Winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will make this a tough winter for Russia, warning that pressure on Moscow is mounting. The statement signals Kyiv intends to keep targeting Russian energy and military infrastructure through the cold months, aiming to strain Russia's economy and war effort while sustaining Western support for Ukraine.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a powerful Nor'easter storm moves through the region. The storm has forced the cancellation of events across the area, with officials urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy precipitation and strong winds hit the Northeast.

Scientists and US media are raising alarms about a slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave in the Pacific making its way toward the California coast. The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels by up to a foot as El Niño conditions keep warm water trapped along the coastline. Observers warn the combined effect could worsen coastal erosion and flooding risks for communities already exposed to rising seas and winter storms.

Forecasters are warning that a large 'hybrid storm' — combining characteristics of a winter storm and other weather systems — is expected to develop over the United States. The system could bring a mix of heavy snow, rain and strong winds across affected regions. Details on its exact track and timing remain limited, but the unusual combined nature of the storm is drawing attention as it could disrupt travel and daily life in the days ahead.

The New York Times reports that the current El Niño pattern is influencing storm activity on opposite sides of the United States. The climate phenomenon, marked by warmer Pacific Ocean waters, is altering jet stream behavior and steering weather systems, shaping storm tracks for both the West and East coasts this season.

European gas prices climbed 2% as tensions between the United States and Iran disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. The rise comes as winter demand approaches, adding pressure on European energy markets already sensitive to supply risks and geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.

California is preparing for flooding and landslides as forecasters expect a super El Niño this year, a warming of equatorial Pacific waters that disrupts weather patterns worldwide. After years of coastal erosion, communities such as Pacifica, south of San Francisco, are already showing strain, and officials worry heavy winter storms could worsen damage to weakened cliffs and hillsides.

Analysis argues that Europe's energy situation heading into winter 2026 is materially different from the crisis winter of 2022, when Russian gas cuts forced emergency measures. The piece examines how changed supply arrangements, storage levels and policy adjustments alter the arithmetic of getting through the cold months this time around.

A market indicator is flashing a warning ahead of the historically strong November-to-April stretch, when the stock market typically delivers its best gains of the year. The signal suggests the usual seasonal rally could fail to materialise this time, prompting investors to question whether to position for the usual winter boom or brace for weakness instead.

A powerful nor'easter storm is battering the United States, knocking out travel along the Eastern Seaboard. Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airlines scramble to rebook passengers, with coastal flooding and strong winds expected in affected states. Authorities are urging residents to stay off roads as conditions deteriorate through the storm's peak.

Meteorologists are watching the polar vortex as it returns, raising questions about its influence on the coming winter season. The vortex, a large mass of cold, spinning air over the Arctic, can weaken or shift and push frigid air into mid-latitudes. Its strength and stability in the months ahead are seen as key factors shaping winter weather forecasts across North America, Europe and Asia.

From October to December, the Sud Estuaire area is hosting a series of events aimed at families, with a programme described as one that will resonate with parents. Organisers are promoting the seasonal line-up locally, and it is drawing attention as families look for activities during the autumn and winter months.

A powerful nor'easter storm is approaching the East Coast of the United States, prompting widespread preparations. News outlets are providing rolling updates as residents and officials brace for potentially heavy snow, strong winds and coastal impacts. Communities along the seaboard are monitoring forecasts closely and taking precautions ahead of the storm's arrival.

Searches for the term 'polar vortex' are rising in Germany. The weather phenomenon, in which cold Arctic air masses can push into Europe and bring severe frost and snow, is drawing fresh attention as forecasts and seasonal outlooks circulate. German-speaking media and weather watchers are discussing what a possible displacement of the polar vortex could mean for winter conditions across Central Europe.

Public health officials are telling people to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the end of October, so protection builds up before respiratory virus season peaks in the winter months. The advice applies broadly as both viruses circulate at the same time each year, and officials stress vaccination remains the best way to reduce severe illness and hospital stays.

Early winter 2026 outlooks are drawing attention, with forecasters pointing to heavier snow potential in parts of the United States. In Kentucky, the National Weather Service and the Farmers' Almanac have issued conflicting outlooks, highlighting how much seasonal forecasts can diverge. Farmers, travelers and local officials are weighing which prediction to trust as the season approaches.

German coach Danny Seidenglanz will take over from Remy De Wit as technical director of the Dutch speed skating federation KNSB. The appointment puts a foreigner in a leading role within the Netherlands' most successful winter sport, and is likely to spark debate among Dutch skating fans about the choice and the direction of the sport.

ITV has announced the full cast list for Winter, a new crime drama series starring Richard Armitage. The reveal, covered by regional outlets including the EDP, confirms the supporting actors joining the former The Stranger and Hannibal star in the series. Casting announcements for British crime dramas routinely draw wide attention, and Armitage's involvement is the main draw for viewers anticipating the show's release.

A powerful Nor'easter is battering the U.S. East Coast, with New York among the areas hit by heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding. NPR's reporting from New York describes conditions on the ground as the storm moves up the coast, disrupting travel and prompting residents to prepare for possible power outages.

New reporting suggests soil biology could play a central role in reducing synthetic nitrogen inputs in Canadian winter wheat production. Researchers are examining how soil microbial communities affect nitrogen availability and uptake, with potential benefits for both crop yields and the environmental footprint of fertiliser use. The findings are of interest to farmers and agronomists seeking more sustainable cropping systems.