Meteored US

The planet’s relentless warming continued in September, making it the second-warmest such month on record. Meanwhile, tropical cyclone activity surged in the Pacific, deadly typhoons struck Asia, and global sea ice extent ranked third-lowest. The latest global climate report shows Earth is on pace for a top-five warmest year. It would take a climate miracle to keep 2026 from ranking among the top five warmest years on record for the planet. There is now a greater than 99.9% chance of this year ranking that high, according to the September global climate report issued by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The report also concluded that there is a 95% chance this year will rank as the second- or third-warmest on record for Earth. Global surface temperature departures for September. Our planet's global surface temperature for September was 1.33°C (2.39°F) above the 10th-century average. That ranks the month as the second-warmest September since 1850, the first year global records started. Remarkably, it was the 51st September in a row with above-average global temperatures. The past four Septembers were the four warmest Septembers on record. ## Record Heat Grips the U.S. and Globe "Much-above-average temperatures spanned the globe during September 2026, with notable temperature departures exceeding +2.0°C (+3.6°F) across North America, Europe, western Asia, Australia, western Antarctica, and small portions of northern South America and Africa," noted the report's authors. "Record-high September land temperatures occurred across portions of North America, northern South America, western Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia." Year-to-date global temperature departures. The year-to-date (January through September) global surface temperature ranked as the second-warmest in the 177-year record. The 12-month period ending in September was the third-warmest such period on record. The 24-month period ending in September was the second-warmest such period. The 36-month, 48-month, and 60-month periods ending in September were all the warmest such periods on record. Related articleRecord scorching September heat caps the warmest first nine months of the year on record in the U.S. September's global climate report was released just a few days after the NCEI's national climate report for the month. It revealed that the contiguous U.S. had not only its warmest September on record but also its warmest January-through-September period on record. The first nine-month period of the year for the U.S. was a little over 4 degrees above the 20th-century average. ## Global Tropical Cyclones Surge as Sea Ice Shrinks to Near-Record Lows The September global climate report listed several "notable weather and climate events" that occurred during the month. A super El Niño supercharged an active month for hurricanes in the Pacific. The Eastern North Pacific tied a record for the most tropical cyclones in September and set records for the number of both hurricanes and major hurricanes. Hurricane Polo was the second most intense hurricane on record to form in this part of the Pacific. Map of September selected notable climate and weather events. Other notable events included a pair of typhoons. Typhoon Dujuan dropped record-breaking rainfall in eastern Japan, triggering flooding and landslides, killing at least 10 people. Typhoon Saudel caused at least 18 deaths in China as a result of rain-triggered landslides and flooding. Global tropical cyclone activity was higher than normal during the month, as 19 named storms formed worldwide. and the Arctic (right).") Maps of September's sea ice extent in Antarctica (left) and the Arctic (right). Our overheating planet continued to take its toll on sea ice. "Global sea ice extent was the third smallest for September in the 48-year record, covering 8.54 million square miles, which is 800,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average," the report noted. "The Arctic had its 13th-lowest September extent on record, falling 300,000 square miles below average. Meanwhile, the Antarctic sea extent was 500,000 square miles below average and the third-smallest September extent."

The Lower 48 will continue to face the potential for flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, and wintry conditions, while a sharp temperature contrast is expected to develop between the central and eastern United States and the West. Tropical moisture associated with Isaias and Rachel will bring an array of weather hazards to portions of the United States, with flooding, gusty winds, severe thunderstorms, and even the potential for tornadoes threatening parts of the East Coast. Meanwhile, record-breaking warmth is expected to spread northward across the Mississippi Valley over the next several days. ## Isaias brings storm threat to the East Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias is bringing widespread rainfall to the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, while scattered showers and thunderstorms extend along the Southeast Coast. Locally heavy rainfall could result in isolated to scattered flash flooding across portions of the Mid-Atlantic, particularly where rainfall rates are highest. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms will also be possible through this evening from the Mid-Atlantic into the eastern Carolinas. These storms could bring additional hazards as the region continues to deal with periods of heavy precipitation. Rainfall is expected to persist across the Mid-Atlantic into Monday morning before gradually tapering off during the afternoon as Isaias moves offshore into the Atlantic. Drier conditions should prevail across the eastern United States for the remainder of Monday. However, precipitation chances are expected to return to the Northeast on Tuesday as a frontal boundary moves southward into the region. Farther west, tropical moisture associated with the remnants of Rachel is surging into the Intermountain West, producing heavy precipitation ahead of a deep upper-level low-pressure system. #### Winter weather across the West and Plains The influx of moisture into the northern Intermountain West is interacting with colder air, resulting in wintry precipitation across the northern Rockies. Winter storm conditions will be possible in this area through Monday morning, potentially creating hazardous travel conditions before the weather begins to improve. Winter storm conditions will be possible across the northern Rockies through Monday As the upper-level low shifts toward the Southwest on Tuesday, precipitation is expected to become more focused over the region before gradually spreading eastward into Wyoming and Colorado. Related articleSecond full week of October will bring snow, severe thunderstorms, scorching heat, and flooding Temperature divide will develop across the country through midweek. Much warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast across much of the central and eastern United States. High temperatures are expected to reach the 80s, with readings climbing into the lower 90s in portions of the Plains and Midwest. Some locations could tie or break daily record highs as the unseasonably warm conditions persist. A temperature map showing a notable contrast between the western states and areas farther east. In contrast, the Intermountain West will experience significantly cooler weather beneath the influence of the upper-level low. High temperatures across much of the region are expected to remain in the 40s and 50s, creating a notable temperature difference between the western states and areas farther east. While conditions are expected to improve across much of the East by Monday afternoon as Isaias moves offshore, another round of precipitation could develop in the Northeast on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the western weather system will continue shifting across the Southwest and into the central Rockies and High Plains.

