Environment
Climate, water, waste and the natural world, reported from regulators, scientific advisers and government departments.
Storm names 2026-27: the full list and which comes next
The list is compiled jointly with Met Éireann and KNMI, and a new one is issued each September.
Storm Boelo: Scottish garden curator named as man killed by falling tree
SSEN said 8,636 customers were still without power on the evening of 26 October, with more strong winds forecast across the north of Scotland on 27 October.
Amber wind warning for Cornwall as Storm Austen nears
Gusts could potentially reach 60-70 mph for a time, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said.
Storm Austen named as wind warning issued for southern England
Rain adds a further hazard, with 20-30mm in many places and higher totals possible over higher ground in the west and further north on 23 October.
Severe drought declared in parts of six counties in England
Water companies in parts of England have been told to step up drought planning as the government takes measures to protect customer supplies, Defra said.
Thwaites Glacier sea-level forecast doubles in new model
The projection holds even without additional climate warming, the university said, while co-author Eric Rignot says the results point to greater coastal flooding risk.
Yorkshire enters drought, but water firm plans no restrictions
Yorkshire Water said reservoir stocks stand at 42.7%, below the 52.9% at this point in 2025, and that drought status does not automatically mean restrictions.
Swiss glaciers lose 5.5% of volume in a year
Glacier Monitoring Switzerland said the loss was the second-largest on record after 2022, driven by a winter with little snow and heatwaves that ran from May to…
Bangkok declares all 50 districts flood disaster areas
Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, was returning early from an investment roadshow in London to monitor the flood response.
El Niño heads towards its strongest level on record
The Climate Prediction Center puts the chance of a very strong event over the northern hemisphere autumn and winter at more than 90%.
Heathrow can only expand if airlines pay to cut emissions
The Climate Change Committee said expansion could only fit the UK’s climate targets if the aviation industry was required to reach zero emissions by 2050.
