What is a 'fire whirl,' the rare weather phenomenon spotted in a California wildfire
Firefighters recently spotted the spinning columns of flames as they battled the York Fire along the California-Nevada border.
Environment
Surf's up! Wave heights increase on California's coast as climate warms
A new study finds that winter wave heights have increased along California's coastline as human actions have warmed the world's climate. Bigger waves are a threat to the already vulnerable coast.
Wildfire impacting tourist destinations in North Carolina mountains
A wildfire burning in the North Carolina mountains has led to some trail closures and smoke warnings.
Phoenix ends 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 degrees — by reaching 108
The historic heat began blasting the Southwestern U.S. in June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California's desert.
Yes, heat can affect your brain and mood. Here's why
Hot summer temperatures can make you anxious and irritable and dull your thinking. Here's what researchers think is going on.
Preservationists are trying to restore national park trails destroyed by the weather
National parks and hiking trail networks around the country are facing dual pressures - crowds and changing weather. Preservationists in New Hampshire are painstakingly restoring one such trail.
Scientists fight to help protect the Florida coral that's dying from heat
Marine scientists say record ocean temperatures have sparked widespread coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. The extreme heat and bleaching have been deadly — killing all coral on one popular reef.
A postcard from Guatemala's Lake Atitlán
NPR's Lilly Quiroz brings us a postcard from Guatemala about Lake Atitlán, considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Why it's so important to figure out when a vital Atlantic Ocean current might collapse
Scientists know a current in the Atlantic ocean could collapse suddenly as the climate changes. The question of when matters to billions of people around the globe.
City of High Point investigates contaminants found in wastewater
The city of High Point is working to identify the origins of contaminants found in its wastewater stream.