The latest measures affect the Upper and Lower circuits, whose paths and walkways lead visitors towards the waterfalls. The national park is set to remain open with a reduced range of attractions and services, according to Argentine news outlet Infobae.

What a difference! Heavy rainfall has transformed Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfall systems, along the Brazil-Argentina border. Water flow surged to 455,000 cubic feet per second, more than six times its historical average, prompting authorities to close several tourist walkways as a precaution.

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) October 13, 2026

Authorities initially restricted access on Monday, 12 October, after the Iguazu River’s flow exceeded 12,000 cubic metres per second, more than six times its usual rate. The national park administration and the company operating its tourist circuit introduced the closure as a precaution.

“Temporary restrictions are being imposed on the movement of people and access to public-use areas,” Iguazu National Park said in a statement reported by the Buenos Aires Times on Monday.

Park director José María Hervás explained that persistent rainfall and continuing releases of water from upstream dams were behind the decision.

A gradual reduction in the river’s flow subsequently allowed authorities to announce reopening for Tuesday, 13 October. However, the improvement proved short-lived: water volumes rose again that afternoon, prompting further restrictions for Wednesday. The latest developments underline how quickly access can change during periods of intense rainfall.

Iguazu Falls after heavy rain https://t.co/N7JlaGKnTA

— Science girl (@sciencegirl) October 13, 2026

Changing water levels disrupt access to the falls

The latest closure protocol was triggered when the river’s flow exceeded 11,000 cubic metres per second, the safety threshold for access to the affected walkways and viewing platforms. Forecasts indicated that elevated flows would persist throughout Wednesday.

The Yvyrá Retá visitor centre, Territorio Yaguareté attraction and Ecological Jungle Train were expected to remain available, alongside catering and retail facilities. Entrance prices were reported to be unchanged despite restrictions on access to the waterfalls.

For visitors, the distinction is significant: an open national park does not necessarily mean that its main waterfall circuits are accessible. Authorities have advised tourism operators and travellers to follow official channels for updates before planning their visit.

Iguazú National Park in Argentina reopened today, but the iconic Devil’s Throat walkway remains strictly closed, not surprisingly Heavy rains pushed the river’s flow past 12,000 m³/s, which is nearly 10x its normal volume. https://t.co/JRlgFkHzw0

— Volcaholic (@volcaholic1) October 13, 2026

Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu is one of the world’s most significant waterfall systems. UNESCO describes the falls as extending across almost 2,700 metres, surrounded by subtropical forest. Argentina’s Iguazu National Park has been on the World Heritage List since 1984.

Beyond the waterfalls themselves, the protected area supports rich biodiversity, making it both a major visitor attraction and an important conservation site. UNESCO highlights its role in protecting threatened species and the ecological connections between the Argentine and Brazilian parks.

Flooding has disrupted access before. Closures in 2023 and 2024 occurred during a previous El Niño episode that damaged walkways in the Devil’s Throat section. Authorities closed that circuit and removed walkways in August 2026 as a precaution against another major rise in water levels.

The wider region is also experiencing flooding concerns. Rising levels along the Uruguay River have forced dozens of residents to leave riverside areas in Concordia and Paso de los Libres, extending the effects of the severe weather beyond tourism.

El Niño reinforces the need for flexible travel plans

El Niño involves warming in the tropical Pacific that can alter rainfall and atmospheric circulation far beyond the ocean itself. Its effects vary between regions, increasing the likelihood of wetter conditions in some places while contributing to drought elsewhere.

As Travel Tomorrow explored in its recent article on El Niño’s implications for travel, seasonal climate outlooks indicate changing risks rather than guaranteeing conditions at an individual destination.

For tourism businesses, this means linking contingency plans to official weather alerts and explaining what happens when attractions, roads or excursions become unavailable. Alternative itineraries and clear communication can help operators respond when conditions change after a trip has begun.

For travellers, flexible bookings, additional time and backup activities can reduce disruption. Insurance policies also require attention, particularly provisions concerning weather-related cancellations, missed departures and events already known when cover is purchased.

The sequence of closure, reopening and renewed restrictions at Iguazu illustrates that challenge. Local park notices and weather warnings remain essential even after access has been restored, while individual circuits and excursions may operate under different safety restrictions.

