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Rapid warming in the Himalaya exacerbates geohazard cascades beyond adaptation limits
On 26 August 2026, a rock-ice avalanche at Langtang Lirung (5,150 m asl) triggered a massive debris flood that travelled 200 km into India, causing over 1,300 deaths and widespread destruction in Nepal. The event released energy equivalent to a M5.5 earthquake and moved at average speeds of 188 km/hr. While geological structure was the primary control, the report finds that human-caused climate change significantly increased the likelihood and intensity of the anomalous warmth preceding the failure. Specifically, temperatures in July and August were approximately 1.5°C higher due to climate change, contributing to permafrost degradation, glacial thinning, and a shift in the rain-snow transition. The report concludes that the magnitude and speed of the event exceeded the limits of existing early warning systems and adaptation measures, necessitating a focus on loss and damage recovery.
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Document type: Report
Monthly Attribution Overview – August 2026
The report finds that August 2026 saw widespread above-average temperatures across the U.S., with an average anomaly of 1.6°F across 192 cities. The Southwest was the hottest region, and 39 cities recorded one of their top-five hottest Augusts on record. Long-term trends show August warming since 1970 in 187 of the 192 analyzed locations, with Reno, Nevada, seeing the largest increase.
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Document type: Report
Monthly Attribution Overview – July 2026
In July 2026, the United States experienced widespread above-average temperatures, with an average anomaly of 1.5°F across 192 cities. The Northern Rockies and Plains were the warmest region, exceeding normals by more than 4.0°F. Long-term data indicates that 185 of the 192 analyzed cities have warmed since 1970, with Reno, Nevada, showing the most significant increase. Climate attribution analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) showed that San Juan, Puerto Rico, had 31 days where temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change Raises Rates of U.S. Emergency Room Visits For Heat Illness
Climate change accounted for 27% of the rate of heat-related emergency room visits in the U.S. during 2018-2025. August 2026 was the warmest August on record globally, with record warmth affecting 13.2% of global land and ocean areas. In the U.S., Summer 2026 was the warmest on record for the contiguous region, and August 2026 was the warmest August for average, maximum, and minimum temperatures since 1895. Drought affected at least 81% of the contiguous U.S. as of September 8, 2026, and nearly 8.3 million acres burned year-to-date, driven by increased 'fire weather' days. Attribution analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates human-caused climate change drove summertime warming trends in 91% of analyzed U.S. cities. Additionally, a strong El Niño event is projected to peak around February 2027, with global temperature anomalies potentially reaching 1.7C above pre-industrial levels.
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Document type: Briefing
Warming U.S. Cities Face Higher Cooling Demand and Energy Bills
July 2026 was tied for the warmest July on record globally and was the all-time warmest July for the contiguous U.S. This extreme heat, driven by human-caused climate change and a strengthening El Niño, has led to a significant increase in cooling degree days—a proxy for energy demand—across most major U.S. cities. The report also details widespread drought affecting at least 70% of the contiguous U.S. and record-low sea-ice extents in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
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Document type: Briefing
Research Priorities for Climate Litigation 2026 Report
The report synthesizes interviews with 25 climate litigation practitioners to identify critical gaps in scientific evidence needed for legal accountability. It highlights ten research priorities, including advances in end-to-end attribution science, quantification of noneconomic loss and damage, and the impact of industry disinformation. The authors also detail barriers to integrating science in courts, such as the 'resource imbalance' between public-interest lawyers and industry defendants, the differing standards of 'certainty' between science and law, and political interference in the judiciary.
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Document type: Report
Climate change and urban pressures intensify flood risk on the Gulf of Guinea coast
Between 20–22 June 2026, the Gulf of Guinea coast experienced severe flooding following intense rainfall, with over 140 mm falling in less than 24 hours in some areas. The event caused significant fatalities in Côte d’Ivoire (59 since May), Ghana (at least 34), and Togo (five). An attribution study found that observed 3-day rainfall intensity in the region has increased by approximately 23% since records began, making such events about five times more likely in the current climate (1.4°C warmer than pre-industrial levels) than in a cooler climate. While climate models support the trend of increasing precipitation, they systematically underestimate the observed increase, with models showing only a 4% increase in intensity. The study highlights that rapid urbanisation, the expansion of settlements into floodplains, and sea level rise exceeding the global average have compounded flood risks. Under a future warming scenario of 2.8°C, these heavy rainfall events are expected to become common occurrences.
