U.S. Climate Outlook Highlights Regional Temperature and Precipitation Patterns for 2026 The NOAA/CPC seasonal climate forecast for 2026 outlines significant variations in temperature and precipitation across the United States, with distinct regional trends emerging throughout the year. April 2026 is expected to feature an unusual pattern of warmth extending from the Interior West to the Southeast, maintaining a "memory of winter" effect with temperatures often exceeding normal levels. This warmth is accompanied by exceptionally dry conditions in the West, while wet weather is projected to spread from Texas through the Midwest. The 90-day outlook for the second quarter of 2026 indicates a continued risk of anomalous warmth across most of the country, except for the Upper Midwest and New England. During this period, the wet pattern shifts toward the Atlantic States, while dryness in the West expands into Kansas. By mid-to-late summer, the West faces heightened hot weather risk, though a stronger-than-normal monsoon system in the Southwest is anticipated to add humidity to the region. This monsoon is expected to bring significant moisture to the Southwest, potentially mitigating some of the dryness but contributing to a hotter and more humid environment. Meanwhile, the central Great Plains are projected to experience dryness extending into Texas, while the East and Northeast U.S. will see the development of very warm and humid conditions during mid-to-late summer. The NOAA/CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook through June 30, 2026, highlights a widening drought risk in the West and central Great Plains, while much of the eastern half of the country transitions out of dry-to-drought conditions.#united_states #east #west #southwest #noaa_cpc
US Airline CEOs Urge Congress to End Shutdown and Pay Airport Workers Major airline executives have called on U.S. lawmakers to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has left airport workers unpaid and caused widespread travel disruptions. American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have joined a letter to Congress demanding immediate funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The shutdown, which began in February, has left TSA employees without pay, forcing them to work without compensation while facing financial hardship. The DHS has been operating without funding since February after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement. The Trump administration has blamed the delay on Democratic lawmakers, who refused to approve funding without immigration reforms. In their letter, airline CEOs emphasized that the shutdown has turned air travel into a political issue, urging lawmakers to prioritize resolving the funding crisis. They called for an agreement to restore DHS funding and legislation to ensure air traffic controllers are paid regardless of government funding changes. TSA workers, who are considered essential, have missed their first full paycheck since the shutdown began. Many have struggled to meet basic needs, with some unable to afford food, gas, or rent. Over 300 TSA employees have resigned, and call-out rates for remaining staff have more than doubled. The staffing shortages, combined with severe weather warnings and spring break travel, have led to significant delays at major airports. At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, travelers were advised to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights due to prolonged delays.#american_airlines #us_airline_ceos #delta #southwest #jetblue