Staying overnight in a monastery offers a different perspective on Europe's historic buildings while providing a starting point for exploring the surrounding area. It is an especially appealing option for those looking to enjoy some peace and quiet and escape the stresses of everyday life. Santo Estevo Monastery in Ourense, Spain. Fall is one of the best times to discover a different side of Europe, a quieter one where vineyards turn shades of ochre, forests take center stage, and peaceful destinations invite travelers to slow down. Among the most distinctive places to stay are former monasteries converted into hotels, where historic architecture meets modern comforts. From Galicia to Austria, these five European monasteries offer the opportunity to spend the night within centuries-old walls, wander through peaceful cloisters, and explore some of the continent's most beautiful landscapes. They provide an alternative for travelers looking for something beyond a conventional hotel during fall 2026. ## Spain: Santo Estevo, a hidden monastery in Ribeira Sacra Deep in Ribeira Sacra, surrounded by chestnut and oak trees, Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil Monastery, in the Galician province of Ourense, offers one of Spain's most distinctive experiences for staying in a historic building. Its three cloisters feature Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, while its granite walls preserve the legacy of centuries of Benedictine monastic life. Medieval arches in the cloister of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil Monastery. Today, the complex houses the four-star Parador de Santo Estevo, where guests can spend the night in a historic landmark without sacrificing the comforts of a modern hotel. The surrounding landscape deserves at least a full day of exploration. The Sil River canyons, vineyards planted on steep slopes, and scenic viewpoints throughout Ribeira Sacra offer particularly beautiful routes in the fall. Visitors can also take catamaran excursions or explore local wineries. ## Portugal: Arouca Monastery, surrounded by mountains and wooden walkways In northern Portugal, Arouca Monastery combines religious heritage, history, and nature. The former monastic complex, associated with Mafalda of Portugal and the Cistercian community, preserves a Baroque church, cloisters, and a museum that offers insight into its past. The cloister of Arouca Monastery in northern Portugal. Part of the complex, located in the Porto Metropolitan Area in Portugal's Northern Region, is home to the MS Collection Arouca, a five-star hotel integrated into the monastery, featuring contemporary rooms overlooking the gardens or courtyard. A stay here can be combined with a visit to the Paiva Valley. The area is home to the Passadiços do Paiva, a network of wooden walkways along the river, and the 516 Arouca suspension bridge, which stretches high above the mountainous landscape. In fall, the riverside forests and changing colors of the vegetation make this an appealing destination for combining a historic stay with hiking. ## France: Fontevraud, a medieval abbey in the Loire Valley The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, in France, is one of Europe's most impressive medieval monastic complexes. Founded in the 12th century, it became an important religious center and today offers visitors the opportunity to explore monumental architecture featuring Romanesque spaces and carefully preserved historic buildings. Aerial view of Fontevraud Abbey in France's Loire Valley. The Fontevraud L’Ermitage hotel occupies part of the abbey grounds, offering a unique opportunity to stay within this historic complex. Among the abbey's main attractions are its cloisters, Romanesque kitchens, and the church where historical figures such as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart are buried. Related articleGreece’s Family Treasure: The Little-Known White Village on Rhodes That Captivates Every Traveler Its location also makes it an excellent base for exploring the beautiful Loire Valley, with its vineyards, historic villages, and castles. For a fall getaway, cycling routes and winery visits offer a chance to discover a region where history and gastronomy are central to the experience. ## Switzerland: Ittingen Charterhouse, peaceful surroundings among the vineyards In the Swiss canton of Thurgau, Ittingen Charterhouse shows how a former monastery can be transformed into a welcoming cultural destination without losing its original character. The complex, whose origins date back to the 12th century, is surrounded by orchards, gardens, meadows, and vineyards. The picturesque Ittingen Charterhouse in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. Today, it operates as a hotel and cultural center. Its cloisters, herb garden, and historic spaces invite visitors to enjoy a peaceful stay away from more crowded destinations. The surrounding area also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the Swiss countryside. Cycling routes wind through hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards, while Lake Constance provides scenic waterfront walks. Visitors can also explore the Rhine Falls, one of the region's most impressive natural attractions. ## Austria: Göttweig Abbey, overlooking the Danube The final stop on our journey takes us to Austria. The Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig sits on a hill overlooking the Danube Valley and the vineyards of Wachau, a wine-growing region celebrated for its cultural landscape. Its imposing Baroque architecture stands out among the hills, especially when the vines turn shades of yellow, copper, and red. Göttweig Benedictine Abbey offers an opportunity to discover the Danube Valley and the Wachau wine region. Although the monastery still has an active Benedictine community, it also offers guest accommodations, allowing visitors to stay in a setting shaped by centuries of religious history. Related articleEurope’s largest river cruise ship is about to arrive, promising to revolutionize travel on the Danube From the abbey, visitors can follow trails through the vineyards, explore towns such as Dürnstein and Weißenkirchen, or cycle along the Danube Cycle Path. Boat trips offer another perspective on the villages, fortresses, and cultivated hillsides that define the region. ### Article reference Escribano, D. (2026). Ora et labora: Magical European monasteries where you can spend the night.