L’article Iguazu Falls faces renewed tourist restrictions after El Niño-linked surge in river flow est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

This is not a universal forecast. El Niño alters rainfall, heat and atmospheric conditions, while other ocean patterns can strengthen or weaken its effects. Still, travellers and operators should prepare for disruption from floods, drought, heat, wildfires and storms, as well as pressure on water, food and transport.

A changing map of risk

Heavy October–December rains in parts of the Horn of Africa could raise flood risk and disrupt safari roads and camps. Southern Africa has a clearer dry signal: the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) forecasts drier-than-average conditions across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Madagascar during the 2026–27 summer. Below-normal rainfall is also more likely in parts of Central America, South-East Asia, the Maritime Continent and, later, north-western Australia. These are regional probabilities, not destination-level guarantees.

Strong El Niño events can bring heavy rain and flooding to western South America, but travellers to Peru or Ecuador should follow national and local forecasts. In the United States, wetter-than-normal conditions are more likely across much of the southern tier. Pacific storms may also shift towards California, raising the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding, although a uniformly wet western winter is not assured.

El Niño usually suppresses Atlantic hurricanes by increasing wind shear. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gives the 2026 season a 55% chance of below-average activity, but Caribbean hurricane risk remains.

Drought is possible across parts of the Caribbean and Central America, with conditions varying by place and season. Europe’s response is less predictable: the JRC sees a possible warm anomaly in autumn, potentially strengthening in spring 2027. Travellers should prioritise destination-specific forecasts and official warnings.

What can the industry do?

Airlines, tour operators, hotels and destination managers should link contingency plans to official alerts, with alternative routes, backup accommodation, flexible staffing and clear shelter or evacuation procedures.

Contracts should explain what happens when weather closes roads, ports or attractions. Businesses also need water and energy plans for drought-prone destinations, resilient suppliers and guest updates that distinguish official warnings from seasonal outlooks. Cruise, safari and adventure operators should review route access, wildfire exposure and medical support.

How travellers can protect their plans

Travellers should consider flexible bookings, allow extra connection time for connections, and avoid itineraries dependent on one road, flight, or ferry. Before buying insurance, check cover for known events, weather disruption, missed departure, evacuation and cancellation, bearing in mind that the WMO’s near-100% warning could push travel insurance premiums up too.

Monitor national weather services and official travel advice before and during the trip. Save alerts offline and keep medicines, key documents and emergency contacts accessible.

For hot-weather trips, carry water, seek shade, and avoid the hottest hours. In drought-hit destinations, respect restrictions and reduce water use. Marine heat can damage coral, so divers should check current reef and marine-park advisories.

Shoulder-season travel or lower-risk alternatives may help, but even “coolcations” can face disruption. As Travel Tomorrow has already reported, flexibility is becoming a core travel skill.

L’article El Niño continues to reshape travel: what the sector and consumers can expect from autumn 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Triglav glacier, on the northeastern face of Mount Triglav, features on the Slovenian 50 cent euro coin and on Slovenian passports as part of the country’s coat of arms, but soon it will no longer be a part of the Slovenian landscape, scientists say, due to the effects of climate change.

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The glacier shrank from over 40 hectares in size at the end of the 1800s to around 14 hectares by the mid-20^th century, when there was still enough of it left to become a popular, year-round ski area. But experts tracking the glacier since 1946 say no new ice has flowed into it for years.

After low snowfall last winter, the remaining fragments of glacial ice were left exposed to soaring summer temperatures. Now the glacier is dying. Miha Pavšek of the Anton Melik Geographical Institute at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, who has been recording the changes for 30 years, says: “Everything indicates that the very last remnants of ice will literally disappear within these coming days.”

TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK – one of the oldest and most #beautiful national parks in #Europe is located in northwestern #Slovenia and covers an area of over 800 km2 (4% of the entire Slovenian territory) (Images by Tomo Jesenicnik, Jost Gantar, Jure Oblak, Ales Zdesar) #travel #nature https://t.co/n1ZsRblVSI

— Discover Slovenia (@travel_slovenia) July 27, 2018

Pavšek also raised an alarm about dwindling glaciers across Slovenia’s border in Austria. Their decline, he warns, could dry out the Drava and Mura river basins, with catastrophic long-term effects on the land. “This will impact areas they irrigate, such as the Drava and Ptuj fields and parts of the Mura region,” he said.

