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
NOAA Research scientist Stephen Montzka named 2022 AAAS Fellow NOAA Research scientist Stephen Montzka named 2022 AAAS Fellow Montzka, senior scientist for the Global Monitoring Laboratory, is recognized for his distinguished contributions to the field of atmospheric sciences, particularly for measuring and interpreting trends in greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance concentrations worldwide. He is among 26 AAAS Fellows elected from NOAA since 1976. 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
National Academy of Science honors NOAA's Kirk Bryan for pioneering ocean and climate science National Academy of Science honors NOAA's Kirk Bryan for pioneering ocean and climate science Former NOAA scientist Kirk Bryan, Ph.D, has been named winner of the 2023 National Academy of Science’s Alexander Agassiz Medal for his pioneering work in oceanography and climate science. Read more
Montreal Protocol emerges as a powerful climate treaty Montreal Protocol emerges as a powerful climate treaty A new report from the U.N., which includes key scientific contributions from NOAA and international partners, confirms that the recovery of Earth’s protective ozone layer is on track, and that the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty that guides the phase-out of ozone-destroying chemicals, has had the additional benefit of slowing global warming. 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
Global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise 14Nov2022 Read more Global carbon dioxide emissions in 2022 remain at record levels and natural carbon sinks are being impacted by climate change, according to a report published last week by the Global Carbon Project. 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
NOAA Research's top accomplishments from 2022 20Dec2022 Read more Major hurricanes, intense wildfires, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses, deep sea discoveries, and more made 2022 an eventful year for NOAA Research. As we enter the final days of the year, we’re taking a look back at some of our biggest accomplishments from the last 12 months. 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