Path to recovery of ozone layer passes a significant milestone Path to recovery of ozone layer passes a significant milestone An annual analysis of air samples collected at remote sites around the globe that is tracking a continued decline in the atmospheric concentration of ozone-depleting substances shows the threat to the ozone layer receding below a significant milestone in 2022, NOAA scientists have announced. Read more
NOAA invests $5.9M in small businesses to advance innovative technologies NOAA invests $5.9M in small businesses to advance innovative technologies The NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program awarded approximately $5.9 million in Phase II SBIR grants to 12 small businesses. This seed funding will support research and development of innovative technologies in the NOAA mission space. The winning proposals represent projects across multiple research topic areas, which include Blue Economy, ‘Omics, Artificial Intelligence, Uncrewed Systems, and Citizen Science & STEM Education. Read more
Eruption highlights NOAA technological innovation Eruption highlights NOAA technological innovation When a volcano in the South Pacific Ocean erupted in January 2022, NOAA researchers were well-equipped to study the multi-hazard event by sky and by sea. Key technologies and strategic partnerships made it possible for NOAA to issue warnings that saved lives around the world, while also collecting scientific data that will improve forecasting models and disaster response for future events. Read more
Guam Sea Grant becomes an Institutional Sea Grant Program Guam Sea Grant becomes an Institutional Sea Grant Program NOAA and Sea Grant are pleased to announce that Guam Sea Grant has achieved status as a Sea Grant Institutional Program, a designation of growth from the program’s previous Coherent Area Program status. The designation comes on the unanimous recommendation of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board and NOAA senior leadership. Read more
Sarah Kapnick named NOAA chief scientist Sarah Kapnick named NOAA chief scientist The Biden-Harris Administration named Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., as NOAA’s chief scientist today. Kapnick will serve as the senior scientist for the agency, advancing policy and program direction for NOAA’s science and technology priorities. She is the third woman in NOAA’s history to be appointed to this role. Read more
Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring High background levels of ozone pollution make it hard for Las Vegas and other southwestern cities to meet US air quality standards in spring, two NOAA studies find. But local pollution sources drive summer's high ozone days. Read more
Path to recovery of ozone layer passes a significant milestone 24Aug2022 Read more An annual analysis of air samples collected at remote sites around the globe that is tracking a continued decline in the atmospheric concentration of ozone-depleting substances shows the threat to the ozone layer receding below a significant milestone in 2022, NOAA scientists have announced. Read more
NOAA and Saildrone launch seven hurricane-tracking surface drones 3Aug2022 Read more In partnership with NOAA, Saildrone Inc. is deploying seven ocean drones to collect data from hurricanes during the 2022 hurricane season with the goal of improving hurricane forecasting. For the first year, two saildrones will track hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more
Thirty years of progress in hurricane forecasting since Hurricane Andrew 22Aug2022 Read more Hurricane Andrew made landfall on August 24, 1992, near Homestead, Florida, becoming one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in U.S. history. It had an extremely low central pressure of 922 millibars and maximum sustained wind speeds estimated at 165 miles per hour. The storm rapidly intensified less than 36 hours before landfall, leaving most residents less than a day to secure their homes and heed evacuation orders. When NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) staff found themselves with a major hurricane on their doorstep, hurricane researchers urgently began working to aid forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurricane Andrew affected their families, and even destroyed one scientist’s home. Once the hurricane passed, our scientists went right back to work, using what they had learned and seen firsthand to improve our understanding of tropical cyclones. In the 30 years since Andrew, NOAA scientists, forecasters and partners have revolutionized hurricane forecasting to save lives and property. Read more
NOAA celebrates new Arctic observatory near Utqiaġvik 5Aug2022 Read more More than 50 years after NOAA commissioned the first Arctic atmospheric observatory in a temporary building at the northernmost point of the United States, NOAA leadership celebrated a new, expanded observatory and research facility worthy of the significance of its work. Read more
Study validates accuracy of NOAA’s smoke forecasting model during the Camp Fire 5Jul2022 Read more A research team led by scientists from the University of California Berkeley and NOAA found that HRRR-Smoke accurately predicted the intensification of smoke pollution from the Camp Fire. Read more