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Document type: Research paper
Climate Change is Costing People Sleep
Climate Central's analysis reveals that the average person globally lost nearly 56 hours of sleep annually due to nighttime heat from 2020 to 2025, with approximately six hours attributed to climate change. The most significant climate-linked sleep losses occurred in Middle Eastern cities, where residents in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE lost between 12 and 16 hours of sleep per year due to climate change. Globally, the amount of temperature-related sleep loss linked to climate change has at least doubled since the early 1970s, increasing from about two hours to five hours per year. Vulnerable populations, including adults over 65 and those in lower-middle-income countries, face higher risks, and while air conditioning provides some protection, access remains unequal and tied to income.
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Document type: Report
Fossil fuels are heating America's 250th birthday
The report analyzes a severe heatwave in July 2026 characterized by record-shattering Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) values across the eastern US and Canada. Attribution analysis indicates that while the atmospheric circulation pattern (a 'heat dome') is characteristic of the region, the intensity of the event was substantially increased by a background climate that has warmed by 1.4°C due to fossil fuel combustion. The study emphasizes that humid heat extremes are an emerging risk, as WBGT is increasing more rapidly than absolute maximum or minimum temperatures. It also highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of low-income residents, outdoor workers, and those in historically redlined urban districts, while noting the critical role of heat action plans and cooling centers in mitigating mortality.
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Document type: Research paper
Monthly Attribution Overview – June 2026
In June 2026, the United States experienced slightly above-average temperatures, with an average anomaly of 0.7°F across 192 analyzed cities. The Southwest was the warmest region, with temperatures more than 2.9°F above normal, and Flagstaff, Arizona, recorded the most unusual warmth at 4.0°F above normal. Long-term trends show that 189 of the 192 cities have warmed since 1970, with Reno, Nevada, seeing the greatest increase of 10.6°F. Climate attribution analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates that San Juan, Puerto Rico, had 30 days where temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
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Document type: Report
Global Analysis: Dangerous Humid Heat Rising Due to Climate Change
Since the 1970s, the global average number of dangerous humid heat days—defined as those with a maximum wet-bulb temperature of 25°C or higher—has more than doubled, rising from 10 to 23 days per year. Climate Central's analysis indicates that human-caused climate change is now the primary driver of this trend, accounting for 64% of all such days since 1970 and 83% of the 23 dangerous days recorded in 2025. The most significant increases are observed in tropical humid regions, including Southeast Asia, coastal West Africa, and tropical South America, though increases are also noted in drier areas like the Arabian Peninsula and the southwestern United States.
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Document type: Report
Tennis players and fans are facing more extreme weather at the four Grand Slams
Climate Central's analysis of weather data from 1970 to 2025 shows that all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments have experienced an increase in hot days (defined as $\ge$28°C). The French Open has warmed the fastest, with average temperatures rising by 3.5°C. Climate change is attributed with adding 160 extra hot days across the four events, with the U.S. Open seeing the highest absolute increase. Additionally, the frequency of heavy rain days ($\ge$10mm) has increased for the French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon.
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Document type: Report
COMMUNICATION TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE In the case of ANNE POELINA; BARRY TRAILL; BRENDON DONOHUE; CATHERINE ; JACK EGAN; LATISHAMARIE FRANCIS; PAMELAROSE FRANCIS; MELISSA FISHER; SAMA YOUHANA; RIKKI DANK, Authors V. AUSTRALIA, Respondent
The document is a legal communication submitted by ten Australian citizens alleging that the Australian government's fossil fuel export policies violate their rights to life, privacy, family, home, and culture. It argues that Australia's role as a leading exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) materially contributes to the climate emergency, causing specific harms to the authors, including extreme heat, bushfires, flooding, and toxic algal blooms. The authors contend that Australia has failed its due diligence obligations under international law and that domestic legal remedies are inadequate, requesting the Committee to declare these actions incompatible with human rights obligations and recommend a phase-out of fossil fuel exports.
