NOAA scientist’s patented design expands the limits of atmospheric research NOAA scientist’s patented design expands the limits of atmospheric research New instrument is smaller, lighter and much more sensitive to low concentrations of nitrogen oxides NOAA scientist Andrew Rollins was unsatisfied with the current, research-grade instrument for measuring nitrogen oxides. So he built a better one. Read more
NOAA, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office create work-sharing program to advance green technology NOAA, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office create work-sharing program to advance green technology The Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a collaboration to promote and advance further innovation in climate and “green” technology areas, a key focus of the Biden administration. Read more
Having dodged lava flows, NOAA's Mauna Loa research facility to get upgrades Having dodged lava flows, NOAA's Mauna Loa research facility to get upgrades NOAA’s Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory, the benchmark sampling site for monitoring global climate change, is slated to undergo a major renovation and facility upgrade once road access is restored over lava flows produced by the recent eruption of Mauna Loa volcano, NOAA announced today. Read more
Scientists peer into the dark for insights on daytime air pollution Scientists peer into the dark for insights on daytime air pollution Scientists have long known that the sun drive photochemical reactions responsible for generating ozone and particulate pollution that is harmful to human health. But what happens when the sun goes down? A new study co-authored by a Chemical Sciences Laboratory resesearcher provides insight into what happens with air pollution in the dark of the night.. Read more
One facility makes a big contribution to Salt Lake’s winter brown cloud One facility makes a big contribution to Salt Lake’s winter brown cloud Finding helps explain Salt Lake City's persistent air quality problems The 2.4 million people who live along Utah’s Wasatch Front experience some of the most severe winter particulate matter air pollution in the nation. Now, analysis of measurements taken during NOAA research flights in 2017 indicates that emissions from a single source, a magnesium refinery, may be responsible for a significant fraction of the fine particles that form the dense winter brown clouds that hang over Salt Lake City. Read more
Major HYSPLIT Update Improves the Nation’s Public Safety Major HYSPLIT Update Improves the Nation’s Public Safety On December 6, 2022, a major new version of HYSPLIT was fully implemented at the National Weather Service’s (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). HYSPLIT is the pre-eminent model, developed and updated by NOAA’s Air Resources Laboratory, that has been used for tracking hazardous and toxic emissions from industrial, transportation, and nuclear accidents, smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires, ash from volcanic eruptions and dust from dust storms. Among its new capabilities is an expanded and enhanced capability for volcanic ash modeling. Read more
Atmospheric Rivers: What are they and how does NOAA study them? 11Jan2023 Read more You may have heard of atmospheric rivers in the news lately due to the intense rainfall and flooding along the U.S. West Coast. These naturally occurring air currents can bring both severe disruption and great benefit through the heavy rain and mountain snows that contribute to regional water supply. NOAA studies atmospheric rivers to improve forecasting capabilities as well as to improve our understanding of atmospheric river impacts on communities and the physical environment. Read more
One facility makes a big contribution to Salt Lake’s winter brown cloud 25Jan2023 Read more The 2.4 million people who live along Utah’s Wasatch Front experience some of the most severe winter particulate matter air pollution in the nation. Now, analysis of measurements taken during NOAA research flights in 2017 indicates that emissions from a single source, a magnesium refinery, may be responsible for a significant fraction of the fine particles that form the dense winter brown clouds that hang over Salt Lake City. Read more
When volcanoes roar: protecting the public and tracking long-term climate impacts 5Jan2023 Read more 2022 was a busy year for volcanic eruptions with Hawaii's Mauna Loa and Kilaeau erupting simultaneously, along with Mount Semeru, Indonesia and the Hunga undersea volcano in Tonga. While the United States Geological Survey is the primary agency that monitors volcanic activity in the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees safety systems for tsunamis and other volcano-related threats, as well as studies the impact of volcanic gasses on our global climate. Read more
Towering wildfire clouds have big impacts on the stratosphere 23Feb2023 Read more Smoke from wildfire-generated thunderstorms has greater impacts on the stratosphre, lasts longer and acts differently than scientists previously thought, a new research paper in the journal Science concludes. Read more
Low ice on the Great Lakes this winter 17Feb2023 Read more Ice coverage has reached a record low in the Great Lakes for this time of year. Read more