total water stored in the western snowpack this winter hit its lowest level on record right when it should have been hitting its annual peak. [...] While this year’s drought is anomalous when looking at the historical record, experts warn it is a preview of the coming decades.

“As we look forward this year will become less and less unusual and may become not unusual at all at some point in the future,” Albright warns.

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# Lasers in the sky: hi-tech missions track record snowpack loss in US west

Data from missions showing critically low snowpack on mountains across the west raises alarm among experts

High above the jagged peaks of California’s Sierra Nevada, the view from the cockpit is breathtaking. At first glance, the mountains appear draped in a pristine white blanket. But as the flight crew gears up for a high-stakes mission, the sensors onboard this specialized aircraft prove that looks can be deceiving.

“This is a distinct dry year,” says Tom Painter, CEO of Airborne [Snow](https://www.theguardian.com/world/snow) Observatories.

Painter, who developed this technology at Nasa, isn’t relying on a visual inspection. His plane uses Lidar, or rapid pulses of laser light, to calculate snow depth with surgical precision. “The Lidar sprays out about 800,000 pulses per second,” he explains. The result is a 3D map of snow depth accurate to within 3cm. The technology also helps determine how much water is stored in the snowpack.

In the US west, where mountain ranges act as “frozen reservoirs”, state water managers rely on this data as a survival guide. It helps them plan for exactly how much water will eventually reach the faucets of millions of people and the critical farm fields that feed the nation.

This year, the data is sounding an alarm.

## **A** **record-****breaking** **’spigot** **shut** **off****’**

The national drought picture is increasingly grim. According to the latest US [Drought](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/drought) Monitor, more than 60% of the lower 48 states are now gripped by drought. It’s the most widespread spring dry spell since the monitor began in 2000. While the south-east is now battling “summer-sized” wildfires in Georgia and Florida, the west is facing a different kind of crisis: a snow drought-fueled water shortage.

A record-warm winter followed by a blistering March heatwave, both fuelled by heat-trapping pollution, has decimated the western snowpack. According to Climate Central, the total water stored in the western snowpack this winter hit its lowest level on record right when it should have been hitting its annual peak.

“In March the spigot shut off and it shut off across the entire western US,” Painter says. “Loss of snowpack like we’ve never seen. It’s not in the record at all. So this is unprecedented.”

The numbers back him up: the statewide snowpack in California stood at a mere 18% of average on 1 April and has declined ever since.

## **The** **long,** **dry** **summer** **ahead**

Standing by a rushing stream outside Reno, Nevada, Tom Albright, the state’s deputy state climatologist, says spring runoff from snowmelt in the mountains is two months ahead of schedule. “We wish we could tell it to stay put a little longer,” Albright says.

The danger of an early melt is twofold. First, once that snow is gone, the landscape begins to dry out months ahead of schedule which can fuel wildfires. Second, major reservoirs on the Colorado River that are already critically low, will not be replenished due to the lack of snowpack. “What happens when we don’t have the snowpack is we lose what water there was early and then we’re left with this really long dry season,” Albright says. When asked what concerns him most about the coming months, his answer is immediate: “Fire. Particularly because we have such a broad area that’s affected.”

For decades, the water systems of the west were built on the assumption that the snow would stay in the mountains until the heat of mid-summer. The climate crisis is rewriting that playbook.

While this year’s drought is anomalous when looking at the historical record, experts warn it is a preview of the coming decades.

“As we look forward this year will become less and less unusual and may become not unusual at all at some point in the future,” Albright warns.

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## 5. Weekend Severe Thunderstorm Threat - The Weather Channel

**URL:** [https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/2026-05-12-severe-weather-threat-weekend-tornadoes-winds](https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/2026-05-12-severe-weather-threat-weekend-tornadoes-winds)  
**Score:** 0.2644

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# Severe Weather Threat This Weekend: Tornadoes, Winds Target Central US

## Severe storms will threaten the central U.S. with damaging winds and tornadoes this weekend.

ByRob Shackelford•3 hours agoUpdated: May 12, 2026, 1:39 pm EDTPublished: May 12, 2026, 1:39 pm EDT

Tornado, Hail Threat For Southern Plains

No, this isn't a duplicate of an old article. There are severe storms in the forecast again this weekend across the central U.S., from Oklahoma to Iowa.

