Volcanic aerosols, not pollutants, tamped down recent Earth warming Volcanic aerosols, not pollutants, tamped down recent Earth warming In the search for clues as to why Earth did not warm as much as scientists expected between 2000 and 2010, researchers have discovered the answer is hiding in plain sight. Read more
Saharan and Asian dust, biological particles end global journey in California Saharan and Asian dust, biological particles end global journey in California UCSD, NOAA study is the first to show that dust and other aerosols from one side of the world influence rainfall in another A field study of aerosol impacts on clouds and precipitation in the Sierra Nevada mountains shows that dust and microorganisms transported from as far away as the Sahara desert help to spur the precipitation that California counts on for its water supply. Read more
New NOAA study estimates future loss of labor capacity as climate warms New NOAA study estimates future loss of labor capacity as climate warms A new NOAA study projects that heat-stress related labor capacity losses will double globally by 2050 with a warming climate. The impact will be felt the most by those who work outside or in hot environments. Read more
NOAA cooperative institute captures meteor images NOAA cooperative institute captures meteor images Scientists at the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University caught a rare image Friday -- a meteor exploding over Russia. Read more
NOAA and DOE join forces to tackle climate modeling NOAA and DOE join forces to tackle climate modeling Scientists with NOAA and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science will coordinate their climate modeling research programs to answer some of the most perplexing questions in climate and Earth systems science. Read more
NOAA research finds new way to identify which El Niño events will have biggest impact on U.S. winter weather NOAA research finds new way to identify which El Niño events will have biggest impact on U.S. winter weather New research from NOAA and the University of Washington suggests that using satellites to detect heat from deep convective cloud tops may be a way to detect El Niño and could help forecasters predict the unusual weather it causes. 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