The future for Europe’s glaciers looks grim, according to a recent statement by the GLAMOS Swiss glacier monitoring service and the Swiss Academy of Sciences, which said: “Alpine glaciers have no chance of surviving in the long term under such conditions.” Swiss glaciers have shrunk by 20% in just the last five years, data shows.

As previously reported by Travel Tomorrow, some ski resorts across the bloc have already closed, while other threatened alpine ski areas are attempting to pivot to spring and summer hiking activities to keep their visitor economies alive. But, as Pavšek points out, it is not only Europe’s winter tourist sector that faces losses as global warming continues, but also agriculture and wine-making in some of Europe’s oldest settled regions.

The loss of the Triglav glacier underscores how climate change is reshaping both Slovenia’s landscape and livelihoods across the Alps, threatening water supplies, agriculture, and tourism while forcing mountain communities to adapt to a future with less snow and ice.

L’article Slovenia’s Triglav glacier could disappear ‘within days’, experts warn est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The continent’s ice has retreated a million square kilometres from the long-term maximum average observed since 1979. That’s an area of ice double the size of Spain that has not been seen this year, as of 14 September.

Antarctica’s sea ice area varies hugely across the year. It melts over the summer hitting less than two million square km in recent years, and “grows” back during the winter, hitting around 17 million square km this September.

But with the lowest levels of sea ice ever recorded all occurring in the last four years, researchers believe a climate behaviour pattern may have breached. “The past four winters have had the lowest sea ice maximum on record – that’s a very clear indication of a system that has changed,” said Dr Ariaan Purich, a Southern Ocean expert at Monash University in Melbourne.

“This is not a one-off event any more. The sea ice is no longer covering the same extent of ocean that it used to. We are seeing low winter after low winter and that suggests the sea ice is behaving differently because we have warmed our climate. This is not a future problem. It’s a now problem,” Purich added.

Arctic sea ice extent has reached its minimum for the year, landing at 10th lowest with 2008, 2010, and 2025. Antarctic sea ice may have topped out at 3rd lowest maximum in the satellite record. A full analysis will come out in early Oct from Sea Ice Today:https://t.co/WGlwLdQKsy pic.twitter.com/TqXkKYP0n9

— National Snow and Ice Data Center (@NSIDC) September 23, 2026

A heatwave brought temperatures 20C above Antarctic norms this summer, with large areas of open water where sea ice should have been growing in August, and winds linked to El Niño climate cycle partly blamed for churning the waters and contributing to melt.

The consequences of reduced Antarctic sea ice could be a loss of habitats for krill and algae—creatures essential to the food chain that supports sea species such as penguins. But that’s not all. Researchers also point to the way ice shelves hold back glaciers that could raise global sea levels by as much as 58 metres if they advance, causing catastrophes for the one billion humans that reside in coastal communities around the world.

Dr Will Hobbs, Antarctic sea ice expert at the University of Tasmania, said the situation could become “really worrying” and noted that while numbers are still being crunched, “the system is changing faster than we are understanding it.”

An international project called the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project, or ISMIP6, has built an archive of Antarctic simulations that show the region will lose more ice than it gains this century, even if human-driven warming is kept within 1.5 C thresholds. A continued high emissions scenario, the team said, could lead to permanent flooding in the homes of 10 million people by 2100.

L’article Antarctic winter sea ice falls to third-lowest level on record est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A research team from Queen’s University Belfast considered air, noise, light, and water pollution in a meta analysis of 29 studies investigating the relationship between environmental exposures and death by suicide, attempted suicide, or suicide ideation. They found small particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide were associated with a higher risk. Similarly, another 16 studies indicated sulphur dioxide, ozone, and other pollutants including noise, were found to be associated with higher risk levels. The results for water and light pollution were inconclusive.

The findings have potential consequences for environmental, public, and social policymaking, the researchers say, since they suggest that improving air quality should be considered a public health issue alongside other suicide prevention strategies. Suicide is the cause of over 720,000 deaths annually and is the third biggest killer of 15– to 29-year-olds, the World Health Organization says.