It looks like a watermelon, is the size of a grape, and tastes like cucumber with a hint of lime. Cucamelon is an exotic Mexican fruit considered a gourmet delicacy, with surprising benefits and simple growing requirements for your home garden. So small that a handful can contain dozens of fruits. Their size also makes harvesting them feel almost like searching for tiny green marbles among the leaves. It looks like a watermelon that someone shrank to the size of a grape, but one bite reveals a flavor much closer to cucumber. The cucamelon (Melothria scabra) is a tiny fruit with a fresh, cucumber-like taste and a slight tartness reminiscent of lemon or lime. In Mexico, it is known as sandiita, mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, or Mexican miniature watermelon. Although it belongs to the same family as cucumbers, squash, melons, and watermelons, it is not simply a miniature version of any of them. It belongs to the cucurbit family but is part of the genus Melothria. Its fruits typically measure just a few centimeters and have green skin with pale markings that resemble a watermelon's pattern. Despite its Mexican origins, however, it remains relatively unknown. It has gained popularity in other markets, particularly as a gourmet ingredient. Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture notes that it is widely consumed and sold in the United States and Europe. ## It looks like a watermelon, tastes like cucumber, and can be enjoyed in many ways Its flavor is nothing like its appearance. On the outside, it looks like a tiny watermelon, but biting into it reveals the fresh, crunchy taste of cucumber with a tart hint of lemon or lime. The entire fruit is edible, including the skin, so all you need to do is wash it before eating. The best time to harvest cucamelons is before they grow too large. Picking them while they are still young helps preserve the firm, crunchy texture that makes them so enjoyable to eat fresh. Cucamelons are also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They can be eaten as a snack with a little salt and chili powder, added whole or sliced to salads, or paired with tomatoes, fresh cheeses, and other vegetables. Their size and appearance have also made them popular in drinks and cocktails, where they add a refreshing touch and look like tiny watermelons floating in the glass. Another popular way to enjoy them is by pickling them in vinegar, much like miniature pickles. Their firm texture holds up well during pickling, and they pair nicely with garlic, chili peppers, herbs, and spices. Once pickled, they can be served as a side dish, added to salads, or eaten straight from the jar. Related articleThe Fruit Trees You Shouldn’t Have at Home: They Can Cause More Problems Than You Imagine Although its unusual appearance tends to steal the spotlight, cucamelon also offers nutritional value. It provides fiber, vitamins, and various antioxidant compounds while being a fresh, light food. There is no need to label it a "superfood" to appreciate it. Its appeal lies in being a different, enjoyable, and easy addition to everyday meals. ### A small climbing vine you can also grow at home Cucamelon is also an appealing addition to the garden because the plant is a climbing vine that produces plenty of fruit. It develops long, trailing stems that can be trained along a trellis, stake, or small vertical support. As the foliage grows, tiny "watermelons" begin appearing among the leaves. Cucamelons can be grown in containers as long as there is enough room for their roots and, most importantly, a support structure for the vines to climb. The plant is relatively easy to care for. It thrives in sunlight, warm weather, and well-draining soil or potting mix. Watering should be consistent, but the soil should not remain waterlogged. At first, the plant looks rather unassuming, and its early leaves offer little indication of the vine it will eventually become. Once it begins producing climbing stems, growth accelerates considerably with warm temperatures and plenty of light. As the plant grows, it is worth checking that the vines do not become tangled together. Allowing the plant to climb improves airflow through the foliage, makes the fruits easier to find, and prevents many of them from remaining hidden or touching the ground. Container-grown plants require a little more attention when it comes to watering because potting mix can dry out faster than garden soil. A light layer of mulch helps retain moisture, and relatively consistent watering is especially important during fruit production. Related articleHow to Keep Your Cactus from Rotting: Essential Tips for Disease Prevention With proper care and favorable growing conditions, the first harvests can begin 60 to 75 days after planting. The fruits are best picked while they are still small, firm, and crunchy. It may look like an exotic fruit from another planet, but cucamelon is as Mexican as the prickly pear cactus. If you get the chance, give it a try or grow it yourself. Few things in the garden are as fun as harvesting a grape-sized "watermelon" that, surprisingly, tastes like cucumber with a hint of lime.

