ocean

A new report says global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens in the Pacific. El Niño, which warms ocean surface waters and alters weather worldwide, is adding to the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn the combination could push average temperatures to new extremes in the coming months, with implications for heatwaves, droughts and storms across many regions.

The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing a cluster of hurricane activity, with The Atlantic reporting that the basin has become unusually crowded with storms. Multiple simultaneous hurricanes in the region raise concerns about potential impacts on coastal communities, shipping and Pacific island nations, and underscore broader questions about storm season intensity and ocean conditions.

The Atlantic has yet to produce a hurricane this season, and climate outlet Grist attributes the calm to El Niño. The phenomenon, which is driving record ocean temperatures worldwide, creates wind shear over the Atlantic that suppresses tropical storm development. The piece notes the irony that the same pattern raising global temperatures is also canceling Atlantic tropical activity, at least for now.

Forecasters say El Niño is driving a stark divide in tropical activity this hurricane season. The pattern has strengthened winds over the Atlantic, tearing storms apart and keeping that basin unusually calm, while warm Pacific waters are generating repeated hurricanes. Meteorologists expect the imbalance to persist as long as El Niño conditions hold through the season.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck near New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean on September 26, 2026, prompting a natural disaster alert. The available evidence comes from a US embassy advisory posted for Fiji, warning people in the region about the event. The posts collected do not include eyewitness reactions, damage reports, or details on casualties, and no tsunami warning information is given in the evidence, so the full public response is not yet clear.

New research indicates that Earth microbes can survive under simulated conditions of the ocean beneath the ice of Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting life there is not out of the question. Scientists see the finding as encouraging for the search for life beyond Earth, since Enceladus's subsurface ocean is considered one of the most promising places to look.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo has lost its tropical characteristics and transitioned into a post-tropical system over the open Atlantic, according to forecasters. The storm no longer poses the organized wind and rain threat typical of tropical cyclones, and its remnants are expected to continue moving across the ocean. Meteorologists are monitoring whether any remains affect shipping routes or distant shores.

Researchers from Purdue University are travelling to a remote island group in the Pacific Ocean to investigate possible remnants of Amelia Earhart's aircraft. The aviator vanished during her 1937 attempt to fly around the world, and her disappearance remains one of aviation's great mysteries. The expedition has drawn attention as it could finally shed light on what happened to her plane.

The U.S. Geological Survey is examining how a super El Niño could affect the Midwest region of the United States. The pattern, marked by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, typically alters rainfall and temperature across North America, raising questions about flooding, drought and agricultural consequences for Midwestern states.

A coastal storm has flooded streets in Ocean City, Maryland, prompting local authorities to issue travel warnings for residents and visitors. Standing water is reported across low-lying roads, and officials are urging drivers to avoid flooded areas and delay unnecessary trips. The storm has become a leading regional story as conditions continue to affect the popular shore resort community.

Flooding has overtaken Ocean City, New Jersey, with water covering streets in the Jersey Shore resort town. Weather coverage is tracking the inundation as coastal communities deal with high water and its impact on residents and visitors.

Firefighters in Emerald Isle, North Carolina are responding to an active structure fire on Ocean Drive, according to local officials. Details about injuries, the extent of the damage, or what caused the blaze have not yet been released as crews work at the scene.

Time magazine examines how warming oceans and a changing climate may be altering the intensity and behavior of Nor'easters, the powerful storms that batter the US East Coast. Warmer sea surface temperatures can fuel heavier precipitation, while shifting jet stream patterns may influence storm tracks and frequency, raising questions about future coastal storm risks.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar has introduced H.R. 10505, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026, in the US House of Representatives. The bill would reauthorize existing US conservation programs that protect tropical forests and coral reefs. The measure has been filed ahead of current authorizations, with details of funding levels and duration not yet widely reported.