If the studies findings can be taken at face value, the travel sector could be said to be implicated, after all transportation is known to be among the world’s most polluting sectors, responsible for around 14 to 15% of emissions. Travellers too, especially those on long-term trips away from home or choosing a digital-nomad lifestyle and residing abroad for lengthy periods, might decide to avoid destinations known to have poorer air quality in order to protect their mental wellbeing.

But some experts have questioned the study’s findings, pointing out that people’s reasons for attempting suicide are multi-factored, and that the study does not establish a causal link between air pollution and suicidal thoughts.

Every year, more than 727 000 lives are lost to suicide.

Behind each number is a story cut short.

We aimed for a 33% reduction in deaths by 2030, but progress is just 12%.

This is a crisis. We must act with urgency, compassion & investment in #SuicidePrevention … pic.twitter.com/RPb460PELw

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) September 2, 2025

Dr Jon Van Niekerk, the chair of the general adult faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, cited by The Guardian, noted that: “Air pollution is closely associated with other factors which we know can influence mental health, including socioeconomic deprivation, urban living, physical health and housing.” He went on to caution that “the findings should not be seen as supporting individual suicide risk prediction or suggesting that pollution reduction alone could be a suicide prevention measure.”

Still, the Belfast team conclude that their results “highlight the importance of considering environmental exposures as modifiable risk factors in suicide prevention,” raising questions about how humans have historically thought about suicide and mental health, and about how society manages complex threats to the population’s health and wellbeing.

L’article Air pollution could be associated with increased suicide risk, researchers say est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In the days after Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi was faced with a difficult dilemma. On the one hand, crews needed space and resources to clear fallen trees and utility poles, restore electricity, and repair storm-damaged roads. On the other hand, the Hawaiian economy heavily relies on tourism. Those who had plans to visit the island were thus asked to reconsider their plans – not by cancelling entirely but by opting for a different Hawaiian destination.

Initially, many small business concentrated their efforts on either saving their assets or helping their community in whichever way possible. After weeks of clearing and damage repair, however, the consequences of the lack of tourists is becoming increasingly clear. Business owners are forced to let go most of their work force due to a lack of footfall, a situation that could quickly escalate and destabilise the island’s entire community.

In an article for The Associated Press, Gabriela Aoun Angueira interviews multiple small business owners about the consequences of the hurricane and the associated lack of tourists on their situation.

“Now that power and water is being restored, we should start to switch the narrative before many of us go out of business. People are canceling their trips in November,” warned Kelly Kakalia, co-owner of The Musubi Truck.

While some regions on the island are still considered a no-go zone as the damage done by Hurricane Lowell remains great, many other parts of Kauaʻi are slowly recovering and are ready to reopen their doors to sympathetic tourists. 

“We are still recovering from Hurricane Lowell, so come with patience. Some parks and areas remain closed, and we are telling visitors to avoid areas like Wainiha and Hāʻena for now. Check with your accommodations and activity providers before you arrive. The best way to help is to spend local. Eat, shop, and book with our small businesses. Every dollar makes a difference,” Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami said in an Instagram post.

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Un post condiviso da Mayor Derek Kawakami (@mayor_derek_kawakami)

Although Hawaii Governor Josh Green has requested an expedited federal disaster declaration, which could unlock low-interest Small Business Administration loans, President Donald Trump has not yet approved the request. At the moment, small businesses’ best bet is thus to take up their usual pace once again, which might allow them to partially make up for the damage done by the hurricane.

Tourists wanting to support Kauaʻi can do so in several ways. Visiting the island, while keeping in mind that things have not yet gone back too normal, is one way. Those looking to do so are urged to get in touch with their travel agent or local accommodation in order to know what exactly might be possible.

Shopping locally, whether it is in person, online, or by purchasing gift certificates, is another great way to boost the local economy. Last but not least, tourists can also sign up to volunteer and help the island get back on its feet.

L’article Kauaʻi urges tourists to return and support small businesses after Hurricane Lowell est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The global average jet fuel price rose by 6.1% in a week to $181.46 (€153) per barrel, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlighting a cost increase that extends well beyond the United States and is also being closely watched by European carriers.

Executives from American, United and Southwest outlined plans to adjust their schedules at Morgan Stanley’s annual Laguna Conference on Wednesday, with some flights already set to disappear from schedules towards the end of the year.

