Tracking change in the Arctic Tracking change in the Arctic Editor's note: This is the second in a series Dispatches from the Arctic on the August science cruise by NOAA and partner scientists aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy. Today's post is from Meredith LaValley of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee and the NOAA Communications team. Read more
Wildfire Temperatures Key to Understanding Smoke Impacts Wildfire Temperatures Key to Understanding Smoke Impacts Findings will help 2019 NOAA-NASA wildfire campaign New research finds the temperature of a wildfire is a better predictor of what’s in the smoke than the type of fuel being burned - a surprising result that will advance a wildfire smoke-modeling tool currently under development. Read more
NOAA Arctic explorers sail North NOAA Arctic explorers sail North This is the first in a series Dispatches from the Arctic on the August science cruise by NOAA and partner scientists aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy. Today's post is from Emily Osborne, Arctic Program Manager at NOAA Research, Janet Hsiao, NOAA John Knauss Sea Grant fellow, and Meredith LaValley of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee. Read more
When noise becomes signal When noise becomes signal Unusual California precipitation over last two winters could have been predicted Last spring, Governor Jerry Brown declared an end to California’s historic drought that caused over $5 billion in damage to agriculture as well as substantial impacts to fisheries, infrastructure, human health, and vegetation. The drought was not only severe, but it also spanned the winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17, which had unusual and unexpected precipitation that affected the drought’s evolution. Read more
Studying wildfires by flying directly through the smoke Studying wildfires by flying directly through the smoke We already have the Hurricane Hunters, now make room for the Wildfire Hunters. Understanding how wildfires impact air pollution and the composition of Earth’s atmosphere is critical for communities near and far because smoke from wildfires can travel long distances and have adverse health impacts on citizens. Read more
NOAA research model brings severe weather into focus NOAA research model brings severe weather into focus Upgrade of the HRRR is one example of how research supports operations NOAA’s best severe-weather model just received an upgrade developed by NOAA researchers that will help the National Weather Service provide more accurate hazardous weather and aviation forecasts. Scientists are also using it to advance a wide array of future forecast tools. Read more
Another climate milestone on Mauna Loa 7Jun2018 Read more Carbon dioxide levels measured at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory averaged more than 410 parts per million in April and May, the highest monthly averages ever recorded. Read more
NOAA research model brings severe weather into focus 12Jul2018 Read more NOAA’s best severe-weather model just received an upgrade developed by NOAA researchers that will help the National Weather Service provide more accurate hazardous weather and aviation forecasts. Scientists are also using it to advance a wide array of future forecast tools. Read more
Research: coral reefs will be unable to keep pace with sea-level rise 13Jun2018 Read more Many coral reefs will be unable to grow fast enough to keep up with predicted rising sea levels, leaving tropical coastlines and low-lying islands exposed to increasing erosion and flooding risk, new research suggests. Read more
NOAA’s greenhouse gas index up 41 percent since 1990 30May2018 Read more The warming influence from long-lived greenhouse gases rose again in 2017, reflecting ongoing changes to the atmosphere associated predominantly with human activities, NOAA scientists announced today. Read more
Emissions of ozone-destroying chemical controlled by Montreal Protocol rising again, NOAA data shows 17May2018 Read more Emissions of one of the chemicals most responsible for the Antarctic ozone hole are on the rise, despite an international treaty that required an end to its production in 2010, a new NOAA study shows. Read more