A nor'easter is hitting the Jersey Shore, with raw footage from Ocean Grove showing the pier being pounded by wind and waves. Conditions along the coast are expected to deteriorate as the storm intensifies, drawing attention from residents and local media monitoring beaches, flooding and possible damage to shoreline structures.

Officials in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, have closed Ocean Drive because of an active fire. Emergency crews are responding and residents and visitors are being urged to avoid the area while the situation develops. No details on injuries or damage have been released yet.

Ocean water has surged onto beaches in Suffolk County, New York, according to PIX11. The flooding along the shoreline is drawing attention from residents monitoring conditions on Long Island's coast. Details on the cause, extent of any damage, and whether officials have issued warnings have not yet been confirmed.

Ocean City, Maryland has closed the ocean to swimmers as rough weather moves through the resort town. Officials restricted access to the water because of hazardous surf conditions along the coast. The closures affect visitors during a busy stretch for the popular beach destination, and local outlets are reporting on the disruption as conditions continue.

Strong ocean thunderstorms are hitting the Jersey Shore in New Jersey, with winds gusting up to 50 mph, according to ongoing live coverage from local news. Residents along the coast are being advised to stay alert as the stormy conditions continue, with possible disruptions to beach activity and travel in affected areas.

Category 1 Hurricane Nolo has moved further south, with forecasters warning that tropical storm conditions and large swells will continue in the region. Residents and mariners are being advised to stay alert as rough surf and strong winds persist even as the storm tracks away from land.

Ocean City, Maryland has closed its beach and issued a travel advisory as flooding affects the resort town. Officials are warning residents and visitors to avoid flooded roads and stay out of the water while conditions persist. The closure affects beach access along the popular coastal destination, and local authorities have not indicated when normal operations will resume.

North Carolina Highway 12 near the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe has been closed after ocean water washed over the roadway on the Outer Banks. The route, a vital link for Hatteras Island communities, is frequently flooded during coastal storms and high surf. Travelers are being urged to use caution or find alternative arrangements while crews wait for conditions to improve.

Ocean City, Maryland has closed the ocean to swimmers as rough weather moves through the resort town. Officials shut down water activities ahead of hazardous surf conditions, a precaution beach towns commonly take when waves and currents become dangerous. The closure affects visitors along the popular summer destination's shoreline.

A Nor'easter has flooded streets in Ocean City, Maryland, with photos showing water covering roads along the resort town. Coastal communities on the Delmarva peninsula are dealing with tidal flooding and rough conditions as the storm pushes water ashore. Local news outlets are documenting the impact with photo galleries.

Ocean City, Maryland has issued warnings about flooding and high winds, with high tides forcing the closure of several roads. Officials are cautioning residents and visitors about hazardous conditions along the coastal resort town, particularly in areas prone to tidal flooding. Similar coastal flood warnings have been affecting communities along the mid-Atlantic coast during recent high tide cycles.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says sections of Highway 12, the main route along the Outer Banks, remain closed after ocean water washed over the road. Drivers are being kept off the affected stretches while crews assess conditions and wait for water to recede. Travelers in the area should expect delays and check updates before heading north or south along the barrier islands.

Singer and actress Patricia Manterola has joined forces with PETA Latino in a new campaign calling for an end to fishing. The animal rights group announced the collaboration, positioning the Mexican star as a high-profile voice for ocean life. The campaign targets fishing practices PETA describes as cruel to fish and damaging to marine ecosystems.

A newly reported scientific effort is shedding light on the ocean's 'deep reefs' — little-known coral and rocky ecosystems lying in dim waters beyond the reach of typical diving surveys. Researchers are using advanced exploration methods to document what lives there and how these hidden habitats function, as interest grows in protecting deep-sea environments.

Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue has issued a warning to beachgoers due to dangerous surf conditions along the county's coastline. Lifeguards are urging swimmers to use caution, stay near staffed lifeguard towers, and avoid entering rough waters. Local news outlets in the region are covering the alert, highlighting the risk of rip currents and hazardous conditions for anyone heading to the beach.