American Airlines Chief Financial Officer Devon May said fuel prices for the fourth quarter were running approximately $1 per gallon above the level the carrier had forecast in July. The difference is expected to add around $1 billion (€843 million) to American’s fuel bill.

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“What’s happened in the last four weeks, though, is fuel’s run up probably $1 a gallon or something like that for the fourth quarter alone,” May said.

American is consequently planning further capacity adjustments towards the end of the fourth quarter. However, demand remains strong, with the airline expecting third-quarter revenue to increase between 16% and 19% compared with the same period last year.

United Airlines is also removing flights from its schedule. Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen said some services originally planned for December would no longer operate.

“As you look into the fourth quarter, there’ll be some flights in December that we won’t fly that we thought we were going to fly,” Leskinen said. “If fuel remains high, we’ll make some adjustments into the first quarter and beyond into 2027.”

The airline has not disclosed which routes will be affected. Leskinen said that routes at the lower end of profitability can become unprofitable when fuel prices rise sharply.

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Southwest Airlines has meanwhile reduced around half of the modest year-on-year capacity growth it had originally planned for 2026. Chief Financial Officer Tom Doxey said further reductions would be a “natural response” if fuel remained elevated.

However, Southwest later clarified that schedule adjustments made so far had been minimal and that Doxey was illustrating how the airline could respond if fuel remained expensive rather than announcing substantial additional cuts.

Cheaper flights under pressure

The reductions could have a disproportionate impact on travellers looking for lower fares. Flights operating at less popular times or on routes with thinner demand are generally more vulnerable to capacity cuts because their margins are already lower.

That could include services on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as well as very early morning or late-night flights, according to aviation experts cited by CNN.

The situation is particularly challenging for budget-conscious passengers in the United States following the disappearance of Spirit Airlines, which halted operations in May, while other low-cost carriers have increasingly sought to attract passengers willing to pay for more premium products.

Jet fuel costs more than crude oil. The difference between the two is called the jet fuel crack spread. The strong correlation between jet fuel and crude oil prices has weakened, meaning higher and more volatile crack spreads. Learn why in the #WeeklyChart https://t.co/MuuCoXlxrj pic.twitter.com/nS5HMPOd9C

— IATA (@IATA) September 12, 2026

Airlines have nevertheless reported little evidence that higher prices are significantly weakening overall passenger demand.

United said its fourth-quarter bookings remained “tremendously strong”, with premium travel, corporate demand and economy bookings all proving resilient.

“Bookings have continued as we expected, so that piece of the equation is resilient – very little evidence of demand destruction,” Leskinen said.

Strong demand combined with reduced capacity could make it more difficult for passengers to find cheaper tickets, particularly if fuel prices remain elevated into 2027.

European airlines also exposed to fuel surge

Although the latest capacity announcements concern US carriers, the underlying increase in jet fuel prices is global, meaning European airlines are exposed to the same energy-market pressures.

Fuel represents one of the aviation industry’s largest operating expenses, and sustained price increases can affect decisions on capacity, routes and ultimately ticket prices.

European airlines may have some protection through fuel hedging, whereby carriers lock in part of their future fuel requirements at predetermined prices. This can reduce exposure to sudden short-term increases, although it cannot completely protect airlines from a prolonged period of high prices.

The pressure also comes as European aviation faces additional costs associated with fleet renewal, sustainable aviation fuel requirements and the wider decarbonisation of the sector.

Aircraft delivery delays have added another challenge by forcing some airlines to operate older and generally less fuel-efficient aircraft for longer than originally planned. For passengers, however, higher fuel prices do not automatically translate into equivalent increases in ticket prices. Airfares ultimately depend heavily on supply and demand, as airlines balance operating costs against the number of seats available and passengers’ willingness to pay.

With US carriers already beginning to remove less profitable capacity, airlines on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely to see whether the latest jet fuel surge proves temporary or begins to influence schedules further into 2027.

L’article US airlines cut flights as jet fuel prices surge est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Kauaʻi’s visitor economy is facing a delicate trade-off once more, after Hurricane Lowell: the island needs space and resources for recovery, yet many livelihoods depend on tourism. State tourism officials are advising travellers to avoid Kauaʻi for now as crews clear fallen trees and utility poles, restore electricity and repair storm-damaged roads. At the same time, they are asking visitors to consider another Hawaiian island rather than cancel the state entirely.

