NOAA report highlights 2020 climate, weather, ocean research NOAA report highlights 2020 climate, weather, ocean research Launching uncrewed systems to monitor climate and ecosystem changes in the U.S. Arctic, sequencing the genome for endangered marine species, and improving weather forecasts with advances in regional models — these are just a few of NOAA’s scientific achievements in 2020. The newly released 2020 NOAA Science Report highlights the ways these accomplishments — and many more — provide the foundation for vital services that Americans use every day. Read more
Frigid Arctic air outbreaks may be predictable, new research suggests Frigid Arctic air outbreaks may be predictable, new research suggests Known for precipitating outbreaks of Arctic air, stratospheric events in polar regions often cause other kinds of extreme weather. Since the stratosphere takes a long time to recover after these events, scientists may be able to improve predictability of extreme weather weeks ahead of time. Read more
Congress reauthorizes law supporting partnerships to advance ocean science Congress reauthorizes law supporting partnerships to advance ocean science Congress voted on January 1, 2021 to reauthorize and strengthen the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, a 23-year old program created by Congress to facilitate ocean-related partnerships between federal agencies, academia and industry to advance ocean science research and education.The reauthorization passed Congress as an amendment included in Section 1055 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Read more
Sea ice loss and extreme wildfires mark another year of Arctic change Sea ice loss and extreme wildfires mark another year of Arctic change NOAA’s 15th Arctic Report Card catalogs for 2020 the numerous ways that climate change continues to disrupt the polar region, with second-highest air temperatures and second-lowest summer sea ice driving a cascade of impacts. Read more
Monitoring Change in the Arctic Monitoring Change in the Arctic Expedition to the U.S. Arctic keeps in place some vital research While NOAA has had to cancel many of its planned research surveys in Alaska, it has been able to conduct a number of scaled-back research surveys in 2020. One such survey that will be finishing up this week is in the Arctic and was conducted on board NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson to collect critical data supporting a long time series involving many scientific partners. Read more
2020 Arctic sea ice minimum second lowest on record 2020 Arctic sea ice minimum second lowest on record Read more
Carbon dioxide peaks near 420 parts per million at Mauna Loa observatory 7Jun2021 Read more In May, NOAA's measurements at the Mauna Loa observatory averaged 419.13 parts per million. Scientists at Scripps calculated a monthly average of 418.92 ppm. It's the highest level since accurate measurements began 63 years ago. Read more
NOAA index tracks how greenhouse gas pollution amplified global warming in 2020 24May2021 Read more The annual analysis of samples collected by NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network provides an updated measure of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gas pollution. Read more
Meet 5 NOAA buoys that help scientists understand our weather, climate and ocean health 2Jun2021 Read more Keeping track of ocean health is critical for understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the health of important fisheries. But how do NOAA and partner scientists gather data on such a vast environment? Read more
NOAA, Boeing team up to test greenhouse gas-measuring technology 3Jun2021 Read more Scientists with NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory will evaluate the optimal placement of greenhouse-gas sampling inlets on a Boeing 737 flying testbed owned by Alaska Air during Boeing's 2021 ecoDemonstrator technology development program. Read more
NOAA initiatives among the first round of Ocean Decade endorsed actions 11Jun2021 Read more NOAA scientists and priorities are well reflected in several of the first Ocean Decade actions endorsed and announced this week by the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC). Documents to download NOAA Blue Carbon Inventory Project.4.21.21(.pdf, 1.09 MB) - 166 download(s) Read more