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Document type: Report
Expert opinion on the 2022-2023 Brisbane and Kimberley flood events and their relationship to anthropogenic climate change
The document argues that the 2022 Brisbane and 2022/23 Kimberley floods were made more likely and impactful by human-caused climate change, specifically through increased ocean temperatures, more frequent multi-year La Niña events, and higher atmospheric moisture. It concludes that while the frequency of some weather systems may decrease, the intensity of rainfall and flooding is expected to increase, potentially leading to prohibitive costs for protection and insurance in flood-prone zones.
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Document type: Report
Climate Central’s Monthly Briefing Highlights from June 2026
June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record globally, with the Arctic experiencing its warmest June ever. In the U.S., 66% of the contiguous region faced abnormally dry or drought conditions by July 7, 2026, and the West and Southwest regions saw their warmest January-June period on record. A very strong El Niño is forecast to develop between October and December 2026, with an 81% probability, likely pushing global temperatures to or above 1.5C by October. Climate Central's analysis indicates human-caused climate change is a key driver of summertime warming in 91% of analyzed U.S. cities.
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Document type: Briefing
Monthly Attribution Overview – April 2026
In April 2026, the United States experienced an average temperature anomaly of 3.4°F across 192 cities, with the Ohio Valley being the warmest region. The report highlights that 183 of the analyzed cities have shown long-term warming trends since 1970, with Reno, Nevada, seeing the greatest increase. Climate attribution analysis indicates that in San Juan, Puerto Rico, temperatures on 19 days in April were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
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Document type: Report
Monthly Attribution Overview – May 2026
In May 2026, the United States experienced slightly below-average temperatures overall, with an average anomaly of -0.2°F across 192 cities. Despite this, the western U.S. saw above-average temperatures, and the Northern Rockies and Plains region was the warmest, averaging more than 1.6°F above normal. Long-term data indicates that 185 of the 192 analyzed cities have warmed since 1970, with Reno, Nevada, showing the greatest increase at 7.5°F. Climate attribution analysis shows that San Juan, Puerto Rico, had the highest number of days (28) where temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change (CSI level 2 or higher).
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Document type: Report
Monthly Climate Reports | National Climate Report | May 2026
The May 2026 report highlights that the month was the second-warmest on record globally, with carbon dioxide levels reaching a new monthly peak of 432.3 ppm. In the United States, spring 2026 was the second-warmest on record for the contiguous U.S., while 77% of the region experienced abnormally dry or drought conditions as of early June. The report also notes a developing potentially very strong El Niño and record-low snowpack in several western states.
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Document type: Briefing
Monthly Attribution Overview – March 2026
In March 2026, the United States experienced unprecedented warmth with an average temperature anomaly of 5.8°F across 192 cities. The Southwest was the warmest region, with temperatures more than 10.4°F above normal, and Phoenix recorded the highest individual city anomaly at 12.5°F. Long-term trends show that 188 of the 192 analyzed cities have warmed since 1970, with Wheeling, West Virginia, seeing the greatest increase of 11.7°F. Climate attribution analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates that in Flagstaff, Arizona, temperatures on 28 days in March were made at least two times more likely due to climate change.
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Document type: Report
Fastest-Warming U.S. States and Cities
April 2026 was the fourth-warmest month globally on record, with the contiguous U.S. experiencing its third-warmest April. The report highlights severe drought in the Southeast U.S., record-low Western snowpack, and a persistent marine heat wave off the coasts of California and Mexico. Using the Climate Shift Index (CSI), the analysis attributes springtime warming trends in 98% of analyzed U.S. cities to human-caused climate change, with exceptional warmth noted in Honolulu and San Juan. Forecasts indicate a high probability of a strong El Niño developing later in 2026, potentially driving global temperature anomalies above 1.8°C relative to pre-industrial levels by early 2027.
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Document type: Briefing