Lowell’s winds and storm surge damaged coastal properties, washed out sections of road and left thousands of customers—including hotels—without power. Departing passengers also encountered long queues at Kauaʻi’s main airport. Two deaths in Hawaiʻi were linked to the storm, and the governor sought a major federal disaster declaration for Kauaʻi and Maui counties.

Tourism supports an estimated four in ten jobs on Kauaʻi, making any pause costly for hotels, holiday rentals, restaurants, activity providers, and their staff. The disruption is uneven, however. Koʻa Kea Resort in Poʻipū said affected guests could receive refunds and forecast a return to normal operations within about two weeks. The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort reported no structural damage but temporarily closed while awaiting the restoration of power.

For small operators, the immediate calculation extends beyond lost sales. In the wake of the storm, the Musubi Truck has used its commercial kitchen, propane, and generators to provide nearly 600 free meals in Wailua, while nearby businesses contributed drinks and equipment. Its co-owner, Kelly Kakalia, prioritised residents’ access to food, water, and power over short-term trade, later passing generators to families still without electricity. The response illustrates how visitor-facing businesses are also part of the island’s emergency support network.

Conditions can vary sharply by district and property. Some parts of the island escaped major damage, and at least one Poʻipū rental owner reported functioning water and nearby beach access. Yet the South Shore suffered serious damage around Baby Beach, and local appeals warned that visitors could place additional demand on scarce food, fuel, and utilities. Travellers should therefore treat island-wide imagery and isolated reassuring reports with equal caution: the status of a specific accommodation and the route to it matter more than a general impression.

Advice to holidaymakers bound for the islands includes:

• Contact the provider directly: confirm power, running water, access roads, staffing and the property’s reopening date before travelling.
• Review flexible options: ask about rebooking or refunds; policies differ, although some affected resorts have offered both.
• Consider rerouting: moving the trip to another Hawaiian island can preserve the holiday while supporting the wider visitor economy.
• Avoid burdening relief operations: unless travelling for family needs or organised assistance, postpone if essential services remain constrained.
• Monitor transport: allow for airport congestion, service changes and longer journeys where roads are damaged or being cleared.

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Kauaʻi’s recovery will require tourism demand to return—but at a pace aligned with restored infrastructure and residents’ needs. Clear, property-level updates will be essential: overly broad alarm could prolong losses for businesses that are ready to operate, while premature arrivals could divert supplies and staff from harder-hit communities. For travellers, flexibility is the most useful form of support: verify, reroute, or postpone rather than assuming the whole island is either closed or unaffected.

L’article Kauaʻi asks visitors to pause as Hurricane Lowell recovery puts tourism under strain est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The global average surface air temperature reached 16.96°C last month, which is 0.85°C above the 1991–2020 average. It made August the warmest August in the ERA5 dataset and the joint-warmest month across all calendar months along with July 2023.

Temperatures were 1.65°C above the estimated 1850–1900 pre-industrial average, marking the first month since November 2025 in which the global temperature anomaly exceeded 1.5°C.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries committed to pursuing efforts to limit long-term global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. A single month exceeding that threshold does not mean the long-term Paris Agreement target has been breached, which is measured over a longer period. The global average temperature for the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 was 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels.

“August 2026 was a remarkable month in the global climate record,” said Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). “Combined with record global sea surface temperatures and the warmest summer on record for Western Europe, these observations show how climate change is driving extremes across both the atmosphere and the oceans.”

Ocean temperatures also reached record levels. The average sea surface temperature across extra-polar oceans, between 60°S and 60°N, stood at 21.07°C, the highest recorded for August and equal to the all-month record set in March 2024. Copernicus said the exceptional temperatures reflected global heating alongside rapidly developing El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific.

Europe also experienced unusually high temperatures. The average temperature over European land in August reached 20.26°C, 1.10°C above the 1991–2020 average, making it the continent’s fourth-warmest August on record.

Summer 2026 was the third warmest recorded across Europe as a whole, behind 2024 and 2022. Western Europe, however, experienced its hottest summer on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2003 after a succession of early, persistent and intense heatwaves.