Damaging winds and tornadoes are possible for many regions previously hit in March and April.

## Forecast

Just a heads up, this is subject to change. There is a chance of severe storms for parts of the central U.S. and the Midwest every day from Thursday through Monday of next week. [...] ## Sunday

The storm threat is expected to hit many of the same areas again on Sunday, now stretching from the northeast portion of the Texas Panhandle to southwestern Wisconsin.

Cities like Des Moines, Kansas City and Omaha need to watch out for Sunday’s weather.

## Monday And Beyond?

While the Storm Prediction Center hasn’t issued a polygon for Monday, a storm system is expected to move across the central U.S. as well, potentially bringing more severe weather.

## Setup

We are into the peak tornado month across the Lower 48. No other month comes close on average, but we have seen some outbreaks this March and April.

(MORE: Outbreak recaps: March | April)

Severe weather needs four main ingredients, which are all in plenty of supply in May. [...] Stay weather aware as these areas are subject to expansion in the coming days.

Rob Shackelfordis a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.

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Severe Weather

# Severe Weather Threat This Weekend: Tornadoes, Winds Target Central US

## Severe storms will threaten the central U.S. with damaging winds and tornadoes this weekend.

By[Rob Shackelford](/bios/rob-shackelford)•3 hours agoUpdated: May 12, 2026, 1:39 pm EDTPublished: May 12, 2026, 1:39 pm EDT

Tornado, Hail Threat For Southern Plains

No, this isn't a duplicate of an old article. There are severe storms in the forecast again this weekend across the central U.S., from Oklahoma to Iowa.

Damaging winds and tornadoes are possible for many regions previously hit in March and April.

## Forecast

Just a heads up, this is subject to change. There is a chance of severe storms for parts of the central U.S. and the Midwest every day from Thursday through Monday of next week.

But note that the areas of severe storms for Thursday and Friday are much smaller. So, I will just mention it here and spend more time on the days that are already pinged by the Storm Prediction Center.

## Saturday

The storms are expected to be in association with a dryline, a boundary between hot, dry air and warm, moist air. Warm, moist air is less dense than the hot, dry air and is forced up. This causes storms for form on the eastern side of the dryline boundary and can bring storms that can bring damaging winds and even tornadoes.

**(MORE:** [**What Is A Dryline?**](https://weather.com/science/weather-explainers/news/2026-04-06-drylines-severe-weather-tornadoes-forecasting)**)**

The cities that need to stay weather aware stretch from northern Texas to southeastern Nebraska and include Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas. This area will likely expand in the coming days.

## Sunday

The storm threat is expected to hit many of the same areas again on Sunday, now stretching from the northeast portion of the Texas Panhandle to southwestern Wisconsin.

Cities like Des Moines, Kansas City and Omaha need to watch out for Sunday’s weather.

## Monday And Beyond?

While the Storm Prediction Center hasn’t issued a polygon for Monday, a storm system is expected to move across the central U.S. as well, potentially bringing more severe weather.

## Setup

We are into the peak tornado month across the Lower 48. No other month comes close on average, but we have seen some outbreaks this March and April.

**(MORE: Outbreak recaps:** [**March**](https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/2026-03-04-severe-weather-outbreak-tornadoes-plains-midwest) **|** [**April**](https://weather.com/storms/tornado/news/2026-04-27-severe-weather-midwest-mississippi-valley-south-tornadoes-hail)**)**

Severe weather needs four main ingredients, which are all in plenty of supply in May.

You need shear, which is changes in wind speed and direction in the atmosphere. During the month of May, the jet stream is still strong, providing plenty of shear.

You also need plenty of lift, which is provided by the series of cold fronts that often move across the county. Cold fronts bring cooler, dense air into contact with warm, less dense air. When that happens, that warm air cools and condenses into clouds that can form storms.

Then you also need instability. With spring well underway, daily heating provides plenty of instability, seen on the graphic below.

You also have to consider moisture, which the East has plenty of. Surges of moisture from the Gulf provide the fourth piece of the severe weather puzzle.

Stay weather aware as these areas are subject to expansion in the coming days.

[*Rob Shackelford*](https://weather.com/bios/rob-shackelford)*is a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.*

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