--- title: "Amazon climate extremes accelerate in unexpected region, study finds" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds" category: "Climate" area: "Latin America" published: "2026-09-09T14:05:13.420Z" source_reported: "2026-09-09T13:38:20.382Z" updated: "2026-09-09T14:15:06.856Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-09T15:00:15.704494+00:00" --- # Amazon climate extremes accelerate in unexpected region, study finds *New research indicates rapid increases in temperature and water stress are affecting areas far from deforestation.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body; two independent outlets cited; figures given with origin stated. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Anyone affected, opposed or responsible is quoted or given a right of reply; fact kept clearly separate from comment. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Mild emphasis, a lively but fair headline; some loaded adjectives used. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The central north Amazon region is experiencing a rapid increase in climate extremes, such as extreme temperatures and water stress, according to a new study. - Extreme temperatures in the Amazon have risen by at least 0.75°C per decade and over 3.22°C since 1981, with average temperatures increasing by 0.21°C per decade. - These rapid changes in climate extremes are occurring in areas far from deforestation, suggesting they are driven by global climate change rather than local factors. - The study, led by Lancaster University in partnership with WWF UK and over 50 scientists, warns that these accelerating extremes could push the Amazon past critical thresholds. The central north Amazon region, previously not considered highly vulnerable to climate change, is now at the forefront of escalating climate extremes. A new study reveals rapid growth in extreme temperatures and water stress across this area, which encompasses significant high forest cover, natural savannas, and indigenous territories. Findings published in Communications Earth & Environment indicate that 10% of the Amazon basin, an area larger than Afghanistan, has seen extreme dry-season temperatures increase by at least 0.75°C per decade and by more than 3.22°C since 1981. While average Amazon temperatures are rising in line with global averages at 0.21°C per decade, the rate of change in extreme events is significantly higher. Researchers attribute these rapid rises in areas distant from deforestation to global climate change, stating that local factors cannot explain the observed trends. The study was led by researchers at Lancaster University, in partnership with WWF UK and an international team of over 50 scientists. They analysed temperature and rainfall data from 1981 to 2023, using a high-resolution approach that divided the Amazon into 11km cells. This method allowed for the assessment of both average temperature changes and, crucially, changes in extreme temperature periods. Scientists involved in the research expressed concern that continued rapid increases in extreme climate events could risk pushing the Amazon past critical thresholds. The study highlights that climate extremes are responsible for some of the most damaging climate-linked impacts, including increased mortality, forest fires, and damage to ecosystems and human health. The potential for a severe El Niño event in 2026 adds to these concerns, with fears of extremely high temperatures and droughts following the 2024 drought. ## Coverage comparison The centre-rated reports focused on the study's findings regarding the acceleration of climate extremes in the Amazon, particularly in the central north region. They highlighted the study's attribution of these changes to global climate change, noting that the affected areas are far from deforestation zones. The potential for future extreme weather events, such as a strong El Niño, and the risk of the Amazon reaching critical tipping points were also emphasised. ## What the coverage left out None of the centre-rated reports mention the specific figure of 700,000 square kilometres used to describe the area experiencing increased extreme temperatures. The digests also did not include direct quotes from the scientists involved in the study. ## Who covered it Shares of the 3 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 100% (3) - Right: 0% (0) 6 of 9 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-09T15:00:15.704494+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-09T15:45:08.159Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The central north Amazon is experiencing the most rapid growth in climate extremes, according to Eurek Alert. This region, previously not considered highly affected, is seeing increases in dry season extreme temperatures of at least 0.75°C a decade. The study found these changes are not apparent in average temperature assessments. - Eurek Alert reported that climate extremes in the Amazon have worsened over the last 43 years. The study, led by Lancaster University, used high-resolution data to model temperature and water stress across the biome. Scientists fear rapid increases could push the Amazon past critical thresholds. - Bloomberg noted that the Amazon experienced a severe drought during the last El Niño, making it more vulnerable to a repeat. New Scientist warned that the current El Niño phase could be the most damaging on record, raising the risk of catastrophic wildfires. ### Right No separate framing summary. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 1 - unknown: 6 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-09/brazil-s-amazon-faces-return-of-drought-as-new-el-nino-builds) — Strong El Niño Raises Drought Risk for Depleted Amazon Basin - [Eurek Alert](https://eurekalert.org/news-releases/1143095) — As El Niño looms, study finds rapid growth in climate extremes are hitting an unexpected region of the Amazon hardest - [SEI](https://sei.org/about-sei/press-room/rapid-growth-in-climate-extremes-are-hitting-an-unexpected-region-of-the-amazon-hardest) — As El Niño looms, study finds rapid growth in climate extremes are hitting an unexpected region of the Amazon hardest - [lancaster.ac.uk](https://lancaster.ac.uk/news/as-el-nino-looms-study-finds-rapid-growth-in-climate-extremes-are-hitting-an-unexpected-region-of-the-amazon-hardest) — As El Niño looms, study finds rapid growth in climate extremes are hitting an unexpected region of the Amazon hardest - Lancaster University - [wwf.org.uk](https://wwf.org.uk/press-release/climate-extremes-accelerating-amazon) — Climate extremes accelerating in Amazon - [http://www.businessgreen.com](https://businessgreen.com/news/4535433/wwf-warns-amazon-rainforest-tipping-point-risk-climate-extremes-accelerate) — WWF warns areas of Amazon rainforest face 'tipping point' risk as climate extremes accelerate - [NewScientist](https://newscientist.com/article/2587998-super-el-nino-set-to-cause-terribly-dangerous-amazon-drought) — Super El Niño set to cause 'terribly dangerous' drought in the Amazon - [sumauma.com](https://sumauma.com/en/a-amazonia-precisa-se-preparar-para-um-el-nino-godzilla) — The Amazon must brace for a “Godzilla” El Niño - [maapprogram.org](https://maapprogram.org/el-nino-amazon-fires) — MAAP #248: Implications of upcoming major El Niño event on Amazon fires ## Questions **What is happening in the central north Amazon region?** The central north Amazon region is experiencing a rapid increase in climate extremes, including extreme temperatures and water stress. This unexpected development is detailed in a new study involving over 50 scientists. **How much have temperatures increased in the Amazon?** Extreme temperatures in the Amazon have increased by at least 0.75°C a decade and more than 3.22°C since 1981. Average Amazon temperatures are rising at 0.21°C a decade, which is in line with global averages. **What is causing these rapid climate changes in the Amazon?** Researchers attribute the rapid rises in extreme temperatures, particularly in regions far from deforestation, to global climate change. Local factors like deforestation cannot explain these observed trends, indicating the influence of worldwide emissions. **What are the potential consequences of these climate extremes?** Scientists fear that if these rapid increases in extreme climate events continue, they could risk pushing the Amazon past critical thresholds. These extremes are linked to increased mortality, forest fires, and damage to ecosystems and human health. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Amazon climate extremes accelerate in unexpected region, study finds", https://mediabias.news/climate/amazon-climate-extremes-accelerate-in-unexpected-region-study-finds