Dry conditions also affected large parts of Europe during the summer, with exceptionally low soil moisture and widespread low river flows. By August, several major European rivers were experiencing unusually low water levels, with the Danube stranding cruise ships and disrupting tourism in Hungary. Rhine, Southern Bug and Dnieper also saw exceptionally low flows, while the Vistula, Glomma, Rhône, Seine and Po also reached exceptionally low levels before recovering slightly following late-August rainfall.

Meanwhile, extreme heat and wildfires have affected large parts of Europe. In France, the largest wildfire began on 22 July in Saumos, in the Gironde department, burning or damaging around 42,000 hectares. 220,000 people across 23 towns were evacuated, including tourists, while 240 residential homes were destroyed. Around 2,500 firefighters were deployed, with 84 injured. Overall, wildfires across the Gironde and Landes regions near Bordeaux forced around 260,000 people to flee their homes.

Spain also faced widespread wildfires throughout the summer, with more than 170,000 hectares of forest land affected since the beginning of 2026, compared with just 29,000 hectares in 2025. Around 76,000 people were evacuated nationwide, and a further 30,000 were confined to their homes as firefighters battled major blazes near Madrid, Ávila and Valencia. The Ávila fire alone burned around 25,000 hectares, making it one of the largest in Spain’s recent history, while a blaze near Madrid forced 116,000 people to evacuate.

In Greece, dozens of fires have burned around 6,000 hectares on Crete and Paros, while fires around the Gulf of Corinth forced evacuations from Porto Germeno and nearby villages, destroying some 10,000 hectares as well as homes and vehicles. Athens also faced evacuations of more than 1,000 people, including over 250 rescued by boat from beaches. At least 12,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land were burned, while two helicopter pilots were killed during a firefighting operation.

Globally, the June-to-August period was the joint warmest on record, matching 2024. From January to August, 2026 ranked as the second-warmest year on record so far, behind 2024 and ahead of 2023. Copernicus said El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen further in the coming months, potentially developing into one of the strongest events on record and increasing the likelihood of continued high global temperatures during the remainder of the year.

L’article August 2026 was world’s joint hottest month ever recorded, Copernicus finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The “significant flash flooding” struck the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas on Saturday, 29 August, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Two people were confirmed dead, while more than 80 people were evacuated from the affected areas. At least one person remained unaccounted for in the days following the disaster, according to CBS News.

The flooding caused widespread damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including nearly every footbridge spanning Bright Angel Creek. More than 60 people were evacuated by helicopter from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail as floodwaters swept through the area.

One of the most significant consequences has been damage to the Transcanyon Waterline, the system that supplies water from the canyon for use throughout the park. The waterline is currently not operational, leaving the Grand Canyon with limited water reserves and forcing officials to introduce Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim.

Under the restrictions, all overnight guest accommodation operated by park concessionaires has been closed for the foreseeable future. This includes El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village RV Park. Hotels located outside the park in Tusayan are not affected by the restrictions.

“These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources,” the NPS wrote in a statement. “We are asking residents and visitors to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate offices.”

Camping is also limited. Only dry camping is permitted on the South Rim, with campground water spigots turned off, although bathroom faucets remain operational. Fires are prohibited in the South Rim and inner canyon areas, including wood-burning and charcoal fires.

The park itself remains open for day use, with food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the Post Office continuing to operate, although some services may have reduced hours. 

The Colorado River has also been closed to river traffic until further notice because of metal structures and debris entering the river. Visitors with upcoming river trips have been advised to contact their commercial outfitter or the NPS River Permits office for information specific to their trip.

The flooding occurred during the region’s monsoon season, when intense rainfall can rapidly funnel through the Grand Canyon’s steep, rocky terrain. The Guardian reported that the storm also affected areas scarred by the 2025 Dragon Bravo wildfire, where reduced vegetation can increase runoff. Researchers cited by the newspaper also pointed to drought, warming temperatures and a potentially stronger El Niño as factors that may have contributed to the extreme rainfall.

With further thunderstorms and heavy rainfall possible, the NPS has warned that additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and rapidly changing trail and river conditions could occur.

L’article Deadly Grand Canyon flash flood forces hotel closures and Stage 4 water restrictions est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.