weather satellites

The US National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service is highlighting the outlook for a very strong El Nino in 2026-2027. The agency says an unusually warm tropical Pacific Ocean could reshape weather patterns worldwide, with potential effects on rainfall, droughts, storms and temperatures across multiple continents in the coming years.

The United Nations is urging that radio frequencies essential to Earth observation be protected. These frequency bands allow satellites to monitor weather, climate and environmental change, and interference could disrupt critical scientific and forecasting services. The appeal, reported by Arab News, highlights growing pressure on spectrum from commercial and communications uses, prompting renewed calls for international coordination to safeguard observation systems.

Analysis of solar-driven disasters is drawing attention to the risk that space weather poses to electricity grids and digital infrastructure. Strong solar flares and geomagnetic storms could damage transformers, knock out satellite communications, GPS and internet systems, with recovery potentially taking months. The discussion highlights how modern economies remain deeply exposed to events originating on the Sun and calls for better forecasting and grid hardening.

KESQ's Weather Insider segment examines the satellites used to study the world's oceans and monitor El Niño conditions. The piece explains how space-based observation of sea surface temperatures and ocean patterns helps forecasters understand and predict El Niño's effects on global weather. It highlights the role of satellite technology in improving weather and climate forecasting.