Pacific

Hurricane Polo is being described as one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with El Niño conditions credited for fueling its unusual intensity. The storm's rapid strengthening is drawing attention to how the warmer Pacific waters associated with El Niño can supercharge hurricanes, and forecasters are watching closely as it tracks across the eastern Pacific.

Tropical Storm Rachel is being tracked on weather maps as it moves across the Pacific. Forecasters and news outlets are publishing tracking maps showing the storm's projected path, giving residents in potentially affected areas information about where and when it may make landfall. Updates continue as the storm's trajectory and intensity develop.

New research indicates that the tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Northwest is splitting apart, with a tear forming deep under the region. The finding sheds light on how plates break apart at subduction zones and could reshape understanding of earthquake hazards in the area. Scientists are discussing what this means for the Cascadia region.

Powerful storms are continuing to move across the Pacific Ocean, according to reporting by NASA Science. The storms remain active and are being monitored as they prowl the region. With little further detail available, it is unclear whether the systems are threatening land or when they may weaken.

In Corte Madera, California, a local dispute over gates blocking a walking path has become a flashpoint involving wealth, property rights and town politics. The story, reported by the Pacific Sun, examines how affluent residents' efforts to restrict access to the route have drawn attention and stirred debate in the Marin County community.

Meteorologists are offering travel strategies for navigating the current Super El Niño, the powerful warming of the Pacific that is shifting weather patterns worldwide. Their advice, featured by USA TODAY 10BEST, covers how travelers can plan around El Niño-driven storms, heat and other disruptions, as the event is expected to influence conditions through the season.

REVL Training, described as Asia-Pacific's fastest-growing fitness franchise, has launched in the United States. The expansion marks the brand's first move beyond its home region, entering a crowded American fitness market where franchise-based group training concepts are competing for members and investors. Fitness industry watchers are tracking whether the brand's growth momentum can carry over to the U.S.

Forecasters say moisture originating from the Pacific Ocean may play a role in heavy rainfall over West Michigan. The report suggests atmospheric moisture carried long distances across the country could add to precipitation totals in the region. Residents are being alerted to the possibility of heavy rain in the coming days.

Scientists are sounding the alarm over a Kelvin wave, a massive band of warm water moving along the equator toward the West Coast, which could raise ocean levels along California by as much as a foot. Such a rise would heighten coastal erosion and flooding risks, especially if it coincides with storms or high tides. Kelvin waves are often linked to developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which shifts global weather. It can bring heavier rain and flooding to parts of the Americas, drought to Australia, Southeast Asia and southern Africa, and generally pushes global temperatures higher. News outlets are running explainers to help readers understand its impacts.

Meteorologists with the Arkansas Storm Team are examining what a super El Niño could mean for the coming winter season. The strong warming of Pacific Ocean waters is expected to influence weather patterns across the United States, potentially shaping temperatures and precipitation in Arkansas and beyond.

A powerful 'super' El Niño event is developing, with meteorologists warning it could significantly alter weather patterns worldwide. Forecasters expect hotter global temperatures, droughts in some regions, and heavier rainfall and flooding in others over the coming months. Scientists point to warmer-than-usual Pacific Ocean surface waters as the driver, and are urging governments and communities to prepare for potential disruptions to agriculture, water supplies and extreme weather risks.

NASA's Earth Observatory reports that powerful storms continue to move across the Pacific Ocean, with satellite imagery tracking their progress. The images highlight the scale and intensity of the weather systems churning over the region. Observers are sharing the update as the storms remain active and closely watched for impacts on shipping, coastlines and island communities.

SpaceX's Starship returned to Earth ahead of schedule, making a fiery splashdown in the Pacific Ocean during its latest orbital test mission. The early return cut short plans for the flight, though details on what prompted it have not been confirmed. The splashdown adds to the ongoing series of high-profile test flights as SpaceX continues developing the vehicle for future missions.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Seattle, according to a map published by The New York Times. Moderate quakes in the Pacific Northwest draw broad attention because of the region's known seismic risk and the potential for larger events along the Cascadia fault zone. Residents reported feeling the tremor, and officials typically check for damage after such events.

American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced plans for Alaska to join the Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses, the transatlantic and trans-Pacific alliance structures that also include partners such as British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Qantas. The move would expand Alaska's international reach and deepen coordination on routes, schedules and pricing between the two carriers.

American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced plans for Alaska to join the transatlantic and transpacific joint businesses, deepening their commercial partnership. The move would align Alaska with the alliance structures American operates alongside partners such as British Airways, Japan Airlines and Qantas, expanding coordinated networks, schedules and loyalty benefits across both the Atlantic and Pacific markets.