Category 4 Hurricane Simon will bring destructive, life-threatening conditions to Mexico, as a plume of moisture from the storm streams north into the Plains and Mississippi Valley this week. Hurricane Simon is a category 4 hurricane as of Sunday morning's latest update. Hurricane Simon is currently a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds around 140 mph as it moves near the west-central Mexico coast today. Some weakening is likely to occur as this storm continues to track north and then fully onshore through the upcoming days. In Mexico, hurricane warnings are in effect from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito. Life-threatening storm surge, flooding rain and hurricane-force winds are expected through the end of the weekend and into the start of the week. Associated moisture from this hurricane is likely to bring huge amounts of tropical moisture through southern parts of the US, most likely over parts of the Plains and Mississippi Valley this week as well. ## Tracking major hurricane Simon The latest modelling shows Hurricane Simon moving slowly northwest before turning east and moving onshore through midweek. It is still expected to be hurricane force, likely a Category 2 storm, as it passes off the coast near Puerto Vallarta. Hurricane Simon is bringing dangerous conditions to Mexico today and through the week ahead. From there, Simon looks to weaken further as it passes over the Islas Marías. It will likely still be a Category 1 hurricane as it passes near or over the southern parts of the islands, weakening to a tropical storm past the northern tip of the archipelago. Finally, it will weaken into a tropical depression, likely moving onshore near Mazatlan. This storm will bring all the hazards to Mexico, including dangerous winds and storm surge potentially between 10 to 15 feet. Related articleTropical Storm Rachel headed for California and the Southwest; set to bring flooding rain across western states Rainfall totals also look to be high, with the National Hurricane Center noting, "Simon is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 8 to 16 inches over portions of southwestern Mexico, with isolated maximum storm totals of 30 inches possible across portions of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco through Monday." With these high totals, flash flooding and landslide potential will also increase. ## Flooding rain this week in the Plains After Simon moves into central areas of Mexico, it will continue to track northeast. Currently, it looks as though it will move towards southern parts of the US, including New Mexico and Texas through the end of the week. Moisture from Simon will stream north throughout the week ahead. Even as it slowly moves near Mexico over the coming days, its tropical moisture will interact with a trough in the upper atmosphere that is sliding east into central parts of the US through much of the week. This jet stream pattern will help to pull moisture from Simon across the Plains and Mississippi Valley through Wednesday and Thursday in particular. Additionally, a low-pressure system will move over Colorado on Wednesday, with a cold front extending south through the Big Bend of Texas and into Mexico. The WPC has noted a swath of the central US where excessive rainfall is likely on Wednesday. With this in mind, the WPC has noted a large swath from New Mexico and Texas to Missouri where there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding for both days. This is especially true if thunderstorms develop over the Southern Plains, which currently look possible on Wednesday. The WPC notes, "Heavy rain is likely in any convective cores that develop thanks to the environment in place with such a prolific deep moisture plume in place thanks to the remnants of Simon." Many areas are likely to see flooding rain through this coming week with localized totals over 8 inches possible through Friday. Through the end of Friday, many areas through the Plains and Mississippi Valley could see over 6 inches of rainfall. This could lead to not only flash flooding, but also river flooding and inundation of low-lying areas. People should bear this in mind headed into this upcoming week.